The last Elf to step forward had a face that looked more seasoned than the other Elves, but her beauty was deeper and almost transcendent.
In her gaze, one could sense the wisdom accumulated over long years, and the strength of someone who has borne heavy burdens as a leader.
But in the depths of her eyes, there lingered unmistakable shadows—traces of countless hardships and sorrows endured with her people.
She walked forward quietly, showing no sign of weariness, yet on her upright shoulders one could sense the weight she carried.
She was clearly the Elf Chieftain.
As soon as the gate was completely shut, the Elf Chieftain walked slowly toward Sang-woong, receiving the attention of countless Elves.
Her steps were light, as if she were barely touching the Earth, but each one was steady, revealing her imposing presence.
The Elf Chieftain stopped a short distance in front of Sang-woong.
She looked straight at Sang-woong.
In her deep eyes, there was not suspicion, but understanding and respect.
It was as if she had finally found the one they had long been seeking.
After a brief moment of silence, the Elf Chieftain bowed deeply without hesitation.
It was the most courteous of greetings.
Her clear, resonant voice echoed across the quiet land.
“I came here, feeling the aura of the World Tree that has once again taken root on this Earth.”
Still bowing, she continued to speak.
Her voice carried the will of her entire Elf tribe.
“To the new Owner of the Land. I greet you on behalf of all Elves.”
Sang-woong, facing the surreal scene and the Elf Chieftain who offered such respect, naturally bowed his head in return.
At that moment, a familiar system Message appeared before Sang-woong.
“Will you accept the Elf tribe as inhabitants of the land?”
Without hesitation, Sang-woong nodded, expressing his willingness to accept.
‘Thank you, Owner of the Land.”
The Elf Chieftain expressed her deep gratitude.
Sang-woong sincerely welcomed them.
“No, it is all of you who truly belong by the World Tree’s side. Of course you have every right to live on this land. Welcome.”
When Sang-woong welcomed them with sincerity, a wave of relief washed over the faces of the gathered Elves.
Shoulders that had been stiff with tension visibly relaxed, and tired eyes regained a faint vitality.
Grateful voices, mingled with long-repressed emotions, broke out softly.
“Thank you so much for accepting us…”
“Thank you, Owner of the Land…”
“This endless journey… has finally ended…”
Soft sobs and a wave of gratitude rose up from all around.
It was as if their weary bodies and hearts were melting away with Sang-woong’s warm words.
The Elf Chieftain once again bowed deeply to Sang-woong, her heart full of emotion.
“With the generosity of the Owner of the Land, all of the Elf tribe is sincerely grateful. We will never forget this grace.”
After the words of thanks were exchanged, all the Elves’ gazes turned, as if by prior agreement, to the World Tree standing tall behind them.
The existence they had so longed for during their long wandering.
Now, at last, they could stand in its presence.
Realizing this, their eyes were full of awe and a yearning that cut to the bone.
An elderly Elf woman spoke in a trembling voice.
“That aura… I can feel it. It’s truly a living World Tree…”
A young Elf beside her added with a look of wonder,
“Mother… we… we did it… We finally found the World Tree… We don’t have to wander anymore…”
The Elf Chieftain looked at the World Tree and let out a long, relieved sigh.
“Yes. This is truly the place where the World Tree has taken root again. And… it is the true home of our Elf tribe.”
She turned to Sang-woong and spoke.
“Owner of the Land. During our long wandering, the only thing that sustained us was the hope that the World Tree would live again. Now that it stands here once more… the Elf tribe wishes to settle on this land, serve the World Tree, and live in harmony with this Earth forever. May we make our new home beside the World Tree?”
Sang-woong smiled brightly at the Chieftain’s sincere question.
“Of course! You are the ones who best suit the World Tree. Please, settle wherever you wish. The rules of the Earth I have set are simple. Anyone who wishes to live on my land is welcome, as long as we help each other and live peacefully together.”
He looked around and continued.
“There’s much to do to settle in. You’ll need to prepare dwellings… If there’s anything you need, please let me know at any time. Food, building materials, tools—whatever you require.”
The Elf Chieftain once again expressed her gratitude for Sang-woong’s thoughtful consideration.
“Thank you once again for your kindness, Owner of the Land.”
Sang-woong gestured toward the Ahoa Tribe and Kahuka Tribe, who had been watching the Elves curiously.
“Do you know who those people are? They are neighbors who settled on this land before you.”
“Yes, we have never had conflict, but we have heard of the Ahoa Tribe and Kahuka Tribe from our ancestors.”
The Elf Chieftain replied.
Sang-woong smiled.
“I see. I’m glad you’re already familiar with them. Then let’s all introduce ourselves. From now on, you will all be neighbors.”
At Sang-woong’s words, Hoofer, the representative of the two tribes who had been watching the Elves, stepped forward.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Hoofer! Kahu!”
Hoofer, with the characteristic vigor of the Kahuka Tribe, was the first to greet them.
“It is an honor to meet the Kahuka Tribe. I am Astilbe, Chieftain of the Elves.”
Chieftain Astilbe greeted them with both elegance and gravity.
“Welcome to our land! If you need anything, just take it from the Barn over there! There’s plenty of food! Kahu!”
Hoofer, with his typical straightforwardness and heartiness, welcomed them and even told them to help themselves to anything in the Barn, including food supplies.
*Thank you, Hoofer-nim.”
Astilbe once again bowed respectfully in thanks.
With introductions finished, Sang-woong decided to hold a modest welcoming feast for the newly settled Elves.
It might not be a grand banquet, but he wanted to serve them warm and delicious food.
“Lady Astilbe, what kind of food do the Elves like?”
Sang-woong asked the most important question as a restaurant owner.
“We… in our current circumstances, we will gratefully eat anything.”
Astilbe replied modestly.
“That’s alright. Since we’ll be living together from now on, I should at least know what you all like. Please, tell me.”
At Sang-woong’s earnest words, Astilbe thought for a moment before answering.
“In that case… the Elf tribe enjoys fruits and fresh vegetables. We also like dried seeds. We sometimes eat meat as well.”
“Understood.”
Sang-woong got to work right away.
He brought out all the ingredients stored in the Barn and the plentiful ingredients piled up in his Inventory.
With the number of Elves reaching several hundred, this much was needed for everyone to eat their fill and recover their strength.
“Thank you… for even sharing food with us like this…”
Astilbe once again bowed her head in gratitude, moved.
For them, Sang-woong had prepared a special dish with particular care.
It was pasta.
He thought Elves would like Aglio e Olio, flavored with Olive Oil, garlic, and Pepperoncino.
Upon hearing about the welcoming feast, not only the Elves but also the Ahoa Tribe and Kahuka Tribe were delighted and helped prepare the food.
Before long, the delicious aroma of various foods wafted from all over the land.
The Elves, exhausted from their long wandering, stood frozen before the feast laid out before them.
It was a bounty they hadn’t seen in decades—no, even centuries.
More than simply filling their bellies, the fresh, colorful ingredients and the carefully prepared dishes offered warmth and comfort to their tired eyes, noses, and hearts.
They did not rush or fight over the food.
Instead, they looked at the prepared dishes with reverent and careful expressions.
The Aglio e Olio pasta Sang-woong had prepared especially for the Elves glistened with Olive Oil over long, golden noodles, with garlic and Pepperoncino mixed temptingly in.
Though unfamiliar in form to the Elves, the subtle scent of Olive Oil, garlic, and the spicy yet clean aroma of Pepperoncino awakened their senses.
Several Elves, curious, began to fill their plates with pasta.
A young Elf cautiously twirled the noodles with a fork and took a bite.
His eyes widened.
It was spicy yet not greasy, with a clean taste, and the freshness of Olive Oil and garlic filled his mouth with the flavor of nature.
“This is… I’ve never tasted anything like this… it’s really… really delicious…”
The Elf spoke in awe, his voice trembling.
Other Elves also began to try the pasta one by one, and soon their initial hesitation faded and they began eating heartily.
The weary look on their faces was replaced by satisfaction and delight.
Fresh salads, sweet fruits, and fragrant bread quickly revived their bodies, exhausted from years of wandering.
The Ahoa Tribe and Kahuka Tribe joined in the feast as well.
The pure-hearted children of both tribes couldn’t take their eyes off the mysterious Elves.
Their transparent skin, shimmering hair, and pointed ears were the most wondrous things the children had ever seen.
An Ahoa Tribe child mustered up courage and approached an Elf maiden.
“Um, big sis! Your hair… it’s like shining thread! Can I touch it? Hua!”
The child timidly reached out his hand.
Though the Elf maiden looked weary from her long journey, she smiled gently at the child’s innocence.
She nodded, allowing the child to touch her hair.
“Hehe, go ahead and try.”
A child from the Kahuka Tribe pointed at an Elf warrior’s pointed ear and asked,
“Mister! Why are your ears like that? Did you get poked by a bad branch? I have medicine! Kahu!”
The child looked up at the Elf warrior with a serious expression.
The Elf warrior blinked at the unexpected question, then let out a low chuckle.
His laughter was full of ease and joy, feelings he hadn’t known in a long time.
“Haha, no, little one. I’m not hurt. Our ears have always been this way.”
He gently patted the child’s head.
The pure questions of the children and the Elves’ warm responses softened the previously stiff atmosphere even more.
Thanks to the children, the adults found it easier to approach the Elves and start conversations.
Harmony among the three tribes began with these small exchanges.
After the meal, the Elves immediately began preparations for settling in, under Chieftain Astilbe’s guidance.
Sang-woong spared no support, providing the requested tools and materials to help them establish their new home.
Beneath the majestic aura of the World Tree, the three tribes began to help and learn from each other, gradually forming a new community named Earth.
Late that night, after much of the settlement work was finished, Sang-woong sat across the table from Chieftain Astilbe.
Despite the long, busy day, Astilbe showed no sign of exhaustion and remained calm.
“Um, Lady Astilbe. If you don’t mind… do you know anything about this world?”
Sang-woong had always been curious about the mysteries of this world.