Chapter 120: Song

[You have defeated a Red Stalk. You have gained 800 experience points and 156,011G.]

[You have defeated an Ogre. You have gained 280 experience points and 40,001G.]

[You have defeated a White Gorilla. You have gained 130 experience points and 2,767G.]

[You have defeated a Red Stalk. You have gained 800 experience points and 156,011G.]

[You have defeated a White Gorilla. You have gained 130 experience points and 2,767G.]

[You have defeated a Red Stalk. You have gained 800 experience points and 156,011G.]

[You have defeated a White Gorilla. You have gained 130 experience points and 2,767G.]

[You have defeated an Ogre. You have gained 280 experience points and 40,001G.]

[You have defeated an Ogre. You have gained 280 experience points and 40,001G.]

[You have defeated a White Gorilla. You have gained 130 experience points and 2,767G.]

[You have defeated a Red Stalk. You have gained 800 experience points and 156,011G.]

[You have defeated an Ogre. You have gained 280 experience points and 40,001G.]

Sang-woong’s mind went blank.

The flood of messages showed the devastation clearly.

The land — everything he had sworn to protect — was in danger.

The color drained from his face.

Anger, fear, and guilt twisted together inside him.

Ignoring the message windows, he kicked off the ground and sprinted toward the battlefield with Leon like a madman. His eyes burned with fury and determination.

‘Hold on… please, until I get there… please hold on…!’

He ran while desperately praying to a god — or some unknown existence.

His steps were frantic.

***

Yulli stood frozen, staring at the horrific reality.

Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to breathe.

They were not tears from past fear.

Beyond the collapsing defensive line, she saw the terrified children of the Ahoa Tribe and the Kauka Tribe clinging to each other.

She remembered Sang-woong’s bright smile as he silently handed her fruit.

She saw Aria’s fading light.

She saw the elves who accepted her and waited for her.

And the faint peace she had felt within this land’s clear energy.

“No… it can’t end like this…”

Something suppressed inside her exploded.

Her body and heart had once frozen because of the Demon Tribe.

But this time was different.

This land. The sanctuary that gave her warmth. The people who cared for her.

She could not lose the precious things Uncle Sang-woong built.

Stronger than past fear was the fierce desire to protect it all.

Just as he had waited for and protected her — now Yulli wanted to protect everyone.

Something sleeping deep within her stirred violently.

It felt as if a cold barrier shattered.

Rising heat, burning duty, the life force of the land, and a powerful resonance connecting to Aria.

The power inherited from her parents — the Power of Purification — surged up like lava.

It was frightening.

And yet completely natural.

The force pushed through her frozen throat.

At the very moment the defense line collapsed and the monsters roared in victory — when everyone closed their eyes in despair — Yulli’s lips parted.

Like frozen spring water melting… Like an ancient seal breaking…

A pure, clear, indescribably beautiful melody flowed from her throat.

It was her voice — the first she had regained since the trauma.

Not a simple song.

The Song of Purification.

A legendary elven ability possessed by only a few in history.

The sound spread outward like waves and covered the land.

The battlefield froze.

The monsters stopped moving in shock.

Hideous screams rang out.

Their disgusting Magi weakened and scattered upon touching the song. To them, it was poison.

Weaker monsters covered their ears, screamed, retreated, or fled in terror.

As if impure beings were purified before something sacred.

At the same time, the song affected Aria and the land.

The earth responded, drawing out powerful purification energy and life force.

Aria’s dim light flared brilliantly again. Her depleted mana rapidly recovered.

Elven warriors and mages watched their wounds close and strength return.

Despair faded from their faces, replaced by shock — and hope.

Yulli continued singing with all her strength.

Sweat dripped down her face. Her breathing faltered. Her throat felt like it would tear and bleed.

But she did not stop.

There was no longer fear in her eyes. Only the will to protect.

Aria’s gentle light wrapped around her and supported the song, and the land itself vibrated in response.

The elves and golems did not miss the chance.

They launched a fierce counterattack at the weakened monsters.

The once merciless horde fled and fell helplessly under the assault.

The tide completely turned.

Yulli’s song saved them.

The song ended.

All strength left her body, and she collapsed.

The battlefield was filled with monster corpses, but instead of foul Magi, the clean scent of the forest filled the air.

Peace… had returned.

Though physically exhausted, deep calm and small satisfaction filled her heart instead of sorrow and fear.

A faint smile formed.

***

How much time passed?

Through fading consciousness, she felt a familiar, comforting presence approach.

Sang-woong.

He looked shocked at the traces of the once-hellish battlefield and the purified land.

The black Magi had retreated, and fresh life energy had returned.

Then he saw Yulli lying at the center.

He ran to her.

Relief and astonishment crossed his face as he gently stroked her head with trembling hands.

Warm. Firm.

The same hands that protected her — the hands she wanted to protect.

“Yulli, I heard your song… You… you protected the elves and the peace of this land.”

His voice was filled with emotion and respect.

“You did so well, Yulli. Everyone lived because of you.”

Warmth spread through her frozen heart.

Her throat warmed. A long-closed door opened.

Carefully, she spoke.

For the first time since her trauma.

“Uncle… Sang-woong…”

Her voice.

Small and trembling, yet clear.

Sang-woong’s eyes widened.

“Yulli… you spoke…”

She nodded with a tiny smile. Her tears were no longer from fear.

“Because of you… and this land…”

She continued,

“My wish… to protect everyone… made me sing…”

Her voice was still awkward, but no longer trapped behind a frozen barrier.

Her own will had reclaimed it.

Sang-woong held her hand, then embraced her tightly.

“That was brave, Yulli. You protected this land and its people.”

His voice carried deep affection.

“I promise. The land you protected — you, the elves, and everyone here — will never face danger like this again. I’ll make it stronger.”

In his arms, she finally felt safe.

Her healing had only just begun, but she was no longer alone.

Yulli silently vowed to help this land and its people with her song.

She was no longer a silent girl lost in sorrow.

She was the small hero who saved the land — the master of the Song that Protects the Land.

And her true healing had just begun.

***

Far away, atop a distant mountain, one figure watched.

A man in a black cloak.

His eyes held faint irritation — and interest.

“Interesting. An elven ‘Song’… An unexpected variable, but it makes things more entertaining.”

With a sinister smile, he turned away.

***

The battlefield after the war was covered in ruin.

Piles of monster corpses formed hills. Broken golem fragments lay scattered everywhere.

The smell of blood filled the air under the harsh sunlight.

“…Huu.”

A heavy sigh escaped Sang-woong.

His shoulders sagged from overwhelming fatigue.

The aftermath of a large-scale invasion had no end.

He repaired broken golems, extracted mana stones from monsters, and sold them through the Shop Window.

Using Wood Golems and Stone Golems, he dug deep pits and buried the corpses.

He also carefully planted Giant Thorn Cacti and Bomb Coconut Palms across the defensive line.

Late, but necessary — he had to strengthen defenses so this tragedy would never repeat.

Yet the heaviest task of all…

Was collecting the cold bodies of the fallen elves.