A high, rugged, and steep mountain range loomed ahead.
Evan was leading Alan and Reynold as they pushed through the dense forest. Their destination was a place known as the Fairy Forest, where the World Tree resided.
“Is this truly all right?” Alan asked, feeling a wave of concern after hearing they were performing a request for the Order.
Dealing with a contaminated World Tree was all well and good, but he anticipated it would be no easy task. The Fairy Forest was the home of the Elves. To deal with the World Tree meant they would likely have to face them as enemies. Furthermore, this forest was essentially an impregnable fortress.
The reason the Order had been unable to conquer this place was due to the Elves blocking their path. It was a famous story that everyone knew.
“Even if the World Tree is contaminated, they won’t just stand by.”
Evan hadn’t quite understood those words when he first heard them.
“Don’t worry, we aren’t actually going there to destroy it. Since they’re the natives guarding this place, we should try to talk to them.”
“No. Other regions might be different, but the Elves here are hostile toward humans. I heard they have attacked the World Tree several times. They won’t even listen to us.”
Evan continued speaking with confidence.
“I have a plan. We’ll go there first, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll find another way.”
He had the means to sufficiently persuade them. Of course, he didn’t expect the process to be smooth.
When Evan first heard the explanation about different races from Alan, he found it interesting.
‘Aside from humans, similar beings exist in this world.’
He heard that the Elf race was the most similar to humans, utilizing the powers of nature and the spirit realm. They were a race specialized in magic and archery.
‘Anyway, it’s a good thing. If there are beings protecting this place, I might not have to worry too much about the World Tree.’
Evan had been wondering if he should take measures to protect the tree after saving it. However, since there were natives present, it didn’t seem necessary to go that far.
“This forest feels unpleasant for some reason. Haven’t we encountered nothing since we got here? I haven’t seen a single animal,” Reynold pointed out the strange occurrence from behind.
Alan nodded as if he agreed and spoke to Evan.
“I’ve been concerned about that as well. It’s strange that we haven’t discovered anything since entering this forest. I thought there would be something once we went deeper.”
Evan wasn’t unaware of this fact either.
**[You have entered the Fairy Forest field]**
The moment they stepped into the forest, he instinctively felt they had set foot in a dangerous area.
‘The Fairy Forest.’
Evan was lost in thought for a moment when it happened.
*Psheeeew!*
A sharp whistling sound pierced the air as an arrow grazed past Evan’s eyes. It thudded straight into the ground. It seemed the arrow had been fired as a threat rather than with murderous intent.
Alan shouted in surprise.
“Young Master! Are you all right?”
“It seems the natives are starting to give us a welcoming greeting. We need to be careful.”
Evan’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings. Nothing could be seen behind the thick foliage, but it felt as if they were already surrounded.
‘Is this the Elves’ archery?’
Evan only noticed the arrow when it had nearly reached him.
‘For that matter, I can’t feel anything even though they’re nearby.’
It appeared they were highly skilled in concealing their presence and using stealth techniques.
“Alan, you can block arrows of this level, can’t you?”
Alan nodded. Following Evan’s orders, he had changed his swordsmanship style. It was now a style centered on counters and ripostes using reflexes. He could strike back against any attack. Alan thought that even against the Elves’ arrows, he could manage.
“Alan, how well have you adapted to the boots?”
Before coming here, Evan had distributed the equipment obtained from defeating the Hydra to Alan and Reynold. He gave the Boots of Haste to Alan and the Lebest Greatsword to Reynold, explaining how to use them. Then, he had them learn how to use the items through light sparring at the Guild Training Ground.
Through the Boots of Haste, Alan received a synergistic effect on his abilities, allowing for even faster movement and scouting. Reynold maximized his advantage of superhuman strength through the Lebest Greatsword. He increased the weight of the sword via his aura and enhanced his attack power.
The destructive power resulting from the sword’s weight was beyond imagination. Most surprisingly, Reynold was increasing that weight at a rapid pace. His ability to absorb training related to strength was incredibly fast. Evan had seen it before, but it was to the point where it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Reynold possessed a natural talent for strength.
“I’ve reached a point where I can move freely.”
“Right. Then, Alan, dodge the arrows as much as possible and capture any one of them if you can.”
“Young Master. Will that truly be all right? If you do that, none of the Elves living here will stand by.”
“It’s fine. They were the ones who attacked first. Besides, it’s necessary if we want to talk.”
Alan nodded and prepared to move. Evan then turned his gaze toward Reynold. Reynold bared his teeth and gave a wide smirk.
“I can block them well enough, too.”
“Yeah. I’m not particularly worried, but…”
Evan surveyed the area to grasp the geographical environment. Spotting some boulders, he pointed toward them.
“Use those to block the arrows. If you have the leeway, you can remove some of the surrounding trees. Let’s change the terrain that’s favoring them.”
It might have sounded like an absurd suggestion, but the power of the Lebest Greatsword was beyond imagination. A single strike delivered by Reynold at full strength was enough to gouge a deep hole into the ground of the training hall. If he set his mind to it, he possessed enough destructive power to alter the terrain. Boulders would be nothing to him.
“Understood! I’ll change it so the surroundings are easy to see!” Reynold said confidently, pounding his chest.
Once the discussion was over, Evan’s group prepared to move. The moment Evan took a step forward—
*Psheeeew!*
Another threatening arrow flew toward him.
*Clang!*
Evan swung his sword and lightly deflected the arrow. Simultaneously, Alan and Reynold began to move in coordination. As the group started their advance in earnest, a volley of arrows was fired. They targeted precarious spots with sharp trajectories. If one let their guard down for even a second, a hole would be blown through their neck.
‘Are there more than five of them?’
Evan was once again impressed by their exceptional archery.
*Clack! Clack! Clack!*
Alan moved at high speed using the Boots of Haste, parrying all the arrows. Then, utilizing an enhanced Leap, he began to climb the trees. He was moving while identifying the positions of those firing the arrows.
Following that, a series of loud noises echoed out.
*Boom!*
*Rumble!*
Reynold lunged toward the nearby boulders to dodge arrows before smashing them with his sword. He then hurled the rock fragments into the surrounding area with all his might. He began to set up obstacles to block the arrows. It was a strategy utilizing Reynold’s signature strength.
Since he couldn’t match Alan’s agility, he changed the surrounding terrain to his advantage. Lunging between the rock fragments, Reynold slashed through the nearby trees with a single stroke.
*Creeaaaak!*
*Thud!*
Seeing the trees fall so easily, one could guess the sheer destructive power involved. As he devastated the area, the view of the dense forest opened up significantly.
Evan also began looking for an opportunity while deflecting the arrows flying his way. They were opponents he could handle, but if they stayed hidden, it seemed there would be no way to catch them.
‘I’ll aim for them all at once while they’re flustered.’
Evan also rushed forward at high speed, tracking the point from which the arrows were fired. Perhaps they missed Evan as he moved in an instant, but the arrows merely cleaved the air and thudded into the ground.
‘Where did he go? To think a human could move at that speed.’
The blonde Elf woman hiding in the tree and aiming her bow frowned. She concentrated her senses to find the disappeared Evan. Her pointed ears twitched as she listened to the voice of nature.
The forest was a battlefield so advantageous it was practically the Elves’ home. They dealt with humans by utilizing their unique racial trait of high natural affinity.
“Where is he? Tell me.”
She whispered, but the forest told her nothing. She was flustered by a reaction that was completely different from usual. This was the reaction that occurred when the forest refused. It was as if the forest was protecting that human.
“…Why aren’t you saying anything? They are humans. A cruel, greedy race that destroys you.”
She asked again angrily. However, the forest remained silent.
“Th-this can’t be.”
The forest was essentially hostile toward humans. They destroyed nature and committed cruel acts. Her blood boiled just thinking about their wicked deeds when they tried to remove the World Tree. And yet, for the first time, the forest was starting to take the human’s side.
While agonizing over this incomprehensible situation, she had no choice but to decide to summon a spirit.
“I— hiek!”
However, she soon became unable to move due to the blade pressed against her neck. Evan had appeared behind her back at some point. Her eyes widened as she turned her head back.
“Don’t move. Put down the bow and raise your hands above your head.”
When Evan restrained her firmly, she bit her lip and did as he ordered. She decided to wait for a gap to escape.
“What do you intend to do? What is your purpose for coming here, human?” she asked Evan angrily.
“First, let’s go down and talk. We aren’t your enemies.”
“…”
“…You think I’ll fall for a lie like that?”
“Just listen to what I have to say first before you decide.”
“Fine…”
Having replied as such, she prepared to flee.
“Before that.”
Chains wound around her entire body, binding her.
“Ugh!”
“Don’t even think about running away.”
Evan used the Chains of Binding he had purchased from the shop. It was an item that cost a staggering 50,000 Merit Points for just one. However, the effect was significant enough to match the price. Once it bound a target, it rarely let go.
“Let me go!”
Evan carried the bound Elf on his shoulder and descended the tree. When he looked around, the area was empty. It seemed Reynold had mindlessly pushed over all the trees in the vicinity.
“This is incredible.”
Evan approached Reynold. The situation seemed to have concluded, as the arrows had stopped. Reynold was standing there, looking around.
“Young Master. It seems they’ve fled.”
“Yeah. Since you went this far, I’d probably run away too.”
The Elf slung over Evan’s shoulder shouted.
“You won’t be able to leave this place now. They’ve gone to call for reinforcements. If you don’t release me right now, there will truly be bloodshed.”
Evan gave a smirk as he replied.
“That’s good. I wanted to talk anyway; how kind of them to come to me.”
She was dumbfounded by Evan’s relaxed reaction.
“Young Master. I missed them. It looks like they got away…”
The returned Alan was looking at Evan when he discovered the Elf woman on his shoulder. He was momentarily entranced by the beautiful appearance unique to her race.
“…You managed to capture one.”
“Foolish humans. You didn’t even have enough time to escape, and now it’s over for you.”
Suddenly, she gave a bitter laugh. And as soon as she finished speaking, Elves deactivated their stealth and revealed themselves from the surrounding bushes.
Over fifty Elves were aiming their bows at Evan, Alan, and Reynold.
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