Chapter 113
Before the regression, when Suhyeok had been forced to remain in Arknel because of his severe injuries...
Sella hadn't hated humans the way most Dark Elves did.
If anything, she had repeatedly tried to help them.
Yet the ones who betrayed that goodwill, time and again, were humans.
Naturally, dissatisfaction among the Dark Elves continued to grow.
Bellator, we cannot allow that human to leave like this.
He didn't come to just anywhere. He reached Arknel itself.
If we let him go, who knows what might happen afterward!
Exactly.
Even when we spare them, humans are the kind of creatures who return in groups to betray us.
No matter how much we try to reconcile with them, it's impossible.
Despite all the opposition, Sella continued to judge humans as individuals rather than condemning their entire race.
Then, once Suhyeok's injuries had mostly healed, she called him aside.
Lee Suhyeok.
You're surprisingly awake at this hour.
Weren't you the one sending signals toward me ever since I tried to sleep?
How was I supposed to fall asleep with that bothering me?
Well... I suppose that's true.
Just follow me for now.
The place Sella led him was the restricted central region of Arknel.
The place where the World Tree stood.
Even among the Dark Elves, no one except Sella was allowed to enter.
A calm lake.
Hundreds of hanging vines intertwined overhead.
And at the very center stood an enormous tree trunk.
Fireflies drifted around Suhyeok and Sella as though welcoming them.
...Why did you bring me here?
If Trukal or the other Elders find out, you'll be the one in trouble.
Don't tell me you're planning to awaken that power you mentioned before.
Yes.
Correct.
Even for the Bellator, bringing an outsider all the way to the World Tree would give the Council of Elders something to use against her.
More importantly...
Sella's ability could only be used on someone with the proper qualifications.
The method used to determine that qualification was the Trial of Arknel.
It doesn't matter.
The trial is only a process for confirming qualification.
The World Tree personally summoned you here in preparation for what will happen soon.
...The World Tree summoned me directly?
And this is to prepare for something that's coming soon...?
What exactly is it?
I don't know either.
But I do know the World Tree has placed something very important on you.
Leaving behind those mysterious words, Sella clasped her hands behind her back and crossed the lake first, splashing lightly through the shallow water.
Then she turned back toward Suhyeok and smiled.
More importantly...
Aren't we friends?
I wanted to show you this scenery.
It's my favorite place.
Countless stars filled the open night sky above.
For a brief moment, it was enough to make Suhyeok forget he was inside the Tower.
Hummm.
The fireflies floating through the air formed a path and guided him toward the enormous tree trunk.
When he stopped directly in front of the World Tree, he saw two clear palm prints engraved into the bark.
What's this?
Light shimmered from the marks.
Sella naturally placed her hand over one of them.
Then she smiled softly at Suhyeok.
Place your hand there.
The World Tree and I will guide you.
That was where Suhyeok awakened Trait Plunder.
Because of that power, he'd been able to climb all the way to the 100th floor.
And after regressing...
He had returned here once again.
Suhyeok's recollection ended.
Before he knew it, they had already reached the restricted region.
Just like before, a tranquil lake stretched before them, with countless vines tangled overhead.
So I really did return here, just like it said.
He remembered the voice that had echoed inside his head just as he'd removed his hand from the trunk in his previous life.
It had definitely belonged to Arknel.
With this, I have passed it on to you.
All that remains is for you to face the unchanging fate and change it.
I look forward to the day we meet again.
Face an unchanging fate and change it.
And look forward to meeting again.
Maybe the future Arknel saw was exactly this moment.
I'll have to ask directly if I want the truth.
As Suhyeok was thinking...
"Here."
Sella spoke.
"This is where the World Tree resides."
The moment they stepped inside the area...
Seong-a, who had been in spirit form, suddenly became visible.
"H-Huh...?"
[ W-Why did you suddenly appear, nya?! ]
"I-I don't know!"
"The moment we came in here, I just became visible...!"
"And K-Kitty, I can see you too!"
[ W-Wh-What?! ]
Leon and Seong-a both panicked.
Sella simply smiled as though she'd expected it.
"So those energies circling around you ever since I first saw you were these two."
[ H-Huh? ]
Leon stared at her.
[ You already knew we were here, nya? ]
"Dark Elves may not wield Mana, but we can still instinctively sense the existence of Spirits to some extent."
So that's why she kept looking over here earlier.
Huh? I thought she was trying to make eye contact with me.
Same ;; wasn't she already trying to seduce me?
LMAOOOOOOOO
You lunatics hahahahaha
Why are these guys getting more deranged by the day;;
Sella glanced at Suhyeok.
"You don't seem especially surprised that I knew."
"Did you already expect it?"
"Yes."
"I assumed someone like you, chosen by the World Tree, would be able to see them."
In truth, Suhyeok had heard it directly from her before the regression.
But he couldn't exactly say that.
Sella accepted his explanation without much suspicion.
"Oh."
"I suppose that's possible."
"I've heard humans are quick-witted."
"Impressive."
"Come."
"The trial begins over there."
Suhyeok followed her.
Then suddenly stopped.
He stared quietly into the open air.
Sella turned toward him with a puzzled expression.
"Why did you stop?"
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
Suhyeok looked around.
"It's just..."
"This scenery feels strangely familiar."
At his words, Sella also looked up toward the open sky.
"Oh?"
