Chapter 138: Elven Village (3)

"Then, on behalf of the elves, I ask you to please heal the World Tree, Luteria."

"This is my specialty. Leave it to me, Your Majesty." Kai nodded confidently and then lifted his head. Even without looking far, the enormous World Tree was easily within view! “They say you should strike while the iron is hot. Let's go right away.”

Following the elf queen's guidance, Kai made his way to the path leading inside Luteria.

"Kai, this is as far as we can go. If we get any closer, the poisonous fumes will cause us to lose consciousness..."

"Right. This is close enough."

Leaving the elves behind, Kai slowly approached Luteria. He had already felt the tree's majesty upon first entering the village, but seeing it up close was even more awe-inspiring.

I can’t believe this is a tree... It’s as tall as a skyscraper.

It was a building crafted by nature, without any human intervention!

At the same time, Kai realized why the elf queen had given such stern warnings.

It’s similar to the situation with Aosa.

A thick red mist clung low around Luteria. Moreover, this poison was not something Kai could simply dismiss.

Ding!

[Poison Master skill activated.]

[Due to your Poison Master skill, you are highly resistant to Akasha's Judgment.]

[You receive 2,000 damage per second.]

[Recovery rate of HP, Mana, and Holy Power is significantly reduced.]

"This is even with resistance from the Poison Master skill?!"

Shocked, Kai quickly used the Sunlight’s Warmth skill.

[HP has been restored by 4,000.]

[You have purified Akasha's Judgment.]

[Poisoned status effect removed.]

With a sigh of relief, Kai stared at the thick red mist and said, "Analyze poison."

[Poison Master skill activated.]

[Analyzing...]

[Poison analysis complete.]

[Akasha's Judgment]

Grade: Legendary

This poison is the culmination of a thousand years of research by the dark clerics of the Church of Muldine.

Just a small amount inhaled from the air causes fatal damage.

While poisoned, all forms of regeneration are significantly slowed.

Rarity: ★★★★★★★

Toxicity: ★★★★★★★

The moment the potion was analyzed, Kai let out a breathless gasp.

"Kai, are you alright? If it's too much, quickly come back this way!"

When the elf queen saw his reaction from a distance, she called out in concern, but Kai shook his head.

"No, it's not because I'm poisoned..." Kai’s words trailed off as he stared at the interface window in front of him.

The toxicity and rarity aren’t just five stars? And it's a Legendary-grade poison?

It was a poison perfected by the Church of Muldine after a thousand years of research!

As Kai calmed his surprised heart, his eyes sparkled.

Wait, when I appraised Rare-grade and Unique-grade poisons...

His appraisal skill proficiency had increased before, so he now wondered what would happen since he just analyzed a Legendary-grade poison. And that question was quickly resolved.

Ding!

[You have analyzed a Legendary poison!]

[Appraisal skill proficiency has greatly increased.]

[Appraisal skill level increased.]

[Appraisal skill is now Advanced Lv. 1.]

Satisfied, Kai allowed a smile to form and nodded.

I can’t believe the proficiency that was stuck at Intermediate Lv. 9 has finally been resolved at once.

This was a classic example of killing two birds with one stone.

Now I can appraise the sacred relic as well. But for now...

There was something more urgent to do.

Kai walked straight through the door leading into the massive World Tree, Luteria.

***

The interior of Luteria wasn’t very large. In fact, there was only a narrow corridor, making it easy to find his way around.

“But something’s strange,” Kai muttered, squinting.

Why hasn't the title for the first visitor appeared?

When he visited the merfolk village, Aquavera, the title popped up immediately, but there was no title when he first entered the Elven Village.

So I even came up with a theory...

The village shared the same name as the World Tree, Luteria. Based on that, he assumed he would receive the title upon entering the World Tree itself.

But still nothing... Could it be that another player has already visited?

He made a mental note to ask about it later. With that thought, he continued to slowly walk down the corridor.

“... What is this? An altar and a flowerpot?”

At the end of the corridor, there was a luxurious altar with a small flowerpot placed in front of it, and in the pot was an interesting plant.

“Mandragora? No, is it ginseng? What is this?”

It was a small, cute tree with arms and legs, almost like a person!

Kai stared intently at the creature, lying in the soft, fine soil as if it were its bed.

But... why does it look so sick? It looks like it’s about to wither away...

Puzzled, Kai tilted his head and used his appraisal skill.

“Appraisal.”

Ding!

[

World Tree Luteria

]

Grade: Legendary

A guardian spirit of the forest created by the god of creation to watch over the woods.

It is currently in a state of deep rest, sealing away its consciousness due to severe poisoning.

*This is a legendary creation.

*To learn more, you will need a Master-level appraisal skill.

Kai stood there, dumbfounded.

Th-this is Luteria?

The answer to his question came through a message window.

Ding!

[Special title acquired: The One Who Met Luteria.]

[The One Who Met Luteria]

Rank: Special

Description: A title given to one who meets the World Tree, Luteria.

Effect: +10 to all stats, +50 Nature Affinity (This effect remains even when title is unequipped.)

“...So it is the World Tree.”

Kai wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry as he made a confused face.

At least my theory wasn’t wrong.

Luteria truly was the essence of the elves' existence!

“I don’t know what Nature Affinity does... but it’s always good to have more of something.”

Slightly nodding, Kai looked around.

If this little thing is Luteria...

What was the giant tree he was currently inside of?

The tree that seemed to be thousands of years old, evoking a sense of nature's grandeur just by looking at it turned out to be just a large tree!

Kai looked down at the ginseng... no, at the World Tree, Luteria.

Even though it was a tree, it had eyes and a mouth. And despite its odd appearance, it was more cute and endearing than monstrous or frightening.

“I can’t believe the World Tree Luteria is this small... Oh! Then is this place...”

Kai recalled what Elania had told him.

She said they pray here when they want to have a child.

He wondered if this was the altar for those prayers.

Chuckling at the unexpected situation, Kai rolled up the sleeves of his cleric robe.

“Well, this works out. I was wondering how I would purify a giant tree...”

If Luteria was this small, it was actually fortunate!

Kai's hands immediately began to emit a bright light.

“Sunlight’s Warmth!”

Woooong.

The holy power of the Solarian Church enveloped Luteria’s body. It looked like it was perfect for photosynthesis!

The effect was immediate.

[Akasha’s Judgment has been purified. 1%...]

[Akasha’s Judgment has been purified. 2%...]

[Akasha’s Judgment has been purified. 3%...]

The healing process didn’t end in an instant, and instead went through a healing shower that continued until all the poison was purified!

Before long, Kai saw the message he had been waiting for.

[Akasha’s Judgment has been purified. 100%...]

[Akasha’s Judgment has been fully purified.]

[The World Tree Luteria’s recovery is complete. Its consciousness, which had been submerged, is now surfacing.]

The ginseng, Luteria, stretched and lifted its upper body. It blinked its black eyes and then stood up proudly, looking directly at Kai.

“Is it you? The one who helped heal me?”

“Yeah... I mean, yes...”

“Thank you very much. I am the World Tree Luteria, guardian of the forest and the parent of the elves.”

“My name is Kai. Are you completely healed now?”

“Yes! Now I can once again care for my children. This is truly fortunate.”

It spoke as if a child were mimicking a father’s tone, which made Kai struggle to suppress his laughter.

“But now that I look at you, I sense a very familiar aura. Are you perhaps an apostle?”

“Yes. Allow me to formally introduce myself again. I am Kai, the fourth Solaris Cleric.”

“Ah, as I thought! I always end up receiving help from the apostles.”

After pondering something for a moment, Luteria, who was no bigger than a thumb, nodded and said, "My savior, Kai. As past apostles have been, I recognize you as my friend. From this moment on, you will be loved by nature, and in the forest, nothing will be able to harm you.”

“What does that mean...”

As Kai blinked his large eyes in confusion, a flood of message windows overwhelmed his vision.

Ding!

[Special title acquired: Friend of the World Tree.]

[You have completely healed Luteria, a legendary being likely found only in fairy tales.]

[Special title acquired: Legendary Healer.]

[With Luteria fully recovered, the future of the elf race has brightened.]

[Main Episode: The Withered World Tree and the Corrupted Elves quest activation condition has been nullified.]

[The Withered World Tree and the Corrupted Elves quest no longer exist.]

[1,712 related quests no longer exist.]

[Solarian God Helik laughs heartily and praises you.]

[+20 Benevolence.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

.

.

.

[+30 Stat points.]

[Contribution to the Church of Solaris greatly increased.]

[The hostility of the Church of Muldine has greatly increased toward you.]

[The archbishops and inquisitors of the Church of Muldine are extremely displeased with this event.]

[From now on, the assassins of the Church of Muldine will come for you. Never let your guard down.]

“W-what’s all this...?”

The number of messages was draining, taking him a full minute just to read through them. Of course, simply reading and fully understanding them were also two different matters.

I just deleted another episode quest again?

Even Kai, who was known for his strong nerves, started to feel a bit anxious.

... I think the number of quests I’ve wiped out has surpassed three thousand now, right?

Thinking about how much work the developers and Ramus must have put into creating those quests sent a chill down Kai's spine, but even now, he remained unashamed.

What, then should I have just let it die right in front of me? I’m a Cleric, after all.

It was a flawless logic that left no room for argument! Having reaffirmed his justification, he reviewed the message details again with shining eyes.

Two special titles, 20 Benevolence points, six levels up... and 5,000 Fame?

Kai’s face lit up with a wide grin, but his smile didn’t last long.

The messages regarding the Church of Muldine are concerning.

How much they must have despised and resented him to the point of sending assassins after him!

And how do they even know it was me who healed Luteria...!

It was a system that overwhelmingly favored the game against the players, but currently for Kai, assassins of the Church of Muldine weren’t what mattered most.

I have special titles. Two of them, in fact.

With his eyes shining, he opened his title book like a child unwrapping a birthday present.