Cold sweat ran down his back.
At this point, trying to flee might be far more dangerous than revealing himself.
After giving Kagen—who was hidden among the branches nearby—a silent instruction not to make any sudden moves, he stepped out of his hiding place.
He emerged slowly and walked toward the maiden, each step measured, careful not to show even the slightest hint of hostility. Blaze followed close behind, while the floating orbs of light guided them forward.
As they drew near, the maiden spoke without looking at him. She remained slightly bent forward, her fingers gently brushing against the flowers.
"You don't have to be so wary… I won't harm you in any way."
Her angelic voice rang softly, like a soothing melody drifting across the field of flowers.
"My sincere apologies. It's simply a bad habit of mine," he replied, choosing his words carefully, unwilling to risk offending her.
Despite her reassurance, he couldn't relax.
In his mind, his life hung in the balance—entirely in her hands.
One wrong choice of words.
One wrong move.
One mistake.
It could mean life… or death.
She slowly rose to her full height and turned to face him. A tantalizing smile formed on her beautiful red lips, while her eyes shimmered like gemstones beneath the moonlight.
"It's not very polite to stalk a defenseless lady in the middle of the night, don't you agree?" she asked with a playful voice.
Her sweet smile never wavered.
Beautiful… yet dangerous.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips as cold sweat gathered on his forehead.
Defenseless lady, huh?
As far as I'm concerned… you're the most dangerous being in this wilderness.
He thought to himself.
But he could only apologize.
She stifled a laugh.
"You're cute… I've met a few of your kind before, but you're the first to act like this—too cautious, suspicious of everything," she said.
A few of my kind…?
Those words lingered in his mind.
That means other reincarnators passed through this place…
His thoughts drifted for a moment before he decided to confirm it.
"My kind? Reincarnators like me?" he asked, sensing an opportunity to gather information.
"Uh-huh." She nodded.
If this had been an ordinary encounter, he might've found that gesture adorable—given the simp of a man he was.
But now wasn't the time.
Without hesitation, he pressed on. His fear was slowly being overtaken by curiosity.
"When was the last time you encountered one?" he asked, hoping—perhaps—to find them.
She paused, as if searching through distant memories.
"Hmmm… was it about 300 years ago?" she answered, sounding unsure.
Even so, it was more than enough to make his jaw drop.
"300 years…?" he repeated in disbelief.
Just how old is this lady…?
The question lingered in his mind.
"Yes… an energetic young lad." A faint smile touched her lips. "That was quite a good exercise," she added, almost as if reminiscing.
Wait… he challenged her?
His surprise deepened.
To challenge this monster… you'd have to be some kind of a monster yourself.
"He challenged you?" he asked, needing confirmation, disbelief clear in his voice.
"Uh-huh. He was quite eager about it, too." She nodded lightly. "The first thing he did when he saw me was draw his sword."
Wow… respect to that guy. He's got guts.
He thought, a mix of admiration and concern rising within him.
Worried about the man's fate, he asked once more—
"I'm assuming he survived?"
She nodded again.
"Uh-huh… barely."
For some reason, he felt relieved.
To think that someone had challenged her—and lived to tell the tale—
That alone was an incredible feat.
"Whoa… he's got guts, that guy."
The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"Right? Unlike some scaredy-cat I know," she replied with a playful tone.
He frowned slightly.
She's not talking about me… is she?
But when he looked at her, he caught her covering her mouth, clearly holding back a laugh.
It stung.
"Well, I'm sorry for being weak and a coward," he muttered, the words escaping before he could stop himself.
That did it.
She burst into laughter.
"Sorry, sorry… it was just a joke," she managed between laughs.
He raised an eyebrow, as if saying that was not funny at all.
But she didn't stop until she finally wiped the tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
Then, her tone shifted.
"But seriously… in terms of combat strength alone…"
Her gaze lingered on him.
"You don't seem that inferior to him, even considering he was loaded with combat-oriented skills."
Yeah… this guy…
Her expression grew more thoughtful.
At first glance, he looks defenseless… but no…
Something about him feels off.
He's ready to strike at any moment…
He hasn't let his guard down... not even once.
"Let me take a look at your skills," she said before he could respond.
Her gaze sharpened.
Her actions didn't go unnoticed. It didn't escape his watchful eyes.
Is that… the same as my Eye of Providence?
No—
Her left eye changed.
Its color shifted into a deep, blood-red hue.
He remained still, allowing her to do as she pleased while carefully observing her in return.
Her eyes focused on something invisible, as if she were reading information only she could see.
From time to time, she gave a small nod.
Then—
Her expression changed.
It was only for a brief moment.
But he saw it.
A flicker of hostility.
Sharp. Cold.
As if she had seen something—or someone—she deeply despised.
…This is bad.
What did she see?
Unable to make sense of it, unease crept into his chest.
He became restless.
Then, with the same gentle smile on her face, she invited him to follow.
She turned and walked toward the massive tree.
He and Blaze followed behind.
They came to a stop under its towering presence.
Then, with that same soft, welcoming expression, she spoke.
"I have a gift for you."
Her smile was as sweet as ever—
But he could tell something was hidden beneath it.
"A gift?" he asked, just to be sure.
But is it really a gift…?
Doubt lingered in his mind.
Why now?
Even so, he chose to comply.
Right now… it didn't feel like he had a choice.
"That's right—a gift."
She placed her hand against the tree's massive trunk before continuing.
"As you already know, this is Yggdrasil, the World Tree."
She glanced at him briefly.
"Isn't this the reason you came here in the first place?" She asked, confirming his intentions.
He nodded.
At this point, he had no intention of hiding anything.
Not now—
Not when things could turn for the worse at any moment.
She continued, offering a brief explanation.
"It's called the World Tree for a reason… Yggdrasil is the very heart of this world."
Her voice remained calm and soothing, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
He listened carefully, making sure not to miss a single word.
This is exactly what I wanted… information.
A faint sense of excitement stirred within him.
He didn't interrupt.
He simply listened.
"All skills in this world originate from Yggdrasil," she went on. "They are granted to any creature that wishes upon it."
Then, after a brief pause, she added—
"This is my gift to you."
His breathing steadied for a moment.
It was good news.
And yet…
For some reason—
He couldn't bring himself to feel at ease.
Why would she suddenly offer a skill as a gift…?
Especially after that expression earlier.
His suspicion refused to fade.
Even so, he chose to accept it.
Declining her offer might lead to something far worse.
Still, he took a chance, hoping it could help him avoid it.
"But… is it really okay for me to have more skills than I already possess?" he asked hesitantly, recalling the limits once mentioned by the Guide of Souls.
"It's fine… one more skill won't break the balance," she assured him.
That sealed the deal; he has no way to avoid it any longer.
"If you say so… then I'll gladly accept your grace."
He stepped forward, then paused.
"Do I only need to wish upon it?"
"Uh-huh. Pretty simple, right?" she replied, her playful tone perfectly matching her gentle smile.
He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together—
Just like he used to in his former world.
Back when he would wish upon the stars.
Wishes that vanished into silence.
Unheard.
Unanswered.
Beside him, she watched closely.
The moment his eyes shut, her expression changed.
The warmth vanished.
Replaced by that same cold, hostile gaze—
As if she were staring at an enemy.
Moments later, a soft light gathered before him.
A glowing fruit slowly materialized in the air… then drifted forward, merging into his chest.
His body radiated light.
And once again—
He felt it.
That strange sensation.
As if something was being carved deep into his soul.
Gradually, the glow faded.
The ritual was complete.
Without wasting a second, her gaze sharpened.
A translucent screen appeared before her, displaying his information—
And the skill he had just obtained.
Verdant Rebirth
Transforms the body into a living system that continuously heals, adapts, and evolves toward its healthiest state.
…What?
For the first time, she was caught off guard.
This was not what she had expected.
Did Yggdrasil… make a mistake?
No. That was impossible.
The World Tree does not lie.
It sees. It understands.
It grants the deepest desire of every living being.
Then… does that mean—
Her gaze returned to him, studying him more carefully this time.
He stood there, still unmoving.
Confused.
What now…? he wondered, watching her as she slowly began to circle him.
She finally came to a stop, then turned slightly toward him.
"I hope you don't mind me asking," she began, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and quiet confusion, "but why did you choose those two skills… even without any descriptions?"
He blinked.
Those two skills…?
Does she mean my shadow abilities? Is that why she…?
"Do you mean my Shadow Manipulation and Shadow Manifestation skills?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
She gave a small nod, her gaze never leaving him.
"Ah… those." He scratched the back of his head lightly. "Honestly, I just picked them because I like ninjas."
He let out a faint, almost embarrassed breath before continuing.
"I already had the skills I needed at the time, so… they didn't really matter much to me."
It was the truth.
Simple. Unfiltered.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she crossed one arm beneath her chest, her other hand rising to rest against her chin as she fell into thought.
So he doesn't know.
He chose them without understanding their true nature…
A faint glimmer of interest flickered in her eyes.
How… intriguing.
Just then,
Another blinding light appeared above, coalescing into something solid.
While he tensed instinctively, the maiden remained calm as ever.
"A fox?" he asked, though something told him it wasn't just any fox.
He glanced at the maiden for an answer.
"That is a guardian spirit," she replied simply.
But what is the Guardian Spirit of Light doing here? She thought.
They rarely reveal themselves… especially not to mortals.
The fox, which had been silently observing him, suddenly leapt onto his head.
He froze.
"Hey… I know I'm likable, but what are you doing on my head?" Sarcasm and curiosity collided in his voice. Only the whisper of the wind answered him.
The fox jumped again, this time landing on the back of the crimson manticore, burrowing into Blaze's thick fur.
Baffled, he just stared, then let out a resigned sigh. For now, he decided to ignore it, as it seemed harmless and certainly not hostile.
Right now, he cared more about the skill Yggdrasil had granted him.
"By the way… what skill did I get?" he asked. She only gestured toward him, silently telling him to check for himself.
He activated Eye of Providence, appraising himself, and a translucent screen appeared before him.
"Ohhh… Verdant Rebirth. Some kind of regeneration skill? Hmmm…" He muttered, genuinely pleased.
This will come in handy… the last time I was badly beaten, it took me a whole week to recover fully. He recalled his first fight with Blaze.
Meanwhile, the maiden quietly observed him.
Some kind of regeneration skill? Is he really this naive… or does he just not realize what his heart truly desires?
Her eyes lingered on him, intrigue mingling with caution.
And so, under the serene gaze of the moon, the two conversed. He absorbed all the information he could, and she shared only what she deemed safe.
The night deepened, and eventually, they said their farewells.
With his newly acquired skill and valuable knowledge, he slowly walked away, Blaze following faithfully behind.
The maiden watched them leave, her gaze lingering.
He turned once more to wave; she nodded in response.
"A dangerous power in a broken soul," she murmured under her breath.
"I wonder what actions those geezers will take…"
A deep sigh escaped her as she watched them disappear into the darkness.
Poor soul… your path ahead won't be an easy one.
Why did you have to pick them?
Empathy and pity swelled within her heart.
She looked upward, a whisper escaping her lips.
"Liora… is this why you sent the Guardian Spirit of Light to him?"