Chapter 598

A massive shockwave slammed into the barrier of the World Tree village.

The grand barrier rippled, swaying precariously as if it might shatter at any moment.

Even though Arisedon had taken the breath attack in its place, the impact was still tremendous.

“Ugh!”

“Ghk!”

The High Elves protected by the barrier could not withstand the shock and collapsed or dropped to their knees.

Blood flowed from their ears and mouths.

Even under the barrier’s protection, all of them had suffered severe impact.

The destructive power was so great that even the massive World Tree shook as if it might snap.

If Arisedon had not taken the breath in their stead, the grand barrier would have been blown away entirely.

Even the World Tree seemed frightened, its leaves trembling without stopping.

“This can’t be!”

“Oh my…!”

Latricia and Brielle could not hide their shock as they looked at the still-quivering barrier.

Cold sweat ran down their backs from how startled they were.

The World Tree and forest that had only just been restored had nearly been wiped out by that single attack.

“Where’s Arisedon?”

After regaining her senses, Brielle hurriedly searched for him.

—Krrr…

At that moment, outside the barrier, Arisedon slowly lifted his head from the sand.

Black smoke rose from his entire body.

He had taken severe damage from the destructive power contained in Reikas’s breath.

Had he not evolved into a dragon, it would have been an attack strong enough to kill him instantly.

Zeon, who had been on top of Arisedon’s head, had also been thrown far away and was embedded in the ground.

He too had taken heavy damage.

If not for the robe made from Balrog’s hide, he would have lost a limb or worse.

Reikas, who had done this to both Arisedon and Zeon, had already disappeared.

After gathering every last bit of mana for that attack, he had fled.

“Ugh…”

Just as Zeon groaned in pain—

Rustle!

The leaves of the World Tree trembled, and particles of light began to rise.

Carried by the wind, the glowing particles covered Arisedon and Zeon.

The moment the light touched them, they felt their pain rapidly diminish.

The World Tree had activated its power of healing.

Their wounds began to heal at an incredible rate.

Arisedon’s scales regained their golden radiance, and Zeon’s injuries were completely restored.

Only then did both of them finally release the breaths they had been holding.

“Hoo…”

Though their injuries were healed, they did not have the strength to move even a finger.

Zeon leaned his back against Arisedon’s massive body and sank down.

Arisedon was no different.

He lay stretched out on the ground, focusing on recovering his strength. Fortunately, with the World Tree’s help, restoring his power was not difficult.

Leaning back, Zeon spoke to Arisedon.

“Good work.”

—You as well.

“How’s your body?”

—I will recover soon.

“Hoo… He was a formidable opponent.”

—He will return someday.

“Probably. He intends to take the World Tree and make this place his lair.”

—I will not allow that. I will grow stronger.

“Yeah.”

Zeon nodded.

Arisedon had only just evolved into a dragon.

His rank and power had grown incomparably, but he still lacked time to fully understand his body and abilities.

Once he mastered them, he would become far stronger than he was now.

And with the blessing of the World Tree added on top of that, he would never fall behind Reikas.

—Are you alright?

—You did well.

The spirits approached and comforted Arisedon.

They were no bigger than specks of dust compared to his massive form, yet their voices brought him great comfort.

Soon after, the High Elves opened the grand barrier and ran out.

They praised Arisedon.

“You were incredible, Lord Arisedon!”

“Congratulations on becoming the dragon you longed to be!”

“Thank you for protecting our village!”

Arisedon’s face reddened.

He was not used to such overwhelming praise.

—I should be going.

His massive body rose lightly into the air.

Before Zeon could say anything, he shot up high into the sky.

“Waaa!”

“It’s a dragon!”

The High Elf children cheered as they watched Arisedon ascend into the sky, his body undulating.

“Impressive… a dragon of Earth.”

Tesserina murmured as she watched him.

A mix of emotions crossed her face.

Among them was envy.

Unlike her, who had lost her original body, Arisedon had become the dragon he had long desired.

Having surpassed the wall and become a dragon, he would only grow stronger.

“Hoo…”

After letting out a quiet sigh, Tesserina approached Zeon.

“Are you alright?”

“I need some rest.”

“You did well.”

Tesserina took Zeon’s hand and helped him up.

Levin and Brielle approached as well.

“Drink this!”

Brielle hurriedly handed Zeon a potion.

Even though she knew the World Tree had healed him, she still gave him a healing potion.

Zeon did not refuse and drank it.

As he drank, he could clearly feel his condition improving.

“Thanks.”

“No, I’m the one who’s grateful. Thank you for protecting the World Tree and our village.”

“Yeah.”

“Go get some rest. We’ll take care of the aftermath.”

“Alright.”

Zeon nodded and walked away.

Entering the dwelling prepared by the High Elves, he collapsed and fell into a deep sleep.

---

“What in the world did I just see? I can’t believe it.”

Floa stared at the desert in disbelief.

The traces of the battle between Reikas, Arisedon, and Zeon still remained.

Even for her, who had experienced all kinds of hardships, the battle she had just witnessed was something entirely new and terrifying.

For a moment, she had thought the world was ending.

A battle between a dragon and a true dragon.

The sight of two two-hundred-meter monsters fighting in the sky was utterly surreal.

Even more surreal was the fact that a single human had been involved in that clash—and had influenced the outcome.

She already knew how strong Zeon was, but the fact that he could stand against a dragon left her stunned.

After standing blankly for a moment, Floa quickly regained her senses and approached Latricia.

“Are you alright?”

“As you can see, I’m fine. I’m just sorry we startled our guest.”

“No, not at all. Is there anything I can help with?”

“I’ll let you know after assessing the situation. Fortunately, thanks to Lord Arisedon and Lord Zeon, there wasn’t much damage…”

Latricia looked up at the sky.

Though she could not see him, somewhere up there was Arisedon, now a dragon.

She had witnessed his majesty with her own eyes.

For now, he had been pushed back by Reikas, but once he grew stronger, he would not fall so easily.

Arisedon was a steadfast guardian of the World Tree village.

He and Zeon had protected the World Tree and the village—now it was her turn.

Latricia began issuing orders to the High Elves.

“Elders, inspect the grand barrier immediately.”

“Yes, Lady Latricia!”

The elders responded and quickly dispersed.

Unlike the barrier of the Primordial Forest, the grand barrier of the World Tree village was created by the World Tree’s power.

Inspecting the barrier meant inspecting the condition of the World Tree itself.

Latricia gave further orders.

“You, check the condition of the trees and grass alongside the spirits. The rest, make sure the crops haven’t been damaged.”

“Yes, Lady Latricia!”

“Understood!”

The High Elves scattered in all directions.

Finally, Latricia called Levin.

“I have a request.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“I’d like you to patrol the surrounding area.”

“You want me to check for approaching monsters, right?”

“Yes. This battle may have exposed our village to them.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take a quick look around and handle it.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! Hehe!”

Levin laughed and immediately took to the air.

Latricia continued to implement additional measures she deemed necessary for the village.

Watching her handle the situation without a trace of hesitation, Floa was deeply impressed.

This is what a leader should be like, she thought.

Under Latricia’s command, the World Tree village quickly regained stability.

After confirming that her help was no longer needed, Floa spoke to Latricia.

“I’ll return to the Primordial Forest. If you need anything, come anytime.” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“I will, Lady Floa. Thank you for your concern.”

“It’s nothing. Then…”

After saying her goodbyes, Floa stepped through the portal and returned to the Primordial Forest.

As soon as she arrived, she summoned all the residents.

Dark Elves and humans gathered in the clearing where the portal was installed.

Once everyone had assembled, Floa spoke shocking words.

“I cannot reveal the source, but there is information that El Harun has fallen.”

The humans, who did not even know of El Harun’s existence, simply blinked in confusion.

But the Dark Elves reacted differently.

“What?”

“What do you mean? El Harun has fallen?”

“That’s impossible.”

Shock was written plainly across their faces.

Though they had been abandoned and unable to enter El Harun, they knew well how extraordinary that place was.

If Neo Seoul was humanity’s hope, then El Harun was the ideal of all other races.

To hear that such a place had been destroyed was hard to believe.

Ignoring their reactions, Floa continued.

“What I’m saying is the truth. Lord Zeon confirmed it.”

“…!”

“That can’t be…”

At the mention of Zeon, the commotion subsided.

Though the Dark Elves did not trust humans from the outside, Zeon was an exception.

If he had confirmed it, then El Harun truly had fallen.

Floa continued.

“Even though El Harun has fallen, that doesn’t mean everyone died. The survivors will be scattered into the desert.”

“…!”

Low groans spread among the Dark Elves and humans.

Having survived harsh conditions for so long, they immediately understood what her words implied.

“They’ll be looking for places to live.”

“The Steel Fortress… and our forest could become targets.”

Their expressions hardened with resolve.

They had built the Primordial Forest with great difficulty.

They had no intention of letting anyone take it from them.

Floa issued her command.

“From this moment on, the Primordial Forest is entering a state of war readiness. Inspect the grand barrier and strengthen patrols.”