Chapter 15 - New Trial 2 (1/2)

A bright sparkling red feather, it was the right item to win over her curious heart.

“It’s fine, here, have them all.”

“No, just one is fine, I don’t have long to live anyway.”

Lyla was destined to disappear along with the forest in just six days time. A Dryad that had been cursed and had her own tree burnt to the ground as punishment for teaching humans the location of Gods’ treasures. However, due to the Creator’s arrangements, her death penalty was put on hold.

“Is there some way I can help you?”

“Probably not, The curse the Gods have placed on me is rather harsh.”

Seeing her expression darken, Woohyuk quickly handed her a feather to brighten the mood. As she held onto it, she became lost in her thoughts.

“Did you know I’ve had quite a few dangerous adventures so far? This might be my first that goes so well.”

“I think I’ve visited basically everything there is.”

“Then why don’t you tell me your story, I’d love to hear it since I’ve only been cooped up in this forest my entire life.”

Woohyuk sat down with his back against the oak tree, as he began to recount his adventures over the last 40 years. At first Lyla listened closely from up on her branch, but later on she came down and sat on Woohyuk’s shoulder, engrossed in the story.

There had been no monsters that came to bother them. So long as Woohyuk kept telling his tale, Lyla would chase away any that dared approach.

“Did that really happen? I can’t believe it….”

“I have no reason to lie.”

He didn’t have any red marker above his head, which meant he must be telling the truth. Lyla leaned against Woohyuk’s neck as she swung her legs back and forth.

It had been quite an entertaining story, at times humorous and later romantic, but for the most part his memories were filled with sadness and loss. Despite the epic tales and quests, there was still a personal and heartwarming touch to them.

She had really been sucked into his wondrous tale.

“I really enjoyed that, so this is my condition. Stay with me until tomorrow night, you must have so many more stories to tell.”

“Sure”

Woohyuk was quick to agree. Both his mind and body had become very weary from all the punishment he had been putting them through. Not to mention that without Lyla’s help he wouldn’t be able to decipher the magic spell on the map.

“How about taking a walk while narrating? It’s boring to just sit down the entire time.”

Lyla sat atop Woohyuk’s shoulder, guiding him by pointing with her finger as they made their way around the forest. They would eat any wild fruits they’d come across like raspberries and cherries. She would also invite the many animals living in the forest to come and meet Woohyuk.

“That’s enough for today, it is already late into the night.”

Lyla guided Woohyuk back to her oak tree, she watched him as he fell into a peaceful sleep. The time flew by and it was soon morning. The time she could spend with him would soon come to an end.

“I wish I had met you earlier.”

He was not from this world, but for some reason he had been summoned here. Even still, it felt like she had known him for so long, they just seemed to click together.

‘It feels like a new door has opened up for me.’

As if she had discovered some new colors in the world that she previously had been unable to perceive. Lyla was satisfied. Despite it being all in her imagination, the stories she had heard about the outside world was what she had always dreamt off.

As the time passed in the woods, Lyla let her imagination run wild. Thinking how her life might have been different if she had participated in Woohyuk’s past adventures as well as how she might have influenced him as well.

And so, the second morning was upon them.

“I will fulfill your request as promised, but apart from that, I have something else to give you.”

Lyla took out two strange looking fruits and handed them over to Woohyuk.

[Paradise Tree Fruit]

Category: Consumable

Effect: Alchemist ingredient. Gain a secret knowledge when eaten at a Historical Site.

[Life Tree Fruit]

Category: Consumable

Effect: Alchemist ingredient. Learn all recipes associated with a particular material in your hand.

‘Amazing’

Items that had been spoken of in legends but never actually found. None of those trees had ever been recorded bearing fruit, and there had been no information of any fruits being found on Paradise Lost.

Seeing Woohyuk’s amazement, Lyla was more than satisfied.

“I wanted to give you more, but unfortunately I was only given one of each. Also there isn’t any need to worry since there aren’t any side effects.

“Thank you”

“Then all that is left is the map right? I’ll decipher that for you right away.”

Lyla sat down on Woohyuks palm, as she placed her tiny hands upon the map. Basking it in a blue light, a red marker finally appeared on the map.

“Lastly, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What do you need?”

“When you head over to the continent later, bury me near your home, that way I’ll be able to hear your stories long after I am dead.”

Lyla had been sentenced to death by the Gods due to helping a human, but instead she would now disappear within a few days. By helping Woohyuk as she just had, she was sure to die, but she felt it was worth it since she only had a couple days left anyways.

“I promise that I’ll do this for you.”

“I’m glad to have met you. You allowed me to dream of a different world, giving me hope once more….”

Betrayal.

She had once helped out a young man, risking it all for a budding romance, but the result was that she had been abandoned. The wrath of the Gods had fallen on her shoulders and until the very last moment that young man had never appeared.

The temptation of a sweet love.

Woohyuk had been the one to make her feel such warmth and kindness once more. With a smile on her face, Lyla took her last breath while sitting on his palm holding on to a handful of feathers.

Her body soon transformed into blue energy particles, before assembling into the shape of a seed.

[Oak Seed containing Lyla’s Dreams]

Category: Personal item

Effect: Upon planting, the seedling of an Oak tree shall grow. Specific level required for it to embody Lyla’s soul

‘We might meet again in the future.’

As the guide for a Hidden Quest, she had been given a heavy task. Getting a bit emotional, Woohyuk proceeded to take a look at the map.

The red marker was located in the North Eastern direction of Paradise Lost. It was a nice day and the sun was out, he didn’t have any reason not to begin his exploration immediately.

As he climbed onto the Three Clawed Eagles back, Woohyuk Thought about what the future might hold.

He had finally deciphered the location, and he could almost feel like his goal was within reach.

* * *

‘Is this the place?’