ATPnovel Chapter 642
Chapter 642
Chapter 642
With the connection to the Primordial Forest established, Neo Seoul was thrown into an uproar once again.
To people who had spent their entire lives looking at nothing but the yellow sands of the desert, a forest carried a special meaning.
Especially for those living in the slums, many had never even seen the tiny forest inside Neo Seoul.
Even the precious vegetables they ate were products manufactured in factories.
To such people, the Primordial Forest delivered a shock comparable to a meteor falling from the sky.
A long line formed in front of the portal from people determined to enter the Primordial Forest even just once. Unfortunately, their wish would not be fulfilled anytime soon.
The entry of Awakeners and workers from each district took priority.
Someday it would be fully opened to everyone, but not now.
Though they could not see the forest immediately, people were not too disappointed.
They knew that they could eventually cross over to the Primordial Forest through the portal.
If they worked hard and earned money, or proved themselves useful to the Primordial Forest, they would be able to go.
Development of the Primordial Forest proceeded rapidly.
It was because every district poured its resources into it.
When manpower and money were invested, completing buildings took no time at all.
After establishing their bases, they organized dungeon-raiding parties and monster-hunting teams.
The areas surrounding the Primordial Forest had barely been touched by human footsteps, leaving endless opportunities for exploration.
Naturally, neither finding dungeons nor hunting monsters was easy.
Even so, the Awakeners willingly ventured into the desert.
The risks were great, but so were the rewards, and above all, after working hard they could rest in the forest.
Although only a portion of the forest was accessible, it gave the Awakeners tremendous satisfaction.
Simply sleeping and resting in the forest felt as though it healed not only physical injuries but mental fatigue as well.
It was a feeling impossible to understand unless one experienced it personally.
“What a commotion.”
An old man wearing glasses muttered as he looked outside from within the barrier.
From the entrance of the Primordial Forest, it was impossible to see inside the barrier, but from within, the situation outside was clearly visible.
Because of that, it was easy to see exactly what the Awakeners were doing.
The old man's name was Pavilsa, master of the mobile fortress Arkelon.
Beside him, Arkelon sat resting.
Despite the title of mobile fortress, Arkelon had settled in the Primordial Forest and barely moved.
Sometimes he stayed still so long that it became worrying.
At first, Pavilsa had feared Arkelon had simply grown too old and lost all his vitality.
But Arkelon was healthy.
He simply found moving bothersome and preferred staying in one place.
“Kyaahaha!”
“Catch me if you can!”
The motionless Arkelon had become a playground for children.
Young elves and children ran across Arkelon while playing.
His sturdy shell and the hollow spaces within it made an excellent play area.
Arkelon never found the children bothersome and allowed them to run around freely.
Because of that, the sound of children's voices never ceased around him.
“You little rascals.”
Pavilsa smiled as he watched the children playing.
He liked this kind of liveliness as well.
The entire Mott Tribe, who had previously lived inside Arkelon, had moved their residence to the Primordial Forest.
Pavilsa’s granddaughter, Kaylee, had also established a new workshop in one corner of the forest.
In that way, the Mott Tribe had become part of the Primordial Forest community.
The thing that shocked newly arrived elves the most was Arkelon.
The sight of a gigantic turtle, well over a hundred meters long, sitting in the middle of the forest like a rocky mountain was enough to shock anyone.
But they quickly realized that Arkelon had a gentle disposition and treated him warmly.
—Kuuwooo!
Arkelon, who had seemed dead asleep, suddenly raised his head and looked toward the forest entrance.
“What is it?”
Pavilsa looked toward the entrance with a puzzled expression.
A moment later, a delighted look appeared on his face as well.
People he knew were coming in.
“So, you came.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Hi!”
The ones approaching while greeting him warmly were Zeon and Brielle.
After greeting Pavilsa, Zeon stroked Arkelon’s head.
Arkelon pressed his enormous head closely against Zeon and closed his eyes, savoring the touch.
Smiling, Pavilsa said,
“It seems he likes you. Why not take him home and raise him? He doesn’t move anymore, so he’s useless now.”
“I’d like to, but my house is too small for Arkelon to stay in.”
“Then what have you been doing instead of working hard?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Heh heh.”
The two exchanged light jokes.
“But what brings you here?”
“I just came to see how everyone is doing.”
“The newly relocated elves?”
“Yes. Are there any problems?”
“There were plenty at first.”
“Really?”
“As you know, even if they’re all elves, they’re different races. To our eyes they all look the same, but their cultures and ways of thinking are quite different. Because of that, there were many clashes, but now it seems they understand one another and are getting along.”
“That’s good.”
“Well, whether they like it or not, they have to get along. What choice do they have? They’re not the original owners of this forest. If the owner says they should live together peacefully, what can they do?”
“You mean Har?”
“Exactly! Har has become a bridge between the elves.”
“That’s nice.”
Just as Zeon smiled—
—Lili!
A spirit suddenly appeared from somewhere.
It was Yuri, Har’s spirit.
—Yuri!
At Yuri’s call, Lili appeared in response.
The two spirits, both having evolved into high-ranking spirits, clasped hands and flew through the air together.
Brielle smirked as she watched them.
“Those two somehow became even more talkative.”
“I know. They talk so much my ears hurt now.”
Har walked out of the forest and agreed with Brielle.
“Har unni!”
“Good to see you, Brielle!”
Har tightly hugged Brielle as she jumped into her arms.
Har had met Zeon on the first day the forest opened.
However, they had only exchanged a few words before parting.
The attention from so many people had been overwhelming.
So she had waited until public interest died down a bit before returning.
Zeon asked,
“How are the people living in the forest? It can’t be as completely quiet as before.”
“Some like it, and some don’t. But it’s fine.”
“Why?”
“Those who dislike it can move deeper into the forest where the sounds can’t be heard. Those who like it can stay near the entrance and interact with outsiders. It seems some elves have already made human friends.”
“Really?”
“Not all elves reject humans, and not all humans dislike elves.”
“That’s a relief.”
Zeon nodded.
No matter how wonderful the Primordial Forest was, it could not remain isolated forever.
The population would continue to grow, and there was a limit to surviving solely on what the forest produced.
Interaction with the outside world was not a choice but a necessity.
It was only a matter of timing; it was something that had to happen eventually.
Goduwon, the village chief, and Floa, leader of the Dark Elves, were dividing responsibilities and leading the forest well.
Goduwon rarely showed himself outside and focused solely on matters within the forest.
On the other hand, Floa handled all external affairs.
Because of that, people believed Floa was the representative of the Primordial Forest.
Goduwon did not mind at all.
He was not an outgoing person, nor did he have ambitions of making a name for himself.
Instead, he even comforted Floa for taking on such difficult work.
He also asked her to continue handling external affairs in the future.
Thanks to that, Floa was able to set aside her burdens and focus on outside activities.
Even now, Floa was in the open forest district meeting with Serian, Hera, and others.
Humans were only allowed into the open district, but the same restriction could not be applied to elves.
They were holding discussions about opening a little more of the forest’s interior to elves.
The same was true for World Tree Village.
It still had not been opened to humans, but elves were allowed to visit.
Of course, only those whose identities had been thoroughly verified and who could be trusted.
In many ways, great changes were taking place in the world of elves as well.
“Oh, right. Kaylee said that if you came by, she wanted you to stop by her workshop.”
“She set up a separate workshop here?”
“She said she felt bad working inside the shell of someone resting so comfortably.”
“That makes sense.”
Zeon looked at Arkelon.
Arkelon gazed at the Primordial Forest with an expression of complete peace.
Who would look at him now and think he was once the mobile fortress that steadfastly crossed the harsh desert?
He looked so peaceful, as if he had transcended all worldly concerns.
Even Zeon felt he would not want to disturb Arkelon’s rest.
“Where is the workshop?”
“You’ll find it easily. It’s near the Angel Tree in the eastern part of the forest.”
“The Angel Tree?”
“That’s what the kids here call it. They say its shape resembles an angel spreading its wings.”
“Really?”
“Anyway, near there, wherever you hear a lot of noisy banging, that’s Kaylee’s workshop.”
“Understood.”
“You’re going right away?”
“Yes. There’s no reason to put it off. I’ll go.”
“Go ahead. She’ll be happy to see you.”
Pavilsa waved his hand as if urging him onward.
After bowing to him, Zeon headed toward the place he had described.
Just as Pavilsa had said, finding Kaylee’s workshop was not difficult.
Near a large tree that really did resemble an angel stood a small cabin, and from inside came the sound of something being hammered.
It was clearly Kaylee crafting something.
When Zeon knocked on the workshop door, Kaylee’s voice immediately came from inside.
“Yes! Come in.”
“You’re opening the door without even asking who it is?”
Zeon laughed as he opened the door and entered.
Kaylee set down the hammer she had been working with and welcomed him.
“Well, there has to be someone in here worth being wary of first. Come on in!”
“This place is nice too.”
“Not bad, right?”
“Yes.”
“The location is great. It’s quiet enough to concentrate.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! It’s the workshop I’ve always dreamed of.”
“Arkelon would be disappointed if he heard that.”
“Of course it’s a secret from Arkelon.”
Kaylee smiled mischievously.
“But why did you call me? Do you need me to do something?”
“No. I have something to give you.”
“To me?”
“Yeah. This.”
Kaylee handed Zeon an item that had been sitting on the workbench.
“This is... a robe?”
“Yeah! I heard the one you used before was destroyed.”
“So you made a new one for me? I’m touched.”
“It was the elves’ idea.”
“What?”
“Lady Floa, Lady Hera, and Lady Latrisha all sent me treasured materials, saying they wanted to give you a gift.”
“Ah!”
“Silvier’s wings, cloth woven from Arachne silk, Argos’s Eye—materials impossible to obtain on this land. They asked me to make a robe that suited you.”
“I can tell just from the names that they’re extraordinary.”
“Thanks to that, I was the one who suffered. It would have been easy if I only used one material, but combining three different attributes nearly killed me. Still, I managed to make it, so try it on. You’ll like it.”
At Kaylee’s urging, Zeon spread the robe wide.
The fabric draped down softly like silk.
Zeon had worn robes made from Sand Maw, Leviathan, and Balrog hide.
All three had been rare items possessing powerful defense and regenerative abilities.
Yet the robe he now held radiated a mysterious aura different from any of them.
Kaylee said,
“It comes with overwhelming defensive power that shrugs off most magic as a basic feature, and it’s also enchanted with camouflage magic, detection magic, and even flight magic. A masterpiece.”