Turns Out the World Tree Guardian's a Scary Elf
*Chop chop chop chop chop chop goro-long-goro-long-*
Another day filled with the usual living noises inside the bunker. I'd just gotten back from our walk, and with the two wolves scarfing down their food in the background, I was scrolling through the Ark Gallery.
A post about my elite slave, the World Tree Guardian. It turns out she'd rocketed to promotion by personally beating down her obstructing superiors. I'd thought she was just some super-elite elf who'd hit field marshal rank in her human-equivalent forties purely on talent, but nope—this was the result of clearing her own path.
"The World Tree Guardian's a scary elf..."
A sudden chill ran down my spine. I got goosebumps thinking about all the times I'd teased her. I'd been playing with fire, clueless about how precious my life was.
Too late to take it back now. Time to apologize quick and extend my lifespan.
> Mod: Hey buddy
> Mod: Busy?
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: Hm? All good! What's up, Mod?
The World Tree Guardian greeted my message warmly. Good, seemed like my past teasing fell within acceptable limits. No anger at all. Felt awkward confessing my "sins" out of nowhere, so I decided on a gift instead.
> Mod: Saw you're busy with mod duties, so called you for a gift lol
> Mod: Like sweet stuff?
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: Love it! New item?
> Mod: New yeah, but not selling to gallery yet
> Mod: Sending it over, enjoy!
Sweet tooths go nuts for this stuff. Never fails. I sent over the perfect item. Not my thing, though.
> Mod: Got it?
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: Got it! So colorful and pretty!
> Mod: Glad you like it lol. Dig in!
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: Thanks! Mod's the best!
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: (Wooo! Cheering elf con)
This should keep her from getting violent if I poke fun for a while. Safety secured, I sent a box to the other mods too.
> AirQualityCheck☆: Mod bro? Something arrived!
> BreathHoldChamp☆: Got mine too. What's this for?
> Mod: Food. Super sweet cookies.
> Mod: Pairs great with bitter tea or whatever, enjoy lol
> AirQualityCheck☆: Thanks, bro! I'll savor it ^_^
> BreathHoldChamp☆: My tongue... tongue hurts so bad... Too sweet, my tongue...!
> AirQualityCheck☆: Huh? How sweet is it...?
> Mod: lmaoooo alright I'm out
The red dragon screamed right after I sent it—must've scarfed one down immediately. I'd heard people new to sweetness get tongue pain from it.
"Selling jam and candy, so macarons as a freebie... but they've never tried them?"
Worried briefly if the World Tree Guardian was okay, but she'd have messaged if it hurt. Probably too busy eating.
Anyway, our human mod seemed swamped. Four days no contact. In this dangerous world full of unknown threats, hope he checks in safe soon. Makes me anxious too. At least item transfers worked, so he's alive somewhere. Praying for my elite slave's safe return.
"Woof!"
Hero and Champion were doing their pre-walk routine in front of me. Weren't they just back from the dawn walk? While I tilted my head, they bolted out the bunker in a flash.
Eh, maybe extra eager today. No biggie, back to gallery scrolling.
One steady post caught my eye. A newbie adventurer's writing jumped out.
Nearby clusters wiped clean. Something deeper in the forest probably! Securing safety, so scouting inside for a few days (Waaah! Crying human con)
Sucks not showing off feats, but I'll do my best! Watch over me, everyone!
Clicked a random post out of habit and scored a ton of great info.
"This attention-whore adventurer's the hero's daughter? Doesn't seem like it."
Fake bloodline? Didn't match the image of the hero dutifully fulfilling his duties in silence. Attention-seeker with massive ego. Perfectly bloomed in the gallery spotlight. Exactly the type I hate most.
Praying I never meet her, I double-checked the worrying bit.
"Northwest forest, wave, cleared undead clusters..."
That's right by my house? Obvious, but to be sure, I asked Sora.
"Sora? This post's location—is it near home?"
Yes, Rain. Matches the bunker area's situation exactly.
Yep, my house. Said she'd scout inside the forest, huh? Uninvited guest incoming.
Camouflage was solid, but pros would sniff it out. Bunker's at the western forest edge by the mountain, so it'd take time. Still, might pass by unnoticed. When Hero and Champion get back, block the pet door temporarily. If they stay inside, no issue.
Praying no awkward encounter happens. Wishing for that hopeful future while passing time.
Then, good news hit the elite slave chat.
> TwoMealsADay☆: Back. Sorry it took so long.
> WorldTreeGuardian☆: Late! Was worried!
> BreathHoldChamp☆: Good work. No issues?
> Mod: Welcome back lol
> AirQualityCheck☆: Great job! Try the stuff Mod sent too, bro! So good!
> TwoMealsADay☆: Thanks for the welcome, but one thing left.
> TwoMealsADay☆: Finish that, then back to duties right away.
> TwoMealsADay☆: Getting late. Sorry.
> Mod: Can't help if busy lol. Take your time.
> BreathHoldChamp☆: Hm? Thought you were done? No other tasks?
> TwoMealsADay☆: Hm... This is personal, not duty.
> TwoMealsADay☆: Can't say why, but gotta do something in northwest forest.
> BreathHoldChamp☆: Oh ho. That explains it. Got it. Wait leisurely.
TwoMealsADay's return after radio silence. Us mods gave a hearty welcome. More workers mean less work for me.
But he had personal business unfinished, sent an apology. Still, something in the northwest forest. Red dragon seemed to know what. Meeting spot or what? From retired emperor to mods, this remote forest oddly attracted visitors.