The Veterinarian's Proof
Recovery potions work on trees. I knew this because I had tried to mend a broken tree root myself earlier. Back then, the black miasma had rendered it useless, but that wasn't the case anymore.
I stared intently at the young village chief. The other elves looked at him as if to say they would follow his lead. With everyone's eyes focused on me, the chief's gaze remained fixed on mine without a hint of wavering. His deep, soulful eyes were strangely unnerving, as if he were peering straight into my soul.
Hmm... maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. My lie about being a 'veterinarian' had become a stumbling block. It was 'TRUE' that I wasn't an Apostle, but 'FALSE' that I was a veterinarian. Well, from here on out, I’d turn that 'distrust' into 'absolute trust.'
“I told you, I’m not an Apostle.”
“No, just think about it! If you were a normal person, why would you be hiding under a tree that was broken in such a suspicious way!”
“That’s right! You said you were cutting away rot to treat it, so why didn’t you treat it and instead just hide?!”
Ah. So hiding under that tree was going to be the death of me!
“Everyone, be quiet. We shall see. The stranger has offered to prove his innocence himself... we just need to watch the results and judge accordingly.”
Hear, hear. I nodded along internally. I had to gain their trust first if I wanted to see the World Tree. Where on earth was it hidden? Or perhaps it was smaller than I thought, just like how the chief here was a young man. It could be small...
I pretended my eyes were bothering me, blinking and scanning the surroundings. Nothing special stood out.
“Stranger.”
“Yes.”
“As it happens, there is a lotus in our village that has yet to be purified. ...You said you could do it. Can you purify it?”
“Of course!”
I answered with confidence, but I knew everyone still doubted me. It wasn't because I was using Hawk's Eye. Their expressions were practically screaming it. At this point, pretending not to notice would be a total lack of conscience.
Somehow, I ended up in a rowboat with two elves. They said the lotus that needed purification was in the middle of the lake. The sun sparkled on the calm water, and the mountains and trees reflected perfectly on the surface like a mirror. It was so peaceful and sunny that I almost felt like I was on a picnic—if not for the gazes of countless elves peeking out from between the trees.
“Veterinarian. Can you purify this, too?”
A small black lump floated unnaturally on the lake. The 'lotus' looked quite different from what I knew. First of all, it was incredibly small. Not fist-sized, but bean-sized. And yet, it was emitting light—black light.
They said this lotus had been sitting in the center of a lake deep in the village, serving to purify the village's drinking water all this time.
“Originally, it was a flower of a different hue. But it couldn't withstand the contamination, and its color changed like this.”
“Then, if I purify it, it will return to its original color, right?”
A visual result that could be deduced immediately. It was the perfect condition for proof. Assuming the purification worked properly, that is.
“I’ll give it a try. I’m going to use a standard purification potion. If it doesn't work, I’ll have to find more materials, but I’ll take full responsibility until the end, so don’t worry too much.”
I planned to use my highest-grade recovery potion, the 'Superior Recovery Potion.' If that didn't work? Then I’d just have to craft a 'Top-Tier Recovery Potion.' Since the area was crawling with gathering spots, I could make one in a few hours if I just pushed my body a little. I laid the groundwork just in case it failed, so they wouldn't complain.
I pulled the Superior Recovery Potion from my inventory.
“Hah!”
An exclamation burst from the chief, Jeruda. A murmur began to rise from the distant lakeshore. It sounded like leaves rustling in the wind.
“...Just now, an object appeared out of thin air. Is that an ability permitted only to you, a veterinarian?”
“Well, something like that. Anyway, watch closely.”
Stop whispering, you elves. You’re going to be surprised one more time. Of course, I didn't know if it would be a good kind of surprise or a bad one.
Two pairs of eyes, filled with a mix of suspicion and anticipation, followed my hands. And right now, I was the most nervous one.
'Will it work? It’d be great if it worked on the first try. God, Buddha... no, just God.'
To avoid repeating my previous mistake, I poured all my prayers into my mind and dumped the recovery potion over the black lotus.
Then.
A bell-like chime rang out, and the bean-sized lotus, once pitch-black, began to shed its dark aura. Soon, the lotus shed its filth and began to glow with a golden light, showing off a fresh, pink appearance.
Honestly, it was so mysteriously beautiful that I was momentarily mesmerized. I regained my senses and looked around. Not only the two elves in the boat with me, but the elves hiding behind the trees on the shore—I could see surprise and relief spreading across their faces simultaneously.
“Oh! Chief, look at this!”
“...I am looking.”
The murmuring grew louder. If it had sounded like a gentle breeze before, now it sounded like rain hitting leaves in a storm. A sense of pride, greater than any standing ovation, welled up inside me.
“Oh...”
By the way, it actually worked? I turned on Hawk's Eye to check one last time before opening my mouth. It was properly purified. But...
'Are these elves...? Testing me?'
A status window with a slightly insulting message popped up.
“Well. As you can see, this is what I do. But, Chief.”
I lowered my voice slightly and looked at Jeruda. His deep green eyes, whose thoughts were hard to read, stared back at me. As if telling me to speak my mind. I had to address what needed to be addressed. It was also a procedure to prevent them from slandering me later.
“As you know, this lotus has almost exhausted its life force. That’s why it couldn't react properly to the World Tree’s purification and remained contaminated. You already know that even if I treat it, it will wither soon, don’t you?”
The corners of his mouth, which hadn't curved even when the lotus was glowing, finally turned up slightly. Of course, they returned to their original position immediately.
“...Truly. You are no ordinary person.”
“I am ordinary. Among veterinarians, at least.”
This time, Jeruda’s mouth curved into a refreshing arc. His sculpted face glowed when he smiled. But if that was just an act, I’d be a little hurt.
Why? If you’re going to favor me, just do that—why the second part? I showed you the results clearly, didn't I? Hmm... I wonder if that female elf is the same?
I looked at the female elf who had followed the chief.
Yeah. That’s the right reaction. I just burned my own life-water on a flower you all cherish. Though, I suppose I can’t blame them entirely. Some 'Apostle' or whatever had invaded, contaminated the World Tree, dried up the lotus that purified their water, and caused strange black miasma to rise from the ground all day long. Guarding against outsiders was only natural, no matter how much I proved my ability.
Just as medicine can be poison depending on how it’s used, and a double-edged sword can cut its wielder, perhaps they saw me as an outsider who could save the World Tree, but also break it? Thinking that far made me feel a bit sad... though it didn't disappear. Sometimes, even if your head understands, your heart still hurts. But in an understanding state, one can view the situation more generously.
“‘No ordinary person’... then the existence of these veterinarians must be quite special.”
“It’s definitely amazing. They are people who study and struggle to save lives. I was saved by the help of a veterinarian who is my role model, and I’m walking the same path. I’m currently in training, and I just happened to end up here.”
As expected, my rabbit-mask experience didn't go to waste. A plausible story flowed out as easily as breathing.
“Where is your hometown, stranger?”
Rinku, the female elf who had been looking at me like I was a fallen leaf on the street until just a moment ago, asked me a question for the first time. Perhaps she was interested in me now.
“It’s called Korea, but you’ve probably never heard of it. I came from a different world-line.”
“A different world-line?”
“I see. That explains why I felt an energy from you that was similar to the Apostles yet distinct. Apostles are also beings from different world-lines.”
Since they were elves, they could clearly feel things ordinary humans couldn't. Anyway.
“If the Chief felt an energy similar to the Apostles from me, it’s probably because I came from a different world-line too. But the difference between me and the Apostles is that I intend to purify the World Tree and help it recover.”
Our eyes met. Jeruda said nothing. He was probably choosing his words. In times like this, the best defense is a good offense.
“I understand that you can’t trust me. You must be thinking that I could save the World Tree, or conversely, kill it.”
Actually, did I really need to clear this hidden dungeon? If I thought about it carefully, no. Even if I couldn't purify the World Tree, I would be safely sent home in a week. The reason I said I wanted to purify it was simple. The most important reason was that I couldn't escape for a 'week.' If I was branded an Apostle, I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat, and I’d have to run away from the elves constantly. Avoiding that situation was the biggest reason.
The second reason was that the faster I purified it, the faster I could get out of here. That meant less experience and tick-loss. And finally, the hidden dungeon reward. I wanted to get 1st place in contribution and receive a contribution box, not just the basic rewards!
“...Honestly, I am afraid. Your power is worth coveting, yet I cannot help but be wary.”
An honest reaction.
“Do you think I would harm the World Tree?”
“Still... I will trust you. There isn't much time left.”
Chief Jeruda continued his explanation. This wasn't the first time the Apostles had tried to contaminate the World Tree. It had survived on its own resilience until now, but after being weakened, it had been hit again. The World Tree’s condition had become critical, meaning this was the final hurdle. And I had appeared at the perfect time.
And looking at the status window again.
Expectations, anxiety. Just pick one. Anyway, this worked out well. It made things easier.
“Actually, I can’t just help you for free; I need some help in return. Purifying the World Tree requires a more special purification water than the one I used for the lotus.”
According to Rackcho, the probability of special reinforcement stone materials appearing in hidden dungeons was much higher. Alright, time to go mining. With my new elf lackeys in tow!