The World Tree of Santanconello Josabella Forest
The last divine tree remaining in Dimension 33, the World Tree of Santanconello Josabella Forest. For the first time since the dawn of history, this colossal tree was felled by elven hands—and something unimaginable happened.
The four spirits dwelling within the World Tree fragmented as it was cut down, each shard reborn as an independent soul. The fire spirit that served the bishop, the water and earth spirits, and even Eco, the wind spirit who had evolved into a great spirit.
These splintered avatars from the four spirits, now housed in fragments of the World Tree, arrived at Kim Jian's bachelor dorm.
"Kyugyu (Pleased to meet you all—are you prepared?)"
"Pipikyu (What wouldn't we do for our savior?)"
The spirits exchanged small greetings, gazing at one another. To the primal elves and spirits, the World Tree was their entire world. They resolved to give a modest gift to the man who had saved it.
The life force of the World Tree stirs under the combined power of the four elemental spirits.
A radiant aura poured from the spirits' bodies, enveloping the smartphone case and desk. From nothing, something was born—the four spirits of Dimension 33's nature channeled their power, awakening the vitality nestled within the World Tree.
Rumble rumble rumble...!!!
Thick soil piled up on the empty desk. Moist night mist seeped into it. Dwarf grass, unknown in Dimension 6-2, sprouted, and tiny buds emerged.
Atop the overturned smartphone case appeared a fingernail-sized fireball, blazing fiercely. The fire spirit's solar warmth bathed the new lives piercing the fertile earth in light.
A breeze from the spirits cooled the excess heat. Clouds formed above the newly grown palm-sized tree, drifting slowly to sprinkle a gentle drizzle.
Time on the desk flowed as if some invisible hand had wound the spring tight. Amid lush foliage and tree-shaded spots, flowers of every hue bloomed in sequence, flaunting vibrant colors.
Most striking was the sturdy tree rooted on the smartphone case. Though only as tall as a person's upper body, the surrounding trees and flowers were so tiny it resembled the World Tree itself.
"Yeah, it's insane. Bishop Zailini tried to burn the sapling outright. To stop that, I—"
Kim Jian, lost in his phone call, oblivious to it all. On his desk materialized a springtime vista: a miniature diorama capturing the World Tree and the encircling Santanconello Josabella Forest, filling the room with fresh grass scent.
"Did I leave the window open? Why's there wind...?"
Finally, Kim Jian pulled the phone from his ear and turned to the desk.
Right then.
"......"
A gentle breeze swept over him. Violet petals scattered in profusion. A scene like a masterpiece painting.
The great tree, pruned before it could greet new spring and denied the chance to bless those it nurtured with flowers—it now sent a message through the fragment of its severed flesh, empowered by the spirits.
Thank you—
The tiny petals, dancing in the wind, rubbed together in midair, producing sound. A voice that should never reach mortals. The World Tree's cry, hidden deep in its rings and never meant to emerge in a lifetime—its soul's resonance—reached Kim Jian.
Whoosh.
A single floral breeze caressed his face, and Kim Jian felt something warm trickle down his cheek.
"......"
Flustered by inexplicable tears, he steadily gazed at the second Santanconello Josabella Forest on his desk.
Tiny spirits orbited the smartphone case made from the World Tree fragment, emitting multicolored lights. To Kim Jian's eyes, it looked like the spirits insisting they were fine—that the World Tree wouldn't vanish even if felled.
"So that's what it was."
Kim Jian understood. Turea's gift lived on as part of the tree, even pruned and processed. The elves' scriptures weren't wrong—the World Tree was the source of life.
It possessed something worthy of that title, plus a sense of self. The sacred tree native to Dimension 33 harbored resilient vitality that breathed on even as a stump.
This benevolent giant, sheltering all who depended on it, had been sliced into thousands, millions of pieces—yet lost none of its power.
Even reshaped by spirit hands, its essence remained unchanged. Fragments of the processed World Tree stayed rooted to the earth like the original trunk, fulfilling their purpose.
Just as it blessed dwellers equally, regardless of how many trees stood in Dimension 33 long ago.
Even splintered into thousands, each piece held the same power. This was the World Tree's resolution: sacrificing itself for its dependents and saplings.
It transcended into the concept of life force itself. Escaping the great cycle of life and death, it became a transcendent circulation unbound by form.
Once immortality was attained, bark and fibers could shatter—no difference. Be it furniture or phone case, any shape.
The World Tree of Santanconello Josabella would live eternally.
"Man... Master Turea sure thinks big."
Everyone got what they needed. The banker, performance. The elves, a future. The spirits, kin. And the tree, eternity.
No more satisfying end.
"Hope you all like Kikiwai."
Kim Jian smiled faintly at his new roommates whirling around him.
If you asked Dimensional Credit Vault tellers about the Kikiwai Multidimensional Branch, most would say:
"Kikiwai Branch? Total dream job, right?"
"Great air, great water, hot guys and gals everywhere..."
"It's a fast track to promotion. Only HQ's elite of elites get in."
Rumors about Kikiwai and its branch were mostly true. Established by the guD faction's proposal, joined by guC and guE heavyweights—the Dimensional Credit Vault's three factions pooling strength.
First to adopt safe multidimensional leap tech at the entrance, poised to draw customers from untapped dimensions. The industry's cutting edge.
...Or so it's known. But that's just surface level.
In truth, it was guD—led by the president—laying groundwork to end internal strife, with the other two factions piggybacking.
It started thanks to tiny dove factions in guC and guE. Naturally, the hawk majorities dominating those factions resented it.
"Just pretend to cooperate at first. Betray when we can grab max gains."
They cooperated only to let their planted ace outpace other factions' tellers via new biz chances. Enemy of my enemy.
Once in control, boot the other two and monopolize. That was the plan from guE and guC execs.
If not, sabotage ops to kill performance. With guD powerhouse Slick Ellama in charge, his demotion would boost their positions.
Bonus: If things worsened then recovered under their planted deputy as manager, they could reshape the innovative branch to taste.
Any exec deep in faction wars eyed monopolizing branch gains.
But reality didn't match.
The branch seized massive opportunity day one.
Problem: Too massive.
Cappelino di Driade's loan request: 130 billion gulden. Interest rates absurdly high for collateralized.
Too big for a branch—not HQ.
Kikiwai was the three factions' nexus and cornerstone of the bank's multidimensional future. All wanted smooth sailing, but none wanted rivals grabbing first dibs.
Thus, execs first sicced planted deputies to snag the loan for HQ Corporate Lending glory.
But not this time.
Cappelino di Driade: consortium of renowned artisans. Leader Turea ignored rival execs promising lower rates at HQ.
Plus, high-profile first win for Kikiwai—led by guD's Slick Ellama. Handled by Kim Jian, rumored tied to President Dis Pater.
"Too heavy for a first-year junior agent. Directors, please reconsider. Surely better picks—"
"Kim Jian lacks experience, true. But I'll shoulder full responsibility. Principal and interest—I'll collect every gulden."
If Kim Jian errs, take my head. Ellama's resolve silenced HQ execs plotting his ouster.
Push harder, and Ellama—first to bet his resignation—would demand equal stakes.
Truth: Even sans threat, Kim Jian was untouchable. Post-famous actor revival, he'd stamped himself on Dimension 12 Olympus board members.
Fearing backlash from stealing his feats, rival execs scrapped plans.
Meanwhile, oblivious Kim Jian—to Ellama staking his rep:
"Lucky no HQ interference. Wonder if a junior can claim this performance."
"...You've said that three times already."
Grinning, he teased fellow trainee Isaac.
Smack!!
"Ow!! Why hit me?!"
"Learn gratitude, you punk."
"Gratitude? I did everything this time, didn't I?!"
Not content, he even yelled at the manager who'd smacked his head.
"Sigh... Why'd the president bring that guy?"
Heading to his office, Ellama muttered bitterly. Half-joking with his peer, but the cockiness irked.
"If he were hopeless, I'd ditch him... but he's not."
President's eye was spot-on. Kim Jian shone in this work—Ellama admitted it.
Still, rough edges aplenty.
"How long will beginner's luck last?"
Irked at unwanted babysitting, Ellama vowed to follow orders. Kim Jian had potential, even to him.
He just hoped timely trials would temper him. Nothing beats crisis for humbling cocky rookies.
But even Ellama didn't know the trial had arrived.
"GyaAAAAAHHH!!!!"
Less than five minutes later—Kim Jian's scream from outside.
A new incident threatened the rookie banker.