Whispers of the World Tree

It was Baek Ho-young who broke the Elf Queen's brief silence.

"This place is a total jungle. So damn humid."

He sniffed the unfamiliar air like a beast. Towering ancient trees filled their vision—massive trunks that dozens of adults couldn't encircle with outstretched arms. The thick scent of damp earth and wet moss assaulted their noses.

"The vegetation itself is completely different from Earth's."

Park So-jin examined the rough bark closely, then flicked a red flame from her fingertip, lightly scorching away the sticky moisture around them. Beside her, Ryu Ji-hwan silently rested a hand on his sword hilt, his sharp gaze scanning the surrounding darkness.

Tae-ho took in the alien otherworld landscape in one sweep and let out a short breath.

"Let's head in for now. Lingering by the gate won't get us anywhere."

She immediately took the lead, stepping forward. The squelching sensation of boots sinking into the leaf litter was unpleasant, but she didn't show it. The group advanced cautiously into the forest depths, maintaining a perfect formation.

Ten minutes. Twenty minutes. The surroundings were eerily silent. Not even the cry of a common beast could be heard. After trudging on in tense silence for a while...

"......Stop."

Everyone halted. At the same time, Ryu Ji-hwan's sword slid halfway from its sheath with a chilling metallic ring. Hot flames flickered in Park So-jin's hands, and Baek Ho-young's nails had morphed into vicious wolf claws.

The mana filling the air was twisting irregularly. No killing intent, but a clear, chilling sensation directed straight at them. It was the overwhelming mana wave that had shredded the Japanese vanguard's barrier like paper.

"Sharl-rien, par kar."

With the rustle of leaves, a strange language echoed through the air. Silhouettes dropped soundlessly from the massive branches overhead—perfect landings without a whisper. A dozen elves surrounded them, pointed ears and lithe builds matching the bodycam footage.

"Shuria, ro-en bash?"

The apparent Elf Captain drew his bowstring taut and uttered incomprehensible words. Mana gathered at the arrowhead, pulsing as if ready to burst. The standoff felt primed for bloodshed. Yet the elves' eyes held more wariness and bewilderment than hostility.

Tae-ho instinctively read their lack of true aggression.

"Lower your weapons, everyone. They're not gonna shoot."

Ryu Ji-hwan sheathed his sword without a word. Park So-jin and Baek Ho-young withdrew their mana and stepped back. As the group eased off, the captain slowly relaxed his bow. A nod to his comrades, and the forest's tension melted away like magic.

"Frustrating when we can't even talk."

Baek Ho-young scratched the back of his head and grumbled. That's when the captain stepped forward, extended his hand, and began chanting a long, intricate incantation.

"El-sien, bir ta... Sylph."

The spirit spun a loop in the air, glancing around curiously. Spotting Tae-ho, it startled and shot toward her like a bullet.

A clear, high-pitched voice struck directly into her mind, not her ears, furrowing her brow. The translucent wind spirit circled her silver hair excitedly.

"What the hell is it saying, crazy."

The spirit giggled, rubbing its cheek against hers. The captain issued a short command to the spirit, which then hovered still before her, striking a pose.

Real-time telepathic interpretation. Absurd, but at least communication was possible. Tae-ho stifled a hollow laugh.

"Yeah. Tell him to guide us."

The spirit chirped wind-like noises at the captain. His eyes widened slightly, then he bowed politely, gesturing toward the forest depths. Follow us.

Escorted by the elves, they ventured deeper into the forest. The wind spirit stuck to Tae-ho the whole way.

"Get off."

Shooing it away with her hands was futile; it clung like a mosquito, giving her a headache. Baek Ho-young chuckled from behind.

"Our maknae is adapting perfectly. Even fairies are swarming her—the nation's savior indeed..."

"Cut the jokes. Stay ready to bolt anytime."

Ryu Ji-hwan's low, heavy voice cut through. Blocking idle chatter, he vigilantly guarded her back with veteran poise. Baek Ho-young smacked his lips awkwardly and refocused his beastly gaze.

After a long trek, the dense trees parted, revealing a vast open space.

"Holy shit..."

Seo Ji-hoon pushed up his glasses in awe. The forest itself was a massive city. Homes carved into colossal ancient trees hundreds of meters tall, thick vines bridging them like walkways.

And at the center: the World Tree, piercing the clouds toward the heavens, exuding overwhelming presence. Mana was sucked toward it from the air, then exhaled—a sight of pure wonder.

The spirit circled proudly over her head. Glancing at the city's outskirts, Tae-ho spotted Earthlings in familiar clothes amid the elves—jeans, hiking gear, worn puffer jackets. Missing for three years, yet not enslaved; they laughed with elves, picking fruits and carrying baskets. As the repatriated Japanese had testified, they were fully integrated.

Guided by the elves, they entered a grand wooden structure near the World Tree's roots—a majestic guesthouse blending seamlessly with nature. As the group fell silent, overwhelmed by the otherworld's scale...

Thud. Thud.

Multiple footsteps approached outside. The thick vines blocking the entrance parted on their own, opening the door.

First in was a Korean man in his mid-40s, dressed in a worn modern suit—the missing interpreter. Behind him came an overwhelming presence that crushed the room's air. A woman ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wearing a living crown of branches, enveloped in untouchable, noble mana: the Elf Queen.

Her gaze skimmed the S-rank hunters and locked onto Tae-ho in her chair.

"El-rien, par... Silphid?"

The queen murmured in a voice like rolling jade beads. As the group stayed silent, unable to understand, the interpreter bowed hastily.

"Um, Her Majesty asks if you're a spirit... or human."

"Tell her I'm just human. Special constitution, that's all."

The interpreter stammered the reply in elvish. The queen's eyes widened faintly, and she approached, train rustling. Ryu Ji-hwan's sword half-drew with chilling intent; Baek Ho-young's nails lengthened into claws. But she ignored the S-ranks' killing intent, staring piercingly at Tae-ho's face.

"Clearly human, yet every corner of your flesh is perfectly fused with such pure, clear mana... As if your entire body was reforged from mana itself."

The interpreter panted, translating in real-time. She'd perfectly discerned Tae-ho's freakish post-awakening body. Seo Ji-hoon pushed up his glasses, murmuring intriguedly.

"Impressive. She saw right through your body without Appraisal Eye."

"So, she got a problem with me being a walking mana blob?"

Tae-ho asked flatly. A faint smile curved the queen's lips.

"No, quite the opposite. One who bears untainted pure mana cannot lie. You, I can trust with this world's crisis."

The queen turned gracefully to the head seat. The real talk began. At her gesture, vines carried wooden cups of fragrant tea to the table.

"Straight to it: You want peace, so why rip open the dimensional gate and start a mess?"

The interpreter paled, softening the blunt question. But the queen seemed to grasp the gist, shaking her head calmly.

"We didn't open the gate. All tragedy began three years ago, abruptly."

Her explanation continued via the interpreter. Three years prior, dimensional rifts tore open across the peaceful continent. Two types of intruders poured out.

"The first were these frail Earthlings, devoid of mana."

She indicated the interpreter.

"The World Tree issued an oracle: They were victims swept up in dimensional collapse—shelter and protect them. Lacking mana, you posed no threat to the forest, so we gladly became your haven."

"And the second invaders? Monsters?"

Park So-jin interjected sharply, warming her teacup with a fingertip. The queen's expression hardened visibly.

"Yes. Beasts born solely for slaughter, devoid of reason or speech. They flooded the forest and continent."

Water droplets on the table rose, twisting into grotesque, hideous shapes mimicking the monsters.

"Worst was their foul aura. Their blood and flesh tainted the soil black, withering centuries-old trees. Even the forest's barriers eroded—a horrific poison. To ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠counter it, we formed an alliance with our long-time foes: the Empire, beastkin, and dwarves."

This world was a Gate Shock victim too. Worse, with ongoing soil pollution. Tae-ho crossed her arms, pondering.

"So? You fought tooth and nail for three years, then the Japanese showed up, and you realized Earth was fully linked."

The interpreter swallowed hard, nodding.

"Yes. When we described your gear and system to Her Majesty, she was shocked."

"System?"

"Yes. No awakenings here. Magic takes decades of training and complex chants. But you skip it all, unleashing power with will alone..."

He glanced nervously at the queen, who continued gravely.

"I saw it as a miracle from the gods for the frail intruders—skipping eons of training. One at the pinnacle of that irrational power could uproot the monsters devouring our continent."

"Enough with the complicated talk."

Baek Ho-young snorted irritably.

"Bottom line: You want us to help kill the monsters invading your world. We'll lead—just tell us where."

He growled with beastly eyes, hating the nuance. Then the queen warped the water illusion into an entirely alien horror.

"That's the issue. The monsters invading your Earth differ completely in form and nature from ours."

"What?"

Tae-ho shot up. The illusion wasn't the orcs, goblins, or trolls she'd butchered for three years. Tentacles of inconsistent shape, masses studded with dozens of eyes, beasts fused grotesquely with insect shells. Utterly alien.

"These... are monsters?"

Seo Ji-hoon removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes. Bewilderment crossed Park So-jin and Ryu Ji-hwan's faces.

"The source invading your world differs from ours. We don't know what's happening in the dimensional cracks. We need more intel. Unite our knowledge, or both worlds perish."

Her head throbbed. She'd come just to seal one permanent gate in Japan, but now dimensional secrets, dual monster types, and the system's truth shook the world's foundation.

She slumped into her chair, roughly scrubbing her small face with tiny hands.

"What the hell is all this..."

Her plan for the quickest exit had shattered completely.