Chapter 20

"Have you considered evacuating to other terrariums? I mean, those with lower numbers."

Just hearing it made it sound like a pretty difficult quest. No one has ever returned alive.

Judging from my RPG experience, there's definitely a boss monster holding out there. A raid from the start? A raid right after the tutorial?

"The branches of the World Tree protect us, but we also help sustain the branches of the World Tree. It's a symbiotic relationship, so if the balance is broken in any one place, it's dangerous. Especially, the orchard plays the biggest role. Surely you didn't know this, did you?"

"Ah, don't misunderstand. I was just saying it, just like that. I know everything."

You didn't know. How could I know the structure of this place? So, in the end, the only option is to go to the terrarium that's completely burned out and check it out.

While I was deep in thought, Mesquite laughed softly and pointed at the phone I was holding. Huh? Why my phone? Do you need diamonds? I can give you as many as you want for Mesquite!

"My master, Jay. Diamonds."

"Why diamonds?"

[Master! Do you need diamonds?]

"Ah! I'll call you when I need diamonds! You scared me!"

[Master! Then while we're on the topic, take more diamonds! The carts are full, and we're building houses with diamonds!]

[Master! But you can't build houses with diamonds! They all collapse!]

"I'll take them when I need them! Not yet!"

I hurriedly turned off my phone. They're not even a series, but they pop up whenever the word 'diamond' is mentioned. Then the old man looked at me and said, "Why are you talking to yourself so intensely?"

Talking to myself...?

"Jay didn't know. Diamonds aren't just jewels. They are the way the World Tree protects the terrariums and the people in the terrariums help the branches of the World Tree."

"By diamonds?"

[Master! Then take at least a little!]

[Master! You're not starving because you don't have diamonds, are you?]

Unable to resist the nagging, I shook out the diamonds and handed them to the elder, missing part of the conversation.

"So, I'll take this job. The reward will be considered after you complete the task."

Suddenly, a line was added to the bottom of the scroll. Reward [???].

With [???] still unconfirmed, I was really struggling with whether to take this quest or not.

Can't you just tell me nicely? People generally need a well-guaranteed reward to move. What if the reward is diamonds? Then I might...

"Give me a hint about the reward! You can't do that."

"The butterflies that came to the orchard haven't left yet. And we've caught a few and stored them in collection jars."

What's that supposed to mean? A poetic expression? Suddenly, insect collecting here?

"That's a good reward. Jay, it's worth a shot."

"Butterflies are good. If possible, I'd like the butterflies from the Normal Field."

"I've never seen a butterfly! I really want to see one!"

But the dryads' reactions were not normal. Why butterflies? Not the fluttering insects, but maybe the name of equipment or items? I waited for the old man to disappear like he was on a moving walkway and then asked Mesquite.

"Why butterflies? Are they good?"

"Hehe, I knew you wouldn't know."

That's right. I realize I'm lacking knowledge here.

Embarrassing as it is, I think it's better to try to learn than to keep not knowing.

Our professor might scold me for leaving my major knowledge unlearned, but users generally don't study for exams but memorize game strategies like preparing for a civil service exam. It's the same, it's the same.

"If you get the butterflies from the Normal Field, it will be good for the young elder and Daisy. There are other ways to become stronger besides eating nutrient fruits or fighting a lot. Eventually, you'll feel like you've hit a wall you can't overcome."

Hmm, is this about reaching max level?

"Butterflies can find dryads well. They can find them farther and more accurately than I can by extending my roots. If a specific species of dryad and a butterfly become 'honeymates,' the butterfly will become a guide to find other wild dryads of the same species."

Mesquite stopped talking and suddenly picked up Daisy. Daisy, looking startled, dangled from Mesquite's waist, swinging.

"If this Daisy and a butterfly become honeymates, the butterfly will fly off to find other dryads of the same mother if you just let it go. Once a butterfly becomes a honeymate, it can only absorb power from the same mother."

It feels a bit like a pet...

"What do you do after finding another species?"

"You have to defeat and subdue them. When dryads of the same mother gather, we call it a forest. If you become the dominant species, the king, in the forest, you can gain even stronger power."

I get it. It's a system like collecting the same cards for awakening, transcending, or breaking through.

"Of course, the dryad will live in Jay's terrarium artifact. So... if you want these kids to become stronger, Jay also needs to work on expanding the limits of your soul."

It's back to my level being the issue! Well, I'll give this quest a try, no matter how difficult it is. They wouldn't give a super difficult quest to a tutorial-level druid, right?

According to Mesquite's explanation, those butterflies are something I'll eventually need to get. If I erase the [???] on the scroll and change it to butterflies, I'll be motivated to work hard!

"Great! Let's go!"

I drew a straight line on the scroll between the terrarium we were in and the 28th terrarium. The 26th, 27th, and 28th terrariums were not lined up but in a V shape, so I could go directly without passing through the 27th.

The map on this scroll is overly simplified, so a more detailed map of the terrain seems necessary.

There was a general store nearby. It would be good to get a map and buy other items that might be useful for the journey.

I already had plenty of health potions and emergency rations in my pocket as prizes, but with so many diamonds, it would be even better to get them up to the limit.

***

"The inventory is really amazing. It's a magical system."

I shook my robe pockets with both hands.

No sound at all? No sign on the outside. In fact, each item can be held up to a maximum number, and my pockets are full of the 'essential items for a beginner druid on a journey' recommended by the general store owner.

They're full of water, emergency rations, fatigue recovery agents, and bandages. I could only buy 30 bottles of water because it's important for survival in this area and they can't sell too much to one person.

Potions are items that can't be bought at the general store and must be made separately or purchased from the alchemy tower.

Otherwise, I saw the number 99 a lot. Even though I bought so much, I don't feel the weight. If there were inventories in the real world, I wouldn't have to worry about carrying heavy textbooks.

Actually, I used to keep all my textbooks in the department locker... I couldn't think of anything else I carried around that was as heavy as textbooks. As a freshman, I didn't know any better and carried all the books for that day's lectures.

It was amazing to see the items pop out of my pocket as I thought about them, and I repeated the action several times.

Elder, which pocket has the diamonds? Left? Right? Actually, they were in both. No, you're wrong, why are you giving me diamonds? I gave you a lot already? You shouldn't make that face. Don't smile. If you thought I would give you diamonds because you smiled prettily, you were right.

The map to the 28th terrarium was quite large as it included all the detailed terrain, but surprisingly, Elder said he memorized it all after just one look. When I told him not to lie, he recited it all with a hurt expression. He must be a healer with high intelligence.

The thought of going into my first battle made my heart race.

I'm a user who switched to mobile games, but I still have a strong nostalgia for classic RPGs.

How cool is it for a hero to beat up monsters? Of course, I won't be the one doing the fighting here. Since I have nothing but diamonds, I'll have to cheer from the sidelines.

"My master, Jay. When you go outside the terrarium, you'll immediately encounter fire. Fire is always eager to devour the World Tree. It's very fierce. Are you ready? It might be a tough battle. Dangerous moments might come."

Before crossing the bridge over the moat surrounding the village, Mesquite calmed me down, as I was too hyped up. Listening to her soft voice in the shadow of her large body gradually calmed my heightened emotions.

"But don't worry too much. I and the dryads will always be by Jay's side. No matter what happens, Jay won't get hurt."

I must have looked a bit anxious as my tension dropped. This time, Mesquite slightly moved her body and patted my back.

The tension started to rise again as the sunlight hit me. I had the belief that Mesquite would definitely save me no matter what. If plants can photosynthesize with sunlight, I felt like I could photosynthesize with Mesquite's smiling face. It was a feeling of my soul becoming rich.

"Is this Daisy's first battle with fire? Actually, the one who really needs to be nervous is Daisy, who will become our fierce sword."

Daisy, hearing her name from Mesquite, tensed up and tightened her legs. But she soon realized it was a misunderstanding and smiled brightly.

"I'm ready! I'll protect the druid and crush all the fire!"

"That's the spirit."

Seeing the two dryads smiling, I couldn't help but smile too. Good. I hope it stays this good. The end of the bridge was in sight, and Elder, who had been silent in thought, finally spoke.

"Who will be the main character?"