Elves were a peaceful race who loved nature. As such, they preferred to live surrounded by greenery and coexisted with other races. Because of these traits, they shared their city of trees with some rather dangerous beasts, like giant bees and spiders, and developed a peaceful relationship with them. They even gave refuge to the dwarves and the amazons who didn’t have a home and whose circumstances they sympathized with.

Moreover, because of their empathic abilities, elves deeply cared for their fellow brethren. One person’s pain was another’s. They possessed strong bonds and were willing to risk their life for each other. On the other hand, these individuals, gifted with incredible magic and long lifespans, held no interest in the world outside their domain.

However, that was not the case for everyone.

Some elves wished to venture outside of their city, outside of their forest, and into the unknown. Whether they were looking for something or just being curious, they were all willing to brave the dangers of the world. To these men and women who sometimes appeared among the elves, their people respected their wish, though with mixed feelings. Still, the curious elves were sent off by their brethren as well as by the Gatekeeper.

The ones who wanted to see the world were known as Travelers.

Of course, not anyone could become one. They had to prove that they could protect themselves and, most importantly, they had to accept responsibility for their own fates. Death wasn’t their only worry. Outside, other races would try to enslave them, especially the humans who found elves attractive. Should a Traveler get captured, he would have to endure whatever fate befell him.

Even under torture or the threat of death, revealing information on Hossylei Nac and their brethren was forbidden. The misfortunate Traveler could cut off his consciousness to escape the pain until he found a chance to run away, or copy his neighbors. Just like the dwarves and the amazons, he would have to accept death and bravely kill himself.

Once an elf wishing to travel fulfilled these conditions and steeled his resolve, he was allowed to leave Hossylei Nac. But, before doing so, Travelers underwent a certain ritual with Rosaminta, which was considered an honor.

Melda was one such Traveler who had undergone the ritual, a gesture of trust and the Gatekeeper’s wish to see her return home safe and sound.

Now, standing before her, Melda had indeed returned home in one piece. But, she came back with an invading force.

Behind the traitorous Traveler, another black cloaked individual passed through the gate. Seeing more trespassers appear, Rosaminta hurriedly closed the gate. By her will, the arch began to slowly wiggle like clay, shaking off the leaves as the two trees twisted together to form one trunk. Without direct contact, commanding the gate was painfully slow and difficult, but still possible. However, her enemy wouldn’t let her finish. Gerard lunged at her to interfere, but vines sprouted from the Gatekeeper’s shoulders, dug into the earth and flung her out of his reach. Then again, his main job wasn’t to stop her, but to keep her busy.

“MELDA!” [Gerard]

“Don’t shout my name, you filthy human.” [Melda]

Melda touched the tree with her right hand as she practically growled at Gerard.

“I’m helping only because my darling asked me to.” [Melda]

In doing so, the green seed that seemed to be merged to her palm started pulsing. Then, the next instant, the gate that had become a twisted tree began to turn back into an arch. With direct contact, Melda’s will took precedence over Rosaminta. So, the path from the swampland to Hossylei Nac was opened again and as such, lines of people quickly started to rapidly pour in. Some even rode in with horse-drawn wagons.

“My, my, my, Melda… You used it… You actually dared use it!” [Rosaminta]

The Gatekeeper couldn’t help but exclaim as she saw the Traveler misuse the seed that was planted in her hand. Unlike before, when she realized that Melda was working with the enemy, there was clear anger on her face.

“That is not why I gave you that child!” [Rosaminta]

Rosaminta shouted as she remembered how, upon Melda’s departure, she had offered to give her a seed, just like she did for all Travelers. It was a ritual that simply involved having them hold a green seed that was created from the Gatekeeper’s own body. If their bodies were compatible with the seed, it would merge with their flesh.

Luckily, the green seed had accepted Melda, which didn’t happen for everyone. It had fused to her hand when Rosaminta placed it on her palm and with it, she had gained an important ability.

It was the power to open the gate from Hossylei Nac’s side.

Still, whether the seed took root or not didn’t matter. It was a symbolic gesture to allow and bless the elves that wished to leave their home and journey around the world. Opening the gate by one’s own hands to explore the world. Such was the meaning behind the seed.

Melda could open the one gate connected to Hossylei Nac to exit the elven lands. Now, she was using it to allow outsiders in. The elf was using the gift that Rosaminta had bestowed upon her, that she had created from her own body, to invite danger. She was exploiting her power to bring harm to the land that she had dwelled in for so long.

So, taking it as a personal insult, on top of being a betrayal, Rosaminta got enraged. The face of a seductive and calm beauty with a flirty personality peeled off. She stopped staying on the defensive and started aggressively attacking to kill everyone. As Gerard was about to instantly close the distance between them, the ground trembled and numerous huge vines and roots burst out of the earth.

“THE GATEKEEPER’S COMING! DODGE!” [Gerard]

Gerard shouted to warn his troops, but it wouldn’t help much. Moving as if they possessed a mind of their own, the tentacle-like vines and roots began attacking everyone present. Although many of the trespassers dodged them and fought back, some didn’t.

“Wha-! Let go! Let me g-agghhhhAGGGHHH!” [Trespasser]

One man got caught by vines as they wrapped around his four limbs and gruesomely pulled him apart like a toy.

“Argh! Damn oh sh-BUH! Sto-AGH! GAH! Krgh…!” [Trespasser]

Another was being swung around by the legs and used as a club to hit his allies until his body no longer looked human.

“GERARD!! NOW!!!” [Lovel]

Hearing Lovel’s shout, Gerard greatly jumped back and put some distance between him, Rosaminta and her murderous plants. However, he couldn’t stick the landing and ended up rolling on the ground, scraping his skin and getting bruised all over. Simultaneously, all of his subordinates stopped attacking and focused on getting away from the Gatekeeper’s assaults. For a short, brief moment, no attack or magic was launched. It looked as if they were waiting for something.

But, nothing happened. Rosaminta was unhindered, unbound and unstoppable.

Several trees emerged from the earth like jagged daggers and skewered a small group of people that were staying close together. A great vine swung horizontally like a whip and smashed multiple victims, easily pulverizing their armor, flesh and bones.

“IT’S NOT WORKING!” [Lovel]

Seeing that their plan had no effect on the Gatekeeper, Lovel shouted at her leader before turning towards one of the wagons at the back and whistling twice. Right after, a man came out of the vehicle and formed an X over his head. Simultaneously, everyone moved quickly as if they had become unfrozen.

“GERARD, TAKE CARE OF HER!!” [Lovel]

The tanned-skinned woman ordered loudly as she conjured and shot flame spears without chanting, to little effect, at the vines that tried to capture her and her subordinates. Unfortunately, she failed to stop three roots from impaling a woman through the chest and stomach like a fish.

On the other hand, Gerard was madly charging at the Gatekeeper. Sadly, no matter how hard he tried, vines and roots hindered him from approaching Rosaminta. While fighting him, she was simultaneously attacking his team. Moreover, the Gatekeeper, who had been cut down by half, was, at some point, now twice his size.

Her lower body looked like the stalk of a plant that was growing out of the ground. Her upper body that still retained its shape appeared less human. Pieces of the smooth skin were slightly peeling off in the shape of leaves, making Rosaminta look like she was covered in scales. It was the same for her top that was similar to a green bra as it no longer resembled clothes, but a part of her. After all, she was merely mimicking the act of wearing clothes, just like how she was mimicking the form of a person.

“CHANGE OF PLANS! UNITS 1 TO 5, TAKE THE FANG AND DEPLOY THE FIELD! USE THUNDER SCREAMERS TO SUPPRESS THE ELVES! WE’LL HANDLE THIS!!” [Gerard]

With Gerard’s orders, about half of his forces proceeded to run away from the area while the rest covered their escape and kept the killer plants busy. Gary, who was one of the people escaping, had taken a big, heavy bag from one of the wagons at the back, and was lugging it on his back. Marilyn, who was also doing her best to run away, was freezing the vines coming after her while Gawain was using his shield to protect his allies. Peter was at the front and cutting open a path.

“MELDA, TAKE THEM TO HOSSYLEI MAC!!” [Gerard]

“I KNOW!” [Melda]

Melda angrily replied before joining those that were heading for her home city. Their goal was in sight. They just had to reach it without getting gruesomely slaughtered by gigantic plants.

“ALL UNITS, FOCUS ON SUPPORT!” [Gerard]

Although everything wasn’t going smoothly and the ideal outcome didn’t happen, it was still within their expectations. So, Gerard needed to concentrate on his part of the mission. There was no point in conserving his strength. His hands and feet turned into magma and molten steel. The transformation spread from his limbs and reached his whole body.

“WE HOLD THIS THING HERE!!!” [Gerard]

He yelled in a deep, guttural voice right before multiple vines completely wrapped around him until he couldn’t be seen anymore. However, they couldn’t hold him as they were all burned and ripped to pieces. Gerard had forced himself free and revealed his form that was growing in size.

A humanoid creature that resembled a steel statue melting under heat with magma coursing through him like veins. The slightly deformed, egg-shaped head had no hair or ears. The face also lacked a nose or mouth while the eyes were flaming holes full of magma.

Setting his sight on the Gatekeeper whose form was also changing and growing in size, Gerard charged at her.

Several minutes earlier…

“Just where did Ryner go? He didn’t come back at all.” [Itham]

“You did blow him out of the room, dad.” [Meirith]

Walking along the shore were Itham and Meirith who were looking for Ryner since he hadn’t returned yet.

“That’s because he made you cry!” [Itham]

“I already told you it’s not his fault!” [Meirith]

“I’ll punish any man that makes you cry! But, we still need to talk about how you guided him to the Trees of Beginnings, young lady!” [Itham]

“That, that was fine! Ryner’s trustworthy!” [Meirith]

“Trust or not, it’s currently off-limits! You’ll anger the spirits!” [Itham]

The father-daughter pair were bickering as they continued their search for their missing guest. But, they weren’t the only ones searching for him.

“Is that human really in the forest? He might still be in the city.” [Ninith]

“Let’s just find him quickly. Honohono wants to see him again. Don’t you, Honohono?” [Itoca]

“Woof woof!” [Mi]

Behind them were Ninith and Itoca who were holding a restless Mi. Truth be told, the two elves just wanted to stick to the puppy who was missing her master.

“No more seduction tactics. Once you find Ryner, pin him down and take his clothes off.” [Riteinia]

“Understood.” [Silvania]

“It’ll be your turn AFTER I’ve had him.” [Riteinia]

Furthermore, an irritated Riteinia, Silvania and the amazon warriors also came along in search of Ryner.

“Can I have him for myself?” [Silvania]

“So long as you don’t touch him before me.” [Riteinia]

“Thank you, Matriarch!” [Silvania]

Their reason for doing so was less appropriate, though.

So, under the gray, cloudy sky, the ragtag group was about to head into the forest to look for the black-haired human with eyes of different colors.

“What… This… Can’t be.” [Itham]

However, they soon came upon the battle taken place near the lake.

“… So enemies finally appeared in this land…” [Riteinia]

They saw the invading force fighting Rosaminta.

“How? All these Pulses… So much hostility.” [Meirith]

Before they could decide what to do, another group was approaching them. Fifty individuals cloaked in black, including Gary, Peter, Gawain and Marilyn, were rushing towards them. The elves were still shocked, thinking “Invaders!? Humans?! Impossible!?” while the amazons, though similarly surprised, were eager for a fight. Itham managed to regain his calm and his eyes became steely focused. As for Riteinia, she donned a cold, sadistic smile that thirsted for blood.

However, before a battle could break out between the two sides, more people showed up. Furthermore, their arrival was accompanied by tremors, huge plants bursting from the earth and a ten-meter giant. Made of red hot steel and magma, the giant was ripping vines apart and facing what appeared to be a fifteen-meter red rose that suddenly bloomed from the ground. However, when the petals all spread open and formed a skirt, Rosaminta was there.

“The Gatekeeper’s true form… She isn’t holding back.” [Itham]

“Dad. Can you feel it? She’s angry. She’s really angry right now.” [Meirith]

Her upper body was clearly composed of leaves of different shades of green, her arms above her elbows were brown branches twined together and her hair was made of vines. Unlike her usual form, there were no roses in her hair. Rather, her face was expressionless and her seductive charm was gone as if it was a lie. She hardly looked human anymore. Then again, she was never human in the first place, but an ancient creature revered by the elves.

“NONE OF YOU WILL ESCAPE!!” [Rosaminta]

She shrieked in a loud, raspy voice while facing the giant that was five meters shorter than her current form. Trying to escape from her wrath was the detached force that was led by Gary, Peter, Gawain and Marilyn.

“How the hell can we cross the lake with that thing attacking us?! It’s huge! Bigger than me!” [Gary]

“I can cut it up. I can definitely cut it a million times!” [Peter]

“Everyone, stay behind my shield! I’ll protect us!” [Gawain]

“Ha! Like hell, Gawain! I only need my muscles to protect me!” [Gary]

“Will you three dolts quit babbling and focus on how we’ll reach the city! You can’t expect a lady like me to run forever!” [Marilyn]

Rosaminta sent her plants after all of the invaders while putting most of her focus on the giant of steel and magma, Gerard. With speed unbefitting his size, he charged at her. But, four carnivorous plants that were five-meter tall bit onto his limbs and restrained him. However, they were unable to hold him for long, which was unusual since, despite being plants, ordinary fire couldn’t burn them so easily. But, Gerard’s intense heat didn’t take long to turn them to cinders.

Keeping the fingers of his right hand straight, he stabbed into Rosaminta’s stalk. His left gripped one of the petals and, looking up at her huge upper body, a horizontal crack appeared on his face. It ripped open, forming a hole resembling a mouth and from it, a red light leaked out. The next second, a deluge of lava was shot out with great force, swallowing the female form. From the side, it looked like a giant of molten steel was puking burning hot lava on a giant plant monster.

However, such an attack didn’t stop the Gatekeeper. Her human form didn’t lose shape and only the surface was burned black. She used many vines to pull him away from her, controlled roots and branches that stabbed into him and summoned a carnivorous plant that swallowed his head, stopping the flow of lava. Unfortunately, just like during their whole fight, all of her plants burned in a matter of seconds and Gerard’s great strength ripped them to pieces.

The restraining vines were torn off, the roots and branches were smashed and the carnivorous plant got incinerated. The accumulated lava flowed down the giant’s body without harming him before burning the earth. On the other hand, Rosaminta rapidly regenerated her humanoid form and closed the hole in her stalk in the blink of an eye.

“(Damn it, this thing regenerates instantly, my lava barely burns her and she’s tougher than steel.)” [Gerard]

Carnivorous plants bit down on Gerard’s limbs, vines latched onto him and trees stabbed into him. He burned and tore them off before punching his opponent. None of the wounds he sustained were serious. The shallow holes in his body filled with magma that hardened and created a dark crust. For every blow he managed to land on her, she returned the favor tenfold.

“(She keeps making different types of plants to attack me. Fighting her is life fighting an army.)” [Gerard]

Gerard was losing his patience. He couldn’t keep fighting her for long since his skill that allowed him to become a giant consumed a lot of mana. He could only hope that the team he had sent would reach Hossylei Nac and finish the mission quickly.

“(The Gatekeeper, a monster that’s lived since time immemorial… Melda wasn’t kidding. I can’t beat her. Using the stone might be our only option.)” [Gerard]

The battle between the two titans continued with Gerard being besieged by plants and Rosaminta healing from any wound. Every blow and every clash shook the earth. Shockwaves rippled through the air as Gerard’s fists smashed into the plant monster and Rosaminta’s vines crashed into the giant of molten steel. Huge, deadly plants would suddenly sprout from the ground and torrents of burning hot lava would rain down from the sky. Fires began to spread and smoke rose here and there.

The two sides were in a fragile stalemate, which surprised the Gatekeeper. She thought she would have swiftly finished off all of her foes after getting serious. But, the fiery giant’s relentless assault spoke otherwise.

“(His body is too hard and he can actually burn me this much.)” [Rosaminta]

Unlike Gerard, who suffered light injuries, Rosaminta was being burned, crushed and stabbed over and over again. Such a situation inwardly shook her up since she had fought humans before, and none of them stood a chance against her. Then again, none of them had a skill on Gerard’s level.

“(Impossible…)” [Rosaminta]

The steel giant of magma was simply a bad match for the ancient, plant-based creature.

“(How have humans grown so much…?)” [Rosaminta]

Furthermore, the group led by Lovel were supporting Gerard.

“Master! I’m here to help you!” [Hames]

“Hames, don’t rush too far! UNIT 9, PREPARE TO SHOOT FIRE JAVELINS AT THE GATEKEEPER! UNIT 8, COVER THEM!!” [Lovel]

Hames was running around with lightning speed and cutting up any wriggling plants, vines and roots in his way. In his hand was a sword covered in flames. Lovel stayed in the back as she commanded and coordinated her subordinates while shooting flame spears.

“Support the Gatekeeper! Ninith, Itoca, make sure no one approaches us! Meirith, stay close to me! Matriarch!” [Itham]

“I know! AMAZONS, KILL THEM ALL!!” [Riteinia]

On the other side, with Itham and Riteinia in command, the elves and the amazons had joined the chaotic fight and tried to help the Gatekeeper. As a result of the unforeseen forces added to the fray, Gary and Peter rather happily volunteered to stay.

“Amazons! Finally! They’re mine! I finally found my kind of women! Gawain, you take the Fang!” [Gary]

“Wha-hey! GARY!” [Gawain]

The big, muscular man excitedly shouted so before throwing the big bag at Gawain and charging at the Matriarch.

“You guys get going. I’ll handle the elves… Never cut an elf before… And never with a magic sword!” [Peter]

On the other hand, the swordsman wielding two swords was more interested in fighting the elves.

“Wait, you brainless plebs! You’re supposed to help us attack their city! FOLLOW THE PLAN, CRETINS!” [Marilyn]

Though Marilyn threw some verbal abuse at their backs, they paid her no mind.

Around two titans, one made of molten steel and magma and one made of plants, a battle between the invaders and the protectors of Hossylei Nac had broken out.

Among that chaos, Gawain, Marilyn and about fifty men, as well as Melda, were trying to slip pass everyone to reach the city in the middle of the lake. Of course, the Gatekeeper didn’t just ignore them and sent some plants their way. The invaders were trained and skilled, but some simply couldn’t escape from her wrath as carnivorous plants bit limbs off and roots skewered bodies. However, although Rosaminta was receiving help from Itham and the others, she was basically fighting everyone.

As such, the giant plant monster was slowly getting tired and it could be seen by how she was gradually targeting the other trespassers less and focusing more on defending herself from Gerard. Although he couldn’t kill her, he was definitely the most dangerous human the Gatekeeper had met during her long, long life. So, with the pressure on them lessened, the group that were in charge of reaching Hossylei Nac luckily managed to leave the area. Then, thanks to Melda creating a large platform of rock to act as their boat, they arrived at the base of the waterfalls in the middle of the lake.

“We made it… We actually made it…” [Gawain]

Gawain said while kneeling down, tired and relieved that they successfully escaped from the battle. On his back was the big bag that Gary had thrown at him before charging at the amazons.

“Damn those worthless imbeciles. Now we have no S ranks to support us. And you. You call yourself a man? Get your act together.” [Marilyn]

Marilyn, who was also catching her breath, looked at him coldly and haughtily flipped her hair.

“Let’s forget about those two fools. The Dead Field Fang and the Thunder Screamers should be all we need. Once we succeed, no one will be able to deny our talents. By that, I mean my talents. Make sure you do your job to act as my shield.” [Marilyn]

“I know. I’ll be a shield… An impenetrable shield.” [Gawain]

Gawain took out the silver locket hanging around his neck and looked at the picture inside.

“We’ll definitely survive and go back home.” [Gawain]

Muttering so, a tender smile formed on his lips and a strong resolve dwelled in his eyes.

“… Truth is, there’s a girl I want to confess to.” [Gawain]

Gawain suddenly blurted out and immediately regretted it. Perhaps the fear and pressure before the big operation were getting to him. In response, Marilyn snorted and flipped her hair again.

“What a coincidence. I plan on getting married after this. Of course, it’ll be to a good man with an S ranked mana pool. Like Gerard! Did you see his skill?! The Molten Giant! How much mana does he need to keep it up?! No wonder he was chosen to lead us! Someone of his caliber would definitely suit an incredible woman like me! With fate on our side, our children would be unstoppable!” [Marilyn]

Smiling bitterly at Marilyn, who was planning on seducing their leader, the shield-tottering man carefully tucked the locket beneath his armor. Then, he got up, made sure the big bag was securely on his back and checked the weapons strapped to his body.

“It’ll be our turn soon.” [Gawain]

Gawain looked up at the waterfalls. Sitting atop the hundred-meter tower of stone was the elven city, their main target.

“Everyone, check your gear one last time. The moment we’re up there, get ready to unleash thunder on the elves.” [Gawain]

He said as he grabbed one of the weapons strapped to his chest armor under his black cloak.