"Hey, does anyone see something like a pillar up ahead?" Hachiman called out mid-flight.
The group squinted into the distance, catching a faint glimpse of something. "Yeah, I think I see it," Kirito said.
"You've got sharp eyes for this distance," Yukino said. "That's Arun's World Tree."
"Whoa," Hachiman said.
"That's Arun…" Leafa murmured.
"It's called the World Tree, right? It's massive," Klein said.
"We're a few hours out," Yukino estimated.
"Ugh, still that far?" Hachiman groaned.
"I'm kinda beat," Silica admitted.
"We should rest here," Yukino suggested.
"Sounds good," Hachiman decided. "Let's take shifts and rest."
The group paused. "No monsters around here?" Kirito asked.
"Not near Arun," Leafa replied.
"Good to know," Kirito said.
"But they recently added Yggdrasilheim, a high-level dungeon under Arun with evil god-class monsters," Leafa added.
"Interesting," Kirito said. "Lots of giant-type monsters, maybe?"
"I haven't been, so I'm not sure. Why do you think that?" Leafa asked.
"Yggdrasilheim's named after the Norse mythology world where giants live," Kirito explained.
"Wow, you know a lot, Kirito-kun," Leafa said, impressed.
"Eh, just average," Kirito said modestly.
Leafa couldn't help but think Kirito reminded her of her brother, Kazuto, who also had a knack for obscure knowledge. Realizing she was comparing them, she shook her head to clear the thought. (Kazuto's Kazuto, and Kirito's Kirito. But…)
She recalled Kazuto mentioning Lisbeth with a look that suggested she was someone special to him. (Maybe Lisbeth is the one he likes… If so…) Unable to sort her feelings, Leafa decided to focus on helping Hachiman and Kirito for now. (I'll think about it after the Grand Quest.)
Then a thought struck her. (Wait. Hachiman said the Grand Quest is probably unimplemented, but he's gathering this much firepower to clear it. What's his plan? I'll ask when we reach Arun.)
After resting in shifts, the group resumed their flight toward Arun. Suddenly, Hachiman's sharp voice halted them. "Hold up!"
"What's wrong, Hachiman?" Kirito asked.
"Look over there," Hachiman said, pointing to a small village that had appeared out of nowhere.
"That village wasn't there before," Hachiman said.
"You're right," Yukino agreed. "I've never heard of a village here. Leafa, any ideas?"
"Nope, never seen or heard of it," Leafa said.
"Let's get closer and have Yui scan it from a distance," Kirito suggested.
"Okay, Papa," Yui said. "If we get closer, I should pick something up."
"Alright, approach cautiously," Hachiman said.
The group edged toward the village. "Yui, anything?" Kirito asked.
"No NPCs or players detected," Yui reported.
"Got it," Kirito said.
"But there's a strong monster signal from that inn-like building," Yui added.
"That one?" Hachiman said. "So, this village is a trap?"
"Possibly, Papa," Yui said.
"Can the ten of us handle it?" Hachiman asked.
"It might take time, but we can manage," Yui confirmed.
"Hmm. We could ignore it, but Sakuya and Alicia's groups might stumble into it," Hachiman said.
"We've got time before the others arrive," Yukino said. "Why not clear it?"
The group nodded. "Alright, let's do this," Hachiman said. "Iroha, hit it with something big!"
"Yes, senpai!" Iroha replied.
"Yukino and I should join in," Leafa said.
"Yeah, let's do it," Yukino agreed.
The three began chanting attack spells. As the incantations finished, flames, wind, and lightning spiraled toward the inn. The building quivered, then transformed into a massive creature resembling an elephant crossed with a jellyfish.
"What the hell is that?" Hachiman exclaimed.
"An elephant… jellyfish?" Silica said.
"It's huge," Klein added.
"I've never seen anything like it," Leafa said. "Maybe an evil god?"
"Evil god, huh? Worthy opponent," Kirito said.
"Battle stations!" Hachiman ordered, but Yui interrupted.
"Wait, Papa!" she said.
"What's up, Yui?" Kirito asked.
"It doesn't seem hostile," Yui said.
"Not hostile, even after we attacked? Is that possible?" Hachiman asked.
"I'm not sure…" Yui said.
The creature shifted sideways, waving a tentacle as if beckoning them. A hole opened where it stood, seemingly inviting them in.
"Yui, you're sure it's not hostile?" Hachiman asked.
"Yes, Papa, I'm certain," Yui said.
"Alright," Hachiman said, steeling himself and approaching the hole. The others followed. Peering inside, they saw a vast world stretching below.
"Is that… Yggdrasilheim?" Leafa said.
"No way," Klein gasped.
"I think I saw a screenshot like this on the official site," Silica said.
The creature, as if sensing strength, fixated on Kirito, gesturing between its back and the hole. "Looks like it's saying, 'Ride me and come along,'" Kirito said.
"It's taken a liking to Kirito-san," Yukino noted.
"It's kinda cute," Kirito said. "Sorry, buddy, I've got things to do. I can't go with you, Tonky."
"Tonky?" Leafa asked.
"Oops, my bad," Kirito said. "It reminded me of a story about an elephant killed during the war, so I called it that."
"Like the one at Ueno Zoo?" Yukino said.
"Yeah, I think we had a picture book about it," Silica said.
"Same at my place," Leafa said.
"Mine too," Kirito said. "What a coincidence."
"Yeah," Leafa agreed.
"Tonky's a fine name, even if it's a bit grim," Hachiman said. "Not sure if it understands names, though."
Kirito grinned at the creature. "Your name's Tonky now! I can't go with you yet, but I'll visit Yggdrasilheim someday. Don't forget us, okay?"
Whether Tonky understood was unclear, but it looked both happy and wistful as it slipped into the hole and vanished. The hole closed, and the village disappeared, leaving an empty clearing.
"What was that about?" Hachiman wondered.
"Probably a trap to drag players to Yggdrasilheim," Yukino said. "But it was oddly human-like for a monster."
"Maybe we'll meet it again if fate allows," Kirito said.
"Yeah," Hachiman said. "Let's head to Arun."
The group took off again. The World Tree, once a distant speck, loomed closer, and other players became more visible. They stayed cautious but faced no attacks. Some players seemed to avoid them, likely intimidated by Yukino.
"Yukino's invincible defense aura," Hachiman muttered.
"Did you say something, Hachiman?" Yukino asked sharply.
"N-Nothing!" Hachiman stammered.
"Alright then," Yukino said.
Finally, they reached Arun. At that moment, Yui shouted, "This ID… Papa! Mama's right above us!"
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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