Warm air brushed across Leonhart's face.
For the first time in years, he wasn't gasping through tubes or staring at hospital lights. He blinked into a sky the color of turquoise crystal. Beneath him lay a bed of luminous grass that glowed faintly when he breathed.
"Man… this is definitely not intensive care," he muttered. "Either heaven has great landscaping, or I just unlocked the afterlife DLC."
A chime rang inside his head.
[System Online] [Welcome, Host – Leonhart Valerya] [Initializing Divine Breeder Protocol v1.0…]
He sat up, rubbing his temples. The voice sounded half-angelic, half-tech support.
"Yep, voices in my head. Great start."
A quick glance at a nearby stream stopped his sarcasm cold. The reflection staring back had silver-blue eyes, lean muscle, and the kind of jawline reserved for gacha protagonists.
"Finally! I look like the guy on the cover instead of the guy behind the keyboard."
He stretched; no IV marks, no pain. Only energy humming through every vein. His pulse matched the rhythm of the strange forest around him—leaves glittering with dew that shimmered like gems.
He started walking, boots sinking into soft moss. Every few steps a creature screeched from above—half-bird, half-something-else. The air was rich with magic, tingling on his skin.
[Mini-Map Unlocked] [Current Location – Velura Forest / Neutral Zone 1] [Mission: Locate a Spirit Tree] [Reward: Unlock "Divine Resonance" Passive]
"So, fetch quest number one: find a tree. Easy enough. Can't possibly mess up touching nature."
He followed faint flashes of gold deeper into the forest. Each pulse quickened his heartbeat. Warmth gathered in his chest, the mark of the Godseed vibrating like a compass.
The trees opened into a clearing bathed in gentle light. At its center stood a giant trunk of living crystal, roots webbed with gold. The entire grove thrummed, reacting to his presence.
"Okay… either it likes me, or I'm about to explode. Maybe both."
Energy rippled through him; his knees buckled and he caught himself on one arm. From a distance, it might look like kneeling—but he was just trying not to face-plant.
[System Notice: Synchronization Initiated…]
A serene, feminine voice rolled through his mind like wind through leaves.
Spirit Tree: "Child of Creation… your essence returns. Long ago, the sparks of life you released in a forest gave birth to us—the Trees of Life."
Images flooded his vision: endless wilderness, countless lights bursting from the heavens, taking root until the barren land bloomed. Mountains rose; rivers glowed. Life itself unfurled.
Spirit Tree: "Those sparks became the foundation of this world. And now the source has awakened once more."
Leonhart stared blankly at the glowing bark.
"So… my teenage works in jungles have now .....I'm basically the world's accidental gardener. Great. Multi-tree-dad unlocked."
The tree's light dimmed into a peaceful shimmer, and the warmth in his chest eased. Somewhere far away, the world stirred.
Elsewhere, armored footsteps rustled through brush. A patrol of beastwomen moved in formation—silver fur, pointed ears, and tails flicking warily.
Scout 1: "By the moons… what is that light?"Scout 2: "A male form? Like in the runes—impossible."Scout 3: "Maybe the Tree birthed a guardian. We should report this!"
They burst into the clearing. Leonhart turned, blinking at half a dozen very confused women with weapons drawn.
"Uh… hi. I come in peace? Mostly confusion, actually. First time being worshipped by strangers."
None answered; they stared as if a legend had walked out of the soil. Their leader raised a hand, signaling restraint.
Okay, zero language barrier apparently, but maximum awkward silence,well they are hot and thicc so. Cool. He thought
They surrounded him carefully.
"Hey, easy there. I'm fragile! Well, emotionally at least."
When he didn't resist, they exchanged glances and motioned for him to follow. The Spirit Tree's voice lingered in the air:
Spirit Tree: "Go, Progenitor. The Silverfang await their creator's return."
Leonhart groaned.
"Fantastic. Now I'm hearing plant-based parental expectations."
The Silverfang Village
The patrol led him through winding paths until towering wooden gates appeared. Beyond them sprawled a village built around another radiant tree—homes woven from vine and crystal bark, streets alive with chatter.
Every face that turned toward him froze. No one had ever seen a male before.
Inside a grand hall, Merys Lynx—nine-tailed, poised, eyes calm as moonlight—knelt before the clan elder.
Elder: "The prophecy stirs. The god who sowed life returns. Prepare to receive him."Merys: "So soon? Then the world begins to change again."
Outside, Nyara Moonpaw sprawled lazily on a roof, silver hair catching sunlight. Her ears twitched as rumors drifted up.
Nyara: "Another prophecy? Please tell me this one isn't another giant bug monster."
The scouts marched Leonhart through the crowded square. Curious eyes followed; whispers rippled.
"Is that… a man, like with the ... thing and godseed?""The elder's prophecy… it's true!"
Leonhart tugged nervously at his collar.
"I'm suddenly nostalgic for hospitals. At least nurses didn't have spears."
From the crowd stepped Merys and Nyara.Merys's gaze was steady, analytical; Nyara's tail swished in open curiosity.
Nyara: "Woah… you smell weird. Not bad-weird. Divine-weird,why is your pant bulging though."Leonhart: "That's… the nicest insult I've had all day,and don't worry about this ,it is his exercise time"Merys: "His aura… it feels familiar. Like something I once dreamed."
Leonhart's breath caught. He knew those faces—the exact designs he'd made in the game. The realization hit like lightning.
[Main Quest Unlocked: Reunite with Your First Creations]
Leonhart (thinking):No way. The loli fox and the nine-tailed MIL—… focus, Leonhart, focus!
Merys stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
Merys: "State your name, stranger."Leonhart: "Leonhart Valerya. Long story short—I think I'm your old… designer?"
Nyara tilted her head.
Nyara: "Designer? Is that like a weird god title?"
Before he could answer, wind swirled through the plaza. Petals danced upward, shimmering like fragments of light. A soft voice whispered through every branch:
Spirit Tree: "At last… the circle closes."
Merys and Nyara exchanged glances, hearts pounding. Leonhart just sighed.
"Great. Now even the trees do dramatic exits."
[System Summary – End of Chapter 2]
[Level Up Unlocked → Divine Breeder Lv 1] [Skill Gained → Divine Resonance (Passive)] [Quest Chain → 'Return of the Creator' initiated]