We left the town of Grayhouse and continued south.
Our destination: the ancient ruins known as the Forgotten Altar.
Along the way, Elle and Bell chat.
"Bell, are you really 1,247 years old?"
"Yep. 1,247 years and 142 days, to be exact."
"That's amazing... I'm 120, but I feel like such a child..."
"I'm jealous that you're so young, Elle. I don't grow anymore."
"You don't grow...?"
"Yeah. Ever since I got this body, I've stayed like this."
Bell gazes at her own small hands.
"For 900 years, always—"
Her words trail off.
I don't look back.
I just keep walking.
The ruins lay deep in the forest.
A crumbling stone structure. Moss-covered walls.
And—the faint glow of residual magic circles.
Mana Ledger: Active
Detected: Ancient Ruins — "The Forgotten Altar"
Construction Date: Estimated 800 years ago Internal Mana Signature: Powerful — Possible World Tree fragment Warning: Defense mechanism at entrance
"Found it."
I look up at the ruins.
"A fragment of the World Tree is inside."
"Great! Then let's go get—"
Elle starts to run forward. I grab her arm.
"Wait. There are traps."
Mana Ledger: Active
⚠️ Warning: Ancient Golems × 3
Estimated Combat Power: 50,000 MP equivalent each Activation Condition: Intrusion by organisms emitting 50+ MP/minute
"Three golems. Go in head-on, and we fight."
"Can we win...?"
"We can. But it's wasteful."
I scan the ruins' structure.
"If we keep mana emissions below 49 MP, we can walk right past them."
"49 MP..."
Elle looks worried.
"How much am I emitting right now?"
Mana Ledger: Active
Elle Alshera: Current Mana Output — 82 MP/minute
"82. You need to cut 33."
"B-but... reducing it any further is really hard..."
"You have to. I'll teach you."
Thirty minutes later.
Elle's mana output had dropped to 48 MP/minute.
Mana Ledger: Active
Party Total Mana Output: 49.2 MP/minute Golem Activation Threshold: 50 MP/minute Status: Outside detection range (Safe)
"Let's go. Slowly, quietly."
We slip into the ruins, holding our breath.
Ancient stone floors. Moss-covered walls.
Massive stone statues line both sides of the corridor.
Golems.
Their eyes glow faintly.
But—no reaction.
"Mr. Kai... I'm scared..."
Elle clutches my sleeve.
"It's fine. Keep moving."
Bell holds my other hand.
She looks completely calm.
"Aren't you scared of the golems, Bell?"
"Nope. I'm with Kai, so I'm not scared."
We pass between the golems and reach the deepest chamber of the ruins.
There—
A pale green light.
Mana Ledger: Active
Detected: World Tree Fragment (First Piece)
Mana Content: 50,000,000 MP Status: Dormant Note: Ash within 10-meter radius has been completely purified
A fist-sized crystal glows quietly atop an altar.
Around it alone—no ash.
Instead, green moss and small flowers bloom.
"...Beautiful."
Elle catches her breath.
"There's no ash."
"World Tree fragments have the power to purify surrounding ash."
I reach for the fragment.
The moment I touch it—
Warmth spreads from my palm through my entire body.
Mana Ledger: Active
World Tree Fragment acquiredAdded to world mana reserves: +50,000,000 MPTime until extinction: 341 days → 377 days (+36 days)
"36 days..."
Elle whispers.
"The world gained 36 days..."
"Yes. But it's still not enough."
I store the fragment in my spatial inventory.
"There are seven fragments in total. If we collect them all—"
"Can we revive the World Tree?"
"It's possible."
Bell squeezes my hand.
"Kai. Where are we going next?"
"The Frozen Ruins to the north. The second fragment is there."
"Okay. Let's go together."
We leave the ruins behind.
When we step outside—the sky looks just a little brighter.
Maybe it's my imagination.
But surely—
The world isn't dead yet.