"Are you sure?" Shella asked eagerly.
"Very sure," I answered confidently. "You might not be able to see it, but my eyes can perceive many people walking on the branches, busy with their activities."
"They've built a city in the trees?" Now it was Dimas's turn to appear excited.
"You'll see for yourself soon."
The idea of a city being built in the trees made them both brim with excitement. It was a natural reaction for people like us, from another world. Even when I first arrived in the City of Ruvia, I was just as thrilled as they were. I looked around with wide eyes like a country boy. In retrospect, my reaction was even more intense.
"Let's go down quickly!" cried Dimas, rushing ahead, Shella following him closely.
Goodness! They both acted like children eagerly awaiting a birthday gift. I followed behind, matching their quick pace.
Our small team descended the mountain slope with surprising speed. In less than an hour, we arrived halfway down the mountain, where the terrain began to level. After warning them not to get too excited and always stay alert, Dimas and Shella slowed their pace.
"I know you're excited to get there, but don't forget that our visit to Arnest City isn't just a casual trip. They surely won't let humans enter their territory," I explained to them.
"You're right," Dimas replied, falling silent for a moment. "We'd better observe from afar and find a way to enter the city."
"Agreed."
We continued our journey cautiously, aware that Elvians could be around the mountain. This was their territory. Elvians sometimes ventured out to gather fruits or perform tasks near the city, much like I did when training with Almira in the forest near our town. Therefore, the chance of encountering other Elvians on this mountain was quite high.
An hour later, we reached the edge of a giant bonsai forest. I didn't know the real name of these trees, so I just referred to them this way for convenience.
Arnest City was still a few kilometers ahead. Now, it was my turn to walk in the lead, activating my Super Sense to remain vigilant for anyone approaching.
We moved slowly, navigating land thick with giant roots. These roots were tall, as high as an adult. To cross even one root, we had to climb it as if jumping over a neighbor's fence.
That was just one. Here, there were hundreds of enormous, irregularly spread roots forming a maze. Sometimes I chose lower roots to pass, even if it meant detouring. But when the roots stretched so far, we had no choice but to leap over them, heavy packs in tow. This was as exhausting as climbing a mountain.
After an hour of slow progress, we decided to take a break and eat some dry Glafelden bread to replenish our energy. We couldn't cook, of course, as the strong smell might attract Elvians.
"This dry bread is the last of our stock. After this, we'll have to hunt for food," the girl with the shoulder-length hair explained, her voice heavy with worry.
"Don't worry. You saw the game when we passed through this place, right? The forest has plenty. We just need to choose what to eat," I replied, trying to reassure Shella.
She fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. Maybe I'm just being too anxious."
There were indeed wild animals around. I saw some enter the giant bonsai forest earlier, such as deer munching on the leaves near the giant roots and squirrels nesting in the branches of the trees. Though the trees were large, they were short and easy to climb. So if we needed food, we could simply climb up and catch some animals.
After finishing the bread and resting, the three of us continued our journey. Navigating the giant bonsai forest was difficult, and we didn't want to push ourselves like we had the day before. If one of us couldn't keep up, we'd stop and rest.
Our movement was briefly halted by rain, a foolish decision to continue in such weather since it made the ground and tree roots slippery. Eventually, we arrived at the edge of Arnest City just as dusk approached.
We hid behind a giant tree root and peered at the city. It was far, but we could still see the bustle.
Peering into the city, I could see the structure of the buildings. Just like in Ruvia, they had built structures inside the giant tree trunks. What made it different here was that they also constructed buildings on the branches of the trees, not just within the trunks. There were no buildings on the ground in Arnest City at all.
Both Dimas and Shella stared, awestruck. Their eyes were wide, frozen for nearly ten minutes.
For a moment, I let them be. I understood, for I had experienced the same. Seeing something so extraordinary would amaze anyone from the modern world. A city built in the trees seemed like something from a fantasy film or a fairytale. This time, they were witnessing it firsthand.
Unlike me, accustomed to this view, I activated my Super Sense. I scanned the surroundings, remaining on alert in case anyone approached.
"Have you seen enough?" I asked softly.
Dimas snapped out of his trance, startled. "Ah, sorry! This is the first time I've seen a city like that, so I—"
"I know. Now, it's better if we find a way to get into the city without being noticed. Any ideas?"
Dimas pondered for a moment, his hand resting on his chin. He seemed deep in thought, his gaze shifting from the city to the surrounding area repeatedly.
"We should circle the outskirts of the city to look for a gap we can use to enter," he suggested.
"I agree. The entrance ahead is crowded. We need to find a quiet place to sneak in unnoticed."
"More than that, I'm worried about how we'll gather information about the Soul Crystal inside the city. I'm sure the inhabitants won't be kind enough to guide us to the Soul Crystal's location."
I stiffened. "True. And information about the Soul Crystal is only known to certain people. Prince Keylan only told me it's beneath Arnest City but didn't specify where." I scratched the back of my head, though it wasn't itchy. "Damn, I should have asked more questions back then! How foolish of me not to think of this!"
We both fell silent again, deep in thought, trying to figure out how to enter the city and get the information.
A few ideas crossed my mind, most of them crazy and reckless, like forcing the Elvian elders to tell me the location of the Soul Crystal. But since I had no idea how to threaten them without causing chaos, I dismissed that plan.
However, one idea seemed plausible. Given how much I resembled an Elvian, I could sneak in and gather information. Of course, I'd have to dye my hair golden to look like a true Elvian. My natural brown hair would surely raise suspicion if I entered the city without a disguise. Then, I could wear a cloak to conceal my body. My skin color, a yellowish hue, resembled that of most humans. So, they'd know I wasn't an Elvian, even if my long ears were similar to theirs. After all, my arrival in Ruvia caused quite a stir, and word might have spread here.
With such a disguise, I should be able to succeed. Plus, I could speak Elvian, which would help me blend in with the city's people.
Just as I was about to share my idea with Dimas, my Super Sense suddenly detected something approaching with a threatening presence. Instantly, I tensed and took a defensive stance.
"Careful! Someone's coming!" I shouted loudly. Dimas and Shella immediately became alert and scanned the surroundings.
I too sharpened my Super Sense, looking up to pinpoint the direction of the threat.
"Above!!" I cried out, trying to warn my friends.
We all jumped back just in time to avoid a figure descending quickly from above. If we had been even a second too slow, the spear in the figure's hands would have struck one of us.
I was stunned. For a moment, I studied the figure. It was a young Elvian, probably younger than me in human years. The adolescent Elvian wore dark-patterned clothes resembling a soldier's uniform. His face showed a hostile expression as he stared at us.
In a flash, I grabbed an arrow and readied my bow. However, my reflexes were slower than the young Elvian's. He immediately yanked his spear from the ground and swung it toward my stomach.
The force of his attack was so strong that I was thrown several meters backward. My stomach went numb, and excruciating pain shot through me. My back hit the giant tree root, rendering me momentarily numb.
"Anggi...!!" Shella screamed as she saw me fall to the ground.
Though the pain was unbearable, I managed to endure it. Holding my stomach, I tried to rise. In the next moment, I saw the young Elvian engaged in battle with Dimas. The two were locked in a deadly duel, each determined to kill the other.
The enemy's spear and Dimas's sword clashed with sparks each time. Fortunately, it wasn't yet fully dark, so Dimas could keep up with the Elvian. If this had been nighttime, the darkness would have easily overwhelmed my friend.
I froze as I watched the duel unfold. Dimas swung his sword forward, but the young Elvian leaped back, spinning in the air. When the Elvian landed, he used his feet as leverage to charge at Dimas, aiming to stab him while Dimas was off balance.
Not wanting my friend to die so easily, I planned to release an arrow at the Elvian. But just as I drew my bow, the young Elvian realized it and halted his charge. Dimas took advantage of this and spun around, delivering a powerful slash. Yet, the Elvian dodged again.
My hand had been ready to release the arrow, and I let it fly as the Elvian hadn't yet landed. To my surprise, he did something impossible—he blocked my arrow with his spear.
"What!?" I shouted in disbelief.
I quickly grabbed another arrow and drew it tightly, but I didn't release it immediately. I stayed alert, watching Dimas and the enemy as they fought, waiting for the right moment.
The young Elvian's incredible combat instincts allowed him to always cover any opening. With skillful precision, he positioned himself behind Dimas each time. In this stance, I couldn't release my arrow without risking hitting my friend.
No matter how long I waited, the Elvian blocked every opening, even if I moved to a different position. Dimas, focused on his battle, never noticed me preparing to shoot. Had he seen me, even for just a second, he would have made an opening for me.
Frustrated at not finding an opening, I decided to create one myself. I released my arrow straight at the Elvian, even though Dimas was in the way.
"Dimas, move!!" I shouted loudly.
Dimas reacted just in time, throwing himself to the side a second before the arrow pierced his body. The Elvian, unaware of the arrow's approach, was too late to dodge and was struck in the right side of his chest.
The young Elvian staggered back, unable to rise, though he was still breathing. He gasped for air as he stared at the darkening twilight sky. Dimas and I approached the fallen enemy, weapons still ready in case he tried anything.
When we were close enough to the Elvian, I saw clearly. My arrow had pierced his right chest. Fresh red blood poured out of the wound, soaking the earth beneath him. It seemed the wound was deep, possibly even puncturing his lungs. His eyes were dull, almost empty, like a fish that had died. His breath came in shallow, broken gasps.
It was then that a chill ran down my spine. My legs gave out, and I slumped onto the ground. How could this be? I was watching someone die right before my eyes. Someone dying because of me.
"N-No... This isn't how it was supposed to be."