Asher trudged through a dense, primeval forest-like environment, accompanied by his four pet beasts.
Beside him was a burly man carrying a hiking backpack… well, more like a big brother than an uncle.
"One look at your outfit and I can tell you're inexperienced. But being a Beast Tamer sure is great. Not a single mosquito or venomous snake dares to come near you."
The man was fully covered from head to toe—his neck, arms, and even his ankles were wrapped up. His face was also covered with a cloth, revealing only his gleaming eyes, which stared at Asher with envy.
Asher: "..."
'Ahem!'
'Alright.'
Compared to this so-called "experienced" adventurer, Asher did look a bit too lightly dressed.
Although he had known beforehand about the special environment of Everwood City, Iris had described it as completely harmless. In addition, everything had happened in a hurry, so even though Asher expected to spend some time in the forest, he hadn't considered that he'd have to walk the entire way there on foot.
Wearing only jeans, sneakers, a sports jacket, and carrying a medium-sized backpack, Asher indeed looked out of place. Like he was here for a vacation.
Fortunately, Little Raven led the way, while Cat-Worm hopped energetically around Asher's feet.
The little white snake coiled around his neck, its soft body draping naturally downward. From a distance, if one wasn't paying close attention, it might even be mistaken for an accessory.
Meanwhile, the tiny jellyfish hovered up and down near Asher's neck.
From top to bottom, inside and out, Asher's safety was impenetrable under the protection of his pet beasts.
The backpacked man beside him couldn't help but be envious.
He continued rambling, "When I was a teenager, I dreamed of awakening a Beast Taming talent, becoming a badass Beast Tamer, and traveling the world with my pet beasts, leaving my legend everywhere… Ah, but dreams shatter way too fast."
"You seem pretty skilled yourself," Asher glanced at him and sincerely said.
He meant it.
It wasn't just idle talk.
The way the man handled himself in the wild, showing no fear even when facing pet beasts, spoke volumes. He lacked protective gear, yet not a single insect, snake, or ant dared approach him. Proof that he had some real skills.
"But…", Asher hesitated for a moment before continuing, "What brings you to Everwood City at this time?"
It wasn't that Asher was overly suspicious.
It was just that…
Given the troublesome journey so far, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Originally, he thought the Lightyear Dragon Cavalry could take him directly to Everwood City, and all he'd have to do was investigate the situation.
But unexpectedly, the cavalry had been forced to make an emergency landing outside Everwood City. Specifically, in Mossgrass City, the neighboring city.
What was even more absurd was that traveling from Mossgrass City to Everwood City required going through a gate-opening process, much like entering a forbidden zone.
Asher: "…"
He had seen ridiculous things before, but never this ridiculous.
He had once thought Star City, which was completely surrounded by a forbidden zone and could only be accessed via fixed flights, was the height of absurdity.
And that was Star City, the capital of Soren.
Yet, it seemed there was no limit to absurdity in this world.
Everwood City… might as well be a city built inside a forbidden zone.
Of course, that was just an exaggeration.
The reality was that Everwood City coexisted with Beasts rather than driving them away.
In any case, Asher found it hard to comment.
He was prepared to go in alone.
But he hadn't expected to run into a regular person also heading for Everwood City.
Asher: "?"
Impressive courage.
After all, there were indeed Beasts along the way, and not all of them were friendly.
"Ah! I didn't expect it either! Everwood City actually closed its external reception," The backpacked man sighed dramatically at Asher's words, showing no hint of doubt.
"Good thing I have some tricks up my sleeve, or else—"
'External reception?'
Hearing something he wasn't aware of, Asher probed for more details.
Soon, his suspicions deepened.
Something was definitely going on in Everwood City.
According to the man, while Everwood City was a city built within a primeval forest, it never had any ill intent toward visitors.
On the contrary, as a semi-closed yet highly unique city, its tourism industry was a vital source of income.
Every year, many tourists visited Everwood City.
In two months, the famous Flower God Festival would take place.
At that time, all the flowers in Everwood City would bloom, and many wood-attribute Beasts capable of flowering would participate.
Additionally, thanks to the city's unique Beast Mastery techniques, even ordinary people could peacefully interact with these creatures during the festival.
"Is there something special about the Flower God Festival? You're arriving two whole months early?", Asher wasn't trying to interrogate him like a census officer, it was just… suspicious.
"Heh heh heh," the man laughed sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
Asher: "?"
'Something feels off.'
The man sprinkled some unknown medicinal powder and liquid onto himself before finally admitting, "Well… ahem… I'm here to meet my girlfriend."
Asher: "…"
"An online relationship meet-up?"
'This love-brained fool hasn't even seen what his girlfriend looks like but still rushed over.'
'Is he not worried about falling into a trap?
"Of course not!", The man immediately became flustered, losing his previous grin. He spoke seriously, "Little Kitty said if I arrived early, she'd introduce me to her parents."
"If I perform well at the Flower God Festival, we can get engaged and married right away."
Asher fell silent.
'Forget it.'
'Love-brained fool.'
'Ptu! Even a dog wouldn't care.'
"And despite noticing something unusual in Everwood City, you still insist on going in? Not afraid something might happen?", Asher asked flatly.
The man pounded his chest confidently, "Not afraid! The tougher the situation, the more a real man needs to step up."
"Heh heh heh," He laughed foolishly again.
"Besides, Little Kitty is waiting for me! A real man can't be scared!"
Asher sighed.
'Something still feels off.'
'Why does this online girlfriend insist on meeting him now, of all times?'
If it were any other time, Asher wouldn't have thought too much about it.
'But whatever.'
'Some people just couldn't be warned.'
Fine.
If Asher could help when the time came, he would. If not… well, it wouldn't be his fault. He had tried before entering Everwood City.
That said…
With the backpacked man's presence, navigating the route to Everwood City became much easier.
The man's survival skills were genuinely impressive.
Unless it involved Beasts, nothing posed a real threat to him.
And for the few daring creatures that did attack, Little Raven and Cat-Worm swiftly took care of them.
"Amazing! Simply amazing!", The man gazed at Asher's pet beasts with admiration, his eyes shining again.
"Little Kitty said that if I settle in Everwood City, I can learn Beast Mastery too," His expression turned fiery, like a hot-blooded shonen protagonist, "I can't wait!"
Asher: *Wants to speak but stops himself*
"Don't get your hopes up," he warned.
'Otherwise...'
'Why can't it be widely promoted?'
'Won't it be great if everyone can tame beasts?'
'Beast Mastery and Beast Taming coexisting.'
'Won't it be better if ordinary people can also possess the ability to tame beasts?'
Asher believed that what he could think of, the nation could also think of. But the nation hadn't done so, meaning there must be some special reason behind it.
That being said...
Asher couldn't just outright crush a young man's dream.
They would see as they went along.
Finally.
As the two of them exchanged banter along the way, with Little Raven and Cat-Worm escorting them, they successfully spotted firelight ahead in the evening, accompanied by curling smoke.
And the faint outline of a city.
"So beautiful."
They had arrived at the front of Everwood City. Looking at the scattered wooden houses, the clean dirt roads, and the exotic, otherworldly architecture, just like something out of a fantasy, Big Brother with the hiking backpack couldn't help but praise.
Then.
Then, he suddenly froze, his expression turning strange.
He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, and Asher's face also changed.
"Little Raven, Blazing Sun!"
"Cat-Worm, Shadow Guardian!"
Chirp—
Little Raven spread its wings, shining brilliantly.
Its golden-red wings glowed dazzlingly under the evening sunset.
Big Brother with the hiking backpack looked at the sight of Little Raven soaring high, as if witnessing the already-set sun rising again.
A corner of the city was illuminated by Little Raven's sunlight.
A fierce flame suddenly burst forth.
Even if it wasn't the true Sunfire from Little Raven's innate talent, whether it was refined flame or the growing bloodline that was gradually approaching that of a three-legged golden crow, Little Raven's talent in fire attributes was unparalleled.
In the blink of an eye, a third of the city was engulfed in a sea of flames.
Cat-Worm, on the other hand, controlled its shadow tentacles, protecting Asher and the big brother with the hiking backpack.
Shadow Guardian.
This was a skill that Asher and Cat-Worm had suddenly realized after training together for some time, specifically for protecting companions.
Using it now on Asher and the big brother was perfect timing.
"Th-This...", The big brother was wrapped in the black shadow tentacles, staring at the burning city, utterly shocked and speechless.
"Is this... really okay?", The big brother was dumbfounded.
"It's indeed not quite okay," Asher shook his head as he looked at Everwood City, engulfed in flames that continued to spread: "Sunfire."
Little Raven lifted its head and let out a long cry.
It let out an even sharper, clearer call.
The flames doubled.
Both the burning speed and the temperature of the fire increased drastically.
And since Sunfire was more intelligent, Asher and the big brother were completely avoided as targets.
Even so, standing amidst the sea of flames, they could still feel the scorching heat.
The big brother's face was flushed red, and large beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead, back, and every part of his body.
Even Asher, who was only wearing one or two layers, felt too hot to speak. The big brother beside him was even worse.
"Are you sure this is really okay?", The big brother trembled as he spoke.
Asher: "You've noticed the problem too, haven't you?"
When they saw the city—
There was smoke from cooking.
There were bonfires.
Many treehouses still had lights on.
But the entire city was eerily quiet, with no one on the streets, and not a single sound coming from anywhere in the city.
At first glance, they were struck by the city's beauty and layout.
But once they snapped out of it, they immediately realized something was off about this city.
What made the big brother break out in a cold sweat even more—
He noticed that the forest they had just walked through, which had been filled with the rustling sounds of insects, ants, and venomous snakes, had suddenly fallen silent. Even the rustling sound of wind passing through leaves had disappeared.
Just as the big brother was thinking about how to bring this up to Asher—
The next second.
He saw Asher, without any hesitation, set the city on fire.
His movements were so fast that the big brother didn't even have time to react.
Wait—?
They were seriously burning it just like that?
What if they were just being overly cautious, or if there was some special reason behind it?
What if there were still people inside those houses?
Asher smiled.
No, no, no.
There was no mistake.
In just the span of a few exchanges, the Sunfire had already engulfed the entire Everwood City, and the flames were even spreading toward the primeval shrub forests outside the city.
At this rate, the entire sky would soon be painted red.
"Li—li—"
At that moment.
Asher and the big brother both heard a miserable cry coming from an unknown direction.
Then.
The chaotic scene of burning flames surrounding them suddenly changed.
The entire space twisted for a moment.
Amidst a vast black void, an enormous tree appeared before Asher and the big brother, so massive it seemed to reach both heaven and earth, evoking the legendary World Tree that was said to connect the sky and the ground.
The tree's enormous, endless canopy shimmered above their heads.
It flickered as if breathing, emitting a deep green glow.
Looking at this tree, Asher instinctively held his breath.
"So this... is the secret of Everwood City?"
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