Game of the World Tree

【 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF NIGHTINGALE 】

A cold, biting wind swept through the trees, shaking loose the last withered leaf. It spun in the air before drifting gently to the ground.

High above, silver-gray clouds blanketed the sky, while clusters of snowflakes swirled as they fell, resembling countless tufts of torn cotton scattering through the air.

Winter had arrived, bringing with it the first snowfall to grace the Elven Forest.

In front of the temple in the magnificent city of Kenorland, Nightingale reached out her hand and caught a snowflake in her palm.

A chill spread across her skin.

She lifted her gaze to the snow-filled sky before letting it drift down to the city below. Thanks to the cooperation between the players and the half-elves from the demirealm of Ouros, Kenorland had grown ever more vibrant.

“Another year has passed,” she murmured whilst a soft warmth filled her eyes.

“It has indeed,” a gentle voice responded, tinged with a hint of nostalgia.

Alice, the Saintess of the Church of Life, stood there with a warm smile.

Seeing her, Nightingale quickly offered a respectful bow and traced the symbol of the Scepter over her chest.

“Good morning, Lady Alice. May the Goddess be with you!”

Alice returned the gesture with a kind smile.

“Good morning, Miss Nightingale. May the Goddess be with you as well.”

After their brief exchange of greetings, Nightingale’s attention shifted to the male elf with brown hair standing beside Alice.

It was Taylor Rocksand.

Nightingale raised her eyebrow and smiled.

“Taylor, it’s been a while. Congratulations on becoming a true elf.”

Taylor chuckled, his tone filled with gratitude.

“It’s all thanks to Her Grace, the Goddess!”

With that, he solemnly traced the symbol of Scepter over his chest before greeting her properly.

“It’s been a while, Miss Nightingale. You are as beautiful as ever.”

His words drew a soft laugh from Nightingale.

But soon, her gaze landed on the pristine white priestly robes he wore, and her expression shifted to one of surprise.

“Oh? You’ve become a priest of life?”

Taylor nodded lightly, a trace of pride in his voice.

“Indeed. Being able to serve the Goddess is my greatest honor.”

Nightingale scratched her head, her eyes holding a glimmer of admiration.

She too had long dreamed of becoming a priest. Yet, despite all the work she’d done for the temple, she still hadn’t passed the clerical trials.

Of course, she knew herself well enough to understand why as her free-spirited nature made her ill-suited for the role.

Not to mention, over half a year ago, she’d picked up the bad habit of eating meat from the Chosen Ones…

She knew rationally that she shouldn’t eat it, but she simply couldn’t resist. The Chosen Ones’ roasted meat was too fragrant, and after trying it once, she was utterly hooked.

Ever since that first bite, she had long since accepted deep down that she would never become a priest in this lifetime.

Nonetheless, just thinking about the abilities the priests were capable of, especially their miraculous healing powers, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of longing.

If I became a priest… I could be of help to him, couldn’t I?

That thought lingered within her heart.

Suppressing a sigh, Nightingale turned to Alice, curiosity shining in her eyes.

“So, is Taylor taking over my post?”

Ever since the demirealm of Ouros had come under the church of life’s jurisdiction, manpower had been stretched thin. With her unwavering devotion to their faith, Nightingale had been roped into handling the task of welcoming any newcomers to the demirealm on behalf of the Church.

In fact, she had been at it for quite some time now.

But today marked the day of her handover.

Alice nodded.

“That’s right. Now that Taylor has become a priest, he will take over the responsibility of guiding newcomers to Ouros. Since it is his homeland, he is the most suitable choice for the task. I brought him here today for the handover. Thank you for your hard work, Miss Nightingale.”

Nightingale waved her hand dismissively, grinning.

“It’s only natural as it is all for the future of our elven race.”

After a bit more small talk, she and Taylor began the formal handover process. Well, there wasn’t much that needed to be transferred in the first place, so it was completed half an hour later.

With the task finally finished, Nightingale felt a weight lift from her shoulders, and the lingering pressure eased.

“Now that everything here is settled, I’ll be heading back to the Chosen City.”

She let out a breath of relief as she spoke.

Alice nodded and offered her thanks once more. “Once again, I thank you for your hard work, Miss Nightingale.”

“It’s nothing, really! Let’s have a meal together sometime, Lady Alice! Taylor, you too! I heard the Chosen Ones opened a new restaurant in the city, and the food is supposed to be excellent. Next time, let’s go together! Uh… don’t worry, it’s all vegetarian.”

Nightingale grinned cheerfully.

Alice smiled and nodded.

“After this mission, perhaps. Taylor and I have other tasks to take care of first.”

“A mission, huh…”

Nightingale nodded in understanding.

She knew the church had been busy with something lately.

As a matter of fact, not just the church but even most of the Chosen Ones had been making intense preparations for war.

The reason, of course, was the news that came from the Desert of Death a few days ago, saying that the Divine Kingdom of the World Tree had appeared there.

Afterwards, the Chosen Ones had sent a formal declaration of war to the Orcs.

Nightingale had learned the exact details of the declaration through her private channels. But as someone who knew the true identity of the Goddess, she could easily guess that the so-called Divine Kingdom in the Desert was nothing but a fabrication.

Nevertheless, deities had their own considerations, and matters involving the divine likely concealed deeper conflicts between them.

As a mortal, that was far beyond Nightingale’s comprehension.

So for now, she only wanted to finish her handover and return to the Chosen City as soon as possible.

“If my guess is right… they should be back soon, right?”

Nightingale muttered to herself with some anticipation in her heart.

༺⟐༻

After bidding farewell to Alice and Taylor, Nightingale quickly used the teleportation array to return to the Chosen City.

Unlike Kenorland, where snowflakes danced through the air, the Chosen City remained as vibrant as ever. Lush green trees lined the streets, and colorful flowers bloomed in full splendor, untouched by the grip of winter.

The city’s ever-present warmth was a result of its close proximity to the Goddess’ true form, filling the air with potent life energy which kept the surroundings in a perpetual state of spring.

Moreover, the pocket dimension created by the Goddess insulated the city from any external conditions, ensuring a perpetually warm climate.

Nightingale shrugged off her heavy coat and tucked it under her arm before striding toward the central district, her steps light with ease.

Due to her managerial work in Kenorland, she hadn’t returned here in nearly two months. As she walked through the city, her eyes instinctively wandered over the surroundings.

“The Chosen city… had expanded again.”

She muttered to herself while taking in the numerous new buildings rising around her.

In just two months, the Chosen City had changed noticeably—it felt grander, more structured, and busier than before.

The buildings stood taller, the roads appeared neater, and the streets bustled with more Chosen Ones than ever.

Yet, beneath this liveliness, she could also feel a distinct tension hanging in the air.

Most Chosen Ones in the vicinity hurried about with urgency, their strides brisk as if time itself were slipping away.

There were far fewer people idly chatting or playing around.

Nightingale knew exactly why.

Through her private connections, she had learned that the Goddess had once again bestowed double experience rewards upon the Chosen Ones.

“These guys…every time the Goddess gives them double EXP buff, they act like they’ve been injected with stimulants.”

She shook her head with an amused sigh.

Having spent so much time around the players, she had picked up quite a few of their expressions.

Navigating through street after street, the buildings gradually became more familiar.

She had reached the heart of the Chosen City.

Unlike the newly expanded outer districts, where the architectural style was becoming increasingly uniform and reminiscent of human cities, this area retained a strikingly different aesthetic.

The structures varied wildly in design, reflecting the personal touches of their inhabitants. Some buildings were elegant and elven in style, seamlessly integrated with nature, while others were grand and imposing, shaped by the preferences of their owners. Green spaces were abundant, with towering trees and vibrant flower gardens lining the pathways. The air was thick with the scent of nature, carrying the crisp freshness of leaves and the faint sweetness of blooming flora.

This was the oldest district, home to those belonging to the three great guilds.

It was also the dwelling place of the very first players, many of whom had long since established themselves as veterans.

At the same time, it was the most expensive district in all of Chosen City.

Nightingale quickened her pace, her heart beating slightly faster.

With practiced ease, she arrived at a three-story villa with a black roof.

Setting down the wooden basket filled with gifts, she straightened her appearance, took a deep breath, and then, feeling a bit nervous, stepped forward to knock gently on the door.

Moments passed.

No response.

“…Still not back yet?”

Nightingale felt a twinge of disappointment.

She let out a soft sigh and picked up the wooden basket, preparing to leave. But just as she turned, a surprised voice called out from the distance:

“Huh? Isn’t that Sister-in-law Nightingale?!—Ow! Captain, why’d you kick me?! That hurt!”

Her eyes lit up as she turned toward the source of the voice.

It was none other than the player, Calabash.

At the moment, however, Calabash was rubbing his backside with a look of grievance, glaring at Boxlunch, who stood beside him.

Boxlunch, on the other hand, looked slightly stiff.

“Quit pretending. We all know you never turn on pain sensitivity,” Optimist scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“Tch!” Calabash clicked his tongue.

“Aah… I’m so exhausted! I swear, I need a nice, long bath after running around the desert for so long… Ugh, I probably stink so badly right now! And afterward, I’m going to sleep like a log…”

Chopin yawned as he stretched.

“Hold on—don’t rush off to rest just yet. We need to sell our loot first,” I-Am-Invincible reminded them from behind.

The five players walked shoulder to shoulder, their armor and robes showing signs of wear and tear. They looked a bit worse for wear, but their eyes gleamed with excitement. Behind them, three horse-drawn carts were loaded with spoils of war.

This was Boxlunch’s party, freshly returned from the Desert of Death.

Seeing their familiar faces, Nightingale’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

“You guys are finally back…”

“You must be exhausted! Here, I brought you all some gifts—specialties from the demirealm of Ouros!”

She beamed, holding up the basket.

༺⟐༻

Inside the villa, each party member busied themselves with their own tasks.

On the balcony, Calabash inspected the specialty gifts Nightingale had brought.

In the bathroom, Chopin hummed a tune as he soaked in the bath.

In the courtyard, Optimist and I-Am-Invincible crouched on the ground, carefully drawing an offering array, preparing to exchange part of their loot for contribution points.

It was as if they had deliberately planned it in advance, with each of them scattered to their own corners, leaving not a single one in the living room.

—Except for Boxlunch and Nightingale, that is.

The two sat on the long couch in the living room, the air between them carrying a subtle awkwardness.

Boxlunch cleared his throat and reached into his bag.

“Ahem…This is for you. It’s a special souvenir from the Desert of Death. “

He pulled out a beautifully tanned piece of beast hide and handed it over.

Nightingale’s eyes brightened as she took it, her voice softening.

“Thank you.”

Silence settled again.

After a moment, she turned to him and asked hesitantly,

“How long will you be staying this time? Are you heading back to the Desert of Death?”

Boxlunch nodded.

“We’re here to rest and prepare for the war happening in two days.”

“A war…” Nightingale murmured.

She knew the Chosen Ones had been preparing for war.

She also knew it was all going to happen in just two days.

Lately, more and more Chosen Ones had been gathering in the Elven Forest because of this.

Rumor had it that this time, they were forming an army of a hundred thousand to invade the Desert of Death.

Boxlunch’s party, which was composed primarily of Silver-rankers, was among the strongest of the Chosen Ones. Therefore, there was no doubt in her mind that their party would be stationed on the front lines.

“If only I were one of the Chosen Ones…” Nightingale sighed, feeling a hint of disappointment. “Then I could go with you.”

Boxlunch was silent for a moment before replying,

“You have something even more important to do.”

Nightingale was already a devoted believer.

And every devout believer had unlocked the quest system, leaving no one idle since the game’s official launch.

Each believer became a cog in the machine, in which kept the “game” running.

Hearing Boxlunch’s words, Nightingale chuckled softly and shook her head.

“It’s nothing, really.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window.

Outside, the garden was in full bloom, with clusters of vibrant flowers and lush green trees.

As she watched the trees sway gently in the breeze, her expression grew distant, and a faint smile curved her lips.

“They’ve grown so fast…Last year, they weren’t nearly this tall.”

Boxlunch followed her gaze, his expression softening.

Those trees had been planted by the five of them alongside Nightingale and her younger siblings.

“Without realizing it, we’ve known each other for a whole year now…Time sure flies so fast.”

Nightingale murmured, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

“Yeah.”

Boxlunch nodded slightly.

Nightingale seemed to get lost in her memories, her thoughts drifting deeper into the past.

“This year went by so fast… It feels like everything just happened yesterday.”

“Heh, I still remember how we first met in that cargo crate… I thought you were just some fool, but turns out, you were pretty incredible.”

“And that time in Rivendell… I really thought we were done for. But you took care of those enemies so easily, like it was nothing.”

“Oh! Do you remember that bonfire night? My first time joining in, and Calabash and the others tried to trick me into eating meat. They were really mean to play a trick like that! But… I had a great time.”

“And that night at Amway’s Tavern! We all went drinking together, and Optimist turned out to be such a lightweight. He passed out after just three drinks which was way worse than me! Haha…”

She laughed as she reminisced, her gaze growing increasingly gentle.

“This is nice…” she murmured. “I never thought I could be this happy…”

“I feel like I’ve used up all my luck in this lifetime. Compared to all those years wandering aimlessly beforehand, my current life now feels like a dream.”

“Sometimes…sometimes, I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find myself back in the human lands, hiding with my siblings, running from place to place…”

Her voice trailed off, and a shadow of sorrow crept into her eyes.

But the next second—flick!—a sudden, sharp pain struck her forehead.

“Ow!” she yelped, instinctively raising her head.

She saw Boxlunch pulling his hand back.

Nightingale puffed out her cheeks in protest.

“Why’d you flick me for?!”

Boxlunch simply shook his head.

“Stop overthinking things.”

“This isn’t a dream. There’s still a lot ahead in our future, and things are only gonna get better.”

“Better…?” Nightingale murmured, repeating his words.

Then, she smiled softly.

“Thanks…”

“For what? We’re comrades, so it’s only natural.”

Boxlunch replied without hesitation.

But Nightingale shook her head.

“No… I truly mean it.”

“If it weren’t for you, the Elven Forest wouldn’t be what it is today.”

“You are the Chosen Ones, the envoys of the Goddess, the heroes who saved us elves.”

“And most of all… Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t even know where I would’ve ended up…I’d probably be sold off to who knows where by those humans…”

Boxlunch didn’t respond.

But his gaze grew warmer.

Once again, the two fell into silence as the atmosphere between them grew delicate once more.

After a moment of hesitation, Nightingale suddenly spoke up.

“Boxlunch!”

He glanced at her.

Nightingale suddenly seemed a little flustered.

“Um… actually, I…”

She sounded nervous, but before she could finish, Boxlunch abruptly stood up.

“It’s getting late. It’s my turn to make dinner today. What do you want to eat?”

“Uh…”

Nightingale froze for a moment.

“D-Dumplings, I guess…”

She answered instinctively.

“Alright.”

Boxlunch nodded, then pulled up his chat interface and sent a message to a player on his friends list who ran a restaurant in the city.

“Wait a moment, they’ll deliver it soon.”

He said.

“That’s…really convenient.”

Nightingale mumbled under her breath.

After “ordering” their food, Boxlunch turned back to her.

“So, what were you about to say just now?”

“Uh… N-nothing.”

She quickly shook her head, but a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

“I—I’ll go make some soup.”

Stammering, she stood up abruptly and hurried off toward the kitchen.

The moment she disappeared, the front door burst open with a loud bang!—revealing four figures who had clearly been eavesdropping all along.

“Boss! You’ve got to be kidding me! we were listening for so long, and this is all we get?!”

Optimist shouted.

“Tsk! Captain, why’d you cut her off? That’s so cowardly of you!”

Calabash shot him a look of pure disappointment.

“What a shame. I thought we were finally gonna see something interesting…”

Still wrapped in a bath towel, Chopin let out a regretful sigh.

“Seriously, Boss, are you playing dumb on purpose?”

I-Am-Invincible rolled his eyes.

Boxlunch: “…”

His mouth twitched as he glared at his teammates.

“Mind your own business.”

He said flatly.

“Oh, come on! You’re really telling us you don’t see how Nightingale feels about you?”

“Yeah, yeah! She’s a top-tier girl—what are you waiting for?!”

“Exactly! I heard some players from the second beta have already hooked up with some NPCs. What’s your excuse, Boss?”

The group hollered in unison.

Boxlunch’s face darkened.

“You do realize she’s an NPC, right?”

He shot them a sharp look.

“Come on, Captain. Do you really still think of her as just an NPC? I’ve thought of her as a real, flesh-and-blood friend of ours for a long time now.”

“Yeah! You can’t just group her with NPCs from those other lower spec games… poor Sister Nightingale!”

“Even if she is an NPC, what’s the harm in having an in-game wife? Or wait! Don’t tell me…Captain, you actually have a girlfriend in real life?”

“Yeah, right! I already tricked him into admitting he’s single as hell!”

The group doubled down, grinning mischievously.

Boxlunch: “…”

“Have you leveled up? Upgraded your skills? Brought better gear? No? Then quit wasting time and get ready for the war in two days!”

Without another word, he activated a skill and kicked every single one of them out of the living room.

It was the longest sentence he had spoken all day.

The four troublemakers went tumbling out but only laughed, dusting themselves off before scattering to their own tasks.

Silence fell once more.

Boxlunch sat back down in his chair, his gaze dimming slightly.

“…It’s not that simple.”

He muttered to himself.

Authors Note :

This chapter serves as a transition before the war. Jumping straight into it felt too rushed and abrupt, so I wanted to include some everyday moments to ease into it. After considering different approaches, I ultimately chose to focus on Nightingale and Boxlunch’s story. However, I’m not entirely satisfied with how it turned out but I’ll keep working on it.

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