Chapter 39. Altar Repair (3)
“Seriously, that rascal Lena… how does she always find my hidden cigarettes? It’s like she’s possessed by a spirit when it comes to that.”
Kiera sighed deeply.
She’d thought she hid them well this time, but Rena had somehow sniffed them out again and tossed them straight into the fire.
How hard she’d worked to get those…
“Phew… it’s already been three days. How’s the repair going?”
It had been three days since she’d entrusted Aren with repairing the altar.
Usually, outsiders couldn’t last even a day.
But Aren was different — he pressed on, silently and steadily.
He’s not even using abilities — just fixing it with his own hands…
At first, she’d tried to stop him.
But as she watched, she realized she couldn’t.
What a peculiar outsider. Just like that man said…
“But when is that guy coming back anyway? He could at least bring me some cigarettes…”
Then—
Whoooosh!!
A blazing surge of energy erupted outside.
That’s… the aura of the Fire Spirit? But why already? It shouldn’t be time yet…
Normally, once the Fire Spirit was appeased, it would stay calm for a week.
It had only been a few days since it was last subdued.
Kiera frowned. Something wasn’t right. She rushed outside to see what was happening.
“Elder!”
“What’s going on!?”
“We don’t know! It just suddenly went berserk…!”
The elves were in chaos, panicking as the spirit’s flames raged uncontrollably.
Wait.
“The outsider—what about him!?”
“He’s still by the altar!!”
“Damn it!”
The Fire Spirit’s flames were so fierce that even seasoned elves could barely withstand them.
Any outsider would be reduced to ash instantly.
Outsiders resurrect when they die, right? Still… he was helping us…
“At least… we should recover the body…”
Then—
Fwoooom!!
A dazzling light burst from the direction of the altar.
At the same time, the towering flames began to fade, suppressed by that holy radiance.
“Th-that light… Elder… this energy…”
“It’s the will of the World Tree awakening!”
The altar’s restoration had reawakened the dormant will of the World Tree.
That could only mean one thing—
“The outsider did it! He repaired the altar!”
“Truly!?”
“Yes! Thanks to him, the World Tree’s will has awakened! Let’s go—quickly!”
“Of course! But… wait…”
“What is it?”
“Don’t you hear that?”
Lena perked up her long ears, focusing through the noise.
Kiera tilted her head.
“What sound? I don’t hear any—”
“I hear it… it’s like…”
Rena’s eyes widened.
“Someone getting beaten with a stick??”
Meanwhile…
“Yup. Definitely sounds like someone’s getting beaten.”
“Sure does. Pretty badly too. Won’t it die at this rate?”
“Do spirits even die? Wouldn’t they just… vanish?”
“Maybe?”
Aren and Alfredo stared blankly at the sight before them.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
[The Will of the World Tree is attempting to calm the Fire Spirit’s rage.]
[The Will of the World Tree is attempting to calm the Fire Spirit’s rage.]
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Sometimes a gentle pat… and then WHACK! again.
A massive radiant giant was smacking the Fire Spirit relentlessly with a club — methodically, thoroughly, like a master craftsman.
“Is it just me, or does that giant have the touch of a professional?”
“Nope. I feel it too.”
“At least the fire’s not reaching us. The light must be protecting this area.”
“Looks like it.”
As soon as the giant appeared, a barrier of light had flared up, shielding them from the flames.
Maybe the Fire Spirit was the one interfering during the repairs…
Judging by the beating it was getting now, that seemed likely.
Still, none of its meddling had stopped Aren.
Well, let’s check the message window.
He opened the interface he’d ignored earlier.
Ding!
[You have perfectly repaired the ceremonial altar.]
[Repair rate: 96%]
[Quest: “Repair the Ceremonial Altar” — Completed.]
[You achieved an incredible feat.]
[You repaired an S-rank altar without any skill assistance, making it sturdier than before.]
[Rewards have been enhanced!]
[You gained EXP.]
[Level up! Level up! Level up!]
[You earned 2,000 gold.]
[Strength +3, Vitality +3, Dexterity +20]
[Skill upgraded: Star’s Hand LV.4 → LV.5]
A flurry of messages filled the air.
Enhanced rewards… so that’s why I got 2,000 gold. Jackpot.
It had been grueling work, but seeing the payment appear made it all worth it.
[Elves’ affection toward you has greatly increased.]
[Elves now trust you completely.]
[Unique Title Unlocked – “Friend of Elves.”]
[Friend of Elves]
Grade: S (Unique)
Effects:
Agility +10
Dexterity +10
Bow accuracy +15%
Bow aiming speed +20%
Projectile firing speed +20%
Projectile attack power +20%
Bow skill EXP +20%
An S-grade title… not bad at all.
“Sir Aren.”
“Yeah?”
“I think… it’s over now.”
Aren looked up.
The Fire Spirit was lying collapsed, shrunken and trembling from the endless beating.
…It’s not dead, right?
Just then, the giant turned its massive head toward Aren—
—and smiled brightly.
Then—
Flash!
It shrank down into a fairy, wings fluttering as it flew over.
“Hi! You’re the one who fixed the altar, right?”
“Yes. And you are…?”
“I am the Will of the World Tree. I’ve been watching over this land through this altar for a long time.”
The fairy closed her eyes solemnly—then suddenly burst into laughter, her expression turning playful.
“But wow! You really are a strange outsider! Thanks to you, the altar’s back! I’m so grateful!”
“Oh, I just took on a request, that’s all.”
“By the way…” Alfredo spoke up, glancing nervously at the smoldering spirit.
“That spirit… it’s not dead, right?”
“Of course not~! I just helped it calm down a bit.”
“Really?”
“Yup~! I’ve hit it plenty of times before. I know how to control my strength.”
“….”
He really wanted to ask why have you hit it so many times before, but thought better of it.
“Then… do we still need to hold the Fire Spirit Festival? It looks calm now.”
The World Tree’s Will shook her head.
“No. This is only temporary. We still need the ritual to purify it completely.”
“I see.”
Her eyes suddenly sparkled with curiosity.
“You’re… a strange outsider. You carry the power of the stars.”
“Oh, that’s because my class is Star Carpenter.”
“Ah~! I knew it! That explains it! I could sense starlight from the altar itself!”
“From the altar?”
Aren inspected his handiwork.
[Ceremonial Altar Infused with Starlight]
Rank: S
Description: An altar perfectly restored by a highly skilled carpenter.
Even sturdier than before. Faintly imbued with starlight.
Effects:
Ritual Effect +50%
Range +30%
Spirit Summon Duration +20%
Extra Reward Chance +15%
Spirit Power Regen +150% near altar
Spirit Magic Effect +30%
Active Skill: Holy Shield (1/day)
(Hidden Effect: Altar Effectiveness +30%)
Holy crap…
The altar’s full potential was staggering.
“Really amazing~ It feels so comfortable here now! Thank you!”
The fairy fluttered around joyfully, then beamed at Aren.
“As thanks, take this gift!”
[The Will of the World Tree is deeply fond of you.]
[You are granted a special gift.]
Pop!
A bright light shimmered, forming into a hammer.
“This is…?”
“My gift to you!”
Aren grabbed it instinctively — the grip felt perfect, as if it had always belonged in his hands.
[Hammer of the World Tree’s Will]
Rank: S
Description: A crafting hammer made from the World Tree itself.
Not ideal for combat.
Attack Power: 250
Durability: 5,000,000 / 5,000,000
Effects:
Crafting Success Rate +10%
Work Speed +30%
Precision +20%
Resource Cost –15%
Carpentry Skill EXP +20%
Crafted Item Durability +10%
Durability Regen +1 per 20s
Blessing of the World Tree: Chance to add special effects upon creation
Whoa… this is leagues above anything in the Elven or Rete villages.
And it auto-repairs! No more hammer shopping ever again.
“Do you like it~?”
“I do. Thank you very much.”
“Don’t thank me~ I should be thanking you! Thanks to you, my altar’s reborn!”
Then, her expression brightened suddenly.
“Oh~ looks like my children are here!”
“The elves?”
“Yes! Ah~ I can’t wait to see them again! I wonder how they’ve been~”
She clapped her hands, and the barrier of light surrounding them dissolved.
From outside came cries of joy.
“World Tree!”
“We’ve missed you so much!”
Hearing their voices, she smiled radiantly and flew toward them.
“My dear children! It’s been so long! I—”
Then she froze.
Her eyes locked on one thing — their heads.
The light reflecting off them nearly blinded her.
She went pale.
“By the heavens… my children… BALD!? How can this be!? What happened!?”
“World Tree… sniff… it’s… it’s the spirit…”
“That’s right…”
The elves tearfully tattled, explaining everything.
The World Tree’s Will turned, glaring murderously at the half-dead Fire Spirit.
“So you’re the one who cursed them bald…?”
The fairy picked up her club again.
That day, the forest echoed with only two sounds—
The swing of a club.
And the pitiful screams of a spirit.
