***

***

Seong Jihan furrowed his brows in frustration.

Has the experiment already been conducted?

A modified seed of life.

While its exact functions were still shrouded in ambiguity, given the instance with the Blue Blood Demons, it certainly wasnt an artifact destined to bring about positive changes in this world.

The last seed of life did not germinate. I completely absorbed its energy.

If that wasnt the cause, could it be that the experiment had been previously conducted?

But when?

As Seong Jihan was mulling over this,

[Master. I have heard from the Queen.]

What did you say?

From Seong Jihans left arm, Ariel, who had finished her report, voiced out.

[The Masked Ancient Elf is known among the World Tree Elders as an elf who enforces their martial power. Theyre renowned for being particularly impulsive. Handing over the real seed would likely induce an invasion. The Queen suggests its better to leave the seed be.]

Ah. But I have already returned it.

[You returned it?]

Yes. It combusted by itself, so I couldnt help it.

[This is dangerous.]

Ariel spoke with grave seriousness.

[We must prepare for the Ancient Elfs invasion. Among the constellations, his martial prowess is formidable. The approaching conflict wont be easy.]

Is it that serious?

[Yes. Better we had just let the seed disappear This world might be destroyed by his hands.]

And just as Ariel finished,

Zzzing

[Sure enough, youve broken the promise.]

A large screen materialized in front of Seong Jihan, showing the Masked Ancient Elf with crossed arms and eyes full of murderous intent.

[I address all the higher-ranked players among humanity. Present the player that dared mock me. Hand them forth. Or, I shall descend personally to eradicate humanity.]

The elf turned his back after speaking, beginning to operate an intricate mechanical device.

Then,

Zzzing

In front of the elf, a huge portal intermittently appeared and vanished.

[Three minutes left for coordinate setting It would be wise to make a smart decision.]

The Masked Ancient Elf had promptly warned of an impending attack right after the seed was handed over.

Was it because Seong Jihan was in a hideout state that his identity remained concealed?

The elf had sent a communication to all of humanitys top players, demanding they offer up Seong Jihans head themselves.

[that Ancient Elf, I knew he was hasty, but I didnt expect an incursion so soon. Master, should we prepare quickly?]

Its unbelievable.. Were up against a mad elf. But how come they get to know about it already?

[They must have monitored the BattleNet messages.]

The results came out really quick.

[The BattleNet communication network is incredibly fast.]

Not so helpful in this particular case.

With such thoughts, Seong Jihan returned home.

Yoon Seah came running breathlessly to him.

UnUncle. Whats going on!

Oh. Did the screen pop up for you too? Youre in the higher ranks too?

No, do you understand the gravity of the situation?! What is this about an elf Its a mess right now! Even the news channels are covering it!

That screen was only for top players, wasnt it?

Anyone can see the screen together! Uncle, why are you so laid-back?

Yoon Seah, tapping the screen floating before her, spoke out of exasperation.

A hardly ordinary figure had declared their intention to descend upon Earth.

Anyone else would quake in fear and scramble as if their lives were at stake.

Yet, here was Seong Jihan, utterly unperturbed.

Well, Im not worried for some reason.

The Ancient Elf threatening to invade Earth, Knowing the devastating impact that a constellational-tier warrior could wreak, it was hard to predict the scope of destruction he could bring about.

Nevertheless, Seong Jihan strangely wasnt overtly troubled by the threat of the Ancient Elfs declaration.

I guess it looks like a fight I could take on.

Uncle You shouldnt get too comfortable just because you dodged that attack.

Not really, he seems manageable.

With these words, Seong Jihan took out his Phoenix Flag and began preparations for battle.

Just as the 3 minutes were nearly up,

[Now, Ill soon be there.]

Zzzing!

Inside the screen raised by the Ancient Elf, a massive portal began forming.

This time it was different, for the portal reflected a blue planet on its surface.

Thats Earth, our

When Yoon Seah saw it and faltered mid-sentence with a look of utter despair,

Thud! Thud!

The elf, who had been operating the machine, stepped back.

Into the portal, he began to enter.

Ill be back.

Uncle, I want to go too!

Right now, youre just baggage.

No! I can still use the Veil of Void! Ill hide and shoot arrows!

Yoon Seah protested the luggage treatment, trying to prove her usefulness in any way.

Enough, rest for now.

Click! Thump!

Seong Jihan approached Yoon Seah and tapped her acupuncture points.

Ugh Uncle What did you do?

Oh? Youre holding on? Another round.

Was it because she was at a high level?

Seong Jihan tapped the points again, causing her to stiffen up, then laid her on the sofa.

Just sleep. It will all be over when you wake up.

[What will you do if you lose while shes out?]

Shell wake up in an hour.

[Ah.]

Shall we go?

Blocking Yoon Seahs movements, Seong Jihan stepped out to confront the Ancient Elf in a window.

[No, no Why?]

Ping!

Out of the screen still hanging in the air, the Ancient Elf was seen getting kicked out of the portal.

What?

* * *

The Masked Elf, who had been menacingly demanding Seong Jihans head from humanitys high-ranked players, had set a threatening atmosphere.

-Did you see that? That was the elf who killed the Blue Blood Demons commander, wasnt it?

-Is it even possible to send a message to all the higher-ranked players like that? Can you believe this?

-He did take the life seed a while ago, so it could be that hes already dealt with Seong Jihan.

-I was wondering how he would even get here, but hes just opening the portal instantly.

Those who watched the urgent news together felt a sense of tension as they saw the Ancient Elf, whom they thought would only cause fear, now seemed like a genuine threat to arrive.

-He thinks he can slap us around?

-Look, if he could kick the tentacle dudes ass easily, think how strong could he be?

-But it was Seong Jihan who dealt with it After all that stubborn life force

-Yeah, the tentacle was a constellational being too, right?

-So, this elf could be one as well?

-Does that make the planetary owners all so whimsical?

-Being top dog on their star probably lets them get away with anything.

The Ancient Elf, a player of the Solar Faction, had an immense reputation, although his power had only been seen in snippets.

Yet, the speculation that he was overwhelmingly powerful wasnt challenged much.

-Theyre not going to actually hand over Seong Jihan right?

-Are you insane? Without him, humanity is doomed in the Space League.

-Without him, wed have been in last place, with two defeats.

-We need to gather all the rankers and protect him.

-Ugh! My stocks have crashed!

-Dont worry! Seong Jihan will take care of it!!

With the Ancient Elfs impending descent just minutes away, the world economy even fluctuated.

People were more tense than ever before, their eyes glued to the screens broadcasting to the top players.

Then,

[How could this be!?]

As they watched the Ancient Elf being kicked out of the portal.

-What is he doing?

-Wait, he looked all badass and got bounced out? lolol

-Argh.I dumped my shares![email protected]#&%[email protected]$!&$

-I trusted in Seong Jihan and bought more lol

The overwhelming presence, the Ancient Elf, who had displayed his power to all top players, was bounced out of the portal, rolled on the ground, and then suddenly stood up.

[This is ridiculous!]

Though such a skilled being wouldnt normally need to roll on the ground,

It seemed like he didnt anticipate getting thrown out like that.

After a roll, he stood up and again rushed towards the Earth portal.

But

Bang!

[Why!]

Once more denied entry, the Ancient Elf didnt roll on the ground but stood there before the portal, helplessly pondering.

Ready for any encounter, Seong Jihan floated atop Sword Palace, speaking to Ariel.

So are these really the elders of the World Tree Alliance? Not too impressive, huh?

[No Thats not like an Ancient Elf The text on the portal! Look, its showing up!]

True to Ariels words,

A text began to appear atop the portal that had just ejected the Ancient Elf.

A moment before, smoke had created similar text.

I cant read it this time, though.

Unlike the previous automatic translation, this text didnt translate itself.

[Its elven language.]

What does it say?

[This world has already undergone the experiment a long time ago. No new entry is possible?]

This world has already undergone the experiment?

The characters on the portal much like the smokes message talked of an experiment.

The only new clue: an indication that it happened a long time ago.

[So, this planet its already an experimented world But the races here are far too weak]

And there, watching the portals letters,

The Ancient Elf burst into disheartened laughter before declaring,

[Well, that means I cant enter. The humans get to save their pitiful lives for now. Well see]

He turned around, his fists clenched tight.

Flick!

And then, the screens hovering before the high-ranked players flickered off at once.

Though hed been embarrassed by being ejected from the portal,

Ancient Elf had demonstrated his powerful authority by controlling the players screens.

However

-Look at this guy still keeping up appearances even after getting bounced out, lololol

-Does it even matter at this point?

-Now hes really throwing out the wait and see comment, lololol

-Now hes planning to wait and see until Season 174th, lolololol

As the chat filled with laughter directed at him, the Ancient Elfs declaration of war, which had kept humanity on edge for three minutes, ended in a farce.

As Seong Jihan replayed the characters engraved on the Ancient Elfs portal, he pondered deeply.

Its quite unnerving if experiments have already been conducted on Earth and new entries are prohibited.

[Thats something Ive found puzzling for a while. How could humanity, such a weak race, have ever entered the BattleNet?]

Could it be related to the elven experiment?

[Perhaps not?]

The characters from the modified life seed and the Ancient Elfs unexpected bounce all hinted at a connection between the Elfs experiment and humanity. But

There arent any eternally living beings among humanity, except the disciplines of the Wandering Martial Gods.

[But if it were them, wouldnt BattleNet have opened a thousand years ago?]

Hmm

[Even among humanity, youre the most transcendent. Could there be a secret about your birth?]

I have no clue

The strange characters automatically translated, the elven experiments

Could there really be something?

I should ask my sister later.

Contemplating this, Seong Jihan returned home.

And there,

Tap! Tap!

He released Yoon Seah from her acupressure-induced paralysis.

Did you rest well?

Puhah. Ah, seriously! That was awful!

Hey, think about it objectively for a second. Would you be a help or a hindrance to me?

Urgh UhWell, still though

Seah, unable to rebuke Seong Jihans sharp retort, reacted with a slight groan.

If you grow enough to actually be of help, Ill drag you along even if you refuse.

Keugh Uncle, just you wait. Ill be there to save you one day. When that happens, you better be ready to thank me with tears and snot running down your face!

I would prefer without the snot.

Including the snot!

Alright, alright.

Paying scant attention to Seahs obsession with snot,

Ah, but you. Are you in touch with Jiah?

Mom? She doesnt entertain everything, but yes, we talk occasionally. She always brings up this dream she had.

Is that so? Guess you two are dealing with something.

Yeah.

Can you ask her if theres any secret about my birth?

What?

Seong Jihan decided it was time to address his burning question directly with his sister, Seong Jiah

***

***

.