Chapter 53: Yggrith

If the barrier around him were to be breached. The essence, once a steady, calming light, would turn wild and chaotic. Instead of flowing smoothly into the tree, it would lash out in all directions.

The backlash of essence would explode like a violent storm, tearing through the roots of the Aeternum Yggrith and blasting away parts of the tree. The roots that had begun to heal would shrivel and darken, turning to ash under the pressure of the uncontrolled energy.This backlash could also strike back at Seojun, causing deep wounds to open up across his body.

His veins might burn with the intensity of the backlash, feeling like molten lava flowing through them. His skin would blister, and his bones would feel like they were being crushed under an immense weight. The pain would be overwhelming, and Seojun could find himself on the brink of unconsciousness.

Seojun felt a sudden pull, like being sucked into a vortex. His entire body was engulfed in a rush of energy. For a moment, everything was a blur—colors swirling, sounds merging into a deafening hum. Then, just as suddenly, everything became calm.

He felt cool air against his skin and realized he could breathe freely again. Slowly, he opened his eyes and found himself standing in the middle of a vast, never-ending grassland. The sky above was bright, with a clear blue that stretched as far as he could see. The air was fresh and cool, carrying the scent of wildflowers and grass.

Seojun looked around, taking in the peaceful surroundings. The grass beneath his feet swayed gently in the breeze, and there was no sign of the chaos he had just been in. Everything felt strangely calm and serene, almost dreamlike. As he looked further, he noticed a single tree standing alone in the flat grassland.

He decided to approach the tree, curiosity tugging at him. As he walked closer, he thought, "It looks like the Yggrith, but it's much smaller—just like a normal tree." The tree had the same shape and structure as the ancient Aeternum Yggrith he had seen before, but this one was far more ordinary. Its branches were full of healthy green leaves, and its trunk looked strong and solid.

As he reached the tree, Seojun suddenly felt a light touch on his cheek. Instinctively, he covered his cheek with his hand, feeling a soft breeze brushing against his skin. He looked up at the tree, and to his surprise, he saw a figure standing there—a woman, almost like a soul, shimmering in the soft light.

She had a calm, ethereal presence, her body glowing faintly as if made of light itself. Her long hair flowed in the air like water, moving with the gentle wind. She looked at him with deep, knowing eyes, and he could feel something ancient and powerful behind that gaze.

Seojun took a step back, a bit startled, and muttered, "What are you? A ghost?"

The woman didn't speak out loud, but he heard her voice clearly in his mind. It was soft and gentle, like a whisper carried by the wind. "I am Yggrith," she said.

Seojun blinked in confusion. "You mean the tree?" he asked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

The soul-like woman nodded slowly, her long hair still waving in the air, as if it had a life of its own. She was calm and serene, her presence soothing, yet there was a depth to her eyes that spoke of ancient wisdom and life beyond what he could understand.

Somehow, through the ritual, he had entered a realm where the spirit of the tree could appear and speak to him directly. "Don't be scared," the voice of Yggrith spoke softly in Seojun's mind.

The soul-like figure of Yggrith moved gracefully, gesturing for him to come closer to the tree. Seojun hesitated for a moment, but something about her calm presence made him trust her. Slowly, he stepped forward until he was right beside the tree.

Yggrith, her form glowing softly, reached out and gently took Seojun's hand. She guided his hand toward the trunk of the tree. As his hand touched the bark, Seojun's eyes widened in shock. He could feel a heartbeat—a slow, steady rhythm pulsing through the tree.

"This...," he muttered in surprise, his voice barely a whisper. He had not expected this living, breathing sensation from a tree.

Yggrith floated beside him, her form shimmering gently in the light. Her voice sounded in his mind again, calm and grateful. "Because of you, we will live longer. Thank you so much, Savior."

She bowed to him with deep respect, her glowing figure almost touching the ground. Seojun felt a little awkward, scratching his cheek. "Please, call me Seojun," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to save you without my guardians and the others."

Yggrith looked at him, her expression soft and understanding. "Still, you chose to risk yourself to save us. For that, we are deeply grateful."

Seojun nodded, his mind still processing everything. "I just didn't want this place to disappear," he said. "The Bino demons, especially the children... they deserve to live and be happy here."

Yggrith smiled gently, her form glowing even brighter. "You have a kind heart, Seojun," she said. "This domain, this world... it is a place where many lives are intertwined. Your actions have saved not just a tree but the lives that depend on it."

Seojun looked around at the endless grasslands, the sky above so bright and clear. It felt peaceful here, like a world untouched by pain or suffering. "Is this... your true form?" he asked.

Yggrith nodded. "This is the spirit of Aeternum Yggrith," she explained. "A place between worlds where I can appear to those who have connected deeply with me."

Seojun took a deep breath, feeling the calm of this place settle in his chest. "I'm glad I could help," he said quietly. "But what happens now?"

Yggrith's eyes sparkled, and her voice echoed softly in his mind. "Now, you return and should you ever need the strength of Aeternum Yggrith, you only need to call upon us."

Seojun nodded. Yggrith's glowing figure floated closer to him. Her eyes, deep and ancient, seemed to draw him in. Without a word, she leaned forward...