In a dark hallway lit only by blue fireflies, stood two beings facing each other. One was a figure called Dryad, a being that united the animal races in the great forest.
Then the other was a creature that resembled a cat with a gray cloth at the base of its neck. Neither party knew the other's name, because such a thing was unnecessary when they were in a situation where they could attack each other at any moment.
The two stared at each other without saying a few things, which was then immediately broken by the Dryad.
"First of all, let me confirm the situation that is happening in the great forest right now."
The cat just nodded in response, the Dryad continued.
"The big tree that you are trying to protect, as you know we have already sealed it. But that is not a good solution, because the seal itself is intended to suppress the extreme growth of the tree as much as possible."
While explaining, the Dryad's roots changed into various forms, adjusting to the explanation she was giving.
"Our plan was to buy as much time as possible until we could gather enough power to perform the extermination ritual on the tree, but another problem arose when you showed up. The extermination ritual that we should have been able to perform in five days was no longer relevant, because of your presence that got in the way."
"Well, that's because we ourselves don't know what will happen to us if the tree is destroyed. It's more like a natural instinct that tells us to protect it from any threat, something that is deep inside us…"
Alpha slowly stopped his words, realizing the small mistake he made.
"Natural instinct, huh? It's something that those with souls and bodies have. At least I managed to confirm that you are living beings." Dryad tilted her head slightly, with the corners of her mouth lifting.
If the ones doing that pose were the children that Alfa knew, it would be something cute. But seeing them from a tree trunk just gave him a bad feeling.
"Since you are an unknown existence, we tried to gather information by launching a series of attacks. We were lucky that you were weak creatures that could probably be easily eliminated but every time we faced each other, you always gave us new information and the climax was the energy explosion that you gave to the Lion Race Chief in the previous battle."
Fragments of memories that were still clear were displayed in the two's view, however it was a surprise for them.
"You can release a Magic Technique with an energy output equivalent to that of a second-level Pioneer in the Human Country."
"Pioneer? Human? What is that?"
"Humans are a different Race from animal humans, and a pioneer is a role shown to Humans who can manipulate Natural Energy. They divide it into five levels, with level two being the point where you can become a great general in the Human Race."
There were so many new words coming out, making Alpha confused about what the log in front of him was trying to convey. Even so, he could more or less guess that what he showed earlier was not something normal.
Even she was confused, because it just happened… she also didn't guarantee she could do the same thing on another occasion.
"Don't say it like we're some kind of oddity, everything that's happening right now is actually more tiring for us than you think. Surrounded by enemies and unable to do anything but defend ourselves… this is really annoying."
"From your point of view that's true, but for us you guys are the destroyers who threaten the existence of the home where we live, there really is no choice but to do everything to get rid of you all."
What Dryad had just said sparked an emotion within Alfa.
Dryad immediately realized it, that the energy flowing around her began to vibrate slightly.
But she didn't say anything, at least until Alfa replied to her.
"It's not like this…"
"What do you mean?"
"What we're talking about right now won't lead to a solution, blaming each other…" Alfa lowered her gaze, blinking.
There was a ground with a faint light shining on it, he looked at it while thinking about various things, forming a sentence that could express the emotions inside him.
"What do you think we have to do to be able to live in this forest? That tree… you won't be able to destroy it… even so, can we still… Is there really no way to stop its growth and restrain it like that forever?"
A slight pause occurred after Alfa said that, then the Dryad opened her voice.
"Unfortunately, for me there is no way to stop it. Even if there is something stronger than me that can stop it, the tree will only grow somewhere else in this forest and accelerate its growth compared to before…"
"Has this ever happened? How do you know?"
"… I can't tell you."
Alfa looked straight at the Dryad, the two eyes she saw did not give any reaction of lying.
Or at least there were some parts of what the Dryad said were the truth, although there was no way to be sure.
Alfa accepted that, calmed herself and confirmed her voice that had cracked.
"Is that so? Then can we get straight to the point?"
The Dryad nodded and opened her mouth once more.
"That big tree… is aggressively rebelling against the seal we gave it… I don't think there is time to give small-scale attacks… for that in the next few days we will carry out a large-scale attack."
"You said it so loudly, right in front of someone who was about to be attacked? What kind of response should I give? If you plan to do that, then we'll just have to wipe them all out before you all have a chance to gather."
Alpha said it so casually, but the look in his eyes didn't waver at all.
It wasn't a bluff, but something that would actually happen.
In response, Dryad only nodded slowly.
"That makes perfect sense."
The calm response, broke Alpha's rhythm and threw him into a bit of confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The reason I called you out right now, is just to ask you to personally convince your comrades in the trees not to fight back, make way for this forest army to attack and we won't do anything to you."
"Are you serious about saying that? Do you really think that we'll do it even if you go all out? Even though you're weaker than us? I'm very curious about what you can do when things come to this…"
"So you won't do it?"
"Didn't I say before that we are connected to that tree? I don't know what will—"
"Right, you don't know." Dryad interrupted before Alfa could finish.
"Huh?" Alfa opened his mouth, pent-up emotions rising within him.
Even though he tried hard to hold it back, at least there was hope that this meeting would result in a good solution.
"You're not even a month old yet, and we haven't even known each other for a month. No one knows what will happen, so isn't this the time to take a risk?"
"Even if we let you do it… and then everything goes awry, what guarantee can there be?"
"If a similar situation like this happens in the future, I will do nothing about it and make sure this forest is completely destroyed. I swear on the name of the King of this World, which will bind my soul, making me unable to betray it."
On Dryad's chest, a little whitish blue light appeared, forming a complicated pattern that could not be unraveled.
Alfa didn't know what it was, but the moment the Dryad in front of him said the words World King, his chest for some reason also trembled.
A strange feeling that he had never felt before, made him think a little that what Dryad emphasized was not a lie.
Even so, the future that the opponent in front of him meant certainly no longer involved him or his family because they would die right now, Alfa couldn't even decide how his family's lives should be used.
Asking everyone to follow that request and die together peacefully, I could never accept that. Even if we were destined to be sacrificed, I would give a worthy fight.
"Sorry, but I really can't do it. Each of my family members has control over the lives they have, it's not something I can decide. Even I myself see that tree as something that must be removed, but in the end we won't let that happen."
Alpha took a few more sips of air before continuing, setting a strong gaze with an intimidating smile.
"But honoring that oath, I will not do much and wait for you at the front door. Of course that is as long as you do not do anything unpleasant, our next meeting will decide the fate of this forest going forward."
The dryad nodded again, accepting Alpha's refusal without showing any reaction on the surface.
"I see, for respect that decision then I will give you the same. We will attack within ten days, even if there is no more specific time than that, you can still accept it, right?"
"Of course, that is good to hear." Alpha walked over, extending his arm.
The Dryad was momentarily wary but quickly understood what he meant.
The two shook hands.
"This is far from what I expected, but I guess there wasn't much that could have been done from the start."
"It is quite painful."
The two smiled, then let out a small laugh that soon disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.