As I accepted the quest, I was handed a pocket.

“I’ve put everything you need in here.”

**[Spatial Pocket]**  
Can hold various items.

A glance told me to check the pocket, and a list of items appeared.

It contained not only top-grade magic stones but also various items and gold coins.

“There are too many!”  
“It’s to save the demon realm. Use it freely.”

With that, he pointed towards the door.

He mentioned that there would be a guide outside.

After exchanging greetings and stepping out of the audience room, someone was waiting for me.

Part of their face was covered in black scales, and their pupils resembled a snake's.

“It’s been a while.”  
As they smiled, their mouth stretched to their ears, revealing a familiar face that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie.

It was the cultist I had seen beneath the World Tree.  
“That cultist from back then!”  
“Cultist...”

I stared at them in disbelief, wondering why they were here.

“I was surprised when you suddenly vanished back then. Why are you here?”  
“The one there was my clone. I was startled when it disappeared in an instant.”

I followed behind the cultist, who was walking ahead, as we started talking.

“We were working on creating a passage connecting the demon realm beneath the World Tree, but it vanished in an instant.”  
They looked at me as they said this.

“Is that so? But why are you looking at me like that?”  
It felt as if they were looking at a criminal.

“That’s... no, let’s move on. It’s because if I die this time, it’s over. This way.”

I wondered where we were going, and it turned out to be closer than expected.

A place just 1km from the castle.

A massive magic circle was drawn on the ground.

“To activate it, plant the seed of the World Tree in the center of the magic circle.”  
“I understand.”

As I planted the seed I had taken from my inventory into the center of the magic circle, a huge light erupted, activating the magic circle.

**[You have used the seed of ???.]**  
**[Due to the effect of the magic circle, the seed of ??? begins to sprout.]**

A tiny sprout emerged from the ground and quickly began to grow.

**[Due to the effect of the magic circle, it grows.]**

**[Congratulations! You have successfully made the seed of the World Tree sprout as the first traveler!]**  
Earned 100,000 fame points.

**[Passive Skill: Due to growth, the World Tree will continue to grow!]**  

**[Congratulations! You have successfully made the World Tree grow as the first traveler!]**  
Earned 100,000 fame points.

The World Tree grew to a certain extent before stopping.

It was much smaller than the size I had seen in the intermediate realm.

**[The World Tree begins to purify the corruption of the demon realm.]**  

**[Warning! Warning! The World Tree lacks the strength to purify the corruption!]**

A red alarm window kept popping up, and it seemed like something big would happen if I stood still.

While I was thinking about what to do, I took out all the magic stones from the spatial pocket and scattered them on the ground, prompting an alarm window to appear.

**[Passive Skill: Using Devour.]**  
**[The World Tree is enhanced by the effects of Devour.]**

As the magic stones I scattered on the ground disappeared one by one, the World Tree, which had stopped growing, began to grow larger, eventually reaching a size similar to what I had seen in the intermediate realm.

The alarm that followed gave me peace of mind.

**[The World Tree purifies the corruption of the demon realm.]**  
**[Time remaining until purification is complete: Unknown.]**

A green aura began to spread around the World Tree.

The pitch-black ground gradually started to glow green and was slowly being purified.

While I was feeling relieved as I tended to the World Tree, the cultist approached me.

“You’ve done well. From now on, living beings can survive in the demon realm.”  
“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. My name is Yuna.”  
“My name is Kroseiren, a priest of the demon realm.”

If they are a priest of the demon realm, which god do they believe in?

“May I ask an irreverent question?”  
“It’s better not to.”

I was bluntly rejected as Kroseiren guided me back to the demon lord's castle.

They told me to report to the demon lord and receive my reward, but it wasn’t over yet.

Because right before my eyes, a blue window appeared.

**[Protect the World Tree from corruption.]**  
Reward: Unknown.

“I don’t think I can do that.”  
“Why not?”

I pointed my finger towards the direction the window was pointing, and Kroseiren turned their head to look, turning pale.

In the distance, black entities were gathering towards the World Tree.

“I’ll summon the troops right away!”  
With that, they pulled a horn from their pocket and blew into it.

‘Puuuuuuuuuuuu!’  
With the sound of the horn, the bond dragons flying above the demon lord's castle gathered and engaged in battle with the black entities.

Soon after, numerous troops from the demon lord's castle were dispatched.

Caught up in the war by accident and standing near the World Tree, I heard a whispering voice.

**[Mother. This place is dangerous.]**  
“Who are you!?”

Startled, I looked around, and someone tapped my shoulder.

When I confirmed the identity, it was a tree root...?

**[It’s me, Mother.]**  
“World Tree!?”

The World Tree was speaking to me, calling me mother!? Is this the responsibility I’ve heard about without pleasure!?

I couldn’t find the words to express how it felt to suddenly have a child overnight.

The World Tree was whispering to me, urging me to evacuate because it was dangerous.

But I couldn’t run away.

“What parent would leave their child behind to escape?”  
**[Mother...].**

With a voice filled with emotion, it emitted a bright light.

**[Passive Skill: Empathy is activated.]**  
The effect of empathy enhances combat abilities.

A massive green light enveloped the world, causing the black entities to start disappearing one by one.

**[The World Tree purifies the corruption of the demon realm.]**  
**[Time remaining until purification is complete: 10...].**  
“10 days!?”

**[9...].**  
**[8...].**  
**[7...].**

**[The World Tree successfully purifies the corruption of the demon realm.]**  

The black entities vanished completely, and the demon race, who had been gazing around with blank eyes, erupted into immense cheers.

As I watched that scene and petted the roots of the World Tree that was protecting me, the World Tree laughed, saying it was ticklish.

After laughing for a while, the World Tree whispered softly.

**[It’s all thanks to you, Mother.]**  
“I didn’t do anything.”  
**[No, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been born.]**  
“Is that so?”  

I was weak to compliments, and a smile began to spread across my face.

While I was conversing with the World Tree, I heard someone approaching me.

Turning my head to see, it was the demon lord, Echidna.

“I’ve come to thank you. Is it alright to talk in the castle?”  
“Yes! That’s fine!”  
“Then let’s go to the castle together.”

They extended their hand, and as I grabbed it, my vision blurred, and in an instant, we were transported to the castle.

However, the location was different.

It was not the place where I had first met the demon lord.

Following the demon lord down a dark staircase, we came to a massive iron door. The demon lord took off the ring they were wearing and placed it in a small hole, causing the iron door to start opening.

It was a sight I had never seen before in my life.

The space was filled with countless treasures, and various weapons were displayed inside glass cases.

“This is the promised gift. Choose what you want.”  
**[Quest Clear!]**  
You receive a gift from Demon Lord Echidna.

**[Please select your desired reward from the treasure vault.]**  

Numerous weapons and various armors were hanging on the walls, and our dragon companion was curiously looking around.

Then, the dragon suddenly focused on a piece of armor hanging on one wall.

“Kyung!”  
“Huh? You want me to choose that?”  
“Kyung!”  

As I approached to check it out, it resembled a traditional outfit worn in Japan.

**[Miko Robe of the Divine Dragon]**  
Clothing once worn by a priestess serving the divine dragon.

**[Wearing it greatly increases the stats of summoned creatures.]**  
**[Abilities are sealed.]**  
**[Abilities are sealed.]**  
**[Abilities are sealed.]**

There were as many as four special abilities, three of which were sealed, but it was still good enough.

“I’ll go with this one!”  
“Good choice.”  

You have acquired the **[Miko Robe of the Divine Dragon]**.

It was time to change from the ordinary traveling clothes I had been wearing since the beginning of the game.

As soon as I pressed the wear button in my inventory, my outfit changed with a bright light.

**[You have equipped the

 Miko Robe of the Divine Dragon.]**  
**[Greatly increases the stats of summoned creatures.]**

The fluttering robe felt slightly awkward, but the demon lord complimented me, saying it suited me well.

“The clothes have given you wings.”  
That must be a compliment, right?