By afternoon, all the villagers gathered together to bid farewell to Elina and Mike as they prepared to leave for the city.

Smiles mixed with lingering worry as hands were shaken and blessings were given. Some villagers pressed small gifts into their hands—dried food, charms for safe travel, and hand-stitched cloth meant to ward off misfortune.

"We'll be waiting for your return," one of them said warmly.

The Village Chief stood at the front, pride and gratitude clear on his face. "May the road be safe, and may the city treat you kindly."

"We won't forget this place," Mike replied sincerely.

Elina bowed deeply, her voice steady. "Thank you… for everything."

Accompanying them was the village merchant, who also traveled to the city regularly. A small group of armed guards rode with him, forming a modest but reliable escort.

As the gates opened and the road stretched out before them, the villagers waved until the figures grew smaller in the distance—carrying with them hope, gratitude, and the promise that this was not truly goodbye.

"We'll take three days to reach Spireheart City. It's one of the great trade hubs in the Kingdom of Spade," Drax said, the village merchant leading the caravan.

"Spade, huh…" Mike nodded slowly.

So that was it.

He understood now—he had spawned within the Spade Kingdom. The Tyrant Kingdom dungeon zone was made up of five surrounding regions, all positioned at the four outer directions around the Tyrant Kingdom which is in the center, which was currently known as the Tarot Kingdom at the center.

Challengers could spawn in any of the four outer kingdoms—but never in the Tarot Kingdom itself.

Yet the starting point was always the same.

The same village.

The same hero.

Elina—always Elina.

The protagonist of the storyline.

The key figure destined to confront and eventually kill the Tyrant King.

Mike looked ahead at the road stretching north.

"The roads are mostly safe due to—hmm… there, look at that," Drax said, pointing ahead.

Mike and Elina followed his gaze. Hanging from a wooden pole by the roadside was a small flowerpot-like object, swaying gently in the wind.

"That's a Monster Repel Flower," Drax explained. "It's an alchemy product made to repel monsters. Creatures with sensitive senses can't stand its smell."

Mike nodded in understanding, while Elina leaned closer to get a better look.

"Of course," Drax added with a wry smile, "it doesn't work on everything. There are always bandits."

"I figured," Mike said calmly.

Elina nodded as well, her hand unconsciously tightening around her staff.

They continued traveling during the day, resting at night and setting up small camps along the road. Mike and the guards hunted monsters along the way—boar deer and horned rabbits—which they roasted over open fires for meals. The journey passed steadily, and before they realized it, two nights and three days had gone by.

By the evening of the third day, they finally arrived.

Before them rose the city.

It was a garden city, visible even from afar. Massive green walls intertwined with living vines and flowering plants surrounded it, and towering tree-like structures rose inside—so tall they looked nearly ten times the height of ordinary humans. Mana-rich greenery flowed through the city like veins, giving it a calm yet powerful presence.

Elina's eyes widened slightly. "…It's beautiful."

"Welcome to Spireheart City," Drax said with a faint smile. He still remembered how bewildered he had been the first time he came here with his father.

Spireheart City was commonly known as garden city, a place where nature and civilization existed in perfect harmony. The streets were lined with living trees instead of stone pillars, flowering vines climbed along buildings, and soft motes of light—natural fairies—floated freely through the air.

These fairies weren't summoned or enslaved. They lived here naturally.

The reason was simple.

The headmaster of the Academy was a High Elf, and High Elves were deeply beloved by fairies. Because of that bond, the entire city was overflowing with greenery and life, as if nature itself had chosen Spireheart as its sanctuary.

"This is also the reason why this place is best for Elina," Drax said as they walked. "She's a nature mage, so being here will help her form a fairy contract."

Elina listened quietly, her grip on her staff tightening just a little.

"And you're a tamer," Drax continued, glancing at Mike. "If you can forcibly tame monsters like wolves from goblins, then it means your class rank is high grade too. So, this place is also good for you."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "Because of the fairies?"

Drax nodded. "Exactly. If you're compatible, you might even be able to tame a fairy."

Mike hummed softly, eyes narrowing with interest, then nodded. "I see."

As they spoke, the three of them joined the long line waiting to enter the city. Tall gates of living wood stood open ahead, vines curling around white stone pillars. Guards in green-and-gold armor maintained order, their expressions calm but sharp.

When it was Mike's turn, one of the guards raised a hand.

A translucent crystal orb floated forward, glowing with a soft green light.

"Place your hand on the crystal," the guard instructed.

Mike did so without hesitation.

The orb pulsed once.

Then again.

A gentle green smile-like glow spread across its surface.

"Innocent," the guard announced calmly. "No record of harm toward innocents."

He nodded and stepped aside. "You may enter."

Mike withdrew his hand, glancing at the crystal with mild curiosity before stepping forward into Spireheart City, the scent of flowers and fresh earth greeting him as the gates closed behind them.

"Are they elves?" Mike asked, looking around at the people passing by—many with sharp, pointed ears, slender bodies, and hair that gleamed like gold in the sunlight. Some even had bark-like skin and moved with the slow, steady grace of living trees.

Drax smiled at his reaction. "Elves, treants, and all kinds of nature-aligned races live here. That's why this city is such a powerful hub."

He gestured around them. "So many races converging in one place means an enormous flow of natural energy. And where there's natural energy—It is easy for them to live comfortable even if it is middle of an city."

Mike nodded slowly. "That explains a lot."

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