Chapter 17 – The Village of Ivory Glen
Chapter 17 – The Village of Ivory Glen
Tyler followed Miho closely as she led the way, her fox ears twitching with each step, tail swaying rhythmically behind her. The walk was silent for the most part, save for the occasional chirping of unseen birds hiding in the canopy overhead.
“Sooo… Miho, right?” Milo chirped, attempting to make conversation. “You’re really fast for a fox. Like, whoa. My friend’s a rabbit hybrid and even she—”
“Don’t talk to me,” Miho said flatly, eyes fixed ahead.
Milo blinked, taken aback. “Ouch. Cold.”
Miho ignored him completely, turning to Tyler instead. “By the way, you looked really cool back there. The way you were slicing through the ants like it was nothing… You were like a whirlwind.”
Tyler didn’t respond. He was focused ahead, a faint smirk betraying his amusement.
As they walked, Miho sent out a small glowing signal — a magical message that fluttered through the trees like a firefly.
“What was that?” Tyler asked.
“A message to the elders,” Miho replied. “I let them know I’m bringing back a pure soul and a tainted soul.”
“Tainted what now?”
“Souls,” she said casually. “In our village, we refer to hybrids like your companion— who are combinations of different species— as tainted souls. They weren’t created by the Creator God like we were.”
Tyler glanced back with a grin. “Hey Milo, you hear that? You’re tainted. Maybe stay behind.”
Miho’s ears perked up, and she bounced slightly. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea! He’s been bothering me the whole way. It’d be nice to walk alone with you for once—”
“Unfortunately, that’s not happening,” Tyler cut in. “He’s annoying, sure. But I’m not leaving him behind. We go together or not at all.”
Milo, though still dejected, trudged along silently.
Eventually, the dense forest gave way to a hidden valley, shielded by cliffs and thick foliage. Nestled within was a village of ivory-coloured huts with thatched roofs, bark-and-vine bridges, and soft silver streams.
Miho led them to the village gates where a few sentinels stood, grim and unsmiling.
“You said you were bringing a tainted soul… and a pure soul?” one of them questioned.
“Yes, see? He’s not an amalgamation or abomination. He’s a human.”
The guard’s expression twisted. “Exactly. That’s the problem— he’s human. They’re worse than hybrids.”
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“I don’t understand,” Tyler said. “Weren’t humans created by the same Aether Dragon as you?”
An elderly fox appeared, Miho’s father. “Miho, you don’t quite understand humans. It’s understandable— neither you nor any of us have ever seen a live one before. They were eradicated from the continent a thousand years ago. We had our doubts about a few surviving out there, but looking at this person… those fears seem real.”
“Old man, tell your daughter not to say the name of the Creator God so lightly,” another elder grumbled.
“Look, I don’t know what ancient grudge you’re holding, but it’s clear I’m not welcome here,” Tyler said. “I’ve escorted Miho safely— so I’ll be on my way.”
“NO!” Miho shouted, grabbing his arm. “You can’t leave yet. I haven’t even shown you the village. Besides, you’re looking for some reward item, right? Maybe one of the elders here knows where it is.”
The elder raised a hand. “Very well. Outsider, I allow you and your companion to stay in Ivory Glen for two days. But you must rest and be gone by tomorrow’s sundown. I cannot tolerate human presence any longer than that.”
As Tyler walked through the village, whispers followed. The purists turned their heads away in open disgust. Children were pulled aside. Adults scowled openly.
“Do they always stare like this?” he muttered.
Miho lowered her voice. “They’ve never seen a human before. Most of them grew up hearing horror stories. Don’t take it personally.”
Tyler grunted. “Hard not to.”
They were shown to a modest guest hut. Miho insisted on giving him a tour. Milo was already curled up and asleep in one of the beds.
As they walked, Tyler opened his status window:
[Remaining Attribute Points: 12]
He allocated:
[Attack: 15 → 25]
[Accuracy: 1 → 2]
[Dodge: 1 → 2]
A surge of energy rippled through him.
Miho enthusiastically pointed out each building—the forge, the herbalist’s den, the water sanctum, and their watchtower. Tyler half-listened until something unexpected caught his attention.
A sweet, intoxicating scent drifted into his nose. He turned to see a glowing orchard, its blossoms white-pink and radiant.
“That,” Miho said proudly, “is our sacred orchard. The Chrysopteryxiella Umbrosynth.”
Tyler blinked. “The Chrysoptery… wait, Chrysopt-thingy what now?”
Miho laughed. “You can’t pronounce it? Finally! I found a flaw in you.”
He gave her a mock glare.
She smiled. “It’s the divine flower. Given to us by the Creator God. It restores vitality, purifies sickness, and symbolizes our meeting with him.”
She plucked one delicately. “Our ancestors were told to use this power to fight the humans who dominated the land. But… they didn’t. They were afraid. They chose to hide.”
Tyler nodded, listening quietly.
“Some of us think they were cowards. Others are just grateful for the gift. Either way, we’ve stayed hidden ever since. When humans disappeared, beasts filled the void. Abominations, amalgams… echoes of humanity’s corruption. Their greed. Their lack of faith.”
Tyler looked into the glowing petals.
“I never asked to be welcomed,” he said. “But I’ll remember what I saw here.”
Miho looked at him, softer now.
“We may not welcome your kind… but thank you for listening.”
And for once, her smile wasn’t shy, or admiring, or playful.
It was real.
They returned to their guest hut. Milo was fast asleep, curled like a cat. Miho gestured toward the spare bed.
“Here you go. Get some rest.”
“That flower name again?” Tyler asked, scratching his head. “Chris-poppy-zell… Um, Chrysop…terix… whatever.”
Miho giggled. “Chrysopteryxiella Umbrosynth.”
“Right. That. Is it found anywhere else?”
She shook her head. “It was a divine gift. Only our village can cultivate it. Almost impossible to find outside.”
Tyler flopped onto the bed. “You say it like it’s so easy…”
He tried mumbling the name a few more times before groaning and turning over.
As he drifted to sleep, he thought about the upcoming days. Giving the meteorite to Vitamin Ape. More grinding. And the divine key.
There were five of them. He had one. What were they for?
Maybe Yandeon would know.
He was, after all, the most knowledgeable person Tyler had met so far.