⑮ 'My Gift "Additional Bonus," Treated as the Weakest, Was Actually the Strongest Skill That Lets Me Acquire Allies, Weapons, and Rewards' - Chapter 16

Recap of the previous chapter

Asura and his party stepped into the forest and encountered the peerless beauty and elf archer, Selene.
She pointed a cold, sharp arrow at them, and it seemed as though their pleas for reconciliation would not reach her.
However, at that very moment, the entity that shakes the entire forest—the forest spirit god, Druid—manifested.

~Chapter 16~ The Forest Spirit God, Druid

Just as the arrow was about to be released, the forest was filled with light.
Countless particles of light spilled from the leaves and branches, dancing upward until they formed the shape of a person.
What appeared was a mystical beauty, wrapped in trees and flowers.
Her long emerald hair flowed in the wind, and her eyes shone a deep green. Small pixie spirits nestled against her body, dancing as if singing.

"…Druid…!"
Selene's eyes widened, and she lowered her longbow.
"The forest spirit god… why are you here?"

Druid smiled gently and looked at Asura.
"I felt I had to confirm the reason why humans would step into my forest."

Resonating Power

Fenrir barked, and Ifrit's flames flickered intensely.
Strangely, the powers of those two resonated and harmonized around Druid.
"…Divine Beast Fenrir. Flame Emperor Ifrit. Do you two acknowledge this human?"

Fenrir bowed his head, and Ifrit suppressed his flames.
It was a silent testament that he was someone worthy of trust.

Druid walked up to Asura and touched the "Additional Bonus" on his chest with a fingertip wreathed in green light.
"…A human with the power of bonds, is it? Then, you are worth assessing."

A Sneak Attack

But at that moment, a sharp killing intent surged from the shadows.
"Now—take down the spirit god!"
Soldiers in black attire leaped from the shade of the trees. They wore equipment engraved with the kingdom's crest, and their eyes were stained with madness.

"As I thought… the kingdom's dark unit…!" Leon shouted.

One of the soldiers brandished a blade and closed in on Druid.
In that instant, Asura leaped forward without hesitation.
"I won't let you!"
A black-silver dagger flashed, deflecting the soldier's weapon.
Ordo's shield blocked the charge, and Sophia's light arrow pierced the enemy's eyes.
Cain and Zeke dashed through the shadows, and Fenrir and Ifrit overwhelmed the soldiers with their roars.

After a short but fierce battle, the dark soldiers fell.

A Wavering Heart

"You all… protected the forest?"
Hesitation appeared in Selene's eyes.
The common sense she had believed in until now—the conviction that humans were beings who threatened the forest—was beginning to waver.

Druid spoke quietly.
"Selene. They, whom you pointed your arrows at, cut down human betrayal and protected the forest. Therefore, I propose this—travel with them and judge for yourself what humans truly are."
"…Me, with humans?" Selene's voice trembled.

"Whether you come to know humans and believe in them or not is for you to decide later. But, if it is these people… they might just bring the dawn."
Asura sheathed his dagger and looked straight at Selene.

"Our journey is one where I, who was called the weakest, prove my strength alongside my allies. …I want you to see it with your own eyes."
Selene lowered her bow and exhaled deeply.

"…Understood. I still can't bring myself to trust humans yet. But… a journey to judge them for myself doesn't sound bad."
The light dwelling in her eyes was not hostility, but wavering.

It was the moment that interest in humans was ignited for the first time within her icy coldness.

Afterword (Chapter 16)

The forest spirit god, Druid, manifested as a peerless beauty and tested Asura and his party while being adored by pixies.
By repelling the kingdom's dark soldiers, they were recognized as "those who protected the forest."
At Druid's suggestion, Selene joins the journey, determined to judge humans for herself.
Next chapter—what awaits in the elf village: further trials, or perhaps a new bond?

To all our readers

Thank you for reading this far!
How do you all interpret Selene's heart beginning to waver?
What do you think is the "trigger for trust"? Please let me know in the comments!