The morning sunlight was especially brilliant, draping all things in a layer of golden radiance. The city had completely awakened from its slumber; like cells within a colossal beast, everyone busied themselves to sustain its life.
Shinkai Seiko walked through the streets, watching the crowds passing by.
Perhaps it was her imagination, or perhaps it was a real change, but she always felt that everything before her held a little more vitality than the last time she had come here.
Perhaps it was because of what had happened in Chaos Land.
Shinkai Seiko turned to look into the distance. At the edge of the horizon stood a giant tree formed of light.
Every branch was an extension of that light, while the trunk twisted and wound like spreading lightning, remaining clearly visible even in broad daylight.
That had once been where Chaos Land was located.
The essence of the light was actually white flame—sacred and pure, burning away all filth and grime.
It had also brought an end to the natural disaster that had lasted for several years.
The collapse receded, and the light of the First Fire drove away chaos and darkness.
Shinkai Seiko smiled softly, quickening her steps a little. Before long, she disappeared into the bustling stream of pedestrians.
The architectural styles along both sides of the street gradually changed, from classical buildings to dwarven houses filled with rugged artistry.
There were more taverns as well.
Drunken dwarves could be seen almost everywhere, slinging their arms around one another's shoulders and boasting about whatever interesting things they had dug up again.
Gems, fossils, ancient relics...
The card game called Hearthstone Legends could occasionally be heard mentioned as well.
It seemed the boss's Hearthstone Tavern would soon become like Origin Mall, gradually known by more and more people.