The Branch

Linsey listened to Red Moon's instructions and walked to the Glass Greenhouse at the back.

This was where Finn had poured his heart and soul.

Since he had come to the cabin every three days to study, Linsey had also spent quite a bit of time here.

It could be said that—

In the entire town, aside from Finn, he had been the person most familiar with this place.

Now, he was the only person familiar with it.

As for what Finn had left him—

Without anyone pointing it out, Linsey recognized it at a glance. On the cultivated soil near the inner side of the Glass Greenhouse lay a brown branch, something that had definitely not been there two days ago.

"Teacher Finn..."

Linsey stepped forward and picked up the branch.

The instant his fingers touched its rough bark, a faint but continuous stream of Essence flowed from the branch into his body, like a babbling brook.

This was the result of Finn pouring all of his Essence into it.

It possessed no miraculous power that could turn decay into wonder.

After all, Finn had merely been a botanist whose skills had undergone four advancements. He had not even earned the title of Fifth Stage Life Scholar.

Even after giving everything he had, even after hastening his own death—

The item created by infusing all his Essence had failed to gain any of the unfathomable functions found in legends.

Linsey held the branch in his hand.

Its faint Essence was doing its tiny utmost to protect his health.

This power might only ward off winter flu, but it was Finn's final blessing to Linsey. The meaning behind it filled his heart with powerful strength.

"..."

Linsey stood there for a long while.

Then he heard the front door open again, so he went over to see what was happening.

Lord Anrui and Anna had arrived together.

At the sight of Finn's body, Anna threw herself onto him and began weeping loudly.

Throughout Anna's childhood, Finn had been an elder as close as a grandfather. How could she possibly remain unmoved now?

Anrui merely gave Linsey a slight nod.

Then he let out a long sigh and walked over to sit beside Red Moon.

"How was Finn... when he left?"

"Quite peaceful."

"Did he leave any instructions for me?"

"He said you should pay more attention to the people's livelihood. The weather in the Hidden Borderlands has grown colder and colder in recent years. The crops being planted now may not be able to endure much longer."

"As a Lord, am I terribly unqualified?"

"People from the Expedition Team have left and scattered. The fact that you have continued guarding this place is already an outstanding achievement."

"Thank you. I understand."

"..."

One after another, townspeople received the news and came to pay their respects.

The house grew more and more crowded.

Among them were other awakened people from the town, as well as ordinary farmers with grief written across their faces. His age, knowledge, and work had all earned Finn considerable respect in town.

Once nearly everyone had arrived—

Red Moon took out a sheet of paper from beside her and handed it to Anrui. "This is Finn's will. You may read it aloud."

Anrui nodded slightly.

The Lord took the page, stepped before the crowd, and spoke in a solemn, steady voice:

"Everyone, this is Finn's final farewell to all of you."

Anrui began reading the will. "When I leave, I will have few regrets, because I have done my best to explore this endlessly fascinating world, filled with all manner of wondrous plants.

"All of you in town have always given me warmth and support.

"Even as I depart, the gratitude in my heart will remain unchanged.

"I also hope that my departure will help everyone better understand and cherish our lives..."

Surrounded by the townspeople, Anrui read aloud the botanist's will.

The scene soon came to an end.

After the ordinary townspeople finished paying their respects, they left one after another.

But unexpectedly, once only the awakened remained in the house, Red Moon took out another sheet of letter paper.

She handed the letter to Linsey. "Linsey, this is what he left for you."

Somewhat bewildered, Linsey accepted the letter and read its contents aloud as well. "Linsey, my dear child.

"By the time you receive this letter, I will likely have already departed from this world and ascended to the source of life that I have devoted myself to studying.

"I think I should offer you one final word of encouragement.

"I hope you will continue exploring botany, a field worthy of a person's lifelong struggle.

"Yet I also understand that you have goals of your own to strive toward, and I sincerely hope that you succeed.

"For that reason, I leave my library to you.

"I firmly believe that in your hands, these books will be put to better use.

"Every book and every page contains an endless treasury of knowledge, and here, you may excavate it to your heart's content.

"My plant greenhouse was the paradise of my life, as well as the source of my knowledge and inspiration.

"I leave it to you as well.

"I hope you can continue working and studying here, allowing these plants' lives to continue and the questions yet unanswered to be revealed. These plants, too, are a precious treasure.

"As for the other possessions in my home, I hope you will give them to the townspeople.

"They have always treated my work with kindness and respect.

"Now that death has come, I have no other choice. I only hope to repay them in this way.

"One final wish.

"May you retain your love of knowledge, your reverence for nature, and your curiosity toward the unknown.

"Though I can no longer remain by your side.

"I believe that in every leaf and every petal, you will find my love for plants and my hopes for you.

"May the road ahead of you be filled with discovery, and may your journey through life be filled with joy.

"Your forever botanical mentor—Finn."

This letter had been left specifically for Linsey.

After he finished reading, tears had somehow already begun streaming down his face, while his hands clutched the thin sheet of paper tightly.

At this moment, the other awakened nodded to Linsey in respect.

But he could not notice any of it now.

Surging emotions swept through Linsey's heart like a tsunami, churning his feelings into complete chaos.

This intense emotion triggered many changes.

For example, on the Attribute Panel—

The Willpower Source Material, which had remained dormant and unchanged for three years, finally began to shift quietly amid the tide of emotion.

A new line of text replaced the original description.

Will Source Material Advancement

Stairway to Heaven—(Expressing Pain/Joy)

Immediately afterward, the improvement in his Essence also triggered changes in his skills.

Although it was the Life Source Material that had fused with the Game Player ability, both powers functioned within Linsey's body, and his skills began to improve as well.

Game Player Level Up

Newbie (Stage 1) → Game Enthusiast (Stage 2)

Module Slot: 1 → 2

The Willpower Source Material, silent for so long, had improved at this moment. At the same time, his skills advanced, allowing two modules to take effect simultaneously.

If this had happened a few days earlier—

Linsey would certainly have been thrilled.

But at this moment, he had no spare heart to pay attention to the changes in his attributes.

Clutching the thin letter paper, Linsey could not feel happy at all.