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 came 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.

And now, he was the only one familiar with it.

As for what Finn had left him—

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

"Teacher Finn..."

Linsey stepped forward and picked up the branch.

The moment his fingers touched its rough bark, a faint but unceasing stream of source essence began flowing from the branch into his body.

This was what Finn had created by pouring all his source essence into it.

It possessed no miraculous power capable of turning the mundane into the extraordinary.

After all, Finn had only been a botanist whose craft had ascended four times. He had not even earned the title of Fifth Stage Life Scholar.

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

The item created by infusing all his source essence had not gained the mysterious and unfathomable abilities described in legends.

Linsey held the branch in his hand.

Its faint source essence was doing its small, utmost best to protect his health.

Perhaps this power could only ward off winter flu, but it was Finn's final blessing for Linsey. The meaning behind it filled his heart with strength.

"..."

Linsey stood there for a long while.

Then he heard the front door being pushed open again, and only then did he go over to see what was happening.

Lord Anrui and Anna had arrived together.

The moment Anna saw Finn's body, she threw herself onto it and burst into loud sobs.

Throughout Anna's childhood, Finn had been an elder as close to her 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 went to sit beside Red Moon.

"Finn... was he peaceful when he passed?"

"Fairly 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 been getting colder and colder these past few years. The crops being planted now may not be able to endure in the future."

"As a Lord, am I terribly unqualified?"

"The Expedition Team has scattered, some leaving and some drifting away. The fact that you have persisted in protecting this place is already an impressive achievement."

"Thank you. I understand."

"..."

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

The house grew increasingly crowded.

Among them were the town's other Awakened, as well as ordinary farmers with sorrowful expressions. His age, knowledge, and work had all earned Finn a respectable reputation in town.

Once nearly everyone had arrived—

Red Moon took 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 paper and stepped before the crowd, speaking in a solemn, steady voice:

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

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

Everyone in town has always given me warmth and support.

Even in departure, the gratitude in my heart remains unchanged.

I also hope that my passing 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 departed one by one.

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

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

Linsey accepted the letter with some confusion 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.

Continue exploring botany, a field worthy of one's lifelong struggle.

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

To that end, I leave my book collection to you.

I firmly believe that they will be put to better use in your hands.

Every book and every sheet of paper contains an inexhaustible treasure trove of knowledge. You may dig into it to your heart's content.

My 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 unanswered questions to be revealed. These plants are also a precious treasure.

As for the other items in the house, I hope you will give them to the residents of the town.

They have always treated my work with kindness and respect.

Now that death has come, I have no other way to repay them but this.

Once again, I wish you well.

May you retain your love for 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 your path ahead be filled with discoveries, and may your journey through life be filled with joy.

Your forever botany mentor—Finn."

This letter had been left specifically for Linsey.

By the time he finished reading, tears had already begun streaming down his face at some unknown point, while both hands clutched the thin sheet of paper tightly.

At this moment, the other Awakened nodded to Linsey in salute.

But he could not notice any of it now.

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

This intense emotion triggered many changes.

For instance, on his attribute panel.

The Will Source Material, which had remained silent and unchanged for three years, finally shifted 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 advancement of his Source Material also brought changes to his skills.

Although it was the Life Source Material that had fused with the Game Player ability, both powers still 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 Will Source Material, silent for so long, advanced at this moment. At the same time, his skills ascended, allowing two modules to take effect simultaneously.

If this had happened just a few days earlier.

Linsey would certainly have been overjoyed.

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

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