Final Life Online

Rhys left the death-choked cave of the Skeleton Lord, searching for anything else of value within the corrupted domain. Along the way, he came across several trapped Moonmist City residents—thin, pale, and weakened by the Lord's necrotic aura. One by one, he broke their bonds and helped them to their feet.

[ Hidden Quest Activated – Help the Moonmist Heart City Residents ]

[ Affinity with Moonmist Heart City increased: Acquaintance ]

[ If freed residents spread word of your victory over the Skeleton Lord, your Fame will increase further. ]

Rhys spoke with them for a short while before letting them go. After thoroughly exploring the dungeon, he confirmed there was nothing else of value left. With that settled, he began the journey back toward the great Tree—where the Moonmist Flower grew, and where the moon fairy who had given him the quest to kill the Skeleton Lord awaited.

As he walked along the forest path, Puddle let out a soft kyuu~. Through their bond, Rhys understood the meaning instantly.

"The corruption is receding."

Indeed, as Rhys glanced around, he could see it for himself—the foul black mists were retreating, replaced by a blush of pale-blue and silver fog. This was the pure magical mist of the Moonmist Flower. It swirled gently through the air, carrying a strange serenity. The closer he drew to the great tree, the stronger he could feel its magic pulsing within his chest.

At last, he arrived. The massive roots of the tree formed a natural grove, a quiet sanctuary hidden beneath its towering presence. At its heart knelt a beautiful woman—her silver hair cascading down her back, hands pressed together in prayer. A faint glow of moonlight surrounded her.

"You are finally back," she said softly, without turning back.

Rhys frowned an asked whule his ahnd redt on the sword. "Wait…Who are you and where is the Moon Fairy,?"

She smiled faintly. "What you saw before was only my weakened form."

Her voice softened into a giggle. "This is my true form. I am the Moon Fairy who gave you the quest to kill the Skeleton Lord—Misty Milie."

Rhys blinked. "Hold on… aren't fairies supposed to be tiny? You're… basically human height."

The woman laughed softly. "That's because I am half-fairy, half-moon elf."

Rhys stared at her, genuinely baffled. "How did they even do that?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Did you just say something?"

He waved it off. "Nothing important."

She rose gracefully, silver hair flowing down her back, catching the glow of the Moonmist fog. "Regardless… thank you for killing the Skeleton Lord. He was after me. If not for your victory, I would have eventually been found. But thanks to you… and this Ancient creature's protection… I am safe."

Her gaze drifted toward a cluster of silver-petaled flowers growing in a soft patch of moonlight.

Rhys followed her eyes. "Ancient creature…? Wait, isn't that just a rare plant?"

She shook her head slowly. "It is not simply a plant—it is an Ancient creature."

She knelt gracefully, brushing her fingers through the soft petals. Silver motes floated upward like fireflies, the Moonmist flower's stem swaying unnaturally as if alive. The soil began to shift, roots curling back to reveal something beneath.

From the earth emerged a small, turtle-like creature—its shell a soft silver-white, covered in tiny flowers and blades of moonlit grass as if it carried a miniature garden on its back. Its eyes were clear pools of moonlight, and delicate crescent-shaped horns curved above its brow.

"Pyuu…"

The tiny creature blinked in the soft glow, looking around curiously before spotting Rhys. It tilted its head, staring at him with a strange familiarity.

"This…" Misty whispered with a faint smile, "…is a Moonmist Beast. Specifically, a Divine Moon Turtle."

The little turtle slowly crawled forward, its small legs tapping softly against the roots. Without hesitation, it stepped out of the moonlit soil and wandered toward Rhys.

"Don't be fooled," Minsty said softly. "He's shy with strangers… but for some reason, he's walking straight to you."

The Divine Moon Turtle reached Rhys and, after a brief pause, gently tapped his boot with its tiny front leg. Its gaze stayed locked on his, unblinking and warm.

"When I first found him," Minsty continued, "he refused to come near anyone. I cared for him… but he never truly trusted me. And yet, the moment he saw you…" She tilted her head in wonder. "…he seems to have chosen you."

Rhys simply smiled. His Ancient Tamer class was not just for show—gentle Ancient beasts like this one easily get comfortable around him. And now, even without trying, he had earned the little creature's trust.

Puddle happily bounced down from Rhys's shoulder, curious about the newcomer. The slime jiggled playfully toward the turtle, and in moments, the two were nudging each other like old friends.

A faint chime echoed in Rhys's ears.

[ Ancient Beast Affinity Triggered ]

[ Divine Moon Turtle – Affinity Level: Friendly ]

[ This Ancient Beast is willing to follow you. Would you like to attempt a bond? ]

[ You no longer have a Bond Slot. ]

[ You can only bond again after gaining a Bond Slot. ]

Rhys looked down at the little turtle, its crescent-horned head tilted, gazing up at him with wide, trusting eyes.

"Hey, little one," Rhys said gently, crouching to meet its gaze. "Would you like to follow me?"

The Moonmist Beast gave a soft, high-pitched pyuu~ in reply, waddling forward until its tiny feet rested on his palm. Its eyes closed as it leaned into his touch, as if declaring its answer without words.

Minsty, still watching from the side, tilted her head with a knowing smile.

"Looks like he's already chosen," she said softly.

Rhys chuckled, running his hand over the warm, grassy curve of the turtle's shell. "Can I take him?"

Misty rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't you have asked that before asking him to follow you?"

Rhys blinked, then gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry… I was just so excited about finding another Ancient creature that I forgot about it."

She sighed and shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You can take him—It's not like he belonged to me anyway."

"He is an wild one that I found, though I was trying to tame him but he simply chose you" She said.

Rhys's smile returned as he nodded. "Thank you."