Seeing Hu Lu’s wistful expression, the players exchanged glances, their hearts full of uncertainty and wonder.

However, before they could say anything, Hu Lu spoke again:

"Let’s go, to Feilengcui..."

Leaving the Chosen City behind, the group made their way to Feilengcui.

This former Elf Holy City no longer appeared as ravaged as when the players first discovered it but had regained its former glory.

Arriving at the Temple Square in the city, watching the bustling Life Temple, Hu Lu’s eyes reflected a hint of nostalgia:

"Feilengcui... has changed so much..."

"Yes, I remember when we first came here, it was still occupied by Goblins."

Hu Lu expressed some sentiment.

"Exactly! Back then, we fought a world boss and a Divine incarnation! I can still remember the captain delivering the final blow to Uller’s incarnation, looked so cool!"

Chopin also replied.

"Hahahaha, it was then that I noticed the captain and thought I must become friends with this big shot."

"Yes! Me too!"

"Hahahaha, who knew we’d actually end up as friends!"

The players reminisced about the past, excitedly discussing their memories, while Hu Lu listened quietly, smiling.

However, Nightingale, who had been watching Hu Lu closely, noticed the faint hint of sadness and reluctance hidden within his smile...

"Hu Lu... what’s going on with you?"

She asked worriedly.

Hu Lu did not answer directly.

He glanced at the beautiful half-elf girl and suddenly said:

"Nightingale, remember when you said you wanted to climb to the treetop of the World Tree to see the entire Elf Forest?"

Ye Ye was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised:

"You still remember?"

"Of course, back then we were confined in Sorren’s commerce wagon, I remember everything you said."

Hu Lu replied.

Nightingale was stunned again.

Her face turned slightly red, hesitated for a moment, gathered courage to say something, but suddenly heard Hu Lu speak again:

"Come, let’s go to the World Tree."

...

Following Hu Lu, the group swiftly used the teleportation array in Chosen City and arrived at the trunk of the World Tree.

With Goddess Eve no longer concealing her identity, the World Tree proudly stood above the Segis World, its nearly 30,000-meter-high form undoubtedly the most spectacular sight in the Segis Plane.

Standing atop the World Tree, gazing down at the land, the magnificent scenery of the Elf Forest was fully unveiled, the rolling Dark Mountain Range to the south, the expansive Fertile Plain to the east, all before their eyes, making one’s heart swell with admiration for the grandeur and beauty of the "Elf Kingdom."

In this moment, the players were all rendered speechless.

Their gazes were entirely focused on the breathtaking view below; although they were adept players from the strategy group, they had never truly experienced such a panoramic view of the "Elf Kingdom" from the World Tree.

"So beautiful..."

Nightingale couldn’t help but admire.

Yet, when she looked toward Hu Lu, she found he had, at some point, withdrawn his smile.

His gaze was fixed on the world below, and his expression held a hint of contentment.

That look, as if he could leave this world at any moment.

"Hu... Hu Lu? What’s wrong with you?"

Nightingale couldn’t help but call out.

For some reason, a sudden twinge of anxiety and concern arose in her heart at this moment.

Upon hearing the half-elf girl’s words, the players admiring the view quickly turned their attention back to their captain, and they too sensed the subtle change in Hu Lu’s demeanor.

"Captain!"

Hu Lu reached out his hand and waved it in front of Hu Lu, calling out.

Hu Lu slowly withdrew his distant gaze.

He looked at the worried faces around him and, after a moment of silence, suddenly broke into a smile:

"Sorry, everyone, this should be my last login to the Elf Kingdom."

Everyone froze, instantly buzzing with shock.

"What?!"

"Captain, you’re joking, right?"

"Today’s not April Fool’s Day, is it?"

But Hu Lu simply raised his hand and gently pressed it down, restoring peace to the atmosphere.

It was the unique suppressive power belonging to a Gold Middle Rank player across the server. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Everyone leaves eventually; some sooner, some later."

Boxed Meal sighed.

Taking a deep breath, he finally revealed the secret he had kept hidden in his heart:

"Sorry, everyone, I’ve been keeping this from you for a very, very long time..."

"In reality, I am a retired anti-narcotics police officer. A few years ago, while chasing drug dealers, I was severely injured and forced to retire."

"Over the years, my health has been poor, and I’ve had to rely on some special medications to keep going. Along with the old injuries, my condition has been getting worse and worse."

"Half a month ago, my health rapidly deteriorated, and I can’t keep going any longer..."

"Everyone, this... is my last time logging into the game. There are things I’ve wanted to share with you all for a long time."

"After retiring, I went through depression and despair, and ’Elf Kingdom’ gave me a new lease on life. It was you who brought color back into my life..."

"Thank you all, for giving me joy in my darkest days."

"Being able to have such wonderful memories in ’Elf Kingdom,’ I am already very content."

Boxed Meal spoke a lot today, as if he wanted to utter all the words he had never said in his lifetime.

After hearing his words, the players widened their eyes.

They understood!

Finally, they understood!

Why Boxed Meal never attended offline gatherings, why he was always among the top in logging time, and why he never wanted to discuss his real life...

"Captain... why, why didn’t you tell us sooner?!"

Hu Lu couldn’t help but grab Boxed Meal’s clothes, his voice trembling a bit.

"Sorry, I didn’t want you to see me in my downfall during my final days..."

Boxed Meal sighed.

"No! Not a downfall! You are our captain! You’re the strategy master! The most popular player in ’Elf Kingdom’!"

Chopin exclaimed loudly.

"Thank you..."

Boxed Meal let out a soft sigh.

Seeing everyone’s slightly red eyes, he smiled and said:

"Don’t be like this, I’ve already come to terms with it, and I’ve been quite happy in these final days..."

Saying this, he glanced at Nightingale again, asking the group:

"Can I have a word alone with Nightingale?"

Players opened their mouths but then looked at Boxed Meal with apologies, then at Nightingale, whose eyes were glistening with tears at some point, sighed, and retreated.

"Sorry, from the moment I entered this world, my time was limited, and so... I can’t respond to your feelings."

Boxed Meal looked at Nightingale and sighed.

Nightingale’s eyes instantly blurred.

"No! You can’t decide that on your own! Have you forgotten the power of the Goddess? As her strongest Chosen One, if you pray devoutly, she will surely give you new life!"

She shook her head desperately, saying.

"The Goddess... huh."

Boxed Meal’s eyes were complex.

His gaze swept over the World Tree, and he sighed:

"Miss Nightingale, although... although ’Elf Kingdom’ is a world to you, for those of us living in another world, it’s ultimately just a game..."

"A game can never change reality."

"No! The Goddess can! The Goddess definitely can!"

Nightingale insisted.

Taken aback by her insistence, Boxed Meal smiled helplessly:

"Sorry..."

Saying this, he wanted to reach out to pat the girl’s head, but halfway through, he retracted his hand.

With a soft sigh, he leaned against the tree trunk and sat down.

"Can... you stay with me a bit longer?"

Boxed Meal asked.

Nightingale sniffed her reddened nose and sat down beside Boxed Meal.

The two looked into the distance, the azure sky now tinged with crimson, the setting sun slowly descending, casting a brilliant glow across the sky.

"What a beautiful world it is..."

Looking at the resplendent glow, Boxed Meal let out a long sigh.

He slowly stretched out his right hand toward the sky, as if trying to grasp something, but eventually let it drop helplessly.

He closed his eyes once more.

And at the same time, in the sky of the World Tree Divine Country, a star twinkling with blue light gradually dimmed.

At the same moment, in the highest temple of the Divine Country, Eve, who had been studying the Origin Key, slowly opened her eyes.