Floating Island - Triple S Talent

"Dad, are we going to reach the highest place?" he asked, his eyes sparkling as though every step was a grand adventure.

"Be patient, son. We'll get there soon," his father replied with a smile, gently patting the boy's head. The mother followed behind, carrying a few bags filled with snacks for them to enjoy later.

Her gentle gaze rested on her child and husband, a small smile gracing her lips. They eventually stopped at a quiet corner, where a soft breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of leaves.

Sitting together on a wide expanse of leaves, the small family marveled at the breathtaking scenery before them—the sky blending shades of orange and purple, with an endless horizon stretching as far as the eye could see.

Not far from them, on the eastern side of the tree, a couple enjoyed an equally romantic moment. They sat on a large leaf, a small tarp beneath them providing some comfort.

The woman leaned against her partner's shoulder, her eyes closed, as if savoring the peace that could only be found in this place.

"I want us to come back here every year," she whispered, her voice soft like the wind flowing through the leaves.

The man smiled, gently stroking her hair. "We'll always have this place, as long as we're together," he replied. They spoke of their dreams, the milestones they hoped to achieve in the future, exchanging promises under the orange glow dancing across the leaves.

Meanwhile, in another corner, an elderly man stood alone at the edge of the tree's leaf. His hunched body and weary eyes gazed far into the vast universe, as if trying to grasp something only he could understand.

He didn't move or speak, but his presence exuded an aura of tranquility and wisdom. The old man's thoughts wandered far into the past—to a youth filled with turbulence, struggle, and loss.

Now, in his twilight years, he felt grateful to still witness the changing beauty of the world and to experience the peace he had long sought.

At the summit of the Tree of Life's Origin, everyone was lost in their own worlds. Families, lovers, and a solitary old man—all of them found meaning in life beneath the evening glow that enveloped this realm.

***

The following day, after the unification of the cosmos, the Heavenly Divine Realm entered a new era that brought significant changes. Life felt lighter, freer. The citizens, who previously lived within the confines of their respective realms, now experienced a profound connection to the vast cosmos. This new atmosphere sparked widespread enthusiasm and joy.

However, curiosity remained the driving force for society. The Tree of Life's Origin became a magnet for families eager to explore further. From the early hours of the morning, families packed their belongings to journey to the legendary tree, hoping for unforgettable experiences there.

On the other hand, social media was abuzz with lively discussions about the changes happening in the Heavenly Divine Realm. One of the main topics was the status of the monster islands. Previously, these islands were vital places to gather rare materials and experiences.

Now, only a few monster islands had appeared, and even those were inhabited by low-level creatures, offering little value to fighters. This scarcity posed a major challenge, especially in meeting daily energy crystal demands.

—

Meanwhile, in the main hall of Lein's residence, the atmosphere was more tranquil. Morning sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow on the long table where Lein and Nita were seated.

As usual, Lein sat at the table's end, while Nita sat beside him. Plates of simple yet delicious dishes were neatly arranged before them.

"Brother, what about the gift you mentioned yesterday?" Nita asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She scooped her food slowly, awaiting Lein's response.

Lein gave a small smile. He looked at Nita's expressive and curious face, a rare sight since they entered the Heavenly Divine Realm. In his heart, he realized he had never given Nita a gift before. No wonder she was so eager.

After a moment, Lein raised his hand and pulled out a shimmering crystal from his spatial ring. The crystal emitted a soft glow, like a small star illuminating the room. "This," he said, floating the crystal toward Nita's hands.

Nita immediately caught the crystal with both hands, her eyes widening in amazement. The crystal's radiance was so beautiful, its design so flawless it resembled a piece of art.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice brimming with curiosity as her eyes studied the intricate details of the elegant and seemingly expensive crystal.

Holding the crystal tightly, Nita read the description that appeared before her with a serious expression:

(Talent Crystal):

A rare item that provides an opportunity to acquire or enhance a talent. If the user already possesses a talent, it will be upgraded.

- Success rate: 25%.

Before finishing the description, Nita stopped reading. Her mouth opened slightly, and she looked at Lein as though seeing something beyond comprehension. Her face reflected a mix of shock and disbelief.

"Brother... what is this item?" she asked in a hollow tone, her voice escaping as if on its own.

But in truth, Nita wasn't really asking. She already understood the crystal's description. She knew its purpose and how valuable it was. Her words were more an expression of disbelief at the reality before her.

Lein's smile remained warm, his tone calm yet filled with anticipation.

"It's a gift. Come on, use it now," he said, gently encouraging Nita to try the crystal immediately. A gleam of excitement flickered in his eyes, as if he could barely wait to see what would happen.

Nita continued to stare at Lein with a blank expression. Her body froze, unsure of what to do. And then, suddenly, tears began streaming from her eyes. The clear droplets fell silently, but they conveyed an overwhelming depth of emotion.

Then her tears broke free. She cried uncontrollably, like a child finally receiving the long-dreamed-of gift. Her body trembled slightly, and she didn't even try to hold back her tears.

"Thank you, Brother," she said in a hoarse voice, filled with emotion. After a moment of struggling to regain her composure, Nita finally wiped the tears from her face with both hands. She looked at Lein with a gentle gaze, brimming with gratitude.

Lein returned her gaze, this time with a proud smile on his face. "Alright, alright… it's a gift. Go ahead and use it," he said, encouraging her with a teasing tone.

Nita nodded, taking a deep breath before refocusing on the crystal in her hands. She reopened the crystal's description, now more serious than before.

[Do you want to use the Talent Crystal? Yes/No]

"Yes," Nita answered, her voice still slightly trembling, a lingering trace of her joyful tears.

The crystal in her hands began to float. A soft light emanated from its surface, slowly rotating like a small, living planet.

The spinning grew faster, producing glimmers that started to fill the room. A silvery light enveloped the empty space around them, like a dance of stars greeting the universe.

Lein stood still in his place, his eyes fixed on the crystal. The light from it reflected on his face, revealing the hope and confidence he placed in this moment.

[Successfully used Talent Crystal…]

[Searching for a suitable talent…]

A progress bar appeared before Nita, a small line inching slowly to the right. The percentage numbers climbed gradually: Find more adventures on mvl

20%… 45%… 60%…

Nita held her breath. She didn't blink, as if each rising percentage was tied to the beating of her own heart. The tension filled the room, making the atmosphere quieter than ever.

Lein remained standing by her side, appearing calm, yet his eyes reflected his expectations. Deep down, he hoped Nita would receive the best possible talent.

98...

The tension peaked. The room seemed to pause for a moment, waiting for the final verdict.

[Failed to obtain a new talent...]

Nita stared at the notification with a blank expression. Her eyes, once filled with hope, now dimmed. Her body froze, as if she had lost the ability to respond.

The silence enveloping the room made the sound of her unsteady breathing painfully clear. She didn't immediately process what had happened.

Slowly, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes. Disappointment consumed her, like a dark cloud suddenly blocking out the sun. Her hands, which had been holding the crystal, slowly lowered, reflecting the heaviness in her heart as she struggled to accept this reality.

But before her tears could fully fall, Lein interrupted with a nonchalant gesture. He reached into his spatial ring, pulled out another crystal, and tossed it toward Nita.

"Don't cry. Use it again," he said casually, as if the previous failure was nothing to worry about.

The crystal floated through the air before landing in Nita's trembling hands.

She looked at the crystal with a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and overwhelming thankfulness. Like someone on the verge of drowning but saved at the last moment, her once-wrinkled expression began to brighten again.

"Thank you, Brother," Nita said hoarsely, her voice full of emotion.

Those simple words carried so much meaning.

Nita knew how rare and expensive talent crystals were. But then, she almost forgot something—Lein had an extraordinary special talent: the ability to duplicate items. He likely had thousands of these crystals.

Realizing this, Nita's emotions gradually steadied. Her earlier disappointment began to fade away.