บท 401: Hunter, Gatherer

"This is it," he said, "it's the end of the 'tutorial'." 

"Ren…" Iris looked at him. 

He chuckled with a hint of embarrassment, "Sorry, I forgot you don't really understand those terms...I mean that we've reached the real start of the final floor." 

Iris gave him a smile and a nod as together, they were the first to reach the summit of the cavern slope, standing at the gaping exit of the vast cave system. 

It wasn't but a few seconds later that the rest of the group caught up--they each stopped to take in the awaiting scenery. 

"It's huge," he muttered. 

He referred to the colossal tree that sat in the center of the island, reaching high and stretching far with its ceiling of white, radiant leaves. 

"I'd say that is an understatement, Nakamura," Mencius added while in awe, "that tree is greater than any I have laid my eyes on before."