CHAPTER 146: THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

Kvernheim did not feel subterranean. It didn’t even resemble a cavern. Above stretched a vast, open sky bustling with brilliant blue by day, deep indigo by night, shifting just as naturally as any sky above the surface. A sun and moon alternated in perfect harmony as if they were on surface world.

Their cycles eerily synchronized with the daylight hours of the Dead Sea Shore along the Jordan–Israel border. There was no scientific explanation for it, as it was only suspicion. Some supernatural scholars believed there might be a hidden gate to Kvernheim within the waters of the Dead Sea, but Yggdrasil had never opened that passage, if it even existed. No proof had ever been found.

And so, the mystery persisted.

If one didn’t already know they were in an underground city, they would never guess it. Kvernheim appeared as a radiant and self-contained world. As it was a pocket dimension built around the sacred root of Yggdrasil. The tree itself was unmistakable, though it was technically only a root from the legendary World Tree. Still, it towered like a divine monument in the heart of the city, its bark streaked with glowing veins of gold and green. It’s leaves shimmered high above, gently rustling despite the lack of wind.

Its leaves look like betel leaves, only larger and thicker. At the top of the tree, the leaves are smaller and crimson red. As they grow, they gradually change color, turning into a deep emerald green near the bottom. The leaves constantly glow, casting a radiant display of colors over the surroundings.

Beneath the foliage, glowing white veins descend from its golden bark, connecting to the ground around the tree.

The tree’s brilliant display of colors makes it look like more than just a tree... it resembles a deity descended from the heavens. Even though supernatural beings don’t believe in heaven or hell, the sight of the tree makes everyone feel as if heaven might truly exist.

The tree stood at the center of a vibrant inner circle, a forest of immense beauty and peace. Tall, multicolored trees surrounded Yggdrasil like devoted companions... some with silver leaves, others with blossoms of crimson, lavender, or dusk-blue. Hidden within these trees lived the fairies, their homes seamlessly woven into branches and bark. From a distance, the dwellings were invisible and perfectly camouflaged within the foliage. Only when one drew close could the intricate architecture be seen: homes carved into bark, bridges of silk-thread spanning tree to tree, lanterns that glowed with natural light like dew drops suspended in time.

Yet, the fairies needed no tools to tend to Yggdrasil. Their very existence nurtured it. Each of them exuded a subtle healing aura... something that permeated the air, the soil, even the roots beneath the ground.

On the other hand, living near the root of Yggdrasil... where Earth’s energy was thickest and purest had sustained the fairies entirely. They required no food or drink. They lived on Earth’s energy, and this was the best place for them to be.

Here, they thrived in it and gave back in equal measure. To them, Kvernheim was not just a home, it was heaven.

Encircling the forest was the middle ring, the beating heart of commerce in this mythical realm. Towering stone walkways and wide plazas unfolded into a sprawling market district... a place unlike any other on Earth. This was the only place where one could legally and reliably purchase spirit medicines, enchanted weapons, spiritual armor, and other rare mystical items. Dragon merchants presided over shops of all kinds: some housed within marble halls, others in floating platforms of polished blackstone. Colorful banners fluttered with sigils denoting clan allegiance, trade rating, and item grade. Here, shops both buy and sell items simultaneously.

Restaurants served delicacies prepared from spirit beasts, offering food rich in spiritual energy, potent enough to nourish mages and shifters alike. There were hotels that tuned their rooms to an occupant’s core affinity, and meditation parlors where elemental energy flowed like music. It wasn’t just what was sold here... it was how.

Nowhere else on Earth boasted such a rigorous and respected appraisal system, making Kvernheim a global hub for high-tier trade. Even outsiders like other supernatural races or human cultivators visited this layer, knowing they could deal in rare items with fairness and safety.

The final ring or the outermost layer appeared to be a sprawling mountain range at first glance. Jagged peaks rose like a protective wall around the inner city. But these weren’t just mountains, they were dragon dwellings. The massive creatures had carved their homes within the mountains, creating cave-nests that spiraled deep into the cliffs.

From the outside, the structures resembled natural formations. Inside, they were fortified nests equipped with modern facilities: crystal-powered lights, voice-activated enchantments, temperature controls, and libraries of knowledge stored in rune-sealed memory stones.

The dragons preferred seclusion, but their presence was a vital part of Kvernheim’s balance. Each peak had its guardian, and the guardians watched over the world. Though fierce and ancient, they had adopted the harmony of this city, choosing to live with restraint and wisdom rather than wrath. They served as both protectors and regulators, ensuring that Kvernheim remained safe from external threats and internal greed.

As Erevan entered the city, he was just as amazed as he had been on his previous visit. Kvernheim never failed to surprise him with its eternal beauty and wonders.

He had first come here with his father when he was young. Back then, he felt like a child thrown into a sea of candy. Years had passed; he had grown more experienced and wiser. His perspective might have changed, but his excitement and wonder remained the same.

He took a deep breath and felt the purest air on Earth fill his lungs. Then he turned around to receive the others who had followed behind him. Once everyone arrived, two dragons took the lead and began walking through the forest toward the jagged peaks of the distant mountains.

Erevan knew the drill, so he followed the dragons. Soon, they passed through the mountains and entered the city. A massive dragon flew overhead. His companions shivered at the sight and stared at the sky where the creature had disappeared.

He urged them, "Don’t fall behind. This place is like a maze. Although you can see trees everywhere, if you don’t follow the dragons, you’ll get lost... even if you’re heading in the right direction."

Three of his companions bowed and said, "Pardon us, My Lord. It won’t happen again."

As soon as they passed through the forest, a bustling city came into view. They saw all the supernatural races living harmoniously and working together. Vampires, Werewolves, Nagas, Werehyenas, and Merfolk walked the streets and worked in the shops. Some were in their human form, while others remained in their true form.

Although there were restrictions that aside from the dragons no other race could open a business here, that didn’t stop them from hiring workers from other races. This arrangement actually benefited the businesses, as most of the customers were from other races. Buyers often preferred shops where they could communicate with someone from their own race.

The birthrate among dragons was very low. Although powerful, they were limited in number. It was said that nature itself kept the dragon birthrate low so that other races could live peacefully on Earth. After all, a dragon required a lot of food and a vast space to sleep.

While most supernatural races preferred to stay in their human forms, dragons and fairies chose to remain in their true forms. It was said that because of this nature, they decided to stay hidden in this city and rarely ventured into the outside world.

Fairies were a different case altogether. They didn’t need to leave, as their ultimate pleasure and needs were fulfilled simply by remaining close to Yggdrasil. Although they could transform into human form, it was difficult for them. Among all races, their control over human form was the weakest.

Other than these two races, most supernatural beings preferred to stay in human form during normal times. Werewolves, for example, remained in human form unless they needed extra strength for a fight or physical task. The same applied to others. This habit also helped them avoid breaking the supernatural convention of remaining hidden from humans.

As soon as the surrounding werewolves saw their king walking through the bustling business district, they placed their hands over their hearts and bowed respectfully.

Erevan nodded in acknowledgment as he followed the two dragons leading the way toward the inner circle.

One of his guards whispered in surprise to another, "How come there are so many werewolves here? We had to be escorted by dragons... how could they enter?"

The other replied, "You don’t know?" Then he explained, "There’s an Exploration Society in Svalbard. It’s run by dragons and works like a human embassy. Other races apply there to visit Kvernheim. Just like a visa process, when the dragons approve the application, they bring them here in batches."

He paused, then added, "Most beings in the supernatural world don’t have access to pocket dimensions. They come here to train and progress. Even those who do have their own pocket dimensions come here to break through. The spiritual energy here is denser than anywhere else. After all. it’s the home of Yggdrasil."

The first guard said, "Now I understand. But what do the dragons gain from all this?"

The other replied, "Simple. Anyone who comes here has to pay for food and lodging. The dragons own everything. While we have many businesses in the human world, dragons rely entirely on tourism."

Erevan cut in, "Stop talking. We’re almost there."

Just as his voice reached the guards’ ears, the two dragons ahead of them suddenly stopped.

"Lord Lychos," one of them said, "you must proceed on your own. We do not have permission to enter the inner circle. Your companions must stay with us. Only you have been summoned by Lord Yggdrasil."