Eat The World Tree

On the bed. In Lee Shiheon’s room.

Taeyang, who had been covering his face with a comic book, let out a long yawn.

“Yawwwwn. Why isn’t hyung coming? The atmosphere’s been tense lately too.”

He noticed the movements of Flower, who was busy with some work. It was about time for that, anyway.

This had nothing to do with him, whose only concern was to find the Tree Spirit King.

Taeyang turned his eyes towards Aori, who was sitting on the floor next to the bed.

“Hey.”

Aori turned her head at his half-hearted call. Her eyes held a look that said, ‘That guy’s doing it again.’

“How long are you going to keep making that?”

The sawdust that had stuck to the blade fell, and Aori proudly held out the wooden piece she was holding.

“I made it well, didn’t I?”

“What is that?”

“A wooden pussy.”

A so-called knothole. There were people who preferred softer wood materials.

Aori’s skills, which were just a hobby until last year, have been improving by leaps and bounds.

“You’re not assisting like you’re supposed to, but just making dildos… What do you think hyung would say if he saw this?”

Aori pondered, resting her chin on her hand, in response to Taeyang’s taunt.

“Wouldn’t he praise me for doing a good job?”

“Tsk tsk tsk. You still don’t know hyung. I’ve never seen anyone who hates wood as much as he does.”

“How could someone hate wood?”

“Exactly. So stop making those things. Unless you want to get scolded for no reason.”

Pouting, Aori slightly spread open what she had made.

The intricate details of the inner folds showed craftsmanship.

“I made this while thinking of the Sage.”

“The Sage? Why all of a sudden?”

“I made it imagining what she might look like. Imagination is free, right?”

“You’re crazy.”

“Wouldn’t the King like someone like the Sage?”

“He would like that.”

The mentor of Lee Shiheon and the one in charge of this third trial.

Taeyang recalled the Sage’s face.

Like a Nordic noble. Her skin was so pale it was devoid of any color, yet she held an innocent purity.

But it wasn’t like she lacked charm.

Her large chest was enough to stir the hearts of many men.

“…Now that I think about it, there might be quite a demand for this.”

“Right?”

“But, would hyung ever look at another woman? Unless it’s to boost his stats. There are plenty of beautiful people around like the Sage.”

“Who?”

Taeyang immediately took out his phone and searched for pictures online.

On it was a face so pale it would be a shame to rank second, glaring at the camera at the airport with a haughty look.

“Baekdo.”

Taeyang proclaimed. Undoubtedly, she could be called the number one in hunter appearance.

The leader of Spring Peach Blossom, possessing both skill and beauty.

She might not surpass the Sage in honor, but in terms of pure beauty, she’s the prettiest among all hunters he’d seen so far.

Of course, it depended on individual taste.

“So men like this kind of woman.”

“Damn, if you don’t like this, you’re not human. Just holding her hand would be enough to make you fall head over heels. And from what I hear, she seems like someone who would date soon.”

The two of them have always supported Baekdo and Shiheon.

They could hold up a banner saying [Baekdo♡Shiheon Supporters] and cheer like young girls.

Aori squinted her eyes at this comment.

“Doesn’t mean the King doesn’t fancy the Sage, right?”

“That’s not it.”

Lee Shiheon, that guy, his relationship with women was as fluctuating as his mental state.

With the right opportunity, they wouldn’t be surprised if he got close to any woman.

Born with the luck of the Tree Spirit King, wouldn’t it be his specialty to charm one or two women?

“But how could he aim for the Sage?”

“That’s true.”

Aori agreed with Taeyang’s words.

Initially, there’s no way Lee Shiheon would think of pursuing the Sage, and above all, the Sage’s status was formidable.

On par with Mugung, or perhaps slightly below.

Being slightly below Mugung wasn’t a big deal since they were both treated as living legends. They shouldn’t even think about pursuing her.

How could he try to seduce such a person?

Even Taeyang, who lives life recklessly and would stick anything into a knothole, would definitely stop him.

“But what’s the point of us talking about this? Hyung will take care of it himself.”

“Yeah.”

Aori fiddled with her masterpiece.

Completing it by dressing it with underwear.

Bear underwear under a noble appearance. For some reason, it seemed fitting.

-Click!

At that moment, the door opened.

Aori and Taeyang’s faces turned simultaneously.

“Oh, hyung. Have you come?”

“Ha.”

The man, with a face slightly mixed with stress, let out a bitter sigh upon seeing them.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Taeyang mumbles as he slightly moves the bed out of the way.

“I was warming up the bed for hyung.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Ha ha, sorry.”

Taeyang, who I was seeing after a long time, seemed to enjoy himself as he grinned.

Sansuyu and Maronnie, due to their status, had to make many phone calls, so they decided to rest and meet in the evening.

I came in first because I had people to contact as well. They really shouldn’t be like this.

“Did you sleep in my room the whole time I was gone?”

“Strangely, hyung’s bed was much softer. There’s something thrilling about it.”

“…What?”

“You should’ve guarded your room better. Knowing the password by heart… Oh, I’m sorry. Sorry- Aah!”

He kept making jokes that suited him while chuckling.

I threw the suitcase I was holding at Taeyang’s face and sat down in the chair next to him.

“King.”

Aori, what are you holding?

-Open!

Seeing her proudly showing off a soft rubber tree sculpture, my head started to ache.

“…Yeah, you’ve always been like this.”

Being away for a while, instead of being moved, it just made me angrier.

Having kids chattering around can be fun, but it’s also exhausting.

Nevertheless, it can be said that this is fortunate.

“I have something for you guys to do.”

Taeyang, who was unpacking the suitcase, and Aori, who sneakily placed the wooden sculpture next to my bed, both looked at me at the same time.

“Oh. Is this the first move of the Tree Spirit King? Is he just coming out into the world now?”

“No, this is a request from the Sage.”

Sage. Both of them shivered at the mention of that name.

Aori momentarily glanced at the wooden sculpture on her side.

“I felt like Flower was about to invade here soon.”

“Yes, you told us about it last time.”

“I’ve learned the exact date. It’s their plan, so it could be changed anytime, but it will happen before the fourth trial.”

Before the fourth trial begins. There’s a time when the dropouts from the second and third trials returned to their countries by plane.

Since minimizing civilian casualties was necessary, I thought the attack would be scheduled after that.

But the Sage denied this outright.

“Does that mean we’re going to be hostile with Flower?”

I responded indifferently to Taeyang’s question.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, if that’s hyung’s choice.”

He chuckled.

“Does that mean you’re conspiring with the World Tree?”

“That’s not it either.”

“What? I thought you were talking about defending this place?”

Why would I defend the cradle?

The Sage’s request has always been about protecting civilians.

The goal was to minimize casualties, and at least, the students who weren’t traitors should return safely.

“Ah.”

Taeyang nodded as if he understood.

“But that seems to be the hardest part. They say the World Tree values humans, but they treat humans worse than ants.”

“So that’s why we were asked for help.”

“Us?”

“Sansuyu and Maronnie. And I plan to gather a few more.”

Sansuyu’s combat power, as seen before, was comparable to that of a National Tree.

Even in the first trial, when she teamed up with other National Trees to fight Maewha, didn’t she do well?

Back then, she hadn’t fully adapted to her power yet. Her potential was overflowing.

The fact that she was comparable to a National Tree meant her strength was several times more valuable than other hunters.

‘I personally want Sansuyu to quit.’

But if she wanted to help, insisting otherwise was stubbornness.

“So, we have to help with that?”

“Do you have something to say?”

“Well, we’ll do as we’re told. But even with us included, there’s only five. Is that possible?”

Taeyang continued speaking while still organizing my luggage from the suitcase.

“Even so, we’re dealing with Flower. Don’t you think the Sage would anticipate this?”

It’s true it’s dangerous, but most of the forces would focus on the cradle.

I planned to help the Sage as much as I could without suffering losses myself.

“We’re just helping. We need to increase our numbers.”

“That might be the right move. But in a situation where anyone could be Flower, is that feasible?”

“At least, we know who definitely isn’t Flower.”

There were a few people who could be safely ruled out as not being Flower.

They’re also somewhat of a force.

I knew from direct confrontation.

Taeyang tilted his head, not quite understanding.

Aori just listened quietly, indicating she would follow my lead.

“Hyung.”

Taeyang stopped organizing the luggage and looked at me seriously.

“Helping people is good, but. Do you realize this is a significant opportunity for you?”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

Taeyang was taken aback by my unexpected answer.

“What did you say?”

“I said I know.”

The Cradle, where many species of trees from around the world were located.

However, due to the tight security and the attention it attracted, it was hard to intervene.

On the day Flower invaded, as someone not aligned with either side, it’s an opportunity to significantly weaken both forces.

There would be plenty of additional benefits as well.

This was why I was not just helping the Sage for no reason.

I calmly explained my thoughts. What I aimed for here, and what else needed to be known.

This major event could be easily manipulated to cover even the most heinous acts.

After listening to everything I had to say, Taeyang opened his mouth in admiration.

“…Hyung. Your mind really works, doesn’t it?”

“Want to die?”

“Sorry.”

I had to cross this line eventually.

It was something that couldn’t be delayed any longer.

I needed to make the most of the opportunity given to me.

The World Tree’s husband candidate. Tree Spirit King. The power of Cheonma. High-level potential.

The growth I had achieved in just a few months was remarkable, and even if I didn’t hide it, I could at least protect my own life.

“But it’s strange. The Sage asking for help from you, who is the Tree Spirit King. Could there be some trick involved?”

“Whether there is or not, it doesn’t seem like she’s hostile.”

While brushing off Taeyang’s words, I recalled the Sage’s face and suddenly checked my status window.

【Mulberry tree is added to the 'Plant Encyclopedia'.】

【Fig tree is added to the 'Plant Encyclopedia'.】

□Mulberry Tree [Encyclopedia Number: 452] [Scientific Name: Morus alba L]

-Alias: Odina Tree

-A plant from the Plantae kingdom, in the Moraceae family, genus Morus. Grows to about 3-4 meters.

-Flower language: Wisdom, Unrequited Love.

-Affinities: [Magic Affinity], [Intelligence Affinity]

-Open Information: 14.51%

'Among the green mulberry leaves, standing out.'

'When the milky juice of the mulberry turns red like a mother's nipple.'

'In spring, like a mother tree who undoes her robe once to give milk.' - Mulberry Tree/Kim Doso "Going to Jammo" 2015, page 3.

[Encyclopedia Unlock Bonus: Slight stat increase and all magic-related affinities. Wisdom significantly increases.]

[Due to the relationship with deep-blooded trees, post-acquired stats increase by 0.2 each.]

□Fig Tree [Encyclopedia Number: 453] [Scientific Name: Ficus carica]

-Alias: Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

-A plant from the Plantae kingdom, in the Moraceae family, genus Ficus. Flowers from spring to summer, native from Western Asia to the Mediterranean coast. It grows in various places. Known as the tree of knowledge of good and evil from the Bible, it's said that when the fig tree sprouts, the Messiah will return.

-Flower language: Abundance, Fertility, Rich Harvest, Diligence.

-Affinities: [Spirit Affinity], [Wisdom Affinity]

-Open Information: 1.01%

[Encyclopedia Unlock Bonus: Slight stat increase and all spirit-related affinities, wisdom significantly increases.]

‘Hmm?’

Two trees.

Not one, but two trees were recorded.

Even though the relationship was only with one Sage.

Considering that even when I was with Hwangdo, who had three personalities, only one tree was recorded, this was strange.

‘Even if they’re both from the Moraceae family, it’s still odd.’

Nothing would be surprising coming from the Sage.

Regardless, this was to my advantage. The growth in stats was the most noticeable so far.

Did this mean fruits would also grow together?

Anyway, there wouldn’t be a need to have relations more than twice.

I easily shook off any lingering attachment.

Checking my dantian, I could definitely feel more mana accumulated than before.

I had only felt this kind of experience with Hwangdo until now.

Indeed, this method was the most superior for increasing abilities.

The more powerful the being I had relations with, the greater the stat increase seemed to be.

I rotated my shoulders to loosen up.

The increased spirit affinity would surely bring significant development to my birds.

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