Chapter 1 – Responsibility Without Pleasure
“Take care of my mother.”
I had an ominous feeling that I was in deep trouble.
“Take responsibility!”
It’s not because of the child who is screaming in front of me right now.
‘I can’t speak.’
From the moment I opened the door, a wave of uneasiness engulfed me.
I tried to force myself to swallow, but my throat stiffened and wouldn’t move.
An indescribable fear, the sensation drawn from deep within, didn’t escape outward but seethed inside.
Cold sweat trickled down to my chin and dropped.
“Understood?”
The grinning child appeared grotesque.
The sensation of a vast abyss staring into me. Helpless fear. Tears streamed from my tightly shut eyes.
[World Tree]
Suddenly, that word flitted through my mind, only to dissolve like morning dew.
– Tuk.
– Tuduk, tuk.
Sweat continued to fall. The child’s one-sided gaze suddenly seemed familiar.
“Tsk, why did you have to mess with my mom?”
The cold expression on the contemptuous child’s face no longer held any trace of their previous innocence. My mind couldn’t comprehend the situation, leaving me feeling disoriented and dizzy.
I wasn’t the one who messed with that child’s mother. After all, I’m just a reclusive person – who would I have bothered?
I was just an ordinary college student. That was me.
‘The only thing I might have done… that morning…’
– Slick.
As if reading my thoughts, the child laughed.
‘Ah.’
Upon understanding the situation, a deep sense of regret washed over me.
* * * * *
When I regained consciousness, the world had changed. To be more precise, I had been pulled into another world.
Was this what they called fate? Ridiculous.
I aimlessly lay on the mattress, killing time, and eventually found myself gazing at the hologram window before me – the one I had tried so hard to ignore.
【User Lee Si-heon. Welcome as the first husband candidate. 】
A flood of foreign knowledge had been unsettling my mind for some time now.
An absurd amount of information made my brain feel as if it were boiling.
That I had come to another world.
Even when I realized my situation and tried to deny it, reality remained unchanged. I had no choice but to close my eyes and take some time to sort through my thoughts. It didn’t take long to understand that the knowledge being forced upon me was vital for surviving in this new world.
“Ah.”
A sigh escaped my lips.
“Damn it.”
I covered my face with both hands and then slid them down my cheeks. A single sentence was enough to describe the situation I had just grasped.
I arrived in this world after consuming the World Tree.
* * * * *
This world is comprised of several World Trees.
Each World Tree, having sprouted from the void, nurtures the children born from its roots, watching over its creations with a motherly gaze, ensuring their proper growth.
My world is [RH2-Earth], a place without a World Tree, an enterprising realm that has undergone unique development. What’s important is that a young World Tree, having taken interest in this world, rooted itself on Earth.
‘I managed to bed her.’
As a consequence of the World Tree’s daughter holding me responsible, I was dragged into an unheard-of otherworld.
‘Unbelievable. How could I have bedded a World Tree?’
All I did was thrust my penis against a small tree on the hill behind my house. It was a mere act of masturbation by a pathetic wretch. Who would’ve known that such a small tree could be a World Tree? These crazy people.
Regardless of how much I cursed, it remained inexplicable.
I sat on the bed, sighing heavily. A wave of pointless regret for my past actions washed over me.
“I managed to top my class after studying so hard, only to end up married to a tree.”
【The World Tree of Purity is ashamed.】
“Shut up. You’re too sensitive.”
【 The ‘World Tree of Purity’ appears sullen. 】
The semi-transparent hologram materializing before me constantly updates, as if engaged in an online game chat. Of course, the only lines that appear in the window are the World Tree’s insincere flattery and emotions.
That World Tree of Purity has been attempting to converse with me since the day I arrived in this world. It seems to be a tree destined to be my spouse, but I don’t find it particularly appealing.
“Can’t I return to the Earth I used to live on?”
I mumble, hoping for a response, but the anticipated reaction from the World Tree doesn’t materialize. It’s likely impossible. I scratch my head and chew on my lower lip.
‘What is Earth N-1? Even parallel worlds have their limits.’
This place is [Earth N-1], the world where the World Trees have taken root. I don’t know their true nature or why they lived and eventually perished. Knowledge was simply implanted into me.
Every part of my body detests the World Tree. Damn thing.
– Beep beep.
At the sound of the cheerful notification, I check the hologram window.
【 User-Lee Si-heon, as a candidate for the husband of the World Tree, you must become a person worthy of such a title. 】
“No.”
【 This guidance is a one-time occurrence, and you must proceed with the quest. 】
Not a chance. I continued reading.
【 The consequence of failing the main quest is your ‘complete extinction,’ and you must possess the appropriate attitude and responsibility as Ji-ah’s partner to the World Tree. Your user system will aid you in this endeavor. 】
Complete extinction. In other words, death. Essentially, these bastards were threatening me with an utterly terrifying ultimatum: become the best husband or perish.
“Heh, heh heh heh.”
The situation was so absurd that laughter was the only response. Had I ever felt this helpless in my life?
– D-ring!
[A quest has arrived.]
============================
【 MainQuest 1. A Different Beginning 】
▶ You are a foreigner who has drifted into this world. A consort to the World Tree? You may be qualified, but you remain insignificant. Prove your worth.
▶ The number of tasks assigned to you is [1].
– Gain admission to the El Academy.
[Quest Reward]
– Love of the World Tree x 1
[In case of quest failure]
□□□□□□
– Death awaits.
Time remaining: 120 days, 24 hours, 59 minutes, and 54 seconds.
============================
“Why am I considered a consort? And if I fail, do I just die?”
It appeared as if the World Tree itself was implying such a fate.
“Damn it all!”
With a single curse, I shook off the whirlwind of emotions.
My once happy life was now over. If I didn’t want to face death, I had no choice but to forcibly adapt to this world. I investigated this new world using the computer in my room.
‘Hunters and Heroes, Dungeons and Villains…’
Upon investigation, I found that this world closely resembled the modern fantasy I was familiar with. Aside from the tree-like beings called Woodfolk, who took on human forms, it wasn’t much different from the place I used to live.
I grasped the general idea. It was a familiar setting, yet a world I never thought could truly exist.
A fantasy where magic and swords coexist!
However, I didn’t feel particularly excited. Not once had I wished to gamble with my mother’s life, who lived in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do, and be thrown into a world like this.
[Please create your character.]
As I stared at the hologram window that appeared, I sighed with a sense of resignation.
‘What’s the point in denying it? I’ve already fallen into this world. Maybe, just maybe, if I listen well, they might send me back to my original world.’
The reason I came to this conclusion was not particularly extraordinary. The first reason was that my life and death were now controlled by those bizarre World Tree beings.
The second reason…
【Creating Lee Si-heon’s information window.】
============================
【Name】
Lee Si-heon (Candidate for the World Tree’s Husband)
【 Age/Height/Weight 】
24 → 20 years old / 174cm / 65kg
【 Abilities 】
– Strength 5
– Durability 5
– Agility 5
– Stamina 5
– Magic Power 5
– Charm 5
– Intelligence 5
– Potential 5
– Luck 5
※ Charm, Intelligence, Potential, and Luck are innate stats and cannot be augmented with additional points.
□ Unique Traits (0)
□ Owned Skills (0)
□ Temperament (0)
– Remaining points: 100
============================
The second reason is that this is my area of expertise.
Thanks to the game experience accumulated over the years, I am well-versed in these systems. I moved my finger and manipulated the ability that should be the top priority.
– Potential 10.00 (maximum)
– Remaining points: 27
Innate abilities such as Potential and Intelligence, with a value of 5, belong to a category that is quite outstanding. Those with an innate ability reaching 7 are often called geniuses. An innate ability reaching 9 is a domain that only those who define an era can possess.
‘I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but potential is essential for one’s growth.’
Potential gradually decreases as a person grows and blossoms with unique characteristics and skills.
It must have been a winning lottery that consumed more than half of the points, but had to carry the potential.
It’s complicated to explain why, but the biggest reason is –
“A gamer who can’t endure stagnation.”
I was going to make all the points to match the growth potential.
It was a business that did not lose money, and I had to be wise to live in this world where the World Tree was watching me.
[Choosing unique characteristics]
– Sword Deity (EX) 500p.
– Mana Ruler (EX) 500p.
.
.
.
In the unique characteristics column, most of the characteristics could not be selected as remaining points.
But if you don’t have a point, you can get it yourself.
In the ability value we just saw, there were plus (+) and minus (-) on both sides of the number.
– Strength 4.00
– 29 points left
As I reduced my muscle strength, my holding points increased as expected.
Then there was only one thing left for me to do.
– Strength 1.00 (minimum)
– Durability 1.00 (minimum)
– Agility 1.00 (minimum)
– Stamina 1.00 (minimum)
– Magic Power 0.00 (minimum)
– Remaining Points: 256
While acquired attributes could be increased through effort, most unique traits could not be obtained, no matter how hard one tried.
Select and focus.
Since I couldn’t have everything, I needed to concentrate on my potential. I reached for the Charm attribute.
– Charm 4.00
【The World Tree of Purity is taken aback.】
“Hmm?”
– Flinch.
– Charm 3.00
【The World Tree of Purity shakes its head disapprovingly.】
【Compulsion is activated!】
– Charm 3.00 → 5.00
“No, I don’t like that.”
– Charm 1.00 (minimum)
– Remaining Points: 561
【The World Tree of Purity is on the verge of tears.】
What’s important is one’s abilities, not appearance. If needed, just give up on being a spouse.
In particular, it was worth relinquishing innate points such as appearance. I invested points into luck.
– Luck 10.00 (max)
‘Luck is essential.’
I wanted to drastically reduce my intelligence, but I decided to stop because I was afraid of becoming a fool.
What remains are traits and temperament.
To earn points, I added various temperaments that function as debuffs.
-Temperament: Ugly Appearance [F] +100p
-Temperament: Obscene Devil [F] +50p
-Temperament: Discordant Leader [F] +50p
-Temperament: Severe Obesity [F] +100p
【 The World Tree of Purity weeps loudly. 】
“What, why, what?”
【 The World Tree of Purity implores you earnestly. 】
I can’t help but cry.
I had to endure these penalties in order to utilize the temperament I had observed.
-Temperament: Late Bloomer (EX)
▶ [Extraordinary Growth]: Potential is greatly increased. (Current potential: 10 → 20)
▶ [Bound to Bloom]: Excelling in various fields, proportional to potential.
▶ [No Giving Up]: Significantly increases mental strength.
※ This ability is invisible to others!
A precious ability created by exhausting all the points you’ve gathered.
[Are you sure? Y/N]
As soon as I pressed Y, my entire body felt heavy.
Lowering my gaze, I saw a generous expanse of flesh settled on my stomach. The moment I laid eyes on it, the future hardships seemed all too clear.
Still, one’s temperament can be erased through personal effort.
If I lose the weight, I can shake off severe obesity in one go.
‘Compared to the worst, the other temperaments are relatively easier to overcome.’
Not high risk, high return, but high risk, hyper return.
It was never a losing deal.
There are 100 days left before applying for admission to the academy.
Until then, I must raise my abilities as much as possible.
I slapped my cheeks a few times with both hands.
The situation was bleak, yet for some reason, I didn’t feel bad.
No, it was rather exhilarating.
【 The World Tree of Purity sobs. 】
The World Tree that had swallowed me whole was now weeping, bound by its own branches.