Chapter 109 – A Shift in Perception (1)

On the last day of the holiday following the tournament.

“Come here, my dear. Would you like to try this?”
“Beep?”
“You just need to fill this area with these pieces.”

I called Shiba over and showed her the toy I had bought previously. Shiba promptly began to assemble the puzzle blocks with her fern-like hands.
It was a simple puzzle, creating squares by fitting the shapes of the blocks together.

“Beep? Beep?”

That’s right, you need to fill in the rectangle first.
In no time, Shiba had completed the puzzle, her cheerful cries filling the air.

“Paah!”
“Oh, well done!”

Shiba managed to complete the puzzle in just three attempts. I don’t know if it’s because she’s a tree, but she’s incredibly clever. And I’m not just saying that—she truly is. Even though she can’t speak, she has already mastered all sorts of games. Who wouldn’t call her a genius?
Looking at it objectively, and not just subjectively, Shiba truly deserved to be considered a genius.

“Bba~ Heehee.”

Shiba snuggled in my arms, rubbing her cheeks against me enthusiastically. It seemed like she was asking for more praise, so I continued to compliment her, playfully tousling her cheeks and hair.

“Great job! My girl is the best~ She’ll go to Harvard~!”

The angel of our dormitory is radiant again today.

– Squeak.

The sound of the door echoed. White Peach, who had walked through the door, glanced at us. Ever since that night, whenever her face showed, she wore a pouty expression, filled with resentment.

“What on earth are you doing so early in the morning?”

Her words had become quite harsh. I thought I had handled the situation well, but it seemed that it hadn’t fully resolved.

“It’s our child’s education.”

“What education… It’s just a distraction.”

White Peach pouted, casually lying down on the bed and closed her eyes. I chose not to argue back. Although we feel awkward around each other now, eventually, things will work out.

I was well aware from long experience that Baekdo, like me, had a tendency to gloss over past events.

The real issue was with Hwangdo, not Baekdo. Strangely enough, after the night when Baekdo and I shared drinks, Hwangdo had not shown herself. This was unusual for Hwangdo, who typically woke up with hearts in her eyes and embraced Shiba every morning. She hadn’t shown her face even once.

‘I don’t know.’

Was it a shock for Baekdo to discover the truth? Or had she actually seen everything that happened that night with her own eyes while pretending to be asleep? Either possibility made sense… It was frustrating not being able to have an open conversation with her, especially since she was hiding within her body.

– Suddenly –

At that moment, Baekdo, who had been sleeping, abruptly raised her upper body. Her hair had turned a vivid scarlet. Had her consciousness changed? Cheondo rubbed her eyes and looked at me holding Shiba. Then she offered a faint smile.

“You two are like a close mother and daughter.”
“We’ve always been close. Master, would you like to hug Shiba too?”

“……”

-Nod.

I transferred Shiba, whom I was holding, to Cheondo, who quietly stretched out her hands. Shiba, extending her arms towards me, wore an expression of dissatisfaction, but it seemed she had grown accustomed to this situation due to her previous experiences, so she reluctantly allowed Cheondo to embrace her.

Pook – Shiba nestled against Cheondo’s large breasts. Cheondo buried her face in Shiba’s hair and closed her eyes.

“It’s so cozy.”

Shiba, with her duck-like snout protruding, and the beautiful woman embracing her. If they were to have a photoshoot, it would likely sell tens of thousands of copies effortlessly. The scene was heartwarming enough to evoke such thoughts.

Some time later, Cheondo set Shiba down and cleared her throat.

“Ahem, anyway… I have something to say.”

“Right after waking up? You should eat first.”

“It’s fine. This comes first.”

Shiba, pouting, clung to me once again. What Cheondo has to say is undoubtedly about the results of the recent tournament.

“News about the Forest Keeper selection will arrive soon. Some cadets have already been confirmed, but in your case, you’ll likely be chosen in the additional selection. That’s why we have to wait longer. You understand why, right?”
“Yes.”

She bowed her head. Heaven crossed her arms beneath her chest.

“You acted contrary to my expectations, but that’s in the past now, so I won’t discuss whether it was right or wrong.”

“Regardless, you’ve become a rising figure in many guilds. At least within the Academy, there’s no one who can match your reputation.”

It was true.
Even as I sat there, love calls from guilds were being updated in my inbox on the internet. They claimed to highly value my potential and promised never to treat me poorly, urging me to sign a contract with their guild—an unsurprising proposition.

Among them was an association responsible for upholding one of the world’s pillars. Uniquely, the association had conveyed its intentions through a star connected to me. I had declined their offer for now.

Of course, it wasn’t just the guild that approached me.

[Hi, I’m XX. Would you like to have a meal together?]
[I’m the person you helped last time. Can I offer you something in return?]
[The last match was incredibly fun! Can we meet personally first?]

Recently, the number of messages from cadets I’d never spoken to before increased exponentially.

‘How strange.’

Those who never responded before are now initiating conversations. I felt a peculiar sense of discomfort that was difficult to describe. Among them, there was a guy who had once spread rumors about me. He must not have realized I overheard him.

‘If you received help, you should have come to repay the favor that day or the next… Why are they offering something now, after all this time?’

Do these people have no shame? That’s what I wondered. Nonetheless, it was only now that I truly felt the relief of those who had been desperately struggling to survive, finally finding some breathing room.

Upon achieving success, it’s not uncommon for people you barely know to reach out.
Regardless, the feeling was undeniably pleasant.

“It’s not bad.”
“True, it isn’t. At least for now.”

Heaven spoke enigmatically, segueing into a fresh topic.

“It’s time to train you for the Forest Keeper selection.”

Now that the task was complete, I had to exert myself once more.

Heaven wore a sardonic smile as she spoke to me. Her laughter had become more frequent lately.

“We need to focus on real-world application now.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“Instead of something akin to purgatory… we’ll be conquering ordinary dungeons. Just don’t assume they’ll be simple affairs.”
“Starting when?”
“Once the retreat is over.”

Roughly two weeks from now.

“After the training ends, we’ll have to part ways for a while.”

As I pondered the timeline, Heaven announced this rather abruptly.

“So suddenly?”

“Yes, there’s been a lot of work piling up.”

It was a reasonable statement. It’s too much to always expect someone to look after their apprentice. By acknowledging this, I was able to express my true feelings.

“It’s a shame. When will we meet again?”
“Probably after the conclusion of the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament. Or perhaps even later than that.”

‘If the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament is over…’

The Forest Keeper Selection Tournament was a massive project that consumed nearly an entire semester; this meant we would be apart for quite some time.

“Oh~ Are we finally liberated from living together?”
“It seems that way.”

Heaven looked at me, speaking with nonchalance, and replied with a somewhat skeptical glance.

Regardless of the circumstances, it was now time for Shiba and me to have our own sanctuary. Still, the thought of separating so suddenly left a bitter taste in my mouth. Initially, living together had been awkward, but it had now become essential. In this world, the ones who felt like family were Heaven, Zodiac, and White Peach.

The relationship with Baekdo had become somewhat strained lately. It seemed that it would be best to have a conversation, even if it had to be forced.

“But what is this unfinished business?”
“It’s related to Dowonhyang. I’ll call in Bob and Rossi… and that elusive Sumpy to handle the overdue tasks. Why, do you want to learn? If you can assassinate without any hesitation, I’ll teach you.”
“…I’ll pass.”

Cheondo, having anticipated this response, unfolded her arms.

“And there are still too many pesky flies around for us to be together.”
“Excuse me?”
“There’s one near you, too. Calling them a fly doesn’t quite fit, but they’re similar enough.”

Aha… a fly. Before Cheondo could give it much thought, she lifted her buttocks off the bed.

“So if there’s anything you need to finish before then, do it quickly. Be it a relationship with a woman or anything else.”
“There is something I must do. Oh, right. Master.”
“What is it?”
“Would you like to go see the Freak Cure?”

Cheondo’s face hardened.

“You never choose the right moment to joke.”

Only I know that this woman enjoys their animated shows.

“Of course not.”
“…”

Brushing it off, Cheondo attempted to move toward the living room with her eyes closed. Somehow, her figure appeared cold. I chuckled and added to the conversation.

“No, I can’t resist. I need to watch it too. After all, Shiba enjoys Pretty Cure… Let’s just go.”

– Standing firm.

As if she had been waiting for those words, Cheondo touched her furrowed brow and feigned a deep sigh.

“… Sigh. It can’t be helped.”
“Would you like to wear casual clothes today? Let’s stop by a department store on the way. I’ll recommend some nice outfits for you.”
“Do as you wish.”

A delightful day off.

Leaving the weeping cellphone behind, I fully enjoyed the remaining few days.

* * * * *

Inside the cafe.
A red-haired woman sat at a table, smiling as she handed a letter to the man.

“Jung Si-woo, cadet. Congratulations.”

Isabella.

A woman who had been granted a portion of the decision-making authority in the forest keeper selection process and the first female bishop of the World Tree of Prosperity, one of the Five Great World Trees. Simultaneously, she was the next Holy Maiden, receiving immense support from the Wooden Faith. The green emblem on her chest symbolized her exalted status.

“I recall your name was different back then.”

“Hehehe. What does a person’s name matter? What’s important is that I’ve ascended to this position and been granted a name.”

Due to their acquaintance, Jung Si-woo could comfortably converse with her. They had met when she was a nun, but when had she grown so much? Occasionally, she seemed more driven by her desire to rise higher than by her noble aspirations.

“Anyway…”

Isabella showed a benevolent smile.

“Congratulations on being the ‘first’ nominee for the Forest Keeper Selection. Ah, did I say ‘first’? It’s ‘first.’ Listen well. I saw you when you were a child, and you’ve really grown, haven’t you?”
“Haha…”

Jung Si-woo accepted the letter placed on the table.

Forest Keeper Selection.
An unparalleled opportunity to receive guidance from S-class hunters, hailed as the strongest of the current generation.
In the past, this would have been a stage he would have eagerly pursued with burning eyes.

Jung Si-woo hesitated to open the letter, merely fiddling with the seal without a word.

“What are you doing? Open it.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Isabella interjected. Jung Si-woo continued to ponder.
After some time, he finally spoke with difficulty.

“Sister, I’m asking because it’s between you and me. How many others have been chosen so far, besides me?”
“Hmm~ This is top secret.”
“…”
“Well, I’ll let you know that I’ll help you if you need it later.”
“Then, let it be so.”
“Accepted~”

Isabella rested her hand on her chin, thoughtfully considering before slowly revealing each name.

“There’s a tribe over in Africa with a truly insanely strong woman… And then there’s the candidate for the World Tree’s husband. The last one is a person who walks around with eyes wide open… the top student at Manhattan Academy. The first three that come to mind are these.”

The African continent, nearly untamed, with its failed governments and partially collapsed countries, was home to tribes that battled monsters.

Manhattan Academy was on par with El Academy, which was evident without needing to say it.

“And the others… Ah, yes, there are also a few princes and princesses.”

For instance, the cherry blossoms of Japan…

As the conversation continued, Jung Si-woo interrupted.

“Then, am I the only one among El Academy’s students so far?”
“That’s the situation. But there are still many people left to choose… Why do you ask?”

“No. There’s one person I’d like to recommend… But I probably won’t be able to participate in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament.”

A baffling statement.

“Huh?”

Isabella inquired with a perplexed expression.

“What…? You can’t participate?”
“That’s the situation.”
“Do you understand what that means?”

Isabella blinked and appeared dumbstruck. Declining the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament was a decision most people wouldn’t even consider.

“Did you perhaps suffer a serious head injury?”

The opportunity to consume the legendary Ice Cap Ginseng was offered to a man who claimed he would become the finest warrior. Who in their right mind would refuse such a chance?

That’s precisely what Jung Si-woo just did. The Forest Keeper Selection Tournament was a stage not easily accessible even for the most experienced hunters. The fact that he was still in the development stage and needed to possess exceptional skills on a global level served as a significant barrier.

“I have something important to attend to.”
“…Your sibling?”

He nodded.

Isabella sighed. It was a sigh that could only escape her lips because she was somewhat aware of his background.

“I understand how you feel. Becoming a candidate for the Forest Keeper selection… in reality, it’s akin to the will of the World Tree. You know what it means to deny this, right?”

It meant defying the will of the World Tree. While Jung Si-woo’s intentions would certainly be respected, there were no guarantees that the higher-ups would react favorably.

“Being a husband candidate would grant you some leniency… Anyway, I understand. Let’s move on to a different topic. Who would you like to recommend?”

If the person was despicable, she’d tear their limbs apart.

Harboring such an absurd thought, Isabella asked Si-woo. Jung Si-woo scratched his cheek and cautiously revealed the names of the three individuals.

“…Do you know Lee Si-heon?”

“Huh? Yes, of course I know him. He’s a strong candidate too… why?”

It was then that Jung Si-woo’s tone changed.

“Wow, you do know.”

“???”

“I’ve tested my sword against him, but he’s truly formidable.”

Usually, Jung Si-woo was adept at praising others, but today, for some reason, his compliments felt forced and awkward.

“It was really challenging to face him. You know how difficult it is to say that a fist can defeat a sword, right?”
“Yes, yes… But has he always been like that?”

Ignoring Isabella’s perplexed question, Jung Si-woo continued speaking.

“And, perhaps, he’s even stronger than me.”

There was a genuine sincerity in those words.

An honest recommendation without any thought of repaying a debt. He uttered these words after much contemplation, believing that this talented individual must enter the preliminaries.

These were the words of Jung Si-woo, considered one of the top talents.

“Are you serious?”

In the end, Isabella had no choice but to seriously consider the existence of Lee Si-heon.