Chapter 110 – Shifting Perceptions (2)
“Of course.”
“Lee Si-heon is a stronger student, you say?”
Isabella attentively listened to Jung Si-woo’s confident response.
“I’ve been observing you for a long time, and I have to say-“
Isabella inquired as she dragged her fingernails across the coffee cup on the table.
The intense, piercing gaze of the zealous leader bore into Jung Si-woo’s very core.
“-In my opinion, you consistently underestimate your own talents. And I’m well aware that you tend to overestimate the abilities of others.”
“…Yes.”
“That’s why, to be honest, I find it difficult to believe what you’re saying.”
Jung Si-woo.
Isabella had met him four years ago. It was the day she embarked on her service as a nun.
Her role was to propagate the teachings of the World Tree and instruct students at the military academy. She recalled having a rather difficult time due to Jung Si-woo back then.
– You didn’t attend my class again.
– I apologize.
– What exactly are you doing, secluding yourself in the training room without attending any classes?
Jung Si-woo, a student at the military academy, was a troublesome individual who required a considerable amount of attention. He was the type of man who could always be found in the training room whenever someone sought him out for skipping classes.
It was Isabella’s responsibility to convey the will of the World Tree. Consequently, she inevitably became entangled with Jung Si-woo during her period of service.
Their frequent clashes led her to harbor resentment towards Jung Si-woo. However, as time passed, they strangely grew closer. Isabella often provided him with counsel.
Following the conclusion of her service period, they reverted to occasionally keeping in touch, but both acknowledged the close bond they shared.
The current Jung Si-woo was undoubtedly a top talent. Yet, in truth, he had not always been that way.
“You are too humble.”
Before becoming a candidate for the husband of the World Tree, Jung Si-woo was merely a man treated as insignificant. He wasn’t a noble, nor a tree spirit; he was simply a human male striving with all his might.
Isabella, who had known him since then, was aware of this.
Jung Si-woo’s efforts were deserving of recognition.
“Sigh.”
…Although now, he appeared as nothing more than a fool, kicking at a pumpkin that had rolled over from its vine.
“Understood. Lee Si-heon… I’ll remember.”
Jung Si-woo, a person recommended by a grand vessel. Isabella hoped that the saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ wouldn’t be a baseless one… She forced the words down her throat, swallowing them with effort.
* * * * *
“Status window.”
How long had it been since she last accessed the status window?
As her words fell, it wasn’t the translucent status window that appeared, but rather an intense pain that engulfed her.
【 MainQuest 3. To a Higher Place. 】
【 Your current ranking: 35th 】
.
.
.
【 Quest failed. Penalties apply! 】
Tilting!
Cheolpudduk – My body falls forward as my heart burns intensely.
It hurts.
Desperately pressing my hand to the ground, I remain in a prone position, focusing all my attention on shattering the status window.
【 Connection to the World Tree is temporarily suspended. 】
The pain subsides gradually. My heart, squeezed so tightly it felt like it would burst, barely endures.
“…Ah, damn it.”
A translucent solid line drops below my mouth. I can’t ignore the pain that arrived without warning.
There’s mana flowing throughout my body, as if ready to overflow, but it feels useless.
I rise from my prone position, wiping away the sweat.
In front of me, White Peach stands staring at me blankly.
“…What are you doing?”
“I almost died just now. The moment I opened the status window, I got hit with a penalty.”
“Should he have just dropped dead?”
That’s a harsh thing to say.
Cradling his injured heart, he got up and lay down on the bed, feeling the unbearable stiffness in his shoulders. A few minutes later, the status window returned.
“Status window.”
This time… it’s all in order. He read through the windows that appeared before his eyes one by one.
============================
【 Name 】
Lee Si-heon (Candidate for World Tree’s Husband)
【 Abilities 】
– Strength 7.5
– Endurance 6.6
– Agility 7.2
– Stamina 6.7
– Magical Power 8.7
– Charm 9
– Intelligence 7
– Potential 20
– Luck 10
□ Unique Characteristics (2)
[Arborist Sense (S)] [Combat-Type Body (S)]
□ Owned Skills (1)
[Black Sword (-)]
□ Traits (4)
[King Mokryeong (-)] [Swordsman’s Aptitude (B)] [Mage’s Aptitude (B)] [Lewd Demon (F)]
==========
Compared to having an ability level of 1, it has definitely increased significantly.
‘Now, there’s no need to even check the status window.’
I wonder if I could acquire another ability.
Come to think of it, I haven’t tried in a while.
What a stroke of luck it’s been…
‘Now that I think about it, isn’t it all luck that I met these people?’
There might have been some force involved, but even that could be considered luck, right?
White Peach, who had been sitting in a chair near the table and reading a magazine, glanced at me and threw the magazine she was holding.
“What are you looking at?”
-Whack!
As I dodged the magazine, the sound of paper rustling reached me from behind.
“Aren’t you being too irritable?”
“…”
“We don’t have much time left together. Are you going to keep acting like this?”
White Peach closed her eyes and turned her head, signaling that she had no intention of speaking. Observing her like that, I quietly muttered to myself.
“…Pathetic.”
-Whoosh!
The magazine flew toward me and covered my face.
“Who, who, who is pathetic?! I heard everything, so just shut up!”
“…And yet, you’re the one who said it.”
White Peach flew in and slapped my face.
The force of her palm left my cheek tingling.
I dropped the sticky magazine and gently rubbed my stinging nose.
“I said I was sorry. Please accept my apology.”
“It’s not pathetic.”
“No, I understand…”
“I said it’s not pathetic.”
“Then prove it.”
– Whack.
“Again, like that. Do you really want to die by my hand today?”
What kind of attitude is that?
All I wanted to say was this:
“We’ll break up soon, so let’s get closer and part ways with emotion before that. How long are you going to fight?”
No answer came back. White Peach must have thought I was right since she had her reasons too.
I offered one last playful apology.
“Right? Let’s not fight, and have sex… No, let’s reconcile.”
“You’re right.”
A blanket flew from White Peach’s hand, covering my body with astonishing speed. I couldn’t even react.
Wrapped in the blanket, I was trampled for a while.
“Well said.”
It felt like I was being humiliated. No, I truly was.
“Ah, ah!”
After about 30 minutes, White Peach gasped and agreed with me.
“You’re right.”
…This is maddening.
“Is that what you say after having beaten a person to near-death?”
“You deserved it.”
I admit it.
It seems harsh for someone who almost died, but…
“You deserved it.”
I admit it.
“Fine, I got off cheap with one beating. So, what do you want to eat today?”
In response to my question, White Peach closed her mouth and then cautiously spoke.
“…Budae-jjigae.”
“Got it.”
Now all that’s left is to clear up the misunderstanding with Zodiac.
I clutched my chilly knees and peered inside the refrigerator in the kitchen.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been more convenient to use the salad bar on the first floor of the dormitory. But living with the Peach Sisters, preparing and eating meals together became our daily routine.
Curiously, Shiba seemed to prefer the dishes I made. Considering I was the most skilled cook in the household, it seemed only natural.
…Or could it be that Cheondo is better than me? I would have to taste her cooking to know for sure.
‘Eat… fetch Shiba from the kindergarten… pack up, sleep, wake up, and head to the academy – that should be perfect.’
After mentally scheduling my day, I washed the rice and began cooking it. I also prepared the ingredients and sauce for a beef bone broth.
My cooking skills, which were once limited to living on my own, have greatly improved lately.
-Clatter, clatter.
The sound of the rice cooker’s pressure weight turning served as background music. As I prepared the ingredients, I was reminded of the drawing from earlier.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s been quite some time since I last checked my affinity…’
Likeability wasn’t of utmost importance, so I had casually checked it.
In the past, I was obsessed with likeability, as I would have perished without friends, but not anymore.
More than anything, I felt somewhat uneasy about knowing other people’s likeability.
‘Such a useful ability, though.’
Likeability wasn’t a skill meant solely for casual romantic pursuits.
It served as a criterion for me to judge whether someone would be willing to sacrifice a part of themselves for my sake.
For instance, when borrowing money.
Or even when they’re genuinely sacrificing their life.
Being able to see through likeability meant that, given the will, one could exploit that affection.
This person would listen to me. They would give for my sake.
Without the ability, it would be a request, but the moment I possess that ability, my attitude towards people would change.
Power isn’t the only thing that corrupts people. Abilities can do that too.
It’s as if I became intoxicated with my talent and fell into arrogance.
The immense value of the Favorability System made me hesitant to use it. I knew it was an ability I could exploit if I wanted to.
– Become more ruthless.
Suddenly, Heaven’s words reached my ears. It was as if she was speaking directly to me.
If you have the ability, use it, you foolish disciple.
‘…That’s true.’
If fear keeps you from using it, you’re an idiot.
With just a gesture, I summoned the Favorability System that I hadn’t used in a while. Opaque fragments slowly gathered before my eyes, forming a single window.
—-
【 World Tree Auction 】 – 【 Favorability Menu 】
[World Trees (2)]
▶The World Tree of Purity: ♥♥♥♥♥ (100/100)
▶The World Tree of Healing: ♥♥♥♡♡ (71/100)
[Wooden/ Human (9)]
▶Lee Se-Young: ♥♥♥♥♡ (95/100)
▶Zodiac: ♥♥♥♥♡ (93/100)
▶Azalea: ♥♥♥♥♡ (93/100)
A lengthy window.
As I read through it, my gaze was suddenly drawn to focus on one particular spot.
Jung Si-woo, who experienced a sudden surge in popularity.
To be honest, I didn’t think it was unusual, as it was what I expected.
The content was so astonishing that I had to widen my eyes in disbelief.
—
▶Zodiac: ♥♥♥♥♡ (93/100)
▶Azalea: ♥♥♥♥♡ (93/100)
—
‘Why did these two suddenly rise in popularity…?’
Zodiac, who I hadn’t been able to have a conversation with lately, and Azalea, who I hadn’t exchanged much dialogue with apart from receiving a gift after the exam.
I inadvertently checked the information for both of them.
—-
Name/Gender: Zodiac (Female)
Age/Height: 25/167cm
Sex Fantasy: Sister and Brother Slave Play
Romance Fantasy: A Long Hug in a Hot Summer.
Current status (additional): Jealousy, temporarily amplifying liking.
—-
—-
Name/Gender: Azalea (Female)
Age/Height : 20/165cm
Sex Fantasy: Spanking.
Dating fantasy: A zoo with a guy you like.
Current status (additional): Obsession, temporarily amplifying liking.
—-
“…What is this?”
Jealousy. The meaning of that word.
Obsession. Sudden emotional changes.
Their current condition was explained in words that could be understood at a glance.
I just struggled, not knowing the reason.
The women around me perceive me differently.
Apart from Zodiac, did I ever flirt with Azalea…?
I used to send text messages from time to time, or something like that.
When she seemed to be having a hard time, I would go to a drinking party and slap her on the cheek once to help her come to her senses.
I had been to the zoo with Shiba before. We used to act like close friends at the academy, always sticking together whenever there was a project.
‘Ah.’
Azalea had always thought that she clung to the idea of friendship. It was because she lost her father early on and couldn’t find someone to share her emotions with. Even though it was late, she believed that she had to fill that role as a friend. But she never expected…
– Woof, woo-woo!
At that moment, a vibration rang out from her left pocket.
Thump, thump. Her heart trembled.
She swallowed, turning off the gas first. Then, she took out her phone. A three-letter name flickered across the messenger screen on her phone.
It was then.
“An ice statue.”
A somber voice sounded from behind her.
“…It’s been a long time, sister.”
Creaking – an unnatural twist of her neck. She caught Zodiac’s face in her gaze.
“I’m thinking of having a meal with Master White Peach… Would you like to join us?”
“Baekdo has fallen asleep for a bit.”
“There’s no way…”
Since that sleepless night with Baekdo, Hwangdo, who hadn’t revealed herself even once, was looking at me with eyes full of various thoughts.
“Frostbite.”
She laughed.
“Let Heaven sleep too.”
Faint traces of magical energy could be felt on the surface of her skin.