Chapter 141 – Three Peaches (1)

[Lee Siheon?]

‘Yes.’

[It seems there’s a problem.]

From the spot where the old man stood, gazing down at Do-won, the World Tree of Time spoke to him.

‘What problem?’

[Due to the length of your absence… there was a commotion.]

I nodded my head up and down upon hearing the World Tree’s words.

‘I see.’

It was something I had anticipated. In the other time zone, I had vanished without a word and hadn’t returned to my lodgings. Although I was in the past, the present time hadn’t stopped. One month in the past was equivalent to one day in the present. From that perspective, I had disappeared and a single night had passed.

‘So? Do I need to return immediately?’

[No. I sent a message to the shaman, informing her that you had to step away for a while due to some matters. It should be delivered shortly.]

‘That’s a relief.’

If I were to move to that time zone, the lifespan of the World Tree of Time would rapidly decrease. There are many people I long to see, but I must endure. What else can I do?

I plopped down onto the dirt floor at the mountain’s peak, taking in the expansive view of Do-won.

[Are you satisfied with what you have achieved so far?]

I shrugged my shoulders in response to the World Tree’s sudden question.

‘I’ve gained more than enough.’

[Then I’m truly relieved. It pleases me to think I’ve been of help to you.]

‘Just paying lip service?’

[Well, one could see it that way.]

When conversing with the Heavenly Demon, the rosy hue of early dawn had gradually transformed into the sunset heralding the morning.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on my surroundings for a moment.

At this instant, only the minor sounds of daybreak filled the air—the bustling footsteps of an innkeeper and the voice of a tofu vendor.

Each time training concluded, I could momentarily sense the tranquility of this place as I gazed down from the summit of the mountain.

Such an enjoyable atmosphere, I think every time.

[You are quite remarkable.]

‘…Hey.’

[Yes?]

‘Enough with the flattery. What on earth are you doing all this for?’

[Recall the emotions you experienced when you witnessed her death. I am merely feeling something akin to that.]

‘Aha, I can really feel it now.’

In the past, I couldn’t comprehend it, but now it seemed as though I could grasp the emotions of the World Tree. She must have desired to change something in the future, considering that she bowed her head to me, someone with no connection to her.

[Nonetheless, it is true that you are remarkable. Your mental fortitude is indeed worth emulating.]

‘You must thrive in social situations.’

[I will be dead soon, though.]

“Heh-heh-heh-heh.”

I chuckled. Having engaged in ample small talk, it was time to make a move.

Holding the torn clothes in one hand and scratching the back of my neck with the other, I rose from my spot and slowly infused my body with magical energy.

I turned and looked behind me.

The training ground lay empty, as if a mountain had been razed. The earth was dug up as though a crane had passed through, and the trees were uprooted. Indifferently, I reached out a hand to where the catastrophe had taken place.

– Woosh!

The magical energy emitted from my fingertips gathered, filling the ground and raising the trees. I couldn’t make the once-withered grass grow again, but this was enough to restore the area.

[By the way, what are you planning to do next?]

Inheriting Heavenly Demon’s power had gone smoothly. I had checked even the smallest details, including any errors or minor movements in the process. The eighth herb was still dangerous for me to use, but I had certainly mastered its application.

Do-won’s management was uneventful. Running around on foot, the crime rate in the area had decreased significantly.

‘There’s a lot to do… but it’s simple.’

Just doing my best.

The realization that my actions might impact the present meant I had to do everything within my power.

‘I need to establish a new identity.’

The house where I resided when I arrived in this world, and my status.

I was uncertain whether it was prepared by the World Tree of Purity or by my past self. Nonetheless, there was a necessity to create an identity as a contingency. Especially in the Republic of Korea, where ID cards are issued and managed for all citizens, it was advantageous to establish an identity when possessing some degree of power.

Luckily, Hong-Yeon had numerous diplomatic connections, which would prove helpful.

[I hope everything works out well.]

The World Tree of Purity spoke to me with a sincere voice.

‘Yes, you too.’

My interests aligned perfectly with the World Tree of Time. Initially, the relationship with this tree had been uneasy, but I gradually began to develop a fondness for it in its own unique way.

* * * * * *

It had been over a month since I arrived in Dowon, and just a week had passed since I started feeling more at ease. As time progressed, my work efficiency improved, and my schedule began to clear, allowing for some leisure.

My body’s muscles had become more toned than before, and the faint scars from my battles with the Heavenly Demon gradually faded.

“…This is the ID you requested a while back. I don’t understand why you’d want it.”
“Thank you.”
“It cost a bit of money. Also, there’s been an increase in some unknown expenses. What’s going on?”
“Consider it as me repaying everything I’ve received from you.”

How much had I managed to save while in Dowon? Since I didn’t receive any wages beyond living expenses, I honestly believed it was fair to deduct the cost of a house.

“Tsk, fine. Just make sure to do your job properly later on… Have you been sleeping well lately?”
“Insomnia has become the norm for me, so it’s easier not to sleep.”

Hong Yeon reluctantly nodded, and I offered her a smile.
Her eyebrows furrowed at the flippant demeanor, but such behavior was common in a workplace akin to a family.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

“You’ve worked hard, Socheonma-nim!”

Today, I left work early.
As I raised my hand and stepped out the door, all of Dowon’s employees greeted me with a respectful 90-degree bow.

I chuckled at their earnest attitude as I descended from the top of Dowon.
In just over a month, I had accomplished much.
Thanks to that, I was now firmly in the eyes of many people as Socheonma.
Now, people who recognize me greet me at every street corner.

“Hello, Socheonma-nim!”
“Hi.”

As soon as the children playing with the ball saw me, they all rushed over, squealing in delight.

“Are you on your way home after working today?”
“Yes.”
“Wow! That’s so cool. I want to be like you, Socheonma-nim!”

As I found myself held back by the children’s chatter, I could sense eyes boring into me from behind. There had been numerous changes, and the Peach sisters I knew had also been affected.

A small child with white hair hid behind a tree, secretly observing me. Baekdo, who I had encountered once before, continued to follow me.

– Zing.

At first, I dismissed the blatant gaze as insignificant. The distance between us, initially around 10 meters, gradually diminished with each passing day.

Today, it was only 5 meters. Expertly concealed behind walls, trees, and jars, she persisted in her pursuit.

– Shuffle, shuffle.

If I maintained my pace, she would hurry along, matching my speed.

– Halt.

As soon as I stopped, she would cease her movements, attempting to hide her presence.

Today, I could sense the presence of two individuals, as if she had brought her younger sister, Hwangdo. Baekdo, peeking out with just her head while gripping the lid of a jar with both hands.

Hwangdo followed Baekdo’s rear with a bored expression on her face.

Perhaps it was worth eavesdropping on their conversation. They were close enough that if she strained her ears, she could just make out their quiet words.

“Baekdo, is he really a bad person?”
“Don’t doubt me, Hwangdo. That kind of person always sneaks off somewhere at night to do wicked deeds, you know?”
“What sort of wicked deeds does that older brother do?”
“Uh, well… Anyway, wicked deeds! I’m Baekdo Holmes today. I must capture his disgraceful actions and drag him down from his position as Heavenly Demon.”
“Baekdo, have you been reading mystery novels again?”

Baekdo Holmes – such a childlike idea. But those novels were undeniably entertaining, perfect for passing the time.

Judging by Hwangdo’s unenthusiastic tone, she seemed to be reluctantly playing along with Baekdo’s contrived drama.

‘I must have told her that I had no intention of becoming Heavenly Demon. Is she feeling insecure?’

It had been a while since she had last seen them, and now here they were again. Baekdo must have been troubled by her increasingly prominent position.

I greatly appreciate the concern for Cheondo’s future, but the lack of trust in me seems to fit perfectly, whether it’s the present or the past.

Pretending to take a side path, I halted my movement at the fork in the road. Leaning against the wall, I waited for Baekdo. Our eyes met precisely with the one who followed me in.

“Ah!”

“Why are you following me?”

Baekdo’s body stiffened as soon as our eyes met. Instantly, like a small animal facing a large one, she puffed up her upper body as much as possible.

“Uh, no, well…”

Does she realize her actions were wrong? Baekdo, tense and searching for an excuse, suddenly yelled at Hwangdo, who had followed her in.

“Did Baekdo really go this way? …Ah, I’ve been caught.”

“Damn it, Hwangdo, it’s because of you! You didn’t hide properly!”

Hwangdo’s eyes widened.

“What? Why are you suddenly blaming me?”

“Why can’t you even hide? You’re so good at hiding those strange magazines.”

“It’s not a bizarre magazine, you know?”

Hwangdo, stung by Baekdo’s admonishment, raised her voice in response. She seemed angered by the perceived insult to the magazine. I watched, dumbfounded, as the sisters traded barbs and accusations.

“Baekdo, you’re the one who’s always badmouthing the magazines I enjoy. They’re a legitimate hobby!”
“What kind of hobby is that? I bought and read through all the magazines you asked for last time, and they were filled with nothing but weird phrases! ‘Suck all of my fluids~?’ What fluids? What does that even mean?”
“It’s, it’s, it’s not weird, okay? You’re the strange one for having such thoughts, Baekdo! Lots of people read these magazines, you know?”

The heated exchange of words left me feeling disoriented. I kept my mouth shut and listened to their argument, but eventually, I couldn’t help but intervene as it seemed there would be no resolution.

“What are you two even doing?”

In response, Hwangdo spoke to me as if to prove a point.

“Baekdo said that your brother is a really bad person. We have to tail him and gather evidence – whoops!”

“Hey, seriously!”

Betrayal swifter than light.

Baekdo blocked Hwangdo’s mouth and glared at me.

“What… what are you going to do about it?”

She seemed to be aware of her own mistake.

“Didn’t I tell you last time?”
“Words and actions are different, you know!”

Baekdo cared about Cheondo, but from my perspective, seeing Cheondo every night, I hadn’t noticed any particular signs of it. Just last night, she had been singing along to the opening of Precure while eating a mouthful of sausages.

‘I remember bringing it up once.’

While watching cartoons, I casually asked if she had any concerns. Cheondo shook her head with a sullen expression when I tried to broach the subject.

“Why do you ask such a question?”
“No reason, just curious.”
“Do-won, I’m doing fine, okay? I’ll catch up soon. By the way, what’s the cartoon you brought today?”

Her saying she’d catch up soon made it seem like she was indeed concerned about her lack of progress.

It seemed as though something was being concealed. However, it didn’t appear as though it would be revealed just yet.

“Even so, this is an issue between Heaven and me.”

“…”

At my natural retort, White Peach closed her mouth. She must have thought it was a valid point.

Nevertheless, she seemed unable to control her resentment, as her cheeks puffed up and her mouth pursed. Her eyes also began to blur with moisture.

“I don’t know!”

In the end, she turned her head and fled.

– Thud, thud, thud!

The loud sound of footsteps resonated. Glancing at the remaining Zodiac, she gave a bitter smile and feigned a sigh.

“Ugh.”

It was a sigh mixed with sincerity.

“I’m sorry. White Peach can be quite stubborn…”

“You’ve been through a lot too.”

At a glance, she appeared mischievous and playful. It was clear that Zodiac had been a good companion to her. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Zodiac much since arriving in the past.

As I looked back at Zodiac with curiosity, she was intently staring at me.

“Little Heavenly Demon… right? Like Heaven.”
“Seems so.”

Zodiac continued to gaze at my face, then smiled awkwardly.

“…White Peach isn’t that bad of a person. She’s just bad to me!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”

I chuckled because I could clearly see Zodiac’s intent for me not to hate White Peach too much.
Maybe I should listen to their stories.

“Zodiac.”
“Wow, you remember my name too? Why?”
“Do you want to just go grab something to eat?”

Upon hearing this, Zodiac’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth with a baffled expression.

“Food…?”

Blinking, Zodiac moved her eyelids and processed my question before taking a deep breath.
Perhaps she was imagining something strange.
Zodiac nodded her head and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Is this your way of flirting?!”
“No, we’re just going to eat.”
“Hmph.”

Indeed, it was a peculiar fantasy that had been correct.