Chapter 167 – Have You Returned?

– Chirp, chirp.

Birds are singing outside the window.

– Throb.

It was already morning when I awoke to the pain in my lower abdomen.

‘Ugh.’

My pelvis and back ache. Have I neglected exercise for too long? When I thought of Lee Si-heon, who kept touching me during the early hours because my flesh felt tender, my face flushed with heat.

‘…But still.’

We had sex.

I shouldn’t have let this happen. I shouldn’t have given in. As I turned over, Lee Si-heon’s face was right before my nose.

“Hmm…”

So close… I’m breathless. Is he asleep?

I placed a finger near his nose to check if he was breathing, and he was exhaling air at regular intervals.

“……”

‘He’s asleep… A kiss should be fine, right?’

With caution, ever so slowly, I brought my lips to his, kissed them, and gently slid my tongue inside.

“Uhmm…”

I’m so happy…

Perhaps it’s because it’s morning, but my mouth feels warmer. My lips are rough.

A smile forms at the corners of my mouth.
It wouldn’t bother you, would it? No… You can’t be bothered.

We have to be together, always and forever.
Listening to the voice in my heart, I stretch out both arms and act a little cute.

I pull Lee Si-heon’s sleeping hand and place it on my waist. With one hand, I move his other hand onto the pillow and rest my head there.
I wish he would caress me… Is it crossing a line to unconsciously desire such a thing?
Like we’re embracing, this time I reach out my arms.

– Tight.

“Si-heon… his arms are full. Ugh…”

Ah, truly… it’s the best.
He’s mine. All mine.

Revenge I couldn’t carry out myself? I have no lingering regrets.
Even if I hadn’t sought revenge… He’s so precious to me that I would have prioritized him over vengeance.

‘I don’t like the idea of more people… but if he truly loves only me.’

I wish I could keep her in my pocket for the rest of my life, but the world refuses to oblige.

“……”
“Churp, churp.”

He continued to intertwine their tongues and gently stroked her coarse hair at the back of her head. Her sleeping form resembled that of a child.

Is this how I should lead? I prod her unresponsive tongue with mine, imitating the rhythmic movement that was incredible last night.

– Flash!

In that instant, Lee Si-heon, who had been sleeping like a child, opened his eyes.

“Hic… Haha.”

As I quickly withdrew my head in surprise, Si-heon wickedly smiled and wrapped his arms around me. My heart pounded.

“Were you, were you awake?”
“From the beginning.”
“……”
“You looked cute.”
“Ah, seriously…”

My cheeks must have turned a deep shade of red again as they felt warm. Si-heon, embracing me tightly, laughed and rubbed his face against my cheek.

The puppy-like skinship is delightful. It feels as if he’s marking me as his own.

Yeah… I’m yours. You’re mine. I’m yours too.

It’s okay to touch, and laughter emerges when our skin brushes against each other. Where else can one find a connection deeper than this? There have been very few things in the world that have given me such certainty.

Even the mother who gave birth to me betrayed me. But with this person… perhaps they won’t.

Their touch was warm enough to melt my deeply rooted distrust of people.

‘Still, there’s a chance… they might leave me.’

For the rest of my life, until I die—even if I die first—I will keep them in my sight and watch over them.

“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“If anything happens to you, tell me right away. No… if it’s serious, come to me for advice immediately. Understand?”
“…Yes. But you must do the same.”

I never want to forget that warm touch.

Like my father. I won’t lose someone I love ever again.

* * * * * *

【 Azalea trees are added to the ‘Arbor Encyclopedia’. 】

—
□ Azalea Tree [Encyclopedia number: 041] [Scientific name: Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz] [Other names: Two Dog Flower, True Flower, Heaven and Earth Flower]
– Plant-based Wooden Person. Azalea order, Azalea family, Azalea genus.
– A deciduous broad-leaved shrub of the Azalea family. Distributed in Asia and elsewhere, it grows 2-3 meters high. Small branches have scales.
– Flower language: Moderation, integrity, and the joy of love.

‘As a pure-hearted person, you capture many people’s hearts and do not let them go. However, you are so naive that you are living lonely and painful days.’

– Ability: [Spirit Affinity]
– Open information: 78.53%
—

[Adds great aptitude to encyclopedia opening privilege, stat increase, spirit management, and affinity.]

“Oh…”

After sending Azalea. I turned on the status window after a long time and looked at the scenery.

The pages brimmed with various content, but what immediately caught my eye upon opening the tome was the ability I had gained from my recent liaison with Azalea.

‘…Spirit affinity.’

Elementalism. It piqued my interest, but I already possessed sufficient means to fight. Should I extend my reach further here, I risked losing both rabbits.

‘And the harvest is quite substantial.’

As time passed, I could feel King Mokryeong’s power more tangibly. Typically, once an ability surpasses level 10, it stagnates. However, King Mokryeong’s ability allowed me to effortlessly increase my capabilities without much exertion.

‘If I were to assume… that I have nearly unlocked my full potential.’

Filling the encyclopedia with the power of King Mokryeong while most of my potential has been unleashed would be the most ideal method for growth.

‘In this situation, isn’t it actually beneficial that I haven’t touched the encyclopedia until now?’

My potential from the past had reached its limit.

Thanks to relentless training and pushing his body to its utmost limits, it would be an overstatement to say Lee Si-heon has reached the pinnacle of his abilities, but he has certainly grown strong enough to be a formidable opponent for most adversaries. Perhaps he could even vanquish the weakened World Tree with his own hands.

‘Status window.’

============================
【 Name 】
Lee Si-heon (Candidate for World Tree’s Husband)

【 Age/Height/Weight 】
20 years old / 187cm / 84.18kg

【 Abilities 】
– Strength 9.8
– Endurance 8.6
– Agility 9.2
– Stamina 8.7
– Magical Power 12.6

– Charm 9
– Intelligence 7
– Potential 15
– Luck 10

□ Unique Characteristics (2)
[Arbor Encyclopedia (S)][Combat Type Body (S→SS)]
□ Owned Skills (2)
[Black Sword (-)][Heavenly Demon Divine Technique (S)] – NEW!
□ Temperament (4)
[King Mokryeong (-)][Swordsmanship Aptitude (B→A)][Magical Aptitude (B→S)][Lewd Demon (F→B)]

■ Powers (2)
[Healing (-)], [Remnants of Time (-)] – NEW!

【 As the growth progressed, the potential decreased. 】
【 Your potential is absorbed into your temperament! The ranks of several temperaments increase. 】
【 I pay homage to your unyielding mental fortitude in the face of the excruciating pain of being severed entirely. 】
【 The king’s energy has been confirmed. The status window will be partially updated. 】
============================

Something has changed quite significantly. I hadn’t checked the status window for some time, but upon noticing the distinct alterations, I see that new abilities have emerged alongside a power column.

The developed combat-ready body and each of its qualities are noteworthy. Above all else, the Heavenly Demon’s skill, which I obtained personally, holds greater value.

However, the most irksome aspect is the growth of the lascivious demon and the newly acquired power.

▶ Lustful Demon (B)
[Category: Temperament]
“You are the most exceptional pervert I know.”

– Bonus for all sexual activities. If you don’t release your sexual desires, you’ll be tormented to the point of wanting to die. And you can get aroused by anything! Are you really going to indulge in it all?

“…Mom.”

I wondered why enduring an F-ranked lewd demon was so difficult, but it had grown in the meantime.

“It’s a truly whore-like ability.”

It’s been a while since someone cursed at my ability.

It felt like I had returned to the past when I thought I had come back to the World Tree of Purity. I used to roll around doing various things back then. Those memories are now worth pausing and reflecting upon.

I lowered my finger to check the power that the World Tree of Time presumably granted me.

▶Remnants of Time (-)
[Category: Power, One-time]
“Ich, vertraue, dir”
“A tree that remembers you.”

“…There’s no description of the ability?”

In the explanation window, there were sentences written in German and sentences written in Korean.

The description of the power was nowhere to be found.

Although it was clear that the ability Baekyang had given me would come in handy someday… the uncertainty was nothing but frustrating. I scratched the back of my neck and closed the status window.

Checking the favorability and using the accrued points for a draw might be an option, but for now, I decided to put that aside.

– Squeak.

I opened the hotel door and went outside.

Dressed casually, I carelessly shoved my phone into my pocket and wandered around the hotel.

‘Where could Cornus be?’

A gentle retriever with a more innocent charm than a sunflower, with soft cheeks and cute round eyes. Being with her was soothing enough to be dubbed “Cornus Therapy.”

She also had a particular fondness for tteokbokki.

“Hey, Si-heon! Hi~”

As I walked down the hallway, a familiar girl greeted me warmly.

“Yeah. Do you happen to know where Cornus is?”

“Cornus? She must be drinking in the auditorium.”
“…Huh? Cornus?”
“Yeah, she looked so cute… Hehe.”

Has Cornus evolved?
The girl who was talking about Cornus was giggling, as if recalling a fun event from the day before.
Did Cornus transform from a Pikachu to a Raichu while I was gone?
If it’s true, I can’t help but be surprised.

“Ah, but Si-heon, it might be a bit dangerous for you.”
“Why?”
“Umm…”

The girl stared at my face, her cheeks slowly blushing.

“No, it’s nothing. There was some kind of incident. Was it urgent?”
“Not really… So, she’s in the auditorium, right?”
“Yeah, they played a drinking game last time.”

After exchanging proper farewells with the girl, I headed down to the auditorium.
No way… That Cornus.
I can’t believe the girl who clung to me because she didn’t have any friends took the initiative to get close to someone.

It felt as if my close sister, with whom I once shared my life, had broken free from my embrace and now frolicked around unrestrained.

Upon arriving at the auditorium, I immediately opened the door.

– Squeak.

The smell of alcohol wafted in simultaneously.

Several cadets lay in a row in the corner, seemingly having indulged in drinking until morning.
Others, with a strong taste for alcohol, continued to imbibe.
Meanwhile, Cornus was delivering a speech.

“… For Geomeusul, all you need is a Pop! and a Pick!”
“Hehehe, Cornus, what is Geomeusul? Swordsmanship?”
“Exactly, Geomeusul! … I feel like having Tteokbokki.”
“Ahahaha, Tteokbokki, again.”

Were they discussing swordsmanship? Cornus twirled her eyes, imitating the act of swinging a sword to and fro.

“… Why are you laughing?”
“No reason.”
“Si-heon always laughs when he sees me. Is there a reason?”
“What’s the relationship between Si-heon and Lee Si-heon?”

Amidst all this, it was nothing short of astonishing that he remained expressionless.

As soon as Cornus heard my name, she arched her eyebrows and subtly puffed her cheeks.

“Siheon… I don’t know.”

Why don’t I know?

“I’m a stranger.”
“But you keep talking.”
“Who…?”
“Cornus.”
“Hmph, I don’t know. Who is Si-eon?”

Why does she ask others about me?

“He said he’d introduce me to a friend, but he suddenly disappeared.”
“…No, well, something happened. Cornus, please understand. I feel sorry for Siheon.”
“I understand. But. He left without saying anything…”

That’s, uh, I’m sorry.

Cornus must have had a hard time while I was away. Losing a reliable group project member would certainly cause distress.

Especially in cases like “Form a group with someone you like.” Groups with only two or three friends are stretched thin. Then kids who don’t study or play step in, and there’s actually one person who ends up carrying the load.

Still, seeing them gathered like that and drinking together, it seemed they had become close friends, perhaps due to my absence—a blessing in disguise.
In a way, it felt as if they were teasing me. But teasing has always been a part of Sansuyu’s charm.

The cadets would surely maintain their boundaries on their own, for after all, they were genuine aristocrats.

“…So Shi Eon doesn’t know.”
“Heh.”

If I were to intrude upon them now… well, I doubt I’d encounter a pleasant scene.
I cautiously retreated and left the auditorium.

I would apologize to Sansuyu later.

‘The remaining time is… um…’

Perhaps I should go meet the teacher and send them off casually.
Though they said they didn’t need an escort, I knew they’d be upset if I didn’t go. It was time to make preparations to leave.

Having exited the auditorium, I immediately returned to my room and began to prepare.

* * * * * * *

The end of the training session.

What can I say? It concluded rather uneventfully.

In truth, I hadn’t enjoyed anything apart from the first day of the itinerary. After returning, I spent most of my time resting, meeting with other students, and drinking.

I had decided to part ways with my teacher for now and agreed to get in touch later. Additionally, I planned to have an in-depth conversation with the stars soon.

The return flight was fast approaching.

Upon returning, the sun had already dipped into twilight.

I arrived at the entrance to my dormitory room, loosened my shoulders, and stood before the door.

‘…Heaven.’

Master. Zodiac and White Peach.

This was our first encounter since the past.

Though they might not remember me, it elicited a distinct feeling within me. I slid my trembling left hand into my pocket and opened my room door with the other.

It had been three months.

– Thud.

“Kyaaak! Hurry up, hurry up!”

Zodiac’s clear voice echoed through the crack in the door. As the door swung halfway open, Zodiac’s face, urgently tapping her feet, came into view.

Indeed, she had a spotless and adorable face, devoid of any flaws.

The moment I opened the door—

*Clack.*

Shiba’s figure, standing at the entrance, caught my eye.
My daughter, waiting for me with her round eyes wide open.
Her kindergarten uniform, reminiscent of a newly hatched chick, was endearingly cute, as if she had just returned from school.

“Shiba?”
“Shiba~ Hurry up, show me what you’ve learned.”

Zodiac encouraged Shiba by clapping her hands behind Shiba’s back.

Shiba clenched and unclenched her tiny, charming hands.
As she shook her head from side to side, her green hair, mirroring the hues of nature, swayed gently.
Shiba parted her lips and closed them. After a while of doing this, she looked at me and slowly, hesitantly, opened her mouth.

“…Daddy.”

My body stiffened as I entered the room to embrace Shiba.
Had I just misheard?

“Have you… returned?”

【 The World Tree of Purity lets out a bright cry! 】

Upon my return to the past, I found that Shiba had advanced one level.