Chapter 2 – Uglier than Goblins, Fatter than Orcs, But Favored by the World Tree

– Tiri-ri-ri-ri-ring!

– Clack!

I turn off the alarm on my smartphone and groggily rise from bed. I tear open an energy bar from the bedside table, put it in my mouth, and rummage through the wardrobe to change into suitable workout clothes.

I’m sleepy.
I’m sleepy, but let’s get moving.

After putting on my sneakers at the entrance, I mark the calendar hanging by the door with a ballpoint pen from the shoe rack.

– Day 13 in this other world.

Today is the beginning of my workout routine.

– Gulp!

“Heh, huh, heh.”

Starting from the front of my apartment, I run at full speed towards Seoul Grand Park. Though it’s something I wouldn’t have normally done, the fear of falling behind if I hesitate spurs my body into action.

Upon arriving at the park at dawn, I find others who have come to exercise just like me. I naturally join them and run along the trail that encircles the Great Forest.

“Hoo, hoo.”

What I’m doing now is building my basic physical strength. In order to enter the academy, I need to raise my fundamental abilities somehow.

There were moments when I wanted to give up, but when those times came, my enhanced mental strength gripped my ankles and forced my body to persevere. I walked when exhausted and ran when recovered.

As time passed, more people began to fill the park. From this point on, it was a battle against myself.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting. What’s with that appearance?”

Hurtful words from those who laid eyes on me. Even with earphones in, the sound seeped through.

“Hey, aren’t goblins less ugly than that? It’s unbelievable.”

I pondered as I ran.

“I really can’t stand looking at that jerk. Let’s just leave, big bro.”
“Heh heh heh, fine. Did you hate seeing that so much? But it’s hilarious. Who bestowed them with such a face?”
“I don’t know, it’s just so ugly.”

Endure, hold on.

Being ridiculed for my appearance had become a daily occurrence. It would be a blessing if they only cursed at me, but sometimes there were those who would narrow their eyes and exit the park, simply for sharing the same air with me.

I had no choice but to rein in my anger as I observed them.

“It could happen. What’s my charm level, anyway?”

I continue to work out while attempting to hypnotize myself. I wanted to brush it off nonchalantly, but being human, I couldn’t.

“Ugly, huh?”

The truth stings my heart. There’s no denying that my current charm is at an absurdly low level.

[Charm: -2]

These abysmal numbers didn’t just appear out of nowhere. My inherent traits were the root cause of this predicament.

[Lustful Demon], [Repulsive Appearance], [Severe Obesity].

The unexpected synergy these traits created eventually turned me into an unsightly man, even worse than a goblin. Thus, I could understand why people might look at me this way.
I admit it.
I can truly grasp all of it.

[The Frustration (F) is activated.]
.
.
.
.
.
Overwhelmed.

“Why the hell do they have to openly say that I’m ugly?”

I had a handicap.

[Frustration (F-)]
– Unable to restrain my anger. Occasionally, I get angry without reason.

An anger management disorder.
I understood, but that didn’t make it forgivable.

I charged towards the couple who had cursed at me, gripping a stone from the ground as naturally as water flows.

“You bastards! What, do you think you have any claim on my face!?”
“Ahhhh!”

At that instant, I dashed towards the woman like a phantom.

– Chin.

Someone roughly grabbed my shoulder, restraining me.

“Disturbances are prohibited in the park.”

With the force of the grip on my shoulder, I had no choice but to drop the stone. Turning my head, I saw a familiar woman dressed in a smart suit, wearing a faint smile.

“You?”

Her frosty remark, cold as midwinter ice, extinguished my boiling anger. In that moment, I felt genuinely grateful that my temperament was perceptive.

“Follow me.”
“Yes.”

I obediently trailed behind the security guard.

“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know how many times this has happened?”
“The seventh.”
“… Ugh.”

The security guard, clearly irritated by our brief exchange as we walked, heaved a deep sigh. Her fists trembled with anger.

“Do other people know about this? Are you really going to get banned from entering? Seriously, you crossed the line today. Why would you pick up that strict stone from the floor?”
“Well, I didn’t think the leader would rise today, so… somehow…”
“I’ve heard that excuse more than nine times. Think about it from my perspective. Every time something happens, I see you. Would I be angry or not?”
“I’m sorry.”

They closed their mouth and repeatedly bowed their head.
I genuinely feel sorry for this guard who has been looking after me since I arrived in this other world. If things go well, I could do anything for them.
Thinking about it, they didn’t curse when they saw my face. Instead, they tried to approach me fairly.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I truly won’t come anymore.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. But if you’re going to exercise, isn’t it better to go to the gym?”
“They told me not to come.”
“…”

Pity filled the guard’s eyes as they looked at me.
Seeing that, I sheepishly scratched the back of my neck and smiled.

My unattractive appearance affected more than just the gym.
Malicious pranks in the food I ordered had become all too common. At the worst of times, I stood there dumbfounded, even attracting the attention of the police. They said there was a suspicious person loitering.

‘Being ugly is a curse…’

【The World Tree of Purity, which had been lurking nearby, smiles and claims that it still loves you.】

‘What good does it do to be loved by a tree?’

Though I’ve done outrageous things, I am not a wooden dummy.
Even now, the thought is absurd, and my hands and feet tremble.
It’s unbelievable that my unintentional act of self-pleasure happened to come into contact with the World Tree’s intimate area.

‘Just wait.’

I loathed my pitiful situation, being at the mercy of the World Tree.
When I thought of the purity nonsense disrupting my peace and comfort, irritation surged within me.
I read through the hologram window laid out before me.

—
[Your stamina increases by 0.01 through rigorous exercise!]
[Your stamina increases by 0.01 through rigorous exercise!]
[Your stamina increases by 0.01 through rigorous exercise!]

[Stamina increases by 0.01 due to intense exercise!]
.
.
.
.
—

The dormant potential was surging like an explosion at this very moment.
My abilities were increasing faster than I was shedding weight.
I estimated that I would certainly reach average status within 100 days.

“Now, go on. I brought you this far just to keep up appearances.”
“Yes, I won’t come back.”

To achieve this, I had to engage in even more vigorous exercise.
I bowed my head in gratitude and left the park.

“Ahem, well.”

Then, a crisp and clear voice reached me from behind.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll open the gates at 3 a.m. If you’re going to work out, do it then. And don’t get caught causing a ruckus like last time.”
“Really?”
“Do you not like the idea?”
“No, I love it. I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”
“Forget it, who would want your love?”

A face worse than a goblin’s.
It was the first time someone had taken care of me like this, even after seeing my hideous appearance.

To encounter such a person… Could this be the result of my Luck at 10? I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to the security guard and headed home.

* * * * *

【 Name 】
Lee Si-heon (Candidate for Husband of the World Tree)

【 Age/Height/Weight 】
20 years old / 174 cm / 99.18 kg

【 Abilities 】
– Strength 4.2
– Endurance 2.0
– Agility 1.1
– Stamina 3.8
– Magic Power 0.0

– Charm -2.0
– Intelligence 5
– Potential 20
– Luck 10

□ Unique Attributes (0)
□ Owned Skills (0)
□ Temperament (5)
—

“Breaking the triple-digit barrier.”

He whispered, sweat dripping down his face.

A month had passed since he began exercising, and his efforts were finally yielding results. Overjoyed, he reached both hands toward the ceiling and let out a triumphant yell.

“Aaaaaaaaa!”

Today was a good day. Thanks to the gentle assistance of the lovely security guard, he had been able to exercise without inhibition. His weight, which had been 120 kg on the first day, had finally reached double digits.

If I continue exercising at this pace, I’ll undoubtedly get back on the right track. It would mean an escape from the tiresome obesity and this wretched negative charm.

Let’s proceed like this.
As I closed the information window with a grin, a new icon appeared in the right corner of my vision.

– [World Tree Auction] (New!)

A charming pink icon. A description soon popped up.

【The World Tree Auction is a store accessible only to the World Tree’s husband and prospective husbands, using the World Tree and the tree people’s affinity towards you as currency. The circulating currency is limited to points (p).】

You can convert the World Tree’s favor into points and use them like money.
Upon reading this sentence, I couldn’t help but exhale a bitter breath.

It’s not a sentence one could have anticipated.
When it comes down to it, I’ve violated the World Tree. Even if its affection were high, how much could it be?
Going outside… No, a crime doesn’t disappear simply because it wasn’t cheap.

‘I thought it liked me when I saw the chat. I don’t know if that’s genuine affection.’

I stepped into the store for now.

[Now’s your chance! From F-grade items to EX-grade unique traits! 100p per attempt!]
[A Spirit Weaver Set as a gift for you to attract the affection of the World Tree. 90,000p → 45,000p.]
[A fantastic night with the World Tree! 5p for a box of raised condoms.]

There were so many items on sale that I couldn’t help but chuckle. From random draws to package deals. The store was cluttered with marketing tactics one would expect from money-hungry game companies.
I scrolled down my smartphone screen, browsing the items.
The important thing was the money I had.

[Lee Si-heon’s initial p is determined by (Current World Trees’ affection x 100).]
[The number of World Trees paying attention to you is (1).]

▶ The rosy affection of ‘The World Tree of Purity’ is directed at you! [Current affection: 100]

[10,000p will be granted. Future points can be acquired through quests and relationships with the World Trees or Tree People, descendants of the World Trees.]

“…Huh. Why is the affection like this?”

When I rubbed my eyes and checked again, there was no change.
Favorability 100. I didn’t know if it was the limit, but I was certain it wasn’t a small number.

‘Why is she so taken with me?’

Truthfully, I hadn’t done a single thing to win the World Tree of Purity’s favor.
Rather, I had avoided doing so.
I worried that if she came to dislike me, she might expel me from this world,
So whenever I felt pessimistic about my situation, I would curse the World Tree.

But why on earth…?
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

How I ended up here. A single instance of sex.

I immediately dismissed the idea, but it was worth reconsidering.
Sitting in my room, I caught my breath and pulled down my pants.
My penis, incomparable to anyone else’s since childhood and the source of my solitary path, hung there proudly.

“No way… right? Hey, answer me if it’s true.”

The World Tree of Purity remained silent.

【The World Tree of Purity blushes.】

Merely a reaction in lieu of a response.

“This, this, this…”

Despair washed over me as I comprehended the situation.

[The squad leader is activated.]

“What madness! Such lewd, lustful creatures!”

A world where numerous World Trees are sanctified.
A world that grows stronger under the World Tree’s protection.
A dubious world where those with even a small blessing from the World Tree hold power.

In that place, I conquered the World Tree with a single act.

“Aaaaah!”