Chapter 216 – Among Them, There is a Flower (2)

A stadium stretched out, centered around a massive outer wall. Dozens of trees grew along the walls.

[Forest Keeper Competition]

A variety of colors adorned the leaves. Some yellow, some green. The delicate foliage of the trees served as a natural roof for the arena.

It felt as if a stadium had been built within an expansive ecological park.

– Uuuu! Kikik, kikik.

Transparent camera artifacts floated in the air, capturing our faces one by one.

– Click! Click!

The sound of shutters snapping echoed throughout.

Reporters gathered around the outer wall, having come to this place to film the opening ceremony of the Forest Keeper Competition. They would all have to return to their home countries after a day. This was because the filming and distribution rights for the Forest Keeper Competition were held by the World Tree Foundation.

“I didn’t realize until I got off the plane, but it’s quite large.”
“Indeed.”

As I stood in line, sharing trivial thoughts, laughter emanated from behind me. Lim Jong-hyun.His voice held a mocking tone, as if ridiculing a country bumpkin visiting Seoul for the first time.

I chose to ignore Lim Jong-hyun’s subtle provocation. He was a man fully armed with an elitist mindset. Ever since I started being compared to him among the cadets, his attitude had been like this.

It wasn’t my concern. My current task was to select a Flower from among these hundreds of people.

‘It’s not about becoming a forest guardian.’

There was no need to flaunt my strength in the presence of the World Tree.

It was rather ambiguous to blatantly advertise just how powerful I had become. Even without unraveling the status window, I could still make a name for myself to some extent here, as per my promise with Heaven.

‘As long as I don’t clash with those guys.’

A long line of Korean representatives.

I gazed upon the woman with straight black hair, grasping the Korean flag atop the podium.

It’s hard to tell whether it’s long or short, but it’s certainly not ordinary.

The body appeared as if it had been reshaped from birth through a spirit of transformation and regeneration. An unusual aura radiated from it.

I had only heard of the term “national tree,” but I hadn’t expected this level of prowess. Was there a reason for academy cadets to participate in the forest keeper selection? The difference between the cadets and the national trees was so vast that such a question seemed reasonable.

– Bwooooh!

The trumpet sound announcing the opening ceremony reverberated throughout the stadium. The singing voice was so powerful that it made the flesh tremble.

– Aaaaaah!

With a captivating vocal performance, dozens of orchestras began to play. A grand musical procession, the forest keeper’s song, had been created solely to honor this festival on this day. This was something I had learned from previous research.

– The Forest Keeper’s Song: Untitled.

The name of this ensemble piece does not exist.

Deliberately, the musicians chose not to give it a name.

The Blessing of the World Tree and its radiant future.
A magnificent song to simply listen to, yet within it lay subtle gaps.

An elegant melody, purposefully crafted with intentional spaces.

Renowned musicians from around the world, observing the contest, gradually transform the tune. Only after months have passed does the song finally reach completion.

The one who earns the honor of being a forest keeper becomes the protagonist of this song, their name forever etched in its title.

‘Filling the World Tree with such nourishment, my faith can’t help but grow.’

Even to someone like me, harboring ill thoughts toward the World Tree, this song feels incredibly uplifting.

What if the title of this song bore my name? Should I try it with a steel plate covering my face? It’s a jest, but the thought did cross my mind.

– Ugh!

Once more, the trumpet resounds.

Dozens of nobles ascend to the podium.

The current Pope of the Church of the World Tree and the representatives of the Five Great World Trees, along with the saints. Among the representatives, there was a figure I had seen before.

Angelica, the representative of the World Tree of Justice.

The person who had been wary and distrustful of me, and the principal of El Academy. It was ambiguous for us to be hostile towards each other, so after a single conversation, there were no further exchanges between us.

I silently repeated the names of those standing before me.

‘Angelica, Elisa, Edward, Perpatua, Azeline.’

Representatives of the Five Great World Trees, each responsible for [Justice], [Sincerity], [Strength], [Sacrifice], and [Prosperity]. They might become my adversaries someday. I committed their faces to memory.

And finally, the elderly man at the center of them all.

‘Bed II.’

The Pope, the supreme authority of the Church. Clad in red papal robes, he stood with hundreds of knights behind him, donning gleaming armor and waving flagpoles.

– Flutter!

A knightly order inspired by the hue of the leaves.

The Triguard, protectors of the World Tree Church and Foundation. They are knights. I once had a battle with someone who belonged to their ranks.

‘Yellow hair… I can’t remember who it was.’

Their magical traits were so unique that I suffered grievous wounds. A strike that bestowed injuries that refused to heal. It was the first time I had experienced an attack that took a considerable amount of time to mend, even with the power of the World Tree of Healing.

‘In a way…’

I find myself in the midst of enemy territory.

Observing the knights’ prowess, I wonder if I could escape should I clash with them. However, they are not my enemies yet—merely potential adversaries.

‘That’s not what’s important right now.’

One of the reasons I came to the Forest Keeper Selection, and what I’m currently aiming for.

I surveyed the area broadly.

Cadets and national trees standing before the country’s flag.

He looked at them and smiled bitterly.

Among them, some were flowers.

* * * * * * * * * * *

-Wow, damn

(French national tree, Marronnier waving a flag)
Shit.

– Yes 😕
└Writer: It’s so pretty.
└ㅇㅇ : Pedo
└Writer: Uh-huh, call yourself a tree lover.
ㅇㅇ: Wow, I really want to squeeze the juice out of them.
└00 : Is this Korean?

—-

– I’m looking forward to this forest keeper selection.

(Premium Knothole v23. Young paulownia plump edition. Photo.)
I’m looking forward to it

-Mokujin: Ugh, you fucking crazy bastard

—-

But why is there no Jung Si-woo?

Wouldn’t he be worth competing with the national trees?
Where is Korea’s pride when it’s time for a knight?
Shortest retirement?

-ㅇㅇ: A post on Tristar said they couldn’t participate due to personal reasons.
└ㅇㅇ: Really? That’s a shame.
– I like Siwoo oppa: ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
—-

—-
─If Jung Si-woo had participated in this selection event,
how far would he have gone?

-ㅇㅇ: I’d guess he’d rank somewhere in the middle.
└ Author: ? Jung Si-woo?? What nonsense.
└ㅇㅇ: That’s what the hunters I know said. They mentioned he’s not yet on the level of the national trees.
—-

Internet community sites were filled with real-time discussions about the Forest Keeper Selection event.

Regardless of political opinions, personal preferences, or the varying opinions within communities, everyone had something to say about the Forest Keeper Selection.

It was like the Olympics of the world I once lived in, but even more significant.

Moreover, the beauty of the national trees shattered the idealized images held by men, naturally leading to a lot of conversation. As expected, some posts were mixed with lewd fantasies.

—-
─This guy is participating too.
(Photo of a man wearing a mask)

It seems L Academy doesn’t have an abundance of talent?

– Yes: Really?
– Yes: ?? Why? Weren’t there quite a few articles about him?
└ Author: It might be nothing more than a water rocket. Even if it’s not, I know he’s ranked around 150th. Why send him to the tryouts when he’s still growing?
—-

“Damn.”

My bones ache.

There were many discussions about the representatives of Korea.

Currently, the most talked-about subject involves me and Gu-seul. The unknown name of Gu-seul played a significant role, and as for me, I was treated like a fleeting sensation, so the conversation arose.

But what can be done? Regardless, the conclusion was reached through strict evaluations and meetings.

– Crunch.

The sound of chewing a baguette came from the side.

I put my phone in my pocket, picked up a piece of bread from the plate, and put it in my mouth. A freshly made, fluffy baguette. Even this had passed through the hands of top chefs.

Soft and rich in flavor. So much so that I could never tire of it alone.

– Crisp.

The inorganic sound of chewing bread emanates from the side once more. Sansuyu emotionlessly tears at the bread.

“Doesn’t it taste good?”
“… I want tteokbokki.”

Munching mechanically, like a giraffe grazing on grass. It must be a talent to eat something so delicious in such a tasteless manner.

I tore off a piece of bread and placed it in my mouth. A crispy exterior with soft, fluffy insides. An involuntary “oh” escapes me.

“It’s the food I usually eat.”

Sansuyu’s face takes on a somewhat saddened expression.

“… You eat this regularly?”
“Yes. Sieon, do you want some?”

A piece of bread is discreetly offered, which I accept and eat with my hands. The taste is not any different – simply heavenly.

“I don’t understand how you can eat chewy bread on a plane but struggle with this.”
“I don’t know either.”
“Look at those people, they’re enjoying it.”

I gesture towards the table next to us.

A man and woman hastily consume their food as soon as it’s time to change clothes and take a meal break. They instantly shove the massive steak into their mouths. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone eat so well.

– Eating is what remains. Fill up quickly.
– …Agreed.
– It’s been so long since I’ve had hotel food. *sob*

A man with blonde hair and tanned skin, and a woman with red hair and eyes. Watching the two of them, Sansuyu also stuffs her mouth full of bread, as if she wants to try eating like that just once.

She bites into a thick baguette.

– Munching.

“…It’s tasteless.”

So it seems.

Just then, the steak and side dishes are served. This time, I can’t help but feel excited with the delicious food right in front of me.

Trillions of won went into the forest keeper selection. The food prepared by the best chefs is nothing short of Michelin quality. Leaving Sansuyu to slowly cut her meat, I deftly slice a piece of my own.

The moment I was about to bring the food to my mouth.

“Excuse me.”

A slightly awkward Korean voice came from right beside me.

My hand froze, and I stared at the person next to me with my mouth agape.

A fox mask, the likes of which one would see at a Japanese festival. As the shadowy mask approached, I nearly dropped the meat in surprise.

“…May I sit here?”

A high-pitched voice emanated from within the fox mask.

Judging by the attire and the surrounding gazes, this was no ordinary individual. Upon seeing this figure, Sansuyu spoke.

“Saku?”
“Ah, Cornus! It’s so nice to see you.”

Spotting Sansuyu sitting behind me, Saku happily approached and extended her hand. It seemed that high-ranking nobles occasionally held social gatherings among themselves. With an impassive expression, Sansuyu took the hand of the woman called Saku.

“Kyaa~ It’s been so long, hasn’t it?”

The two women waved their hands, as if engaged in a playful exchange.

The woman standing behind Saku approached and spoke up.

“Excuse me. May I sit here?”

Long black hair and distinct features—she had the visage of a Korean beauty. It was a face he had seen earlier.

“I’m Kim Soo-yeon.”
“Ah, yes, I’m Lee Si-heon.”

Korea’s representative Mugunghwa. He hadn’t expected the national tree to strike up a conversation with him so suddenly.

And then there was Saku beside him. Like a cherry tree in Japan—was she also a national tree? Why had these two sought him out?

‘I’m not well-known enough to be kept in check.’

After the opening ceremony of the Forest Keeper Selection competition, there was a three-day adaptation period. During this time, participants would get to know each other, fostering friendship by conversing in the accommodations or restaurants where they were assigned.

Naturally, these scenes would be broadcast at predetermined times.

With the arrival of the two, the four seats were now filled. After briefly wrapping up his conversation with Cornus, Saku, who had taken the seat in front of him, looked intently at his face.

Though it was more like a mask than a face.

I can’t help but wonder why that woman is wearing a mask. Her gaze is so brazen.

“Si-heon, right?”

Just as I was about to take a bite, Saku inquired.

“Yes.”

Despite having an automatic translation artifact in her ears, Saku speaks in somewhat clumsy Korean rather than Japanese. Kim Soo-yeon sighs upon witnessing this exchange.

“Good person! Let’s get along well!”

A hand reaches out for a handshake.

“Good person?”

“I watched your video. Ent!”

Ent… It seems she’s referring to the incident that was resolved with Heaven and Cornus. It had been a hot topic for a while, spreading all over the internet. People who had been saved by me even appeared on TV to share anecdotal stories about the event.

But the fact that someone of her stature saw it?

‘Flower?’

Initially, I harbor some doubt. Though I can’t say it’s entirely incomprehensible. At least for now. It seems unlikely that she would be involved with the Flower, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

I grasped Saku’s extended hand.

“Good luck!”

The innocence in Saku’s eyes, visible through the mask, was so profound that it made one feel foolish for harboring any doubt.