Chapter 233 – Teaming (4)

“Hey, welcome, little cat.”
“Shut up, Bell.”

Bell chuckled at the sight of Marronnier perched on the golem’s shoulder.

“Being so short, did you really want to breathe in the air up there? You’re trying hard.”

With disheveled light blue hair and unkempt clothes, Bell continued to taunt Marronnier, giving A.B a slap on the shoulder.

“Enough. Let’s just welcome everyone on the second day.”

Despite A.B’s intervention, the two continued to glare at each other.

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany – these countries were bound to have many interactions due to their economic and geographic ties. This dynamic was typical among their people.

Whenever their quarrels became too heated, Marronnier would always shout. He employed one of several mocking tactics targeting countries, popular within internet communities.

“Bell, how about speaking more modestly? Why don’t you go and nibble on some British food over there?”

“How exceptional is British cuisine?”
“…Ugh. Fish and chips. That’s the only noteworthy dish. Even that would taste better if my grandmother were to fry it.”
“Have you said your piece?”

Being a national tree, one’s pride in their country should be unparalleled.
As Bell ground his teeth, Marronnier’s eyes transformed into those of a mocking cat.

AB sighed.

“Bell, you started the quarrel first.”
“AB. He just criticized our nation. He needs to change his attitude. Who would take him? He’ll remain a virgin for the rest of his life.”

As a national tree, it is impossible to engage in sexual relations, let alone marry or date, until one relinquishes the title.
A national tree must be at least 50 years old before it can enter into a marriage with a tree of another nation.
By that age, the second generation of national trees would have emerged.

However, that principle does not prevent scandals from occurring among national trees.
It isn’t a crime to engage in secret liaisons as long as one isn’t caught.

“Hey, a virgin! Are you done talking now?”
“Hehehe, look at her having a fit.”

Marronnier, with her cheeks flushed red, yelled out.
Suddenly, the memory of that incident flooded her mind.

The humiliating event of being teased by a man’s coarse hands. Lewd acts. The titillating recollection of being forcibly assaulted, unable to even close her thighs.
Screaming in terror, her arms trembling, yet her voice ringing out desperately. These memories spread like wildfire in Marronnier’s mind.

“Ugh… Oh…”

Contrasting her blue hair, Marronnier’s face turned as red as a strawberry.
Feeling threatened like a cornered cat, she tensed her shoulders and clenched her lips to show her anger.

“Bell, you bastard!”
“Hahaha!”

He must have touched a nerve.
Unaware of the truth, Bell laughed and returned to A.B with a sense of relief.

“Bell, what will you do if Marronnier spreads rumors about you sleeping with a girl?”

At A.B’s words, Bell gasped.

It was said as a joke and it wouldn’t actually happen. An unspoken rule among the nation’s treelike beings: their personal words and actions shouldn’t be turned into public affairs. They knew the weight of their positions well.

“Well, that aside. Marronnier?”

Marronnier, who had been letting out a strange cry by himself at A.B’s words, suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Uh, why?… Why?”
“What’s with that reaction? Get ready quickly.”
“What preparation?”

A.B immediately unsheathed his sword from his waist. He muttered quietly.

“Since the team has gathered quickly, we need to organize the trainees.”

As much as possible, as quickly as possible. The faster the trainees were eliminated, the fewer competitors in the forest guardian selection contest. Eliminating trainees was an efficient way to spend a week since it was possible without the use of magical power.

The treelike beings of the nation?

There would be no need to worry from the moment the three of them gathered on the second day.

Now, even those holding national titles were at most one or two individuals. A.B’s group would be the first to gather three together.

It would be fine as long as they didn’t encounter those extraordinarily powerful individuals capable of single-handedly wiping out a team.

“We’ll be active within the western radius.”
“The west?”

In response to Marronnier’s question, A.B nodded.

“The east… is currently saturated. And the north has him.”
“You mean that strange white-haired one?”
“Yes.”

Plum.
No matter how much the trees in the forest hinder each other’s growth, there will always be trees that tower alone.

Even among the talented, there are those who stand out in a unique way.
Jung Si-woo from the academy is such an individual.
Those pearl-like figures, who achieve the best through relentless effort based on overwhelming talent.
It was necessary to be cautious of these trees. There were a few such individuals.

They think of what others cannot, accomplish it, and always strive for greater heights.

A leap in ability is merely an added bonus.

“But I heard he doesn’t even have a team? Is there any reason to be cautious? He’s alone anyway.”

Bell dismissed AB’s serious comment.

“Have you ever fought with Plum?”

Bell shook her head at AB’s question. AB touched his forehead with his hand, recalling the image of Plum he had met a long time ago, and spoke to his teammates.

“Do you know that the origin of the word ‘genius’ comes from ‘genius loci,’ the guardian spirit of a place?”
“Suddenly?”
“Listen carefully, Bell. There’s a reason AB is saying this.”

The two stared at AB with their mouths closed. AB awkwardly smiled, as if to say it wasn’t a big deal.

“Isn’t it fascinating? That’s the origin ofgenius. The Forest Keeper Competition, which praises the World Tree, must be a contest to determine that genius.”

A guardian of the land.
Protecting the World Tree from that very land.

In a sense, it was a perfect match, albeit a forced one. The man was strong enough to warrant such a statement.

“…I don’t know who the strongest among the nation’s elite is. However, the one closest to being a genius must be him.”

The abilities of the nation’s elite were enigmatic. It wasn’t that there were no comparisons between who fought whom and emerged victorious, but such assessments were mere conjecture.

A.B. opened his eyes and turned to face that man.

His white hair was swept back, and his eyes were an eerily pale shade. His countenance was so delicate that one could describe him as sickly. Yet, in a casual manner, he made his opponents bleed profusely.

What kind of talent was that?

Even A.B., who was deemed among the best, judged that it was too soon for him to approach that man’s level.

In many ways, he was a dreadful man who naturally caused one’s self-esteem to plummet.

“Whew…”

A.B. exhaled a detached breath through the gaps in his teeth.

* * * * * * * * *

Aori and Mok Tae-yang.

Both hailing from Seoul Academy, their exceptional combat abilities had led them to participate in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament.

As if promoting themselves, Tae-yang and Aori earnestly laid out their strengths with serious expressions. They detailed their various skills and accomplishments, almost as if they had come here solely to boast.

However, no matter how well-spoken they were, it was difficult to make a good impression with a poor attitude.

– Square, square.

No matter how impressive their achievements, bragging while greedily consuming fruit only served to double the listener’s discomfort.

“The fruit is delicious.”

Aori’s dispirited voice finally broke the silence.

Why am I listening to their boasts right now?

“Sorry. It’s just that I’ve lived without… So, when there’s something to eat, I instinctively want to eat and enjoy it.”

“That’s right. It’s our share.”
“Hey, don’t be so blunt about it.”

I had noticed it at the restaurant, but they certainly do have a knack for enjoying their food. Look at the way they savor the flavors. If they eat so well, wouldn’t you keep peeling fruits for them as if feeding a dog?

“Aori, would you like to try this too?”
“Mhm.”

Their personality is quite pleasant as well.

I sat on a suitable tree stump, propping my staff beside me, and observed them. Tae-yang, golden sun, appeared very affable despite his striking appearance, which seemed more suitable for a cartoon character. Of course, it was clear that this was just a facade. One could tell by looking into his eyes – they had a discerning gaze that could read people well.

Aori, the woman, had been saying odd things since our first encounter, and honestly, I still couldn’t quite grasp her personality. She seemed somewhat absent-minded, with a slightly emotionless face – a short woman with large breasts. That’s about it. You never know what these kinds of people might suddenly do when they stand out.

‘Why did they come to find me in the first place?’

Although he discovered Lee Hyang, it seems as if he openly pursued them.
He followed the exact path I took, tracing my direction. Therefore, it’s more reasonable to think he was chasing me rather than Lee Hyang.

Flower.

I put aside the hypothesis that immediately came to mind. There is something more important.

‘What on earth was that?’

When I saw the pair, I experienced a jolt in my head as if I had been struck from behind. It was similar to when I first met the daughter of the World Tree, who urged me to take responsibility for her mother just before I arrived in this world.

I’ve encountered numerous Flowers before, but I’ve never had an experience like this.

‘World Tree?’

Why are they searching for me?

Even though there is an unusual case known as Baekyang, the World Tree generally rejects me.

“So, what do you think?”

Tae-yang, who had eaten an entire string of grapes, asked me.

What do I think?
There was a reason why these two suddenly started boasting about themselves.

This, too, is fate, so why not give teaming up a try?
It’s the only way to survive in a place where the sacred trees hold sway. The intention to approach was clear to anyone.

‘It seems they’ve been quite direct about it.’

The proposal might have seemed somewhat unexpected, but from Tae-yang’s perspective, it appeared as if he already knew and was speaking about it.

Something’s strange. This person feels what I felt as well.
In that case, the conversation becomes easier.
Omitting the details of the previous conversation doesn’t matter. As long as our intentions align, it’s irrelevant.

“So, we’re going to team up, right?”
“Yes.”

Somehow, the conversation flows with me speaking informally and the other person using formal speech.

“Well, I don’t know about me, but they said they would abstain.”

For now, I brought up that point.
Teaming up—there was no better way to learn about the unknown phenomenon.

‘Cornus.’

But I have to look after Sansuyu.

If carelessness takes hold, one might need to express breast milk, but that doesn’t mean forming a team is possible.

“That’s right, hehe. Aori and Tae-yang are different. My magic is depleted, and I think it will be difficult.”
“Anyway, if we just explore the dungeon a bit, we’ll find some potions, won’t we? Isn’t that fine?”
“Hyang, let’s go together.”
“Hmm…”

Lee Hyang gazed at me, her voice trailing off, and then shook her head.

“Even so, it would be bothersome, truly bothersome. If the three of us go, it should be fine, right?”

As the attention naturally shifted toward me, I spoke without any change in my expression.

“I also have a teammate for now. I can’t make decisions without their permission. So even if we do this, it’s only until I join up with them.”

After teaming up with Sansuyu, there must be two of us.
That way, we can treat each other with peace of mind, and carry out the tasks that would be awkward to show to others.

“Ah… is that so? Then how about just until then? A day or two?”

A compromise. Neither suggestion is a bad one.

“It’s fine.”
“Then, Hyang-ah, you should join us.”
“Ah, should I?”

As I hesitated, Lee Hyang responded as if it was acceptable.

A temporary alliance. Four Koreans.
At this rate, I could meet Sansuyu without expending much energy.
It seemed like a practical choice.

“Wait a moment, I need to use the restroom.”

At that instant, Tae-yang stood up from his seat and put on his overcoat.
He glanced at me and gave a subtle wink.

“How about you?”
“What, just us men?”
“Come on, there’s no distinction between men and women these days.”

I understood the implication.

I rose from my seat, following Tae-yang. There was no need to bring a weapon.

Leaving Lee Hyang and Aori to their fruit cutting, we moved to a location quite far away as if we had made a pact.

A secluded patch of tall grass. Of course, I didn’t come all this way just to empty my bladder.
Exchanging words while facing each other felt repulsive.

I softly asked from behind Tae-yang as he started to lower his pants.

“So?”

“Ah, you’re too impatient. Besides, that’s something I should be saying.”

What’s the rush?

Tae-yang subtly turned his head back. The look in his eyes was rather fierce.

“Are you curious?”

He continued.

“…I’m not entirely certain about this. Essentially, it could lead to a serious matter. However, I don’t think I’m the only one who just experienced that feeling. Aori may be a fool, but she’s not that foolish. She’s not the type to make crude sexual remarks upon first meeting someone.”

His cheerful voice suddenly dropped to a lower tone. After a brief introduction, he asked me.

“King Mokryeong.”

In the past – more than a hundred years ago – the name of a notorious mass murderer emerged from his lips.

At that moment, the corners of my mouth tensed.