Chapter 238 – Baobabs (2)

“Brother.”

We had been walking eastward for quite a while. As we took a break to catch and grill some fish for lunch, Tae-yang struck up a conversation.

He picked up a fallen leaf from the ground and put on a serious expression.

“If you’re going to say something strange again, just stop.”
“This is a lesson.”

What could he possibly teach me?

“Look at this. What do you see?”
“It looks like a regular leaf.”
“Ah, those with professional training in tree appreciation shouldn’t call this a leaf. A future king shouldn’t make such a mistake.”

It seemed he was losing his mind again and trying to spout nonsense.

But having heard so much of it, my curiosity was piqued.
Alright, let’s see how far this goes.

As I watched the oil drip from the fish’s tail, I turned my head towards Tae-yang. He was flaring his nostrils with an air of gravity.

Lee Hyang was preparing a meal behind us, not paying any attention to our conversation.

“Brother, look at this. Hey. Rag.”
“Huh?”

Aori, who was resting against a tree, gazed in our direction.

“What does this look like?”

Upon seeing the leaf he held in his hand, Aori shrugged her shoulders and let out a dismissive breath, as if it were nothing important. He placed his index finger and thumb together, rubbing them while chuckling.

It was a peculiar hand gesture.

“Ah, well… it’s a Tritoris.”
“Did you hear that?”
“What does that have to do with this?”

Trees are sensual beings whose entire body is an erogenous zone.

As if he were hypnotizing me, Tae-yang whispered matter-of-factly.

“The structure of the leaf is simple. This entire part is the leaf blade. And this thread-like part is the leaf vein. The part that connects to the branch is called the petiole.”
“So?”

“…It’s like a human body. At first, touching the chest doesn’t seem to have much effect, but as you gradually stimulate it, it becomes more sensitive.”

Tae-yang skillfully caressed the leaf with his fingers.

Holding the leaf between his index and middle fingers, he gently stroked it like teasing a nipple with his thumb.

– Tsk, tsk.

At the very center of the leaf, among the veins, he delicately touched the main vein as if flicking it.

“This is the typical way to caress a tree.”
“…I’d rather not continue this conversation.”
“Ah, come on, big brother. If you want to be an excellent tree spouse, you must learn.”
“I understand it’s common knowledge here, so I won’t say anything else… but it’s a bit unsettling by my standards.”

Tae-yang spoke earnestly.

“If you maintain this for five minutes, the knots will gradually become moist. At this moment, scornfully say, ‘You’re soaked, aren’t you? The roots must be tingling, right? You must like it, I guess?’ and the effect will be doubled. Trees enjoy being dominated.”
“Why would the tree knots get wet?”
“Well… because they can feel it?”

How the hell do you know that?

“Of course, each tree has different erogenous zones, so whether it’s a knot, a leaf, or a petal… You’ll have to find it yourself.”
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
“Your words are a bit crude, brother.”

I scratched the back of my neck.

Eating a tree or something, isn’t it just an act of self-gratification? I thought so, but the words Tae-yang spoke were insane beyond imagination.
They are dead serious about trees.
They say it starts with gentle caressing, so even if you get out of India, isn’t it still a long way off?

“Can’t we just shove it in?”
“…”

Tae-yang swallowed hard.

“You know something, brother. I like the animalistic stuff too. It’s natural for people to feel pleasure when they engage in shocking behaviors.”

So that was an animalistic act.
It reminds me of The World Tree of Healing I met earlier.
Instead of caressing, she had suddenly placed my manhood inside her knot.

‘…Hold on, now that I think about it, didn’t you touch my body with roots and branches?’

Could that have been considered a caress?

The World Tree of Healing. The more I think about it, the more terrifying it becomes. I don’t know what it’s doing now, but I hope it doesn’t inflict trauma on other men. If it’s waiting for me…

– Shiver.

My body trembled with fear. It seems the trauma from my neck still lingers.

“Anyway, it will be useful. This time, I’ll teach you how to caress a flower. It’s polite to start with the nose first…”
“Let’s call it a day.”

As they continue talking, I can’t help but feel the reality of it all. I truly inherited the power of King Mokryeong. And the realization that one day, I might have to do something as insane as pleasuring myself with a knot. The temptation of lewd demons feels almost possible now.

This is unsettling. No matter how abnormal my life has been, this isn’t right.

【 The World Tree of Purity grows angry! 】

As I pondered, the World Tree of Purity cursed at me in my thoughts. Now it even knows how to use emoticons. She appears somewhat older. Yet, why is it that humans can age, but not trees? This one is quite peculiar as well.

“Listening to you all is rather intense. Honestly, I—”

“Brother.”

My words were interrupted as Tae-yang’s expression suddenly turned stern.

A faint trace of mana streamed down his shoulder.

“It seems like someone is coming.”

Someone is rushing towards this place. A surprise attack. Even so, there shouldn’t be many who would dare to ambush a gathering of four people. Could they have come for plunder?

*Swish swish.*

The sound of rustling foliage reached us from afar. The noise of snapping vines and branches as they trampled underfoot.

I immediately expanded my mana to see through the opponent’s movements.

There was only one person, charging headlong in our direction.

“Brother.”
“Get ready.”

I instantly summoned the staff I had left on the floor into my hands. Tae-yang held his breath, thinly wrapped mana around his body, and shouted to the two behind him.

“Someone approaches!”

Aori and Lee Hyang immediately tensed up.

“Ah, understood!”
“Hyang, you haven’t fully recovered yet, so stay back. You, come here quickly and protect your brother.”
“Alright.”

Lee Hyang is a dual-wielding swordsman, while Tae-yang and Aori are martial artists who adapt to situations like me. They can occasionally wield magic and skillfully handle any weapon, owing to their ability to absorb the power of connected wooden beings or trees.

I flexed my fingers and conjured a slender wind cutter behind my back.

– Woo-woo-woo!

The crescent moon magic manifested as mana quivered.

-Thunk!

The sound of branches snapping echoed nearby. Aori stood before me, gripping a massive gauntlet of unknown origin in both hands.

I am now a wizard. I take a step back to fulfill my duty. He began to spread magic one by one in places where the enemy might appear: gaps between trees, high branches, or beneath the undergrowth. Magic was placed in every location where the adversary might infiltrate.

The type of trap that releases flames from the ground when stepped on. The staff’s effect is potent, and it consumes minimal mana.

“Can you endure it?”

Three seconds. That’s when they will arrive.

I waited until the magic was on the verge of activation before asking Tae-yang.

“Hey, brother. Do I look that weak to you? Even if I look like this, I can defeat a decent-sized tree.”

Tae-yang replies confidently. Can I trust him?

*Thud!*

At that moment, the tree in front of Tae-yang was shattered.

*Woojijijik!*

The torn tree emits a strange noise as it topples over to the other side of us. Fragments of wood scatter.

A black fist surged forward, with red magical energy erupting over the knuckles.

Yellow eyes flickered amidst the debris.

“Found you.”

From behind the woman who spoke in a melancholy tone, dozens of cameras trailed.

[Screeeeeech!]

A colorful array. Swift cameras that zoomed in with their individual lenses, capturing us within the frame.

Cameras, swooping past like migratory birds, encircled us.

-Crash!

The woman who burst through the trees reached out her hand.

At an almost imperceptible speed.

Tae-yang hastily stretched out both arms to brace himself, but Aori seized his wrist even faster, flinging him away.

“Ugh, ack!”

Tae-yang was hurled, leaving behind a single groan without uttering a word.

He sailed far without colliding with a tree.

“…That idiot.”

Aori muttered as she gazed at the vanished Tae-yang.

-Thud.

A woman brushes the fragments of wood from her face as she treads upon a dirt path in her worn shoes. Her expression is filled with defiance as she gazes upon my mask.

“Lee Si-heon.”

Her mouth, with its long, torn corners, emanates a red magic. She wears a revealing outfit; torn and tailored to her liking, as if it were a garment from her homeland.

The fabric enveloping her stomach and arms is ripped open, leaving her upper and lower breasts fully exposed. Her skin is a blend of black and brown hues.

“Finally found—”

Her words are cut short as she looks at me.

“Aori, move aside.”
“Alright.”

After ensuring that Aori, who promptly steps back, is out of the way, the woman unleashes her magic without hesitation.

Twenty wind cutters streak across the sky. Dozens of magical spells rain down upon the spot where the woman once stood. The grass and branches are torn to shreds as if the ground itself is being leveled. The wind cutters leave arcing marks upon the earth.

– Kwagagagaga.

Unrelenting, she continues to cast her magic.

The magic, set as a trap, instantly altered its course, flying towards the woman.

Leaves that had been hanging from the branches dropped to the ground with a thud.

As a dust storm began to swirl around us, I halted the barrage and retracted my staff. Soon, the silhouette of a woman emerged.

“Phew…”

Indeed, she appeared unharmed. An orb-shaped shield encompassed her.

Advanced magic – Nite. As it’s treated with utmost secrecy among nobles and national figures, the spells and theories of this magic remain unknown to apprentices. Its effectiveness is said to be akin to an extra life for a mage.

A belt-shaped brown circle revolved around her, much like a hula hoop. The baobab tree, the national tree of Africa, grinned broadly.

‘What… Why would the national tree target this place?’

He said he had finally found me. He sought me out again, even though he had never laid eyes on me before.

Aori followed Tae-yang. It was highly improbable, but this rascal couldn’t be a descendant of King Mokryeong, could he?

“…You say hello with such force.”

There was no time to waste. The staff that had once been withdrawn was extended towards Baobab once more.

Behind her, Lee Hyang held a two-handed sword, ready for any eventuality. Aori, too, was not holding back, displaying her magical power in full force.

And Tae-yang…

*Thud!*

He was flying back towards them.

*Kwaang!*

Tae-yang’s rushing fist struck Baobab’s wooden rings. A thunderous roar accompanied the cracking of the shield as his fist launched towards Baobab’s body.

Of course, the power of the wooden puppet would not be used. If the spirit’s power were to manifest on the broadcast, it would immediately become a target and be dealt with.

The scene was chaotic.

Tae-yang shattered the wooden rings, blocked his opponent’s counter, and raised his knee. As he attempted to retaliate against Tae-yang, Aori intervened and assaulted Baobab.

Fingers splayed, I gather the mana.

‘…There’s no magic I know that can manipulate trees.’

A swirling orb of pure magical energy expands within my hand, imbued with the essence of the wind.

The most powerful magic I know is useless in this situation. There’s plenty of offensive magic, but none that can inflict significant damage.

I stretch the magic within my hand, elongating it. I create a long, blue lance.

The lance, resonating like a spear-like arrow, slowly rises upward within my grasp.

‘If there’s no useful magic, I’ll create it myself.’

Whirling, the spinning wind arrow emits a perilous sound as it sucks in the surrounding air. It’s not entirely my creation, but a fusion of existing spells, each slightly altered and combined. I focused on enhancing its destructive power. Its might approaches the highest level.

-Thump!

At that moment, Tae-yang appears before me, as if pushed forward by Baobab’s strength.

“Brother…”
“Yes.”

“Damn, this doesn’t seem like an ordinary tree.”

The expression on their face was one of sheer astonishment.

“I’ve exchanged a few blows with it. The bones resonate. Aori wouldn’t last even a few seconds against it.”

Looking ahead, I saw Aori bending her body vigorously as she struggled.

Her small frame agilely clung to the ground, adopting a feline posture in battle.

I launched the charged spear between them.

The name of the attack…

[Advanced – Wind Lotus]

The spinning wind spear sliced through the space between Aori and Baobab, scattering traces like fluttering lotus leaves.

-Kwaang!

A deafening sound accompanied the creation of a massive hole in the tree before us. The force of the wind shook the surrounding grass.

Their hair swayed. Aori and Baobab maintained a silence as they kept their distance from one another.

“Negotiation.”

I was the first to speak up.

“There’s no need for a war of attrition here.”

A transaction akin to the Marronnier. It’s merely the third day.
Bao glanced my way with a smile.

“Well… I don’t mind, Lee Si-heon. Right?”
“Yes.”
“All I need is you, Lee Si-heon.”

A grave pronouncement. Bao’s finger points towards me.

And immediately, an extraordinary surge of magical energy erupted from her shin.
For an instant, the silhouette of a massive tree appeared to materialize behind her.

[Baobab Tree]

I know that tree.
Isn’t it the one renowned for having unparalleled combat prowess among the national trees?

– Flash!

A moment to catch one’s breath.
As Tae-yang and Aori momentarily let their guard down, the opponent made their move.

Bao’s hand seized my head.

It’s an enormous hand. Upon realizing, the opponent’s stature was far greater than I had imagined.
It was as if facing a giant.

2 meters 70 centimeters.
At least that much.

A shiver ran down my spine as my body soared into the sky. My vision obscured by a hand, a deafening sound resounded once more.

*Thud!*

*Beeeeeeep.*

Tinnitus echoed in my ears.

I felt disoriented, likely from hitting the back of my head against the tree trunk. Through the gaps between the woman’s fingers, I gazed at Baobab.

A colossal woman straddled my abdomen. Her long, outstretched thighs formed an “M” shape as they rested atop my torso. She wore the attire of a forest keeper, yet the fabric around her thighs was torn, revealing a faint glimpse of her groin. Had she neglected to wear underwear?

“…”

*Throb.*

My head ached.

“Did you… come from Dowon?” I asked.

I suddenly realized that Aori and Tae-yang were nowhere to be found. Apparently, while my face was held captive, I had been flung far away.

Nonchalantly seated atop me, Baobab seemed entirely at ease.

“Baobab.”

The name that escaped her lips.

“Tell me where the bastard is. Right now.”