Chapter 241 – The Baobab Tree (Complete)

Dodging Bao’s incoming fists, he reached out with his fingers.

-Fit!

A technique to pierce the blood, rapidly spilling and immediately withdrawing the hand.

Shoulders and nape of the neck. When it proved futile, he stabbed the right side of Bao’s chest.

-Squish!

Evading the attacks while failing to deliver a significant blow, he repeated these actions. Bao finally spoke up.

“You.”

His face was marked by veins bulging on his forehead.

“What are you doing right now?”
“Trying to bring you to climax.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly. What am I doing right now?”

If he were determined to fight, there would be a way, but it seemed wiser to hold back. Sometimes, restraint was far more challenging.

Fortunately, he had grown accustomed to this after using the colored balls. Conjuring magic on his two fingers again, he noticed that the energy swirling around them was even more pink than before.

‘It feels like I’m slowly perfecting it. Is my potential growing here as well?’

I had heard of it before.
One of the memories when I secretly asked out of curiosity while performing a dance with Heavenly Demon.

– These martial arts… How much latent potential did the first creator possess?

The old man had laughed at my question.

– It has nothing to do with latent potential. If you want to create martial arts, you can do it right now. You’re overthinking it, like a fool.
– Is that so?
– Yes, even someone as clumsy as you could create martial arts if you truly wanted to. Why couldn’t you?

In fact, with your latent potential, you might even create something impressive.

Gee-iing!

I looked at the nature of the energy gathered on my two fingers. I learned from Zodiac, used it on stars, and reached this point today. Gradually, I was able to utilize it more comfortably and efficiently.

– Bang!

I was sent flying, as if repelled by Baobab’s attack.
I adjusted my body, spinning midair, and employed a falling technique, causing my wrists to feel quite sore.

Twice this time. The stabs landed above the collarbone and in the ear.

‘…It seems to be revealing itself little by little.’

As a result of injecting mana numerous times, the woman’s magical veins gradually became visible. It was maddening to be focused on such a thing. Each person’s magical veins differed subtly. Baobab’s were abundant and expansive.

Upon paying close attention to that area, it seemed as if the spot to be pierced became visible.

A blue thread, barely discernible to the naked eye, appeared and disappeared like a hallucination. It was reminiscent of a path shrouded in mist.

‘Huh?’

Rubbing his eyes, he looked at the spot once more. The opponent’s lower abdomen, about two finger widths below the navel, showed the blue thread tightly stretched.

“What are you doing with that dumbfounded expression!”

-Tadadak!

Baobab charged towards him, shouting with excitement. He held his breath as he gathered mana into his two fingers.

A flurry of blows assailed his body. Bracing for impact, he reached out with his hand.

*Thump!*

My head feels dizzy.
A finger jabbed into her lower abdomen.

Simultaneously, my body fell away.
This isn’t enough. Somehow, I sensed that.

My falling body. I forced myself to hold it up. With my feet planted on the ground, I leaped toward Baobab.
It’s a fist, not a finger. Excluding my fist, I let the magic surge through my entire body, accelerating to the point of substantially constricting my field of vision.

The magical blood turns a vivid red.
The blood coursing through my veins sped up, making my head spin.

Swiftly, I drove a blow into Baobab’s arms.

It wasn’t White Peach, nor any other manifestation.
It was merely a fist, but the magic imbued within it this time was manipulated differently by me.

It could be called magic, or perhaps martial arts.

‘I’m not sure if this should be labeled as combat, but…’

Wouldn’t this be an unparalleled ability for King Mokryeong, who replenishes his strength by subjugating wooden people?

Knowing this, my body might be drawing out the potential of this ability.

【 Potential is manifested. [Color Sphere (B)] is engraved in the blank for possessed skills. 】

‘Damn it.’

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a realization like this.

With a twisted smile, my fist made contact with Bao’s lower abdomen.

“Where…?”

It goes in heavily.

“…Ugh, what!?”

In an instant, Bao’s eyes widened and his body came to a halt. He’s in a state of excitement from the battle. Under such circumstances, it’s not easy to increase his excitement even if I employ the Color Sphere. In the first place, my skill with this power wasn’t that proficient. This is only the third time I’m using it.

However, due to Bao’s unique ability, the Color Sphere has an exceptional effect.

“What are you–”

In a split second, I kicked Bao’s weakened and shrunken body.

-Thud!

Bao tumbles to the floor, his head whipping back.

—
▶ Color Sphere (B)
[Category: Possessed Skills]

“As you desire, as you wish.”
– Enhances and manifests the other person’s sexual pleasure. If your heart resonates with someone, you bring them to climax instantly. During the act, ovulation can be regulated.
-[Unique] :: You are the sole wielder of this ability.
—

“It’s a well-known ability.”

Initially, I had only added basic descriptions to my powers.
Indeed, today is the first time the ability has fully taken shape.

I gazed upon Bao’s unconscious body.

“…Mm. Ah.”

Bao, eyes shut, groans in pain.
He lies face down, baring his abdomen and chest.

Sweat trickled down between the large, bronze-hued breastbones.
His thighs twitched briefly, as if someone were sensuously caressing that area, stirring up arousal.

A faint pool of fluid had formed between his legs, which had been helplessly spread open in his unconscious state.

‘When did the status window reappear?’

It had been roughly 20 minutes since I released the status window. It was about time for me to return.
Was the timing just barely right?
Even if I were to return, I could simply unlock it again, but for now, this wasn’t bad.

After stretching and tidying up my body, I gazed at the collapsed Baobab.
He was the one who suddenly ambushed me, demanding to know the whereabouts of Bob.
I was aware of the location, constantly receiving updates from Zodiac.

However, if Bob had fled without informing his younger sister of the situation, there must be a valid reason.
Since he was part of Do-won, led by White Peach, there was no need to carelessly reveal anything.
My thoughts might change depending on the details of the story, but even if it was his family’s request, that’s how I felt at the moment.

But this…
It had a 0.2 stat value.

*Gulp*

“Ah.”

I must be losing my touch, worrying about something like this.

The clothes Baobab was wearing now were virtually indistinguishable from underwear.
His slightly compressed lower chest, reminiscent of a flattened pancake, was damp with sweat and water.

The pants were no exception. Captured on camera and circulated in short clips, the enticing posture and figure would undoubtedly captivate countless men.

As a national tree, his appearance was strikingly handsome. To claim indifference as a man would be a lie.

– Thump, thump.

King Mokryeong’s body now emitted an unrestrained aura of desire. His heart raced, and his reason waned, leaving his mind hazy. The urges he experienced when trapped in the Marronnier dungeon were bearable this time.

If he could endure, he would. This carnal lust meant nothing to him. He had no intention of giving in.

‘…However.’

The abilities and talents Bao possessed.

To deny a craving for them would be dishonest.

A 0.2 increase in abilities. Though seemingly insignificant, it meant raising all stats by 0.2, effectively gaining one whole ability point.

He knew the exact figures. And thus, even involuntarily, the thought persisted.

There wouldn’t be an issue now, but if I were to face a more formidable enemy in the future…
If I were to lose to my opponent due to this slight disparity in abilities, and as a result, I die… or what if I lose someone dear to me?

I gazed at Bao’s body.
Regret gnawed at me.

By slightly parting his thighs, and with a firm embrace of his legs, lifting them up, closing my eyes, and giving in just once…
Later, when a major crisis arises, it could become a significant power to save my life.
It wasn’t a trivial amount.
His talent was just as exceptional.

“……”

For a long while, I silently stared at Bao’s body.
I opened my hand, reached toward him, but then stopped.
I placed my hand back on my lap.

I reached out once more.
And withdrew again.

Should I?
If I don’t…
Will I regret this later? There’s nothing more despicable than that.

If I were to give in here and save someone, would I consider myself fortunate for having done so then? It’s distasteful either way.

If both choices are repulsive, then perhaps…

*Sigh.*

It would be better if I were simply a man driven by lust as I was back then.

If it had been Tae-yang, he might have thought it was foolish and just gone through with it. Come to think of it, that guy seemed like a perfect fit for King Mokryeong.

I still have many vivid memories haunting me. Baekyang has done much for me, but he’s also inflicted his fair share of trauma.

‘Aside from this, there’s currently no other way for me to grow.’

If my opponent were a Flower or a World Tree, I would have acted without any guilt. Even if I had felt some guilt, I wouldn’t have agonized over it like this.

My mouth is parched.

*Slap!*

I slap myself on the cheek and try to calm my thoughts.

My future is uncertain. I didn’t realize that having so many enemies could lead me to cling to something like this.

“Cheondo.”

What advice would he have given?
My master regards me as a virtuous person.
Even though, in truth, I am not.

If Cheondo were to advise me, she would undoubtedly rebuke me, urging me not to abandon my principles in a place like this.

A single deviation might be dismissed as a mistake, but if it persists, one becomes accustomed to it.
I am well aware of this.

I ceased my thoughts.

“Enough, let’s stop.”

The more I agonize, the more my mind seeks to rationalize.
I must escape before becoming the plaything of lust.
Damn it. It’s better to honestly seduce a few women than to commit a crime.
Ignoring the lewd scent that grazed my nostrils, I rose from my seat.

– Flash.

“Ah… alright.”

In that moment, Baobab stood up from his seat.
He gazed at me, dazed.

“I’m leaving. Don’t follow me.”

As I prepared to depart with a single word, Baobab sprang up.

She gazes at me. Her eyes strangely languid.

“…”

She says nothing.

Then, suddenly, a single utterance as she looks at me.

“…What did you do to me?”
“What?”

Thump.

The view tilts backward.

At the moment when it seems she’ll fight again without a thought to exhaustion, her rough hands grasp my shoulders, and she bows her head, as if looking down from above.

Her two large breasts press against my chest, becoming crushed.

“…I’m going insane.”

A single word leaps from Baobab’s mouth. Eyes as fierce as a lioness are directed at me.

And that’s all.

【 Baobab will be added to the ‘Arbor Encyclopedia’. 】
【 [Succulents] will be added to the ‘Arbor Encyclopedia’. 】
【 Added encyclopedia number. A01 ~ A99 (Classification: Succulents) 】

—
□ Baobab [Encyclopedia number: A23] [Scientific name: Adansonia digitata]

– Alias: Moisture Reservoir.
– Plant-based Woodman Auk, Baobab genus, and Baobab tree.
– Aptitude: [Combat]
– Unlocked Information: 51.42%
—

[Upon opening the encyclopedia, you receive a modest increase in stats and a noticeable boost to all talents related to combat.]
[You have discovered a new variety of tree. New Encyclopedia Reward. A Walking Pheromone (F) is engraved on your body.]
[Due to your connection with the deep-blooded national tree, your acquired abilities increase by 0.2.]

▶ Walking Pheromone (F)
[Category: Acquired Skills]
– A faint yet captivating scent.
– When used, it emits an alluring aroma to woodfolk and World Trees for a brief period.
-[King’s Power]: Contains the power of a king. Growth is possible, depending on how you utilize it.

* * * * * * * *

Upon exiting the dungeon, Tae-yang, Aori, and Yi Hyang could be seen waiting outside the gate.

As I stepped outside, Tae-yang approached me and asked.

“Have you arrived?”
“Yes.”

First, I handed two backpacks to Lee Hyang and Aori. They accepted my burdens without uttering a word. We remained silent for quite some time.

Aori looked at me, her eyes sparkling. She seemed to know everything that had transpired.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Tae-yang asked.

“So… Why do you look like a young man who’s been attacked by a woman who couldn’t restrain her lust?”
“Well, that’s what happened. It’s my fault, though.”

Color affinity.

It could be a fantastic match for some people.
On the contrary, it could lead to disastrous consequences.
I decided to define my ability in that manner.

“How did it feel?”

I silently patted Tae-yang on the shoulder.

“Baobab. No, don’t even approach the African woodsmen.”

It was beyond The World Tree of Healing.