Chapter 251 – Why Are You Like This

-Deeing!

At the sound of the alarm, I close my eyes and then open them again.

The surroundings have brightened. As the first trial reaches its end, it seems we have been transported outside the dungeon. We’re back in the waiting room, surrounded by instructors and bishops of the church.

“…It’s over.”
“What? We held out, right?”
“Ha, I really thought I was going to die.”

The bewildered cadets murmur to themselves.

This marks the end of the first trial. When I survey the area, I notice that the number of cadets has significantly decreased. It used to be a bustling space filled with cadets just before the trial began; now it feels somewhat desolate.

“Sieon.”

Before I realize it, Sansuyu, who is beside me, gently tugs at my arm.

“Did you just do that, Sieon?”

The technique that had subdued the plum blossoms earlier.

I gazed down at Cornus, reaching out to gently grasp and tug on her cheek. The soft sensation was soothing, and I couldn’t help but tease her in response.

“Didn’t you do that?”
“…?”
“Since it’s so hard to fight, you must’ve unleashed some unknown power.”
“You’re making fun of me again. How long are you going to keep doing that?”

Cornus slapped my hand away and stuck out her tongue, but her playful defiance no longer had any effect on me.

With a sly smile, I draped my arm around her shoulders. Although she resisted and whimpered in an attempt to break free from my embrace, she seemed not to really mind it, as she allowed me to pull her closer. The pleasant sensation of her soft cheeks pressing against my arm made me wonder if her love for tteokbokki had somehow turned her body as tender as rice cakes.

“Hmm…”

She let out a small gasp, her breath seemingly constricted, and gently pushed against me with her delicate hands.

“Let’s see… those who have been eliminated…”

I released Cornus, allowing her to breathe more freely, and surveyed our surroundings with a careful eye.

The cadets of Seoul Academy, including Taeyang and Aori, waved at me, evidently having survived unscathed. Most of the revered trees were alive and well, Marronnier among them.

– …

Glancing around, Marronnier caught my gaze, and our eyes locked. Her adorable, doll-like face betrayed her surprise before she swiftly turned away.

As for that incident, my memory still remains hazy.

‘…I’ve never acted so carelessly before in my life.’

This time, I shifted my gaze elsewhere, to the Baobab tree. Upon seeing me, it narrowed its eyes, and I shuddered, sensing a hint of hostility.

It appeared that all the cadets of El Academy had successfully passed. The academy’s comprehensive education on how to navigate the trial with ease seemed to have paid off.

“?”

But that guy might be an exception.

Gu-seul, who saw me, waved her hands cheerfully. After a week of unknown whereabouts and activities, her body seemed clean.

I wasn’t sure where she had come from, but she was most likely a Flower. She possessed ample skills to not only overcome the first trial but also to progress further. I responded to her exuberant hand gestures with a smile.

Regardless, more than half of the apprentices were eliminated in this first trial alone. In a few days, many would be packing up their belongings and leaving the lodgings.

As I watched the bishop slowly open his mouth and begin his speech, I warmed up.

Today, I might finally be able to rest.

* * * * * * * * * *

I thought I could rest. Now that I had some leisure time, it seemed almost predetermined that something would happen to me.

“Hey.”

– Thud!

I was slammed against the wall.

It felt somewhat unjust.

After the speech marking the safe conclusion of the first trial, and having eaten, a weary Cornus retreated to her room. I thought it was a good opportunity to enjoy some solitary time after so long.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

Bao, who immediately entered my room, struck me with an incredibly charismatic blow against the wall.

“…Why are you doing this? Don’t you know this is a crime?”

“What are you talking about? Insane.”

Bao’s face contorted at my incredulous yet fearful response.

“Quit babbling. You never told me everything.”

In response to her inquiry, I softened my tone slightly.

“What?”

It was clear that he was of noble origin, but he didn’t seem to care about his status. I spoke casually as I had always done.

Bao’s eyes were about to roll back in his head.

“Where is my brother?”

“Ah, that… But I genuinely don’t know.”

He kept questioning me, but honestly, there was nothing I could do.

“Contact information.”

“No. Even if there is, using common sense, if they know you’re searching for your brother, wouldn’t they change their contact number?”
“…….”
“It takes more than a day or two for those people to move. Blinking your eyes and moving to another country is characteristic of Do-won.”

The space magic of Zodiac and the coordinates she’s memorized are incomparable to my limits.
If I usually memorize up to seven coordinates, Zodiac memorizes at least a hundred.
Since she knows all the locations of dungeons where materials and mana stones are easily obtained, one can see how irregular Zodiac’s existence truly is.

“But how will you catch those people? By what means?”

Baobab listened to me silently.

“If we meet, can we bring that man?”
“…We can drag him.”

It’s impossible.
I’ve only seen it roughly, but Baobab’s strength is beyond imagination.
He’s unable to control his power. If he were to use his power properly, wouldn’t he really become as big as a building?

“There’s no way.”

Give up.

That was the implied meaning, but Bao still didn’t unclench his fist against the wall.

“Fine.”

Soon, her mouth opened.

“…Let them come.”
“What?”
“If I capture you, lock you up, and wait, won’t your brother come looking for you? You’re Do-won’s companion, after all.”

Is this guy for real?

“Open the door.”

He seems to be serious.

“I want to rest.”
“Rest then. Right next to me.”

Judging by his words, it’s something a man who has made many women cry would say. It felt like he had been watching me strangely for some time. He was biding his time for this.

Does he really have to come to my door and do something like this? I have to stay here for a while anyway, due to the upcoming Forest Keeper selection. I wouldn’t run away even if left alone.

“Should I have eliminated him back then?”

Should I report him to the higher-ups?

“Don’t make any foolish moves.”

“Are you serious?”
“Does it look like a lie?”

Baobab menacingly brings his face closer. Due to this, Cornus’s large breasts sway in front of her. Her clothes are torn, leaving her breastbone clearly visible.

The students passing by begin to snicker at us. We should go inside before the commotion escalates.

I open the door lock, input the password, and shoot him a glare.

-Dilyric!

We enter the room and turn on the light. Startled by the faint scent of Cornus’s lingering body oil, I glance back, relieved to see Baobab seems unaware of anything. First, I close the door and head to the bedroom. Until then, Baobab continues to glare at me, arms folded under his chest.

Let’s listen properly for once.

I sit casually on the bed, resting my chin on my hands, which are propped up on my knees.

“So, why are you so desperate to find your brother?”
“Do I have any reason to tell you? You just need to be held quietly.”

“In the Forest Keeper Tournament? Don’t even joke.”

“I’m not kidding.”

Baobab’s voice turned icy cold. It seemed I had entirely forgotten that I had bested him not long ago. Was he under the illusion that he could win if we were to face each other again? I had seriously miscalculated.

I stifled a sigh.

“I’m tired of wandering the world anyway… And you’re from Dowonhyang. If I stay with you, I’ll meet them eventually.”

“Are you going to hold onto me until then?”

“Yes.”

Baobab replied curtly.

“If I get eliminated in the Forest Keeper selection, I’ll simply withdraw.”

“What if you’re eliminated before that?”

“…That won’t happen, but if it does, I can wait outside.”

If it weren’t for his reason of searching for Ji, I’d think he was a hopeless romantic. Regardless, his plan was self-serving, and I had no reason to help him.

“Aren’t you being too presumptuous?”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice slightly.

“If you don’t like it, shall we try again?”
“We can’t use magic here.”

Bao responds to my question.
We can use minor magical power, but we can’t engage in actions that could cause significant issues.

“Then I win.”

Upon being discovered, our eligibility to participate in the Forest Keeper Selection Contest will be revoked. If word of fighting within the hotel reaches the higher-ups, we won’t be able to avoid such consequences.

“It would be problematic if we were caught in the first place.”
“If we don’t get caught, there’s no issue. And…”

This rascal is a national tree.
If he’s determined to secure immunity, it’s not entirely impossible.
I’d be unsure if he were a less significant national tree… but the baobab is recognized as S-class among national trees.

‘It seems like a bluff.’

However, I’m not yet certain if this guy has any connections to the Forest Keeper Selection Contest.
It appears that Bao, like Bob, has a muscular mind and came here without much thought.

Of course, that’s why it seemed unlikely that he would impose any sanctions on me with his power in this situation.

“Wait a moment.”

I halted Bao, just as he was about to assume a combat stance.

“Can’t we resolve this peacefully? I’m tired… Let’s just hear the reason. If it’s a valid one, I might be able to help you.”

“……”

The response would depend on the reason.
If it were a matter of a nation’s survival or a family falling apart, I could recognize the gravity of the situation and provide assistance.

“What’s the reason? If you suddenly want to beat me up, I’m no mad Buddha. Yes, would you kidnap me? Why?”

Bao refused to reveal the reason until the end.
He clenched his lips and glared at me. His straight black hair swayed gently.
If he were from Africa, wouldn’t he typically have curly hair? It seemed as if his appearance was that of a beautiful woman, with only her skin color changed.

“In a world where elves dwell among the World Tree, it wouldn’t be unusual for dark elves to exist as well.”

Hoping that my persuasion had some effect, I let the silence linger while observing Bao’s face. His yellow eyes, still seeming to glare at me. Her hand slowly crept upward.

“I refuse.”

Is he truly ready to fight?

“Why should I? I can just knock you down here and have my way with you.”
“Do you really think you can win?”

With an air of confidence and arrogance, Bao flashes a seemingly refreshing smile. It’s absurd. He still doesn’t comprehend what he endured after entering the dungeon in such a manner.

There will be no mercy this time if he doesn’t reveal his true intentions.

I rose from my seat and unclenched my fists.

‘Will the room be able to withstand it?’

Even without using magic, the power I wield transcends human capabilities.

Bao must be aware of that. If he managed to minimize the impact, there was nothing he couldn’t fight. Clenching his fists with vigor, Bao immediately assumed a stance.

‘It seems they’re under the impression that I’ll be weaker without using magic.’

With his combat-ready physique and high potential, his abilities would only shine brighter as conditions worsened.

When battling monsters in a cave, wielding a long sword.

When gripping a bow and arrow, engaging in close combat with an opponent.

In situations where Richie and his strengths couldn’t be fully utilized, my abilities were far superior. And there was no chance of losing, especially if magic wasn’t used.

“Then come.”

The battle was destined to end swiftly.