Chapter 253 – Bao (1)

[My hero~~~]

“What’s with the nickname?”

[Hehe, didn’t you like it?]

After a long time without contact, Byeol greeted me with a cute and lively demeanor.

[Lee Si-heon, I was so shocked while watching the broadcast.]

Perhaps it’s because what I demonstrated in the first trial exceeded all expectations.
Everyone who answered my calls was taken aback.

-Lee Si-heon, you’ve become incredibly strong, haven’t you?
-Oh, Se-Young, who do you think I am?
-…Seeing how smug you are, I suddenly don’t feel like talking to you anymore.
-Do you feel better now?
-…Yes. I want to see you.

Lee Se-Young was surprised, but her reaction suggested it was warranted. She asked me when I would come to see her.

-Do you know how astonished I was watching that?
-Really?
-How many times did you… Sigh. You always manage to surprise me… Weren’t you hurt? I should take a look at it once.
-At what?
-…Your body.

Azalea’s tone was one of concern for me.

-Frostbite.
-Yes.
-I’ve been trusting you! Welcome to the path of the mage! Oh, and when will we see each other?
-Why?
-…I can’t stand it anymore.

Hwangdo seemed very satisfied with the qualities I demonstrated as a mage this time. Most of it was due to pent-up desires, but when she called, it felt like she was receiving some affection.

On the other hand, Baekdo ignored my messages. Cheondo, perhaps wanting to maintain her mentor’s dignity, surprisingly didn’t have much to say. My rapid growth led her to repeatedly request that I share my story someday.

[But I was truly amazed.]

The star spoke with excitement.

[If you continue like this, won’t you really become S-class? Oh my, are you getting stronger than me? Well, you are my boyfriend after all~ I guess I should expect as much? Oh, is it a given? I’m the vice president~ The vice president’s boyfriend becomes S-class! Hehe.]
“Why are you so happy today?”

[“…It’s because you contacted me. What, you don’t get excited when you talk to me because you have a lot of girlfriends?”]
“No way.”

It’s enjoyable to communicate with Byul.
Since we’re also internet friends, it’s fun to share jokes and banter.

[But we still have a long way to go before we meet Siheon…]
“I’ll step out once along the way.”
[Really? Let’s play another game.]

Game, it’s a game.
If it’s the kind of game we played back then, I can play it anytime.

[You just thought of something naughty.]
“…No.”
[Don’t lie. Gamsoon sees everything. People like Jjindda and perverts have something in common. I can see right through you, Siheon, who’s somewhat like a Jjindda.]
“Do I appear that way?”
[Yeah, but not so much these days.]

I see.

“You caught me.”
[Actually, I did too. Hehe.]

She responds honestly when I answer honestly.
I laughed heartily and spoke to her.

“So, about the task you asked me to do last time.”

Now we get to the crux of the matter.

[Yeah, did you find anything?]

In anticipation of Flower’s attack, I was asked to investigate whether there were any suspicious individuals among the trainees. Star had entrusted me with this task.

Of course, it wasn’t an easy undertaking, but Star had added that I shouldn’t worry and should just enjoy the selection event wholeheartedly. But even so, I felt compelled to do my part. I mentioned the most likely suspect in my mind.

“El Academy’s Gu-seul.”

[Gu-seul… Oh, the one who had the bow? She was amazing. How many people did she eliminate? Twenty?]

“I’m not entirely sure, but it’s evident that she’s hiding something. Unless it’s related to the association… I think an investigation is warranted.”

[Alright.]

Star seemed convinced. However, Gu-seul had managed to eliminate more than twenty people.

Would someone who is usually reluctant to step forward really do such a thing?

From the very beginning, Gu-seul was positioned close to the person she had to be cautious of, making it impossible not to have doubts.

If Gu-seul were a Flower…
It was highly likely that those who eliminated as many trainees as possible were Flowers.

[What about others?]

“Byul.”

[You surprised me. It feels awkward to change names so suddenly… What’s going on?]

“This is just a guess, but could there be a possibility that Gukmok is a Flower?”

[Gukmok? I’ve never heard of it.]

Byul spoke in a tone that seemed to question the reason behind such a thought.

[To begin with, Gukmok is transparently disclosed and nurtured. It has been entrusted to reliable families that have been loyal to the World Tree since ancient times… It is a symbol of the nation! They choose people who can be trusted to that extent.]

“…Hmm.”

[What’s the matter?]

The existence of Gukmok.

It is already known that the purpose of cultivating the best talents is to confront the Flowers.

But as I mentioned before, Flower isn’t as aggressive a terrorist organization as one might think. Surprisingly, there are even forces that defend Flower…

“Wait a moment.”

I need to think about this. First, I shared what came to my mind.

“Assuming that the person I mentioned is indeed a member of Flower, they’d have a motive for causing the cadets to be eliminated.”

[True, there’s no merit in eliminating people during the first trial. If you’re an ordinary civilian… maybe you’d do it just to gain some attention. But if it’s Flower, there must be an ulterior motive.]

So, Flower is attempting to create dropouts even while drawing attention to themselves? There must be a reason for that.

“And currently, the number of eliminated cadets is at its highest.”

[Ah, I see. That’s how you approached it.]

It was a faint suspicion, but upon hearing that Gu-seul had unexpectedly caused many cadets to be eliminated, my doubt deepened significantly.

[Indeed, it is.]

Star confirmed.

[Without a doubt, the number of cadets disqualified by the national authorities… It’s significantly higher compared to previous national authorities. It’s fair to say that they deliberately aimed for these numbers.]

“The problem is that we don’t know why.”

If it’s confirmed that Gu-seul is a Flower, the national authorities might be worth questioning.

[Hmm. If we approach it simply, maybe they are trying to minimize the number of victims as much as possible.]

“Victims?”

Those mad terrorists are trying to reduce the number of victims?

Star immediately answered the intriguing part of my question.

[Yes, I told you, there are moderate ones. Those who engage in social activism… Kids who never resort to violence. The first and second officers are examples of that. If those kids led the raid, it’s a plausible scenario.]

If that’s the case, the decision to reduce the number of victims seemed justified.

[If by any chance, Flower had managed to persuade the National Trees to join their side… The Moderates would have been much easier to convince. They are the ones who focus on social weaknesses and try to address them.]

Star continued her story at a leisurely pace.

[But if that’s the case… It might be difficult even with my own power. I must approach cautiously.]

“In my opinion, it’s because only the National Trees have the power to turn the tables.”

[I understand. But it’s a National Tree. Doubting them is tantamount to turning your back on the nation.]

Criticizing a National Tree is a sensitive subject, as it can be perceived as an attack on the nation’s identity. It was no coincidence that the National Trees seemed to have lost their sense of identity and appeared lost.

Marronnier was like that – burdened by immense responsibility, he longed for a more ordinary life.

So, what would happen if a National Tree were truly a traitor? Star answered my question nonchalantly.

[The country will be turned upside down. They’ll try to evade responsibility somehow, but… If Korea’s Kim Soo-yeon is a Flower, the KOSPI will plummet… The Hunter Association will be screwed, too. Anyway, it’s going to be very tough.]

Is that so?
Indeed, since the family is playing a role similar to a corporation, even the country could be shaken if the family that produced the national tree was under such suspicion.

“Then, for Flower, the best scenario would be to have the national tree on her side.”

[That’s how it would be. Again, it’s a slim chance. It’s not that I don’t trust Si-heon’s discernment… But this, I’m not sure.]

One must always assume the worst.
If you dismiss the possibility as nonexistent, disaster can strike in the blink of an eye.
Regardless, the resources I utilize are minimal compared to those deployed in the forest keeper selection competition.
It wasn’t much of a problem for us to harbor suspicions about the national trees.

“It feels right.”

[…Okay. I have to trust you on this.]

“Should I just trust that? The Vice President.”

[Right now, Si-heon is not the Vice President but my girlfriend, you know?]

“Hehehe. Thank you. Really.”

It feels fortunate to have such a valuable connection. While I’m participating in the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament, there’s someone on the outside who can take action on my behalf.

At the moment, there are also Aori and Tae-yang. I’m not sure if they still have their own hidden plans, but for now, they’re on my side.

[Thanks for taking care of my matters. Still, be careful with yourself.]
“I will.”
[Yeah. You know you’re more precious than those Flower bastards, right?]
“I know.”
[Okay. I have to go and attend to some work now, so I’m hanging up, alright?]

-Click.

After ending the call, I lowered my phone. Starting tomorrow, I will have to face the second trial once more.

Unlike the first trial, this time, I’m given a two-week period to decide how much time to invest in the challenge on my own.

In essence, if the ordeal can be completed in a single day, the remaining time is free time. However, it’s unlikely that such an easy trial exists.

‘Being tested by a tree…’

Regardless of the conditions presented, I must prevail.

I rose from the bed, stretched, and left the room. The time was precisely when I had agreed to meet Sansuyu at the restaurant.

– Squeak.

The silhouette appearing as soon as I opened the door. Could Sansuyu be waiting up front?

That thought crossed my mind, but I soon hardened my face upon seeing the disagreeable figure that emerged.

“Hey.”

– Thud!

Instantly, a resounding thump against the wall. He bent his knees slightly, looking down at me from above.

“Up for another round.”

Baobab.

Since that day, he’s the one who challenges me to a fight every morning.

* * * * * * * * *

“So what should I do with this?”

Sighing as he scoops up some food. Despite everything, the expensive beef he’s been eating since morning brings him a sense of happiness.

It feels like his quality of life is suddenly improving.

“Is that the reason you were late?”
“Yeah.”
“I couldn’t even talk to Cornus because of that, and I was left suffering by myself. You left me hanging just because of a girl…”
“Your words sound strange.”

Let’s have breakfast together for once. Cornus and I are eating, so we might as well greet each other since we decided to go together anyway. With that thought in mind, they were called at the same time, but Tae-yang couldn’t even approach Cornus.

“What’s the deal with a guy who’s going to chase after a girl like that?”
“…Chasing girls?”

Cornus responds to his words. Her eyes cast a suspicious glance at Tae-yang.

“Sister…”

At their first encounter, Bam was cautious and suspicious, but Aori’s amicable nature quickly led them into conversation. Aori was not much different.

“Please disregard my brother’s words. I can’t even do that anymore due to a lack of sexual desire.”
“Even when I’m not around?”
“Damn… If you don’t believe me, do you want me to show you?”
“I don’t want to see.”

As Aori voraciously devoured a fried egg, she grabbed Bam’s arm.

“I saw it with my own eyes. A girl was seduced and laid down in bed, but the pitiful sight of her staring blankly, unable to do anything, was all that transpired.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. In the end, I received a slap. ‘What are you doing?’ she asked.”

Aori’s candid words helped Bam understand the brief commotion that had taken place in the neighboring room the night before. The child had truly lost their touch.

The scene naturally became solemn.

“Brother.”
“Yes?”
“Excuse me, but could you indulge me just once?”
“Are you insane?”
“I promise it’ll only be once, and then I’ll be castrated. I’m incredibly lonely right now since I couldn’t even say a proper farewell, you see?”

I discreetly covered Sansuyu’s ears.

“Don’t speak like that in the presence of children.”
“…I apologize, sister.”

And don’t even approach when I’m not around.

Seemingly understanding my intent, Taeyang and Aori nodded their heads before finishing their meal. There was no reason for them to meet Sansuyu when I wasn’t around anyway. The reason wasn’t anything significant, but if Sansuyu were to learn dirty jokes involving children… I felt like I would lose my mind.

The Sansuyu within me has no reason to be tainted yet.

“…What’s wrong, Sieon?”
“Nothing. Let’s eat.”

Sansuyu tore at her bread, her expression unchanged. Observing us, Taeyang shook his head.

“Brother, it seems you really care for your sister.”
“If you know that, don’t make such jokes.”
“Understood.”

He was quite good at responding.