Chapter 261 – Twist the Tree (2)
Back when I was completely powerless, I used to worry a lot about this.
How to overcome a crisis? How should I increase my strength? Such concerns persist to this day, but presently, I needed to direct my thoughts elsewhere.
As a last resort, I had to exploit the tree.
During the time given to me, I had to somehow raise the favorability of the tree called Mary. Turn someone who had reached the extreme of human hatred to my side.
I had to run a beautiful (美木) tree love simulation.
[19,560p will be granted.]
It’s the favorability that I’ve been accumulating for months.
By gathering the World Tree’s, various trees’, and people’s fondness towards me, it was quite possible to accumulate this many points. After a long time, the World Tree Auction rewarded me with a bundle of points.
【The World Tree Auction is a shop accessible only to the World Tree’s husband and prospective husbands, using the favorability of the World Tree and the tree people towards you as currency. The currency used is limited to points (p).】
【Possessed points: 21,560p】
The World Tree is 100p per unit of affinity.
The tree people are known as 10p.
Upon entering the adorably decorated pink icon, an explanatory text and shop are displayed.
The variety of items is reminiscent of an internet shopping mall. Among them, I immediately moved to the drawing slot.
There were many useful items in the shop, but the prices were exorbitant.
[Now is your chance! From F-class items to EX-class unique traits! 100p per attempt!]
“Huff…”
With nostalgic thoughts, I placed it in front of me and took a deep breath.
There were times when I had desperately sought to obtain unique traits or temperaments here.
But now, it’s fine.
What I aim to draw is very common, so it should be very easy to obtain.
When I pressed the draw button, 100p was deducted, and something emerged from thin air—a vibrant red pill with a swirling aura. It had been a while since I last saw one of these.
—-
▶ Tree Ring (B)
[Category: Consumable]
– A rare elixir for nurturing sprouts, imbued with mystical energy. Greatly aids the growth and development of young saplings’ abilities. However, if consumed by a human, severe consequences will ensue.
—-
‘I need to save this for Shiba.’
As soon as the Tree Ring appeared, I immediately stowed it away in the carrier. This rare medicine would help Shiba grow, or I could give it to Lee Se-Young. In this world, it’s considered an invaluable resource, making it useful in any situation.
Onto the next draw.
Before long, one of the items I had hoped for emerged.
—-
▶ Mineral Water (F)
[Category: Consumable]
– Young seedlings would likely enjoy this.
—-
In this inclined Great Forest, the draw, exclusively for the World Tree’s husband candidates, is meticulously based on trees.
The items from the draw also follow the preferences of the World Tree.
At first, this mineral water was treated as a dud?
‘One of the best foods for trees.’
I need to draw a few more of these and other items as well. I sat down in the room, continuously tapping the draw button.
My luck is not bad. When I first raised my abilities, I invested everything in luck and potential. However, luck doesn’t activate noticeably, and so far, I haven’t reaped any significant benefits.
– Splash.
Something poured out of thin air.
A long hose connected to the machine and a hollow, bell-shaped object. Simultaneously, bottles of milk powder were prepared. When I lifted it from the floor, I understood what it was.
▶ Milking Device (C)
[Category: Miscellaneous]
– The fruit of love between two people. The World Tree is rooting for you!
– Effect 1: The extracted breast milk is preserved indefinitely.
-Effect 2: It can be transformed and used for extracting honey and sap.
“…Purity.”
【The World Tree of Purity tilts its head.】
“This is you.”
No answer comes back. It seems that what Purity did was right.
‘Why would something like this come from the draw…?’
It’s not a bad thing. Rather, it’s good. It’s like saying that Cornus can handle her own breast milk without being touched by others. But I didn’t know if I could get this from the draw.
‘How do I collect the sap and honey?’
As I pressed the button, the model of the hose changed and took on a plausible shape. It reminds me of a hose stuck in a tree that I sometimes see on the way.
“Let’s give this later.”
I stored it elsewhere and continued with the draw. It wasn’t long before I was able to obtain the items I wanted—seedling fertilizer.
The most useless item from the lottery, which I even provided directly to a nearby farmhouse because there was no use for it. But now, I needed it more than anything. I also gained a few unexpected benefits. Nutrients, and mostly items for trees. Normally, I would have cursed wholeheartedly and damned purity, but in my current situation, nothing could have been better.
* * * * * * * * *
The next day. Same time. As I walked with the fertilizer on my back, people were already staring at me from all around. “Where the hell did you get that?” seemed to be the shared sentiment. My pockets were filled with water bottles.
*Thud!*
I placed the bag of fertilizer on the bench and sat down. Upon inspection, it was still in use. It wasn’t long before the door opened, and Im Jong-hyun emerged.
*Squeak.*
As soon as the door opened, our eyes met. His slightly narrowed eyes scanned my body for a moment, then smirked at the bag of fertilizer next to me.
“Are you having a hard time?”
Normally, I would have just exchanged glances. But for some reason, he spoke in a cheeky tone. When the door closed and Mary was out of sight, I let out a sigh.
“It’s damn hard. What am I supposed to do with that tree? I just can’t find a solution.”
I don’t have much time left, but you still have a long way to go. That’s what I read in his eyes. Did he think I wouldn’t notice? Or perhaps it was an outright provocation.
“Hmph.”
A single mocking laugh. That alone revealed Jonghyun’s thoughts.
Lucky for him, he managed to fight with Jung Si-woo… A person who became arrogant just because he was paired with a half-hearted opponent. There’s no difference between him and Mary.
Mary, filled with self-blame, conceit, and arrogance, or Im Jong-hyun, who was vain despite having achieved nothing while riding on the coattails of his accomplished ancestors. That was the crux of it all.
Humans ought to be beneath the wooden figures. How dare they not kneel? It’s fitting for them to be abject. Such is their mindset.
Observing these two, it became evident why the lives of Tae-yang and Aori had been twisted.
It must be people like them that the contemptible Flower opposed.
“What are you waiting for?”
Jong-hyun walked past me without uttering a word. I, too, seized the door handle, disregarding him.
– *Swish!*
[You’re late again today, inferior species.]
I gazed at a tree that enthusiastically greeted me.
“Hello. I am Lee Si-heon, the inferior species.”
I immediately flattened my tone.
“Your attire is red today. You’re situated on the upper branch instead of the lower one, and it suits you quite well.”
[…What?]
Mary, bewildered by the torrent of words.
Without a moment to reply, I rushed through the conversation.
“Of course, beauty cannot be fully expressed through the limited eyes of a humble, inferior species. Nonetheless, not knowing how else to act… I’ve attempted to express it in this way.”
[What? Really? Huh… You’re full of spirit today, unlike yesterday?]
“No, it should have always been like this.”
[Isn’t that obvious? Yeah, you were so rude yesterday. Just a human trying to use their brain?]
“That’s right. Unlike the leaves of trees that grow day by day, humans only stop growing and age along the way. I’d like to resemble that aspect of the trees, even just a little.”
[…Are you treating me like a fool?]
“Not at all.”
Taking turns, I brought bags of fertilizer and water, placing them on the soil.
Mary’s voice, filled with confusion. She must not have expected this situation to unfold.
That must be what he wanted: a lowly, inferior creature with a furrowed brow, upset from the mistreatment received the day before.
Unable to let go of my human-like pride, I would struggle for an entire week. In the end, he must have imagined laughing to himself as he watched me desperately trying to appease him.
[…] What is this? Who said you could bring something like this?]
“No, sir.”
[Ha, what do you take me for? Did you think I’d be pleased if you brought me something like this? Get rid of it now.]
“…Really?”
[Of course.]
I put on the most pitiful expression I could manage.
I scrunched up my face like a Chihuahua that had lived with its mother-in-law for over 20 years.
“This is the utmost sincerity I can offer.”
[Well, I told you I don’t need it.]
I tore open the top of the fertilizer bag.
Within it lay the dark, lustrous fertilizer. Repulsive to me but alluring to the trees, Mary tensed her body as it dispersed its form and fragrance.
[Immediately…]
Her pupils trembled, and leaves quivered in their place. Instead of perspiration cascading like rain, droplets of water slid down the leaves.
[R-right now…]
She was a branch tormented by anguish.
“Would you consider trying it at least once, out of respect?”
[…]
“Please.”
An extended silence ensued. Bathed beneath the pristine white light, she knelt down ever so gently. I set aside all my personal thoughts and presented the fertilizer to her. To these beings, fertilizer was akin to a lavish, carefully prepared Korean meal, and before long, I heard her response.
[…Bring it here.]
“Yes.”
Cautiously, I dragged the sack of fertilizer and sprinkled it gently while moving in circles around her. I took great care to prevent any from splashing onto my clothes, lest I be chastised for it.
Unlike the fertilizer I was familiar with, it appeared to be fine to pour an entire bag. Mary’s body, amply nourished with fertilizer, seemed to emit a faint glow.
Whoo- It brightens. The leaves fluttered like a dog’s tail.
▶ Walking Pheromones (F)
I employ all available means.
Upon first using this ability, a faint, sweet fragrance seeped from my body, enough for me to detect.
– Sway, sway.
The quivering leaves.
[…Well, it’s, um, edible. Not bad for an inferior species.]
“How’s the water?”
[Sprinkle it.]
Upon immediately removing the lid, I sprinkled it onto the soil. From the tree’s perspective, this was a veritable feast.
I hope this raises its favorability somewhat.
Mary shone for quite some time. It seemed that she emitted this faint green luminescence while feeding.
The fertilizer strewn on top vanished as if melting into the ground.
[……]
Mary focused intently on eating without uttering a word. Before long, a somewhat embarrassed voice emerged.
[Hmm, for an inferior species… Not bad, quite perceptive.]
Is it time for the trial now?
I attempted to subtly suggest that it might be possible at this moment, but I immediately suppressed the impulse. Now is the time to wait. There was still plenty of time.
‘If I were to mention the trial here for no reason… Even the hard-earned goodwill could turn into disfavor.’
Was I trying to make a good impression just to undergo the trial?
I must not let the other person’s thoughts proceed in that direction.
I have always treated you with the principle of tree supremacy.
I simply acted as naturally expected, regardless of the trial.
It meant that I needed to instill such thoughts in the other person.
For now, that was enough.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
[What? Leaving already?]
Mary raised a question mark at my actions. I bowed my head politely.
“Being near humans might disrupt your digestion, so I’ll come back tomorrow at the same time.”
[Uh, uh-huh.]
He responded hesitantly. I opened the door and stepped outside, not forgetting to glance back and offer one more courteous farewell.
Caution upon caution was necessary when dealing with that finicky tree, so that he would feel a sense of emptiness in my absence. My plan was to touch it gently and gradually.