Chapter 3 – Oak (1)

The World Tree’s favorability is peculiar.
Does this even make sense?
The universal value held by the term “World Tree” on this Earth is substantial.

In articles that surface on the Internet, a popular topic is always preceded by the modifier “Worthy of the World Tree’s attention.”
Even in contracts between companies or nations, a peculiar ceremony known as the ‘Oath of the Sacred Tree’ is performed, rather than a contract of mana.
Is it logical that the noble World Tree, revered as the center of the world, would fall in love from just a single coupling?

—
【 World Tree Auction 】 – 【 Favorability Menu 】

▶World Tree of Purity: ♥♥♥♥♥ (100/100)
▶None
▶None
※More bonds with saplings and mature trees are required.
—

Of course, it could have been a misunderstanding.
The favorability rating could reach 100 just because of the ‘husband candidate’ position.

‘An investigation is necessary.’

The significance of the World Tree here, and the distinctions between World Trees, saplings, and mature trees.

I should find some time to visit the library.

Still, this situation isn’t all bad; the high affinity has allowed me to obtain many valuable benefits. Considering the prices here, 10,000p is by no means a small sum.

I carefully perused the World Tree Auction. What I need now are the traits and abilities that would enable me to enter El Academy, which falls under the jurisdiction of the ‘World Tree of Justice.’

‘Having passed the entrance exam for a prestigious university, I must prepare for another one…’

When I browsed the store earlier, there didn’t seem to be many abilities that could be acquired with points. Most items sold at the World Tree Auction are goods, equipment, and consumables. Unique characteristics, temperaments, and skills are generally obtainable only through draws.

‘100 times.’

That is the number of draws I can make with the points I currently have. Among the items available for purchase, there were only a few that I needed immediately.

‘I know all too well that gambling is a shortcut to ruining a person’s life.’

Isn’t this the fortune I saved for a time like this? As I boldly pressed the button, a PET bottle materialized out of thin air.

▶Mineral Water (F)
[Category: Consumables]
-Young saplings seem to like it.

(New items will be added to the store. Items obtained through the lottery can be repurchased.)

“Damn.”

I uncapped the bottle, poured out half of its contents, and tossed it into a corner of the room. My long-concealed competitive spirit flared up.
I, Lee Si-heon, am a man who cannot stand to lose. In a flurry of eagerness, I pressed the button five times in rapid succession.

—
▶Sapling Fertilizer (E)
[Category: Consumables]
-With this, you can monopolize the affection of young saplings!

▶Mask of Patience (B)
[Category: Equipment]
– There’s an erotic aura surrounding it. Though it’s an ugly mask, if you invest time in accepting its energy, you might become quite stylish.
-Effect 1: While wearing the mask, Charm is fixed at 2.
-Effect 2: Increases Charm by up to 1 after being worn for 5 days. One-time use.
※This item cannot be used multiple times.

▶ Mineral Water (F) x 3
– The following is omitted.
—

I was certain upon seeing the results of the draw.

“Tasteless bottled water is a dud.”

Four out of six times, it could be considered akin to a consolation prize in a lottery. The seedling fertilizer was just a step above the bottled water… Comparable to a raffle prize of a 5,000 won cultural gift certificate, perhaps? In contrast, the Mask of Patience was valued at a 200,000 won department store gift certificate.

– Set the charm to 2 and wear it for 5 days to increase charm by 1.

It was an alluring artifact that piqued my interest at first glance. Since my current charm is negative, I would essentially receive a +4 bonus just by wearing the mask. And who would refuse the additional offer of charm growth? It was an indispensable item for me, whose self-esteem had hit rock bottom recently after being on the receiving end of a barrage of insults.

‘Luck 10 bestows its blessings.’

But, if you think about it differently, doesn’t a charm of 2 signify an unattractive man to others? Then, what does a -2 even look like?

【 (Below Goblins!) The World Tree of Purity informs you. 】

The World Tree satisfied my curiosity.
Well, damn.

I stopped dwelling on my appearance and kept pressing the button until a useful ability appeared.

-Tadadadadadadadadak!

—
▶Quality of the Sword (E)
[Classification: Temperament]
– Shows decent talent for handling swords. Manifests sword skills more easily.

▶Magical Qualities (D)
[Classification: Temperament]
– Shows decent talent for handling magical powers. Exhibits good aptitude for learning magic.

-Pampa babam! The World Tree blesses you!

▶Combat Body (S)
[Classification: Unique Attribute]
“A keen sense is indeed a truly violent talent in battle.”
-Effect 1: Receives significant enhancements throughout combat actions.
—

Exactly on the 67th attempt, the long-awaited ability appeared with boisterous celebratory sounds.

“Oh, oh, oh oh oh!”

I immediately stood up, slapped my thighs, and exclaimed with joy.

It’s a useful ability to read anywhere. In a world dominated by counterfeit world trees, a combat-oriented body will prove to be a steadfast ally.

Of course, there were other things that surfaced besides the ability.
Water, water, and fertilizer.
As I glanced at the items piled up behind me, I sighed at the thought of having to organize them all.

What should I do with these?
Thirty bottles of pristine mineral water. Drink them while exercising.
Fertilizer. Distribute it among the nearby farms.
The issue lies in the copious amount of miscellaneous items, such as tissues, in addition to water and fertilizer.

“The highest-ranked one is this…”

A mysterious pill enveloped in a bright red aura.
If it were a pill that imbued one with inner strength or magical power, I would have eagerly tried it. However, the problem was that it wasn’t meant for humans.

—
▶ Tree Circle (B) x 3
– A rare elixir for nurturing sprouts. Imbued with mystical energy, it greatly aids in the ability growth of young saplings. Nevertheless, it can have dire consequences if consumed by humans.
—

Judging by the frequency, it seems to be just above the level of seedling fertilizer. If you’re looking for a comparison point, perhaps a 500,000 won department store gift certificate?
Either way, it’s still inedible trash.

How should I use this?
It feels like a waste to give it to a male contender, and there doesn’t seem to be an immediate use for it. I slipped the tree ring into the zippered pocket of my tracksuit.

* * * * *

Two months have passed since I found myself in this unwelcome world.
It usually takes a week to adapt to living in a foreign land, but I’ve spent more than 60 days here – how could I not become accustomed to it? Now, I don’t even feel much emotion when people discuss the World Tree on home shopping channels or the internet.

Living here has started to feel like an everyday routine.
Aside from missing my mother back home and the absence of online games, life wasn’t much different from before.

-Tiriling~

“Welcome~ Are you looking for any specific clothes?”

As part of my daily routine, I visited the department store today to buy clothes that fit me properly.

After numerous workouts, I could finally buy clothes without having to visit a plus-size store.

“Where are the training clothes?”
“Training clothes? You’ll find them in the right corner, sorted by size.”
“Thank you. I’ll browse on my own.”

I politely declined the employee’s offer to help and began selecting my attire. I chose several classic black tracksuits, as well as sleeveless shirts and underwear for wearing at home. The bank account holding one million won that I had upon arriving in this world was gradually depleting. But it was fine—if I passed the academy, the government would provide substantial support until graduation.

As I spent time choosing clothes, I overheard the chattering of employees gathered around the counter.

“Hey, did you hear? The Holy Tree is outside right now.”
“Really? Who is it? Which family?”
“Lee Se-Young from the Orc Family!”
“Oh my! Let’s hurry and take a look.”

The Holy Tree?

As an unfiltered word caught my attention, my curiosity was piqued. I momentarily set down my clothes and stepped outside to find a massive crowd lining the street.

“Kyaaak! Please look over here~!”

-Click click click click!

Camera shutters repeatedly snapped all around. Far off on the sidewalk, bodyguards in black suits encircled and protected a woman.

A tall woman, appearing to be around 170cm, greeted the surrounding fans with a warm smile. Her face, which seemed to be in her mid-twenties, exuded a mature charm.

“Is that… a holy tree?”

My mouth gaped open. Her green shoulder-length hair framed a red dress that barely concealed her breasts. Tracing my gaze up her collarbone, I noticed a choker made of red oak eerily tightening around her neck.

Had I been staring too blatantly? The holy tree, aware of my gaze, looked back at me.

“?”
“…!”

A woman with wide eyes, as if she had discovered something peculiar.

Behind the impeccably groomed visage, a silhouette of a stalwart and unblemished tree emerged. Without thinking, I muttered under my breath.

“…An oak tree.”

Perhaps, just maybe, it was the name of that tree. Seongmok, who had been watching me, flashed a cunning, fox-like grin and provocatively licked his upper lip.

Gradually, he closed the distance between us. She approached more rapidly than if she were simply being carried away by the crowd. As the gap between us shrank, a bodyguard in a suit stepped in to block my path.

“Step aside.”

“Ah, yes.”

Brushing past her well-dressed bodyguard, she scrutinized the mask I wore. A startled laugh escaped from her lips as she surveyed it.

“You have quite a treasure there, don’t you?”