Chapter 348 – A Shift in the Age (1)

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-Evidence of successive terrorist collaborations found involving the Cornus family, also contributing to the production of drugs, including Menedel…
-Communication lost with the Sanhyukwon Estate in Gaju. What on earth is happening?
-Prosecution requests arrest warrants for all members of the Cornus family…
-Mokin Bridge. Urgent response needed. Possible repercussions considered in case of irregularities.
-All together, Mokindang, Lee Joo-hyung. Immediate action required.
—-

-Yeon-oh: Wretched creatures who’ve feasted on the lifeblood of humans. May you pay for your sins.
-Chadol: It’s unbelievable that these scum control most of South Korea’s corporations. The solution is to confiscate their assets swiftly and sever their heads.
-1.525: A mother who lost her only son in the previous drug terror incident. I implore you. This matter cannot be taken lightly.

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People fail to recognize the slowly approaching transitional period.

-You insane fools

Consider this with common sense. If the Cornus family collapses, will Korea be unscathed? Just think about the number of affiliated companies they have. Do you want to witness the downfall of the nation? This is a country barely surviving due to the trickle-down effect, and yet you talk about the family’s ruin.

[Comment 127]
-ㅇㅇ (12.671): They still defend the terrorists. Would you say the same if your own family suffered from drugs and became victims?
└ㅇㅇ: Typical emotional response. In reality, if the company falls apart, those who would lose their jobs first are all around us. When did I say terrorism wasn’t an issue?
└ㅇㅇ (6.12): I wonder if the one who wrote this is out of their mind. Are they ridiculing Flower for being insane?
└ㅇㅇ: Address the argument properly. We’re on the brink of war. If internal divisions occur now, the nation will be in chaos, and people will be abandoned in an instant. There’s also ample opportunity for evidence to be tampered with. How many times has Mugung changed the family’s course to eliminate the entrenched powers?
-M: If you look at it, you’d think the Cornus family is single-handedly supporting all of Korea. What are the other companies doing, just standing by idly?

└ㅇㅇ: Then, how much do you think those numerous companies rely on the Cornus family’s capital?
└ㅁ: It’s just one family, so what hahaha
└ㅇㅇ: They rank within the top five in the world. It’s basic to have dozens or hundreds of companies in their affiliated guilds. Their estimated assets are 14 kyeong.
└ㅁ: The wealth is based on the family and is divided among branch families. It’s true that the family’s influence in Korea is weak, led by the Hunter Association, but how much of that capital is actually in Korea? Wouldn’t we be the only ones to profit if their assets were confiscated?
-ㅇㅇ (36.41): So, what are you trying to say?

The world is changing.

─Damn, we’re screwed.
(Video taken with a cell phone sticking out of the window)
I live in the US, and I can hear something exploding right now. Seems like a civil war is happening, hahaha

[Comment 591]
-ㅇㅇ (31.22): What happened?
-ㅇㅇ (67.112): No reply, huh?

-Not to be ignored: The possibility of a civil war was secretly discussed by experts 20 years ago because of Flower. I think that’s accurate. The article hasn’t been released yet. Be safe.

– Not the American Civil War. An article surfaces.
A company or guild associated with Flower that has been discreet and surreptitious in some states. I heard that the world-renowned knights are taking care of it.
The video seems to have been taken in the process. It’s not something I was worried about. However, it wouldn’t be strange even if there’s a war.

[Comment 221]
– Yes (52.11): A Flower crackdown?
Yes: But that’s a relief. When Heavenly Demon was around a long time ago, people were sharply divided over whether there would be a war or not. That’s the feeling back then.
└ㅇ (52.87): There will never be a war. It’s not a trivial matter, whose dog’s name is that? Many people don’t know why the World Tree is revered as such.
-wjqwg: Honestly, does anyone here truly believe the World Tree is a god? In human eyes, it’s just a sacred relic.

In the midst of a worldwide festival, the Forest Keeper selection was suddenly disrupted by a terror attack from Flower. This event sent shockwaves throughout most countries.

[What is the World Tree doing?]

The faith of devout believers was shaken, and doubt began to spread among humans that the divine could no longer protect them.

[Taxes keep being collected while those with strong ties to the World Tree receive preferential treatment at work and within guilds. Is this a god?]

It has now reached the point where even those who believe in the divine face ridicule and scorn.

Unbelievable. Believers are fools.

Discrimination that has persisted for hundreds of years, a chasm in treatment determined by one’s birth—resentment among humans that had been simmering subtly now erupts. A political faction opposing the global theocratic system itself gains power and momentum.

When the sentiment of the people turns against the divine, there is only one thing left.

Revolution.

Just as the previous King Mokryeong had done. Just as Heavenly Demon had attempted.

It thrives on human discontent, stemming from a corner of consciousness, questioning the established powers.

Though war has not yet broken out, it could at any moment.
Flower is on the brink of action, and everyone is aware of it.

Some nations have already started preparing to break free from divine rule.
From being treated as mere terrorists, they’ve transformed into the driving forces of revolution.
Failure to halt this process has made it clear that even if the World Trees emerge victorious in this cold war, their incompetence and ignorance displayed today will forever hold them back.

Hence, a decision is made.

By annihilating one of the most powerful families on a global scale,
it is necessary to demonstrate the still-potent power of the World Trees.

A minor piece of evidence that the Cornus family aided Flower.
Even if it is but a speck on a jade, should there be evidence, they will relentlessly search for it and tear it apart.
They were merely pawns in the game of politics.

-Thud!

The laboratory was bathed in a crimson glow.
Researchers bustled about, mixing concoctions with a sense of urgency.

“……”

No words were exchanged. Sansuyu sat on the bed in her room, staring blankly ahead.
The intravenous fluid bag attached to her arm had been replaced several times.

“Her condition has improved far beyond our expectations.”

Incomprehensible words brushed past her ears.

“However… the damage to her internal organs and tissue is severe. To administer the next drug…”
“We have no time. Proceed immediately.”
“Understood, but… I’m uncertain whether a miracle will occur twice, my lord.”

Sanhyeokwon stood among the researchers, massaging his furrowed brow as he looked down upon them.

“A miracle…”

Sansuyu had miraculously survived the Forest Keeper selection trials.
The odds had been less than a penny’s worth.

Despite most researchers predicting her demise, Cornus’s unyielding vitality had ultimately brought her to this point.

This degree of progress should be sufficient for the research.

Perhaps it’s time to let Miss Cornus go. There were certainly a few who entertained such thoughts.

“Continue the procedure.”
“…Yes.”

The researcher reluctantly nodded in response to the dry command from the institute director.

“How many coincidences and miracles do you think occurred in the process of creating this elixir?”

The miracle of obtaining a dragon’s heart. The fact that he personally plundered the tomb of Heavenly Demon. It could be said that the outcome was a result of a series of luck, coincidences, and miracles.

Cornus’s revival was merely a small part of those miracles.

“I’ll administer the injection.”

Only through the convergence of even more coincidences could one achieve immortality. The entire Cornus family held an unwavering belief in this.

-Joowoowook!

Various liquids were injected into the needles embedded in Cornus’s body.

“…”

Cornus stared ahead without a thought.

*Drip, drip.*

Dark blood began to trickle from her nostrils. Overcome with dizziness, she clenched her eyes shut.

‘…’

In her tightly gripped hand lay a shattered cell phone, now impossible to track.

Having asked the sage for a favor, she had left first and returned. The fall of the Cornus family had forced her to erase the cell phone’s records.

*Ooze.*

Cornus’s mouth opened, and the blood that had pooled inside slowly seeped out. Furrowing her brow, she steadied her forehead with both hands.

“…”

It was a reality she had to accept. A family secret that had persisted for over a thousand years. With trembling shoulders, she barely managed to maintain her composure.

*Throb, burn.*

The bark adhered to her cheek. Symptoms of Entification. The startled researchers immediately rose from their seats and raised the red ampoule.

“Did I get it wrong?”

San Hyuk-won frowned and gestured with his chin. Just before the red ampoule was injected into her body, the tree bark stuck to Cornus’s cheek fell away.

“…”

Blood seeped through her clenched fists. She was somehow enduring it with sheer willpower and mental strength. She bowed her head and slowly lifted her face. One eye, exposed through her hair, momentarily turned blue.

“I’m okay…”

Seong Ji-ho was watching the scene.

* * * * * * * *

Having been sexually teased by the older sisters, and after bidding them farewell in the morning, he returned home to find Azalea waiting for him, naked. He made love to her several times.

“Whew…”

It had been quite some time since I returned here, yet my Danjeon still hadn’t fully recovered.

I was aware that the recovery of the body and the restoration of the Danjeon, which holds magical power, were entirely different matters. However, I hadn’t anticipated it to be this critical. Was the treatment delayed due to sex? On the contrary, my body’s natural healing ability would have increased from my relations with women, and there had never been a single instance where it caused me harm.

– Square.

I dipped a piece of starfruit into honey and took a bite. The refreshing sweetness of the honey brought a smile to my face.

“Papa, Shiba wants some too!”
“Hmm? No, Shiba. Let’s eat something else.”

Regardless of the health benefits, I couldn’t possibly feed my daughter fruits and honey gained from sexual pleasure. The same held true for acorns, from which I had removed as much bitterness as possible.

I gently stroked Shiba’s plump cheeks and seated her on my lap.

“Here, have some tea.”

Before I knew it, Azalea, who had brewed the honey water, sat gracefully on the chair across from me.

I’m daunted by the sight of him feeding me honey from his own genitals without an ounce of hesitation.

It’s sweet and delicious.
I still can’t believe it came from his private parts.

“As long as it tastes good.”

By the way.

The aftermath of the Forest Keeper Selection was looming large, just as anticipated. After gathering and examining information from internet sites, guilds, and celestial news, it became clear that even Korea, a place far removed from the Flower War, cannot avoid the controversy surrounding it.

─ The Cornus Family: Evidence of Consecutive Terrorist Acts Uncovered.

This is particularly true for Sansuyu’s family.

The Cornus’ act of betrayal was so flagrant that it was commonly known among those in the know. However, the family’s power and wealth prevented the World Capital from being openly antagonistic. Did they finally realize that staying on this path would leave them unable to escape even death?

The reason Sansuyu didn’t receive my call was likely related to this.

‘…I think we need to intervene as soon as possible.’

In at least a week, I need to heal and move my body. My instincts are telling me so.

The best case scenario would be receiving contact from Seong Ji-ho before that, but in truth, he has long accepted San-su-yu’s death. That’s why he emphasized his role as a friend to me as much as possible. As a seedbearer of San-su-yu, he must have wanted her to meet a peaceful end.

However, I have no intention of giving up like this. At the very least, I must save San-su-yu.

How should I choose the means to do so? As I stared at my phone screen in thought, I received a message from a familiar person.

[Blue Cat]

Marronnier, who had unintentionally ignored my call, contacted me once again.