Chapter 363 – The Stirring Monster (2)

“Brother, take a look at this.”

Beaming with a smile, Tae-yang pulled out a thick book from beneath the bed and opened it.

[Plant Encyclopedia]

Aori, clinging to my shoulder, gazed at the encyclopedia with me. Tae-yang’s face turned stern and solemn. He addressed me with a rigid tone.

“Once you’ve had a taste of this, you won’t be able to regain your senses.”
“What is this, anyway?”
“These are the types of trees I’ve experienced up until now. Do we really need to risk our lives to consume them?”

Tae-yang clasped his hands together, assuming the posture of a devout believer. It seemed as if a sticky halo was shining behind him.

“Those who seek to partake of the tree, do not succumb to its pleasure.”
“……”
“This is from the Timber Gospel, Chapter 2, Verse 1. From now on, I will introduce you to the trees that are suitable for consumption. Are you ready to listen?”
“…Go ahead.”

In such a pressing situation, there must be a reason for Tae-yang to go to such lengths. He opened a dictionary and began explaining each tree to me.

And what was revealed inside was quite astounding content.

From ㄱ to ㅎ, and from A to Z. Trees that had spread worldwide without stopping in Korea were densely packed within the dictionary.

[Swordsmanship Aptitude] – Sesame Elm, Hackberry, Stinging Elm…
[Magic Power Increase] – Weighted Tree, Pop Tree…

Tae-yang’s ability was strikingly similar to mine, and Aori’s ability involved stealing powers while engaging in intimate interactions with others. As such, the illustrated book I was currently looking at was a completed version, containing parts that were still invisible to me.

“Hehehe.”

Tae-yang and Aori placed their hands on their hips with pride and snorted triumphantly.

“What do you think?”
“…Impressive.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t share my secrets with others like this. But since it’s you, I can even tell you using my mouth.”

Forget the jokes. If I follow the guidebook here and select only the aptitudes I need, it will give wings to my growth.
Today, Taeyang is covering the cost for this endeavor.

He used to be a guy who never disclosed information until I was at a disadvantage. Could there actually be more?

“Hey. If you know anything else, tell me now.”
“Brother… I guess you see me as someone who spills the loot when defeated. I’m not that skilled.”
“House prices have dropped recently. Don’t you want to live in a nice place? I have more than enough money for you.”
“…Do you want me to step back?”
“No, damn it, give me the information.”

– Tap, tap.

While I was arguing with Taeyang, Aori, who had grabbed my elbow, presented her dictionary this time.
Aori’s Arbor Encyclopedia. It seems to be exclusively for women. I wonder if there’s any useful information for me.

“What’s this?”
“…It’s the ability you gain when you accept it.”
“……Put it in. I have a pure heart, too.”

Even though she said that, she brought it with her own thoughts, so I have no desire to scold her. I casually stroked Aori’s hair. The more I looked at her, the more she felt like an unstoppable little sister.

– Grrrrr.

Almost simultaneously, stomach growls erupted from both Tae-yang and Aori. Aori rubbed her belly, and Tae-yang cleared his throat.

“Are you hungry?”

I turned my head and looked at the kitchen. On the sink, there were stacks of unwashed ramen pots and cup noodles with soup not yet discarded. Even though I earned money, I had to spend it all elsewhere. Even when eating, I could only manage to fill up on cup noodles.

“Do you want some cup noodles? There’s only tempura udon, though.”
“…”
“Ah, I can also grill some ham for you today. It’s not the expensive kind, but the cheaper one.”
“Tae-yang… what about tuna?”
“No way, you must save it.”

One more word and tears would surely flow from my eyes.

Why do such skillful individuals live so miserably? They could quickly make a fortune by venturing into dungeons.

“…Ah, that, haha.”

When asked, Tae-yang could only offer an awkward smile and scratch the back of his head.

“I’ve been creating an artifact to search for my brother. I’ve accrued quite a bit of debt because of it.”

An artifact that tracks King Mokryeong’s magical power. I had heard of it and even saw it with my own eyes. It was said to have been developed over a decade at a research institute where Tae-yang had once entrusted his body, consuming a considerable amount of money and manpower.

It can pursue a specific being. Perhaps because the artifact performs such miraculous feats, its maintenance costs are astronomical, leading to a mountain of debt. The two of them have been paying off the interest periodically.

“…I’ll treat you. Let’s go eat. What do you want?”

“Uh, brother, are you sure?”

“Your Majesty, then I’ll have meat…”

“Hey, you rascal! That’s disrespectful! Just ignore Aori and buy us a bowl of rice soup each.”

I couldn’t help but place my hand on my forehead.
Who would save those unfortunate siblings? Living by selling their bodies, merely because they are descendants of a fallen king who was pursued by the World Tree.
My eyes sting from the bitterness.

“…Quiet. You two are like prime beef.”

* * * * * * * *

“Can you both do everything I ask of you?”

“Yes!!!! We’ll do everything!”
“Aye! We’ll do whatever our king commands!”

Tae-yang and Aori eagerly repeat my words.
Their greasy faces and swollen bellies make them look quite delectable. Their loyalty, seemingly doubled, shows on their faces as they snort with determination.

“Is prime beef really that delicious?”
“The taste was so divine, it was as if one of us had died while eating!!”
“Tae-yang, I survived, you know?”
“Then you might as well have perished.”

The dynamic between the two had grown much more vibrant, proving that indeed, people need to eat to be happy.
Though they bickered, the once snarling faces of Bam and Tae-yang now seemed at ease.

From a nearby café, I sipped on a cup of coffee while observing the pair. Watching them eagerly stuff their mouths with treats like ice cream and croffles after coming all this way to enjoy themselves, my eyes couldn’t help but remain fixed on them.

“I’ll book two rooms for you and provide ample money. Just make sure not to use it for paying off debts, and always remember to eat properly,” I said.
“Big brother…” replied Tae-yang.

The tension seemed to dissipate. Somehow, my insides, which had been weighed down like rotten spinach, felt a bit lighter.

Let’s think more rationally. Time wasn’t against us, and this wasn’t a task I had to face alone.

“So, big brother, may I speak to you now?” Tae-yang inquired, presenting his dictionary once more. He pointed out several trees among the many and explained them: the Harpoon Tree, the Mountain Mulberry, and the Chestnut and Persimmon Trees.

“Considering the way you fight, Tae-yang. These four trees are essential for a good aptitude in collecting, and are you planning to increase your magical power?”
“As much as possible.”
“Then I must aim for more.”
“How will you do that?”

There were many questions about the method.
If I had my way, I would just keep quiet and break through a cradle or a few similar places by myself.

Tae-yang, who received my thoughts, nodded modestly.

“Your method is okay too. It’s dangerous, but if the three of us break through, there’s almost no place we can’t break through. However, is it necessary to go to the city and find a tree?”
“What do you mean?”
“People are in the city… Where are the trees?”
“In the forest?”

Tae-yang nods his head with a meaningful expression.

“You’re still stuck in the academy, so you don’t know what kind of dungeons are out there… And you still don’t know how many undeveloped dungeons there are.”
“That’s true.”

“Among them lies a dungeon left by King Mokryeong’s descendants. It’s deemed too soon for you to venture there. The dungeon is ideal for expanding one’s knowledge.”

In short, Tae-yang’s lips curved in anticipation.

“Pack your bags. Your cock won’t be dry for a while.”

* * * * * * *

“Beep?”

Shiba, gripping my arm, cautiously looks up at me. I grasp her shoulders and embrace her tightly, easing the tension.

“Ugh, Dad?”
“Daddy has to go on a brief journey.”
“…Can’t you stay?”
“I wish to be with my daughter forever, but the world won’t allow it.”
“Who is the world?”
“I made a grave mistake. Our daughter will be fine if she lives virtuously.”
“Beep. Shiba, if I live a good life… Will Dad return soon?”
“Absolutely.”

As always, after exchanging farewells with Shiba before setting out, I hauled my belongings and stood before the front door. I gently pressed my lips against Shiba’s tear-streaked cheek.

“…Beep.”

Azalea, who had been standing behind Shiba, sighed and bid me goodbye as well. Wearing her apron, she took a step closer and our lips met.

“When will we be able to live properly… Don’t you think?”

I found myself at a loss for words. The waiting continued, but nothing seemed to improve.

“I’m sorry.”

Apologizing, I left the house. After walking for a short while, I entered an alley, taking in the early morning air. Leaning against a wall, I let my backpack slide to the ground.

In the night sky, a faint cluster of lights pushed away the darkness, gathering from the distant eastern horizon. The muggy air of summer was quite oppressive. Even when I lifted the hem of my clothes to fan myself, the dampness refused to dissipate.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and tilted my head.
An alley enveloped in darkness. I whispered softly into the shadows.

“Come out. I know.”

No matter how much you try to conceal your presence, how could I not be aware of it? I might not know about others, but I know you well. I was confident that I would never forget in my lifetime. And this time, too, I found you successfully.

-Jerbuck.

A woman emerged from the boundless darkness. White magical energy rippled from her head, as she donned a huge black dragon robe.

“…”

Baekdo’s eyes widened fiercely.
My eyes flashed, and my body reacted instinctively, even without consciously sensing the palpable hostility.

The hair all over my body stood on end, and I raised the corners of my mouth.

“Why have you come? It hasn’t been long since we broke up… How are the two of you doing?”

I opened my mouth to exchange even the lightest of pleasantries.

-Thud!

However, White Peach’s body moved faster than I had anticipated. She stretched her legs far forward, her body tilting as she did so. With all her might, her fist extended back. Her arched back shot forward in an instant, and a stream of white magic poured towards me in a long, straight line.

It felt like I was standing right before crossing a darkened crosswalk, staring into the headlights of an oncoming truck.

– Quaaaaang!

The bag whirled in the air, black and red. Various garments fell to the ground with a thud. The sensation of hardness on my face was brief; I flung my belongings aside and slammed my body against the wall behind me.

– Tock.

Blood dripped from my nose. I opened my clenched mouth.

“…Ah.”

The injuries on my face instantly worsened.

White Peach struck the wall right next to my head with her fist. Behind the eerie silence, her eyes ablaze with red fury, she muttered menacingly.

“Hey.”

My ears are buzzing. It feels as if flies are buzzing around them, causing pain.
I gently lifted my eyelids, gazing upon White Peach before me.

“…If you’re going to strike me, do it now, Master. We don’t have much time.”
“An ignorant one, who can’t even use their fists, yet so stubborn—”
“What do you mean?”
“Give up.”
“Who?”

Entering with neither beginning nor end, starting with a demand without any explanation of the situation, as if they would just barge in and slap my face.

Just like White Peach.
Perhaps the act of giving up is what I’m attempting now.

“I’ve heard the circumstances.”

White Peach’s words quivered with fury. She didn’t even use her usual martial arts-style speech, which she tended to push forward with.
I stared dryly at the sky beyond White Peach’s head.

“And if I don’t?”
“Even if I have to break your limbs now, I will force my way through.”

My eyes are spinning. Left with no choice, I had to make a decision.

“Is that so?”

He raised his hand and seized White Peach’s arm. When she urgently tried to pull away, he lifted his hand once more and attempted to strangle her.

White Peach hesitated and moved out of his reach.

“If you’re going to do this, you need to do it properly.”

He reached out and grasped his left shoulder.

*Quad de deuk!*

As he dug his fingers into his flesh, piercing muscle and bone, his nerve-dead left arm shuddered.

“…What on earth are you… Wait…! Stop….”

His eyes widened in astonishment. He invoked his power to regenerate his arm.

*Drud deuk* – The flesh and muscle found their places, and his hand moved as if no blood had been shed.

“It’s because of this body. Do it as if you mean to kill me.”

“…You really are a crazy bastard.”

White Peach stared at him with a bewildered expression, and it seemed a fleeting sense of relief passed through her eyes.

Restraining her would be difficult even with her limbs severed. Perhaps it would be possible if only he had an optimized artifact.

“Whether now or in the past, you remain as constant as the heavens.”
“What?”

Her face contorted with confusion, as if questioning my words. I moved my hand, invoking spatial magic. White Peach was no mage, and her moment of carelessness allowed me to act.

White Peach’s body flinched. She could have stopped me at any moment, but this time, she chose not to move.

She might have lied and secretly tried to help Cornus, but I can’t lie in front of these people.

“Please relay this message to our master: I will never die.”