Chapter 39 – Chain of Outrages (2)

Baekdo, who returned around 1 p.m., had a somewhat melancholic expression on her face. Not wanting to intrude upon her apparent misery, I held back my words. Baekdo, removing her mask, began to speak.

“Third-ranked disciple. First-ranked disciple.”

Sansuyu and I nodded simultaneously.

“To be honest, I hold both of your talents in high regard.”

At the generous praise, Sansuyu’s face lit up with a faint smile. Though she may be unaware of her other emotions, her desire for skill was evident, and Baekdo had captured that aspect well. Baekdo continued, twirling her snowy-white ponytail.

“So, I’ve decided to engage in actual combat.”

“Suddenly?”

As soon as Baekdo’s words were interrupted, mine leapt forth. The notion of engaging in real combat after coming to visit when one is upset and descending the mountain was disconcerting, though not entirely unwelcome. It was simply unexpected.

“Especially you, third-ranked disciple. You’re the type who shines brightest in real combat. Am I wrong?”

“You’re not wrong.”

I possess a body designed for battle.

“That’s why. You’ve got a chance to experience real combat, so give it a try.”

I delayed my response and stole a glance at Sansuyu. Her yellow eyes sparkled slightly. Improve your skills! What an opportunity! It felt as if those thoughts were being transmitted to me.

“Well, what could go wrong?”
“If you handle this task well, I’ll take you on as my direct disciple.”
“Understood.”

This time, I didn’t bring up the Ddakbok debate, so I comfortably agreed to the proposal. Seeing my response, Baekdo’s expression showed slight relief, and she cleared her throat before heading towards the cabin. We followed suit.

– Squeak.

“You’ll probably have to spend more than three days in Seoul, so pack all your belongings.”
“Yes.”

Entering the cabin, I gathered my things and carefully embraced the flowerpot. Shiba then rubbed her face against my hand. Sansuyu, who had finished packing before me, gave Baekdo a gentle pat on the back.

“What’s the matter, first-class disciple?”
“Can’t I be a direct disciple?”

At the disheartened words, White Peach made a troubled face.
It was understandable. With two disciples, having only one as a direct disciple could raise questions.

White Peach placed her hand on her chin, deep in thought, and soon arrived at a conclusion.

“I am a martial artist and do not know how to wield a sword. I cannot teach swordsmanship. Lee Si-heon possesses the qualities of a martial artist, right?”

She looked at me, seeking assistance.
I contemplated whether I should feign ignorance, but decided to help since she hadn’t mentioned any clear objections.

“That’s true. I’m considering laying down my sword this time.”
“…What?!”

Cornus, who overheard my words, was taken aback and questioned me.

“Why? Why are you giving up on the sword?”
“It seems martial arts are more suited to my nature.”
“Even though you’re so skilled with the sword?”

As I nodded, Cornus trembled with amazement, her shoulders shaking.

It’s impossible. I could hear him murmuring to himself like that.

But what can you do? The world’s strongest woman guarantees it. But before that, is this woman truly the strongest in the world? She was a teacher granted by the stars, so she wouldn’t be weak, but her constant self-promotion made her hard to trust.

“Uh-huh.”
“…Really?”

It seemed that Cornus was also convinced, so now there was something else to ask.

“So, what do you do in actual combat?”
“…It’s an Ent subjugation.”
“Ent subjugation?”

Ent? Cornus and I tilted our heads.

“Why? Don’t you know?”
“No, we do know. But why does that come up again?”

We were already familiar with the concept of Ents through our lessons. The tale went that a wooden being, unable to withstand the power of the World Tree, would transform into a wooden monster driven solely by malevolent intentions. Their significance was such that there were even theses suggesting that dungeon-dwelling monsters, like goblins, originated from Ents.

“A series of rampant incidents has occurred. They say it’s near Seoul. Perhaps this time we should investigate and root out the cause.”

Serial rampages. Throughout history, there have occasionally been unhinged terrorists who infused the power of the World Tree into wooden beings and set them loose.

I had only seen this in textbooks from time to time, but it’s really happening now.

Seeing my bewildered expression, White Peach continued, assuming I understood the situation.

“You might need to participate in the investigation too.”

“It’s not a battle? But won’t starting with an investigation take too long? Our training period is short.”

“I’ve contacted the Academy.”

That’s good news.

Now we can legally skip the Academy.

“Yes. Let’s do it.”

“I’ll do it too.”

White Peach smiled faintly upon hearing Cornus and my response.

“And there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”

“Who is it?”

“When you graduate from the academy, these will be your colleagues. You were essentially recruited the moment you became my disciple.”

Colleagues?
Why is she trying to include me there?
I made a bewildered face and questioned White Peach.

“Who has the right to place me among a group of prospective masters?”
“It’s none other than our mercenary group. I promise you’ll receive decent treatment if you join.”
“No matter how good the conditions are, it feels like it would be rather shitty to be with prospective masters.”
“Damn. You really know how to say things in the worst way. With a monthly salary of 10 million won, two guaranteed days off per week, and regular bonuses, it’s definitely not a choice you’ll regret.”

A monthly salary of 10 million won, two days off per week, and bonuses?

“Oh, you should have mentioned that first.”
“So, you’re quite the materialistic one, huh?”

I followed White Peach with soft footsteps, and she looked at me with a displeased expression before letting out a deep sigh.

“Why do I have to accept someone like this as my disciple?”

“I am the disciple you have chosen. Accept me with all my flaws.”
“Truly, I feel wretched.”

Seeing his genuine dislike, it doesn’t seem to be Baekdo’s own will. Perhaps Cheondo or Hwangdo had a hand in it. Why should I care?

We headed for Seoul, exchanging conversations laced with profanities.
Sansuyu watched our crude conversation, looking bewildered as if she couldn’t grasp the context.

* * * * *

Do-won Hyang.

A world-class organization primarily active in Korea, an elite mercenary group composed of only the highest-ranking hunters.
It was a first-rate group, always humbly inviting assistance when a significant event occurred within the Korean Association.

And Baekdo is the legendary captain leading this Do-won Hyang.
There are many stories circulating about her, such as being undefeated in battle, like an indomitable peach tree, but to me, Baekdo is merely a master of throwing tantrums, so I disregarded those tales.

Anyway, White Peach was the leader of a global organization, and I had been scouted for it. As an added bonus, White Peach had also invited Cornus along the way, but naturally, Cornus had declined, citing her family as the reason.

An elite group of four individuals. Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel my heart race. It seemed like a small, elite, world-class mercenary group would undoubtedly accomplish something significant.

With that in mind, I followed White Peach into the promised café. Seated in the deepest corner on a sofa were three individuals, a mix of men and women.

“Master, here we are!”

A red-haired woman, who was the first to rise, waved her hands excitedly from side to side.

“Please, sit here.”
“Alright.”
“Are these your disciples?”
“Ahem, yes, they are.”

White Peach sat down with an air of solemnity, quite unlike her demeanor when she was with us. She then loosened her collar. I glanced at White Peach, momentarily puzzled, before turning my head to assess the other members of the organization.

Among them was a red-haired woman who looked as though she would suit pigtails quite well.

A stylish and attractive woman with black hair and ripped jeans stood there, along with a massive, muscular figure.

This organization consisted of one man and three women.

As she turned her head towards the woman with red hair, a slight smile graced her lips. Her beauty caused a stir in my heart. She placed her hand on the chest of her elegant dress and bowed her head.

“Hello, junior. I’m Rossi.”

“Rossi? Are you from abroad?”

At that, White Peach glanced at me and interjected.

“Her last name is Goda.”

Ah… Goda Rossi. How could a person’s name be…? As I glanced at Rossi, she wore a menacing smile, as if she would kill me if I mocked her.

If I were to laugh, I’d concede. I had to choose my words carefully. As I took a deep breath inward, Cornus, who had been deep in thought while holding her head, suddenly exclaimed.

“Goda Rossi? I saw that on Tree Inside.”

Upon hearing Cornus’ unrestrained comment, Goda Rossi’s face instantly turned rigid.

…

All was silent.

“Ha! Hahaha!”

The silence was shattered by a black-haired woman in ripped jeans.

“P. Do you want to go further?”
“No, the little yellow one is bolder than it looks. Heh. Tree Inside. Yeah, that’s right… How can a person’s name be Goroshi?”
“You’re really behind the times.”

Goroshi and the woman called P had a brief argument.

That girl named P may be pretty, but she doesn’t seem quite right in the head.
As I was thinking this, White Peach looked at me and nodded, as if she knew what was on my mind.

“Is this organization really world-class?”

It’s hard not to have doubts. Cornus, who emotionlessly plunged a knife into Goroshi’s chest, tilted her head, and I sighed at the sight.
P, who had shortened her words, extended her hand to us.

“Anyway, welcome. I’m P. Just call me P. I go by Paprika BJ.”
“Paprika BJ?”

“Do you know?”

P’s eyes sparkled in response to my reaction. It was like witnessing a child discovering common ground for the first time.

“I’m BJ Seompinamu. Do you know this? If you like pine trees, it’s a must-“
“Quit such vulgar nonsense. The girl who strips on cam talks too much.”
“-It’s not? It’s a game room?”
“If you bare your breasts, isn’t that a strip show, not a game room?”

Watching the two bicker once more, I turned my gaze back to Baekdo. She merely wore a solemn expression, as if she had become detached from the situation.
P and Goroshi were still arguing, so I decided to ignore them. I approached the muscular man, gently caressing the sprout of the Shiba I was holding.

“What’s your name, by chance?”

Upon asking, the man removed his hat. The sleek, black, bald head revealed a surprisingly professional demeanor.

“Rice.”
“Excuse me?”
“My name is Bao, short for Baobab. I come from Africa.”

Ah… the baobab tree.
I hurriedly approached Baekdo and whispered to her.

“Damn, Master, you’re far from normal, aren’t you? A normal person.”
“Bob is quite reliable. Both of them possess first-rate skills as mercenaries.”
“No, I mean, haven’t they failed as human beings?”
“You’re no different.”

Is that so?

“Well… if that’s the case.”

I understood.
This is where I’ll lay my bones to rest.

Half resigned, I looked around to see that Sompi and Goroshi were still quarreling.

“P, I’ve disliked you from the start. What even is a blood tree?”
“You, Goroshi, the one peddling your sex fluids.”
“Aaaaaaah! I told you not to mention that in front of me! That’s a matter of honor for the Gorosoe family!”

– Pue eh eh!
– Pue eh eh!

It’s noisy.
I have a rough idea, but what kind of trees are those two?

Narrowing my eyes and focusing, a tree sprouted up behind the pair.
Now, I could freely use this peculiar ability.

[Skinwood Tree], [Angerwood Tree]

These were trees whose names alone provided ample information about their nature.
Still, it was absurd to hear them again. How could someone’s name be Goro? There are plenty of good names, like Dorothy, for instance.

As I inwardly grumbled, Skinwood and Goro, who had seen my mask, began to show interest in me.

“Hey, now that I think about it, shouldn’t the junior show their face?”
“You’re right. Junior, please take off your mask.”

Seeing the target suddenly shift to me, it appeared as though the two of them had agreed to do something about me together. I took a step back, but soon grasped their intentions and removed my mask.

“Wait a moment… Fine, I’ll take it off.”

Immediately, all eyes were on me.

“…What.”
“…Heartwarming.”

Upon seeing my face, Skinwood and Goro seemed disappointed, as there was nothing to tease me about. White Peach, on the other hand, widened her eyes in surprise.

Cornus was startled at the sight of my face.

“Sieon.”

“Why?”
“Did you use magic?”

I genuinely displayed my astonishment. It seemed I must have appeared quite unsightly with the mask on.

I could understand, but for some reason, my mouth felt a bit dry.