Chapter 402 – Skirmish (3)

The once comfortable atmosphere quickly turned ominous.

“Brother, why would you say that?”

Tae-yang, who had put down his spoon, questioned me.

“Your Majesty…”

Had Aori suddenly felt uneasy? She looked up at me and cautiously grasped my wrist. The magically treated silicon was too cold to be considered a human body temperature.

“Surely… you’re not planning to die?”

Tightly, I held Aori’s hand, not mine.

“I’m just double-checking. Don’t take it too seriously. If something were to happen to me, wouldn’t it be much better for you to have the power?”
“Well… I suppose.”

I hadn’t expected such a sensitive reaction. Had my expression become that haggard? I touched my lips with my stiffened hand.

“So… what did you say about me? If I were to kill you, the power would transfer to me?”

Tae-yang frowned in displeasure as he spoke of things he had never even imagined before. I took a sip of water, and the sound of the glass being set down echoed through the quiet kitchen.

“Regardless, it means that King Mokryeong’s power can be transferred.”

In case I was unsuitable for the throne, the king’s forces had prepared a safeguard called Tae-yang. The purpose was to hand over power to those who could wield the king’s power relatively well.

“Once it’s been arranged, could there be a second time?”

It wouldn’t be unusual for there to be multiple safeguards—like a second Tae-yang or a third Tae-yang.

“And they may not be friendly towards me.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but the king’s power was lost during my generation.”

Tae-yang’s words were half right and half wrong. There was a research foundation in the slum where Tae-yang had lived. It was presumed to be the only group attempting to inherit the king’s power, and the only survivors from that place were Tae-yang and Aori.

But King Mokryeong’s remnants weren’t limited to that alone.

“As far as I know, most of the factions fled to the dungeon.”
“…Yes.”

Tae-yang agreed.

“So, are you saying they might try to steal your power from there?”
“It’s not out of the realm of possibility… Sargenti?”

The shadow that approached at my gesture revealed itself.

Over the past several days, while preparing for the final showdown with the Hunter Association, I had conducted extensive research on King Mokryeong. This mostly involved forgotten books and the king’s exploits. Among them, there was also information about the future successors of the king.

“Yes. Did you call?”

Sargenti appeared, picked up my chopsticks, and placed a piece of ham into his mouth.

“Nyangnyang.”
“Who told you to eat it?”
“You don’t even give me dinner and you talk too harshly.”

Sobbing. The urge to slap Sargenti’s lower belly forcefully while he pretended to wipe tears away was brief. Tae-yang, who had been watching us, let out a sigh.

“The termites must have adapted well. I didn’t expect you to embrace her.”
“You looked just like you.”
“Don’t mock me, brother.”

It’s said that people who resemble each other may experience a physiological repulsion.

Just as Tae-yang and Aori bicker, it seems that Sargenti and Tae-yang don’t have the best relationship either.

“Hello, Aori.”
“Hello~”

As Sargenti greeted her brightly, Aori grinned.

Oddly enough, Aori seemed to get along well with Sargenti. Perhaps it was just Tae-yang she didn’t get along with.

“…Didn’t you know? They’re like cousins.”
“Really?”

Apple trees and white sugar trees being cousins?

It’s not quite like that, but this situation came about because King Mokryeong had many women he was involved with. It is said that their blood is too diluted to wield King Mokryeong’s power.

“So there’s a reason why she’s crazy?”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

Aori nodded in response to Sargenti’s objection.

A hypothesis was established that all of King Mokryeong’s descendants must have a few screws loose.

“Anyway, that aside.”

As the conversation began to veer off course, I cleared my throat and refocused my attention.

-Clap.

Eyes gathered at the sound of a single applause.

“Regarding the king’s power, I’ll share what I know. If anything is incorrect, please point it out.”

With at least the three of them, who were believed to be the closest to King Mokryeong, I began to elaborate.

The king’s power.
In simple terms, it was the unique ability that King Mokryeong possessed. The capacity to copy the properties and essence of a tree that merged with his own body.

The power I now possess can be primarily divided into three categories.

First, through the Tree Catalog, I can obtain the strength and authority of trees.
Second, the development of sexual functions and sexual desires.
Third, I can wield the power that King Mokryeong originally used, such as subjugation and pheromones.

“Isn’t there one more besides those?”
“There is, but let’s leave that aside for now.”

While conceding to Tae-yang’s point, he refrained from discussing that power due to its inherent danger. Sargenti and Aori wore puzzled expressions, but this was a secret known only to Tae-yang and himself.

“The attribute of King Mokryeong can be transferred to another person at any time.”

Tae-yang was a being who embodied a vessel capable of artificially receiving King Mokryeong’s attribute.

“And… in the king’s prophecy, there’s a saying. Right, Sargenti?”

In response to his words, Sargenti lowered his voice.

“…The moment the second king’s attribute grows stronger, the dungeon will spiral out of control, and the world will once again be engulfed in chaos.”

Rather than a prophecy left by the king, it was a conclusion drawn by numerous scholars and World Trees living in that era.

He tapped his heart. Shortly after being unconscious for more than a week, the king’s power continued to grow stronger.

“…You were unconscious for a long time?”
“Don’t be sensitive about that.”

Tae-yang once told me something. If I don’t suit the king’s vessel, the forces of King Mokryeong in the dungeon might not recognize me as their ruler.

What could that mean? As I pondered, I realized Tae-yang had the answer.

“Even those guys might aim for my power.”

In other words… Although it could be interpreted that I can shake off King Mokryeong’s influence, the reason I’ve had to die until now remains unchanged.

“Actually, not much has been revealed about the king’s influence. How it will manifest in the future is uncertain… .”
“Tae-yang is right. Even I have merely scratched the surface.”

An indescribable concept.

“I know… I’m aware.”

I recall the voice I heard the last time I fainted. No, I remember hearing that voice once before.

There was a time when he urged me to suddenly violate someone.

“…King, destiny.”

He licks his lips and utters those two words.
Deep in thought, he observes the three people with enigmatic expressions.

“Accept it.”

A remark from Sargenti, who was smiling.
Startled, his shoulders quivered.

“…Do you understand what I mean?”
“No, if it were a game. I speculated that the subsequent words might be something like this.”

Though it was a weak assertion, it flowed quite smoothly.
The more he pondered, the deeper he sank into the labyrinth.

However, one thing was clear: the stronger his influence became, the more uncontrollable the dungeon grew.
If, in a war-torn situation, even the dungeon were to wreak havoc, it would undoubtedly be worth witnessing.
Could it be that the world would be irreparably damaged?

“So, you’re saying that the berserk dungeon is targeting you?”
“Yes.”

Adding insult to injury. Tae-yang nodded, agreeing that the phrase was appropriate.

“…And we must prepare for that.”
“Well, do we truly need to prepare?”
“Huh?”

I didn’t say it, but my life is as good as dead.
The chances of surviving are barely close to 10%.
If I try to block the arrows aimed at me, I’ll only end up dead. It’s better to use them to my advantage.

So, I decide to take a gamble.

“Tae-yang.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry to ask this while you’re on vacation, but I think I have one more favor to request.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I was planning on returning soon anyway.”

Tae-yang smiled awkwardly.

“As for repaying the favor, just buy Aori and me a drink later. I’ll do anything you ask.”
“Alright.”

There’s still much that remains unclear.
What abilities do the remnants bestowed upon me by the World Tree of Time possess?
How will King Mokryeong further wreak havoc here?

One thing is certain: it seems that events will only unfold if I find myself in an even more desperate situation.
My intuition tells me so. I must either reach the brink of death, or exert the King’s power to the point of losing consciousness.

As Si-heon pondered, Tae-yang smirked.

“By the way, do you have to go home?”
“…Home?”
“Your sister, I mean. She might be waiting for you.”
“Well… I gave her an artifact to contact me if anything happens.”

These days, artifacts have diversified and advanced. Though it’s against the law, there are cell phones that can operate without a service provider. Naturally, even if one can only contact a predetermined phone number, it’s fitting for Cornus.

She’ll get in touch if something occurs. Probably, not too long from now.

It was at that moment.

– Woooooooong!!!!

A harsh, vibrating sound. It took only an instant for the surrounding atmosphere, which had barely recovered its warmth, to turn cold again.

* * * * * * * * *

Lee Si-heon was nowhere to be found.

Drip.

A snapped hair tie.
Beneath the disheveled dark green locks, a fierce gaze swept the surroundings.

– Don’t worry, I’m not going to die. Just mind your own business.

Each step seemed to echo with hallucinations.
Eyes reeling from over a week of sleepless nights. Distant sights were obscured, and the sunlight stung when it touched the eyes.

– Adding more women so there won’t be problems even if I die… What kind of nonsense is that? Even B-grade movies rarely pull off such a stunt, you know?

That damned bastard.
Always trying to have their way when things don’t go smoothly.

‘Even though I told them not to involve me.’

Not considering others’ feelings in the slightest.
The face burned with rage. The staggering steps seemed ready to collapse at any moment, but there was no falling, only pushing forward with great difficulty.

“…I told you.”

– If you suddenly vanish before me, don’t you dare complain? Just stay by my side all the time.

How many times had that been said?

Even when I die… I die an hour after I die.

Despite pleading, speaking, and clinging numerous times, he eventually leaves my embrace. Contact is severed, the messaging account vanishes completely. The messages we once shared no longer exist.

I understand his feelings. I wanted to do the same for him as well.

“…”

Now that I think about it, this was the place where I first met him. In front of the shopping mall, where people swarmed like ants, I detected the energy of the Arboreal Ring and approached him for the first time.

After that fateful encounter, we met again at the academy.

Chin.

Lee Se-Young stopped in her tracks, gazing blankly at the sky.

“Looking back on it…”

Flash.

Lee Si-heon’s room springs to mind like a bolt of lightning. I know it’s located close to this shopping mall.

Se-Young raced there without hesitation. The odds were slim, but she clung to hope. She ran, dragging her aching leg, thinking he might still be there.

“Huff, huff.”

With magic enveloping her weary body, she ran, gasping for breath. What a task, just to find one man. She nearly let out a hollow laugh, but he was someone truly dear to her.

– Clang, clang, clang, clang!

She ascended the metal stairs roughly. Thud! She collided with the wall, her disheveled hair flying wildly.

Worried, she hadn’t had the time to tend to her hair, and it had grown long before she knew it. Se-Young, her eyes tinged with red, arrived at the door to Lee Si-heon’s living quarters.

“…”

No one was in the room she had reached. Through the broken door, she saw a space that seemed more lived-in than before: the number of dishes and the rice cooker suggested two people living together, as did the size of the bed. A discarded chair lay in pieces, strewn about the floor.

Beneath all that, the sight of congealed blood. Se-Young’s lips trembled.

Surely not…

– Click.

Only a moment for her thoughts to connect. Se-Young’s eyes narrowed.

As the sound of a gun being loaded echoed through the air, the blade pressed against Lee Se-Young’s back. The icy tip of the sword grazed her waist, evoking the sensation that she might be cleaved in half at any moment.

“Lee Se-Young.”

A singular, cherished connection now wearisome to even hear.

“…”

An armed star pointed a sword at her, offering no explanation or context. With a cold, hardened expression, the star soon commanded the hunters scattered nearby.

“Arrest her.”