Chapter 431 – Ebony Tree (2)

Dungeons are fraught with inexplicable phenomena, allowing contact with otherworldly beings and sometimes leading explorers to remote boundaries, driving them to the brink of madness.

This is why dungeons are dubbed hunters’ tombs, as they present complex challenges.

For instance, they may deliberately separate swordsmen from clergymen, or devise ways to prevent battles from unfolding properly.

Resistance is nearly futile, given that dungeons exist in dimensions apart from the world.

“How unfortunate.”

Neither large-scale dungeons nor the recently erected Seven Towers have such inconvenient structures. However, the medium-sized dungeon Ebony and I have ventured into is riddled with them.

In short, our luck has been poor.

‘I never expected a teleportation trap.’

With circumstances as they are, there’s no choice but to search for a solution ourselves.

‘Hey.’

I stand in place and close my eyes.

I took a deep breath and drew power from my lower abdomen, readying myself to move at any moment.

“Phew, ha.”

As I caught my breath, my vision turned white, and my surroundings changed.

The realm of imagination.
A girl was hiding behind a massive rock.

【 ……. 】

A slightly more mature figure than a dark-skinned girl, sporting jet-black hair. Her personality was filthier than that of the notorious three mad dogs.

“Respond.”
【 ……What. 】

I had exerted so much effort to tame this creature.
In my mind, this ‘being’ of the king had long since become a dog rather than a human.

A peculiar woman who parasitically clung to someone else’s body and demanded I leave.
She challenged me for control every few months.

“Should I relinquish it? The power.”
【 Why should I!!!! 】

Enraged, the being kicked the ground and charged at me like a cannonball.
Boom! The body approached with a resounding noise. I managed to catch it with ease.

It was the first time a power struggle had occurred, and now the initiative had been entirely in my hands for quite some time.

【 Ah, ugh, eugh! 】

The one who flapped around, trying to push me away. I held them in my arms, their shoulders bound, and gently stroked them.

“Calm down now. Anyone watching would think you’re being terribly mistreated.”
【 But you did! Last time- Ugh! 】
“Shh, quiet now.”

Flap, flap, flap, flap!

Gripping their writhing body tightly, like a live fish, I waited until their strength gradually waned and they finally relaxed. Long black hair reached down to their heels. They were short in stature, with a youthful face, but their body was mature in many ways.

Their temperament was fiery; they’d scream when unhappy with a situation. Yet once appeased, they’d quiet down quickly.

“What’s the issue this time?”
【 …The king didn’t act like a king. 】
“What, dealing with those dark-skinned folks or kids?”

The king’s policy, as the individual described it, was as follows:

Always be strict, quiet, and serious in all matters.

And the woman who ought to be embraced must be placed at one’s feet.

The further my actions deviate from an ideal king, the more rampant the ‘benevolence’ becomes. Naturally, it does not lend its power through the crown either.

【The king…】
“Hey, didn’t I tell you? Huh? Nothing you should worry about will happen.”

The power I possess is divided into two categories.

The King and the Heavenly Demon.
If the power to draw out the ‘thorn’ beyond the realm is the Heavenly Demon’s strength, then wearing the crown through benevolence is the King’s power. My mind cannot endure using both simultaneously. When it comes to the benevolence’s uncontrollable surge, it’s better to utilize the crown’s power.

“Alright, then shall we visit the zoo?”
【Ugh, how dare you try to entice the king’s benevolence with such a thing! What I desire is… the proper conduct as a king…】
“Churros.”

The benevolence’s behind quivers.
As our senses are connected, what I consume is also consumed by this being.

At first, he was like a machine, solely emphasizing the duty of a king. But after spending more than three years together, his tastes changed.

He became somewhat more human-like.

【Three churros.】
“Two. They’re too sweet.”
【…What about the zoo?】
“Only 30 minutes. I have a lot to do these days.”
【…Alright.】

He’s quite easy to persuade. The king’s compassionate essence melted away, and as soon as it was absorbed into my body, a crown sprouted from within her.

【Only this time… Next time, there’ll be no leniency. You must think of yourself as the king…!】

It might seem tedious, but when I take control, if I role-play as a king, he quickly becomes obedient. Lately, he’s been rebellious again, so perhaps it’s time to remind him of his place.

– Hmm!

Emerging from the world of my imagination, I opened my eyes. A thin, colorless shimmer enveloping my entire body distorted the space around me.

The first stage of harmonization.

I could feel every corner of the dungeon.

With each step, a ripple spreads outward. The crown above my head resonates once.

I could create a half-wave if I wanted to. But for now, I’ll leave it be.

‘Found it.’

I pinpointed the elusive target’s location.

– Kirik?

As I attempt to move my feet, I hear the voices of the monsters. Those caught in my detection flee in the opposite direction, their tails between their legs.

A decision made by instinct, separate from intellect.

What does it matter? It only makes things easier for me. Even without conscious effort, the magical energies floating in the air are absorbed into my body. I advance forward.

* * * * * * *

Shiba stared at her plate with a pouty expression.

“…”
“Sh-Shiba…”

The friends around her took notice, and a cold air settled over the table.

Inside a passenger plane, transporting Korean cadets for the Forest Keeper Selection.

The quintessential Korean dish presented as in-flight meal was bibimbap.

“Beep… unbelievable.”

No matter how much the world had changed, how could they serve bibimbap to growing children? A dark shadow fell on Shiba’s face as she looked at the brown bracken, green spinach, and red chili paste.

Just look at those poor sprouts. Bibimbap on a Korean airliner? What a complacent and simplistic thought! This must be a complete dereliction of duty by the civil servants. Shiba detested bibimbap, to the point where she’d rather be struck by a knife.

“…Beep. It’s fine. It’s just vegetables and rice. You can just eat it, right?”

Shiba’s eyebrows furrowed with a surge of emotion. Her cheeks swelled as if they were about to burst, and her hands and feet trembled uncontrollably.

Ah! This wretched fate! How could they serve me bibimbap? Shiba, holding a spoon, took a spoonful of bibimbap to her mouth, her hand shaking incessantly.

Amidst it all, the fleeting scene passing by likely belonged to her father.
The dad who would feed her bibimbap, vowing to correct her picky eating habits.

“Pie-ing.”
“Shiba, is that you?”

Nevertheless, Shiba detested bibimbap.
It was a meal consumed through tears.

* * * * * * * * * *

Auditory hallucinations echo.

The sound of a spinning metal rod with a blade attached. Calloused hands and seeds.

– Planting a tree in a human body. Surely, it’s impossible.
– Well, I think it can be done. I found the right candidate. Your side may be useless, but this one… their talent is exceptional.

Families whose names have long been forgotten.
Having spent half a lifetime in a small, white laboratory.

– There exists a status window utilized by the World Tree. Within it lies potential. It’s said to be remarkable if the value surpasses 60,000, you know?
– Yes, well.
– Yet, for this one… it exceeds 10. Our method cannot calculate it.

I long to see the outside.
I vowed that one day, I would leap beyond that window.

Swimming through the softly rustling wheat fields with mud-covered feet, and up ahead, cherished individuals gather in small groups, waiting…
Such a future.

Throb!

“…!”

The girl, wincing from the headache, trembled and surveyed her surroundings.
A lightless cave. Nothing could be seen.

The girl reached out, feeling her surroundings.
A rigid wooden material nestled in her palm. A dagger. She clung to the blade as if it were her life.

– Thump, thump.

Her heart quivered.
The confined space struck her throat.

Unaware of where the wall was, the girl gripped her sword with both hands, fearing that a monster could appear at any moment.

“…Sir?”

Despite calling out for the first time, there was no response. She realized she had been left alone in the dungeon, without any light.

– Kruck!

The sound of the monster’s cry from beyond the wall made her shoulders tense.

With trembling hands, the girl searched for her backpack nearby. Though it was quite far away, she managed to find it and pulled out a flashlight from within.

After dropping the flashlight about three times due to her trembling hands, she finally managed to lift it and turn it on.

– Click.

The confined space was a room enclosed by brick walls on all sides. Fortunately, there were no threatening monsters present.

With her back against the wall, the girl curled up and wrapped her arms around her knees. She held her breath, gripping the dagger tightly in her hand.

– Parrrr.

She stayed still, moving the flashlight mechanically without blinking even once.

The hand gripping the sword’s hilt never weakened for even a moment, trembling with fear yet never losing vigilance. The girl waited.

*Swoosh!*

And then she saw the light.

*Crash!*

The wall crumbled, and a cluster of light poured in through the fractures. Could the bright orb floating in the air be magic?

The man who came to the girl was silent, but he carried an indescribable pressure. Just as her heart was about to find peace, she saw the man’s figure and stiffened once more.

A crown? The girl caught a glimpse of a crown of thorns.

【 I hate you. 】

*Squirm.*

Whose voice was that, the one belonging to the girl she just heard? Before she could even process it, the intangible magical force enveloping the man’s body was stripped away.

* * * * * * * *

If there’s no difference in the transition time between me and the dark-skinned one, it takes me about a minute to find them.

However, only in this space does time flow differently. Or perhaps the dark-skinned one is simply afraid. Their face was turning pale.

Finding them was good, but it wasn’t without problems. The pattern of unraveling the next layer only after a while means I have to stay here for at least a week.

“Hmm.”

It wouldn’t be a problem to leave here if I wanted to, but since this has happened, let’s build up some rapport between master and disciple. Sitting down, I looked at the dark-skinned one kneeling before me.

-Square.

I asked while slicing a hard peach.

“Can you do it?”

“… …”

They nodded their head.

“That’s a relief.”

The dark-skinned one has talent. Unlike me, the amount of magical energy concentrated in their lower abdomen is different, so with a little training, they should be able to become stronger quickly.

A class that recklessly clashes with an abundance of magical power. Gu-seul and Cornus belong to this category. They hold the potential to become exceptional talents if guided down the right path.

“Well done.”

I removed the seed from the halved peach and handed it to the child.

As I gently patted her head, she surprisingly accepted it without much resistance today.

‘Where should we head for the next dungeon?’

Dungeons filled with uncertain traps are fitting for honing practical experience. Skills improve rapidly, and diverse strategies for handling crises emerge.

Although my growth period had been brief. Regardless.

– Square.

Seeing her nibbling the peach brought a smile to my face.

“Do you prefer firm peaches or juicy ones?”
“…?”

A question that suddenly popped into my mind.

“It’s my first time… trying it…”

Ah.

The atmosphere turned awkward without reason.

“I’m sorry.”

The child shook her head, trying to reassure me.

As I’ve been calling them by their dark complexion, I gradually grew curious about their name.

Taking a bit more time, I asked the individual.

“May I ask your name?”
“…”
“Honestly, does it make sense for a master not to know their disciple’s name, huh?”

The child considered for a moment.

“…Ebony. That’s it.”

Finally, they shared their name with me. Ebony.
That’s the name of my disciple.