Chapter 450 – Shadow Tree (1)

The dawn after the day the World Tree of Growth was subdued.

As soon as the sun set, I returned to the cradle, concealed my presence entirely, and entered the hotel’s basement.

‘Let’s see…’

While looking at the map provided by Wiki, I freely explored the hotel’s interior. I was worried I might run into the awakened cadets, especially Shiba, but fortunately, my concerns didn’t materialize.

“…who’s there-“

-Thwack!

The increased number of hunters posed no threat.

I entered the basement unscathed, leaving the collapsing hunters behind.

-Creak.

The sound of each step on the stairs. By spreading faint magical energy to fill the basement, I could discern the general layout without consulting the map.

-Creak, creak.

Rooms designated for the World Tree, differentiated by rigid alphabetical labels without nameplates.

‘I remember the old days. I met Mary here.’

As a bonus, I also consumed some trees. Reflecting on it, I was so repulsed back then that I knelt down before them and even vomited. I spotted a drink vending machine near the restroom. With thoughts of the past, I casually stroked the glass and proceeded toward the rooms.

Among the many rooms, I halted in front of a special one that appeared quite spacious.

– Startled.

The door was locked as I tried to open it.

– Click, clatter!

No matter. I forcefully opened the door, revealing a woman inside.

The three World Trees that came to mind this time, one of them being said to be the best among them. A tree with the power to save humanity, which I personally considered the worst, stood there.

【 …? 】

“What were you doing? It’s a tree.”

Lifting her hood, she smiled.

“Welcome, my lord.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“It’s grown!!!”

Mary’s eyes widened as she looked around with a bewildered expression.

Four trees, excluding myself, and Gu-seul.
A total of six individuals gathered in the farmland of my city, each taking their respective positions.

An awkward atmosphere where everyone was watching each other.
Since I remained silent, the tree standing next to me spoke up.

“Really… what on earth is happening? Have we all been kidnapped?”

A green-haired woman rubbed her forehead and murmured.

The World Tree of Patience. One of the trees I had consumed thoughtlessly to increase my strength.

“Even if I understand everything else, what about my mother…”
“…I have no face. Patience.”

When the startled Patience inquired of Growth, the size of Growth’s Cotton-head visibly shrank, taking on a sullen appearance.
It seemed that Cotton was indeed expressing emotions.

And there was one more person.

“…Huff, huff.”

The tree-girl had been exhaling ominous breaths behind me for some time now.
The sensation sent shivers down my spine.

“Healing.”
“Yes, huff. Sir. Huff.”
“…Please, breathe more slowly.”
“I’m sorry, sir. But… I’m just so excited.”

Unable to find the words, Gu-seul, who was beside me, gave me a nudge in the ribs.

Gu-seul’s expression was subtly suggestive as she arched her eyebrows.

“Hey, hey. You didn’t really want to bring that one, did you?”

When she asked, pointing to Healing behind my back, I let out a sigh instead of answering.
Even if it’s true, saying it would only hurt someone’s feelings.

I cautiously approached Gu-seul and whispered in her ear.

“Did you do what I told you to?”

“Mary? Of course. She was absolutely adorable.”

In contrast to the nearly forced labor of other World Trees, Mary’s situation is different. Her mental age is still quite young, and more importantly, she willingly offers her assistance, so she isn’t treated harshly.

To help her adapt to this land, I enlisted Gu-seul’s aid. Why? Gu-seul was the most capable person I knew when it came to handling children.

‘Ebony is too quiet… Wiki is too young. Hong-Yeon probably has no experience with children at all.’

Still, seeing Mary become significantly more cheerful by evening, it appears that Gu-seul fulfilled her role admirably. The explanations about the city, the current situation, and Mary’s responsibilities have been conveyed.

‘As for the other three…’

Growth has reached the point of coercion. Patience is begrudgingly accepted due to circumstance. Healing is, without a doubt, a voluntary service.

“Let me say this first – I don’t intend to particularly control any of you.”

“Wow… Lies spill out every time you open your mouth.”

-Whack!

When I jabbed Gu-seul in the side, she winced in pain.

“Ouch…”
“Don’t mind her.”

Nonetheless, I was sincere.

This land belonged to the Flowers, and the people living here harbored a deep resentment toward the World Tree. For me, who required the power of the World Tree, it was an extremely difficult situation.

“Besides, at the very least, we strive for equality, even if only in appearance.”

This was the first step.

Equal division of labor between humans and trees – it was the dream of the World Tree of Prosperity when viewed from afar.

‘And once the foundation is established…’

As the World Tree of Prosperity had asked me, I intended to absorb some of the sects and reveal myself as a true force.

I conveyed my thoughts to the four World Trees. The atmosphere suggested that most of them understood my words, but except for Heo Heo and Mary, the others wore puzzled expressions.

“You claim to pursue equality, yet you kidnap us? Do you think that makes sense?”

Patience, as feisty as I remembered from three years ago.

“I told you, it’s only a pretense for now.”

I easily suppress the retort with a dismissive tone.

“What?”
“It’ll change eventually, but not now. You’re a slave.”
“…What, what?”

I’ve gauged our compatibility, and as the name suggests, the World Tree of Patience is quite adept at enduring—not physically, but mentally.

Similar to Azalea, no matter how much they resist, if pushed, they’ll comply.

“…Tsk.”

Just like that, they click their tongue but don’t consider rebelling against me. They’re smart enough to know that defiance would lead to a worthless death.

“Growth… no, Cotton.”
“Are you calling me?”
“Do you understand?”
“Yes.”

Perhaps witnessing Patience’s defeat, Growth answers meekly.

“Then, does that mean… you’ll release me later?”
“Don’t even think about it. I have the former sage behind me, so capturing you while you’re running away is no big deal.”

Cotton didn’t receive an answer to her question, but she seemed to reluctantly accept it.
Healing and Mary are obviously on our side. With this, the persuasion is over.

Naturally, I don’t plan to treat them gently.
I don’t know about later, but right now, I must become the most malicious person.
Only then can this city survive.

【Growth】 【Dignity】 【Healing】 【Endurance】

King Mokryeong was also said to have commanded the trees that followed him.

“Shade Tree.”
“Huh?”
“I named it after King Mokryeong’s spirit. What do you think?”

Before I knew it, Gu-seul next to me giggled as she muttered.
It doesn’t matter how they are addressed. Although I said I would lead them forcibly, I plan to somehow make them our allies by alternating between the carrot and the stick.

It marked the birth of political trees that would act amiably on the land I govern.

“Alright.”

-Clap!

I coolly clapped my hands to gather attention and spoke.

“I’ll tell you the first task to undertake as a test.”

This place, where a stretch of desolate land lies, is a farmland I created by deliberately pushing buildings aside. I crafted two sections with a long stick, intending to test the soil restoration abilities of the World Trees.

“Restore the land? To us, the World Trees?”
“For now.”

I lightly chewed on the testy words of patience. Though they frowned in irritation, this was quite important to us.

“Since there are only two plots of land, let’s try just two trees for now. Any volunteers?”
“…Me!”

Mary, who raised her hand first, energetically hopped forward and stood before me.

“I want to do it.”
“Good, our Mary is so kind.”

Stroking her head, Mary beamed with a bright smile. There’s no one quite like Mary. Even if the task is a bit difficult, she remains positive, and that’s truly wonderful.

“Dear, I know how to do it too.”

As Mary received abundant praise, the World Tree of Healing cautiously raised her hand. Two trees that hadn’t grasped the situation yet, and two that were brimming with enthusiasm. I considered applying Growth and Endurance first, excluding those two, but decided to use Mary and Healing first.

“Do you both know how to do it?”
“Yes, more or less.”
“If my master desires it, I’ll do anything.”

Mary nodded her head, while Healing seemed unnecessarily solemn. Would this work out?

“Master, if we succeed, perhaps a reward…?”
“We’ll discuss that later.”
“…That’s too harsh.”

Though I had said it, maybe it was too severe. When dealing with Healing, my body involuntarily reacted. Even when I tried to choose my words carefully, only coarse language emerged. Despite her human form, she was somewhat intimidating.

In contrast, I felt compelled to praise Mary.

Utterly opposite extremes. Trees that abundantly showered love and trees that withheld affection entirely were attempting to restore the land.

“Alright. Once that’s done… You two step aside for a moment. Look around and do some cleansing.”
“Does it look like it needs cleansing?”
“Yes.”
“……”

With her mouth closed, Patience quietly slipped away.

After putting growth and patience aside, I looked back at Mary and Healing.

“Do I only need to do this part?”
“Yes, good girl.”

Complimenting Mary.

“Sir…”
“Don’t cling.”

A whip for Healing.

It’s not just my imagination that the ratio of carrot and stick is strange when teaching both of them. Honestly, seeing Healing after three years was quite terrifying.

‘I should work on fixing my personality too.’

It was a day when such thoughts painfully resonated.

* * * * * * * *

After planting Mary and the Healing tree in the devastated land, I returned to the base and alternately met with the remaining World Trees.

“Why me?”

There are quite a few trees that I’ve taken by force. Among them, this one seems to be asking why I chose it specifically.

“Curious?”

“…Well, yes. There are others besides me, like the World Tree of Firmness.”

I know. However, I intentionally excluded the World Tree of Firmness from the list of trees to bring along.

That tree would easily betray if the situation went awry. That said, I didn’t try to subdue it because it would take quite a while.

“…Do you think I won’t betray you?”

“No, I think you will.”

But among them all, you seem to have the lowest possibility of betrayal.

“What are you saying?”

“The King’s intuition.”

Those who act on intuition tend to betray on intuition as well. They are unaware of the danger they pose.

A clever tree like Patience knows its interests well and, as a result, does not betray easily.

As long as I had threatened to take her life, she was more likely not to gamble on escaping.

In the end, she was brought here because she was easy to use.

“…Well, I think I know what you’re implying. How did you convince your mother?”

The World Tree of Growth was a mystery. Though I had threatened to get answers, she remained the most enigmatic character.

She may seem foolish, but she doesn’t wear a crown without reason. Pretending to be naive while obediently listening to me was a surprisingly astute behavior.

If she’s searching for a way to survive, the World Tree of Growth is quite cunning.

“Do you know much about this ‘mother’?”
“No… I don’t recall well because it’s a memory from when I was very young.”
“Are you lying or being sincere?”
“I’m being sincere.”

She didn’t appear to be lying. I stood up and prepared to leave. It was time to read a fairy tale to Wiki.

“Sleep well. We have work to do tomorrow.”

*Thump.*

The flickering light went out. The sound of a blanket being pulled up came from nearby. Escaping wouldn’t be easy given the circumstances. Even if an attempt was made, it wouldn’t be long before pursuit and capture would follow.

‘Next is the World Tree of Growth…’

It was crucial to unveil the most enigmatic aspect of her being.

‘For now, let’s observe the outcome tomorrow.’

‘Praise Mary’ and ‘Criticism Healing.’ What would the first efforts to restore the land be like? Eagerly anticipating, the body moved with haste.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The next day.

“……”

Gazing upon the withered branches, a conclusion was reached.

‘Praise Mary’ had perished.