Chapter 48 – Things Always Happen at Drinking Parties (1)

It had already been a week since Baekdo had knocked down his opponent.

Many things had transpired during that time.

Firstly, news articles reported that I had joined Do-wonhyang and contributed to solving the runaway incident. Understandably, it caused quite a stir, and my phone’s mailbox soon filled with messages from Lee Se-Young and Azalea, along with invitations to join various guilds.

Of course, having decided to join Do-wonhyang, I doubted other guilds would appeal to me. I rejected all the invitations that came my way, citing reasons such as a desire to hone my skills. I spent the remainder of my trial period moderately training with Baekdo.

– Hwoong!

A direct attack was launched.

I blocked the incoming fist with my elbow. After skillfully deflecting several consecutive maneuvers, a look of satisfaction crossed Baekdo’s face once the flurry of moves had ended.

“We still have a long way to go.”

Should I say that it’s typical of White Peach not to give a single compliment, even when it’s evident on one’s face? I unwrapped the bandages around my arm and bowed my head.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it; as a teacher, it’s only natural.”

Our unpredictable relationship had become somewhat manageable during training. At least, that’s how I felt, and perhaps it was the same for White Peach.

However—

“Even so, I like wearing wet clothes.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Our rapport remained rather strained.

After finishing training, I descended the mountain to take a shower and returned to the cabin. By that time, the sun had already set, leaving me with nothing to do. Chatting with Cornus was only a brief distraction, and once she dozed off, I’d resort to passing time on my phone.

– Beep, chirp.

I stroked Shiba and laid down.

After today, I will return to the academy.

As I scratched the chin of the sprout during grooming, I found myself reminiscing about my first time arriving in this place.

An unexpected mentor-disciple relationship formed. My initial encounter with White Peach was, to say the least… chaotic.

Our tempers flared over a single peach, and we fought tooth and nail as if we wanted to kill each other. What were we doing, acting like children instead of finding amusement in it? However, not much has changed even now. Just the other day, when our peach debate became heated, I had to endure two hours of Heaven’s sermon.

‘Still, it was quite a humorous laugh.’

Perhaps this too is a memory in its own right. With that thought, I let a smile tug at the corners of my mouth.

Arguing for trivial reasons and laughing over insignificant subjects.

I could never have imagined such a thing in the past. If I hadn’t come to this world, I might be holed up in my room right now, playing somber games in the gloom.

When I think about it that way, isn’t coming to this world actually a blessing in disguise?

With a bittersweet smile, I embraced Shiba.

-Beep?

She closes her eyes upon seeing her daughter tilting her head adorably. She carefully examines her inner self. At some point, she began to view this moment as significant.

* * * * * *

“Aaaaaaa!”

-Beep!

The next day, she took an early morning flight and returned to the academy.

The air of the dormitory, which she hadn’t breathed for some time, tasted incredibly sweet. Her spirits soared, having been dampened by the long flight. Shiba, too, seemed overjoyed, crying out exuberantly.

She stretched her body once and gently placed Shiba on the small table beside the bed.

Then, she sprawled out on the bed and spun the comeback lottery wheel five times in celebration of her return.

—

▶Mineral Water (F) x 4
-Subsequent listings omitted

▶Wooden Ring (B) x 1

-A rare elixir for nurturing sprouts. Imbued with mystical energy, it greatly aids the growth of a young Myomok’s abilities. However, if consumed by humans, it can lead to dire consequences.
—

Tree Ring Elixir. At least I broke even.

Since I had given all the remaining elixirs to Se-Young last time, I could finally test it this time. I rose from the bed, embraced the flower pot where Shiba was planted, and offered her the Tree Ring Elixir.

“My daughter! Come here.”

-Beep?

“Do you know what this is?”

A bead emanating a peculiar energy. Shiba tilted her head, chirping curiously.

-Beep beep.

As the well-crafted pellet, resembling a fine dumpling, touched the sprout, the Tree Ring Elixir melted like freshly made cotton candy, being absorbed by the sprout and soil.
Swish.

-Beep~

Shiba swung her head from side to side, emitting a delighted chirp.

Does absorption take some time? Aside from the soil and sprout emitting a faint glow, there were no significant changes. Maybe I should give her a few more.

As I was about to try my luck again, a notification chimed from the phone in my pocket.

[Hello, is this Si-heon?]

A familiar male voice. It was Jung Si-woo.

“What’s up?”

[I heard you did something great last time.]

“You already heard about that?”

While answering the call, I kept pressing the draw button. Miscellaneous items like mineral water and fertilizer spilled onto the bed.

“Well, you’ve been up to all sorts of things too.”

[Ha, come on. It’s nothing compared to you.]

“What do you mean, ‘nothing’?”

I chuckled at Si-woo’s modesty.

While Cornus and I were stopping a rampage incident in downtown Seoul, this guy had been breaking through dungeons with his mentor. No wonder Si-woo’s name kept appearing on the portal site every evening. He was truly living up to the Munchkin standard.

“So, why did you call?”

[Did you arrive at the academy?]

“Yeah, just got here.”

[Are you drinking with other students from our year? You should come too.]

The beginning and end of college life: drinking parties.
I kept pressing the draw button.

‘Fortunately, there’s no quest right now.’

Up until now, I hadn’t enjoyed a particularly leisurely life, mostly due to dieting. At most, I had only had a few drinks with Lee Se-Young.
To be honest, I was intrigued.

My college life in the past: even thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes.

Eating alone, assignments, novels, games. These four words could describe my mundane daily routines, no better than the dog next door. I believed that living like this was enjoyable and squandered my time in indulgence.

Do I remember experiencing a true college life?

I once dated a female classmate who shared the same hobbies, but that was about it.
Of course, even that relationship ended with a one-sided breakup notice in the early stages.
In short, I had never really experienced a proper college life.

‘Should I go?’

Can I become one of the in-crowd now?

– Flash!

As I repeatedly pressed the draw button, a sudden flash of light appeared.

“Ah.”

[What’s the matter? All of a sudden?]

“…Nothing.”

Quickly coming up with an excuse, I slowly read the window that materialized before me.

▶Temperament Integration Scroll (S)
[Category: Consumable]
– Fuses two temperaments to transform them into a higher-level temperament.

Drawing without any expectations seemed to yield better results. It was startling but left me with an exhilarating feeling. Consequently, I made the right decision. Putting on the mask I had placed on the table earlier, I told Si-woo I was coming.

[So, are you coming?]

“Yeah.”

[Okay.]

Of course, I had to ask this question beforehand.

“Do you have a girl?”

[Obviously.]

“Just wait.”

Let’s go for drinks.

Naturally, I had to use the Temperament Integration Scroll in advance. I immediately tore the coupon before me and selected two temperaments.

The Protection of Patience and the Blessing of Colors.

The rest of the temperaments were of low rank and the main culprits that ruined my personality, so there was no need to interact with them.

【 Latent Potency (EX) and Blessing of the Arborous Gaze (S) fuse together. 】
【 The World Tree of Purity is bewildered. 】
【 Forced manifestation is canceled. 】

A radiant golden light filled the entire room. Startled, Shiba let out a series of squeaks.

As I stroked Shiba’s head, I checked the newly born temperament.

—–
▶ King Mokryeong (-)
[Classification: Temperament]

– You are born with a natural constitution that instinctively subjugates the tree beings before you. You can become the ideal spouse for any tree being, or even more than that.
– Absorbs the abilities of Latent Potency as is.

[Effect 1] Exceptional Growth: Your potential increases dramatically. (Current potential: 20)

[Effect 2] Flourishing: You excel in various fields, displaying remarkable prowess.

[Effect 3] Unyielding Spirit: Your mental fortitude increases significantly.

NEW! [Effect 4] Sovereign of Flora: The additional bonus from the Botanical Compendium surges dramatically. Talents and attributes acquired through acts such as mingling are added.
—–

The practical change was not substantial.
Though there were few newfound abilities, the overall growth of capabilities was achieved.
In the cases of “It Shall Blossom” and “No Surrender,” adjectives like “substantial” or “quite” were appended to the descriptions, and the Sovereign of Flora emerged as a new ability.

‘Sovereign of Flora?’

The Botanical Compendium.
It was a unique characteristic that was only briefly observed in Lee Se-Young’s situation, with no other discernible applications. Perhaps it slightly enhanced her wind magic talent.

‘I had intended to gather the compendium after properly cultivating my strength.’

Due to rapid growth, it had been put on hold.
I manipulated the status window and unfolded the Botanical Compendium.

【You open the Botanical Compendium.】

– Current Compendium Entries: 2

□ Oak (011)
□ World Tree of Healing (993)

-Current enhancement: [Healing Power, Regeneration] [Increased Wind Magic Aptitude]

“What is the World Tree of Healing?”

When did it sneak in again and establish itself within my abilities? Seeing that the powers I had acquired through the protection of the colorful trees were recorded in the Arbor Encyclopedia, it seemed certain that the two abilities I possessed were closely connected.

But who would have thought that intertwining bodies could add to one’s talents and abilities?

‘At this rate… Isn’t it fine to just go around and indulge?’

For a moment, a sinister thought coursed through my mind. Such thoughts, fitting for a potential criminal, meshed with my lecherous devil temperament. The dissatisfaction with society harbored by the branch manager also fueled my impulses.

As a result, all the traits ingrained in my body were screaming for me to supply dopamine as if hammering in nails.

【 A subquest arrives. 】

The status window reacts to my inner turmoil.

Upon deciphering the trial at hand, I placed my hand on my forehead and exhaled a heated breath.

“…Lewd demon.”

The disposition I possess.

“Truly a wretched temperament.”

The quest I received this time was as follows:

—
▶[Sub Quest: Satisfying Desires]

A quest that responds to your cravings! Enjoy a fulfilling sex life.

– Engage in intercourse with three Wood People within 30 days.
– Quest Reward: Stamina Enhancer x1
– In case of quest failure: Death.

Time remaining: 29 days, 23 hours, and 59 minutes.
—

If I fail, I die once again.

“To die if I can’t have sex, what utter nonsense.”

Is it that I must not even entertain wicked thoughts to avoid receiving sub-quests? My loosened resolve has led me to pay the price in the end.

I removed the mask, washed my face, and bit my lower lip.

Three people. Merely three people.

In this world, there were places where people paid money for such acts, but there was no chance that the woodfolk, who assumed the roles of nobility, would engage in such sordid deeds. In all honesty, when would they ever be short on money? Selling one’s body and the like was ultimately something done by the lower-class humans, not the woodfolk.

Of course… it wasn’t as if there were no woodfolk around me. I scrolled through the contacts on my cell phone:

– [Yellow Cute Fool] 010-6xx…
– [Azalea] 010-2xx…
– [Teacher Lee Se-Young] 010-51x…
– [Sumpy (Broadcasting Senior)] 010-125x…
– [Goroshi] 010-42xx…
– [Uniform Girl] 010-24xx…

Six people. However, they were not women whom I could freely cross the line with.

There were only 30 days left. Just 30 days.

“Damn it.”

I laughed bitterly, holding back a curse.

For now, let’s go and have a drink.