Chapter 511 – A Dangerous Game (1)

The blond man was sent flying from the left wall to the right wall of the conference room, becoming embedded in it.

*Bang!*
*Fwoooosh.*

The towering figure, once known as the King of Trees, watched in silence.
The dust that had been stirred up began to settle, and the executives observing the scene were left speechless, as if they had eaten honey. The others also maintained their silence, avoiding my gaze.

Tae-yang clung to my ankle, pleading.

“Brother, brother! I-I-I’m so sorry!”

Tae-yang, lying on the ground, trembled with fear.
I knelt down in front of him.

“Big brother, big brother!! I apologize. I’ll just shut up and leave- Aaah! Big brother!!!”

Just as Tae-yang’s body was about to be engulfed by the sun…

“Ah, ah!! Aaah!! It hurts! It hurts!”

I had been about to shatter his ankle, but instead I spoke to Tae-yang with a stern tone.

“I told you not to meddle in my business.”

“Well, how could I… live happily ever after without my brother? Ugh!”

As I poked her side with my hand, it went in deeply. Tae-yang cried out in pain. The surrounding officers closed their eyes in shock.

The scene of brutal torture unfolded.

“What’s wrong with Hae-nul? Why would she come here thinking the sky has gone mad?”
“…Loyalty is as important to me as my daughter.”
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
“Ugh!”

Mok Hae-nul, the daughter of Mok Tae-yang and Yuli, was about the same age as Wiki. She was such an angelic child, needing as much special attention as her age warranted, yet she had ignored that and come all this way.

“Understood?”
“Yes.”
“No matter how dire the situation is, if I use you, won’t Hae-nul be ashamed to see?”
“…Hae-nul has a message for you.”
“What?”
“She says she needs an elephant toy next time.”
“Alright.”

Hae-nul, who used to call me uncle and followed me obediently, came to my mind. She didn’t resemble Tae-yang but took after her mother’s side, making her adorable and full of charm.

*Sigh.*

However, that’s beside the point.
I gently pressed down on Tae-yang’s calf.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

Love must be given to one’s children.

“Even if we remain close, it won’t be comfortable. Ridiculous.”

It’s because I couldn’t do it. So, I’m telling you to try.
The collapse of a mother-daughter relationship can happen in an instant. The textbook example is right before our eyes, but I failed to follow that one rule, forcing me to take matters into my own hands.

“Ugh, cough, gag.”

Tae-yang tapped my thigh. It was a sign that it was no longer dangerous.
I finally released Tae-yang and turned my head to look at Aori, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

“Aori.”
“Yelp!”

Aori covered her face with her creaking robotic arm.

“Ah, Aori isn’t here…”

Like a child, Aori covered her eyes with her hands and whined.
I playfully tapped Aori’s bright red hair.

“Then, who is this person here?”
“…It’s Mecha Aori. Beep beep.”
“Good grief.”
“Yikes!”

Striking Aori’s crown, her head jerked downward.
Who on earth would this injured one come out to help?

“Mecha Aori… I’ve malfunctioned. It hurts so much, Your Majesty.”
“How’s your body?”
“I’m okay.”

As I stroked Aori’s head, with her hands clasped on her crown, she giggled softly.
Seeing her happy even after receiving both pain and medicine, I could only sigh.

“Brother, why does Aori stop with just one honey blow? Isn’t this like splitting a tree? Do we hurt humans and spare trees? What’s that about?”
“She’s in pain.”
“Right. Aori is in pain. Taeyang should grab his dick and reflect on himself. You know, Your Majesty, it was Taeyang who suggested it.”
“Really?”
“That damn girl. She was all for it when she said we should go.”

You two are always the same. I’m somewhat relieved.
I winked at the officers who were still working.

“Leave for today, as for what you were doing… Yes. Gu-seul, sort it out and inform me briefly. Let’s try to return to normal as soon as possible.”
“Ah, yes… Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, have you rested well?”
“Yes.”

The officers, taking cues from one another, exit the room. From today on, there will likely be many curious about the nature of my relationship with these individuals. The conference room empties, and in the midst of this, Hong-Yeon approaches me, hesitantly tapping my shoulder.

“Do-won, are you okay?”
“Yes. It’s just that we’re close, that’s all.”
“Brother, regardless of how close you are… This—”

She presses her hand on Tae-yang’s thigh, brushing it off nonchalantly. Tae-yang’s face turns green, resembling Shrek.

“And… the trial? How did it turn out?”
“I’ll sort it out later and inform you. Stay for the day.”

After making eye contact with Gu-seul, who is standing next to Hong-Yeon, I rise from my seat. The king’s vacant position must have been quite significant, as not only Hong-Yeon but even the usually inconspicuous officers have been mobilized. I’m unsure if there will be any empty rooms available today.

“By ‘staying,’ do you mean… Can we have a drink, after such a long time?”
“…Yeon-ah?”

“Mi, my apologies! I didn’t mean to intrude during such a busy time, I’ll, I’ll go quickly!”

Hong-Yeon fled with her face flushed red. There were still many people who appeared to have something to say to me. The four World Trees, the noble tree Camellia, her servant Camellia, and Aori who, before I knew it, pressed her chest against my arm and fawned over me. Even Tae-yang, who looked unfairly treated.

There were so many.

“Ugh.”

I closed my mouth, wrapped my arms around my hungry stomach, and spoke.

“First… let’s eat.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Aori and Mary came running with bowls filled with rice cake soup.

“Aori’s rice cake soup!”
“Nyaaaaa!”

The two little girls in aprons huddled together as they delivered the rice cake soup to us.

The individuals gathered around the grand table were all of similar status, drawn together by my circumstances.

Mary and Cotton, along with Gu-seul, Melia, and Ebony, who represented healing and patience. Seeing them together like this, it was impossible not to think of them as a large family.

“Master, here you are.”
“Thank you.”

Ebony, looking lovely in her pink apron, served my portion of rice cake soup. Boiled with seaweed powder, egg garnish, and a beef bone base, the soup had a moderately salty taste. As soon as I took a mouthful, the rich aroma of freshly squeezed sesame oil filled my nostrils.

“Does it suit your taste, Master?”
“Did you make it?”
“Yes.”

She turned out to be quite skilled with her hands. Though she didn’t seem to have much cooking experience, she evidently possessed a hidden talent in this area. She was quite unlike anyone I knew.

“Well, now you even have your disciples cooking for you, brother?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Just eat quickly.”
“Yay~ Oh, thank you.”

Tae-yang grinned at the rice cake soup Mary had brought and took a generous bite. He then paused, furrowing his brows as if the taste was somewhat peculiar.

“Aori… Stop. You made this. Why is the rice cake soup sweet?”
“Taeyang wins!”
“It’s a victory! Hehehe!”

The girls who had been observing this burst into laughter and clapped their hands. Mary and Aori clung to each other, teasing Taeyang.

“Pffhaha!”
“Giggle.”

Such little devils they were. The already willful Mary had accepted Aori’s mischievousness. Imagining how Mary, who had embraced Aori and Taeyang’s nature, would grow up sent shivers down the spine.

‘Please, don’t let her take after me.’

All one could do was to pray, hands clasped together. Sighing, the gaze shifted to the seat next to them.

“My lady, open wide.”
“Ah~”

There, Camellia was feeding Dongbaek rice cake soup. She had now naturally blended into the dining table as well. It was a relief. Whatever had been done must have been quite serious. Even though it was something necessary, it caused discomfort, but fortunately, they had adjusted well.

– Tap, tap.

This time, it was Cotton who tapped on the shoulder.

“Why?”

It had been some time since we last met, and I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm. Suddenly, a smartphone screen was thrust in front of my eyes.

“Look at this!”
“What’s going on?”

I carefully read the text on the smartphone screen.

[Sprout Mom]
[Posts 2151 Comments 5621 Attendance 56]
[Upon meeting the level-up condition, (Tree) -> (Elder) promotion occurs.]

“I’ll soon become an Elder. You must be envious, right?”

The World Tree of Growth proudly thrust out her ample breasts and gently swayed Cotton. Glimpsing her hips wiggling with glee, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed she had spent a considerable amount of time on the internet while I was occupied in the tower.

“I’m on my phone until 4 in the morning… Please change our room.”

The World Tree of Patience, who shared a room with Growth, responded with a hint of annoyance. It must be challenging when your roommate is nocturnal. Patience seemed to have accumulated quite a bit of endurance.

“Sprout Mom’s Parenting Diary… You didn’t post anything too sensitive, did you?”
“Of course not.”

“Yes, well done. Go and eat.”

“Can I share it with Suho and Jia?”

“Suho and Jia… Oh, those plants you’re raising? Can they eat rice cake soup? If so, I don’t mind if you give them some.”

“Thank you. Hehe.”

Innocent Missy, Mother Cotton of thousands of trees, seemed to really consider feeding the plants. She took the rice cake soup, kicked open the door, and left.

As the number of people increases, there are many more things to pay attention to. After putting down the rice cake soup and exhaling an awkward breath, I took a good look around the table.

-Thunk.

Then, a woman wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Gu-seul, who had just been in the kitchen, hugged the back of my head.

“I’m not hurt. Maybe lost something, though.”

“Hehe, you said it was an ordeal, how was it?”

“Where’s that old woman? I have a ton of questions… Tsk. If I just tell you the outcome, someone just like me appeared.”

“A doppelganger?”

“No, someone even worse than me. I’ll tell you more about it later, slowly.”

“Alright.”

*Pat-pat.*

Guseul’s hands gently caress my hair, tickling my chin like a cat, and occasionally pinching my cheek.

What kind of treatment is this all of a sudden? As I absentmindedly accept her touch, the gazes of the women around me become fixed on me.

“…?”

“Do you know?”

“What?”

“Your demeanor has become much gentler since you returned from the tower.”

Is that so?

*Squish.*

Guseul presses down on my cheek. Tae-yang watches us in amazement, while Mary, with envy in her eyes, shoots Guseul a glare. Hong-Yeon sneaks sidelong glances at us like a puppy that needs to poop, and Melia looks at me with contempt, as if she can’t believe what she’s seeing.

Hmm.

“Eek!”

Was Mary jealous? She tries to sit on my thighs. As Mary moves, Aori clings to her this time. Hong-Yeon cautiously approaches, dragging her own chair closer.

Now that I’ve had a moment to observe them calmly, it seems I understand.

I realized I had spread my legs quite wide.

“Brother.”
“Mm.”
“How many are here?”
“…”

I couldn’t answer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

– Tadak, tadak.

Above the crackling bonfire, the king, who had been poking at the fire, now lay asleep, motionless.

“Chirp?”

A mouse approached and climbed onto the king’s ankle. Rabbits and deer also slept near the king. Unfolding before the king’s closed eyes were memories from a distant past. When he looked at the bonfire… he remembered the two loyal subjects who had missed their time and departed first.

“Brother, grit your teeth… and let go. If you die, everything will be lost.”

A woman named Tae-yang, with brown skin and long, bright yellow hair.

He passed away quickly, but Aori was a woman as well.
Their life on the run with Shiba had been quite lengthy. Those sorrowful days, when they outlasted the collapse of the white termites and barely survived, moving from place to place.

If it weren’t for those two,
they might not have had this chance, let alone still be alive.

“[…Big brother. We need to save Shiba. You have to stay alive, understand?]”

The one who cried out to me even while being drenched in blood and their body being torn apart.

“[Pull yourself together.]”

The body I held was warm,
with hot, seemingly all-embracing flesh.

“[…Gu-seul couldn’t help betraying him. You know that, big brother. Get a hold of yourself. Yes.]”
“[…….]”
“[Ah, are you doing nipple laundry?]”
“[You’re talking nonsense.]”
“[Hehehe. So, get it together. Shiba is waiting. You’re her father. You need to go back and hold her. Tell her you love her.]”

To the king, the last person to be trusted.

[Really? Are you all turning your backs on me? Can’t you see I’m still alive? I’ve been on your side my entire life!]

The one who inexplicably believed in me, even as his severed head soared through the air before rolling onto my lap.

Mok Tae-yang.
He had been a loyal servant.

In order not to forget his sacrifice… I had to find a way to make things right.