Chapter 521 – Resentment (1)

Lee Si-heon’s Love Union, the 17th meeting.

Mary and Hong-Yeon leaned against the wall, eavesdropping on the conversation between the two.

-Let that day come as soon as possible.

Sansuyu and Lee Si-heon appeared to share affection as always before transitioning to a serious discussion, initiated by Si-heon’s introduction.

Throughout the conversation, they kissed and embraced each other. Although the depth of their love seemed to belong only in dramas, Mary and Hong-Yeon couldn’t help but feel alienated.

-If that time comes.

The final words from Lee Si-heon were like a sweet balm to their parched souls.

The responsibility or emotions that Lee Si-heon spoke of included them as well. Mary and Hong-Yeon exchanged glances and swallowed hard.

-A quick glance.

When Sansuyu’s gaze briefly fell upon the two, Mary and Hong-Yeon hastily concealed themselves. With their hands over their hearts, they felt the pounding of their own heartbeats.

*Thump, thump.*

Lee Si-heon had been considering us. Since Cornus was only staying briefly, she had showered them with affection for just a few days! Now it was our turn. Mary and Hong-Yeon excitedly frolicked together, linking fingers.

But even more than that…

“Did you hear that, sister?”

“Yes, I heard it!”

Once everything was done, he pledged to devote the rest of his life to them!

“Giggle, giggle!”

The humid forest’s atmosphere surged wildly. Although the focus wasn’t solely on Mary and Hong-Yeon, Lee Si-heon’s charm was utterly irresistible to them.

In their deepened love, Mary and Hong-Yeon embraced each other tightly.

“From tomorrow, the space above my lap is mine!”

“Starting today, we can share a drink!”

The two of them were consumed by happiness. What would they do? What kind of love would they share? Sinister yet delightful fantasies brought smiles to their faces.

The very next day, it was no secret that Lee Si-heon went on a business trip.

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

What could Alba possibly be thinking?

As soon as I separated from Sansuyu, I sought her out and confronted her. I demanded to know why she had provided Sansuyu with a clue and arranged for her to meet me at the tower. Naturally, the answer I hoped for remained elusive. No matter how many times I asked, I only received evasive responses that revealed nothing of her true intentions.

‘She is a genuinely good person, with many tender aspects.’

I find it endearing how she presents herself like a lady, wears teddy bear underwear that clashes with the situation, and subtly discloses mildly erotic details.

Especially when I act cold towards her, she becomes sullen and glances at me, which adds a certain charm.

‘But her harsh parenting and her reluctance to reveal her true feelings…’

I simply cannot view those aspects in a favorable light.

Wiki needed time to grow more comfortably, yet she was being raised in extreme conditions. It was difficult to forgive Sansuyu for coaxing me into getting closer to her even though she knew I had severed my old ties.

Unexpectedly, Sansuyu chose to cooperate with me. Judging by the results alone, it was a desirable outcome. My opinion was disregarded, and our alliance grew stronger. It would intensify even more once Lee Se-Young arrived. I couldn’t be certain if the sage had aimed for this, but they seemed to have an uncanny grasp of my temperament. The thought that all this might have unfolded according to the sage’s intentions left my stomach churning.

*Tuk-tuk-tuk.*

I tapped my fingernails on the table. The black tea before me exuded an enticing aroma, but I hadn’t taken a sip yet.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind,” Melia observed.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Tsk.”

I offered a half-hearted response to Melia’s irritated words, the ATU queen.

“How audacious to have other thoughts while the queen is right in front of you,” she chided.

She laughed mockingly.
Angered by her lack of concern, I pushed thoughts of Alba aside and engaged in conversation.

“What would you do if you had a stubborn, disobedient individual in your life?”
“Ha… Are you asking questions now?”
“Don’t want to answer?”
“Tsk!”

Melia tilted her head, exposing her collarbone, and lifted her hand from the hem of her dress, interlocking her fingers.

“If it were me, I’d swiftly slit the throat of one who doesn’t listen.”
“And Lerad?”
“My child always obeys. Unlike yours.”
“That’s surprising.”

Melia is a queen, an embodiment of royalty, steeped in elitism and ideology.
I let the floating tea leaves spill from my cup.
The steam from the teacup clung to the bridge of my nose, providing a lukewarm warmth.

She would slit their throat in an instant.
However, Alba and I were already bound by an unbreakable fate.

“What if I can’t kill them?”
“You have to make them your own.”

The queen spoke nonchalantly.

“And if that’s difficult?”
“There’s no such thing. Who would dare defy me, the queen? They all belong to me.”

Her answer brimmed with confidence. She lifted her teacup and pressed it to her lips. Melia swirled the tea in her mouth for a moment. The arrogant queen’s response was more helpful than she had anticipated.

“Alright.”

Perhaps it was right to lead them into a situation where they had no choice but to listen to her.

Melia smiled regally and subtly tilted her head towards her. Her soft breasts swayed, and her cleavage came into view. With a wicked glint in her eye, the queen covered her upper chest with her hand.

“So, are you ready to hear the story?”
“Yes.”

They would walk the path of cooperation with ATU. Although they were enemies, they were worth joining forces with for a while. Obtaining information on their mutual grudges was part of the value in this alliance.

“Where is the World Tree of Resentment located?”
“Of course, it’s beyond this dimension. The mother and daughter govern a small sect. Have A.B. hand over the map with the coordinates of the rift that leads to that dimension.”
“…I see.”
“Ah, right. Speaking of the mother and daughter’s intentions, they are after your seed.”
“What?”

By seed,
It naturally means my daughter.

“…I thought I had eradicated all information related to that.”
“Can it truly be concealed by hiding? Foolish king. You still don’t realize that the surrounding World Trees are merely observing.”
“Observing?”
“If you want to know, you should start heeding my demands.”

Calculate with certainty.

As I gesture for her to answer, the queen leisurely takes a bite of her cake.
Cream smears over her enchanting lips. The queen’s tongue licks the corners of her mouth.
She seems to enjoy rather sweet things, like Alba.

“Assault the guardian of the World Tree’s dimension.”
“What do you mean by ‘assault’?”
“I mean it literally—devour them.”
“Why?”

“I just can’t stand her personally. She’s a brazen girl who doesn’t follow me.”
“…Didn’t you just claim that there’s no one who doesn’t follow you?”
“Don’t use such crude language, such as that uttered by the lowly, on me.”
“Then what should I say?”

The Queen spoke, tapping her lips with her index finger.

“My words represent the language that shapes the world. I only utter beautiful words.”
“Such nonsense is a disease in itself.”
“Well, if you manage to sway the gatekeeper of dimensions to your side… It will be much easier to overpower the World Tree from then on. This is the first step towards our goal. It benefits you as well.”
“How kind of you.”

The sweeter the proposal, the more dangerous it is, and the more likely it is that hidden intentions lie beneath.
Considering this, she agreed. After all, she had planned to enter the dimension of the World Tree eventually.

“Then, let’s proceed.”
“Yes.”

Shiba is being targeted.
From my perspective, these are words I cannot ignore.

“The World Tree of Resentment, true to its name, desires the death of all your seeds. It has been waiting for an opportune moment, and now it has arrived, unlike before.”

“And before?”

“Well, do you recall? The one who protected you for a year… that monster.”

A name brushed past my thoughts.

Long ago, she was a woman who communicated through a peculiar thing called a status window.

“Chastity.”

“You know well. Unlike three years ago, she can no longer intervene.”

This is valuable information.

I could have inquired about Chastity’s identity right away, but after some consideration, I swallowed the question.

My lack of knowledge about Chastity could provide this individual with an informational advantage. They might request something in exchange for this information later. I nodded as if I understood.

“……”

As I remained silent for an extended period, the queen cast a sly smile, as if she could see right through me. It felt as if every detail was being scrutinized. However, I am holding my own against this opponent.

“What about the method?”

The Queen said nonchalantly.

“Candidate for the wife of the World Tree. It’s a system you’re quite familiar with.”

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

– Bubble, bubble.

“Beep….”

Lately, Mom has been acting strange. She laughs when she’s alone and gazes at me with a wistful expression. Sometimes, she even cries in her room – not with sadness, but with a hint of joy.

Shiba intently observed Azalea’s back as she prepared soup in the kitchen.

“Hehe, hehe~ hehehe!!”

Azalea swayed her hips while humming a tune. Her apron, adorned with pink flowers, fluttered gently.

“Today~ we have delicious~ kimchi stew~”

Singing songs she doesn’t usually perform, she shakes the ladle and conducts.
Not forgetting to stomp her feet clad in Uggs, even producing a cute melody…

It sends shivers down the spine.

Shiba’s eyes become even more slanted.

“Mom.”
“Yes~?”
“Have you had any good news lately?”

With her pink hair neatly flowing down, Azalea presses the power button on the induction stove and at the same time rushes toward Shiba, embracing her tightly.

“Beep?!”
“Shibayaaang~~”

A deep display of affection, reminiscent of Aunt Byul!

“Uh, Mom?”
“You know that Mommy loves you, right?”
“Why, why like this? It’s unnerving.”

Why is the tension so high?
What’s the intention behind it?
Could she possibly be threatening her to quit swordsmanship?

-Thump, thump.

With a nervous and racing heart, Shiba pries herself away from the clinging Azalea.
Azalea’s face still beams with happiness.

“Beep, beepheehee…”

Mom says she loves her.

It’s undeniable.

Shiba laughed awkwardly and lifted her head. Catching sight of Azalea’s face, which bore a touch of makeup, Shiba’s eyes widened.

‘Unbelievable.’

A man, could it be?
She had suggested creating one, but… she hadn’t really wanted it to happen.

‘……’

No, don’t jump to conclusions just yet.
Shiba soothed herself by scooping up a spoonful of white rice.

“Is it tasty?”
“Beep… It’s delicious.”

Azalea, sitting across from her and holding a flower, seemed incredibly radiant and innocent.

(≧∇≦)

Wouldn’t it feel like this if expressed through text?
Shiba’s hand holding the spoon trembled at Azalea’s lively and bouncing charm. It even seemed to carry a faint scent of perfume.

‘Something’s not right.’

How would she react if someone was introduced as her stepfather?
Would her aunt or second mom truly welcome him?

“Beep.”

Shiba sighed and shifted her gaze to the corner of her vision.

【 MainQuest 5. Toward the Ancient Power 】

A quest that has been ongoing for some time now.
Shiba swallowed her food and slowly read through the contents.

=============

【 MainQuest 5. Toward the Ancient Power 】

▶ Your origin is more extraordinary and powerful than you realize. Ancient being. Learn to harness the power of the elves.

▶ The number of tasks assigned to you is [2].
– Awaken the power of the elves.
– Master the gray magic.

[Quest Reward]
– Elixir of the World Tree x 10

[If the quest fails]
– More rigorous training

Time remaining: 9 days, 13 hours, 21 minutes, and 59 seconds.

================

Quests that appeared at some point.
The reason is unknown, but the direction of the quest was predetermined.

Birth, or being an elf.

It’s brimming with enigmatic tales, yet… at the very least, it didn’t bring harm to Shiba.

‘But, how am I to complete this?’

Shiba closed the quest window and verified the quest that still remained unfinished.

【 SubQuest 1. The Path of the Insider. 】

*Sigh*…

A straightforward quest to befriend three people.
It’s a quest that has remained unconquered for several weeks now.
Shiba was an outsider.