Chapter 81 – Three Days of Bliss (1)
“…How, how could this happen!”
“World Tree, please, calm yourself.”
“Silence!”
A potent surge of mana, filled with emotion, swirled around, and Raymond, perspiring cold sweat, seized the branch.
A colossal tree, the size of several apartment complexes lightly combined, filled the temple to the brim.
“By letting your anger run rampant like this, you are only depleting your own power, World Tree.”
“Find a solution now.”
“Yes.”
Raymond bowed his head as if he had been struck to the ground.
Perhaps his devotion slightly soothed her fury, and the resentment, calming a shade, began to restore her own disheveled branches.
“He must die. By any means necessary.”
Lee Si-heon, the prospective husband of the World Tree.
At first, nobody paid any attention to his existence.
Therefore, it was significantly more straightforward to alter the quest or transform Lee Si-heon’s personality and common sense.
‘The opportunity should have been sealed off from the start, but how on earth…’
“Does that make sense? A woman who would forgive even rape, where in the world does such a woman exist!”
Resentment knew nothing about Lee Se-Young. She only knew that she was a noble and had instructed Lee Si-heon to act accordingly.
“Why is the woman who despised him more than anyone else now falling all over him?”
The World Tree cannot individually alter those not connected to her.
The blood of the World Tree, inherited by the people, is gradually diluting, and it would severely violate the law of cause and effect.
Lee Si-heon, who had arrived from another world, was quite literally as malleable as clay.
So, she had thought it would be easy to break him, but why?
Could some change have overcome the predetermined fate itself?
Now that her connection with Lee Si-heon had been severed, there was nothing that Resentment could do.
All that was left was a truly physical solution.
The cause of this must certainly lie with the World Tree behind Lee Si-heon.
‘Who on earth… which woman…’
Is she protecting the one who raped the World Tree?
Resentment spread her branches wide once more, as if to tousle her hair. It was as if she was denying that she had fallen for a trick.
“Kill him as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
“Prepare his execution for six o’clock and bring him before me.”
There was a hint of hesitation in Raymond’s complexion as he knelt and nodded.
His dry lips trembled, and soon he asked her a question, as though he had come to a decision.
“World Tree, what about Alpha and Beta…?”
“Who are they?”
His question had been barely wrung out, but Resentment showed no interest in the twins.
It is right to say she doesn’t think about them while busy seeking revenge.
Raymond could only interpret her words as the World Tree’s will.
‘She means to cast them aside.’
Alpha and Beta have already fallen into others’ hands.
This was the thought that haunted Raymond.
‘……’
In the downpour that relentlessly assaulted the back alley, the memory of a young sapling, shivering and wrapped in newspaper, flickered in Raymond’s mind.
Alpha and Beta. It would be falsehood to say he hadn’t cared for these nameless trees as if they were his own offspring.
Even though Raymond had offered his body and his very essence to the World Tree, he found himself incapable of uttering the words of surrender.
In his heart, he yearned to rescue them,
But was such a thing even possible?
Raymond bit his tongue in frustration. A sweet taste spread through his mouth.
“Go now.”
“As the World Tree wishes.”
A message had reached him not too long ago—Alpha and Beta had barely managed to escape from the institution.
Raymond yearned to aid them in their peril, but circumstances had rendered him helpless.
Stepping outside the sanctuary, he heaved a short sigh. Yet in a fleeting moment, his eyes hardened, once more reflecting the fervor of a devout disciple.
Leaving Raymond behind, the World Tree harvested branches of resentment, spewing out curse after curse.
“Damn… Fuck.”
His knot ached.
* * * * *
【 Your connection with the World Tree has been reestablished. 】
After a period of time, the status window reappeared.
“About two hours.”
Time enough to shatter the status window.
There was no particular name for this power, too nebulous to be classified as a skill, so on the suggestion of White Peach, they had decided to call it Heukdo, or Black Blade.
‘Status window.’
============================
【 Name 】
Lee Si-heon (Prospective husband of the World Tree)
【 Age/Height/Weight 】
20 years old / 183cm / 79.18kg
【 Abilities 】
– Strength 6.5
– Endurance 5.6
– Agility 5.2
– Stamina 6.7
– Magic 7.7
– Charm 9
– Intelligence 5
– Potential 20
– Luck 10
□ Unique Traits (2)
[Arboreal Compendium (S)][Battle Body (S)]
□ Acquired Skills (1)
[Black Blade (-)]
□ Temperaments (4)
[King Mokryeong (-)][Sword Aptitude (B)][Magic Aptitude (B)][Lewd Demon (F)]
============================
He had believed the charm he had painstakingly cultivated would be of no use, but looking at it now, there were no significant changes in his appearance.
The title of sub-leader had vanished, his abilities had surged dramatically as he teetered between life and death.
The aptitudes for sword and magic were abilities he had drawn in the process of bringing down the Ent. Compared to his pre-dungeon self, the difference was stark.
‘…How much will my abilities augment once I unlock the status window?’
Despite the continual surprises, it seemed plausible.
There was a time he thought he would perish, trapped within the inferno.
“Oh, by the way, Master.”
“What is it?”
“What happens to the quest then?”
Outside the dungeon. A little further away.
As the crumbling dungeon lost its form and began to break apart, they made their way to a forest somewhat removed from there.
“Undoubtedly, there’s no need to die now.”
Having discovered the method to escape the status window, the concept of a death penalty has become almost irrelevant. Upon hearing Heaven’s firm answer, my heart gave a heavy thud. It was a response born of relief, not shock.
“Is that… truly so?”
“Yes. Though I must admit, I hadn’t anticipated this outcome.”
Images of my past experiences flickered in my mind like a quickly spun zoetrope. Crimes committed for survival, deceit woven for the same reason. A surge of emotion threatened to overwhelm me, but I expelled it with a single, deep breath.
“It’s a rather pleasant feeling.”
“Still, as long as there’s a reward, it would be prudent to attempt completion.”
That was a reasonable point. While the high-grade potion I’d acquired was now unnecessary, given Heaven’s ability to procure more, no one could predict what future quests might demand. In essence, I could simply cherry-pick what I wanted.
“How do you feel?”
“Confused. Extremely happy, and grateful. But are we heading to the academy immediately?”
“It seems so.”
I responded to Heaven with a smile.
“Do we still have ample time left?”
My actual age was twenty-four. An age where enjoyment should be the prime pursuit.
* * * * *
“What’s so appealing about this?”
The city of hunters, Seoul. Heaven, having shed her conspicuous dragon robe and donned a cloak that resembled a robe, buttoned up to the hilt, followed me, grumbling.
“What will you have?”
Upon entering a commoner’s eatery and choosing a corner seat, she appeared to deliberate momentarily before pointing to an item on the menu with her forefinger.
“I’ll have this.”
Omurice smothered in ketchup. At a glance, it was clearly a sweet dish.
“…You had a taste for such things.”
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
Her teasing words were met with a frosty retort. Seeing her stern expression, I hastily made a similar choice, nodding in agreement.
“Omurice is delicious. Yes. Then, I too will have that.”
A pair of omurices and a pork cutlet. The menu’s recommendation declared it a perfect choice for children, the dish was laden with ketchup and seemed destined to drive youngsters wild with delight.
As the food arrived, I could sense the surrounding gazes within the restaurant. Wondering if it was Heaven’s attire that had caused a stir, I scanned the room only to realize that several eyes were fixed on me.
‘Why?’
The question lingered for a moment.
“Aren’t you eating?”
“Oh, yes. I should start.”
I picked up my spoon at Heaven’s prompt. She had already cleaved into the semi-cooked egg omelette, rolling a mouthful of the bright rice in her mouth. As the less sliced egg tumbled out, a smile spread on her lips, as if she had tasted something truly celestial.
Why does she relish it so?
Assuming this to be an omurice specialty restaurant, I tasted my dish, only to find it thoroughly ordinary in flavor.
The flavor was overly sweet, perhaps intended for the palates of children. I could easily replicate it.
Last time we ate chicken skewers, she had a penchant for the sweet ones. Considering her fondness for tart flavors, sweet and sour omurice might be the perfect dish for Cheondo.
Her laughter while eating was uncharacteristic of a mentor. I immersed a slice of sweet potato pizza and a chunk of pork cutlet in tangy sauce and offered it to Cheondo.
“Go on, try it.”
“Have you finally lost your mind?”
“No, it’s gratitude. Pure gratitude.”
Cheondo eyed me cautiously, her hand reaching out as if to take the fork from me. We attracted a few curious glances. Naturally, I didn’t relinquish the fork. With a sigh, Cheondo swept her hair to the side and took a bite. The sight of her licking the lingering sauce from the corner of her lips was somewhat provocative.
“How is it?”
“Delicious.”
It felt like I was tending to a proud feline. A wild cat that resists its owner’s touch but succumbs to the allure of a treat. I held back my words, deciding it was not an appropriate title for someone as formidable as her.
Our meal ended swiftly.
Thud.
We left the restaurant, strolling down the street in the hopes of aiding digestion. All that was left was to find a room and seek out some entertainment.
“Do you know of any nearby hotels?”
“…”
“Master?”
I was considering a slightly pricier hotel when I noticed Cheondo’s gaze fixed on something. Following her line of sight, I spotted a large cinema. She might want to watch a movie. Movies can be fun. Among the various posters and billboards, her eyes were drawn to…
‘Precure?’
A comic. As I gazed at Cheondo in surprise, she cleared her throat and turned the question back on me.
“I got sidetracked. Were you asking about a hotel? I’ll find us one soon.”
Cheondo looked at me, her face impassive. I deliberated for a moment before forcing a smile. Moments like these required sacrifice.
“Do you want to watch that?”
Cheondo looked surprised as she followed my pointing finger.
“Do you enjoy such things?”
“Yes, I am a fan.”
My gesture was partly out of gratitude. But it seemed that she enjoyed it, and it would be a shame not to indulge her.
“Do you really want to see it?”
“I truly do.”
“Fine. I understand.”
A pang of self-doubt hit me, but if it made her happy, it was worth it. Everyone should have hobbies they can’t share with others, even those as formidable as Hwangdo or Baekdo.
‘I used similar lines before, and she seemed to secretly enjoy it.’
“Do you like things like that?”
“It’s a hobby fitting for you.”
Thinking of the Peach sisters, who would feel disillusioned, I found myself in a quandary about my choice again.
‘No, it’s not wrong.’
As I turned to tell Cheondo we should proceed, I noticed a spark of anticipation in her eyes.
The woman who once seemed devoid of emotion now had such a look in her eyes, all because of a single film.
“Let’s go.”
“There’s no other way.”
She couldn’t bear it.
A couple’s seat, with popcorn and cola for two. Upon entering the cinema, a surprising number of adults were present. Of course, there were just as many children, probably because the film was a well-loved animation. Once inside, curiosity stirred, wondering how different the film would be from what I knew.
-Hisssssss!
The movie began as the advertisements ended. The storyline was predictable, a clear depiction of good triumphing over evil. As I rested my arm on the armrest, propping up my chin to watch, a yawn escaped me. It didn’t suit my taste, after all.
‘Do I really enjoy these things? Is it a mere misperception?’
Not at all. I found myself wearied by the clichéd plot and turned to look at Heaven.
“… … !… !!”
With both fists clenched, Heaven stared at the screen, her face studiously blank. Yet, her beautiful face was a vessel, barely containing a tempest of emotions. The sight of her, moved despite her best efforts to conceal it, momentarily entranced me.
Heaven, oblivious to my gaze.
-Chuckle.
I held back a laugh, studying Heaven’s face intently. I wonder how she would react to being treated so peculiarly.
Seeing Heaven, who might have been shocked at my heart’s antics, brought a satisfied grin to my face.
This is it, this is enough.
Time slipped away as we watched the movie together. Before we knew it, the ending credits were rolling down the screen.