Eat The World Tree

Sometimes, in life, these things happen.

Unintentionally, you receive someone’s kindness.

There were those who offered unasked-for favors without any apparent reason.

“…Hoo.”

Sweat dripped down from the chin. Jung Siwoo sat, touching his forehead, staring blankly at a spot on the blanket.

His arm hooked to an IV line, turned a deep shade of red.

His head felt dizzy. He couldn’t remember how many times he had thrown up. Most troubling of all, his lower body wasn’t responding well.

‘Why did it happen?’

The battle had been one of endurance. He had taken a lot more damage. He should have been the one to fall first. Midway through, he realized this and fought with even more desperation.

“…”

Jung Siwoo remained silent. His fist trembled slightly.

It didn’t take long for him to understand how he ended up winning.

[‘World Tree of Justice’ gazes at you with a distant look. ]

‘It’s nothing.’

The fight could have ended in death. Jung Siwoo was so focused on the battle that he had overlooked that fact. Lee Shiheon must have been aware of it, too.

Even though he had said, he wouldn’t hold a grudge.

Perhaps it was a mistake to say that.

“…Haah.”

He sighed deeply and closed his eyes. The image of his younger sibling from his childhood flickered before him.

Jung Siwoo had always been the one extending kindness, never on the receiving end.

That was why the emotion he was feeling now was so foreign.

It was a night filled with intense emotions.

For what reason had he lived and strived all these years?

“Just… I just.”

Jung Siwoo bowed his head. He buried his face in the blanket and remained that way for a while.

“I just want to see that kid…”

The fact that Shiheon had caught up after four months didn’t matter to him. Not feeling inferior was part of Jung Siwoo’s inherent nature.

He was just grateful for taking one step closer—and to the one who made it possible.

That emotion was something he could never forget.

“Is, is Shiheon here?”

Peeking around the door, Byeol stuck her head in.

“You came?”

“Hehe, I came after work… It’s not silly. I was worried you might be badly hurt…hehe.”

“My body is sturdy, so it’s fine.”

Byeol’s cute demeanor brought a smile to his face.

“It was really a pity~”

She dashed over and sat next to me.

The bed vibrated slightly. The vase on the bedside table, brought by Jin Dallae, shook.

Perhaps she was excited to see me after a long time, or maybe there was another reason.

Byeol looked up at me, grinning slyly.

“…Shiheon. Shiheon.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to join our guild? I can really take good care of you. We can play games together, too.”

She was already eyeing me up.

“I have no plans to join a guild yet.”

“Pity… well, I knew it would be like this. I shouldn’t have introduced you to Baekdo.”

As I laughed it off, Byeol lightly stuck out her tongue.

“Still, you were amazing today, right? There were a lot of articles about it.”

“Oh, really? That could be.”

“Compared to when I saw you last time… really, you must have worked very hard.”

Various things had happened. There was a lot to think about. I had experienced many changes.

Still, it felt refreshing now that the exam was over.

…Well, I also got scolded.

-Why did you push yourself so hard!

-Huh?

-Seriously. Drink this. Hurry up.

Jin Dallae, who had hastily returned from somewhere, even shoved an expensive high-grade potion into my mouth. The price shocked me when I heard it.

‘Thanks to that, I recovered….’

I wanted to rest a bit. I looked at Byeol sitting next to me. Her blinking eyes were so cute that I hugged her and pulled her close.

“Eh, eh? What?”

“Come here, let’s hug and lie down.”

After all, we had seen it all between us. Plus, her scent was subtly nice, and she was small, making her comfortable to hold.

“…Shiheon?”

Byeol’s face turned bright red. When I pinched her cheek, she covered her face with her hands.

“You, you really want to tease your noona? There are many women…”

“I just want to rest today.”

The only sanctuary granted by Lee Seyeong.

I had thought it would be an awkward meeting after a long time, but it wasn’t.

I wondered how the teacher was doing.

She had said she would come in a few days, so I should clear up some things then.

“Hey. When are you going to let me go, really?”

“I want to play games with my noona for a while.”

“…Call me later then. But if you meet another girl after that.”

“Aye.”

“What do you mean ‘aye’ ~? Do you really want to be scolded?”

She hit me lightly on the forehead.

The flick was delivered in a way that was not too hard, as if she was worried about hurting me, but still wanted to make a point. It didn’t hurt but only made me laugh.

“You don’t even think of me as a noona.”

That was actually true. She felt more like a younger sibling.

“I need to go now.”

A few minutes passed, and Byeol stood up, straightened her clothes, and left the room. She stomped her feet as if to show she was angry but soon peeked back around the door and said,

“…Like a botanical garden director.”

Was that an insult?

“Rest well.”

“Yes.”

With a brief goodbye, the door clicked shut.

I lay there in the same position I had been in while hugging Byeol, then grabbed the water cup from the bedside table and headed outside the patient’s room. The air outside felt warm, probably because summer was approaching. It was also evidence that time had passed since I had arrived here.

-Zzzzzz.

The sound of water pouring echoed in the corridor.

“Huaaam.”

I yawned and scratched the back of my neck, then casually sat down on the sofa in the lounge and drank some water.

I was lost in thought for a moment. I didn’t think too much.

Just wondering if the choices I had made were right. Or if it was purely my own stubbornness. Whether my meticulous calculations were actually just rationalizations.

Of course, those thoughts didn’t last long.

-Tick.

The light in the hallway ahead turned on.

Hearing footsteps approaching, I glanced up to see Jung Siwoo limping towards me.

Hesitantly, upon seeing me, he stiffened and didn’t say a word for a while.

Slowly walking towards me, Jung Siwoo didn’t offer any greeting. Standing next to the water dispenser, he then spoke abruptly.

“Why did you do it?”

“Just because.”

He brought the water cup to his lips and then set it aside. His thirst was quenched.

“How old is your sibling?”

“…Probably fourteen.”

“Six years apart?”

Siwoo nodded.

“That’s worth searching for. Make sure you find them.”

I put the cup on the table in front of me and gave a dry laugh. Thinking back, I, too, had once risked my life to find a friend.

“Pay me back later. If you need a favor, just ask.”

I got up from my seat, holding the water cup, and went back to my room. From behind me, a heavy and sincere voice called out.

“Thanks… I’ll repay this debt someday.”

“What for. But can you even fight?”

Jung Siwoo smirked and clenched his fist.

“It’s okay. I can manage if I rest enough. Learned from my master. Just do it with grit and determination.”

Who his master was, I didn’t know. How he would fight with that body was even more uncertain. But that was his business.

If he was a potential candidate for the World Tree and had experienced various fates, he probably had a way to get potions.

He was like a protagonist who would find his way no matter what.

“Then do well. If you get any spoils, it’s good for me.”

I waved my hand and went into my room.

And a few days later, surprisingly,

The news of Jung Siwoo’s victory spread worldwide.

The headlines were filled with stories of his triumph despite his injuries.

─??? : Lim Jonghyun winning is totally possible.

Anyway, the winner is Jung Siwoo lolololololololololololololololol

[Comments: 15]

-Anonymous: Damn it, shut up! I’m embarrassed, too.

└Author: lolololololololololololololololololololol

-Anonymous: But seriously, the guy came out of nowhere. His magic circuit was practically broken, with only about a third of his magic power left, and he still won?

└Anonymous: True, the difference in magic power was huge, but winning like that pretty much proves Jung Siwoo’s skills are on par with active professionals.

└Anonymous: Yeah. Honestly, even without magic, it would have been a fair fight. But what the hell is up with Lee Shiheon?

Every day at El Academy and in related magazines, articles, and online communities.

The topic of the week was the same everywhere.

Jung Siwoo’s victory despite a damaged magic circuit and Lee Shiheon, who had put him in that state, was on everyone’s lips.

Posts about Lee Shiheon especially proliferated in the community, with dozens written every day.

─Jung Siwoo is one thing, but

[Battle Video]

This is the recorded fight. What’s with Lee Shiheon? He’s ranked 152nd.

[Comments 51]

-Anonymous: What do you mean? It’s just a fluke. Does it make sense to grow that much in just four months?

└Anonymous: Maybe he had some kind of encounter? My martial arts master said achieving that stance takes at least a decade.

└Anonymous: Is your master Baekdo or what? He probably just dropped in rank due to missing the entrance exam or something. Seems like he’s just reclaiming his original rank.

-Anonymous: But seriously, wasn’t that Baekdo’s secret technique at the end?

└Anonymous:? Looks similar.

└Anonymous: Huh?

└Anonymous: Maybe…

Students and community users speculated about Lee Shiheon.

Why was he so strong yet unknown to everyone?

Rumors spread about whether he had experienced a fate or had always been strong. Eventually, they even started digging into why he always wore a mask.

─That guy always wears a mask.

Isn’t there a reason for it? He isn’t crazy to just wear a mask every day.

Plus, they say he’s handsome? Logically, there’s no reason to wear a mask.

Maybe he had some trouble in the past or is hiding his identity for some reason?

[Comments: 21]

-Anonymous: Any evidence?

└Author: Look at the context. Some unknown guy almost beat Jung Siwoo to a pulp.

└Anonymous: Lee Shiheon also got beaten up. He ultimately lost, but it’s kind of surprising. There have been cases where someone suddenly rises to the occasion.

└Anonymous: The comment above, damn. Jung Siwoo is a once-in-a-century talent, and they’re comparing him to that guy as if it’s a common occurrence.

-Anonymous: But with so much talk like this, Lee Shiheon must be really impressive.

└Anonymous: Lee Shiheon, right? Take off your mask.

└Anonymous: Hey, want to have a meal with me? I’m pretty, so I don’t care, hehe, welcome, junior.

└Anonymous: Sister, can you buy me food too?

└Anonymous: Hehe, sure.

While Jung Siwoo’s victory garnered attention, the interest in Lee Shiheon, the talent who emerged seemingly out of nowhere, grew significantly.

Of course, in some remote places, he was still treated as just someone who had lost in the first round. However, the reactions were different in certain circles that recognized his true potential.

“Lee Shiheon hasn’t signed with a guild? Do whatever it takes to bring him in. Offer the best conditions.”

“Yes, sir. But many places have already—”

“I didn’t ask you how to do it right now!”

“Well… The Association has presented conditions that are beyond what most guilds can offer. How do we surpass that?”

Guilds, businessmen, politicians.

As he had once become the subject of rumors after a single article in the past, the rumors about him were spreading again.

Of course, this was just a competition held at an academy, which was always limited to that role.

The competition wasn’t a global event that captured the interest of citizens from around the world.

Nor was it a world-class contest where hunters who deemed themselves the best vied for supremacy.

Ultimately, Lee Shiheon didn’t measure up to Jung Siwoo’s level.

Most notably, Jung Siwoo was a contender for the World Tree’s husband.

Naturally, the discussions among experts diverged, but that was the general consensus.

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In that moment, within Lee Shiheon’s dormitory:

“So, is this the person who defeated you?”

“Yes.”

Baekdo chuckled as she peered at her phone screen.

“You were so full of confidence, and yet… this guy?”

“Yes, yes. But to say he outsmarted me—ow!”

There was a commotion. Lee Shiheon’s body jolted as Baekdo shifted her weight.

Baekdo glanced at her thigh, then kicked out and laughed.

“But, my disciple, are you not articulate?”

Lee Shiheon remained silent for a moment before he finally responded.

“…Owner-nim.”

Baekdo’s foot descended, smacking Lee Shiheon’s hand.

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