Eat The World Tree

On the last day of the holiday following the tournament:

“Come here, my daughter. Want to try this out?”

“Beep?”

“Just fill this inside with these items.”

When I called her, Shiba began fitting puzzle blocks with her fern-like hands as I showed her the toy I had bought earlier. It was a simple puzzle designed to create a square by matching the shapes of the blocks.

“Beep? Beep?”

Right there. Start by filling in the square. Shiba quickly completed the puzzle and chirped brightly.

“Baa!”

“Good job, my girl!”

Shiba managed to complete the puzzle in just three attempts. I didn’t know if it was because she was a tree, but she was incredibly smart. Really, it was not just fatherly bias. She’s already mastering all sorts of play without even being able to speak. How could anyone not call her a genius?

Objectively, not just subjectively, Shiba was indeed a genius.

“Byaa~ Bheehee.”

Shiba snuggled in my arms, rubbing her cheek against mine as if asking for more praise. So, I ruffled her hair and cheeks further, lavishing praise on her.

“Well done! Our daughter is the best~ She’ll go to Harvard~!”

Our dorm’s angel was sunny today as well.

-Creak-

The sound of the door opening. Baekdo walked in, glancing around.

Since that night, Baekdo has always had a sulky expression.

“What’s all this fuss so early in the morning?”

Her speech had also grown quite harsh. I had thought things were resolved, but it seemed not completely.

“It’s about educating our child.”

“Education, my foot. She’s just causing trouble.”

Pouting, Baekdo flopped onto the bed and closed her eyes.

I chose not to argue. Though things were awkward now, I knew they would eventually smooth over. From long experience, I was aware that Baekdo tended to let things slide.

The problem was more with Hwangdo than Baekdo.

Since that night when Baekdo and I shared drinks, Hwangdo had strangely not shown up.

The Hwangdo who would always greet me in the morning with hearts in her eyes and hug Shiba was nowhere to be seen.

‘I don’t know.’

Perhaps she was stunned by the truth about Baekdo, or maybe she witnessed everything that night while feigning sleep.

Either way, not being able to talk openly was frustrating since she chose to hide inside.

-Bolt.

Suddenly, Baekdo, who had been lying down, sat upright.

Her hair had turned crimson. Did her consciousness shift? Cheondo glanced at me holding Shiba, rubbed her eyes, and offered a faint smile.

“What a loving father and daughter.”

“We always are. Master, would you like to hold Shiba, too?”

“……”

-Nod.

Cheondo extended her hands quietly, and I passed Shiba to her.

Shiba seemed slightly disgruntled but permitted Cheondo to hold her, accustomed to such situations from previous encounters. Cheondo nestled her face into Shiba’s hair and closed her eyes, cradling her against her large chest.

“Feels cozy.”

With her mouth protruding like a duck bill, Shiba and the beautiful woman cradling her resembled a scene from a photo shoot.

Some time passed.

Cheondo set Shiba down and cleared her throat.

“Cough. Anyway… I have something to tell you.”

“Right after waking up? Shouldn’t you have something to eat first?”

“It’s fine. This is more important.”

Shiba clung to me once more, bustling about.

She was surely about to discuss the outcome of this tournament.

“The news regarding the Forest Keeper selection will be announced shortly. Some candidates have already been confirmed, but there will be an additional selection for someone like you. You understand why, right?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. Cheondo folded her arms below her chest.

“You’ve taken unexpected actions, but what’s done is done. I won’t debate whether it was right or wrong.”

“Anyway, right now, you are a topic of interest among several guilds. No… within the academy, there is no bigger story than yours.”

That was true.

Even now, as I sat here, my email inbox was likely filling with offers from guilds.

They were all full of praise for my potential, promising fair treatment and vying for a contract with their guild. No surprises there.

Among them was an association responsible for one aspect of the world.

Interestingly, they conveyed their intentions through Byeol, with whom I had a connection. For now, I had turned them down.

Of course, it wasn’t only guilds that approached me.

[Hi, I’m XX. Do you want to grab a meal together sometime?]

[You helped me last time. Can I offer you something in return?]

[The last match was very exciting! Can we meet personally?]

Recently, the number of contacts from students I barely spoke with had increased exponentially.

‘Strange.’

Those who had never responded before were now starting conversations.

It was an awkward and itchy feeling.

Among them was someone who had badmouthed me. Apparently, they didn’t know I overheard them.

‘And if you received help, you should have offered something the next day… Why offer it now after so long?’

Such thoughtlessness. But it also felt real that I had struggled and now found some ease.

They say when you succeed, people you barely know start calling.

Well, it didn’t feel bad at all.

“It’s okay.”

“Yeah. It’s been okay so far.”

Cheondo spoke meaningfully and opened the door to a new topic.

“Now, we need to train you for the Forest Keeper Selection.”

Time to work hard again?

Cheondo, with a mischievous smile, told me this. Her laughter had increased recently.

“We need to focus on real battles now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Not some purgatory-like place… but conquering ordinary dungeons. Don’t think of them as trivial, though.”

“…When does it start?”

“After the training camp.”

About two weeks from now.

“After that training, we’ll be apart for a while.”

As I was estimating the dates, Cheondo suddenly made this announcement.

“So soon?”

“Yes. I’ve got a lot of work piled up.”

Her words were reasonable.

Always expecting a teacher to take care of their students was asking too much.

Understanding that, I was able to express my feelings honestly.

“That’s a pity. When will we meet again?”

“Probably after the Forest Keeper Selection is over. Maybe even later.”

‘If it’s after the Forest Keeper Selection.’

The Forest Keeper Selection was a huge project spanning almost a semester, meaning we would be separated for a long time.

“Oh~ Finally free from living together?”

“Something like that.”

Cheondo looked at me skeptically as she responded.

Regardless of the outcome, Shiba and I now had our own haven.

Yet, the thought of suddenly being apart was bittersweet.

Initially awkward, living together had become indispensable. In this world, Cheondo, Hwangdo, and Baekdo were like family to me.

Things were a bit strained with Baekdo, but even forced conversations seemed good.

“What is this piled-up work?”

“It’s about Peach Spring Blossom. I’ll call Bob, Roshi, and Sumpee to deal with the backlog. Why? Are you interested? If you can assassinate without hesitation, I can teach you.”

“… I’ll pass.”

Knowing the answer, Cheondo uncrossed her arms.

“And there are too many annoying flies around to stay together anymore.”

“What?”

“There’s one around you too. Not exactly a fly, but similar enough.”

A fly… a nuisance.

Before I could ponder further, Cheondo lifted her hips off the bed.

“So, if you have things to do, finish them quickly. Be it women or whatever.”

“Things to do… Oh, right, Master.”

“What is it?”

“How about we go watch FrikQure?”

Cheondo’s face hardened.

“You never miss a chance to joke around.”

I retorted, but I was the only one who knew.

That this woman enjoyed those children’s cartoons.

“If you say so.”

“……”

As I casually brushed off the matter, Cheondo closed her eyes, seemingly heading towards the living room.

Somehow, her demeanor appeared cold. Chuckling, I decided to add more to my words.

“No, it’s a must. We have to see FrikQure. Shiba likes it, too… Let’s just go.”

-Stop.

Cheondo pressed her brows and feigned a deep sigh as if she had been waiting for those words.

“…Sigh. Can’t be helped.”

“Will you go in casual clothes today? Let’s stop by a department store on the way. I’ll recommend some nice outfits.”

“Do as you wish.”

A sweet holiday.

I ignored the ringing phone and fully enjoyed the remaining few days.

---

Inside a café.

A red-haired woman sat at a table, handing a letter to a man with a smile.

“Student Jung Siwoo. Congratulations.”

Isabella.

A woman who had recently received decision-making power for the Forest Keeper Selection and the first female bishop of one of the five World Trees of Prosperity. She was also the next saint, receiving great support from the Church. The green ribbon on her chest symbolized her nobility.

“I recall your name wasn’t this when you first came.”

“Hohoho. What’s in a name? What matters is that I’ve risen to this position and received a new name.”

Jung Siwoo, having some acquaintance with her, could talk to her comfortably.

They had met when she was a nun. When had she grown so much?

Sometimes, rather than being noble, she seemed more driven by the ambition to rise higher.

“Anyway…”

Isabella showed a benevolent smile.

“Congratulations on being ‘the first’ candidate for the Forest Keeper Selection. Oh, did I say ‘the first’? Yes, ‘the first.’ Listen carefully. You’ve grown so much since you were a little one, haven’t you?”

“Haha…”

Jung Siwoo took the letter placed on the table.

The Forest Keeper Selection.

An event where the current generation’s strongest, the S-class hunters, provided guidance. A stage he would have eagerly jumped at in the past.

Jung Siwoo hesitated to open the letter, just fiddling with the seal.

“What are you doing? Open it.”

Isabella couldn’t bear it any longer, while Jung Siwoo remained unsure.

After some time, he finally spoke.

“Sister, since it’s just between us, how many have been selected so far?”

“Hmm~ It’s top secret.”

“……”

“Well, I’ll let you know if it becomes helpful later.”

“That’ll do.”

“Deal~”

Isabella pondered for a moment, her chin resting on her hand, and then slowly began to list the names.

“There’s this incredibly strong woman from a tribe in Africa… then a husband candidate for the World Tree. The third is the top student from Manhattan Academy, who’s always squinting. These three stand out to me first.”

Africa had become almost wild due to the collapse of governments and countries where tribes fought against monsters.

Manhattan Academy was on par with El Academy, which spoke volumes about its prestige.

“And the rest… oh, there are a few princes and princesses too.”

Japan’s cherry blossoms…

As they continued talking, Jung Siwoo cut in.

“So, am I the only one selected from El Academy so far?”

“It seems so. But there’s still more selection to come… Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. I have someone to recommend, but it looks like I won’t be able to participate in the Forest Keeper Selection.”

Suddenly.

“Ah?”

Isabella looked at him with a startled expression.

“What…? You can’t go?”

“That’s how things turned out.”

“Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

Isabella blinked in disbelief. Rejecting the Forest Keeper selection test was inconceivable for most.

“Did you bump your head hard?”

Who would pass up the chance to consume the Perennial Snow Ginseng when aspiring to be the greatest warrior? Only a fool would decline it.

And yet, Jung Siwoo had just done so.

The Forest Keeper selection was a stage not even current professional hunters could easily access.

It was a significant hurdle, especially since the candidates were still trainees and needed exceptional global skills.

“I have my reasons.”

“…Your sister?”

- Nod.

Isabella sighed, knowing enough about his background to understand.

“I get it, but being a Forest Keeper selection candidate… It’s like the will of the World Tree. You know what it means to defy that, right?”

It would mean going against the will of the World Tree.

The higher-ups would likely not react well to Jung Siwoo’s decision, even though they would respect it.

“You might get a pass for being a husband candidate… Anyway, I understand. Let’s change the subject. Who do you recommend?”

If it’s a foolish choice, I might as well tear them apart.

With that absurd thought, Isabella turned to Siwoo.

Jung Siwoo, scratching his cheek, hesitated before mentioning three names.

“…Do you know Lee Shiheon?”

“Yes? Yes, I know him well. He’s a strong candidate… Why?”

That’s when Jung Siwoo’s tone changed.

“Wow, you know him.”

“???”

“I’ve sparred with him, and he’s really strong.”

Though Jung Siwoo was accustomed to praising others, he found it difficult to do so deliberately today.

“He’s really tough to fight against. You know how difficult it is to beat a sword with a fist, right?”

“Yes. Yes, yes… But was he really like that?”

Ignoring Isabella’s perplexed retort, Jung Siwoo finally said,

“And. Maybe. He’s stronger than me.”

There was sincerity in that statement.

He genuinely believed this talent needed to enter the selection, having deliberated before speaking.

That was Jung Siwoo, who was considered one of the best talents.

“Are you serious about that?”

Eventually, Isabella had to seriously consider the existence of Lee Shiheon.

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