Eat The World Tree

“Can I leave this here?”

“Yes. So Shiba can drink it right away.”

While cleaning the messy room, Cheondo picked up a water bottle from the floor and placed it on the table. Sweeping with a broom and wiping with a mop, the room, which looked like it had been ravaged by an earthquake, was now tidied up.

Cheondo, looking around the cleaned room, smiled in satisfaction. Shiba, perched on my shoulder, wiped the sweat from my forehead.

“Beep. Beep~”

Shiba mimicked the stroking gesture I used to give her every morning and let out a cute sound. Her fern-like hand pleasantly tousled my hair.

“Why is our daughter so adorable?”

-Smooch.

“Baa~”

When I gave a soft kiss on her chubby cheek, she giggled. Now, I couldn’t even imagine life without Shiba.

After wrapping up the cleaning with Shiba and Cheondo, the clock was now pointed to 11 o’clock. I looked at Cheondo, who was sorting things with her butt tightly clad in tights.

“Do you want to shower first? I’m about to sleep.”

“I’ll just use magic, so it’s okay.”

“There’s magic for that?”

“Want to try it?”

If there was such convenient magic… But I hope it was not harmful to the body.

I hesitantly extended my wrist. With a light touch, Cheondo infused me with magic. I felt refreshed, and my sweaty skin became soft instantly.

“Oh…?”

This was nice. As I looked at Cheondo in amazement, she was still gazing at me with an inscrutable expression.

“If you’re done, sleep.”

“Yes.”

This unexpected cohabitation somehow happened. But, even though we were living together, I wasn’t particularly embarrassed. We used to sleep together even during training. Actually, the bigger concern was who would use the bed now.

“Are you using the bed?”

“I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Cheondo nonchalantly shrugged. I did consider offering the sofa, but when she straightforwardly agreed, I felt guilty. Still, the bed was just the right size for both of us.

“Let’s just sleep together.”

“Is that okay? Thank you.”

“Yes, well, I have to go to the academy tomorrow, so I’ll turn off the lights early.”

-Click.

After turning off the light, I patted Shiba, who was still tightly embracing me.

“Shiba, should we turn you back into a pot?”

“Hmm!”

“You don’t want to?”

“Baa!”

Maybe she was acting this way because of the unexpected guest. I looked at Shiba, then at Cheondo. Cheondo was intensely staring at Shiba, which made her yelp in surprise.

“Beep-beep-beep…!!!”

She stood up with her claws out, looking ready to attack. I patted her back and spoke to Cheondo.

“She’s usually not like this. Maybe she’s just nervous because there’s someone unfamiliar.”

“It’s okay. The bed seems spacious.”

“But, aren’t you changing? I can lend you some pajamas if you need them.”

I pulled out some training clothes from the wardrobe, which I had kept for pajamas, and offered them to Cheondo. When she didn’t respond, I decided to just change myself. After taking off the shirt that Shiba was hanging on to and changing into pajamas, I said,

“Beep.”

Lying down on the bed with Shiba, who was squirming in my arms, Cheondo finally sat next to the bed after placing her robe on the sofa.

-Swish.

The sound of her tights rubbing against the thin blanket.

Wrapped comfortably, Shiba seemed to have not even heard that sound and began to breathe softly. With Cheondo next to me, Shiba will definitely throw a fit tomorrow morning. I moved Shiba to the left and shifted to the center of the bed.

“It’s a bit tight,”

Cheondo whispered from inside the blanket,

“Should we get another bed?”

Considering Hwangdo’s mature type of magic, I believe we could easily move a bed from elsewhere here.

“So, how should we sleep tonight, cuddled up?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Cheondo blushed. I quickly grabbed her and pulled her close. After all, there was no point in being shy when we had seen each other bare.

“You’ll hurt your back if you sleep uncomfortably.”

“…”

Our breathing mingled, close enough that if one opened their mouth, the other’s breath would be felt. Cheondo’s ample chest pressed against me, and the softness between the layers of fabric felt like a moist peach.

“Your eyelashes are unexpectedly long.”

Cheondo, lips sealed, lowered her eyelids. Whether it was before or now, she never saw me as a man. But I suppose that was why I did it.

I closed my eyes, gathering my thoughts and waiting for sleep. Tick-tock, the clock echoed.

-Tick.

One minute. Two minutes.

-Tick.

“Are you asleep?”

Just before I drifted off, Cheondo’s voice reached me. I blinked open my sleepy eyes and found her eyes right in front of mine.

“… I was just about to fall asleep.”

“Sorry, I had something to ask.”

“What is it?”

Casually, Cheondo asked,

“Could you die for a dream?”

It was a loaded yet abstract question. Every so often, she would gaze far away and ask me something. Sometimes, it was terrifying, suggesting she might do something drastic. But no one knew what was inside the woman called the strongest. Especially not when I didn’t even know why she was training me.

“Shouldn’t you first ask if I have a dream?”

“… What is that dream?”

“Why all the questions today? Simply, to live a normal life with a beautiful wife.”

It was.

Past tense.

“So, if you’re asking if I can die because of a wife…”

I felt like I had changed a lot since arriving in this world. It was natural to be wary of enchantresses or succubi. Moreover, life felt light here. The reality was that an assassin might kill me with a single blade tomorrow. If I died chasing a dream, wouldn’t that be fortunate?

“Absolutely possible.”

Whether it was Lee Seyeong, Jin Dallae, Sansuyu, Jung Siwoo, or even Cheondo or Hwangdo. I wouldn’t regret dying to save any of them.

“I see.”

“Yes. Whatever you’re trying to test, explain it to me next time.”

“Sorry for always bringing this up.”

“Isn’t that your charm, Teacher Cheondo?”

“… Did I mention my name?”

How could I not know?

There were hints everywhere.

I chuckled with my eyes closed. In response, Cheondo spoke with a somewhat grumpy tone.

“Suddenly, I don’t like you.”

“What?”

“I’m not Cheondo. I think we need to adjust our training schedule.”

My internal translator deemed her words as truthful. It sent shivers down my spine.

“Siheon, what do you think the next main quest is?”

“Probably the academy exam.”

Midterm or final, or perhaps a skill test that determines the ranking of the students. While sub-quests had always been chaotic, the main quests seemed to have their own direction. To become a suitable candidate as the husband for the world tree. Knowing this, I speculated that this time, it might not be about martial prowess.

“Maybe this time, it might be challenging.”

“I guess so.”

If the command was to score above a certain grade, then the level of difficulty for this one would be quite high. Until now, the quests had only been modest ones like admission or making three friends.

“That’s why you should always be prepared for such quests.”

With closed eyes, I listened as Cheondo spoke with a voice as warm as a soft light.

“Shiheon, within a month, you need to become stronger than anyone in the academy.”

“Is that possible?”

“It’s alright. It’s possible. You’re worth more than that. Even if the whole world turns against you, I’ll make sure to protect you. If you still feel uncertain, just ask.”

I lifted my eyelids.

Cheondo was smiling in a way I had never seen before.

“Whose disciple are you?”

I smiled.

“I’m Cheondo’s disciple.”

She frowned.

“I’ll say it again: I am not Cheondo. Today seems like the day I’ll dislike my disciple.”

---

In my drowsy state, I heard the sound of boiling.

-Bubbling.

A familiar scent passed my nose. It reminded me of home-cooked meals that one would expect from parents.

I slowly opened my eyes, stroked the still-sleeping Shiba, and left the room.

“Ah, Shiheon, you’re awake?”

“…Hwangdo?”

“Hehe, correct.”

Next to Hwangdo, who was holding a rice bowl without her outer robe, was a simple breakfast.

“Where did you get all these dishes from?”

“Used magic?”

“You might be the only one who uses magic for such a trivial task.”

“Why the sarcasm? Come eat. And, is Shiba eating?”

“Yes, but let him sleep a bit longer. Puppies sleep a lot.”

There was a breakfast buffet, so why make rice? I decided to skip the curiosity. Since she prepared it, I didn’t need to complain.

“Thanks for the meal, Hwangdo. Are you confident in your cooking?”

“Of course. I’m the best! Top tier taste!”

I chuckled at Hwangdo’s confident gesture. Hwangdo then sat close to me, whispered in my ear,

“I’m looking for a man who acknowledges my taste.”

I flinched.

…She was such a mischievous spirit.

“Don’t tease your younger sibling who doesn’t have much experience.”

“Hehe, none of the students in Spring Peach Blossom except you get my jokes.”

“Really? It’s kinda fun, though.”

“That’s why I like you~”

There was soybean paste stew filled with the smell of strong fermented paste, egg rolls, the iconic grilled ham, and kimchi. Honestly, it was a combination that couldn’t be tasteless.

“How is it?”

“It reminds me of my mom.”

“So it’s delicious, right? Hehe.”

Hwangdo’s bright smile was a stark contrast to her overall look, but it was typical of her.

After a while of eating, Hwangdo, with her hands together, asked,

“Right, are you planning on raising Shiba alone? You should send her to a proper kindergarten.”

“Our Shiba? Yes, at some point, I plan to. She’s still very young.”

I realized it was something to consider. I barely had time for Shiba as it was. Should I send her somewhere?

As I pondered, Hwangdo confidently pointed to herself.

“Need a caregiver?”

“…You?”

“I’m good at taking care of kids!”

“But Shiba doesn’t like most people.”

“I don’t mind.”

I chuckled.

“Give it a try.”

“Yay!”

Hwangdo raised her hand in a victory pose.

Ah, right.

I made a firm decision regarding Hwangdo.

“From now on, I won’t ask you to cook.”

“Whaaat!”

While I might not know about the ham, her other dishes were far too tasteless to be had regularly.

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