Eat The World Tree

-Sizzle sizzle.

A coating of spicy buldak sauce was applied over the perfectly cooked samgyeopsal. The glossy, fiery red sauce flaunted its presence, sizzling on the campfire as the samgyeopsal asserted its existence.

Whole buldak samgyeopsal skewer. Since Sansuyu loved spicy food, I picked out some good ingredients from what I had and made this dish. I also sprinkled just the right amount of flavored salt, so it should be nicely seasoned.

“How is it?”

As soon as the samgyeopsal entered her mouth, Sansuyu’s eyes widened. She looked at me with bright, eager eyes, as if asking how I managed to create such a surprising dish.

“It’s delicious.”

Sansuyu fixed her gaze on the samgyeopsal and then quickly devoured the food. Watching her eat like that was like watching a puppy enjoy a snack, making me smile constantly.

I was glad she’s eating well.

Considering what happened yesterday, I was worried about how awkward it might be when we faced each other this morning. I even worried about it all night, but thankfully, the worst didn’t happen. Perhaps it was an incident Sansuyu couldn’t even bring herself to talk about; she just glanced at me occasionally but didn’t directly ask about it.

Today was the sixth day. There were exactly seventeen hours left until the end of the first trial.

It was eventful at the start, but I was ending it on a high note. It had been a while since I had a proper rest. My body has relaxed to some extent, and I’ve found some peace of mind. Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games during this long week in the forest.

‘I’ve got one more thing to worry about.’

Lust. This damn lecherous urge was getting stronger by the day. I had already been intimate with two people in just a week. I even almost made a move on Sansuyu, the epitome of innocence.

Looking at the results, it was good for me. But I couldn’t deny that lately, I had been lacking self-control. Did I suppress my desires too much in the past? Or was it because I immediately led a debauched life after returning from the past, and my body had simply adapted?

-I’ve become someone who can’t live without sex!

A line that seemed like it was straight out of a cheap novel echoed in my head in Byeol’s voice.

Filled with self-loathing, I rubbed my face dry. It’s dizzying. But one thing I couldn’t deny was that the power of the Tree Spirit King inside me was getting stronger.

Even right now.

‘Someone’s coming again.’

An almost supernatural sixth sense. My ears twitch. Although I didn’t spread my mana, I faintly sensed the presence of someone far away.

I could even tell the gender. The three presences were female. This inexplicable sensitivity had developed within me. During the Forester Selection Competition, as more and more people from the Forestry Department showed up, my worries gradually turned into certainty.

I stood up from my seat.

“Shiheon?”

“Keep eating there. I’ll just keep watch for a bit.”

I retrieved my staff. The staff flew through the air and landed precisely in my right hand.

“Is it tough? I can do it.”

“Hey, if it were tough, I wouldn’t go alone. Just stay put.”

Sansuyu nodded at my persuasion. Leaving her behind, I walked into the forest, deep in thought.

‘I don’t know who they are yet.’

Although I could only sense faint presences, it was definitely not a bad ability. Even if my lust was maximized, it still gave me some good rewards. If I had nothing, I would have ignored it.

-Crack.

The sound of bones creaking as I stretched my body.

‘…It doesn’t matter how I get there, as long as I reach Seoul.’

No matter how irritating the power may be, as long as it was helpful, I had no choice but to accept it. I was originally a nobody. Getting this strong must come with some price. The fact that I changed had been something I had known for a long time.

But for now, I needed to refrain from indulging in lustful activities. It’s a resolution that probably wouldn’t last long.

“Two people.”

Banya muttered.

“By the lake, near the tent. One man, one woman. Someone who looks like a mage is heading this way.”

“Have we been detected?”

At Saku’s question, Banya’s eyebrows lightly furrowed.

“I’m distorting the mana flow heading this way so they won’t notice us. And their mana doesn’t even reach here.”

“Oh, really?”

In other words, don’t underestimate her.

Saku was genuinely curious, but with that kind of response, there’s nothing more to say. Feeling a bit dejected, Saku scratched her cheek and equipped the gauntlets on both hands.

The Yoshino family’s ancient martial art that simultaneously utilizes spirit arts and fist techniques. The spirit fuses with her entire body, allowing her to unleash formidable power even without using mana.

Yoo-yeon, who had been watching Banya from behind, also unsheathed her sword and asked her,

“Are we going to catch them this time too?”

Of course.

When Banya answered with silence, Yoo-yeon and Saku took the lead and began pushing through the underbrush. Banya followed behind them.

“It seems like we’re not fighting as much today.”

Including this time, it was about three people. Judging by the significantly reduced frequency of encounters, it’s clear that the number of eliminated participants was abnormally high. Maybe after the second trial, there would be less than 100 left. By the third trial, there might only be about thirty participants remaining. Depending on the circumstances, the schedule for the Forester Selection Competition could be drastically shortened.

“Hey, Yoo-yeon.”

Perhaps Saku sensed the atmosphere as well. She asked Yoo-yeon in a very cautious voice.

“Our selection competition… It lasts for six months, right? 180 days.”

“Yeah.”

Yoo-yeon answered as if wondering why she would ask something so obvious.

The Forester Selection Competition proceeded slowly with a long schedule. To select a talent worthy of the title of Forester, even the cadets’ potential was evaluated. It required enough time to meet many mentors.

The first trial was relatively easy in terms of difficulty.

Survive among monsters and conquer dungeons to obtain food. Competition between cadets was also part of the trial, but it was not mandatory. There was no need to fight if you didn’t have to. If necessary, they could help each other. Or, they could enjoy it. From the moment teaming up was allowed, this was permitted.

There’s no profit to be gained from eliminating someone. If there’s no special reason, they didn’t clash with each other. There’s an implicit atmosphere like that.

Of course, this time was different.

“If so many people get eliminated like this… What happens to the next trial?”

“They’ll decide as they see fit.”

Yoo-yeon answered Saku’s question.

This selection competition had too many participants showing off their skills. No matter how much of an opportunity this competition is to showcase one’s worth….

“…Someone’s coming.”

Banya’s words were final.

“One person.”

The selection competition was an opportunity.

That’s why some participants tended to do things they didn’t need to.

They needed to raise their value.

The courage that came from that mindset, not quite boldness, was surprisingly common. Ordinary people called it recklessness.

-Thud.

Standing on a tree branch, a man looked down at the three of them. Wearing a white mask, he tilted his head after confirming their faces.

Saku, who locked eyes with the man, opened her eyes wide in shock.

“Wha? Wha-what! That person…!”

Just as Saku, who recognized Lee Shiheon, was about to shout in excitement,

“Shiheon-san—”

Banya extended her hand first.

“Electrobolt. Bow of the Four Directions.”

Banya’s tattoos vibrated violently as arrows of lightning materialized behind her. More than dozens of arrows, all changing their trajectory as if they had a will of their own, flew towards the man.

“W-wait, Banya-san! Hold on, hold on!”

Saku, flustered, tried to stop Banya and then looked at Yoo-yeon.

“Yoo-yeon-san, that person….”

She knew.

But it’s too late once the attack had been launched. Knowing him or not, the moment Banya’s magic targeted him, his elimination was almost guaranteed.

-Zzzt!

The arrows of lightning rushed towards him.

Lee Shiheon was crouched on the branch, holding his staff, which was about his height, pointed towards the ground. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, stared directly at the surrounding arrows.

Slowly, he raised his staff. A black staff, made of an unknown, suspicious material. The tip of the staff was aimed at Banya.

He muttered quietly while still seated.

“Wind Lotus.”

A dry voice escaped his lips.

-Whoosh!

In an instant, a storm whipped up. The leaves of the towering trees shook incessantly.

Between the dense foliage, the dozens of magical arrows began pouring down like eagles. It was an overwhelmingly powerful wind attribute magic.

The massive arrows of wind he created quickly formed a group and poured down on Banya. As the two sets of arrows collided, the magic from each attribute scattered.

-Krrrraaaack!

A sound like tearing thunder echoed throughout the forest.

“…What?”

Banya’s eyes trembled slightly.

It was unexpected. She hadn’t held back, so why?

-Zzzzzt!

Yoo-yeon cleaved the arrow charging towards Banya in half.

One of the magical arrows that fell at her feet shimmered in the corner of her vision like a mirage before disappearing.

The power was equal, but they were outnumbered in terms of magical quantity.

“…….”

Banya’s lips quivered. Her chest felt momentarily uneasy. The man was still sitting on the branch, looking down at the three of them.

As if it was nothing to counter the magic of the National Trees.

He tilted his head.

He moved his staff again. New arrows formed in the air, reminiscent of a massive turret.

“Shiheon-san, impressive.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“We don’t need to fight. If we apologize and part ways—”

Saku’s words were once again interrupted by the barrage of Shiheon’s magic. Banya also began conjuring magic again. Yoo-yeon, without answering Saku, unsheathed her sword and started climbing up the tree trunk.

Yoo-yeon climbed with frightening speed, the white magic on her sword flickering ominously.

Lee Shiheon glanced at Yoo-yeon and then responded to Banya’s bombardment. The exact number of counterattacks. In the air, their respective magic collided once more, creating a fierce whirlwind. He was faster in manifesting magic. Even Lee Shiheon possessed S-grade talent.

Moreover, in terms of combat experience, Lee Shiheon had the upper hand. Unless it was a peculiar power like the Baobab Tree, the battle was straightforward.

-Slice!

Yoo-yeon’s sword cut through the branch Lee Shiheon was perched on. He immediately created a foothold in the air and moved his staff.

Arrows exploded at point-blank range along with the deployment of a barrier. Reading the flow of mana, Yoo-yeon’s sword cleaved through the arrows as soon as they were conjured.

‘…Impressive.’

The magic had weight.

Could it be true that he found his talent in magic? Just a while ago, he didn’t even use magic, only swords and fists. Yet, his skills were unbelievable.

His speed in manifesting magic was unmatched among his peers. While Maronnie and Banaga would certainly surpass him in raw power, his strengths more than made up for his weaknesses.

-Screech!

She forcefully wedged her blade between the cracks in the barrier. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard, and the barrier began to fracture. Lee Shiheon slapped the blade away with his hand and immediately swung the staff in his other hand like a blunt weapon.

-Whoosh!

Dodging the swing, the distance between them widened.

A barrage of attacks followed.

The area became blurry as mist erupted. He seemed to have mastered different types of magic, as lightning and flames sparked around the vicinity.

His intention to obscure her vision was all too clear.

‘Don’t let the distance widen.’

Lee Shiheon was essentially a walking turret, a magician specializing in close combat. He had an abundant amount of magic, so if things went wrong, the battle could drag on for hours.

Yoo-yeon vibrated the mana through her entire meridian system.

“…Baekdanshim-gye.”

Sword Saint’s technique, still far from perfect, but powerful enough when wielded by her.

“Half-Moon.”

As her sword sliced through the air, the entire space was slashed. The magic Shiheon had conjured disappeared as if it had never existed.

In its place, white petals filled the air.

The dense petals obscured her view, but her pale eyes, drained of color, could still perceive the flow of mana. She kicked off the tree trunk, rushing towards where Shiheon was. The white thread following her sword stretched taut.

She thrust.

She should have thrust.

-Suddenly!

A black blade slashed through the white petals and stabbed her shoulder.

‘A sword?’

An attack she hadn’t anticipated pierced her shoulder.

Blood started to spread through Yoo-yeon’s clothes.

‘When did he…?’

Her movements froze like stone. Reflected in her white pupils was the masked man. His hand, gripping the hilt, pulled the sword from her shoulder and pressed it against her neck.

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