Chapter 141
Chapter 141
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Three Peaches (1)
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[Lee Si-heon?]
'Yeah.'
[There seems to be a problem.]
The World Tree of Time spoke to me as I overlooked the Peach Paradise from the spot where the old man had stood.
'What problem.'
[Because your absence has dragged on... there was some commotion.]
I nodded up and down at the World Tree's words.
'Yeah, figures.'
It was something I'd expected.
My counterpart in that timeline had vanished without a word and hadn't returned to the dorms.
Even if I was in the past, time in the present didn't stop.
One month in the past was one day in the present. From that perspective, I'd been gone for just one night.
'So? Do I need to head back right now?'
[No. I sent a telepathic message to the shrine maiden saying you'd stepped away for a bit on some errand. It should reach her soon.]
'Good.'
If I shifted to that timeline, the World Tree of Time's lifespan would start draining rapidly.
There were plenty of people I missed, but what could I do? I'd have to hold back.
I plopped down on the dirt at the mountain peak and took in the vast Peach Paradise at a glance.
[Are you satisfied with what you've accomplished so far?]
I shrugged at the World Tree's sudden question.
'I've gained more than enough.'
[Then I'm truly glad. It makes me happy to think I've been of help to you.]
'Just flattery?'
[Well, you could see it that way.]
The faint red dawn glow from my conversation with the Heavenly Demon had now turned into the sunset of morning.
I closed my eyes and focused on my surroundings for a moment.
This moment, filled only with minor noises like the busy footsteps of the innkeeper starting his morning or the tofu vendor's calls.
Whenever training ended and I gazed down from the mountaintop, I could feel this place's peace, if only for a short while.
It's a damn pleasant vibe. I think that every time.
[You're amazing.]
'...Hey.'
[Yes?]
'Cut the bootlicking. What's your deal, going this far?'
[Think back to the emotions you felt when you witnessed that woman's death. I'm just feeling something similar.]
'Ah, now I get it.'
I hadn't understood before, but now I could relate to the World Tree's feelings.
She must have wanted to change something in the future, enough to bow her head to me—a total stranger—and lend her aid.
[Still, it is a fact that you're impressive. That mental fortitude is something to emulate.]
'You'd do great in society.'
[I'm dying soon, though.]
"Kukukuku."
I let out a chuckle.
Plenty of chit-chat. Time to get moving.
I held my torn clothes in one hand, scratched the back of my neck with the other, stood up, and slowly circulated my mana through my body.
I turned to look behind me.
The training ground was empty, as if the mountain had been cleaved away. The ground was gouged like a crane had passed through, trees uprooted entirely.
I indifferently reached out toward the site of that mayhem.
-Woooong!
Mana poured from my fingertips, filling the earth and raising the trees.
I couldn't revive wilted grass, but this was restoration enough.
[So, what will you do from now on?]
Inheriting the Heavenly Demon's power had gone smoothly.
I'd meticulously checked every flaw in the incantations and minor movements, and though the eighth form was still too dangerous for me to use, I'd mastered the method.
Managing the Peach Paradise was going well too.
Crime rates had plummeted from my patrols on foot.
'Things I need to do... plenty, but it's simple.'
Just give it my all.
Knowing my actions might affect the present meant doing everything I could.
'Gotta make an identity too.'
The house I lived in and the identity I had when I arrived in this world.
I still didn't know if the World Tree of Purity had arranged it or if my past self had.
Still, preparing an identity for any contingency was necessary.
Especially in Korea, where every citizen's ID was managed. Best to set it up when I had some authority.
Hong Yeon had plenty of connections in diplomacy anyway, so she'd be helpful.
[I hope things go smoothly.]
The World Tree spoke to me in a sincere voice.
'You too.'
The World Tree of Time and I had perfectly aligned interests.
This tree, which had felt awkward at first, was starting to grow on me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A month and a week had passed since coming to the Peach Paradise.
As time went on, I grew more efficient at handling tasks, and my schedule loosened up with some free time.
My muscles had grown even more toned than before. The faint scars from fighting the Heavenly Demon were fading too.
"...Here's the ID you asked for. I still don't get why you wanted this."
"Thanks."
"It cost a bit. And there've been some mysterious expenses piling up. What's going on?"
"Think of it as me paying back everything you've given me."
How much had I saved in the Peach Paradise?
No living expenses, no salary taken—honestly, a house was fair game.
"Tch, fine. Just make sure you do your job properly later... You getting any sleep these days?"
"Insomnia anyway. Better off not sleeping."
Hong Yeon nodded reluctantly, and I flashed her a grin.
Her brow furrowed at my flippant attitude, but this was par for the course in our family-like workplace.
"Alright, I'm off."
"Take care, Young Heavenly Demon!"
Early off today.
As I raised a hand and left, the Peach Paradise staff bowed 90 degrees in unison.
I smirked at their impeccable manners and descended from the top floor.
All I'd accomplished in just over a month.
Thanks to that, I'd fully established myself as the Young Heavenly Demon in everyone's eyes.
Now, people greeted me everywhere I went.
"Hello, Young Heavenly Demon!"
"Hey."
The kids playing soccer swarmed me the moment they spotted me, squeaking excitedly.
"Heading out after work again today?"
"Yep."
"Whoa! So cool. I wanna be like you, Young Heavenly Demon!"
Trapped by the kids' chatter, I felt eyes on my back.
A lot had changed lately, including the peach sisters I knew.
A white-haired little girl peeking at me from behind a tree.
Baekdo, whom I'd confronted once before, was still tailing me.
-Zing.
I'd ignored the blatant stare at first.
The distance, about 10 meters on day one, shrank daily.
Today: 5 meters.
She hid remarkably well behind walls, trees, jars, following me.
-Step step.
Keep walking, and she'd scurry to match pace.
-Stop.
She'd halt too, masking her presence.
Today, she'd even brought her sister Hwangdo—two presences now.
Baekdo poking her head out from behind a jar lid, gripping it with both hands.
Hwangdo trailed behind with a bored look, poking Baekdo's butt.
Should I eavesdrop?
Close enough—their voices faintly carried.
-Baekdo. Is he really a bad guy?
-Don't doubt me, Hwangdo. Guys like that sneak out at night for bad stuff.
-What bad stuff does that big brother do?
-Uh, um... Anyway, bad stuff! I'm Detective Baekdo today. Gotta catch that guy's dirt and drag him from the Young Heavenly Demon spot.
-Baekdo, read another mystery novel?
Detective Baekdo. Childish idea.
Those novels are fun, though. Nothing better for killing time.
From Hwangdo's bored tone, she was just playing along with Baekdo's nonsense.
'Told her I had no plans for Heavenly Demon. Getting anxious?'
Didn't see her for a while, now this.
My growing influence must irk Baekdo.
Her concern for Cheondo's future was touching, but her distrust of me was spot-on, past or present.
I pretended to duck into a side path, stopping at the fork.
Leaning against the wall, waiting for Baekdo. Our eyes met perfectly as she followed.
"Eek!"
"Why are you following me?"
Baekdo froze at eye contact.
She puffed up her upper body like a small animal facing a large beast.
"N-No, uh..."
She knew she'd done wrong.
Stiffened, scrambling for excuses, she snapped at Hwangdo who'd followed her.
"Baekdo went this way, right?... Ah. Busted."
"Damn it. H-Hwangdo, this is your fault! You didn't hide properly!"
Hwangdo's eyes widened.
"Huh? Why blame me outta nowhere!"
"Can't even hide right? You hide weird magazines fine."
"They're not weird!"
Hwangdo bristled at Baekdo's scolding, raising her voice.
Mad about her mags being insulted.
I blankly watched the bickering real sisters trade barbs.
"Baekdo always rags on my mags. It's a legit hobby!"
"What hobby? I read the ones you asked for last time—full of weird crap! 'Suck all my sap dry~?' What sap? What does that even mean?!"
"Th-That's not weird! You're weird for imagining stuff! Tons of people read it!"
A dizzying argument.
I clamped my mouth shut, listening, but it dragged on endlessly, so I spoke up.
"What are you two even doing?"
Hwangdo jumped in triumphantly.
"Baekdo said big brother is super bad. Gotta tail him for proof— Mmph!"
"You brat!"
Lightning-fast betrayal.
Baekdo clamped Hwangdo's mouth, glaring at me.
"So what... whatcha gonna do... bout it."
She knew she was guilty.
"Didn't I tell you before?"
"Words and actions are different!... Sorta."
Baekdo fretted over Cheondo, but from my view seeing her nightly, nothing seemed off.
Last night, she'd stuffed sausages in her mouth while humming Precure's opening.
'I did bring it up once.'
Casually, while watching cartoons: Got any worries?
Cheondo had shaken her head apathetically.
-Why ask that?
-Just wondering.
-Do-won senior. I'm fine? I'll catch up soon. What's the manga you brought today?
She'd catch up. She seemed aware of her lagging skills.
Looked like she was hiding something, but not ready to spill.
"Even if so, that's between me and Cheondo."
"......"
Baekdo shut her mouth at my obvious retort.
She knew it made sense.
But unable to control her frustration, her cheeks puffed, lips jutted out.
Her eyes misted over.
"I don't know!"
She whipped around and fled.
-Thud thud thud!
Loud footsteps echoed. Looking at left-behind Hwangdo, she gave a wry smile and a sigh.
"Eyyy."
Genuine sigh.
"Sorry. Baekdo's super stubborn..."
"You have it rough too."
Obvious tomboy with mischief. Hwangdo must indulge her plenty.
Come to think, hadn't run into Hwangdo much since the past.
Curious glance— she stared right back.
"Young Heavenly Demon... right? Like Cheondo."
"Something like that."
Hwangdo stared intently, then awkward smile.
"...Baekdo's not that bad. She's mean to me though!"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
Hwangdo's plea not to hate Baekdo too much was obvious. I chuckled.
Maybe hear the kids out.
"Hwangdo."
"Whoa, you remember my name? What?"
"Wanna grab some food since this happened?"
Hwangdo's eyes bulged, mouth agape in shock.
"Food...?"
Blink blink. Retracing my words, she gasped.
Wondering if she's imagining weird stuff.
Hwangdo nodded furiously, hugging my waist.
"This that pickup line?!"
"No, just food."
"Hing."
Yep, weird imagination confirmed.