Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Azalea Petals Fall (1)
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The next day.
I headed straight to the location Azalea had mentioned right after afternoon classes ended.
By the time I reached the main gate, Lee Seong-han was standing there with his arms spread wide, flashing a hearty laugh.
"I've been waiting."
His smile seemed warm and fatherly at first glance, exuding a sense of reliability. But I knew it was all an act.
So I pushed my fabricated face toward him even more thoroughly.
"Good to see you. Shall we grab a coffee nearby?"
"No. I've reserved a spot. Let's head there."
It was a foreign luxury car model I didn't recognize, one where no one outside could peek inside. I accepted his kindness and got in, and soon the engine hummed to life as the car pulled away.
-Vroom.
Amid the slight vibrations, Lee Seong-han spoke up.
"Getting along well with Azalea?"
"No, why would a guy like me...?"
"There's no need to worry about differences in status. Whether human or Wood Person, we're all people just the same."
"You think so?"
"Do you wear that mask every day?"
I paused the conversation for a moment before responding.
"Yes. Circumstances demand it."
"I see."
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
I had no interest in small talk—get to the point. He seemed to pick up on my intent, chuckling as he turned the steering wheel.
"How much do you know about the World Trees?"
"The World Trees? They're exalted beings who rule the heavens above and the earth below... and watch over us, more or less like that, right?"
"Yes. That's the common knowledge."
By my standards, they're utter scum, but in this world, the World Trees are Yahweh, Buddha, Allah—all in one.
Everyone firmly believes in the World Trees, so naturally, religious authority holds more power than the government here. Or rather than seeing them as separate, it's more accurate to call it a theocracy.
"But you don't believe in the World Trees, do you?"
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Lee Seong-han pierced right through me with his question.
I don't believe in the World Trees, of course. But I know that admitting it could be seen as blasphemy, punishable by disposal.
Religion in this world is absolute.
"Of course I do. I believe in the World Trees."
"You can be honest. Truth is, I don't believe either. The World Trees will destroy our lives someday."
"What are you talking about?"
I pressed him without acknowledging his claim about my disbelief. It was clear he regretted letting me slip away.
"There are too many fakes in this world. All that 'blessing of the World Trees' nonsense—it's laughable."
-Screech.
The car came to a stop in front of a building.
"Get out. I've got plenty to tell you."
I clamped my mouth shut and stepped out, following behind him. Even as I did, my mind didn't stop racing.
What does Lee Seong-han want from me? Why does he want me?
I inwardly cursed the fact that I hadn't raised my Intelligence yet—it stung to the bone.
He'd been badmouthing the World Trees in front of me, so he must have some grasp of my inner thoughts. But he didn't seem to know I was married to one.
Does that even make sense?
It's been less than 200 days since I arrived in this world.
It was practically impossible for anyone else to know about me.
And that meant only one thing.
Some transcendent being had leaked information to Lee Seong-han—or the faction he belonged to.
If he'd figured it out just from seeing my face, I'd suspect mind-reading. But this guy had targeted me from the moment before he even laid eyes on me.
"Have a seat."
The room we arrived in was cramped and enclosed, like a company break room.
I sat on the sofa, facing Lee Seong-han one-on-one.
"First off, you said I hate the World Trees? Well, to be frank, yeah, that's true."
I exposed my info directly upfront.
If he was trying to pry information one-sidedly without give-and-take, the conversation would breed suspicion. I needed to convince him I was engaging.
"I'm human too, and I've got personal grudges. Good or bad? Obviously bad."
"I see."
"So, what's the main point?"
A heavy silence fell.
Lee Seong-han's face no longer held any warmth. Only the bearing of a ruthless leader remained.
"An oracle came down."
"Pardon?"
"It said to bring you."
An oracle.
He'd just been muttering about the World Trees moments ago, and now he invoked the name of a god?
That question sparked one word in my mind.
'Cult?'
Calling it a cult might be a bit off.
Gods do exist in this world. Even if it was a different one, it wouldn't be strange.
"Who is this god?"
Lee Seong-han feigned a smile, gauging my reaction before speaking.
"No one knows who He is, but He's always by our side. You'll understand once you awaken to it."
His sudden shift to informal speech made my body twitch. It felt like brushing against true madness.
"We aim to bring down the World Trees."
His voice carried a profound, dark abyss.
"Not just the World Trees—we'll shatter this world from its roots."
And in a way, that subtly aligned with what I desired.
Revenge against the World Trees.
That's what I'd wanted since falling into this world.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 【 World Tree of Purity - 】 【 Access Restricted. 】 A faint crack appeared in the hologram window that popped up before my eyes. Startled, I checked it, and a twisted smile formed on Lee Seong-han's face.
'So that's it.'
I nodded inwardly.
These guys are enemies of the World Trees, and they have the power to back it up.
Of course such a group exists. It'd be weirder if they didn't.
This world is a developed civilization, after all. Challengers to power and vested interests have always existed everywhere.
Whether that's a noble cause or a belief worse than vermin eating away at society—history will judge.
"Join us."
"Did you snag a whole company like that?"
"Don't say it like that. It was necessary. For others, some coercion was needed. But you're human, aren't you? So am I."
Lee Seong-han grinned and placed a bead on the desk. A gem swirling with pink energy.
"Unlike Wood People, humans have no connection to the World Trees. They say a human challenged the World Trees a thousand years ago. He was special."
He tapped the bead, and it shimmered with light.
"Legend has it this holds that man's power. With this, subjugating Wood People is a breeze."
How?
As I asked, he laughed as if revealing an astonishing truth.
"For example, human essence."
"Brainwashing?"
"No. More like pleasure. Wood People who taste this power can't live without it. Like drugs. Even humans have sex addicts, right?"
That's the method.
"Azalea too?"
He nodded at my offhand question.
"A few good thrusts, and she'll delude herself into falling in love. It's blind devotion. That's the power of this bead too."
"And men?"
"No one craves power and lust more honestly than men. Even if they're Wood People."
They corrupt through various means.
Crazy bastard. That's the judgment I made there.
"So, what do you say?"
"Not bad. But last time I saw her, Azalea didn't seem too fond of you. This bead has limits too, right?"
"Azalea's a bit special. She's received an oracle too."
Lee Seong-han paused, stroking his chin.
"Resentment will be a great motivator for her. It'll accelerate her growth. So we leave her be for now."
"And then?"
"Once she's grown enough, we devour her."
I made a face like, Is that even possible? He continued nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.
"Even that fierce one ended up moaning under me. Her daughter will be no different. Or maybe I'll give her to you."
"I see."
I bowed my head slightly. He asked me then.
"What do you think? Will you join us? No—you will, since it's the oracle."
I answered calmly and coldly, after careful thought.
The best response I could give right now.
"Sounds great."
Lee Seong-han was smiling.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Gleaming blue mana rippled in the sky before melting away like snow.
The area where the mana had surged was filled with traces of intense magic.
Half-melted ice, flames burning splintered wood, vines dangling from the ceiling.
All those efforts vanished in an instant at her gesture.
"Haa... haa..."
Azalea plopped down on the training room bench, breathing heavily.
Her trembling legs wouldn't obey her.
-Chirp?
A bird fluttered down onto her knee and cried out.
"I'm fine. I can do this."
Her father's final gift, the contracted spirit she'd had since childhood.
The bird, taking the form of an Azalea Bird, whimpered as it checked her face. Its worried pecking at her thigh brought a smile.
'That's enough for today.'
The clock already showed 9 p.m.
Azalea dragged her unsteady legs back to the dorm.
"What the heck is this?"
Mountainous piles of mysterious boxes by her door.
She let out a hollow laugh at the sight.
Who messed up the address?
Azalea never shopped online unless absolutely necessary.
With a sigh, she checked the label. Room 3054. Recipient: Azalea. Her room.
'...?'
Puzzled, she tore open one box. Inside was a familiar metal chocolate box.
'That guy really...!'
Irritated inwardly, she hauled the boxes inside. There were so many chocolate boxes that she had to make several trips.
What am I supposed to do with all this?
Taking them back and forth to the academy would be a nightmare, even on pain of death.
Maybe drop them off at Lee Si-heon's room, but she was in no state for the hassle.
Maybe just accept them this once...
Her resolve weakening, she reached for a chocolate box but shook her head and headed to the shower instead.
-Splash!
The cold water snapped her back to her senses a bit.
"Sigh, that guy... What the hell is this?"
As she lathered up, her thoughts turned to Lee Si-heon.
Not a stalker, so why pull this stunt?
Pity welled up alongside exasperation.
By now, that man was probably persuading Lee Si-heon.
And as always, Lee Si-heon would cave to his persuasion.
Everyone had so far. Especially since she'd been cold to him—she was baselessly confident of it.
And that fact left her quietly downcast.
'It's only natural.'
-Creak.
She draped a towel over her dripping hair, emerged from the shower in just her underwear, and flopped onto the bed.
The chocolates on the nightstand nagged at her.
Ah. Weakening again.
Her hand moved, then stopped. Inner conflict deepened.
She kinda craved something sweet.
Turning them down after he went this far would be rude, right?
Even knowing she shouldn't, she rationalized it to herself.
Before she knew it, she'd torn open a box.
-Rustle!
The chocolate box opened unusually easily, as if it'd been opened and resealed.
Frowning at the spilled chocolates, Azalea inspected the box and paled.
Inside the lid, chocolates were glued to form letters spelling a short English sentence.
-Please become my friend
A phrase that could send chills down the spine.
But picturing Lee Si-heon's awkward face made its innocence shine through, drawing a laugh.
"Ridiculous."
It was a bitter laugh.
"...Really."
She thought of Lee Si-heon falling for that man.
The friend who'd promised lifelong friendship had left her side.
Even her brother, who'd showered her with love, had departed.
So this choice was natural for her—the best way to avoid getting hurt.
Suddenly, she recalled the mask Lee Si-heon wore.
In the end, she didn't eat the chocolate.