Chapter 275
Chapter 275
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: Merry (3)
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📰 Breaking News ─Lee Si-heon passed the second trial. (A captured camera shot of him eating chestnut rice.) He's matching up with National Trees— isn't this a legit win? 💬 Comments [15] — Anon I dunno, fuck. — Netizen All the experts have shut up. They say they have no idea how it'll go lololol ↳ Dongho Station Bystander Hunters are going nuts from SNS to guilds. It's been ages since a good talent came out of Korea— lines are already forming. ↳ Anon (15.233) They say he's connected to Peach Blossom Paradise. That says it all. Just a talent freak. Not sure about every round, but he'll make it to Kim Soo-yeon and the final trial. ⭐ Top Comment — Anon (263.12) Where'd all those guys go who called Lee Si-heon a nobody until just recently? — Reply Nobody my ass lol. Articles have been steadily coming out since early this year. It was obvious from him being an El Academy cadet. People who don't follow hunters are just jumping in late asking questions. ↳ Anon (13.52) Why's the guy above so salty. He's a national rep now, people can start caring. — Anon (14.55) Who's the girl in the meme? Strawberry jam on her mouth is adorable. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rumors really do spread like wildfire.
The fact that I'm Baekdo's disciple was something only a few people knew about secretly. But once fame starts rolling in, my info spreads like crazy.
My name, which used to pop up only in niche spots obsessed with the academy or hunters, was now everywhere online.
'Flower's probably getting wary now.'
They'd peg the Wood Spirit King's descendant as someone on par with National Trees.
I lay on the bed, scrolling down my phone screen with my hand.
Savoring the plush top-tier mattress and blankets, relieving my fatigue.
-Tap tap tap!
Footsteps from the kitchen. Here she comes again. I sigh inwardly as I set down my phone, and the door bursts open.
"Nyaaack!"
With an incomprehensible screech, she dives onto the bed. I flinch at the sharp branch tips, and Merry lands right on my stomach.
Whoosh~
She soars like a flying squirrel, then slams down with a thud.
"Ugh!"
She curls up on my belly, wrapping her arms around my chest.
Rubbing her cheek against my solar plexus, unsatisfied with the blanket surface, she yanks it off and nestles directly on my stomach.
Pointy twigs poke at my cheeks and collarbone. After enduring it so much, it stings like mosquito bites.
"Did you brush your teeth?"
"Yeah... but do I have to?"
"You shovel fertilizer like it's a sack of rice— you think it won't taste bad if you skip brushing?"
It's not organic fertilizer from plants or animals, it's mana compost, but still fertilizer— bugs me anyway.
"Shower?"
"Give me one."
"...Tch. In 30 minutes."
Living like this day in, day out, I've come to understand Merry's personality better and better.
Maybe 'cause she didn't get much attention growing up, she's a total prankster and attention hog.
Sometimes she's worse than Shiba. Older than Shiba, but acts like a little kid.
"Then I'll keep hugging you. Pet my head."
"Merry. Bro wants to rest too."
"Do it!"
She pokes my chin with the twigs sprouting from her head.
No helping it. I carefully stroke between the twigs with my hand. She rubs her cheek against mine.
"Hehe. Thanks."
After accepting my proposal, I've laid down a few rules for her while living together.
1. Respect boundaries.
2. Apologize immediately if you mess up.
3. Say thanks without hesitation when someone indulges you or helps out.
Rules set so anyone seeing Merry would notice the change.
I scolded her harshly every time she broke them, and now she follows them well—no need to raise my voice anymore.
Living with her feels like being a big brother sometimes, so I call her that often. She doesn't seem to mind the term.
"...Pet my back too."
"Alright."
No choice— I tuck my phone by the pillow and get to petting Merry.
Starting from the nape, up to just above her hips.
From a bit above her butt back up to her neck, stroking with my hands.
Tap the sides of her wingbones. Poke her soft sides.
She loves the touch itself— her body reacts like a puppy's every time I do something.
-Squeeze.
A root from her waist or butt descends.
I checked when washing her— roots sprout wildly from her tailbone, thighs, waist, everywhere.
When I pet her, she moves them to match her mood.
Wrapping them around my waist and legs so I can't escape.
The twigs from her head wiggle up and down nonstop. I see it with Shiba sometimes too.
Difference is, hers shake more violently.
Like a cheap pencil with a spring toy on top— pull it and it flops around just like that.
'What kinda structure is that?'
I stop petting and grab the shaking twig's base— smack.
Softer than rubber, insane density. Like a dog's tail, something bony and hard deep inside.
I gently stroke that part, and Merry shudders suddenly.
"...Ngh."
"What?"
"N-nothing."
She pulls her butt back while hugging me even tighter.
I stop touching the twig and focus on petting again.
"You know today's the last day, right? Bro's got a ton tomorrow."
"Yeah. I know. You don't have to visit. I'll work super hard. Even if it hurts."
"Hurts?"
"Growing pains. Hurts when branches extend and roots dig in. More after growth spurt. Hurts a ton. Really bad."
I see.
Explains why she stalled midway.
Naturally understand what the Healing World Tree said too. She endured the pain to become beautiful— that's what she meant.
"How bad?"
"New bones grow inside, push out the flesh, ripping through and bursting out."
"Vivid. Thanks. Hang in there."
"Yeah. I will. So pet more. Faster."
I move my hands harder. More intensely. Firmer.
-Whirr whirr~!
Her twigs spin like pinwheels. I tilt my head back to avoid the sharp tips.
Merry hugs me tight, breathing raggedly.
"Haaah..."
She inches closer, squirming.
Keeps advancing without stopping, rests her chin on my shoulder, rubs her cheek on mine.
"You smell good."
"Figured."
Being with Merry activates my walking pheromone aura.
"But it's a bit much. Can't you go a little lower?"
"...Don't like it?"
"Not that I don't..."
Like she's rebelling against my words, she hugs my head instead, contrary as ever.
Arms around my nape, pressing her cheek to mine.
Even nibbles my cheek. Showing off ultimate affection deprivation.
'Sigh.'
Did Dalrae and Shiba hold hands and fuse or something?
"You're human, so obey me."
"You said you'd treat me like a tree."
"Dummy. Only outside. You're my human! Mine."
"Hey, what the— ...haa. Fine... whatever. Take it all."
I pat the butt of my pesky little sis, now up to my solar plexus.
Having a clingy little sister ain't bad.
I never had a sister, so I envied this once upon a time.
She's too clingy for that, but it's just today's affection. I'll accept it.
-Nibble.
This time my earlobe. Warm tree saliva. Begged for a wash, now forcing one on me— high-level stuff.
"Tch."
I chuckle wryly, steadily moving my pesky hands all day.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Lady Merry... no issues this time, but almost... whew."
The room to send Merry off. As she reverts to human form and enters the room where she was planted, the following Tree Manager sighs as he speaks.
"Please never do that again."
"What?"
The manager's face hardens again at Merry's fierce reaction.
Wonder what insult she'll hurl this time. Face says he's sick of it.
I nod at Merry. She meets my eyes, smirks foxily, then glares at the manager like a tiger.
"You."
"Yes, Lady Merry."
He bows his head.
"...What's your name again?"
"Nick."
"Nick, right, Nick."
Merry repeats his name a few times, then bows her head slightly.
"...Sorry."
His eyes widen.
"Pardon? Lady Merry, what did you just—"
"I threw a tantrum this time... sorry."
He doubts his ears, then blinks repeatedly at me.
I shrug with a smirk at Nick.
"I hated losing my assigned cadet in the second trial."
"Ah, I see. But why the formal speech..."
"He said to use it when apologizing..."
She glances at me again. Didn't need to say that part. I turn away, pretending not to notice.
Still awkward apologizing to others, Merry fidgets with her hands on her lower belly.
"And sorry for all the cursing."
"......Ah."
"I'll try to fix it, even if it's hard."
Nick stands awkwardly, face stiff and dazed, then forces an awkward smile.
"Ha, haha. Thanks for being honest, Lady Merry."
Not like there aren't people who've harbored grudges fiercely.
But Tree Managers who rise that high won't be petty enough to resent trees that much.
Even if they gripe or complain, they're execs bound to trees for life.
Some affection must've built up.
I watch arms crossed intently. Before turning into a tree, Merry approaches, arms out.
"...Hug me. I did good."
"You did well."
I squat and hug her. She smiles.
Leaving stunned Nick behind, Merry enters the large hole in the center.
Soon, a small tree sprouts there.
1.5 meters. Tiny compared to other horse chestnuts.
A fresh grassy scent wafts from the swaying branches.
[...Well. Not my charge anymore anyway.]
Merry continues.
[Second trial passed.]
"Heh. Thanks."
The voice from my ear shifts back to echoing in my head.
Nothing more to say. We both have work— we part.
"Mr. Lee Si-heon."
"Yes?"
"Got a moment?"
Nick stops me as I turn, asks for the full story.
I tell him straight what I felt.
Her cursing and such stemmed from arrogance built over time.
She seems remorseful now, so watch from afar a bit— don't forget to say that.
Nick marvels at my full account, thanks me.
"First time something like this. In the second trial... If Lady Merry becomes a World Tree later, we could make a documentary."
We chuckle at his joke to close.
I get some special bananas and restaurant tickets as gifts.
Thus, the second trial ends.
-Rrring.
I take the call in the hallway. No one's around.
I set aside the translator, powering it off, and reply to her voice.
"Yes, hello."
[Hey, Si-heon.]
"How'd it go?"
[Straight to business? Fine. Bead, right?]
Soon, Star's voice hardens over the phone.
[99%. She's Flower.]
At her confirmation, I smile.