Chapter 363
Chapter 363
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 363
Chapter Title: Tree Encyclopedia
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, bro, take a look at this."
Sun, grinning from ear to ear, pulled out a thick book from under the bed and opened it.
[Tree Encyclopedia]
Aori, glued right to my shoulder, peered at the dictionary alongside me.
Sun's face had hardened into a stern, solemn expression. In a stiff voice, he said to me,
"Once you get a taste of the knots, even you won't be able to keep your wits about you."
"...So what is this?"
"These are all the types of trees I've experienced so far. Do we really need to go risking our necks to eat trees?"
Sun clasped his hands together in a pious devotee's pose. A sticky halo seemed to shimmer behind his back.
"Those who seek to devour trees. Let them not be ruled by that pleasure."
"......"
"Trees Gospel, Chapter 2, Verse 1. From now on, I'll introduce you to the trees worth eating. Ready to listen?"
"...Go ahead."
In this urgent situation, if Sun was going this overboard, there had to be a reason.
He opened the dictionary and began explaining each tree to me one by one.
And what it revealed was quite astonishing.
From ㄱ to ㅎ, A to Z.
Trees from Korea and beyond, spread across the world, filled the pages to the brim.
[Swordsmanship Aptitude] - Zelkova Tree, Mongolian Oak, Chicken-Bone Tree...
[Magic Power Increase] - Paperbark Tree, Styrax Tree...
Sun's ability was very similar to mine, and Aori stole abilities by mating with others too.
Which meant this guide I was looking at was a partially completed version of one I couldn't access yet.
"Heh heh heh."
Sun and Aori smugly placed their hands on their hips and snorted.
"What do you think!"
"...Impressive."
"I don't usually share secret techniques like this with just anyone. But for you, bro, I can at least spill it verbally."
Cut the jokes. If I followed this guide and picked only the aptitudes I needed, it would give my growth wings.
This guy Sun was finally earning his keep today.
He'd never spilled info until I beat it out of him. Was there more he wasn't telling?
"Hey. If you know more, spit it out now."
"Bro... Do you see me as some loot-dropping mob? I'm not that capable."
"House prices are dropping lately. Don't you want a nice place? I've got enough to hook you up."
"...Can I take a rain check?"
"No, fuck, I want info, info."
-Tap tap.
While I bickered with Sun, Aori tugged my elbow and held out her own dictionary.
Aori's Tree Encyclopedia. This one seemed women-only. Would there be anything useful for me?
"What's this?"
"...Stats you get from sticking it in."
"......Put it away, damn it. I've got standards too."
Saying that, but she'd brought it thinking of me, so no real urge to snap at her.
I roughly patted Aori's head.
She kinda gave off uncontrollable little sister vibes.
-Grrrrumble.
Almost simultaneously, both their stomachs growled. Aori rubbed hers, Sun cleared his throat.
"Hungry?"
I turned to look at the kitchen.
On the sink sat unwashed ramen pots and stacks of cup noodles with broth still in them.
We earned money, but it all went elsewhere. So meals were just cup noodles.
"Want some cup noodles? Only fried udon left, though."
"......"
"Oh, I can grill ham today too. Not premium, but the cheap stuff."
"Sun... tuna?"
"No way, you punk. Gotta ration it."
One more word and I'd cry.
These competent bastards living so pitifully. They could rake in billions grinding dungeons.
"...Ah, that. Haha."
Asked directly, Sun just scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Making an artifact to find you, bro. Racked up a ton of debt."
The artifact tracking the Wood Spirit King's magic. I'd heard about it and even seen it.
Apparently, the lab he used to hole up in poured over a decade of money and manpower into it.
It could track a specific being. A miraculous artifact that cost a fortune just to maintain, piling up debt like a mountain.
They were chipping away at the interest bit by bit.
"...I'll cover it. Let's eat. What do you want."
"Bro, really?"
"King, then I'll have meat..."
"Hey, punk! Mind your manners. Bro, just get us a bowl of soup rice each."
I pinched my brow in exasperation.
Who'd save these poor sibling-like bastards? Selling their bodies just because they were descendants of a king ruined chasing the World Tree.
My eyes stung.
"...Shut up. You're getting Hanwoo."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "You two. Can you do everything I say?"
"Yes sir!!!! We'll do it all!"
"Yes! Whatever the king orders!"
Sun and Aori echoed my words in unison.
Their faces glistened with grease, bellies plump and satisfied. Loyalty doubled from the meal, they snorted with ambition.
"That Hanwoo hit the spot, huh."
"So good one of us could've died eating it!!"
"Sun, I'm still alive?"
"Then drop dead."
Their bickering was livelier now. Food really made people happy.
No more growling glares; they bantered leisurely.
In a nearby cafe, sipping coffee, I watched them.
Stuffing ice cream and croffles to squeeze every bit, my eyes welled up.
"I'll book two rooms and leave plenty of cash. Don't waste it on debt—eat properly."
"Bro......"
Tension melted away.
My rotten-spinach guts felt a bit lighter too.
Think rationally. Time wasn't that short. Not just my burden.
"So, bro. Can we talk now?"
Sun pulled out the dictionary again, pointing to a few trees.
Emery Tree. Hawthorn Tree. Chestnut Tree. Persimmon Tree.
"Considering your fighting style, these four are essential for aptitudes. More magic power too?"
"As much as possible."
"Gotta aim higher then."
"How?"
I had questions about the method.
Originally, I'd planned to solo places like the Cradle.
Sun nodded calmly at my idea.
"Your way works. Risky, but we three could break anywhere. But why hunt trees in the city?"
"What're you saying?"
"People in cities... where are trees?"
"Uh, forests?"
Sun nodded meaningfully.
"You've been stuck in the academy, bro. You don't know the dungeon types... or how many undeveloped ones are out there."
"True."
"Some are left by Wood Spirit King descendants. Too early for you solo. Dungeons are best for expanding the guide."
In short.
Sun's lips curved smugly.
"Pack your bags. Your dick's staying wet for a while."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Beep?"
Shiba clung to my arm, looking up cautiously.
I grabbed her shoulders and hugged tight, no suffocation.
"Pwaa. Daddy?"
"Daddy's just going on a short trip."
"...Can't you not go?"
"Daddy wants to stay with our girl forever. But the world won't let him."
"World? Who's the world?"
"Daddy did something bad. Be good, and everything'll be fine for you."
"Pweeeng. Shiba be good... Daddy come back quick?"
"Of course."
As always, finished goodbye with Shiba. I dragged my bags to the door.
I planted a small kiss on her tearful cheek.
"...Pwee."
Azalea behind her sighed, seeing me off. Apron-clad, she stepped forward and kissed me.
"When can we live normally... right?"
No words, even if I had mouths.
Endless waiting, nothing improving.
"Sorry."
Apologized and left.
Walked a bit, breathed dawn air, entered an alley.
Leaned against wall, dropped backpack.
A faint glow chased darkness from the eastern horizon.
Humid summer air unpleasant. Fanning shirt didn't help.
"Tch."
Clicked tongue, tilted head.
Thick shadows in alley. I murmured low toward the dark.
"Come out. I said so."
No matter how well hidden, I'd sense you.
Anyone else, maybe not. But I knew this presence forever. Never forget. Found you again.
-Step.
A woman emerged from endless black. White magic flickered atop her head in massive black dragon robe.
"......"
White Path's eyes blazed murderously.
Her fierce glare pierced. Hostility made my body react instinctively.
Hairs stood on end. I smirked.
"Why're you here? We just parted... How are the two?"
Opened mouth for light greeting.
-Smack!
But White Path moved faster than expected.
Long leg forward, body tilted.
Fist pulled back, swung full force. Curved back shot forward. White magic poured straight at me.
Like crossing a dark crosswalk, truck headlights bearing down.
-KABOOM!
Bag flew airborne. Black, red clothes scattered.
Hard impact on face brief. I ditched bags, slammed back against wall.
-Drip.
Blood dripped on nose. I opened clenched mouth.
"...Ha."
Facial wounds healed instantly.
White Path smashed fist into wall beside my head. After eerie silence, red-glowing eyes, she growled murderously.
"You."
Ears rang. Pain like flies buzzing beside.
I slowly raised eyelids. To White Path before me.
"...Hit me now if you will. Master. No time."
"Clueless punk. Can't even throw a punch. But stubborn as-"
"What do you want."
"Give up."
"On what."
No context, barges in, decks me, demands without explanation.
Classic White Path.
Probably give up on what I'm about to do.
"Heard the story."
Her voice trembled rage. No usual pushy wuxia speech.
I stared dryly at sky behind her head.
"And if I don't."
"I'll shatter your limbs and drag you anyway."
Eyes wild. I judged inevitably.
"Is that so."
Raised hand, grabbed her arm. She yanked to pull away; I reached faster for her throat.
White Path froze, escaped my range.
"If you're doing it, do it right."
I reached to my left shoulder.
-Crunch!
Hand dug in, shredded muscle and bone. Dead left arm dangled.
"...You, what the. Wait...! Stop...."
Eyes wide in shock. I activated authority, regenerated arm.
-Crunch- Flesh knit back, moved like no blood spilled.
"Body's like this. Go for the kill."
"......You're a real pain in the ass."
Her stunned gaze held fleeting relief.
Even limbs severed, restraining hard. Unless optimized artifact.
"Now or then, same Heavenly Path fan."
"What?"
Face scrunched, what nonsense.
I moved hand, triggered space magic. Works on non-mages like her, off-guard.
White Path twitched. Could block anytime, but didn't this time.
Maybe lied, secretly tried saving Sansu-yu.
Can't lie before these people.
"Tell master. I won't die."