Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Uncomfortable Cohabitation (1)
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World Tree of Resentment.
The entity trying to kill me.
There was certainly a good reason for the World Tree's actions.
After all, it was none other than me who crashed into a tree that was just sitting there peacefully. By this world's common sense, it was indeed an original sin.
Setting aside my grievances, a cold, rational look at it confirmed as much.
But what reason did I have to just take it lying down?
If I were to list my own injustices, I'd run out of fingers.
What kind of treatment had I received since coming here?
Threatened with death every damn day, raped by a tree, nearly turned into the dungeon's communal cumdump, had my throat half-sawed off by a chainsaw.
And that was just the start.
A daughter I never even dreamed of suddenly appeared, and a world-class terrorist started targeting me, deeming me a disaster.
If they'd come for my head from day one, I might've felt wronged but at least understood. But now? "Sorry for raping you"—that's not something you can just brush off.
In the end, only victims.
This whole mess was nothing but victims.
-Thud.
On the way to the dorm, the car jolted over a speed bump.
Taking statements at the academy had dragged on far too long.
The academy cadet kidnapping incident.
I'd heard from Se-young on the way back—it seemed the matter had blown up big time.
Not just any academy, but El Academy.
Not just any cadet, but a promising one deemed valuable.
[Academy's Shocking Security Lapse.]
[The World's Top Academy? Time to Reconsider...]
This had already hit domestic and international news feeds.
Of course, the reporters hammered out articles tearing into the academy and the relevant hunters' reputations.
The result? A flood of rumors and tabloid fodder.
💬 Comments — Anonymous Isn't this a pretty serious issue? I know someone who works at El Academy, and it's total chaos inside right now because of this. Things worked out somehow, but it feels fishy. — ㅇㅇ (160.55) I think so too. — ㅇㅇ (160.55) ↳ Reply Stuff keeps happening only at El Academy. Something's up. My little bro goes there, and he said a cadet solved this one too. What are the instructors and cops doing? — ㅇㅇ (33.2) ↳ Reply My bro goes to the academy too, and the vibe's off. Fr. — ㅇㅇ ↳ Reply Lmao so many academy kids here? — Soul Agreed. The backlash won't die down in a day or two. — Squishy Cornus What's this about? — Asymmetric Warfare ↳ Reply Don't post if you don't know the incident. — Squishy Cornus ↳ Reply Sorry ㅠㅠ — Cornerus ↳ Reply Where you live? Lots of chatter flying around, but the clear fact was that the academy's reputation had taken a serious hit.
When I asked Se-young why she'd let it escalate this far, she said it was because they'd handled it unofficially for my safety.
Because of that, I had to meet politicians and academy bigwigs to calm public opinion.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Why the serious face?"
Se-young's cutesy tone, exaggerated as always.
I gave a bitter smile.
Like it or not, it was the kind of thing that stirred up a lot of thoughts.
"Gonna be tough keeping my story straight for a while."
"Pfft. Should've toned down the recklessness then."
"Was I the reckless one? They were."
-Screech.
The engine whined briefly as the car pulled to a stop.
"At least it won't happen again, so relax."
Se-young grinned sheepishly, glanced back once, then patted my back.
"Dunno when you got so chummy with her... but explain properly later? She's reliable anyway."
"What're you talking about?"
"Didn't I say? You're living with Cheondo starting today."
My face froze at her words. My body went rigid like stone.
Sweat started beading up.
My one private sanctuary, invaded.
By my master, no less?
"...Could you reconsider?"
"Why?"
Cheondo snapped sharply at my words.
"My troublesome disciple keeps stirring up shit at every turn, so I'm thinking of shelving missions for now and focusing on training him."
"That disciple's me...? Can't I just be more careful from now on?"
Cheondo closed her eyes firmly and cleared her throat.
"Dorms ban cohabitation to begin with..."
"Si-heon. Who do you think I am?"
A woman close to the world's strongest.
Give her a minute, and she'd wipe out a mid-tier guild with time left over to munch a peach.
When someone like that makes a request, there's no refusing.
Whatever happens next, Cheondo would handle it, and the academy would profit big.
The headlines would read accordingly.
-Peach Blossom Paradise's White Leader Becomes Academy Guardian.
Whoa, Cheondo's taking charge of academy security?
People would swoon over the big money spent, naturally.
Cheondo would drill me to death as she pleased.
And just like that, public opinion quiets, everyone gets their cut. No need to see it to know.
"Master."
"No veto, punk."
Lee Se-young's firm declaration, no backing down.
I worked my lips but couldn't drop an objection.
...Wait a sec.
Isn't this actually a huge win?
Living with my master. Might not be so bad.
"W-Well, no helping it then."
"Why're you grinning all sudden?"
"Hehe, just this once."
"Freak."
Smack.
A flick to the forehead.
"Glad you're perking up though. You looked murderous earlier. Get out now. Text later for dinner."
-Click.
As I opened the door, I glanced at Se-young.
Her usual acorn-like, fragile yet cute smile.
I pretended not to notice the faint dark circles peeking through her makeup.
"Thanks."
"Punk. I should be thanking you. You saved my life."
"What's that mean?"
"Without you, I'd be dead."
Ah...
Her face said she meant it.
"Stay alive, yeah?"
"Heh heh heh. Scram."
Cheondo followed me out. I stretched big in front of the dorm.
So much had happened—fatigue seeped into my bones.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and turned to Cheondo behind me.
"So, Master. We really living together?"
"Yep."
"...Fine. Do as you like."
"Plan to."
We entered through the front gate.
Luckily, aside from a few staff, no cadets in sight.
Running into one meant a barrage of questions.
First things first... my daughter.
Up the stairs, I stood at my door, opened it, and looked back.
"Wait inside. Gotta pop somewhere quick."
"If it's not major, I'll tag along."
"Might turn major depending, so stay put."
Cheondo, her knee-length gonryongpo draped over her shoulders, peered into the room.
Dirt-caked floor. Half-empty water bottle rolling on it.
"Filthy."
"Yeah. Probably my daughter's doing."
"Daughter?... Oh, that potted plant."
"Yep, turned human this time. Wonder if you'll like her, Master."
I left Cheondo in the room and headed to Azalea's.
My steps felt heavy, not light at all.
A pang in my chest. Guilt over leaving Shiba behind again?
A twinge of remorse hit me.
I stood before Azalea's door, now so familiar even the dangling ornament felt routine.
-Knock, knock, knock.
Cheerful knocks echoed.
Frantic footsteps from inside.
-Beep! Beep beep!
-W-Wait a sec!
-Squeak!
Shiba.
The familiar sound made my anxious heart pound.
I wanted to fling the door open and see her now.
-Click.
"You're finally—"
The lock disengaged, and I yanked the door wide.
"...!"
Azalea, gripping the knob, eyes wide as she tumbled out. Shiba in her arms spread her arms joyfully.
"Ppi...!"
Swoosh!
I scooped Shiba right out of Azalea's embrace.
The forward lunge carried us into the entryway. The door eased shut behind.
"Ppa! Ppa!"
Shiba rubbed her face against my cheek nonstop.
Hot tears from her little cheek trailed over my face.
"Ppiiiing!"
Shiba patted my shoulder with her tiny balled fists, wailing as if blaming me.
Did turning human sharpen her smarts?
Or had she always felt this loneliness?
Unwarranted guilt washed over me. I hugged Shiba tighter.
"U-Um."
Azalea stammered, tapping my back. Her face flushed ripe red.
"Th-That's fine and all, but..."
"Ppiiiing!"
Too focused on Shiba, I'd ignored Azalea.
Hugging both led to unavoidable bodily contact.
The soft squish against my chest made me backpedal, still clutching Shiba.
The mood turned awkward in an instant.
"Ppiit! Ppiiiik!"
Only Shiba, still lost in father-daughter reunion bliss, wailed on.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The top beauty of the capital before her eyes.
Delicate jade hands, a divinely sculpted figure like it was handcrafted stitch by stitch.
And above all, those sparkling eyes.
Even accounting for tear streaks, a face you wanted to nibble.
Cheondo was flustered.
How could she not be?
-Kyaa! So cute!
-Wh-What's cute about that?
Huangdo squealed excitedly in her ear, while Baegdo stammered a rebuke.
To Cheondo, who occasionally watched Precure when Huangdo and Baegdo dozed off, the sight was utterly shocking.
"My daughter. Say hi, Shiba."
"Ppat?"
-Kyaack! She said 'ppat', Baegdo! The kid said her name!
-Shut it.
Cheondo forced composure with a throat clear.
Her fist at her mouth trembled.
"Hello."
"Ppi?"
Shiba, led by Si-heon's hand, bowed at the navel. Cheondo's lips twitched.
"This your daughter?"
"Yes. Cute, right? Name's Shiba."
"Shiba? What does it mean?"
Si-heon's face stiffened briefly at Cheondo's curious question.
Why name her Shiba?
The seed
sprouted.
Shortened crudely, it sounded like a curse, so softened to Shiba.
Thinking on it, naming his daughter Shiba felt kinda harsh.
"Ppat?"
But Shiba already knew herself as such.
No choice. Si-heon faced Cheondo with resolve.
"It's the name of a destruction god worshipped by a certain tribe."
Destruction god. Cheondo furrowed her brow.
"Fitting for a daughter's name?"
"Cool, right? God of Destruction."
-Pfft, cool my ass. Right, Baegdo?
-...
-...Baegdo?
Cheondo snickered at the cheeky origin. Suited Si-heon, though.
Cheondo extended a hand to Shiba.
"Nice to meet you."
First meetings. Kids like pretty faces.
Cheondo smiled gently, tensing her fingers to stroke Shiba's head.
"Ppip!"
-Smack.
But our eternal daddy's girl Shiba was different.
Rubbing her red-rimmed eyes, she glared at Cheondo with fierce resolve.
Cheondo stared blankly at her stinging palm.
"Ppa!"
Shiba clung to her dad's knee and barked at Cheondo.
It was a tree's warning: stay back.