The Possessed Tree's Hollow Morning Gaze
The possessed tree greeted morning with hollow eyes even in broad daylight, and as usual, I cast Purify on myself. It was my substitute for a morning wash or shower. Waste products and such were cleanly rinsed away, but the fatigue didn't budge. Fatigue is just the brain's accumulated waste that sleep is supposed to process, after all. So God, shouldn't Purify get rid of fatigue too? No answer came from the deity I rarely sought out on ordinary days. I let go of Hanbyeol's still-sleeping hand, slipped quietly out from under the covers as the sun rose, and perched on the edge of the bed. Suppressing a deep sigh, I covered my eyes with my hand.
Sleep requires the body to relax. That's why people toss and turn the night before a trip or a soldier on the eve of leave can't drift off—same principle. With a pounding heart, the dream fairy's not paying a visit anytime soon. And neither was release for the desire simmering in my own body. With Hanbyeol right there beside me, I couldn't take matters into my own hands. It wasn't resentment toward her; it was just something I had to endure. What kind of lunatic jerks off with someone sleeping next to them? So I'd spent the night wide-eyed. Hanbyeol probably had no clue how much I'd suffered. She'd slept like a rock without stirring once. Whenever her fingers gripping mine clenched in her sleep, interlocking like that, I'd stifle a whimper at how even my hands could feel so sensitive. Hngh...
I gently disentangled my hand from Hanbyeol's and brushed the spot where I'd lain. It was damp—too focused in one area to pass off as mere sweat. For now, I draped the blanket over it and decided to air it out once she left, burying my face in my hands. Lifting the covers released a thick wave of scent that made my cheeks burn. The sense of smell dulls quickly, so people rarely notice their own body odor. Yet this cloyingly sweet, lewd aroma assaulting my nose was new to me, but unmistakably mine. Hanbyeol's was something fresh and citrusy, close to lemon. At least it wasn't foul-smelling, but that only doubled the embarrassment. So all this time, she'd been hugging me tight and inhaling this scent, saying she loved it.
Could I get through the day with these hollow eyes and foggy mind? As I sighed again in worry, I heard Hanbyeol stirring awake.
"Ah, unnie. When'd you wake up?"
Her voice was husky and sleep-slurred. It drew closer until she wrapped her arms around me from behind, making me flinch a little.
"Nngh, just now."
"Whoa, why's it so damp here? You must've sweated a ton, unnie. Was it hot?"
"N-no, it's nothing."
Of all things, she'd zeroed in on the spot I'd tried to hide. My heart dropped—fear hit before the shame. What if she was disappointed in me? Or thought I was a pervert and told Daesik? Blood drained from my face in a dizzying rush.
"You smell so good even in the morning, unnie... Wait, why's your face so pale? Did you not sleep well?"
"Nngh, a bit. I'm fine, I'll nap later and it'll be okay."
"No way, was it because of me? Did I talk in my sleep or something? Nah... Wait, unnie, you were too excited about me, huh!"
"N-no, it's not that!"
"Ehehe, your reaction says it is. If you couldn't hold back, you should've just pounced. I'd be fine with it from you, unnie."
"What kind of girl talks like that?"
"That's straight-up discrimination. ...Unnie, you sure you're okay?"
Her tone grew serious, and my knees buckled for a second before she fussed over me. My eyes and nose stung, but it was just the usual aftermath of an all-nighter—no real pain—so I nodded.
"I'm fine."
"No, really. Sweating this much? You think Purify and drying off hides it? You look sick right now."
I couldn't exactly say I'd stayed up agonizing over my body's hypersensitivity and lust. Better to let her think it was from being too smitten with her sleeping form next to me—that had more plausibility. But facts were facts: it was this body I inhabited that turned me on, not flat chests like Hanbyeol's. Explaining that would just make me a narcissist and hurt her feelings. Small breasts were a complex for most girls; blurting it out would get me slapped at best. So I played along with her misunderstanding, feigning a bit of illness.
"Really, I'm okay. Just didn't sleep well... Hngh."
The classic fake sick act: say you're fine with your mouth, let your body do the pleading. She was already halfway there, so a little wobble had her pouting in worry. Guilt stabbed at me, but better a faker than admitting to being a sleepless, horny mess.
"Unnie, this won't do. Take it off."
"Wh-what...?"
But Hanbyeol hopped off the bed, stood before me, and started peeling off my stockings without warning.
"Wearing this stuff messes with circulation and all that. From now on, sleep naked. Got it?"
"No pajamas though, what then?"
"Don't people usually sleep naked anyway?"
"You don't wear pajamas?"
"?"
"?"
Our puzzled faces met. She paused but pressed on, trying to strip my priestess robes too. I curled up, clutching them protectively.
"I'll strip once you're gone. I'm not a kid, why fuss?"
"Okay, I'll tell Daesik oppa. Say you're sick and need rest today. Raid tomorrow."
"...That okay? Won't it cause more damage?"
"Maybe some financial loss if anyone's watching. But the guards have the road by the possessed tree blocked off, so no casualties."
"Good then."
Would it be the same here? It might snag passersby for nutrients. I shoved the grim thought aside and saw Hanbyeol off.
"Don't skip meals. I'll check with the uncles later."
"Got it."
She only used formal speech with me, but her actions made her feel like the big sister. My adult pride stung, but I walked her to the door, fretting that she might have to keep nursing me if I didn't toughen up. Only then could I finally lie down. But I didn't strip as she'd said. The priestess robes were still soft, just infused with my scent—clean otherwise. The damp sheet... well, I pulled the blanket over that spot and rolled into Hanbyeol's side.
It'd dry on its own. Now sleep. Curtains still drawn, the room stayed dim. It wouldn't refresh me like nighttime rest, but dozing while others worked always thrilled me. Maybe because I wasn't a total NEET. Hanbyeol's haphazardly folded stockings caught my eye. I perked my ears—no one passing by. Quiet confirmed, I stretched for them and slipped them on. Under the covers, my hand slid between my thighs, stroking the smooth slit and the nub above it. Rubbing my legs together to savor the texture, wetness gathered fast.
Just once. Then sleep will come easy.
"You must be in a lot of pain. Can't you heal yourself?"
It didn't end at once—my state was a wreck by the end. The climax came and went, but something felt lacking. To fill that gap, I rubbed and twisted my legs more, kneaded my breasts, but this body knew no satisfaction, demanding encores. Reason gone, my hands obeyed instinct. Four times later, it still wasn't enough. But stamina had limits; twitching in the afterglow, I passed out like the dead. A knock jolted me awake, staggering to open the door. Jimmy stood there with a tray of food, saying exactly that.
I panicked over my disheveled state and cast Purify on reflex, but it didn't fix my haggard face or tangled hair.
"Ahaha, Purify isn't sticking well... Must be fatigue."
Did he notice the marathon? Heart pounding, I eyed him warily, but his protruding brow and shadowed eyes hid his thoughts.
"...You look shocked."
Relief—he hadn't caught on. I forced an awkward smile.
"Ahaha, no. Thanks for bringing food every time."
Maybe because I was "sick," it was soup and fruit-blended juice. A shame—I preferred meat. Still, he volunteered delivery, so gratitude was in order. Awkward smile as I took the tray; Jimmy leaned in with his rugged face, bowing low.
"Didn't sleep properly either."
"Yeah, tossed a bit."
Ex-special forces or mobster types aside, anyone would flinch at that grim mug thrust forward blankly. But he pulled back quick from my startle.
"Didn't mean to threaten. Sorry. Leave the empties outside when done; we'll handle it."
"Thanks every time."
"No problem."
Feeling his consideration, I smiled and shut the door. No lock inside, so I dropped the grin. They treated me well because I was the healer. A useless woman would've been gutted long ago. The "noona" bit might be teasing too. No lock meant they could barge in anytime defenseless. What if they deemed me expendable? Daesik and Hanbyeol wouldn't let me get hurt, but they couldn't guard me forever. The buried anxiety surged; I stood frozen by the door, tray in hand.
My conclusion: I couldn't be dead weight in the upcoming raid. Usefulness would keep me from being a toy, and help Hanbyeol and Daesik too. Losing value with age terrified me more now. Chilly weather made me glad for the stockings. First outing in ages—no, first since dropping into this world. Clutching my robes to cover my legs as much as possible. The added skirt was mini-skirt territory back home; a breeze might flash my underwear. I felt eyes on my legs. Pre-raid, I'd simulated the possessed tree's patterns in my head, but marching out with Hanbyeol and Daesik's men made every glance prick.
Scenery distracted me only minutes. Fantasy stories gloss over medieval hygiene with modern plumbing and spotless streets—grateful this world followed suit. But I kept repeating inwardly: I'm fully dressed, not naked. No shame. Knew too well how men obsessed over black-stockinged legs; ignoring stares was impossible.
"Unnie, really okay? Like a cold or something... You don't look recovered."
Hanbyeol walking beside me asked worriedly; I shook my head with a smile.
"Fine. Just a bit chilly."
Village women in sleeveless tops for farm work or short skirts for mobility showed my exposure wasn't outrageous. Priests were chaste paragons, but minus that image, it was normal. Still embarrassing. I walked carefully to avoid the hem flaring.
Soon we reached the guard-blocked road. They scowled at the gang-looking crew at first, but spotting Hanbyeol and me, tilted heads.
"Uh... the adventurer guild here for that damned tree?"
"Yep."
One subordinate nodded for the group. Guards parted, sneaking leg glances. I ducked my head before eyes met. Long way to get used to that.
The possessed tree loomed even from afar. Sunny day, but an eerie chill made me shiver. If truly spirit-possessed, would my faith-based heals count as damage? Hopes of turning DPS into heal-sub-DPS dashed—no meters in real life. Approaching casually, unaware of its range, disaster struck. A subordinate beside me tripped on an exposed root; surging tendrils crushed him, trunk-thick, blood spraying everywhere.
"...Ah?"
Mentally blank at the death before me, a shout snapped me alert. Hands clasped—no staff, so bare prayer.
"Patrick's down! We're in its range! Attack!"
Jimmy's order sent the men charging with belt axes drawn toward the tree.