Eat The World Tree

It was a fleeting thought that if it were someone familiar, I might be able to send them back.

Thud, thud.

Blood dripped down the blade, forming droplets. Soo-yeon’s face twisted slightly.

She tried to judge the situation calmly, but her expression suggested disbelief.

It was understandable since she allowed herself to be attacked by a mere cadet.

The Kyoweol could transform into any weapon.

From a staff to a sword, or even a bow, its versatility depending on the environment was its main advantage.

For someone like me, who can draw out above-average power with any weapon, it was a perfect match.

I drew my sword and pushed.

In the brief moment before the other National Tree arrived, I spoke first.

“Are you going to continue?”

With a single swing of the sword, a long bloodstain appeared on the tree.

“It doesn’t seem like either of us would benefit from this.”

The pitch-black sword melted and rotated around my hand.

When it elongated like clay and returned to the form of a staff, Soo-yeon’s lips twisted.

“Soo-yeon-san!”

Saku and Banya, who had been trailing behind us, appeared at the edge of our sight.

As Saku approached, she took in Soo-yeon’s appearance, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Huh? Soo-yeon-san, you’re hurt, hurt? What should we do…?”

“Don’t make a fuss. It’s just a shallow wound.”

The atmosphere was decidedly different from when we first encountered each other.

“…Hoo, you.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really an Academy cadet?”

She still seemed incredulous, doubting her own eyes.

Soo-yeon took out a potion from her pocket, sprinkled a little on her wound, and held it in her mouth.

“No.”

She corrected herself.

“Who are you, really?”

Saku was startled by Soo-yeon’s words as the camera continued to roll around us.

“Aww… Soo-yeon-san, your words are too harsh!”

“Oh… really? I’m sorry.”

Since Saku hadn’t intervened in the fight, it almost seemed like I had held my own against two National Trees.

“Look at the situation now; my words probably don’t sound so strange. So, uh… it’s not an insult. It’s admiration, admiration.”

But still, to ask who I was.

“Isn’t that an overreaction?”

“Think about it. Am I the strange one… or would you like to check the internet after this trial ends?”

A cadet who was ranked 152nd just a while ago, facing off against two National Trees.

To others, it would seem like I was just someone hiding my true strength.

Looking at the cameras filming us, the news might have already been published by now.

“152nd. That’s your rank at El Academy, right? I heard it from Saku last time.”

No one would know about my growth process.

It was a strange path, even I found it quite unusual, shaped by a series of fortuitous events.

I momentarily shifted my gaze elsewhere.

Banya, who was looking at me, had an unsettling look in her eyes.

Displeased.

The National Tree of India.

Before participating in the trial, she had briefly locked eyes with me and cursed.

She had been glaring at me with burning eyes since earlier. Narrowing her eyes with tattooed eyelids, she looked at me with disdain, but I couldn’t understand why.

Lately, there have been many people seeking me out for reasons unknown to me.

“…Still.”

Cutting off her words, Soo-yeon, who had sheathed her long white sword at her waist, spoke to me with a faint smile.

“It seems like Korea has gained a valuable talent… that’s a good thing. Have you decided on a guild to join? If not, how about joining with me-”

“I’ll probably go with Spring Peach Blossom.”

“Ah, of course… since you mentioned you’re that person’s disciple. I understand now.”

Her eyes briefly glanced down at my staff.

“Then, that means you weren’t even using your full power?”

Her voice cooled slightly.

She knew about the relationship between Mugung and my master’s father, where they had bared their fangs at each other.

Whether that relationship continued now, I had no way of knowing. Cheondo, who inherited the title of Cheonma, was still affiliated with the Hunter Association as a mercenary at this very moment.

But that wasn’t the issue now, she continued.

“Will you keep going?”

Even for me, fighting three National Trees would be a burden.

Moreover, I was currently without the power of healing.

More than half of my combat capability relied on the power of healing.

The reason I was able to secure countless victories against S-rank hunters, who were far more experienced than I, was also thanks to this power.

Above all, except in life-and-death situations, the cards I could play were extremely limited. My techniques were too powerful.

And there were too many eyes watching.

Swish.

Banya quietly rolled up her sleeve. The tattoo stretching from her forearm to her armpit glowed with magical power.

Just as I was about to raise my staff, Soo-yeon stepped in.

“Let’s stop fighting. Both of you.”

Soo-yeon spoke to Saku and Banya.

“I never intended to fight in the first place. It was Soo-yeon-san who kept saying it was already too late!”

“Anyway.”

“…”

At Soo-yeon’s glance, Banya showed a somewhat dissatisfied expression but eventually rolled down her sleeve, hiding the tattoo.

“Let’s settle this later. Preferably one-on-one.”

“Oh… sure. Let’s do that.”

“At that time, I hope to see your full strength.”

Given the dungeon’s environment, it was challenging to go all out here. The true power of a Tree Person came immediately after transformation.

But why was she so eager to compete against me?

‘I don’t think I’ve done anything that noticeable yet.’

Well, it was still less compared to Jung Siwoo.

That guy caused trouble wherever he went. Just listening to Siwoo’s stories made me wonder how he had not gone mad—he was like the Conan of the Hunter world.

I lowered my staff. After exchanging slight glances, an awkward silence ensued.

“Ah, Soo-yeon-san! Have you met Suyoo-san?”

The atmosphere lightened up with Saku’s unique, clumsy yet cute Korean.

The eyes visible through her fox mask always sparkle.

Well, there’s no need to fight anymore.

There’s only about 10 hours left. There’s no need to shed any more blood.

“Would you like to grab a bite to eat? We even have Suyoo.”

Soo-yeon’s eyes widened at my suggestion.

“Pardon…? Oh….”

“Judging by your appearance, you seem like you need to rest a bit.”

“…But you’re the one who made me like this, aren’t you?”

“Didn’t this happen before too? Anyway, what will you do?”

Soo-yeon rolled her eyes in thought. After checking her two teammates, she looked at Saku’s sparkling eyes and faintly smiled.

“……The viewers watching the Selection Competition will be confused. We were just fighting, and now we’re eating together.”

Something was amiss.

Everyone who watched today’s Forester Selection Competition would have doubted their own eyes.

Never Portal Search Keywords Real-Time Ranking.

Lee Shiheon – 464↑

Forester Selection Competition – 1↓

Forester Selection Competition, Day 6.

Cadet Lee Shiheon 459 ↑

El Academy Lee Shiheon.

Selection Competition Updates.

Bao – 3↓

Kim Soo-yeon – 4↓

Trial Results.

Maronnie.

Lee Shiheon Team Disbandment.

Seoul Academy.

When facing Maronnie, it could be due to compatibility.

When competing in strength against Bao, it was natural to be at a disadvantage.

However, when he emerged unscathed from the dungeon alongside Bao, that was when people’s expectations began to shatter.

─It's not that Lee Shiheon is strong; it's because he had to conserve his magic. Isn't it obvious that there's a difference in skill between a human and a National Tree?

(After the fight with Bao, Lee Shiheon comes out unscathed)

So how do you explain this?

[Comments 61]

-ㅇㅇ(52.12): But does this even make sense?

└ㅇㅇ: He's also dumbfounded and questioning it, lol.

└ㅇㅇ(52.12): Seriously, who would have thought Lee Shiheon would come out of that?

└Just a passerby: Then why did you think he'd lose?

└ㅇㅇ(52.12): Because it’s obvious!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Hang Yong: Hahaha, I believed from the start.

└ㅇㅇ: This guy probably celebrated when he thought Lee Shiheon was finally going to get crushed.

─Once again, Lee Shiheon defied everyone’s expectations and did well.

(Photo with a crown)

[Comments: 57]

-ㅇㅇ(24.162): How did you predict that, hahaha?

└Mujin: He must be rolling in money, lololol.

-ㅁ: Please give me lottery numbers.

-Seon Su: This guy has to be a Toto manager. I’m sure of it.

sytsem_end

There were no coincidences twice.

Surviving two encounters with National Trees meant no one could deny his skill anymore.

The re-evaluation of Lee Shiheon was more than overdue, and his stock began to soar rapidly.

Sometimes, a jackpot exploded.

El Academy has produced another monster.

At one point, it was dismissed as a toothless tiger, but this served as a great reminder of its status as the world’s top academy.

However, the academy’s officials began to receive a baffling reputation.

Not long ago, a cadet ranked 152nd participated in the Forester Selection Competition.

The instructors followed orders from above, but even they were puzzled.

Some openly criticized him as a parachute recruit.

There were subtle rumors that he was only placed there because he had strong backing from Spring Peach Blossom.

─Honestly, I think Lee Shiheon is a genius.

When a prodigy first emerges, most people dismissed their achievements.

─I heard Jung Siwoo and Lee Shiheon fought during the midterms. Seems like he’s just good at fighting.

Many past achievements were being reevaluated.

However, there were still countless people who viewed him with disdain.

But it was clear that perceptions were gradually changing.

Watching a talented individual rise to the surface—what could be more interesting than that?

The consensus in the community was to watch with amusement.

[Lee Shiheon holds his own against three National Trees. Among them is Korea’s National Tree, Kim Soo-yeon…]

Until today.

─What is this?

─Did I see that right?

─It’s the sixth day, so maybe they were just tired. But even so…

Articles poured out like champagne popping.

It’s outrageous that a mere cadet could counterattack and fight against three National Trees as if it were nothing.

The excitement that had built up was followed by a cold chill, like a sudden frost.

And then, doubts began to sprout. Of course, the organizers wouldn’t plan a show for such a global event. The structure itself made that impossible.

Did this make sense?

Yet, people couldn’t help but talk.

A nation’s representative being pushed back by a mere college student. And not just one, but three of them. It’s incomprehensible.

Even though Saku didn’t participate in the fight, both Korea’s and India’s representatives were proven monsters.

It was an event that should never happen within the bounds of common sense.

─I just stared blankly for five minutes while holding my spoon.

Impossible.

He faced Maronnie and Bao. Those who joked that Lee Shiheon might be the strongest suddenly fell silent.

They could only write bewildered comments, frustrated that they couldn’t gauge the man’s true worth.

And not long after, another topic dropped, ready to set the community ablaze once more.

─Seems like even Maehwa is heading in this direction.

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Scrolling through the text on the computer screen, an old man lifted his tired eyes.

“Indeed, this boy is your disciple….”

Wrinkled hands. The plain yet sturdy longswords that could be seen past the hundred jars hanging on the office wall.

The title of chairman written on the nameplate felt too natural for him, so much so that it was almost boring to be called that.

Eyes harboring the deep abyss of the Mugunghwa shifted.

Beyond the desk, towards the woman clad in a grand robe.

“Your disciple… that little boy from back then has grown a lot.”

The woman standing before Mugung, Cheondo, stared straight at him.

Although it was a sparring match, her disciple had defeated the granddaughter of the Sword Saint.

Her disciple won. Her disciple.

She felt a slight thrill like a child but kept her face as hard as stone.

“But.”

Mugung spoke again.

“…He looks familiar somehow.”

He hadn’t noticed it at first. This figure. He wasn’t sure, but it felt like he had seen him somewhere before.

It wasn’t as if he had seen him directly, but rather felt something similar from a distance.

A slightly sunken voice. He licked his dry lips as he looked at the masked face of Lee Shiheon on the computer screen.