Chapter 121: Retreat (8)
Are you scared of death, so you dragged me into your dream?
-Im not scared. After all, its a body that will perish within a week. As someone who has faced your ancestors and their power, I have come to ask for a favor.
A favor, huh.
It didnt seem like shes trying to be hostile, judging by the nuance.
Its better to go and see rather than making assumptions.
Im so tired I could die
The time when the hands of the clock point straight down.
I got out of bed with a swollen face and shook off the sleepiness by massaging my face.
A severe hangover made my head throb. Desperately needing water, I abruptly got up and gulped down a bottle of water from the hotel fridge.
-Gulp, gulp.
Phew.
I downed a 500ml water bottle in one shot.
I put the empty bottle on top of the fridge and slapped my cheeks hard to clear my head.
-Slap!
The pain spread across my entire face.
It instantly woke me up.
Lets go.
After taking a shower and drying my hair, I got dressed in clean clothes from my travel suitcase. My phone wasnt fully charged, but I stuffed it into my pocket anyway.
The second days schedule I could skip it.
Most of the timetable was free or optional, for students suffering from hangovers.
I went to the top floor of the hotel, fixing my half-done hair.
Since I might not return today depending on the situation, I went to Lee Seyeongs room to report. I knocked on the door, following the number I heard yesterday.
-Knock, knock.
Surely she couldnt still be sleeping?
After waiting a bit over a minute, I heard the sound of unlocking from inside. She didnt open it but just unlocked the door. No sign of her coming out even after waiting.
Is she playing some prank again?
When I opened the door, a pale hand suddenly reached out and grabbed my collar. That slender hand forcefully pulled me in.
The entry was somewhat forced, and the door closed by itself as if possessed.
The hand that grabbed my collar now pulled my face close to hers.
You came rather early, huh?
Seyeong, half-undressed, seemed to have just gotten out of bed, her body moderately warm. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips curled up.
If it wasnt me, what would you have done dressed like this? Be more careful.
A man talking back?
Huh? No, teacher Im not up for it today.
-Crrrrack!
The buttons on my shirt flew off instantly. Such force.
A scream almost escaped my lips, but Lee Seyeongs hand muffled it.
Seyeong had already shed her robe long ago, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
Pffft. Just hold hands and sleep? Come in and shut up.
Im really not in the mood, please let me off just for today.
Sure, I should. I have to when our Shiheon says so.
She firmly gripped my wrist and pulled my hand towards her intimate area.
But will this little guy forgive you!
We both fell onto the bed.
A layer of blanket covered us, preventing others from hearing my screams.
Hey, why are you upset over that? Where did the feared rapist who ruled the back alleys of the academy go? Lee Shiheon is totally gone. Completely gone.
I really intended to leave right after deciding in my mind
But seeing Seyeong wrapped in a blanket like a sushi roll, pretending to wipe tears, I couldnt help but let out a hollow laugh.
No, what am I supposed to do about this? Theres a mark left.
A lip mark, slightly lighter than purple, remained below the collarbone.
It was involuntary, and screaming just came naturally.
I didnt even scream like this when I was at the mercy of the World Tree of Healing.
If you didnt want it, you should have renewed it when we first met. Im disappointed in you.
Lee Seyeong said this while casually lifting her choker.
In the middle of her slender neckline, there was a freshly made kiss mark, now a light shade of blue.
I should remember to renew it quickly.
Next time, it will be renewed upon every meeting.
So, you didnt like it?
.
You liked it. How did it feel when I did it with my feet in stockings?
Oh, come on.
I felt completely drained.
Of course, halfway through, Lee Seyeong, who was underneath, begged to stop, but people tend to remember only whats favorable to them.
I flopped down on the bed, and Seyeong snugly wrapped herself around me.
Come here, you.
Her arms encircled my neck, her lips briefly met my cheek, and then parted.
Youve been looking a bit tired lately. Anything wrong?
No, its just that I might not be able to come tonight because of something I have to do today. I just came to tell you that.
Oh? Thats a bit disappointing.
She gave me a sly, questioning look, to which I nodded slightly.
Whats going on?
If she found out I was meeting with the World Tree, she would definitely want to join, no questions asked.
Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.
Its something Id rather not share.
Is it a woman?
There was that too.
Seeing my reaction, Lee Seyeongs eyes sharpened instantly.
In everything else, I dont care, but lets be transparent about women. I cant stand to see you get played because youre so naive.
Lee Seyeong muttered softly, mistakenly thinking she was off-topic, but in fact, she hit the nail on the head for another matter.
Should I tell her about every confession I receive? After pondering for a while, I let out a sigh and spoke.
I got a confession.
From whom?
You know her.
Jin Dallae? Its her, right?
Spot on.
Well, it would be weird if she wasnt attracted to you.
Seyeong empathized with the feelings of the absent Jin Dallae.
Maybe theres something women understand among themselves?
Knowing a bit about Jin Dallaes story, Seyeong might be more inclined to think that way.
So?
I rejected her. But she wont take no for an answer.
Hmm, really?
Seyeong asked, tightening her arms around me.
What do you think of her?
Shes a good friend.
Ah. You dont see her romantically. Is that it?
Lee Seyeong continued speaking as I remained silent.
If youre sure youll never see her as a woman, either give her no hope and end it, or are you afraid it might ruin your friendship?
.
Youve become really indecisive. You were always like that, but it seems worse now.
I had nothing to say.
Seyeong clicked her tongue and then stole a kiss from my lips.
-Smack.
I understand. You never know when you might die, so you want to be more cautious with relationships. And your personality is weirdly progressive.
I tilted my head but soon understood her point.
It seemed that monogamy was considered progressive in this world.
I feel sorry that you always seem stressed about women because of me.
Why are you sorry? I should be the one apologizing.
Thats not it.
Lee Seyeong shook her head, dismissing the thought.
It wont do. I have to change my approach.
Lee Seyeong gave a bitter smile and then uttered something shocking.
I actually like men who are popular with women.
What does that mean?
I couldnt help but be stunned and make a confused sound.
Her hastily made-up statement was so unexpected that I doubted my own ears.
What?
Only after I asked again did Lee Seyeong realize her mistake and corrected herself.
No, I misspoke. I like it when Shiheon is popular with women.
What are you even saying?
So dont stress and just go on increasing your circle of women. Dont we need to have enough for a double squad baseball team?
It was so absurd I almost burst into laughter.
Seyeong, adding more to her statement, suddenly got up from the bed as if struck by a great idea.
But you shouldnt be played for a fool. Ill have to meet them and decide for myself.
Getting up and gathering towels and clothes, Seyeong looked at me and informed me,
Forget about meeting me today, stay away from the dorm.
She lightly draped a piece of clothing over her shoulders to cover herself and pushed me towards the entrance. I couldnt figure out what she was up to.
What are you doing?
When I couldnt hold back and asked,
Lee Seyeong, stepping into the shower, gave a mischievous smile.
Im going to meet Jin Dallae. Ill tell you about it tomorrow. Go do your work.
What?!
-Thud!
The shower door closed.
As if saying she wouldnt accept any objections, it felt like a dark aura was emanating from behind the door.
I almost went in to confront her but ended up just closing the front door, feeling drained.
-Click.
The sound of the door locking echoed.
It was now irreversible.
Liking me because Im popular with women?
To anyone else, that would have sounded like a relief, but knowing her, I couldnt take her words at face value.
Am I the weird one?
I was just trying not to wear a suit that didnt fit me. Lee Seyeongs words flashed through my mind, followed by Hwangdos and Jin Dallaes.
It wasnt the first time I had thought about changing my understanding of relationships with women.
Walking back to my room, covering the exposed parts of my body with Lee Seyeongs clothes, I thought,
If I just change my attitude.
Everyone could be satisfied.
But-
Sigh
Ones deeply ingrained mindset doesnt change easily without a significant catalyst.
I had changed a lot already.
Like accepting Hwangdo.
When I rationalized accepting Hwangdo, what was I thinking?
Its a terrible idea, but how can I not when there are so many people more important than my life?
I definitely thought that.
Even I can see its a well-crafted excuse to get with women. To others, it just looks terrible.
Maybe its because I saw Lee Seyeong this morning.
Somehow, I ended up applying a completely different standard to Jin Dallae compared to Hwangdo.
Im sorry. I was overthinking it back then.
If I had calmed down and talked it through, the outcome might have been different.
Ive known this for a while.
It seems like it doesnt matter in this world if a woman is involved with many men.
Lee Seyeong said she would take the initiative to change my thinking.
I appreciate it, really.
Entering my room, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
Apart from less color and some blemishes, there was nothing different from the face I had in the previous world.
Ive never thought of myself as handsome.
But having high charm, I suppose to others, I must be.
Was it because of my looks that people thought I played around with women?
No, that couldnt be it. They must sense something shady in me. Every woman I had been involved with had labeled me a player without exception.
If everyone thought that way except for me, maybe I was just denying myself. If the truth was indeed laughable, then its time to accept it.
-Rustle-
I took off my clothes and changed into something more decent. This time, I put on a hat and pulled it down low to avoid attracting attention.
As I walked away from the dormitory to a distant place,
I glanced at the spot where Jin Dallae and I had stood together.
I passed that place and headed towards a temple I had looked up in the morning.
Breathing in the refreshing air, I felt like my mind was being cleansed.
Free from distractions, I could clearly determine what I needed to do now.
Reaching the entrance of the temple, I lifted my hat to take in the expansive view.
[You have arrived.]
The voice of the World Tree invaded my mind.
It was very similar to the voice I heard in my dream.
With a much lighter heart, I spoke to the tree.
So, what did you want to talk about?
I passed the ancient-looking wooden doors of the temple, which must have been guarding this place for a long time, and entered.
The temple, empty and clean, had a lonely atmosphere.
No. Not entirely empty.
Focusing, I noticed a presence behind the votive ship.
[Come further inside, so I can see you.]
As the World Tree of Time finished speaking, a woman suddenly appeared from behind the votive ship.
A woman wearing a mask.
With her small stature and striking pink hair, the woman bowed 90 degrees in greeting without a word.
Then, she gestured to me lightly.
Was she telling me to follow?
I closely followed the woman who had turned her back, and inside the building, a valuable-looking container holding a fertility artifact awaited me.
It was an unfamiliar magic, similar to what I had briefly felt from various trees and plants.
Place your hand there.
A voice emerged from the womans mouth.
Has everything already been discussed?
Well, it made sense since this was the only temple near the dormitory.
Lets finish this quickly. I have a lot to do.
I extended my hand towards the fertility artifact.
As soon as my hand touched it, a burst of light enveloped me. The dilapidated wooden building vanished from my sight, and I felt a sensation of floating.
-Flash!
[You have arrived, King of the Spirits.]
I lifted my eyelids.
Before me was a tree, even more enormous than the one I saw in my dream, majestically spread out over the ground.
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