Chapter 122: Past (1)
Although it was said to have died, the World Tree of Time was so enormous that it was incomparable to any other tree I had seen before.
The outer surface of the tree was a blackish-brown bark, reminiscent of ancient, rusted armor, and its misaligned, rounded leaves adorned this armor-like bark. The flat leaf stems were large enough to completely wrap around a person.
-Tuk.
The wind generated by a falling leaf reached me from afar. The rustling wind swept leaves to my feet. The ground I was standing on was also covered with leaves of the World Tree, dyed bright yellow.
[What is your name?]
Lee Shiheon.
[Thank you. I hope my question is not impertinent.]
When I didnt respond, the World Tree of Time silently created a chair out of leaves behind me.
[This story will be long Please, take a seat.]
-Sarururu.
The chair was crude but had a backrest and was surprisingly the right size for my body. Sitting down, a pleasantly gentle breeze started blowing around me.
[Firstly, I assure you that I mean you no harm.]
Heh. Even a newborn would realize that such words are hardly trustworthy.
Whats going on?
I had been wondering why this tree has been trying to please me. Reflecting on the words I heard in my dream, it didnt seem like its doing this out of fear for its life. It was clear that it wanted something from me.
[I am well aware of the discrimination you have faced. It is regrettable that I cannot fully comprehend the depth of your suffering.]
You speak well.
[If I have offended you, I apologize. I have endured until now simply to seek your help, a descendant of the Forest King.]
Ive heard that before. You said you had a favor to ask, right?
There must be something in return for what is given. The World Tree fell silent for a moment before asking cautiously.
[Of course, I will tell you everything I know Is it about your existence?]
Right.
My worth. Who I was.
Its not merely a trivial philosophical contemplation but rather about how much value the forces in this place assigned to me. Until now, Ive been dragged into events without knowing anything. The organization known as Flower referred to me as something of a prophecy, and the World Trees were exceptionally wary of me.
As if touching me wrongly would press an irreversible button.
There have been several attempts to erase my very existence.
Too many are after me.
Even excluding the World Tree of Resentment, which was eager for my death more than anyone and was the reason I came here, its true. My master couldnt provide a clear answer about this either.
[For you]
The World Tree of Time continued in its characteristic gentle voice.
[You possess a power similar to that of the Forest King. Actually, even excluding the power, you have a similar aura. When I first saw you, I mistook you for the king. Im sorry, I dont know why. You might be a direct descendant, or perhaps you have just inherited the power. There are people in this world who have inherited part of the Forest King, but Ive never seen anyone with a complete power like yours.]
What is the purpose of this power?
[A vessel.]
It wasnt too abstract or difficult to understand.
Considering I had even acquired the authority of the World Tree of Healing, it seemed like my body had become a vessel capable of holding the power of the trees.
[The potential of the power you possess is infinite, and for that reason, like the Forest King of the past, many will covet you. You can guess why the descendants of the World Trees are after you now.]
Wait, descendants? What do you mean by that?
[The countless World Trees growing in this world are, in a broad sense, my descendants.]
Were the four Great World Trees, revered as absolute gods, also among them? When I asked, the World Tree of Time denied it.
[They are among the few World Trees that survived the war, like me.]
So, they are of the same era as you.
The World Tree of Time had survived the same era as the four Great World Trees. Otherwise, there would be no explanation for the millennia-old size of this tree.
Though its not much different from what Ive learned so far Just having a definite answer is valuable enough.
The thoughts that were once mere conjectures have now been confirmed by the World Tree, making this a rather good harvest. Curious, I decided to ask the World Tree a few more questions.
What are those Flower guys doing?
[Im sorry, I dont know much about what happened after I died.]
The World Tree of Time honestly answered and apologized. It made sense, considering the significant gap between its death and awakening. I clicked my tongue lightly and moved on with the conversation.
So, does our meeting here get conveyed to the other World Trees?
[No. I am already overwhelmed with this conversation, so I cannot communicate with other World Trees that are far away.]
What about the girl who wore the mask before I came here?
[She has been a shrine maiden guarding me. She can communicate unilaterally due to her innate divine power, but as long as I dont disclose anything, this conversation will not leak.]
She didnt seem to be lying. In fact, the power of the World Tree I was feeling was extremely weak.
Given that she was responding so earnestly, I might as well listen to her story.
Alright, what do you need?
[Thank you.]
The World Tree of Time joyfully rustled the leaves above in the sky.
Then, she spoke.
[What I want to tell you is about the power you possess.]
Having fought and died against the Forest King once, she must know better than anyone the potential of his power.
Well Ive only properly used that power a few times. But considering Ive subdued an Ent and taken the authority of a World Tree, talking about the potential of this power would be stating the obvious.
[The vessel you possess has the potential to upset the world, even to the extent of destroying the foundations I have laid.]
The World Tree seemed well aware of that. Thats why many have been trying to kill me.
I waited for her next words. And the next thing the World Tree of Time said was a statement that defied my expectations.
[Therefore, if the time comes, I hope you will show mercy with your broad magnanimity.]
Thats it?
A groveling request from a lower position. Unbelievable.
On closer reflection, I found several contradictions in her request.
It doesnt make sense.
I could understand why she had been pleasing me so far and sharing all she knew it was all to make this request. But this request was too abstract and ambiguous.
What should I show mercy towards, and when? Without knowing the exact timing and target, I wouldnt be able to fulfill the World Trees request properly, even if the sky fell.
If she did all this just to say that, its ridiculous. Was she just clutching at straws?
However, the next words from the World Tree were somewhat shocking.
[I cannot speak of the future, as it goes against the laws of this world. I cannot defy them. If there is someone who can, they would be a being beyond the realms. I cant tell you the future I have sensed.]
She knew about the future.
It was as if my fate was already sealed, which made me doubt my ears.
So, youre saying youve seen my future?
That couldnt be.
If she had really seen the future, she wouldnt have been unaware of my identity when she first saw me. The World Tree of Time seemed to be seeing me for the first time in my dream.
But.
The World Tree anticipated such questions from me and began to earnestly explain her situation.
[I only have a vague feeling. Perhaps someone in the future has caused a sense of unease in the current me.]
You were supposed to die soon, right? Explain that.
[My power allows me to interfere with the past. But its very faint Only traces remain. Just as I thoughtlessly begged for your mercy without any basis.]
The surroundings gradually began to change.
The yellow garden turned into dry, cracked soil.
The sturdy roots that rose from the ground became dry and gaunt.
The World Tree of Time, now a dying tree, murmured with a twisted voice.
[I might die, but a World Tree inheriting my powers may appear in the future.]
I propped my chin and began to sort out the stories she had told.
So
The World Tree of Times power was to interfere with the past.
In the future, a tree inheriting that power grew, and that tree sent a message to the World Tree of Time from the future.
Could it be understood that way?
No, there was no other way to comprehend it.
Is that all it takes? Just talking?
[No.]
The World Tree of Time spoke decisively.
[The future I sense is one where even you are plunged into misfortune.]
[You need to become stronger, and you also need to visit the past.]
Visit the past?
[Through me.]
The conversation was taking a bizarre turn.
And you want me to believe that?
The World Tree of Time closed its mouth at this, then begged earnestly with a voice as if its throat was tearing.
[I know its suddenbut its the only way to prevent disaster. I act for the world I have created, but I am also on your side.]
The dying trees plea didnt feel like a lie. It was a decision that deepened my concerns. I exhaled several times, choking on my breath, and wrung my head.
What I could do now.
Heh.
I let out a hollow laugh as I pondered.
What was I even thinking about? Did I know what I was doing when I faced challenges in the past? The bizarre experience of entering the past seemed promising I wouldnt be targeted in the past, giving me ample time to research and enough to gain.
The most concerning thing was the possibility that the World Tree was lying and would trap me somewhere
But it doesnt seem like a lie.
My intuition said so. I trusted that intuition.
If I crumbled here, I wouldnt be worthy of being my masters disciple, considering what I would face in the future.
Alright. How long will it take?
[You will transcend time and return to this era. It shouldnt take more than 4 hours at most.]
I nodded silently.
The World Tree of Time rustled its leaves in thanks and then began to envelop my body with its magic.
-Woong woong!
Tiny particles, like spirits, wrapped around me from head to toe.
In less than 3 seconds, my view changed drastically.
The dizzying sensation felt like waking up urgently from a dream.
Flailing my arms, I fell onto the ground.
-Thud!
The frequent changes in the environment were disorienting.
Pressing down on my throbbing forehead, I got up and looked around.
Just an ordinary, common garden with pink petals fluttering in the wind. Beautiful.
But where was this?
I had no purpose or information, not knowing the time or place, sent here by the World Tree of Time.
Am I supposed to find something to do on my own?
It was a familiar task. Maybe I should take a look around this area.
With that thought, the moment I turned my back-
?
I locked eyes with a young girl standing behind me, dressed in black mourning clothes.
Her scarlet hair and familiar magic. The same power that someone I knew possessed.
-Gyawut.
The girl blinked and then respectfully bowed, greeting me formally.
This is the private property of Dowon (). May I ask what your business is here, if its not too rude?
Her pronunciation was clear, still with baby fat on her face. Adorably articulate.
Feeling a sense of familiarity, I was dumbstruck.
Could it be?
Surprised, I found myself murmuring to the girl without realizing.
Master?
Before me stood the young Cheonma, Cheondo, who taught me righteousness and life.
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