Eat The World Tree

Chapter 258: The Leaf’s Choice (2)

[Greeting.]

“Good day.”

[Is that all?]

A booming voice reverberated throughout the room.

The place where the tree, Merri, was planted was a space filled with bright, white light radiating from all directions. It seemed that this light served as a substitute for sunlight.

The soil on the ground was not ordinary either. It was densely packed with magical energy, and if I scooped it up with a trowel, it seemed like it would be useful for many things.

[See? This is why humans are hopeless. Who just gives a simple greeting when asked?]

There were women who could imitate the voices of children, and the voice Merri was making now was quite similar to that type. If you thought of it kindly, it could be considered a cute voice; if not, it would be an annoying one. Among the people I knew, Maronnie had the cutest voice, but this one was slightly more childish.

However, unlike Maronnie’s clear and pleasant voice, this one was oddly unpleasant. Maybe because it came from a tree. Despite being twenty-eight, it didn’t sound like it.

I responded with an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know much in this area since I’m from an inferior species. If you could teach me, Lady Merri, I would try my best.”

Swallowing my pride was something I could do over and over again. If it could get me through this, I’d even lick the roots. But I knew this: if someone set their mind to tearing a person down, they could nitpick anything.

I learned that in the army. A real soldier could chew you out for an hour just over your rank and name.

[When did I say you could call me Merri? Do you think my name is a joke?]

“No, I think it’s a very beautiful name.”

[Beautiful? Ha, who are you to judge me?]

See? A person who’s pretty skilled at grinding others down. She seemed like the type who grew up bothering others, like a princess. Not a hothouse flower, but a living tumor, a tumor.

[You’re a cadet here to undergo trials, a cadet. Not a National Tree, not a Tree Person, just an inferior cadet. But if your attitude is this bad from the start, what am I supposed to do? Are you crazy, or do you think you can take me lightly?]

“I apologize.”

[Which academy did you attend? What’s your name?]

“El Academy.”

[Ha, even El Academy has fallen so low.]

Merri rapidly spat out insults directed at me. In times like this, trying to fight back would be pointless. You just had to quietly bow your head, clasp your hands, and wait for time to pass. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can let your mind wander. Otherwise, you might get hit with a “What did I just say?” backlash.

[This is why I hate humans; they lack basic decency. What’s your name?]

“Lee Shiheon.”

[Lee Shiheon? Even your name sounds trashy, like a criminal.]

-Chuckle.

[Do you have a lover?]

“…No.”

[Figures. Anyone dating you would be an idiot.]

As Merri harshly criticized me, humans, and even lovers from all angles, I thought to myself:

‘…I’m craving some tofu.’

I wasn’t really craving it, but while I could understand insults directed at me, it was hard not to feel slighted when she dragged lovers into it. I kept my head down and said nothing.

Somehow, I would get through this.

The only thing I could do was try to match this woman’s? tastes to the best of my ability.

Before long, Merri shouted.

[Enough.]

“Pardon?”

[Get out.]

I hadn’t even gone through any trials. When she said that, I dumbfoundedly asked again. Then Merri shouted so loudly that I had to cover my ears.

[Get out! I’m not in the mood to give you a trial today!]

“…Understood. I’ll return at the same time tomorrow.”

Just before leaving, I bowed as obsequiously as possible.

“Please stay well.”

-Click.

I carefully closed the door so quietly that it made no sound. The connection with the tree surprisingly lasted longer, and I faintly heard Merri’s voice from inside the room.

[Ah, that felt good.]

‘…That chick is insane.’

The craziest in the world. A human-hater.

I seriously felt the need to reconsider how to deal with this mitochondria-deficient person. Merri’s personality was excessively rough. She was too fiery. I wasn’t sure if she was like this only towards me, but even her chloroplasts seemed like they’d be bright red.

‘She hates humans… She probably gave a proper trial to that Tree Person, Lim Jonghyun.’

Her affinity towards me was certainly at rock bottom.

“Sigh.”

I swallowed dryly, deep in thought. What would it take to persuade that woman? If I acted rashly, I could very well end up failing.

I expected that Merri would try to torment me as much as possible, only to eliminate me on the very last day. You don’t need to see the thoughts of people like that to know what they’re thinking. Trash knows trash.

-Clack.

At that moment, another door opened. A woman walked out of Room 512. Wearing white tights, slightly dark-colored familiar blue hair, and holding a staff that maintained the same light as before. Her large hat, like a witch’s hat, had big buttons attached.

When she turned her head and made eye contact with me, I couldn’t help but stare.

“Ugh….”

Maronnie. France’s National Tree. But for some reason, when she introduced herself to me, she said she was a cadet from Manhattan Academy.

Having entered a terrible dungeon during the first trial and been in a miserable state, it was an unfortunate fate if anything.

“Lonnie?”

“…Didn’t I tell you not to talk to me?”

Maronnie, who had shown a reluctant expression toward me, blushed slightly and clenched her eyes as if recalling that event. She immediately walked past me, her steps firm.

It seemed she was trying her best to ignore me.

“What about the tree you met? Did it give you a trial?”

“Of course, didn’t it?”

“No, it didn’t. I was just kicked out for being human.”

“…”

Maronnie, who had replied curtly, paused at my words. She said nothing, as if the situation I described was too absurd for her.

“…You’re unlucky. Well, do your best.”

With that, Maronnie walked away, her heels clicking as she left. I watched her retreating figure intently.

Well, there was a social gathering in the afternoon, so if she wanted to rest, this was the only time.

-Second Trial, The Leaf’s Choice.

Now that the number of cadets had clearly decreased after the first trial, the academy set up a kind of meeting to foster camaraderie and potential connections between us. If you were lucky, you could even get the chance to meet and befriend a National Tree, making it an excellent opportunity for the cadets. From 2 to 4 PM daily. Extensions were possible if desired, and it could also end early. Typically, it was customary to spend those two hours sharing the hardships and scars of cadet or hunter life.

‘…It’s the perfect timing to search for Flower.’

Honestly, I was looking forward to it. While I wasn’t as good at psychological interrogation as a psychologist, I thought I might be able to dig up something suspicious if I played my cards right.

But now, I had one more thing to worry about. I clicked my tongue bitterly as I looked at the room where Mary was.

Forget about the meeting; I was at risk of being eliminated. I let out a dry laugh and sat on the bench. Now that I had enough strength, other problems were starting to arise.

‘It’s far too early to give up.’

As always, I needed to find a way.

---

Every day at 2 PM.

A randomly held meeting. A time to converse, foster friendships, and possibly establish connections with future colleagues. Who knows? The meetings held here might become precious relationships that one would be proud of later on. In line with that intention, and at Byeol’s request to find Flower, I made sure not to miss these meetings.

“So.”

I started the conversation. To Maronnie, whose face was turning bright red in front of me.

“Weren’t you the one who told me not to talk to you, Maronnie?”

We sat across from each other at a round table in a small room, having tea and snacks while chatting. I lightly waved the paper I had in my hand, almost as if boasting.

-Maronnie Blanche.

That was the name written on the paper of the person I was to meet today.

Maronnie had introduced herself as Lonnie, hiding the fact that she was a National Tree. She even went as far as saying she was from Manhattan Academy. I didn’t know the reason, but she seemed to want to appear as a regular person. When we were in the dungeon, we might have called each other by name during that intimate moment. But I was too frenzied at the time, so I didn’t remember clearly. Maronnie probably remembered it the same way.

Today would be the day her secret was revealed.

“Got nothing to say? No? Really?”

“…Ha. Ah, geez! Seriously.”

Blanche, who had slumped over the table, covered her forehead with her hand.

“…I’m so unlucky.”

She muttered quietly to herself. Maronnie, who had buried her face in her arms, lifted her head slightly to look at me. She had a look that resembled a cat on the table, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Since it’s already out, I’ll just say it. As a National Tree, I command you: don’t acknowledge me.”

“So, are we just going to sit here quietly for two hours?”

“…..”

“Or was this not our first meeting?”

We had agreed to bury and forget what happened back then. Technically, our first encounter was in the basement. That’s the official story, but honestly, I needed Maronnie’s power right now.

“It was… our first meeting, I guess.”

Maronnie agreed. She raised her still-red face and slyly extended her hand like a cat’s paw.

“Then let’s start with greetings again.”

“Lee Shiheon.”

“…Maronnie Blanche. You might not have known, but I’m a National Tree.”

We clasped hands. Feeling the soft touch of her hand, I slightly tightened my grip for a handshake. It wasn’t a bad thing to reestablish our relationship. If Maronnie was willing to do that.

Of course, even if she slapped me and walked out right now, I wouldn’t have much to say.

‘How much did I actually do back then?’

I didn’t remember much after getting hit by magic. I vaguely knew Maronnie said something to me, but the memories got fuzzy over time.

Ultimately, the choice was Maronnie’s. As I looked at her, she stared blankly at our clasped hands.

“Maronnie?”

“……”

Her eyes looked dazed as she stared at our joined hands, like a girl’s eyes. When I released the handshake, Maronnie took her hand back and stared intently at it. She seemed to be deep in thought.

“Huh?”

-Sszzz.

“Huh? Wh-what?”

Her cheeks flushed. Maronnie’s face turned red up to her ears. Suddenly, she shivered and stood up from her chair.

“…What’s wrong?”

“W-wait. Don’t talk to me….”

What’s wrong with her suddenly? Her reaction was so intense that I was taken aback too. I slowly stood up and looked at her.

“Are you hurt?”

“…Huh? Yes. Yes! I am. Why is this happening to me suddenly?”

Flailing her hands in confusion, Maronnie spoke nonsensically. I activated the power of healing as I approached her. As I tried to reach out to her, she flinched in surprise. Forcing her hand into mine, I infused her with healing power, but something felt stuck in the middle.

‘But she’s healthy.’

The power had no effect at all.

I tilted my head as I held Maronnie’s small, white wrist and looked up. She didn’t seem like the type to pretend to be sick, but then I noticed that her face had turned as red as a bomb about to explode in a game.