The World Tree of Purity's favorability is off the charts.
Does that even make sense?
In this world, the term "World Tree" carries immense universal value.
Even in online articles, any hot topic is always prefixed with something like "Even the World Tree finds this noteworthy."
Contracts between companies or nations aren't sealed with mana oaths but with this weird ritual called the "Sacred Tree's Vow."
So, a being as noble and revered as the center of the world falling in love after one romp? Come on.
⚙ WORLD TREE AUCTION ⚙▶ World Tree of Purity: ♥♥♥♥♥ (100/100) ▶ None ▶ None
※ You need bonds with more Saplings and Sacred Trees.
Of course, it could just be a misunderstanding.
Maybe her favorability hit 100 simply because I'm tagged as a "husband candidate."
'Gonna need to do some research.'
The meaning of World Trees here. The differences between World Trees, Saplings, and Sacred Trees.
I should hit the library sometime soon.
Still, it's not a bad thing. High favorability means I can snag valuable resources.
10,000p is no small change by this world's standards.
I methodically browsed the World Tree Auction.
What I needed right now were traits or abilities fitting for admission to El Academy, under the World Tree of Justice.
'Get into a top school just to prep for entrance exams again...'
From my earlier scan, there weren't many abilities available for direct purchase with points.
The auction mostly sold items, gear, consumables.
Unique traits, aptitudes, skills? Mostly gacha only.
'100 pulls.'
That's how many I could do with my points. Few buyable items were immediately useful.
'I know gambling's a fast track to ruin.'
But that's what Luck is for, right? I slammed the button, and a PET bottle popped into existence mid-air.
⚙ GA CHA RESULT ⚙▶ Mineral Water (F)
[Type: Consumable]
- Saplings in their youth might like this.
(New item added to shop. Gacha items can be repurchased.)
"Holy shit."
I twisted off the cap, chugged half, and chucked the bottle into the corner. My hidden competitive streak ignited.
Lee Si-heon here—can't stand losing. I mashed the button five times in a row.
⚙ GA CHA RESULTS ⚙▶ Sapling Fertilizer (E)
[Type: Consumable]
- With this, you can monopolize a young Sapling's love!
▶ Mask of Endurance (B)
[Type: Equipment]
- A lascivious aura clings to it. An ugly mask, but absorb its energy over time and you might turn stylish.
- Effect 1: While worn, Charm is fixed at 2.
- Effect 2: Wear for 5 days to increase Charm by up to 1. One-time use.
※ Cannot be used multiple times.
▶ Mineral Water (F) x3
- Details omitted.
The results confirmed it.
"Mineral water's total trash."
Four out of six? That's like raffle tissue paper level.
Sapling Fertilizer's one step above water... like a 5,000-won culture gift certificate from a raffle. But the Mask of Endurance? That's on par with a 200,000-won department store voucher.
- Fixes Charm at 2, wear 5 days for +1 Charm.
An artifact that hooked me instantly.
My Charm's negative right now, so just wearing it gives a +4 boost, plus growth potential? Who'd say no?
For someone like me, whose self-esteem's in the gutter after all the shit-talk lately, it was essential.
'Luck 10 paying dividends.'
But flip it around: To others, Charm 2 is still an ugly guy?
Then what the hell is -2?
⚠️ World Tree of Purity Alert ⚠️(Goblin or worse!) The World Tree of Purity informs you.
The World Tree cleared up my curiosity.
Yeah, fucking figures.
I shoved appearance thoughts aside and hammered the button until something useful dropped.
-Tap tap tap tap tap tap!
⚙ GA CHA RESULTS ⚙▶ Sword Talent (E)
[Type: Aptitude]
- Decent talent for wielding swords. Easier to manifest sword aura.
▶ Magic Talent (D)
[Type: Aptitude]
- Decent talent for handling mana. Good aptitude for learning magic.
🎉 World Tree Blessing! 🎉▶ Combat-Type Physique (S)
"A keen sense is a truly violent talent in battle."
[Type: Unique Trait]
- Effect 1: Significant bonuses to all combat actions.
Exactly on the 67th pull, amid fanfare, the ability I'd been waiting for appeared.
"Oh, oh, ooooh!"
I jumped up, slapped my thigh, and cheered.
No matter how you slice it, a great ability. In a world overrun by cult World Trees, Combat-Type Physique would be a solid ally.
Of course, I'd gotten junk too.
Water, water, fertilizer.
Looking at the pile behind me, sorting it all made me sigh.
What to do with this crap?
Thirty neat bottles of Mineral Water. Chug 'em during workouts.
Fertilizer? Dump it at a nearby farm.
But the real issue: tissues and other random junk piling up.
"At least the high-rank stuff's this..."
A mysterious red-glowing pill.
If it boosted inner energy or mana, I'd shove it in my mouth. But it's not for humans.
⚙ GA CHA RESULT ⚙▶ Tree Pill (B) x3
- A rare elixir for growing sprouts. Infused with pure energy, greatly aids young Saplings' growth. But humans who eat it are in for trouble.
From pull frequency, it's one step above Sapling Fertilizer. Like a 500,000-won department store voucher?
Still trash I can't use.
What to do with it?
Too high-rank to give away, no immediate use. I stuffed the Tree Pills into the pocket of my zip-up tracksuit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
It's been two months since I got dragged into this unwanted world.
Takes a week to adjust to a new place normally, so after 60+ days, it's gotta feel familiar.
World Trees yapping on home shopping or the net? Numb to it now.
Living here's starting to feel routine.
Mom back home and no online games aside, it's not much different from before.
-Ding~
"Welcome~ Looking for anything specific?"
Part of that routine today: hitting the department store for clothes that fit.
After all the workouts, I could shop normal stores instead of big-and-tall.
"Where're the tracksuits?"
"Tracksuits? Right corner, sorted by size."
"Thanks. I'll browse alone."
I waved off the hovering clerk and started picking.
Four timeless black tracksuits. Sleeveless tees and undies for home.
My 1-million-won bank account from arrival was running dry.
But it's fine. Pass the Academy, and the government funds you through graduation.
As I shopped, chatter from the clustered clerks at the counter drifted over.
"Hey, a Sacred Tree just pulled up outside."
"No way? Who? Which family?"
"Lee Se-young of the Oak Family!!"
"OMG, insane. Let's go see."
Sacred Tree?
Couldn't ignore that. I set down the clothes and peeked out. Massive crowd jammed the street.
"Kyaa! Look over here~!"
-Click click click click!
Cameras flashed nonstop.
Far down the sidewalk, bodyguards in black suits shielded a woman.
Tall, around 170cm, smiling sweetly at fans.
Mid-twenties face radiating ripe allure.
"That's... a Sacred Tree?"
My jaw dropped.
Green bob to her shoulders, red dress barely covering her chest.
Tracing her collarbone up: a red oak choker lewdly hugging her neck.
Was I staring too hard?
The Sacred Tree noticed and locked eyes with me.
"?"
"...!"
Her eyes widened like she'd spotted something curious.
Behind her refined face, the silhouette of a stately Emperor Oak loomed.
I muttered without thinking.
"...Emperor Oak."
Probably, maybe, the tree's name.
She smirked foxily, deliberately licked her upper lip.
Then slowly sauntered my way.
She closed the gap faster than the crowd pushed me back.
As distance shrank, her bodyguard finally blocked me.
"Step aside."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
She shoved past the suited guard, eyes scanning my mask.
I flinched; she giggled.
"You... got some good stuff there?"