Chapter 109: Threat
"Oh my, Sunhak. So you were here. No, no, there's no need for you to come out to greet me. More importantly, are you even able to move in that condition?"
"You can just send your soul… Well, I suppose you could do that. But wouldn’t it be more appropriate for this junior to come find you instead? Now then, just a moment. It’s a bit noisy around here, so let me make it quieter first…"
"My, my. You take such good care of your own creations, yet you treat your junior so harshly. It pains me to see it, truly."
"Don’t worry. I’ve merely put them to sleep. Besides, I'm only observing what it is that you, Sunhak, have been trying to build. I have no intention of causing trouble."
"More importantly, what species were those creatures originally based on? They’re neither animal nor plant… What? You used plants as a base and added animalistic traits?"
"Wow… As expected of someone once called a Sage. I never imagined you had created a species by gathering only the best traits. But… why do they lack the ability to reproduce? From what I’ve seen, other than a single individual I encountered before, none of them seem to have the capability to pass on their lineage."
"Ah, so you sacrificed their reproductive ability to enhance their physical functions… Well, I suppose that makes sense. After all, you can always create more from the Tree of Life. How ruthless of you, Sunhak."
"You say you’re still better than Byeolbi…?"
"Oh, please. Are you truly one to speak, when you have stripped the unfortunate humans of this continent of even the chance to evolve? Speaking of which, have you found the answer to Byeolbi's question?"
"…No answer, I see. No, no, I would never dare to doubt you, Sunhak. It’s just that… Her daughter will be arriving here soon. Wouldn’t it be wise to prepare a convincing answer?"
"You already know, don’t you? ‘That person’ is watching over the child. Which means… they could come here at any time."
"A wise Sage like you must understand that. So… have you given up?"
"Ahaha, you’re awfully sensitive to a mere jest. But even this foolish, delinquent junior of yours can tell that you haven’t reached a proper conclusion."
"You should prepare something, Sunbae. It has been 2,500 years. Byeolbi has been waiting 2,500 years for your answer."
"To ‘that person,’ such a span of time is but a fleeting moment. But to you, a Sage who still remains human, that is not the case. Surely, after all this time, you must have come up with at least one answer."
"Sunhak. No… Ganian. I, Sikari, await the answer you have found after 2,000 years of inquiry."
—
"Welcome, students of Amaurus Academy. Originally, we had planned a grand welcoming ceremony, but… Hmm. Due to an unforeseen incident,’ I must ask for your understanding as we offer you only this humble reception."
"Something feels… off."
Since it was a forest, I hadn’t expected anything like a landing pad. I thought we’d have to walk after getting dropped off nearby, but surprisingly, there was one. Even so, just as Dogeon had pointed out, the atmosphere felt chaotic.
Even someone like me, who struggled to read the mood, could tell. Wreaths and decorations were scattered haphazardly on the ground, and in the distance, elves were clutching their heads as if trying to clear their minds, while others were carrying away those who had collapsed.
There was no smell of blood or death, so it didn’t seem like anything too severe had happened. But at the very least, it was clear that something significant had occurred.
"Elder, what happened here?"
As if trying to grasp the situation, Georg stepped forward and approached the elder who had come to greet us. However, the elder didn't seem to recognize him at all.
"My apologies for the rudeness, but… who might you be?"
Well, considering that their only similarity was their pointed ears, I suppose it made sense that the elder wouldn't recognize him. Their height and muscle mass were so drastically different.
"Hah. Just because I changed my outer shell a little, you fail to recognize me? How about now?"
Georg scoffed in disbelief before covering himself in mana. Curious about what he was trying to do, I watched blankly as the mana began to swirl around him.
"W-Wait, could it be… Elliot?! O-Oh! We wondered where you had disappeared without a word…!"
"How long are you going to keep calling me by that old name? I’m Georg, an old man. Save your awe for later—just tell me what happened. If it’s something dangerous, things are going to get troublesome."
The tanned, muscular brute had disappeared, and in his place stood a refined, handsome young man.
His fierce, scowling eyes and malicious-looking expression remained unchanged. But at least now, with his pale blue hair resembling both the elder’s and Cecilia’s, he actually looked like an elf.
Well… almost. His hair was such a washed-out sky blue that it was nearly white, and he lacked the cross-shaped pupils that elves were supposed to have. According to books, every elf had a cross in their eyes, but he didn't. Was he really an elf?
"A-Ah! But before that, let me first guide our guests to their lodgings. The disturbance happened over there, so if you wish, you may go take a look…"
The moment Georg heard "over there," he was already heading in that direction.
When I first learned that this unhinged, sociopathic professor had once been part of the Hero’s Party, I was beyond shocked.
But… I guess it was true. Seeing how the elder was acting so deferentially toward him.
As soon as he disappeared from sight, the students began murmuring among themselves.
"So that demon-looking guy actually looked like that?"
"Now that I think about it… I kind of want to attend his lectures again."
The elder and a few elves desperately tried to regain the students' attention, but it seemed their voices were drowned out by the excited chatter.
"...It's noisy."
"A-Ah, yeah. I guess it makes sense. I never imagined that demon-like professor would look like that…"
I assumed Dogeon was referring to Georg in a figurative sense, rather than mentioning Sikari.
Watching his dazed expression, I made sure to commit it to memory.
His bulging eyes, his slack jaw—it was a hilarious sight. After thoroughly engraving the image in my mind, I turned my attention to the elves still trying to regain control.
"I don’t like noise."
"Huh?"
Leaving Dogeon dumbfounded, I thought of the others who stood beside him.
I can’t forgive them. Even if I have to kill them all, I’ll take him back.
Just remembering it wasn’t enough to silence everyone. I had to think of something extreme.
When I opened my eyes again, all eyes were on me.
…It was overwhelming, but this was their fault for being so loud in the first place.
Still, I liked the silence. Now, the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
"…Ahem. Now, now, everyone! I know you’re excited, but shouldn’t we settle in first?"
Sensing the opportunity, Cecilia quickly intervened, drawing their attention away from me.
Some people were still staring, but… let them.
What could they even do to me?
Ignoring the still-stunned Dogeon, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him along. Cecilia shot me a complicated look, but I had no reason to care.
As expected of a place called the Great Forest, even the lodgings were made of trees. And I wasn’t speaking metaphorically—trees had literally grown into the shape of buildings, creating an eerily bizarre landscape.
“…There aren’t any bugs, are there?”
Even if there were, I could just tell them to stay away, and they’d understand. But just knowing that those things were nearby was enough to make my skin crawl.
I hadn’t minded them as a child, but now? Just the sight of them existing in the same space as me was disgusting.
Except for spiders. They barely moved and ate other bugs, so they got a pass.
I tossed my bag aside without care and went to check on Dogeon.
Anyone who tried to stare at me or strike up a conversation would scurry away the moment I glanced at them. It was ridiculously convenient.
Before, that kind of reaction would’ve hurt me. But now? I couldn’t care less.
Because now, there was someone truly important to me. Whatever the weeds by the roadside had to say didn’t matter in the slightest.
Since the buildings were made of living trees, they were far smaller than the academy dormitories. I had to walk a bit since Dogeon and I were assigned to different buildings.
I’d expected the presence of the oldest World Tree to make the air feel crisp and refreshing, but instead, the thick mana it exuded made me frown. Still, I had something I’d swiped from Dogeon’s locker, so it wasn’t unbearable.
Huh. That’s strange. I thought World Trees were supposed to release magical energy, not just raw mana.
That aside, the cool scent of the forest and the breeze that swept through my hair made for a pleasant walk, even in the middle of summer.
Humans are like machines—they need to move every now and then to avoid rusting. And in a few days, I’d be moving a lot.
Last time, I’d lost control and been a little inconsiderate. This time, I’d match his pace.
I reached the tree that housed his room, smiling at the thought. Third floor, room 306, was it?
I knocked, but there was no response.
There weren’t any security wards or anything, so I could’ve just opened the door. But on the off chance that he was changing, I pressed my ear against the door to check.
Aside from Yeonho meowing, I couldn’t hear anything.
…Where did she go?