Eat The World Tree

-Ding-ding-ding-ding!

-Click!

I turned off the alarm on my smartphone and groggily got out of bed.

I ripped open an energy bar on my desk, popped it in my mouth, and changed into suitable workout clothes after rummaging through my closet.

So sleepy.

Sleepy, but let’s get moving.

After putting on my sneakers at the entrance, I marked the calendar above the shoe rack with a pen.

-13th Day in Another World.

Today was the start of my daily workout.

-Gulp!

“Huff, gasp, huff.”

I ran at full speed from my lodging to Seoul Grand Park.

Normally, I wouldn’t have done this, but thinking I would fall behind even a step moved my body involuntarily.

The morning park, where I arrived, had people similar to me out for exercise.

Naturally, I joined them and ran along the walking path surrounding the dense forest.

“Hoo, hoo.”

What I was doing now was building basic stamina.

I had to raise my basic stats to get admitted to the academy.

There were times I wanted to give up, but the enhanced mental strength from my ability forcibly moved my body, grabbing my ankles when it came time for it. I walked when tired and ran when I recovered.

As time passed, more people started to appear in the park.

From now on, it was a battle with myself.

-Oh sh**, totally disgusting. How can someone look like that?

The harsh words people spat out when they saw me.

Even with earphones on, I could hear their words leaking out.

-Hey, even goblins aren’t that ugly, right? It’s fascinating.

While running, I thought deeply to myself.

-Oh, I really don’t want to see that guy. Let’s just leave, oppa.

-Hehehe, okay. Is our baby that disgusted? But really, it’s funny. Who passed on such a face?

-I don’t know. It’s just too ugly.

Hold it in, bear it.

Being insulted for my appearance has become a part of my daily life now.

It would be fortunate if it was just insults, but there were also people who left the park, frowning, just because they shared the air with me.

I had to control my anger while looking at them.

‘It’s understandable. My charisma is this low.’

I continued exercising while hypnotizing myself.

I wanted to coolly ignore them, but I, being human, couldn’t do that.

‘They said I’m ugly.’

That fact pricked my heart.

Indeed, my current charisma was at an unbelievable level.

[Charisma -2]

This appalling value didn’t just appear out of nowhere. The negative talents I had chosen to earn points were the root cause.

[Lustful Demon], [Ugly Appearance], [Severe Obesity].

The synergy they created was unexpected; the talents eventually made me uglier than a goblin.

So I could understand such gazes.

I admitted it.

I really could understand all of it.

[Quarrel Starter(F) is activated.]

I was swallowing my feelings.

“Why the hell do those bastards have to say out loud that I’m ugly?”

I had a disability.

[Quarrel Starter(F)]

-You cannot control your anger. You occasionally get angry without reason.

Anger Management Disorder.

I could understand, but it was not forgivable.

I naturally picked up a pebble on the ground and charged at the couple who insulted me.

“You bastards! What, do you have a share in my face!?”

“Aaaah!”

Just at that moment, when I was about to charge at the woman like a ghost.

-Click.

Someone forcefully grabbed my shoulder, restraining me.

“Causing a commotion in the park is prohibited.”

Squeeze-

Unable to resist the grip on my shoulder, I inevitably dropped the pebble.

Turning my head, I saw a familiar woman, smartly dressed in a suit, giving me a slight smile.

“Your presence?”

A sentence as cold as midwinter frost instantly cooled my boiling rage. At this moment, I was genuinely thankful that my temperament had some sense.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I obediently followed the security guard.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes.”

“You know how many times this has been, right?”

“It’s the seventh time.”

“……Ha.”

Walking along, the short conversation made the seemingly irritated security guard let out a deep sigh.

Her fist was shaking, perhaps due to anger.

“You know, but you still do it? Really, if you continue, you’ll be banned from entering. No, today you crossed the line. Why did you pick up the pebble from the ground?”

“Well, today I thought the Quarrel Starter wouldn’t activate, but somehow-”

“I’ve heard that excuse more than nine times. Think from my perspective. Every time there’s an incident, you’re always involved. Wouldn’t I be frustrated?”

“I’m sorry.”

I kept my mouth shut and bowed my head repeatedly.

I sincerely felt sorry for the security guard who has been dealing with me since I arrived in this world. If possible, I’d do anything for her.

Thinking about it, she never cursed at my face. Instead, she approached me fairly.

“Sigh, I’m sorry. I really won’t come again.”

“It’s good if that’s true. But if you want to work out, wouldn’t it be better to go to the gym?”

“They told me not to come.”

“…….”

Looking at me, pity filled the security guard’s eyes.

Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my neck and smiled at her.

Being ugly didn’t just affect the gym.

Adulteration in the food I ordered became commonplace. There were times when the police came while I was standing there, saying there was a suspicious person.

‘Being ugly is a sin…….’

[The 'World Tree of Purity' that was lurking smiles, saying it still loves you.]

‘What’s the use of being loved by a tree.’

Even if I did something crazy, I was not a tree hugger.

Even thinking about it now was ridiculous, and it made him shiver.

His self-serving action had accidentally connected him to the intimate part of the world tree.

‘Just wait.’

I hated my pathetic situation, manipulated by the world tree.

Thinking of the Pure, whatever that disturbed my peace and comfort, just irritated me.

I read through the hologram window in front of me.

---

[Through strenuous exercise, stamina increases by 0.01!]

[Through strenuous exercise, stamina increases by 0.01!]

[Through strenuous exercise, stamina increases by 0.01!]

.

.

.

.

---

My latent potential was exploding at this very moment.

The ability was rising faster than the weight was being lost.

I would undoubtedly achieve an average status within 100 days.

“You can go now. Bringing you here was just for appearances.”

“Yes. I will never come again.”

For that, I needed to exercise more intensively.

With a bow full of gratitude, I left the park.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Then, a cleared throat sounded from behind me.

“Starting tomorrow, it opens at 3 am… if you’re going to exercise, do it then. And don’t cause trouble and get caught like last time.”

“Oh. Really?”

“Don’t like it?”

“No, I love it. I will definitely repay this kindness.”

“Fine, who’s going to accept that love from you anyway.”

Uglier than a goblin.

This was the first time someone cared for me despite seeing this face of mine.

Considering it even allowed me to meet such a kind person. Was this the effect of having 10 luck? I sincerely expressed my gratitude to the security guard as I headed home.

---

[Name]

Lee Shiheon (Prospective Husband of the World Tree)

[Age/Height/Weight]

20 / 174cm / 99.18kg

[Stats]

-Strength 4.2

-Endurance 2.0

-Agility 1.1

-Stamina 3.8

-Mana 0.0

-Charm –2.0

-Intelligence 5

-Potential 20

-Luck 10

Unique Traits (0)

Skills Owned (0)

Attributes (5)

---

“Dropped below three digits.”

I whispered while dripping sweat.

A month after starting the exercise, my efforts bore fruit.

I was so happy that I stretched both hands to the ceiling and shouted.

“Uaaaah!”

Today was a good day.

Thanks to the sweet help of the lovely security guard and exercising without worries, my weight, which was 120 on the first day, had finally reached two digits.

If I continued to exercise at this rate, I would definitely return to the normal track. Then, I could escape from this annoying obesity and this damn negative charm.

Let’s keep going like this.

I smiled and turned off the info window. A new icon appeared in the right corner of my view.

-World Tree Auction

A pink and cute icon. Soon, a description popped up.

[The World Tree Auction is a shop accessible only by the World Tree's husband and prospective husbands. It uses the affection of the World Tree and the Tree People towards you as currency. The only currency accepted is points (p).]

You could convert the affection of the World Tree into points and use them like money.

Seeing that sentence, I couldn’t help but sigh.

There was nothing to look forward to.

Strictly speaking, I assaulted the World Tree; how high could the affection be? Doing it outside… no, it didn’t erase the crime even if I didn’t do it.

‘It seemed like it liked me from the chats. But I don’t know if that’s real affection.’

I went into the shop.

[Now's your chance! From F-grade items to EX-grade unique traits! 100p for 1 time!]

[A Spirit Company Set gift for you to gather the World Tree's affection. 90000p → 45000p.]

[A wonderful night with the World Tree! 5p for a box of spiked condoms.]

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the variety of items for sale. From random draws to package products. Cunning tactics one would expect from money-hungry game companies were cluttered in the shop.

I scrolled through the smartphone screen, shopping.

The important thing was the money I had.

[Your initial p is determined by (current affection of the World Trees x 100).]

[The number of World Trees focusing on you is (1).]

▶The pink love of the 'World Tree of Purity' is directed at you! [Current Affection 100]

[10,000p will be provided. From now on, points can be acquired through quests and relationships with the World Tree or its descendants, the Tree People.]

“…Why is the affection like this?”

I rubbed my eyes and checked again, but nothing changed.

Affection 100. I wasn’t sure if it was the limit, but it certainly wasn’t a small number.

‘Why is this one crazy?’

Honestly, I didn’t do anything to win the World Tree’s favor.

Rather, I avoided doing so.

Fearing that it might kick me out of this world if it disliked me, I always cursed the World Tree when I was pessimistic about my situation.

But why…

Suddenly, one thought crossed my mind.

The circumstances that brought me here. A single act of sex.

I immediately denied it, but there was room to reconsider that thought.

I sat in my room, caught my breath, and pulled down my pants.

From childhood, my noteworthy part, which was incomparable to others, proudly hung there.

“No way… hey, if you’re there, answer.”

The World Tree didn’t speak.

['The World Tree of Purity' is blushing.]

It just answered with a reaction.

“Thi-this…”

Realizing the situation, despair rushed in.

[Quarrel Starter is activated.]

“You filthy, lewd trees!”

In a world where many World Trees were considered sacred.

A world where you became stronger under the protection of the World Trees.

A questionable world where those with even a small favor from the World Tree become privileged.

In that world, I seduced a World Tree with a single act.

“AAAAAH!”