episode_0053

“Are you ready to absorb it now?”

The main body, the tree house.

As I returned home, Shaela, lying on the bed, looked at me and asked, reaching out for my hand.

More precisely, the staff in my hand.

It’s Ataliksha’s dimensional stem.

I wonder what this taste will be like.

“I didn’t bring it for decoration. I have to taste it to know what it’s like.”

Thud!-

I stuck the staff into the floor of the main house.

Swoosh~

The stem rose up, grabbed the staff, and slowly pulled it down to the ground.

“Do you feel the taste even when you eat that?”

“You’ll never know. It’s like being a plant and consuming something.”

“I’m not really interested.”

“I’ll focus on the main body now.”

“Okay~”

Ignoring Shaela watching from the bed, I sat my astral body on the floor.

Crackle~

I shifted my consciousness to the main body.

Honestly, absorbing a small stem might not make much of a difference, but I keep feeling a subtle sensation that I can’t ignore.

There must be something I need.

I immediately fused the dimensional stem with the main stem.

It feels like forcibly incorporating a separated stem into my body.

Grrrr.

As they fused, the information from Ataliksha’s dimensional stem was transmitted to the main body.

Crack.

Aaargh!!!-

My consciousness flew to the distant side.

*

Top ???th floor.

“Who are you and why have you come here?”

A gentle voice.

As I regained my senses, a middle-aged man with giant gray hair was looking down at me.

‘Where… is this?’

Confusingly, the place I was standing was a blank white plain with nothing, and the sky was a universe with twinkling stars.

A space where the laws of the world seemed to be broken.

I had been transported here by a strange force when I absorbed Ataliksha.

And in front of me…

“Can you see me?”

The giant man looked down at me.

Because I had shrunk, he looked incredibly huge.

He seemed like a significant being, but I couldn’t sense anything like Shaela.

“You seem confused yourself. Well, you probably didn’t come here on purpose. This is a space where even I can’t leave. You probably came here related to Ataliksha….”

The man stared at me with eyes that held nothing.

In the form of a seedling, I can fortunately control myself.

Swoosh.

I controlled the seedling to take on a humanoid form with just a fist-sized leaf.

“Who are you?”

“Oh?”

His voice was thin, perhaps due to his small size.

Without hesitation, I looked up at the man.

“You seem to have a different perspective than a normal World Tree. You have human values.”

Swoosh.

The man sat down and scrutinized me closely. His eyes, a pearly white, seemed to pierce through me.

“I asked who you are.”

“Hehehe. That’s my line. But since it’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation partner, I’ll tell you first. I am the creator of the Tower, Inishal.”

“…The creator of the Tower?… Are you the owner of the Tower?”

“I’m not the owner. I’ve been driven out and hiding in a place like this.”

“….?”

“This time, I’ll ask. Young World Tree, what’s your relationship with Ataliksha? She couldn’t have come here without her, right?”

The man’s question.

There’s no hostility.

It feels like asking and answering one by one.

Since I’m curious about his questions anyway, I answered as I knew.

“Ataliksha is dead. An elf who survived protected the dead Ataliksha, and when he gave me a dimensional stem, I absorbed it. When I came to my senses, I was here.”

“Heh… so this was all planned. It’s so obvious that it’s easily understandable. I was consumed by anger, so I couldn’t avoid death while carrying out my plans.”

​

“I heard that there were holes all over the tower, as if someone was trying to break it down, and it seems like they were caught and killed.”

​

“I see… so it’s fortunate that you came here through Atalisha’s guidance.”

​

He nodded in understanding by himself.

​

Now it’s time for questions from this side.

He asked the most curious question.

​

“Where is this place? You claim to be the creator, so why are you trapped here? Is it related to Atalisha?”

​

“Well… that will be a bit of a long answer. Since we’re already talking about it, let me start from the beginning.”

​

The man began his story.

​

The creator of the tower, Initial.

He created the tower to enslave and revive several worlds on the brink of destruction, and collaborated with fellow gods to create a system that unified the will and order of the worlds enslaved by the tower.

​

However, although Initial designed the tower, it could not have been established without the cooperation of the world trees and gods of various worlds.

The world tree that contributed the most at that time was Atalisha, who was a collaborator of Initial.

​

At this moment, I understood.

The benevolent god that Migna mentioned was Initial.

​

“So… was the tower created with good intentions? Why is it like this now?”

​

“You can see it with your own eyes. It’s because I was driven out of here. I thought we shared the same goal, but my companion turned out to be different. Somehow, I ended up fleeing all the way here.”

​

“Betrayed by the gods? How many of them are there?”

​

“Well, I’m not sure about that either. However, I can tell you who the current owner of the tower is. He was the most dedicated ally to my plan.”

​

“…Who is it?”

​

“It’s a god named Estel. She-”

​

Another long story began.

​

In summary…

​

There was a god named Estel.

She had the ability to oversee the world and was the most helpful in creating the system.

However, shortly after the completion of the tower, Estel began to arbitrarily manage the worlds enslaved by the system, bestowing the titles of ruler and administrator and creating subordinates to rule the tower, including gods from other worlds.

​

Naturally, Initial opposed her intentions.

Nevertheless, Estel continued to use the power of the tower to invade other worlds, absorbing even intact worlds and ruling the tower as she pleased.

​

In the end, was it all predetermined?

Initial fought a fierce battle with Estel.

But he was defeated by Estel, who used the power of the tower, and Atalisha rescued Initial and hid him in a space where no one could reach.

​

The story then connects to Migna’s story.

Atalisha fled to the 0th floor of the tower, planning to destroy it, but was caught and killed.

That was the outcome.

​

“I think that’s enough for you to understand why the tower has become like this.”

​

“……..”

​

It’s… too sudden.

I unexpectedly learned the truth about the tower.

I had been thinking only about protecting the village and living well, but I met the creator of the tower and learned the truth about it.

​

It feels like…

​

‘A cliché…’

​

I feel like I’ve become the one who should correct the tower.

Even though I had no interest in it.

​

“Now, I want to hear your story. What have you been doing outside?”

​

I let out a thin sigh.

After hearing this story, why would I hide my insignificant story?

​

“I fell to the 0th floor of the tower. As you can see, I am a plant, and I absorbed various things before discovering Atalisha and swallowing the dimensional stem to come here.”

​

“Isn’t that too summarized? No, it’s fine. What I want to know is your identity.”

​

“My identity?”

“I see you. Young World Tree.”

​

Pah~

​

The old man’s milky white eyes bore into me.

It truly felt like he was seeing right through me.

​

“Why have you inherited the spirit of a human?”

​

“…What are you talking about?”

​

“Have you completely assimilated into humans?”

​

“…What do you mean?”

​

“I sense your desperation. Were you just longing to live?”

​

“…Why are you suddenly saying this…”

​

Why is that?

A feeling of sadness washed over me.

I felt understood, even though I didn’t understand the sorrow and injustice within me.

​

It felt like a thousand years had passed in that one minute.

He seemed to understand.

​

Tap.

​

He placed a finger on my small leafy body.

​

“Young World Tree. You are not human. Do not be bound forever.”

​

“….”

​

Somehow, I understood his words.

I had questioned it multiple times before.

I had brought forth unbelievable abilities, and Shael had also raised doubts within me.

I now faced the fact that I had vaguely realized.

​

My true identity….

​

“You are still a young World Tree that has grown by absorbing a human as a foothold.”

​

“I… I wasn’t human?”

​

“I do not know the exact truth. However, I understand that you are a World Tree wearing the guise of a human.”

​

“But isn’t it the other way around?….”

​

“Yes.”

​

“But it’s strange. Both the plant and I were experiments. What does being a World Tree mean…”

​

“Even if you cannot see the past, I understand that you were part of the World Tree and its seed. You may have undergone significant changes, but… your essence is that of a World Tree.”

​

“….”

​

I feel like something is floating.

Even though I fully understood his words and my situation, I felt like I was denying myself, as if it were not true. Knowing the clear answer made it even more confusing.

​

No matter how I look at it, I was human.

I was sure I was human….

​

Was I not?

​

“Are you shocked?”

​

“I’m just… foolish. It didn’t make sense from the beginning that a human could become a plant. It’s impossible with human genetic material. Yet, I was blatantly denying it. I believed without deep thought that I was human.”

​

“It’s fascinating. Understanding and responding to the abilities of the World Tree from a human perspective. You are rational and quick to accept, yet not quite human-like.”

​

“So I thought of myself as a monster.”

​

“…Is that so.”

​

“But… I wasn’t?”

​

I started to feel a bit overwhelmed.

However, I couldn’t define whether this feeling was joy or sadness.

​

Not a monster.

Yet, I felt more like a monster.

​

Even though I had realized….

My values did not change entirely.

I still felt like a monster, floating in the wrong identity, questioning why I existed.

​

Thud-

​

“…What is it.”

​

There was no time to dwell on thoughts.

Suddenly, the surrounding space distorted.

​

“Oh no. Atalisha’s power is fading. It will be difficult to have a peaceful conversation.”

​

“Does that mean I have to go back? Can’t you come back with me?”

​

There are still many questions I want to ask.

This level of conversation is insufficient. I need more information.

​

It would be good to go back together if possible….

​

“It’s impossible. Just remember this. Someday, when you fully absorb Atalisha’s power, come find me. If you can bring me out of here, I will help you destroy the corrupt tower.”

​

“What does that mean…”

​

“That’s all I have to say. Let’s meet again if possible. Waiting is familiar to me, so I will wait here indefinitely.”

​

“Wait!!-”

​

Swoosh!!-

​

Consciousness faded away completely.

Everything turned white and then black.

When I came to, I was back in my original body, feeling the peaceful village around me.

​

As if nothing had happened.

​

It felt like…

A precarious peace.

​

*

​

Swoosh.

​

I merged with the elf body.

Shayla, who was sitting up in bed, turned her head abruptly.

“Have you finished absorbing?”

“……Yes.”

“……?”

Shayla tilted her head as if puzzled.

Covering the front with a blindfold, he stared at me intently.

“Why do you look sad?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just looked sad.”

“It’s not at all.”

Shayla got up and approached me swiftly.

“Tell me. What’s wrong?”

Indeed, what’s different about gods.

They are too quick-witted.

Then what should I say?

Met the Creator of the Tower?

Atalisha’s story?

The truth about the Tower?

No, what came out of my mouth wasn’t any of that.

It was already a useless story that I understood.

“Shayla. Do I look like a monster?”

As foolish as it was to ask such a question, I was curious about what he would answer.

It was really nothing, and I understood everything, but strangely, I was nervous.

“……”

A moment of silence.

Shayla stared blankly for a moment, then sat down next to me with a determined smile.

“Hug~”

Pat.

A hand rested on my shoulder.

His smiling face came closer.

“Want a hug?”

“What, what do you mean?”

“Hug~ You’re young. Very young.”

“…What?”

Snicker.

“You can be younger~ I don’t know why you suddenly ask if you’re a monster or something, but before that, you’re just a kid. So I’m taking care of you!”

“Young… kid?……”

Chuckle.

One corner of my mouth twisted on its own.

The recent dilemma flew to the other side.

My mind was filled with how to refute that statement.

At the same time.

“Right. That expression suits you better.”

Pat.

Swoosh~

Shayla moved his hand on my shoulder and placed it on my head.

“So be good to me in the future. It’s a great honor for me to take care of you.”

Unlucky.

Divided to the point.

Reluctant to admit.

Yet, I felt resigned to it.

Pat!

“What are you saying. Small thing.”

I brushed his hand away in embarrassment.

He laughed softly in response.

Which was also unfortunate.

“Yeah, yeah~ If you ever feel overwhelmed in the future, talk to me. I’ll listen.”

Pat pat.

He patted my back.

This was also unfortunate, but…

Somehow, my foggy mind cleared up.

With a clear head, things were easily sorted out.

The reason didn’t matter.

I reassured myself.

I am neither a monster nor a child.

No, thinking about it was pointless in itself.

Life is what it is, and there’s no point in getting lost in philosophical dilemmas.

A minute that felt like 10,000 years had passed.

Now my time is flowing. How I fill that minute is up to me.

That’s my conclusion.

Let’s not worry.

Let’s live as we wish.