episode_0046

118th day in the Misty Forest.

Tree Trunk House.

Hatchery.

Crack!~

The giant fruits burst open.

The beings that emerged from there approached me before I could even say anything.

Thud!

“Nice to meet you, Lord Shin.”

Dryads.

My first modified life forms.

With a height of 2.5m, arms and legs covered in bark-like skin, they knelt down. Despite that, there wasn’t much of a height difference.

I scanned them quickly.

The ratio of males to females was 5:5.

However, regardless of gender, they just looked sturdy.

In fact, they possessed a stronger power than the current elves, making them even more so.

“Rise. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Yes.”

Swoosh.

The dryads got up from their positions.

In no time, leaves and stems had grown on their bodies, transforming into clothes similar to the ones I first wore.

First, I praised the first-born dryad.

The first one was a female.

She exuded a strong and righteous hero-like aura.

“Your name is Eldmore. You are the first of all dryads and the guardian of this place.”

“Thank you. I will protect this place from all creatures that harm the forest!”

“First, greet the villagers.”

“Yes!”

I set out to the village with the 10 dryads.

Their unique appearance and skin drew immediate attention as soon as we stepped outside.

“Wow… those people.”

“They are our kind. I can feel the sacred will to protect the forest.”

“Their sacred and noble power is palpable.”

“Wh-what is this? I’ve never seen such creatures before?”

“Judging by the elves’ reactions, are they allies?”

The reactions were not bad.

The elves felt a sense of familiarity with the dryads, and humans followed suit with the elves’ reactions.

I gathered everyone and spoke.

“From now on, these dryads will help protect the village. Eldmore, please introduce yourself.”

“Yes!! To all elves and human comrades, I am Eldmore, a dryad born to protect the village and the forest in accordance with the great will of Lord Shin. We will do our best to cooperate with you all!”

In response, Illian spoke on behalf of the elves.

“Dryad Eldmore. I can feel how noble your will is without you even saying a word. I sincerely appreciate your birth.”

Perhaps it was because they shared the same elven nature.

The two exchanged words and smiled at each other.

And so, the dryads joined the village.

After observing them for a few days.

The dryads tried to help the village and elves, voluntarily patrolling the forest or using my stems to expand their territory.

Humans gradually adapted to their presence, even striking up conversations with one or two.

Sleep was not an issue either.

At night, the dryads merged with the trees near the village to rest. They could sleep comfortably anywhere there was a tree.

They seemed to blend into the village better than expected.

There was no need to worry further.

Thus, I focused on training again.

Misty Forest, 120th day.

Swoosh!~

I flew through the sky without wings.

Magic made it possible.

Wind magic wasn’t that difficult.

By making my body light and gently floating with the wind, I could soar like Shaela.

Honestly, it was more of an ability than magic.

As Shaela said, using magic in this way is not common. She advised that with proper refinement and creating one’s own skills, it could become a power.

For me, who still had a lot of rough edges and often failed in magic, it was a distant story.

So, I practiced diligently for several days and reached the point of flying like this.

It was crude, but I could also create sword blades or spears with the wind. It wasn’t a strong force, but with more practice, I might be able to take down Misty Forest monsters without breaking a sweat.

Whoosh!

Thud.

Above the tree trunk house.

I gracefully descended from the now 30m tall tree top branches.

Swoosh.

“You’re quite skilled.”

​

Following that, Shaela sat down next to me.

He always followed me and watched me practice magic.

However, every time I used a spell, he would show the same spell with overwhelming skill and taunt me with a smirk.

​

Unlucky as I may be…

I think he’s not doing it on purpose to teach me. Just by trying to mimic his magic, my skills improved rapidly.

Or maybe he was just teasing me.

​

Plop~

​

Sitting down on a branch, I replied to Shaela sitting next to me.

​

“I’m starting to get the hang of it. If I use magic properly here as my main body, the effect will be even stronger.”

​

“As your main body?”

​

“As you know, this physical form is just a projection. Limited in energy and mana, and the senses are degraded to fit the physical body. But the main body is different. It has countless energy and expanded senses. It might even cause an earthquake in the surrounding area.”

​

“Hmm….”

​

Shaela stared at me intently.

I couldn’t tell what kind of look it was with his eyes covered by the goggles.

​

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

​

“You… you’re not human.”

​

“I’m not human, that’s right.”

​

“But you were originally human?”

​

“Well, that’s true.”

​

“Isn’t it strange? Becoming a plant and using such unbelievable power. Or could a human even become a plant in the first place?”

​

“How would I know. If it was Alberto who died and disappeared, he might know. I don’t know what kind of mage he was, but he must have been amazing.”

​

“Ugh… then never mind~”

​

Shaela turned his head to feel the breeze.

I pondered on his words with a strange feeling.

​

“Not human….”

The memories of the time when I was called Woochan are still vivid.

​

Well, I understand.

Because it’s hard to believe.

A normal human like me was kidnapped after answering a payphone call and turned into a plant, creating life and using magic.

What a ridiculous story.

Does it even make sense?

​

But… I can’t deny my memories, right?

It actually happened, didn’t it?

​

I am human after all.

It’s probably the other side that’s strange.

​

“Are you really a god?”

​

“Huh? Me?”

​

“You say you’re a god, but you don’t really do anything extraordinary in your daily actions.”

​

“Prejudice, isn’t it? Since you brought it up, let me ask. Does a god have to be special? Always saying ‘Go forth and prosper!’ or ‘By my power!’ in a tired manner? At least I’m not like that.”

​

“…or, forget it.”

​

“Hmph! Above all, you’ve seen my great power.”

​

“I almost died from the power you couldn’t control.”

​

“Ugh.”

​

Anyway.

I thought about it again.

​

I am Kim Woochan, the debtor.

I have a clear sense of self.

There are many uncertainties, but I also have no intention of defining myself by those uncertainties.

​

For now, that’s a sufficient conclusion.

Let’s not worry about it too much.

​

*

​

​

Day 122 in the Misty Forest.

Tree Trunk House.

​

Since I’ve gotten the hang of magic to some extent, today I plan to practice elemental magic.

​

However.

​

“The spirits are always with us! Smiling next to the god.”

​

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about?”

​

Sixth one.

Lapherdion.

​

Female.

Green hair.

Small and petite figure.

She is the elf’s best spirit user, always with a gentle smile.

​

She said.

​

“Forgive me for being forward, but it seems like the god has a bias against spirits.”

​

That my approach to spirits is wrong.

​

Honestly, I don’t know.

She showed abilities like creating wind or making plants grow quickly from the ground with spirit magic, but it didn’t look much different from the magic shown by the fourth one, Renia.

Where on earth are the spirits?

What exactly is the difference between spirits and magic?

Wait, do spirits even exist?

“What exactly are spirits? What do I need to do to see them?”

“Spirits are part of nature. Just like the gods, their existence is natural. That’s why they are always with the gods.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“The gods are already using spirit magic.”

“……Me?”

It was a bewildering answer.

Not only was I with spirits I had never encountered before, but I was already using spirit magic?

“I don’t know the details, but spirits are not different from us. In fact, they may have been spirits before they were born.”

“Hmm….”

“To be honest, I don’t know how to explain it further. But one thing is certain, spirits always exist alongside the gods.”

Unfortunately, there was nothing more to learn.

I had experienced spirit magic within Laferdion’s body, but it was no different from moving a stem or using magic as usual.

What exactly was I missing?

The answer would soon become clear.

“What the… just what….”

“What’s the matter?”

Shayella, who had just returned from a walk.

The giant stem that enveloped her body wriggled as if it were in a good mood.

It was already a familiar sight, so I didn’t mind….

That stem seemed to be rejecting me.

It was trying to stick to Shayella.

Why?

Even though we were separated, it was still my body.

But I couldn’t move my own body as I pleased.

Just what was the reason for this?

“What did you do to the stem?”

“Nothing? I just did as usual?”

By “as usual,” she meant petting the stem and feeding it something.

If that was the case, there shouldn’t be any problem….

Why was it rejecting my words?

Wait.

Rejecting means it has a will, right?

Even though a separated stem or an unconscious puppet had no ego, they used to understand and move according to the will.

But that wasn’t me moving, right?

Swoosh!~

Thud.

Immediately, I commanded several strands of the stem to sprout from the floor and separate. Without moving directly, I commanded them to move forward with my will.

“What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Shayella approached with a puzzled look.

When I turned my head, the stem that wrapped around her body wriggled as if it were happy.

“I’m not the one moving this.”

“Huh?”

“I’m just checking. Who are these guys?”

Thud!~

Squirm.

Rolling around~

The separated stems moved.

Some like worms.

Some rolled sideways.

Some jumped up like a spring.

Each moved forward in a different way.

If I didn’t command them how to move, they all moved differently.

It’s still strange.

These guys are not me.

But they understand my words and follow them.

Then who exactly is embedded in them?

“The gods are already using spirit magic.”

It dawned on me.

Laferdion said.

I’m already using spirit magic.

All those guys who move in response to my will are spirits.

They have always been with me.

They have always helped me.

They moved desperately when I needed them, looking only at me.

As I became aware of it, I began to feel it vaguely.

I could feel their joy and sadness as if communicating with plants.

I experienced the presence of spirits.

They were there.

They had no form, but I could understand.

They smiled and hovered around me.

They swayed like a pleasant melody.

They smiled warmly like the sun.

Could it be… that I’m only realizing this now?

Thanks to them, I could understand why Shayella’s stem had rejected me.

“That stem… you take it.”

“Huh?”

The stem wriggling in Shayella’s body.

He hoped to be with Shaela.

If he were asked to come back stronger, he would, but he was completely smitten with Shaela.

The reason was simple.

‘It was you….’

It was this guy.

The one who had taken the initiative to protect and save Shaela when she died.

The one who boldly demanded my mana and vitality to offer to Shaela.

And….

It was all for my sake.

It was the best spirit magic I had ever written.

Twist, turn!!~

“Eek!? W-why are you suddenly like this? It tickles!”

The stem moved vigorously.

It felt like crying tears of joy.

“I really realized it too late.”

Then it should be fine.

Since he granted my wish, this time I’ll send Shaela according to his wish.

Twist!~~ Twirl!!~

The spirit entwined in the stem enveloped Shaela’s body with complete determination.

“W-what’s going on? Why are you doing this!? Hey. Aren’t you taking this? Why are you suddenly clinging so persistently?”

“I told you. Take it.”

“No, why all of a sudden? You should eat this and grow quickly!!”

“…Now you’re blatantly treating me like a child. Forget it. Take good care of her. She’s the one who saved you.”

“Huh? You saved me?”

Snick.

“I just know it that way.”

“What? Why are you laughing? You’re not trying to make me curious and move on, are you?”

“I’m going back to my original form for a moment.”

“Hey!?”

Snap~

Consciousness shifted.

In an instant, senses expanded, feeling the entire village’s view.

It felt refreshing.

My mind cleared.

It was a significant realization.

Spirits.

They were my main power.

The Elven spirits were the same. They were evolved spirits with physical bodies.

Senses from the original body expanded.

Just by realizing it, communication increased.

The concept of moving the stem with will itself was changing. As the understanding of spirit magic increased, it would be possible to move or control a wide area of stems at once.

The reason was simple.

Countless spirits were still present in the stems, accompanying me.

They had always been with me.

They would always help me.

Look.

Above the tree stem house.

Without being commanded, the spirits cooperatively created a giant tree for my resting place. Now, the tree, which had grown about 30m high through the mist, was adorned with spirits.

This was no ordinary tree.

Spirits are the essence of nature.

This tree symbolized nature.

Reaching the sky and the ground, extending everywhere to form the world.

That was my spirit magic.