Chapter 197

In response to Min Sung’s mention of the Demonic Realm…

“What are you talking about?” Ho Sung Lee asked.

Min Sung looked up at the tree with crooked lips.

“The devils and Devil Gods probably acted as fertilizer.”

“What do you mean…?”

Ji Yoo Kim trailed off due to her lack of understanding.

“It’s simple. The ruin that resulted from the defeat of the devils and Devil Gods became manure that allowed this tree to grow. After that, they began to absorb the earth’s nutrients.”

Ho Sung Lee and Ji Yoo Kim both looked at the tree in shock.

‘That means a new world is about to open up.’

Min Sung thought about the man in his dreams and clenched down on his teeth.

“Oh yeah, Sir. About your Durandal. Didn’t you say you lost it while trying to level it up?” Ho Sung Lee asked Min Sung.

“It’s just a +0 now.”

After finding out that he simply kept the Devil’s Durandal as an extra, Ho Sung Lee dropped his jaw.

But after thinking about all the devils and Devil Gods he defeated, he realized this was nothing to be surprised about and simply nodded.

“Is it hard to take down this tree because it’s not +7?”

Ho Sung lee laughed awkwardly after seeing Min Sung’s cold gaze.

“I-I’m just kidding, Sir. Haha. But what do we do? This tree doesn’t get affected by your attacks. That makes me anxious.”

“What else can we do? We’ll just have to keep an eye on it. Continue your research.”

Min Sung left with an uncomfortable look on his face.

***

They arrived at a restaurant to eat.

This restaurant was also recommended by Ho Sung Lee.

Since Min Sung was a little sensitive due to the tree in his yard, Ho Sung Lee arranged a restaurant ahead of time so that he didn’t have to bother him.

[Grandma Kim’s Bossam]

How would it taste?

Min Sung entered with great anticipation.

Since they booked out the entire restaurant ahead of time, there were only employees inside.

Min Sung sat down at a table that had comfy chairs with backrests where he could rest his head.

An employee then approached and asked, “Would you like to taste various dishes from our restaurant?”

Min Sung said no and asked for the menu.

He had no intention of overeating just because he rented out the entire restaurant.

He just wanted a simple meal.

That was what Min Sung liked.

His belief was that anything in excess was unnecessary.

After checking the menu, he ordered Bossam for 1 person as well as rice and Kimchi stew.

That was going to be enough.

After ordering, the dishes Min Sung ordered began to come out.

The first thing to arrive was basic side dishes.

Eggplants, onions, fried potatoes, Kimchi, and beansprout soup.

Also, there was garlic, peppers, spicy dip, and salted shrimp.

That was all.

The side dishes were overly simple, but that was the key trait of this Bossam restaurant, and since their main dish was Bossam, Min Sung waited for it to come out.

Not long afterward, an employee brought a brazier that could cook the Bossam and lit it up.

On top of that, a beautiful plate was placed, and then the main dish came out.

On top of the plate was Bossam Kimchi and Daikon Kimchi laid out like a flower.

The main dish appealed itself in a vibrant manner.

It was intense yet colorful, and the colors alone made Min Sung gulp.

As soon as the Bossam came out, rice and Kimchi stew appeared on the table as well.

‘Let’s start this thing.’

Min Sung picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of pork.

His first piece was wrapped with just the meat and Kimchi.

He put it into his mouth.

The taste of the refreshing Kimchi spread throughout his mouth.

On top of that, the meat was soft and chewy.

The skin was especially bouncy in texture.

The taste of the deep-flavored and bouncy meat along with the red Bossam Kimchi filled his mouth with flavors and saliva.

‘This is delicious.’

Min Sung became so obsessed with the Bossam that he forgot about his stress regarding the tree growing in his backyard.

Following a bite of white rice, the daikon Kimchi was sweet and savory, making for a fantastic combination.

‘I can’t just eat Bossam like this.’

After wiping his hands with the wet towel, Min Sung picked up a piece of lettuce.

He put a piece of Kimchi on it, followed by meat, garlic, peppers, and salted shrimp, and he put some spicy dip on it before rolling it up.

After eating some white rice, he put the beautiful wrap into his mouth.

Om nom!

Min Sung chewed on the wrap with all his might.

The garlic and pepper burst inside the lettuce, and the flavors of the spicy dip, salted shrimp, and the meat satisfied his tastebuds.

After finishing his first Bossam wrap, Min Sung proceeded to make his second.

This time, he used cabbage instead of lettuce, and the combination of Bossam with cabbage was so explosive that he didn’t think it was fair.

He put some spicy dip on the lettuce, followed by meat, garlic, and pepper, before putting it into his mouth.

As soon as he bit down on the cabbage with his molars, the scent spread through his nose, and the flavors of the meat and Daikon Kimchi made it sweet.

In that state, he chewed on some of the flavored onions, which made for the perfect experience.

The Bossam all went into his stomach.

Min Sung fell into a Bossam trance.

***

The researchers, who were keeping an eye on the tree in Min Sung’s backyard, grew more and more fearful as it grew bigger.

As Min Sung said, this tree was dangerous enough to swallow the earth whole.

A tree that was deeply rooted in the earth to swallow it whole.

The researchers’ faces grew darker over time.

The more they researched, the more stressed they looked.

While the tree was growing faster and faster, the research was no different from being in a state of halt.

And at the same time, their anxiousness and fear grew exponentially.

***

Min Sung returned home to World Tower after finishing his meal.

He felt sluggish.

He saw the sun in the sky across the window.

Aside from eating, napping was Min Sung’s favorite thing to do.

Unlike the Demonic Realm, where he always had to stay awake, being able to sleep while the sun was still up was Min Sung’s favorite pastime.

He took a quick shower and laid on his bed.

And as soon as he laid down, he fell asleep in his soft covers.

But Min Sung’s mood for napping didn’t last long.

***

It was a completely white space.

It was a dream, but it didn’t feel like it.

His senses were more alive than ever.

Min Sung realized that that person entered his dream without his permission once again.

Although it was his dream, his consciousness was very well present.

Step, step.

Min Sung sighed at the familiar footsteps and looked back at the person who disturbed his sleep.

The young man with pale skin showed a very heavy expression on his face, which was different from last time.

He didn’t say anything and simply stared at Min Sung.

He was annoyed at the tree that kept growing at his house as well as this human who kept showing up in his dreams without his permission.

However…

Something suddenly crossed his mind.

“Does that tree in my yard have something to do with you?” Min Sung asked.

“No, it doesn’t. It has to do with…”

The man pointed at Min Sung.

“You.”

“What’s that tree about, and why does it have to do with me? Explain.”

“You’ll find out soon enough. Really. By the way… have you been preparing after what I told you last time?” The man asked.

“Prepare for what? Are you talking about that new world?”

Min Sung smiled and continued, “I’ve never prepared for anything in my life. That’s just a waste of time.”

The dead gaze in the man’s eyes suddenly sparked with interest.

“What gives you the basis to say that?” The man asked with sincere curiosity.

“That’s how I’ve lived so far, and changes are inevitable in any situation, and those changes can’t be predicted, so it’s more rational to act on instinct.”

“The world that you’ll see soon enough is on a whole another level from the worlds you’ve experienced. Are you sure you can face it without any preparation?”

“You don’t’ listen, do you? I don’t want to worry about stuff like that, and the one thing that bothers me the most is you. You, who keeps showing up in my dreams. Who are you anyway?” Min Sung asked directly while knitting his brows.

The man looked down and sighed before lifting his head to look at Min Sung with his blue eyes.

“You’ll regret this. I was expecting more than this. I’m disappointed.”

“Answer me. Who are you?”

The man showed the first vague smile since they’ve met.

“Your halo.”

“… What?”

“My name is Mire Caste. Remember that.”

Min Sung raised his eyebrow.

The conversation ended there.

When he blinked once, the man disappeared.

He really disappeared in the blink of an eye, and even when he tried to look for him in his surroundings, he couldn’t be found anywhere.

Min Sung, who was now alone in the white space, spat on the ground.

“I don’t need any advice, so it’d be nice if he stopped showing up in my life.”

As soon as Min Sung said that, his head became heavy, and the white space turned into darkness.

Since this had happened multiple times before, Min Sung did resist and allowed his consciousness to swallow him up.

He always hated the feeling of being controlled.

Just like that, Min Sung lost consciousness.

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