[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 255

“Alright!!”

Dokgo Beom-bu, who had been staring at his phone so hard his eyes turned bloodshot, suddenly shouted for it to leave.

Every time Han Ga-eul inside the screen swung a rusty metal pipe covered in blood and flesh, goblins exploded.

The dangerously flying stone projectiles hurled by the goblins were all blocked by the spinning metal pipe.

A single strike that blew up dozens of goblins alive. Watching this, Dokgo Beom-bu thought, “Is this what it means to dye the mountains and rivers red with a single swing?”

“A 1-star white unit performing like this…?”

Individually, the goblins were so weak they couldn’t even scratch a unit, but their sheer numbers made them swarm like crazy. As Han Ga-eul swung the worn-out metal pipe at them, their bodies burst like water balloons.

It was more like a sea of blood splitting open than a Red Sea.

This was impossible by Dokgo Beom-bu’s common sense. Even if you combined the stats of multiple SSR ancestors, it still wouldn’t be possible.

In the long-running game Refolder Gate, there were so many units that it was hard to keep track. From the occasional SSR units to the bi-weekly new units, and even event-exclusive ones—it was like a unit factory.

Among those units, even the bugged overpowered SSR that got hotfixed within hours wasn’t this strong, as far as Dokgo Beom-bu remembered.

While Dokgo Beom-bu was lost in deep thought staring at his phone, the goblins kept exploding.

“If I saw this in real life and not through the screen, I’d probably throw up…”

The green weeds were now stained with goblin blood and flesh.

***

*Bang—!!*

When the last goblin was stabbed with the metal pipe, its head completely disappeared.

At the same time, a gate opened in the air, signaling the clear.

“Phew.”

His lungs ached from the excessive movement.

As he caught his breath, the two people who had been standing dumbfounded approached.

“It’s Matthew. Thank you. Really, thank you.”

“Betty here. I thought I was going to die. Thanks to you, I’m alive. Thank you.”

Matthew and Betty, who had just thanked him, bowed deeply.

“Yeah. It’s Han Ga-eul.”

After thanking me, Matthew and Betty’s gazes shifted to the large figure lying on the ground, crying tears of blood.

“That’s Brian… He protected me until the last moment so I could finish my chant.”

“He’s not dead, though?”

A sharp stone was embedded in the forehead of the man called Brian.

There was still a faint sign of life, but if left like this, he’d be as good as dead, just as Betty said.

Brian was currently doing his best to take his final steps toward the afterlife.

*Pop. Push!*

When I pulled out the stone deeply embedded in his forehead, blood spurted out like a fountain.

**〈Heal〉**

As the sunlight-like energy from my hand seeped into Brian’s forehead, it slowly began to heal.

According to the guy who introduced himself as Dokgo Beom-bu, this place seemed like a game.

Either that, or Dokgo Beom-bu was delusional—one of the two.

Because of that, most of my strength was gone. The subspace had opened, but the equipment inside was useless.

From the Ruyi Jingu Bang I had shrunk after learning from my staff master, to the Gale Ria boots I always wore—everything was dead.

As I always feel, if equipment with such great power is forcibly disabled, it’s likely due to Mara’s interference.

In the midst of all this, only the pipe my grandfather gave me was still intact.

*Click, click. Click, click.*

While continuing the treatment, I tried to light the pipe, but the lighter was acting up.

Probably because of the blood-soaked wind.

“Ugh, seriously.”

Just as I was about to pull out a new lighter from the subspace, Betty next to me flicked her finger.

*Whoosh!*

“Phew—thanks.”

“Hehe, I specialize in fire magic.”

Betty, who lit the pipe for me, smiled as she blew on her finger.

Having just survived death, everything should feel bad, but she seemed particularly cheerful.

“Can we really survive?”

“You’re not dead yet, so stop worrying and stay still. It’s just taking longer to heal because I’m low on energy.”

Matthew, who cautiously asked the question, quickly nodded.

“Stop worrying and have a smoke. You’ve been through a lot.”

I pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the subspace and handed it to Matthew. He took it and examined it curiously.

“Is this tobacco? Looks strange.”

“There’s a thin wrapper on the outside. Grab it and twist it.”

After hearing my words, Matthew grabbed the wrapping paper with his fingernails, tore it off, and pulled out a cigarette, sticking it in his mouth.

*Flick!*

Thanks to Betty, Matthew easily lit the cigarette. As he exhaled the smoke, he offered the cigarette to Betty, but she shook her head.

Seems like Betty’s a non-smoker.

“Phew─”

While sharing the cigarette, they poured healing spells nonstop onto Brian’s body, and his pale complexion gradually returned.

Thanks to that, Matthew and Betty’s anxiety seemed to ease.

“See? He’s alive.”

“Really… Let me thank you again. Thank you.”

“Thanks.”

The two of them bowed their heads once more.

“Enough. If the rock had gone any deeper, I wouldn’t have been able to heal him.”

“Guess the goddess of fate was watching over Brian.”

“Don’t talk nonsense…”

At Betty’s teasing, Matthew slightly turned his head.

If something like that really was watching over them, the two of them wouldn’t even be here.

“It’s done. The wounds are healed, but he’s still not conscious. Let’s get him out of here.”

“Give me a moment. I’ll be right back.”

After asking us to wait, Matthew walked to the back and carefully carried someone over.

“It’s Malcolm. He was a comrade…”

Past tense.

Even though he knows the person in his arms is already gone, he gives me a deep look.

Having seen Brian, who was on the verge of death, come back to life, he’s probably holding onto a faint hope.

I shake my head at Matthew, and he slowly approaches, keeping his mouth shut.

“Bury him in a sunny place.”

“…Right. That’s what we should do.”

Matthew, looking down at Malcolm in his arms, heads toward the gate.

“Let’s go too. You said her name was Ga-eul?”

“Han Ga-eul.”

“Interesting name. Is she a Beastkin?”

“She’s human.”

Betty nods at my answer and follows Matthew through the gate.

Following Betty, I see Dokgo Beom-bu waiting at the gate entrance, watching us.

“Beom-bu.”

“…Yeah, what?”

Even as he answers, Dokgo Beom-bu’s gaze is fixed on Matthew. More precisely, on Malcolm in Matthew’s arms.

“This isn’t a game. Act properly.”

Only then does Dokgo Beom-bu widen his eyes and look at me.

No response.

He doesn’t seem completely clueless, so he must’ve understood.

From the way he keeps talking about game items, it seems like he thinks this is a game.

Whether this is a game or not, I hope he realizes soon that it doesn’t matter. Even though it’s unrelated to me, the people here are all connected in some way.

The dead have no tears, but those who watch them suffer.

***

Matthew pats down the soil with a shovel, forming a mound, then steps back.

*Swoosh.*

Then he draws a sword from his waist, grips it with both hands, and raises it above his head. He stands still, slightly bowing his head, as if in his own way of mourning.

“I’ll focus on the inner world for a while.”

*Chik, chik.*

“So no one gets hurt.”

“Do that.”

From the way he mutters while looking at the grave, it might not be directed at me.

Probably a vow to himself.

“Phew─”

Looking around, it’s still empty.

A grave was built before there was even a house.

As I smoke a cigarette, waiting for their mourning to end, one by one, they lift their heads.

“Ga-eul. We’re going to gather food and materials now.”

Seeing them immediately get to work after mourning, I get a glimpse of Matthew’s personality.

“Where do you get that stuff?”

“Through the gate, we can reach the Great Forest. It’s a fertile forest where various resources and food grow. We call it the Emerald Forest.”

Probably like a place in a game where you send adventurers to gather resources.

“Do we need his permission?”

Pointing at Dokgo Beom-bu, who’s now writing on the ground with a stick, Matthew shakes his head.

“We already got permission. We can just go.”

From the way he talks, it seems like they’ve been there often. As we follow Matthew, Dokgo Beom-bu stays focused on the ground.

“Phew─”

The moment we pass through the gate following Matthew and Betty, the world shifts.

It’s the boundary where the dense forest meets the plains. The forest is packed with trees, and the plains are filled with flowers and wild grass, giving off a vibrant grassy scent.

I think I understand why Matthew called it the Great Forest. It’s a place worthy of its name.

“We’re going towards the forest.”

From the way he keeps looking at me, it seems like he’s asking if I want to come along.

“I’ll go this way. I think our house rabbit will like it.”

“Alright!”

Baekseol, who was in my arms, is already fidgeting with her feet.

“Don’t go too far. I heard we can set up a midway point for returning later. For now, if you want to return, you’ll have to come back here.”

“Okay. Don’t wait for me, and even if I’m late, don’t come looking. I’ll make my way back.”

At my words, Matthew chuckles.

“Such presumptuous behavior isn’t my style.”

“Stiff as always. I’ll be back, Ga-eul.”

“Take care, and come back safely.”

Betty, with her red curly hair that suits her well, waves at me as she walks into the forest with Matthew.

“Baekseol, since this is your first time here, you should only play where I can see you. Got it?”

“Okay!”

As I set Baekseol down, she hops around excitedly.

She seems really excited.

After making sure Baekseol is playing well, I sit down on the grass, using it as a mat, and drowsiness slowly creeps in.

Although I ended up here by accident because Baekseol clung to my face, it seems quite charming and not so bad after all.

***

“Huh?”

Feeling a shadow fall over my face, I open my eyes to see a white cotton ball blinking at me, right in front of my nose.

“When did I fall asleep?”

“Just now!”

“Really?”

“Yep!”

As I pet Baekseol, who was watching me from beside my head, she snuggles into my arms.

She must have played so much; her feet are covered in dirt, and her body is full of grass.

“You need to shake it off.”

Whoosh—!

“Ugh.”

As the rabbit shakes her body, grass flies everywhere.

I don’t know whose rabbit she is, but she listens too well—it’s a problem.

“Phew. You little rascal.”

“Yay!”

Since she’s so happy, I can’t help but smile.

“Did you have fun playing?”

“Burrow!”

“Did you dig a burrow and play?”

“Over there!”

Baekseol hops down and turns around to look at me before moving forward. Following her, I see a large hole dug under a massive stump, big enough for a person to enter.

It’s huge. Not just a hole the size of a rabbit’s paw, but one where a person could walk in if they stooped a little.

“Baekseol, what’s that?”

Baekseol tilts her head, looking at the big hole.

She doesn’t seem to know. She must have found it while playing.

“Baekseol, come here.”

When I call her, she scurries over and snuggles into my arms.

“Shall we go take a look?”

“Okay!”

Excited by the sudden adventure, she fidgets with her feet.

“Hmm.”

As I carry Baekseol and approach the cave, a strange feeling washes over me.

But it doesn’t feel dangerous. Just a deeper sense of greenery.

“Let’s go.”

“Excited!”

As I step towards the cave with the excited Baekseol, a massive shadow covers my entire body.

At the same time, a pleasant grassy scent swirls around us.

Feeling something odd, I look up and see clouds.

“What the…”

I can’t grasp the situation.

I clearly stepped towards the cave, but suddenly, I’m outside.

It feels like I’ve been tricked.

“What the heck. Was it a gate?”

“Yep!”

The only thing that comes to mind is a gate. But if it were a gate, there would have been some shimmering or color, but there was nothing like that.

What’s even stranger is the massive object in front of me.

I thought it was a wall casting a shadow, but no.

The rough texture under my hand—it’s wood.

And not just any wood, but a tree so massive that I can’t even see where it starts or ends.

No, calling it a tree feels like an insult to other trees.

“Wow.”

Craning my neck to look up at the sky, I see the tree piercing through the clouds.

Looking even further, I see green leaves descending from the sky, piercing through the clouds.

I guess they must be the leaves of this gigantic tree.

Crackle—!!

Then, as if lightning were about to strike the dry sky…

The sound of something being discharged echoes loudly.

Quickly hiding Baekseol, whom I was holding, behind me, I raise my arms to guard. Something strange falls onto my arm.

*Tap.*

“What the…?”

“*Squeak!*”

As I open my hand, the creature that made the strange noise climbs onto my palm and stares at me.

“A squirrel?”

Perhaps influenced by Baekseol’s habits, I tilt my head without realizing it. The squirrel-like creature tilts its head too, mimicking me.

Its cheeks are chubby, probably because there’s plenty of food around.

“Who are you?”

Like the bear I met near Lily’s place and the deer I encountered during my travels…

“Am I just really popular with animals?”

I gently stroke its tiny forehead with my finger, and it wags its bushy tail left and right.

This little friend has striking brown stripes running from its forehead to its tail.

“Do you like sunflower seeds? Want some?”

“*Squeak!*”

I pull out a handful of sunflower seeds from my storage space and place them on my palm. The creature suddenly starts sniffing my hand.

After a while, it lifts its head and presses its cheeks repeatedly. Then, it pulls out a tiny acorn from its cheek pouch and offers it to me.

“Is this for me?”

“*Squeak!*”

“Thanks, but could you wash it first?”

“*Squeak!*”

“It’s clean?”

“*Squeak!*”

“Why am I even having a conversation with this thing?”

Seeing that I wasn’t eating, it must have gotten impatient. It picks up one of the sunflower seeds, cracks it open, and stuffs it into its mouth, making its cheeks even puffier.

Maybe it thought I didn’t know how to eat them and was showing me how.

“Hmm.”

I pick up the tiny acorn it gave me, and it looks at me with expectant eyes.

Looking at it, I feel bad rejecting the little guy’s heartfelt gift.

“Can’t I at least make acorn jelly out of it?”

“*Squeak!*”

It shakes its head vigorously.

I guess I should eat it out of respect, but it’s probably going to be disgustingly bitter.

“Ugh, my luck.”

I can’t just not eat something given to me by a creature that seems to like me.

The squirrel seems to have picked the acorn from a large tree nearby.

Probably an oak tree.

───

[World Tree Guardian, Thunder Squirrel Ratatoskr]

Ratatoskr is always troubled by the neighbors living at the top and bottom layers of the World Tree.

Because of this, it always carries World Tree seeds in its cheek pouches, looking for a new nest.

───

───

Ratatoskr was very fond of the human, who smelled like blooming flowers.

Thus, Ratatoskr offered a World Tree seed, but the human keeps talking about turning it into acorn jelly.

*Squeak.*

───

───

[Brave Butterfly Chaser, Baekseol]

Baekseol’s combat mode when chasing butterflies.

It lifts its rear end, ready for battle.

───