Chapter 1: I am the heir (1)

“On my son’s birthday, let me tell you this truth: Your father is actually a god from another universe.”

On his twentieth birthday, Ha So-young’s father earnestly made this statement.

He responded with indifference, “Really? What brought you to visit this shabby Earth?”

“Just for a brief walk, no special reason. Do you need a purpose to go insect collecting on the hillside and dip your feet in a creek when you spot one?”

“Oh, so it was just a pit stop during your errands?”

“Yes, and that creek represents you.”

“Sure, sure. While dipping your feet in water, you found a child on the road who has now turned twenty years old. Time flies, doesn’t it?”

“Picked up on the road? Even though I am your adoptive father, I raised you with love just like a biological son.”

“On my 10th birthday, did the person who ‘raised me with love’ say: ‘In fact, I found and raised you from the street; I’m not your real father, and someday we will have to part ways’? Wouldn’t other children have cried bitterly upon hearing such words?”

“I had no choice. The time I could stay was limited, and I had to send you into this harsh world at a young age. I thought it would be better to reveal your birth secret early and help you stand quickly.”

“What is the secret of my birth? I’m a bit curious now.”

“Your lineage isn’t particularly remarkable. Your biological father wasn’t wealthy, and your mother wasn’t a famous actress. They just lived ordinary lives.”

“That’s all to my birth secret?”

“Well, being adopted by the god who rules the universe can be considered quite a revelation about your origins.”

“A god ruling the universe? You mean Father?”

“Yes, indeed. Oh, if you want, I can arrange for you to meet your biological parents. However, you aren’t interested, right?”

Ha So-young found it no longer amusing to play along with his father. This wasn’t the first time he had indulged in such whimsical tales. Despite usually being sincere and serious, occasionally, like today, he would spout bizarre stories.

Actually, even claiming that they found me on the street was probably a lie, right? They’re likely my real parents just joking around…

It sounded exactly like something his father would do. In truth, he was truly a remarkable person—except for his habit of presenting absurd tales as genuine facts.

Apart from his habit of seriously presenting absurd stories as if they were true, he was handsome, young, knowledgeable, and sincere. He had a moderate amount of money, owning quite a bit of agricultural land. It was common for unmarried teachers to shower him with affection, trying to score points with their attentions towards me. If only he didn’t occasionally spout nonsense, my father would truly be perfect.

“What a pity. I don’t have much time left now. Soon, I must leave this Earth.”

“If I were a ‘pretty daughter’ with slim figure and fair skin, would things have been different?”

“Well, even then, I might have stayed for just one more month. Let’s say…this is…the business of your father. Business, do you understand?”

“You should leave me plenty of inheritance before going.”

“Haha, I thought you would cry and cling to me… worrying that my heart might weaken…”

“Oh, is it disappointing for you?”

“No, I’m proud of you. Raising such a strong son makes me feel relieved about leaving.”

Suddenly, Ha So-young felt uneasy. His father’s nonsense today seemed unusually long-winded, and his expression was subtly different from usual. For a brief moment, he experienced a nagging anxiety as if his father might abruptly vanish somewhere…

“I’ve planted some valuable assets in the backyard just for you. With these, your life will change dramatically.”

“So, am I finally becoming a landlord in Cheongdam-dong?”

“It’s something even better than that. This is according to my standards, it might be different for you.”

“You’re saying this because you own a building worth 30 billion won in Cheongdam-dong and compare it to the value of the sun.”

“In any case, I planted it well in the backyard. Once I leave, make good use of it.” My father added with a smile, “It would be nice if we can meet again.”

”…Are you really going away?”

“Yes, truly. Is there such a thing as pretending to go away?”

At first, I thought he was joking. However, when I woke up the next day, my father wasn’t at home. Not only that, but all traces of him had disappeared. His clothes, shoes, dishes, furniture, even limited edition DLC titles—all gone.

On the dining table, there was only one sheet of A4 paper lying alone:

[I took all my belongings on purpose. I couldn’t bear to see you holding onto false hope for several days, thinking that I had just gone on a short trip. The legacy planted yesterday grew well.]

I was stunned. Did Father really leave?

‘He often talks nonsense but doesn’t act foolishly.’

My father made many nonsensical remarks but never acted foolishly. He wasn’t someone who would pack everything overnight and disappear, causing surprise like this. It felt strange.

Tears didn’t come at all. I wasn’t even sad.

I felt empty inside. Was I so cold-blooded? Or had I been preparing myself for my father’s nonsense to actually happen someday?

Staggering slightly, I got up from my seat. What exactly was the legacy that Father left behind? At least, I needed to confirm it.

Ha So-young stopped abruptly after entering the backyard.

“My goodness.”

The flat lawn should’ve been all there was in the backyard, but instead, a massive tree unlike any he’d ever seen stood tall and proud.

He’d never heard of a tree growing this fast overnight. But could such a large tree be transplanted within just one night…?

“Was my father truly a god?”