Chapter 3: I am the heir? (3)

“If I keep consuming this, will it eventually make me transcend humanity and become godlike or something?” Ha So-young crossed his arms as he plopped down on the ground. Narrowing his eyes, he stared up at the mysterious tree that had appeared overnight.

Not only was there no evidence of someone planting it externally, but it had materialized within just one night, and now it was directly sending messages to his mind.

“It seems certain that my father is some kind of deity. Unless…I’ve gone insane.”

Ha So-young squinted even more, scanning the tree from top to bottom.

“But I feel perfectly sane right now. Although, they say even madmen believe themselves to be normal…”

Ha So-young opened his palm. Inside it, a single drop of liquid remained, neither evaporating nor losing its brilliant golden sheen. Unless this was an illusion, the mysterious elixir truly existed before his eyes.

“The relic of an ancient God… If I continuously consume this, can I transcend humanity?”

Why did his father reveal himself as a deity? Why did he pick his up from Earth and raise his for nearly 20 years? For a god, 20 years might be insignificant—a mere moment of amusement. But then, why leave behind this tree?

“If only you had left me with a substantial bank balance instead, I could’ve managed it well on my own. It’s just…” Ha So-young felt slightly aggrieved. From a young age, he had shown exceptional skill in managing finances beyond his years. his father must have noticed this, yet he chose to bestow such a peculiar gift rather than tangible assets.

Ha So-young felt slightly wronged. From a young age, he had managed his finances exceptionally well beyond his years. his father must have noticed this, yet he left behind such a strange tree instead of tangible assets.

“Why bother transcending humanity? We’ll die eventually anyway. It would be better to enjoy our remaining time with fun and pleasure.”

Now, he even harbored slight resentment towards his father.

“If you were going to leave something like this instead of the Cheongdam-dong building, why not just stay here?” Ha So-young muttered half-heartedly before turning his attention back to the liquid on his palm.

he gazed momentarily at its faintly shimmering surface, then brought it up to his mouth and licked it.

“Ugh!”

Instantly, a sharp and intense sensation pierced his tongue. The pain felt like it reverberated through his head while simultaneously pounding on his heart.

It hurt. It was excruciating. As if fire were burrowing into his flesh, burning his nerves.

“Aaargh!” Ha So-young writhed uncontrollably. his entire body throbbed as scorching heat surged down to the tips of his toes.

After struggling with the agony for some time, he eventually lost consciousness.

When he came to, darkness had settled deep into the early morning hours.

his eyes opened groggily, gazing up at the tree left by his father. After a moment, he murmured almost absentmindedly:

“Dad, why didn’t you tell me it would be this painful?”

As if waiting for his question, his voice promptly responded.

[Didn’t I tell you that using more than one drop per day would cause significant harm to your soul? If abused, it can truly have severe consequences. That’s why it must be limited to one drop per day. Knowing your personality, I’m still worried you might gather and drink them all at once.]

“You didn’t answer me earlier but now respond promptly as if waiting for this moment? Were you giggling while watching my pain?”

-[Oh dear, what do you think of your father?

“But remember when I mistakenly sprinkled mustard sauce on a hamburger with the elixir, took one bite, and ended up rolling around in agony? You were laughing then, just like when I accidentally deleted my game account due to a wrong move. Oh, and recently, when I lost one of my AirPods, I heard you chuckling alone in the backyard, right?”

-All misunderstandings, indeed.

“-It was all misunderstandings.”

“What misunderstandings? I know your true intentions, Father.” Ha So-young grumbled, dusted off his hands, and turned away. At that moment, he heard an urgent voice from behind:

-Son! You must take this! The cooldown is over!

“The elixir?”

-Hurry up, drink it abundantly, grow rapidly, and shed your skin. You need to cast off this human shell as soon as possible.

As a tree branch swayed forward, Ha So-young looked at it with discontent before stretching out both hands palm-upward. The tip of the branch shimmered gold, and a single drop of translucent golden liquid dripped down with a soft plop.

“What should I do with this…” Ha So-young cradled his chin, staring intently at the transparent container holding the elixir. he continued observing it closely.

The golden liquid pooled at the center of the container without spreading out, almost resembling a glass marble rather than a fluid.

Ha So-young clutched his chest as his heart continued to race rapidly. Recalling the pain he had endured earlier sent chills up his spine.

“Oh no, I can’t handle that much agony again. What should I do…?” he pondered deeply.

According to legend, the elixir promoted growth and healing for both body and soul, provided complete recovery, and even enabled resurrection. Was there any way to utilize it other than consuming it?

he slowly scanned his surroundings until his gaze settled on a basket placed in one corner of the kitchen. Inside were several neatly arranged mushrooms he had purchased recently.

“Hmm, let’s give this a try.” Ha So-young lightly clapped his hands. “It might be worth attempting!”

The next day:

“Dad, please give me the elixir quickly.”

-“What’s wrong with you? Fine, take it.”

And the following day:

“Haven’t the cooldown time passed yet? Hurry up and give me the elixir. I’m feeling dizzy.”

-“Oh, my dear child. Yes, eat plenty to shed your human form swiftly. Here, take this.”

Yet another day:

“Dad! Elixir! Give me the elixir!”

-“Here it is. By the way, lately, your screams seem less intense.”

‘Ouch! Was my performance lacking yesterday?’

“Oh, that… It seems I’m getting used to it now. As the pain becomes familiar, it’s easier to bear.”

-“Excellent. My son truly possesses the qualities of a franchise god.”

“Well, of course! If someone like me, one-in-a-trillion, lacks potential, who else in the universe could claim it?”

-You cheeky thing.

The next day again:

“Dad, I’ve been thinking… Don’t you think it’s enough to give me two drops per day now?”

-Oh no, accidents often happen when you become too comfortable. Have you forgotten how you almost tore your hamstring by increasing your squat weight from 60kg to 70kg because it felt easy?

“I really think it will be okay.”

-No way. There is no history of increasing the dosage of elixir so quickly. This father opposes it.

Just as Ha So-young was about to feel disappointed, the silver-haired man spoke gently once more.

-Let’s do this instead. For six days a week, one drop per day, and on the seventh day, two drops.

“Daddy, that sounds good.”

-By the way, I haven’t seen you at home much lately. Where have you been going so frequently?

“I’ve been growing mushrooms lately, which keeps me busy.”

-“Mushrooms? Why suddenly?”

“My father had prepared a small garden corner for planting mushrooms before he passed away. I didn’t want it to go unused, so as a hobby, I’ve taken it up. Time really flies when I’m tending to them.”

-“Hmm, you used to complain and procrastinate when I suggested doing this together.”

“It’s true that we only realize the value of our parents after losing them. With Father gone, I feel lonely, and taking care of his mushroom patch helps me reflect on my actions.”

-“Indeed, filial piety should be shown while they’re still around. Parents never wait forever for their children. Understand now?”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

After Ha So-young left, the Galactic Tree remained silent for a long time before its branches gently trembled, almost like sighing.

-“This damn child is trying to deceive his father with obvious lies. Well, I’ll overlook it as part of growing up and rebellion. Anyway, you have no choice but to become the franchise god, my son.”

At that moment, Ha So-young had said…

“I’ve been a war hero, conquered the world, lived as a great mage, and even saved planets. Regardless, all the fame and power turned out to be meaningless. The best life is one spent peacefully, like being on permanent vacation.”

The well-manicured garden was surrounded by a two-meter-high brick wall.

“As expected, elixir makes the best natural fertilizer.” Ha So-young murmured proudly while observing the abundant growth of mushrooms.

“I decided before birth that this life would be about relaxing and living off rental income. Why would anyone think I’m crazy enough to struggle throughout my entire existence just for donations?”