Chapter 179 - A Talk

Immediately after Uncle Jo took Alph away with him, a voice sounded and it was not from Teren, the only person in the surroundings.

"You are here..."

"You know me?"

Teren first asked without getting surprised. But behind that indifferent face, he was actually apprehensive.

"How would I not...?"

"Then, do you also know why I'm here?"

"... not to kill me."

Teren sighed in relieved and nodded, "Yes, not to kill me."

"Because you... can't..."

"I will not prove I can. I have some questions. A lot of them."

"No... I do not answer..."

Teren frowned at this. He doesn't understand what the tree just said.

As if sensing his puzzlement, the tree continued in a mystical voice that doesn't seem like a human can voice. It's as if it was digitally edited first as it gently echoed.

"I say... what I need to say..."

"Then... say it." Teren patiently replied.

"But I have nothing... to say to you..."

"Can I do nothing then?"

"... I do not answer."

Teren sighed but with frustration this time. It's like talking to a robot with limited replies. However, after a bit of thought, he sat down on a near boulder, comfortably and said.

"Then let's talk."

"Hmm... you really are Teren Hark..."

Teren wanted to ask 'what does that mean' but he knew that wouldn't produce any result. As a fellow top-ranking Aberrant, Teren could somehow understand that this tree has a few loose screws.

"Then I'll start with the introduction. My name's Teren Hark. Hark is my second name but sometimes, I use it as a family name not to attract unnecessary questioning."

Teren became honest and waited for a moment before the tree spoke just as he expected.

"I am... Nature... but some call me... Ancient... or, Ancient Prophet..."

After that, there was a slight pause.

"... should I turn... into a human...?"

"It's better if you turn to your original form."

Teren suggested. However, he was quite relaxed as there was progress. The tree began adjusting for their talk, in other words, it had the intention to talk.

"Orginal form... I'm afraid you... can't see it..."

"Okay, transform into anything you want."

"Wait..."

Teren found that this tree is not that different from a human, he feels it's like that, at least.

It was just a blink of an eye and a naked woman was standing in front of him. Since it was still noon, Teren could clearly see every curve of this woman. There was only one word for it-

She was beautiful.

"After countless generations, this is the most beautiful woman I have seen. I took a liking to this form and also, her voice... it's soothing to the ear."

A man like Teren was immediately aroused by the beauty that can be called art. Furthermore, to be fully naked in front of him... it was irresistable. Therefore, he closed his eyes. He didn't want his bodily reactions to be put into play in this important conversation.

'I don't want to admit it but she's even more beautiful than the prettiest woman I know, Iesa. But this form of it is too perfect, it's becoming uncanny.'

Teren felt that this form of the Ancient is a weapon to arouse men and start wars. That's just how beautiful she is and there are no better words to describe it other than it's - catastrophic.

"Am I wrong? Why are you closing your eyes?"

Teren heard her say along with footsteps that were getting closer to him.

"This is odd. Did human's view on beauty change already?"

"No, that form is indeed like that but please, put on some clothes first."

"Clothes. I don't have the power to create manmade objects such as clothes. However, if it's something to hide my body, then is this fine?"

Teren opened one eye to peek and saw the woman having vines and leaves intertwined, making a nature-themed dress. She was like a fairy of Earth.

"That's doable."

"Is my body hideous?"

"It's too arousing that I can call it disturbing."

"..."

"It's a compliment."

"Thank you."

The woman bowed down with one fluid movement. However, her precious face was akin to a painting. A painting that is masterfully created but doesn't move and that's natural. But for an entity in the real world, it's uncanny.

But Teren didn't mind. If this woman smiled, it would be a critical hit for his teenage heart.

The woman sat down in the air as if there's no gravity. But as she gets into the position, a boulder similar to what Teren sat on was formed.

A third rock formed in the middle of the two, forming like a table. It was smooth and circular. Then trees from the surrounding twisted and extended. Their leaves created something like a roof above them.

After a few breaths, a gazebo in the middle of nowhere was created.

"Let me repeat my introduction. I am Nature, the world itself..." seeing that Teren still found that introduction lacking, Nature, the woman continued, "The being that separates heaven and hell. Also, the gatekeeper to the realm you humans call... the Spirit Plane."

Teren didn't show any reaction but he was internally shocked. But Nature still continued.

"I am also the Prophet who foresees the inevitable future. So..." she rested her arms on the table as if getting onto the important matter, "... the weather is beautiful today, isn't it?"

Teren nodded and stayed silent for a while.

'I retract what I thought last time... I don't think this person is like a human.'

"I cannot hear thoughts like her, could you please reply to me verbally?"

"...? Who do you mean by her?"

"I don't think that's the topic of our conversation?" Nature tilted her head as if in complete puzzlement.

"No, actually, never mind. The weather is good but I wouldn't say beautiful."

"I want the weather to be beautiful for both of us... I am quite fond of beauty. Tell me, what kind of weather do you prefer?"

"A bit cloudy."

Teren tested and looked at how this person uses an ability. This was not a Spirit but it was a skill Teren have formulated from some unknown reason. He knows when a person uses a Spirit or how many does one have.  Of course, habitually, he only uses it on malicious people.