The One Branch of The Tree
- Raka, an ordinary high school student, dies of exhaustion and is reincarnated with his entire class into a fantasy world. There, everyone receives a class and a blessing from the gods to start a new life. While his friends acquire powerful classes like knight, mage, healer, and assassin, Raka is given the class considered the weakest and most shameful: the One Tree Branch.
- Considered a burden and a threat to the group, Raka was betrayed and hunted by his own friends on their first day of arrival. Cornered in the Forbidden Forest, a place known as a region full of monsters and death, Raka discovered his class' true ability: Devour Root, the power to absorb the attributes, energy, and even skills of anyone he kills.
- Since then, his life changed completely.
- To survive, Raka is forced to kill monsters, bounty hunters, and the people who hunt him. Each victory makes him grow stronger, while his class weapon slowly evolves from a lowly twig into an increasingly terrifying weapon.
- In the midst of his struggle for survival, Raka meets Nara, a mysterious girl wielding two daggers who has her own agenda in the Forbidden Forest. Together with Nara, Raka enters the Core Zone, the mysterious center of the forest filled with ancient ruins, artifacts, and a dangerous organization called the White Council.
- There, Raka discovers that his class resonates with a mysterious entity called the False World Tree, a giant tree that is the source of the anomalies in the Forbidden Forest.
- The deeper he unravels the secrets of the False World Tree, the more it becomes clear that the One Tree Trunk class is not a failed class, but rather a forbidden fragment of the true World Tree-a power that has long been sealed away because it was thought to be capable of destroying the balance of the world.
- Now Raka is at a crossroads: take revenge on his friends who betrayed him, or pursue the truth behind the World Tree fragment that is now directly connected to him.
- But one thing is certain, the more power he absorbs, the closer he gets to something far more dangerous than death: losing himself and becoming the new vessel for the World Tree.
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Chapter 16
The sky above the Forbidden Forest was torn apart by wildly moving clouds, the wind swirled into a massive vortex, and a silhouette slowly descended in the air—a winged humanoid wearing silvery-white armor with gold details on its shoulders and chest. The aura emanating from it was so heavy that my breath hitched, every instinct in my body screaming one thing: run, immediately , now.
A notification appears.
Target identified:
Executioner Seraphiel
Affiliation: White Council
Level: unreadable
Threat: Disaster
I read the last word twice, disaster. Oh good, now the system is even starting to use new vocabulary to scare me, I looked at Nara.
“Do we have diplomatic options?”
Nara looked up at the sky.
“No.” The quickest answer in history.
Seraphiel landed slowly a few meters in front of us his feet touching the ground without a sound, large white wings folded behind his back, his face handsome too handsome.
The handsome type that usually comes with an overconfidence in one's own greatness and a high casualty count, his eyes are a pale gold, cold and devoid of emotion.
He looked at Cervaros's dead body, then his gaze shifted to me, a look that sent a chill down my spine. Another confession of tired popularity.
“So this is the container,” he said.
His voice was calm too calm, I raised an eyebrow.
“Can you stop calling me like an object?”
Seraphiel ignored me the rude trend continued, she raised one hand a golden magic circle appeared in the air the mana around immediately vibrated, Nara and I reflexively stepped back.
“Hand over the fragment,” he said.
I held the World Thorn Sword tighter.
"No."
Simple, classic, reliable. Seraphiel stared at me for a few seconds as if giving me a last chance, then let out a thin sigh.
“It's a shame.”
The next second he disappeared, my eyes widened quickly my instincts screamed, I raised my sword reflexively.
CLAY!
The impact hit my entire body as Seraphiel appeared right in front of me. The lightsaber in her hand pressed against my weapon, sending me flying dozens of meters, hitting a tree trunk.
BUK!
“UGHH—!”
My lungs felt empty, sore, and aching. The difference in power was absurd, I barely even saw her move. Seraphiel was gone again. Oh no! I rolled away quickly, the lightsaber hitting my spot.
BOOM.
The ground split open completely senseless, Nara thrust his dagger in from Seraphiel's blind spot blocking casually with just two fingers.
THING.
He blocked the knife attack with his fingers, which should have been illegal. Seraphiel pushed Nara away, sending a small shockwave flying. Nara was thrown backward, landing with difficulty, even he had difficulty.
Too bad, I stood there panting, thinking quickly. There was no way to win head-on, no way. I needed tricks, not bullshit.
Requiring protagonist privileges, I activated Root Domain full of roots all over the area moving, dozens of roots attacked Seraphiel from various directions, she stood still only the light sword spinning.
SWISH.
All roots are cut in one motion.
…
It was emotionally devastating, Seraphiel looked at me.
“Interesting toy.”
I was a little offended; it wasn't a toy, it was a skill derived from trauma. He slowly approached, very confident. His aura pressed down on the surrounding area, and I gritted my teeth.
Notifications appear small.
Warning.
Mental pressure detected.
Corruption Resistance active.
Good at least something helps, I raised my mana sword flowing new skill Corrupted Burst never tried before.
Ideal testing time? No.
Do I have a choice? Also no.
I activated a skill, a greenish-black energy enveloping the World Thorn Sword. A corruption aura exploded out. Seraphiel paused for the first time, her expression slightly amused. Good, I dashed forward and slashed. Seraphiel blocked with her lightsaber.
CLANG!
The energy wave exploded Corruption and light clashed for a split second he was pushed back half a step.
HALF A STEP.
I almost cried with emotion, small progress but still progress, Seraphiel looked at my sword.
“The fragment is growing faster than predicted.”
Okay that sounds important in the context of the story, Nara shouted.
“Straight, focus!”
Okay, no celebration, Seraphiel attacked again, I blocked it, the impact was even heavier, my body almost collapsed. Damn, Corrupted Burst increased power but consumed a brutal amount of mana, I couldn't sustain it for long, I needed an exit strategy.
Now I glance at the quest
Day 5/7
No help, thank you system. Suddenly Nara appeared beside me and whispered quickly.
“There is a way out.”
I looked at him.
“Why only now?”
"Because I just saw an opportunity."
In that case, okay.
“What's the plan?”
Nara pointed at Cervaros's dead body. I followed his finger. The monster's core was cracked, but it wasn't completely destroyed. There was still some corruption energy left. Oh, I'm starting to understand. It's dangerous, but I like it.
“Blow it up?” I whispered.
Nara nodded, a fine piece of destructive improvisation. Seraphiel attacked again, and I held back as best I could as our swords collided.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Every impact made my hands numb, I almost lost my grip. The difference was ridiculous, I needed a few more seconds just a few.
“Nara!” I shouted.
He was already moving towards the core of Cervaros. Seraphiel realized he was about to give chase, so I forced Root Domain out completely, all the remaining roots wrapped around his legs for half a second, enough.
“Go away,” I muttered.
Nara stabbed her dagger into the remaining unstable mana core, and the corruption reacted immediately. Oh, that looks explosive, I shouted:
"Run!"
We both ran away, Seraphiel cut the roots and turned around, too late.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A giant corruption explosion shook the entire area, a greenish black wave swept through the forest, the ground was lifted, trees were uprooted, an aura of chaos exploded everywhere.
Nara and I were thrown by the shockwave, my body rolled over several times, my vision was spinning, dust filled the air, my ears were ringing.
I coughed hard, trying to get up, trying to stay alive. It was impossible. I looked towards the explosion, the area covered in black smoke, but nothing was visible.
Seraphiel? Unknown.
Dead? No way.
Disturbed? Sure.
Nara pulled my arm.
“Now!” he said firmly.
There was no argument we immediately fled deeper into the forest because it seemed my life now was: fighting cosmic forces and then escaping with a thin timing.
After several minutes of non-stop running, we finally stopped in a rocky area far from the explosion site. Breathing heavily, my body completely exhausted, I sat down, still trembling.
"That…"
I catch my breath.
“It was a very unpleasant experience.”
Nara leaned against the rock, panting slightly as well, the first time I'd seen her truly tired. It was nice to know she was human too.
"We managed to escape," he said.
I chuckled.
“Our standards for success are very low.”
Nara almost looked like she wanted to smile, almost. The quest appeared again.
Quest progress updated.
Day 6/7
One more day, just one more day, I looked up at the night sky that was starting to descend, my body tired, my mana almost gone.
The enemy of the elite organization, the executor is probably still alive but somehow I smile because I am still alive, still growing, still moving forward and that is enough for now.
[END CHAPTER 16]
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8.3
Betrayed at the altar. Replaced by her own sister.
On what should have been the happiest day of her life, Amara loses everything-her fiancé, her dignity, and her future.
But that same night, a dangerous man steps out of the shadows with an offer she can't refuse.
Marriage. Power. Revenge.
Now bound to a ruthless CEO, Amara is ready to destroy everyone who betrayed her.
There's just one problem...
Her new husband knows more about her past than he should.
And the closer she gets to revenge-
the more she realizes she may have married the man who ruined her in the first place.
8.4
I worked three double shifts at the garage just to buy a velvet-boxed cake for my wealthy girlfriend, Arleen.
But when I pushed open the VIP room door, I saw her lover kissing her bare leg.
She didn't push him away. Instead, she laughed and swirled her martini.
"I only forgot Finn because I knew he would stay. He is a poor boy from Queens who follows me around like a loyal dog."
Later that night, her lover intentionally crashed a Porsche to scare me, sending a piece of jagged metal into my skull.
Lying in a growing pool of my own blood, I watched Arleen crawl out of the wreckage.
She didn't even look at me. She threw herself at her uninjured lover, screaming for a medic.
"He just got scraped by a piece of plastic. He is faking it. Deal with Jaquez first!"
When I woke up, I wasn't free. Arleen had locked me in a private hospital wing with 24-hour security, planning to isolate me and keep me as her broken, captive toy forever.
My blind, pathetic devotion finally froze into absolute disgust.
I looked at the heart monitor next to my bed and grabbed an IV needle.
I severed the sensor wire to trigger a flatline, slipped out the fire stairs while the nurses panicked, and burned my identity to ashes.
This time, I was going to disappear to London, build my own empire, and watch hers burn.
7.2
Clifton, the god of esports, was secretly battling a career-ending wrist injury to protect his team.
A year ago, he kissed his duo partner, Justice, only to be met with violent disgust. Justice shoved him away and dry-heaved in the rain, looking at him like a monster.
Humiliated by the straight man's raw revulsion, Clifton cut him out of his life.
But now, Justice suddenly appeared at Clifton's club as a rookie tryout.
Instead of an ambitious climber, Justice played the perfect, pathetic victim. He cowered, trembled, and acted terrified whenever Clifton was near.
He even signed a bloodsucking contract with a toxic teammate, sparking rumors he was brought in to replace Clifton as captain.
During a scrimmage, Clifton hesitated to shoot because he remembered Justice had just severely burned his hand.
Justice showed no mercy. He ruthlessly gunned Clifton down, humiliating the captain in front of the entire coaching staff.
Clifton was consumed by blinding rage and betrayal.
If Justice was so disgusted by him, why did he fake his devotion for six months just to use him?
Why was he acting like helpless prey now, after trampling all over Clifton's pride?
Determined to rip off the liar's disguise, Clifton dragged Justice into a live stream in front of sixty thousand viewers.
"He's asking if you are in love with me."
Clifton smiled cruelly, waiting for the public execution. But just as the trap snapped shut, a choked, terrified gasp came through the headset.
8.6
Lilac Stone once wanted nothing more than being unnoticed. But everything changed the moment she met Adrian Cole, the new lecturer.
He's distant and completely off-limits. She's quiet, guarded, and unprepared for the way he sees right through her.
What begins as harmless conversations after class quickly turns into something far more dangerous-something neither of them can stop no matter how hard they try.
But then they're living in a world where rules are meant to be followed, and their connection is one line they were never supposed to cross.
Whispers turn to accusations. Secrets are exposed. Their futures are at risk.
They are merely two opposites-a lecturer and a student, a male and a female-but they are bound to destroy each other as long as they are huddled in one space at the same time.
What then can they choose: forfeit their futures and embrace their happiness, or let the latter slip while keeping their careers intact?
8.8
"Fuck...please..."
He risks a nibble, sending shockwaves to my core. My back arches off the wall with a sharp moan.
His hand slides between my legs, cupping my soaking panties.
"Look how wet you are," he whispers, "...shaking, and I haven't even fucked you yet."
He strokes my clit gently first, then harder. My toes curl, hair spilling into my sweaty face.
He's breaking me, ruining me with just his tongue and fingers. I can't speak. I can't think. I just tremble in his arms.
*********
The night I caught my fiancé cheating, something in me broke.
I cried.
I screamed.
I drove - into the rain, into nowhere, into him.
Cassian Cross.
A stranger with gray eyes, a sinful mouth, and hands that made me forget my name.
One night was all it took. One reckless mistake to burn away my heartbreak.
Until he showed up at my mom's wedding...
As my new stepbrother.
Now, Cassian won't stop.
He corners me in hallways, whispers filth at the altar, and looks at me like he still owns my body.
But there's one thing he didn't tell me-
He already belongs to someone else.
A fiancée bound to him by a contract... and a secret that could destroy us both.
He's dangerous.
He's forbidden.
He's promised to another.
And God help me, I still can't stop wanting him.
9.7
Gemma expected the tearing agony of the bullet wound that had just ended her life.
Instead, her trembling fingers met the cool, smooth friction of heavy silk.
She stared into the mirror. Her face was flawless, completely devoid of the jagged scar that had marred her cheek for the last five years.
It was exactly ten years ago. The day of her engagement party to the ruthless billionaire, Brion Hubbard.
In her past life, her "best friend" Katelyn convinced her to run away with a scheming scumbag.
Katelyn claimed Brion was a heartless tyrant who would ruin her. Gemma had foolishly believed those fake tears.
That choice led to her family's bankruptcy, her brutal disfigurement, and ultimately, a fatal bomb explosion.
The only person who tried to save her was Brion, his blood-soaked body shielding hers from the blast.
She even realized too late that the strawberry cream cakes she always made for him were full of dairy.
He wasn't leaving to cheat on her. He was locking himself in a medical bay, fighting fatal allergic shock, just to accept a tiny scrap of her affection.
Gemma had been so incredibly blind. Why did she trust the venomous snakes who destroyed her, while hating the man who died for her?
Hearing Katelyn frantically knocking on the dressing room door, urging her to run away again, a towering hatred surged through Gemma's veins.
This time, she wasn't going to run.
She was going to expose the traitors, take back her family's wealth, and claim the tyrant for herself.