Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World-Chapter 195: Exposed (Part 1)

Do Seungjin even reached out, trying to pull Kim Haru and Go Okrim behind him. "Mr. Kim, be careful!"

Kim Haru turned around to look and saw that the apple tree had suddenly become visible.

An empty patch of ground now had a tree standing there, seemingly out of nowhere. It was no wonder Do Seungjin and the others were on high alert. A mutated plant that could turn invisible? While they didn’t know why it had chosen to reveal itself instead of attacking them outright, dealing with an enemy that could become invisible was far from simple.

"It’s not an enemy," Kim Haru quickly assured them.

Go Okrim chuckled from the side. "What kind of look is that? Don’t you recognize this tree? Look at those red fruits hanging from its branches. You were just grilling us about these apples a moment ago, and now that it’s come out to meet you, you want to attack it?"

Do Seungjin and the other researchers froze in surprise.

They cautiously studied the suddenly visible tree. Sure enough, it looked exactly like an apple tree. The apples hanging from its branches were identical to the ones Mr. Kim and Go Okrim were holding.

"What… what is going on here?" someone muttered in confusion.

This apple tree was undoubtedly a mutated plant. For it to thrive in such a place meant it couldn’t possibly be a domesticated plant grown by a plant-type ability user. Why hadn’t it attacked them, though? Instead, it seemed to have offered Mr. Kim all these apples.

Mutated plants were supposed to despise humans to the core. So why was this happening?

Go Okrim recounted the events leading up to this moment, though he conveniently omitted the part about the zombie-bots rummaging through black pig’s manure to collect seeds. He simply explained that Mr. Kim had found the area to take a rest and had stopped to shell chestnuts, only to have one stolen by a hamster.

The rest of the story remained mostly unchanged, leaving the researchers utterly baffled.

This was the first time they’d ever heard of a human getting this close to a mutated plant without being attacked. In fact, the mutated apple tree even seemed… eager to please him.

What could they say? Truly, this was Mr. Kim at work.

Do Seungjin glanced between Mr. Kim and the apple tree, then at the bright red apples in Mr. Kim’s arms, and finally at the apples still hanging from the tree. He swallowed hard.

"Mr. Kim, since it’s willing to reveal itself to us, do you think it might also be willing to share its apples with us?"

The other researchers lit up at the suggestion, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Kim Haru had no idea. "Ask it yourself."

And Do Seungjin actually did. He stood right where he was, careful not to move any closer, and softened his voice as if coaxing a child. "Oh, apple tree, dear apple tree, could you spare an apple for me too?"

The apple tree: "…" Discover exclusive content at novelbuddy

The little hamster: "…"

Thwack!

Something flew over.

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Do Seungjin caught it, only to find it was a leaf. On the leaf, two bold lines had been scratched into a large X with tiny claws.

Well, that symbol clearly conveyed the apple tree and little hamster’s answer.

The other researchers crowded around let out a collective sigh of disappointment.

Then, as if by instinct, all their hopeful gazes turned to Kim Haru.

What could they do? They had encountered this peculiar apple tree, and those big, shiny, red apples were practically flaunting themselves right before their eyes. The more they looked, the harder it was to resist. After all, the apple tree didn’t eat apples, and the little hamster couldn’t possibly consume so many. Eventually, the apples would just fall to the ground and rot. Wouldn’t it be better for them to pick and enjoy them instead?

Kim Haru sighed. "…Let me try."

He couldn’t guarantee that the apple tree and little hamster would agree. After all, the apples belonged to them, and it was entirely up to them whether they wanted to share or let the apples rot.

"How about giving them a few?" Kim Haru cautiously suggested.

The next moment, there was a faint squeak, and a shiny red apple was hurled straight at Do Seungjin’s face, which he caught with ease.

Do Seungjin was overjoyed. "Mr. Kim, you’re amazing! Thank you, Mr. Apple tree! Oh, and thank you too, little hamster."

He treated the apple like a priceless treasure, looking around nervously before finally lifting his shirt and stuffing it under his clothes. Neither his pockets nor his bag seemed secure enough for such a valuable fruit.

Seeing that their leader had successfully gotten an apple, the other researchers eagerly raised their hands, one after another.

"Me, me, me! I want one too!"

"Me too! Apple tree, you’re the most beautiful, magnificent tree I’ve ever seen! And little hamster, you’re the cutest hamster in the whole wide world! Please give me an apple!"

"Generous, lovely, kind-hearted apple tree, and adorable, angelic little hamster—you’re like the angels of the plant and animal kingdoms. I’d love an apple too!"

With every word of praise, another apple was tossed into someone’s arms. This only encouraged the others, who scrambled to outdo each other with compliments.

Listening from the side, Kim Haru couldn’t help but laugh. If he didn’t know better, he’d think they were all fawning over a peerless beauty instead of a tree and a hamster.

Once everyone had received two apples, the excitement finally died down.

"This place isn’t very safe. The black pig come here often," Do Seungjin said, pointing to the area where the black pig had left their droppings. "Let’s leave this place."

Kim Haru nodded and followed the group as they started to leave.

But just as he turned, something tugged at the hem of his coat.

Kim Haru looked down and saw it was a branch from the apple tree.