Chapter 14: To Elia

Nothing good is good unconditionally.

That phrase means only one thing.

“Rather, it’s because the water is too pure that Porti cannot grow.”

As I was stroking my chin, deep in thought, Kasia suddenly spoke up from beside me.

• My thoughts are not necessarily the correct answer.

“If that’s the case, does pure water lack the nutrients needed for plants to grow?”

Talking with Kasia, I began to understand faintly.

• More importantly, it must be due to Porti’s nature. Porti uses impure mana to purify and aid healing.

“Mana? Is that even a thing? Our world has magical power, but I’ve never heard of mana.”

• Mana is something everyone carries within their bodies. Even nature itself—earth and water included—is the same.

It’s similar to the explanation of magical power people talk about.

Everyone has magical power, but if you learn to sense and use it, you can awaken as a superhuman.

‘Actually, people with keen senses awakened faster.’

In the end, mana is a power the same as or very similar to magical power.

Still, I didn’t understand why mana was called an impurity.

Magical power is a useful force that allows superhumans to use skills.

“Then why do you call magical power, or rather mana, an impurity?”

• We elves use the power of spirits granted by nature’s love. If we can empty the mana from our bodies, that power grows even stronger.

When I asked more details, Kasia shared an unexpected story.

Elves had suffered for long years because of hunters from other worlds who targeted them.

And the power those hunters used—their cursed power—and its source, mana.

For elves who expel mana and use spirit power, that power is something they cannot look upon favorably.

“Hunters from other worlds?”

• That’s right. Not only from Earth but from other dimensions and other worlds.

Thinking about it, it’s not strange.

Just as dungeons opened on Earth and connected to the elf world, other worlds could exist just as well.

If dungeons opened there too, that is.

‘So that’s why Kasia ran off without looking back the first time we met.’

She was afraid hunters would cause trouble.

Because of the history and experiences elves had already endured.

‘The past is past. It doesn’t matter. What matters is growing Porti.’

Piecing together Kasia’s words, it seemed Porti purifies impurities, including magical power mixed in the water and soil, and exerts a healing effect on its own.

If my guess was right, it might even grow on its own.

“Then the soil is already full of nutrients and can’t be changed, so I have to change the water.”

• Correct. Just keep in mind that there may be variables like differences in mana concentration between our world and this one.

“Thanks, Kasia.”

• I’m glad I could help my benefactor.

I wanted to immediately ask Kasia to open a portal to Eliya.

It would be great to scoop up some soil and even better if I could gather Porti itself.

But… I recalled how Kasia’s expression darkened sharply when we talked about portals a few days ago, so I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

Ten days later.

I changed the water to tap water, but Porti still remained stagnant in its growth.

Whenever I had time, I thought about how to make Porti grow, but I just couldn’t figure it out.

I asked the farming veterans of Chilcheonri for advice, but it was no use.

‘Is it already dead? But the leaves look fresh. What on earth is the problem?’

Is it because the water and soil are different from the elf world?

Or is it, as Kasia said, the concentration of magical power in the surroundings?

In the end, both mean the same thing.

It’s due to environmental differences.

‘Still, I can’t just go there myself and scoop up soil and water. Sigh.’

It had been three days since I placed a chair in front of the Porti field.

I thought maybe staring at it would spark some idea, but apparently not.

While I was deep in thought, the now fully grown chickens I had recently hatched began complaining.

(We want to go farther than the house and field!)

(Yeah! Don’t cage our freedom!)

(We’re all grown up!)

They were hens.

When I checked the genders of the newly hatched chicks, just like with Goldie, there was one male and the rest females.

But the male didn’t dare challenge the authority and power of Goldie, who was also male, so the grumbling came only from the hens.

(I know you feel frustrated, chickens. But you should be grateful the owner has given you this much freedom.)

(I don’t know about that! It’s suffocating!)

Goldie’s reprimands continued.

(You have had this since birth. We were all locked together in a small box when we were young, and it was only after coming here that we finally got a home and space to roam.)

(Hmph! You don’t understand because you haven’t been through it! Stop oppressing us!)

‘They take it for granted since it’s always been that way…’

Listening to Goldie’s parenting made me feel like I’d been struck hard on the back of the head with a blunt weapon.

“Why was I thinking about growing what’s already grown? These are already accustomed to the magical power concentration of the elf world. It’s better to raise and tame seeds here from the start.”

I left the chicken scolding to Goldie and went inside to ask Kasia.

“Kasia, I have a favor to ask.”

“Kasia?”

Kasia was so absorbed in watching a drama marathon she didn’t even acknowledge me.

I shook her body, and only then did she turn to me with eyes shadowed by dark circles.

Should I ban her from watching TV…

When Kasia heard my request, she shook her head.

• I don’t want to go back yet.

“You haven’t gone back even once since you came here. Have you told anyone you came? No, right? Everyone must be worried sick. They’re just saying it because they care about you.”

• Huu…

Kasia sighed deeply, clearly reluctant.

• If you go once, you don’t know when you’ll return. Are you really okay with that?

“Uh? That would be difficult.”

• Hah, I knew I’d miss you.

“Then I don’t even know when we’ll get the seeds.”

• …That’s true.

“Can I come along?”

I wanted to see the environment where Porti grew naturally for myself.

• Our world?

“Yes. I’ve been there before, so it should be fine, right?”

• You’ve only met me, haven’t you? You know my tribe dislikes humans.

“Still, I’m your benefactor… You said a favor must be repaid no matter what. Can’t I just take the seeds and soil and come back?”

Thinking I was too casual, Kasia let out a small sigh.

• Of course you are a benefactor. But if everyone finds out you’ve slept and eaten with me here, it will definitely cause problems.

“When have you and I ever slept together? We just live in the same house.”

Someone might misunderstand.

• Oh no! Men and women must never be alone together! Even us speaking face to face like this is unacceptable!

“That’s just your country’s custom. How many dramas have you watched?”

• Elves are even more strict than that.

“Ah! Whatever~ I’ll just find out when we get there. You wouldn’t harm your benefactor, right? Porti is a crop that must absolutely be grown. If it succeeds, it’ll be huge.”

I dealt a decisive blow to Kasia’s reluctant expression.

“You could eat all the beef you want, plus many other delicacies. If it succeeds… but if you’re so opposed, then I guess there’s no helping it.”

• Wait… Did you just say beef?

Kasia’s sharp, pointed ears perked up.

She must have developed a good appetite since coming to Earth.

After glancing around thoughtfully, Kasia nodded and looked at me.

• Alright. It’s time to go home for the first time in a while. Even more time has passed there.

I’ll have to remember this well.

If you want to get Kasia moving, just mention beef.

Like the saying “strike while the iron is hot,” we decided to depart immediately.

The location was the warehouse where Kasia had opened a portal before.

Opening a portal requires intense concentration, so Kasia told me to leave so there’d be no distractions.

I quickly left the warehouse.

‘I was curious to see how a portal forms… Maybe I can at least hear the sounds?’

Pressing my ear to the warehouse door, I listened carefully.

• Burn away all … The fire … Spirit of endless circulation … Spirit of the earth that sustains the world. Spirit of the wind that exists everywhere! Gather here and open the Portal of Eliya!

Then the ground trembled lightly, and the warehouse door where I was pressing my ear vibrated.

Hoo. The portal has opened.

When I went inside, Kasia looked exhausted.

Not only was she breathing heavily, but her face was pale without a trace of color.

“Are you okay?”

• …A little rest will make me better.

I brought a cup of water to Kasia, who looked worn out.

Phew! I feel saved. I’m okay, so let’s go.

“Alright. Hoo! Hoo…”

Before entering the portal, I took a deep breath in and exhaled deeply.

How much pain I endured there.

But now I have overcome it.

I’m not who I was three years ago.

I took a deep breath and hypnotized myself.

The trembling that wouldn’t calm down slowly began to settle.

• Are you ready?

“Let’s go.”

Kasia, who had been waiting for me to calm down, stepped into the portal first.

Shuuk—

Like shattered glass fragments, she was absorbed into the portal.

It’s just like when entering a dungeon.

I also took a firm step and stepped into the portal.

• Welcome to Eliya.

“Where is this…?”

I turned my head toward Kasia’s voice beside me, but saw nothing.

The surroundings were pitch black.

“Kasia, where are you?”

Fwaa—

Suddenly, a light appeared in the darkness.

Like people released from prison, I covered the light with my hand.

“Are we outside?”

• No. This is the firefly of Eliya. Your world must have them too, right?

Kasia extended a huge glowing orb resting in her palms toward me.

“We have fireflies, but none this big.”

Looking closely, it was definitely a firefly.

Its rump was lit up, and it gently fluttered its wings, but because it was so large, even the smallest movement felt unnatural.

Right, all the insects here are big.

“Don’t they attack?”

• Such small insects are not aggressive.

“You call that small?”

• They only attack if they’re at least child-sized. Now, follow me.

As I took my eyes off the firefly, the surroundings came into view.

We stood in the middle of a long corridor that seemed endless, with earthen walls on both sides.

“Where are we?”

• Didn’t I say Eliya?

“No….”

• We have to go a bit further, so hurry.

Kasia started walking as if urging me forward.

It reminded me of the tunnels dug in North Korea.

“It’s long. What kind of space is this?”

• It’s my secret passage. We’re almost there, so get ready. It won’t be easy.

After many twists and turns without any forks, stairs appeared leading upwards.

“Hey, Kasia. The top is blocked….”

The top was blocked by something that looked like a wall, but Kasia climbed the stairs without hesitation, as if it was no problem.

Then—

Creak—

Kasia pushed the ceiling aside with her hand, revealing another space.

• How do you feel? You’re the first man to enter my room.

“Is this your room?”

Kasia lowered the firefly down the stairs.

Then she covered the wooden floor at the entrance with a carpet made of woven leaves so the passage wouldn’t be visible.

‘A secret passage hidden under a carpet. It’s like something out of a movie.’

I looked around.

An elf’s room… it wasn’t very spacious.

The strong scent of earth and grass reminded me that this was the natural home of an elf.

On the wall, some kind of horns were decorated as ornaments, and a beautifully wrapped bow made of leaves hung on them.

Underneath was a quiver filled with arrows.

“A bow? You know how to hunt?”

• Of course. All elves are warriors. To survive in a place crawling with monsters like this, you have to be able to protect yourself.

Right. Unlike safe Earth, Eliya had many aggressive insect monsters.

“I thought I had almost cleared them all out…”

Memories of walking around half out of my mind and killing every insect monster I saw came to mind.

I tried hard to forget, but seeing it so vividly meant it was still a problem I had to overcome.

• They will not disappear as long as Eliya remains.

I was exhausted after just one battle, so I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for elves living alongside them.

I didn’t offer any consolation.

As an outsider, I could never truly empathize, and that was simply their way of life.

• Still… thanks to you killing most of the insect monsters back then, it was peaceful for a while.

“Th… thanks.”

“Huh? What? Sorry, I wasn’t listening. Can you say that again?”

For some reason, Kasia’s face and even her ears had turned red.

• I said, “Let’s go find Porti quickly.”

“Yeah, let’s hurry.”

• You should prepare your heart. Our kind really dislike humans.

“It’ll be fine. I’m your benefactor, after all.”

Just as Kasia was about to say something, the door suddenly clicked open, and armed soldiers flooded in.