Chapter 24: The Ginseng of Compassion”

I approached the youth and first asked for the full story.  

“Take a deep breath to calm down. It seems like you have a reason. Tell me slowly—why did you do something so reckless?”  

But the youth, still wary and feeling wronged, bit his lip tightly.  

As the self-proclaimed cultural ambassador, I felt a sense of responsibility for a human committing a crime. 

If possible, I wanted to resolve this amicably as a fellow human.  

“Keeping your mouth shut won’t solve anything.”  

To ease his guard, I spoke to him again in a calm, slow tone.  

“Maybe I can help you somehow.”  

Flinch.  

“Who are you? Are you human?”  

“You were too worked up to listen earlier, but you’re finally noticing my accent?”  

With his eyes covered, he couldn’t see me, but he must have picked up on my accent. 

Even though we use the same continental language, each region and race has its own distinct inflection.  

“That’s right, I’m from the western continent.”  

“Why is a human in the Elf Forest? And how could you possibly help me?”  

“You don’t believe me?”  

“Of course not! Elves treat other races like vermin. No matter what you say, it won’t make a difference.”  

“Then I’ll show you what I can do. Listen carefully.”  

I spoke loudly to Gail, making sure the youth could hear clearly.  

“Gail, can I buy that ginseng?”  

“Huh? You want to buy it?”  

“Yes. I’m curious about ginseng.”  

“Well, since it’s already been picked, there’s no reason you can’t. Take it and make good use of it.”  

This was the moment when the trust I’d built up shone through.  

“What?!”  

The youth, overhearing this, flared up.  

“I begged for it, and they said no! What kind of discrimination is this?!”  

“You’re an uninvited thief, while I’m a legally invited merchant. Of course, we’re treated differently.”  

Ugh.  

The youth trembled, finally realizing his situation.  

“Now do you believe what I said?”  

“Ahem.”  

“You want the ginseng, right? I could give it to you if…”  

“Really?”  

Suddenly, the youth became incredibly polite, his tone much softer.  

“Now convince me. Why do you need the ginseng?”  

He hurriedly opened his mouth.  

“I have a younger sibling who’s been frail since childhood. This winter, they fell ill with a fever and have been bedridden ever since.”  

He clenched his fists tightly, biting his lower lip as if trying not to cry.  

“I need that ginseng to save my sibling.”  

“To save your sibling…”  

My mouth felt bitter. 

Maybe it’s because I don’t have family, but situations like this make my heart weak.  

“Alright. I’ll give you the ginseng.”  

“Ah!”  

A smile spread across his face with a gasp of relief.  

“But you need to properly apologize to the elves. And promise never to steal again.”  

Immediately, the youth spoke in a calmer tone.  

“I’m sorry! I sincerely apologize for entering the forest without permission and trying to take herbs. It won’t happen again.”  

“Ahem, I’ll let it slide this time for the sake of the human merchant. But if you do it again, you’ll regret it!”  

The elf guard’s furrowed brow softened slightly.  

The elves didn’t seem too upset. 

Thankfully, this was resolved smoothly.  

I turned to Gail.  

“I’ll escort this youth out.”  

“Why bother? Just let him go at the eastern border, and he’ll find his way back.”  

“I’ve been thinking about visiting the eastern continent sometime, so I’ll take this chance to go.”  

“Alright then. That’s convenient for us, and we’re grateful.”  

I’d heard the eastern continent was full of unique foods and ingredients. 

The curiosity of encountering new crops swelled within me.  

I approached the youth and said,  

“Wait quietly while I finish my business. You want that ginseng so badly, so you can at least wait that long, right?”  

The youth nodded. 

Even though he had to stay bound until I finished trading, he didn’t complain.  

“A cool treat is perfect for a stressed-out mind. I brought watermelon sherbet today. Come to the plaza before it’s too late!”  

Having delayed too long, I hurried to the plaza. 

A long line was already waiting.  

“We were worried something happened!”  

“We thought our necks would break waiting!”  

“Sorry. Did you wait long?”  

I rushed to set up for business, but—  

“Huh? What’s this?”  

As I tried to place my goods on the table, I couldn’t hide my surprise. 

It wasn’t the usual table I’d been using. It was brand new, barely used.  

“It looked tough for you to set up every time you came. We prepared a dedicated table for you, so feel free to use it.”  

“A dedicated table?”  

I couldn’t believe my ears. 

A dedicated stall in the Elf Village? 

As a human, I’m the first to have a shop here.  

“Thank you all so much!”  

“We’re the ones who are grateful. Your stall makes our days fun.”  

“Exactly. We look forward to the days your stall opens.”  

My heart swelled. 

Their words gave me so much strength, especially when I was exhausted from mouth ulcers.  

I need to trade even harder!  

“Today’s menu is sherbet. Let’s start the business!”  

I scooped sherbet onto leaves and handed them out one by one.

Saffron coins gradually filled the large glass jar on the table.  

The line shrank quickly, and the sherbet sold out fast, but thankfully, no one missed out today.  

“It’s addictive!”  

“I can’t survive the hot summer without this sherbet!”  

The elves were growing more enchanted by my goods. 

As I wrapped up, I gently touched my dedicated table.  

My own stall…  

It was just a table, but it held special meaning for me. 

This was my first shop.  

Just a table, but it felt dear to me.  

***

I carried my things and walked to the village entrance where the youth was still sitting quietly, eyes covered.  

“Let’s go.”  

“What? Didn’t you say you were trading?”  

“I already finished.”  

“Already? You didn’t cut it short because of me, did you?”  

I snorted.  

“Why would I cut my business short for you?”  

“Then how…? Oh! There must not have been many customers. I was so thoughtless.”  

“Why are you jumping to conclusions?”  

“Huh? That’s not it?”  

“You seem like the type who doesn’t listen to others fully. No wonder you couldn’t get through to the elves. You probably both just kept talking over each other.”  

“Ahem.”  

I must have hit the nail on the head.  

“I finished early because I ran out of goods to sell.”  

“You sold out?”  

“Yup. So stop worrying about pointless things.”  

“Is that true?”  

“Why would I lie?”  

“Wow… How delicious must it be to sell out in less than an hour? I heard elves are super picky.”  

The youth seemed skeptical but muttered quietly.  

“…He’s way more impressive than I thought.”  

I shook my head side to side.  

“I’m going to move you now, so don’t struggle. If you fall while we’re flying, you could get seriously hurt.”  

“F-Flying?”  

Whoosh.  

I hoisted the youth onto my shoulder.  

“Dorori, let’s go!”  

We headed east. 

After leaving the Elf Forest, I warned him.  

“I’m taking off your blindfold, so don’t freak out.”  

As I removed the blindfold—  

Startle.  

“W-Waaah!”  

“I told you not to move! You’ll make me fall too!”  

“I-I’m flying?”  

The youth blinked repeatedly, unable to believe the situation.  

“Where’s your home? We just left the Elf Forest and entered the eastern continent.”  

“It’s the village up ahead.”  

Not far from the Elf Forest, there was a village. 

From above, it looked quite different from the villages I knew on the western continent.  

“That’s fascinating. Fields filled with water?”  

“Those are called rice paddies. The crop growing there is rice. When you remove the husk, you get rice grains.”  

“Rice? I’ve never heard of that crop.”  

My heart raced. 

Everything around me feels so new. 

It’s like the first time I visited the Elf Village.  

As Dorori and I descended to the village entrance, people gathered, spotting us coming down from the sky. 

Their eyes sparkled with wariness and curiosity.  

The youth waved both hands high with a bright smile.  

“Everyone! It’s me!”  

“Isn’t that Yujin?”  

“It is! It’s Yujin!”  

“Yujin’s mom! Yujin’s back!”  

A woman came running toward us at the village entrance.  

She looked furious.  

“Yujin, you!”  

“Mom…”  

Upon seeing her, Yujin’s voice trembled with tears, but he was smiling at the same time.  

“Look, it’s ginseng. Now we can save Yumin.”  

“Gasp.”  

Instead of replying, she covered her mouth with both hands. 

Her eyes reddened, and sobbing sounds slipped through her fingers.  

Murmur murmur.  

“Oh my! It’s really ginseng!”  

“Yujin got ginseng!”  

“Yumin’s saved. They’re saved!”  

The teary-eyed mother hugged Yujin tightly.  

“Thank you, Yujin.”  

Sniff.  

My nose suddenly stung. 

Something about the scene warmed a corner of my heart.  

Their care for each other was truly beautiful.  

“Mom, don’t thank me—thank this person. They got the ginseng for me.”  

The mother quickly turned to me and bowed deeply.  

“Thank you so much.”  

“Don’t mention it.”  

“Mom, let’s go to Yumin.”  

“Yes, come with us. We’ll take you to our home.”  

I followed the mother into the village.