I sent the hens ahead first and followed behind with Goldie.
“Hurry up!”
Just as Minjun urged me on and I was about to sprint while holding Goldie, a voice pierced my ears, causing me to stop without realizing it.
It was a beautiful, melodic voice that captured my attention.
-$%^&*(@#%^&?
I glanced back slightly and saw a blurry figure emerging from the Portal.
A humanoid monster? Already coming out?
I needed to run away quickly….
The figure looked around, then, upon seeing me, spoke again in words I couldn’t understand.
Though the figure was unclear, I felt as if she smiled at me.
- #@$%!$&%^$@%#@&$$^&$
The blurry form gradually became clearer, finally revealing a complete silhouette.
What stood there wasn’t a monster, but a woman.
And a very beautiful one at that.
When I didn’t move, Minjun hurriedly approached my side and shouted,
“Get a grip! I’ll stall her, you run!”
“Huh? Wait… haven’t I seen you before…!”
Before I could stop him, Minjun lunged toward her.
Bang!
Despite the loud crash, she remained unfazed.
That was because Minjun hadn’t even gotten close to her in the first place.
A translucent Barrier appeared at her mere gesture, blocking Minjun’s advance.
She was tall, the height of a grown man, with skin as white as snow.
Her long, straight hair was an elegant shade of blonde, and unusually, her ears were pointed like leaves.
I had only once in my life seen such beauty and ears.
“Kasia? The elf who was trapped inside the Dungeon, right?”
Though everything she said was incomprehensible, she must have caught that one word.
Because she said it herself.
To confirm my suspicion, a shining Communication Window appeared, turning my thoughts into certainty.
[Elf – Bond 100% complete]
(Hidden condition) After searching for 100 years, finally meeting the benefactor – fulfilled
Elves are a race that always repay favors and grudges. Do not act as an enemy to them.
100% completion effect: Communication possible with Elf race.
‘Thank goodness. I was about to try communicating with gestures and signs.’
Or was it? Maybe this was a chance to see if the universal language of body language worked across species.
‘Kasia,’ right. That’s my name. You managed to remember it well. But… since we can’t talk properly, what should we do…?’
“My name is Kasia.”
- Yes. That’s my name… huh? Strangely, I understand what you’re saying.
Minjun, who only had tanking skills and struggled to break through the wind Barrier, shouted,
“All monsters coming out of the Dungeon are dangerous. Step back!”
Normally, Minjun would be right.
If that had really been a monster.
“She’s way too pretty to be a monster!”
“You’re crazy!”
No matter how much I scolded him, it was useless.
Look at that beautiful elf—how could she possibly seem dangerous?
And she spoke with a refined, dignified tone.
If anyone was dangerous or bad, it was probably you.
“It’s only been three years, but you seem much more mature… is it really you?”
- Three years? I don’t understand. I wandered for 100 years searching for you.
“100!?”
I hadn’t expected the ‘100 years’ in the Window to be literal.
Of course, I didn’t lower my guard just because she was beautiful.
The Window said she was a benefactor I had been searching for, so I judged I wouldn’t harm her.
Besides, now we couldn’t even communicate.
- Then I shall formally introduce myself. I am Kasia of The Eternal Tree Tribe.
“My name is Do Minho. This place is Korea.”
You’re giving me a suspicious look. You look just like my benefactor. Are you brothers?
Receiving Kasia’s gaze, Minjun frowned and asked.
“Huh?”
“What’s that elf saying?”
“She’s asking who you are. My twin brother, Do Minjun.”
- Twins? Ah… yes. Even among elves, there are occasional twins. Born together, even look exactly alike.
“…What are you talking about?”
There are elves who are twins, huh?
It was rather uncomfortable translating their exchange.
At that moment, Minjun’s face lit up with a sudden idea.
“That elf was the one shared inside the Association. Bro, you bonded with her, right?”
“Yeah, that’s why I can communicate with her.”
“Then use the ability that lets you talk with the chicken and me.”
!!
As an active Hunter, Minjun was quick-witted.
Meanwhile, I foolishly forgot the skill I had just acquired the day before.
I silently wished in my head that the two of them could talk.
Just in case, I added a pinch of desperation.
“…Did it work?”
“Did it? I don’t feel anything.”
- Hoho. Twins, say more. It seems I understand your words too.
“Hmph.”
- You don’t have a good attitude. Benefactor, what kind of magic did you use?
“It’s my ability. Not only to communicate with those who feel close to me but also among them. You could call it ‘creating a bond.’”
Kasia nodded seriously but then hesitated.
- But your words… got shorter?
She was using informal speech.
I decided to be shameless.
“Didn’t I come looking for you as a benefactor? So why are you speaking informally while I have to be formal?”
- …I see. Then speak comfortably.
Thankfully, she didn’t mind and let it slide.
“By the way, 100 years have passed… it’s only been three years here, right? So the ratio is about 33 to 1?”
Time flows differently inside the Dungeon.
Sometimes a week inside passes, but only a day goes by outside; other times, a week inside equals a month outside.
“But then, your age….”
- I am 115 years old. And you?
“One hundred and fifteen?! W-we’re only 31…”
- The lifespans of humans and elves differ greatly, so you can relax. I give my permission, so don’t worry.
I swallowed nervously.
Still, when we first met, I was older than her, so it should be okay… right?
“It’s strange that time flows after the Dungeon closes.”
As Minjun said, I thought the Dungeon would vanish the moment it was cleared and closed.
- You speak the obvious. What would happen if our world disappeared when the Portal closed?
“I never really thought about it since we deal with the monsters and leave. Ah, no… I’m not saying you’re a monster!”
Kasia’s cold glare made me blurt out a quick excuse.
“But why are you here? To repay a favor?”
“Favor?”
Come to think of it, Minjun didn’t know about that.
I had never told him since I didn’t feel the need to bring up the past.
- I came both to repay a favor and to retrieve an item.
‘An item.’
Kasia’s gaze lingered on me.
More specifically, on my neck.
I remembered that day.
After defeating the boss monster, I found Kasia, who panicked and dropped something while fleeing.
A leaf-shaped necklace that radiated a faint, pleasant magical aura.
I had never taken it off since that day.
Wearing it made me feel better.
As I fiddled with the necklace, Kasia spoke.
Is that necklace to your liking?
“Uh? Yeah. I liked it so much that I’ve worn it all this time. Is it a precious item?”
Of course, I thought of it as loot from the Dungeon, so I considered it mine. But now that its owner appeared, things changed.
It’s our tribe’s treasure.
“What! Really?! Sorry…”
She had every right to come looking for such a treasured item.
…Should I return it?
- I don’t blame you for taking the treasure. Thanks to that, I found you.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Kasia explained while I stood there confused.
She said she could sense the treasure’s magic and locate it.
But because of countless dimensions, she had searched for a long time.
- But for some unknown reason, the treasure’s magic suddenly amplified. That’s how I was able to detect it.
“Amplified? This necklace is the only magical item I have.”
“…It seems I summoned it.”
At that moment, Minjun fiddled with his fingers and said,
“This is an Arcane Ring, a ring-type artifact that amplifies magic… It’s supposed to only work with my ability, though.”
It.
- I can explain that. Our elves call this necklace the Leaf of Erda.
The Leaf of Erda.
Fitting for an elven treasure, it had various effects.
Not only does it absorb some of the surrounding magical or elemental power and channel it to the wearer, but it also enhances healing and mental strength.
- Normally, it absorbs from nature. But since the magic was amplified and overflowing, it seems to have absorbed more.
Yet, what was etched most vividly in my mind was the word ‘mental strength.’
According to that, this necklace had made my current life possible.
After returning from the Dungeon, I had been summoned here and there, stressed out, unable to sleep due to trauma and nightmares.
It was a tough time to endure alone, sometimes thinking dark thoughts, but I had held on.
By chance, the necklace Kasia dropped had saved me.
“Kasia, thank you. Thanks to your necklace, I’m here now.”
- That’s fortunate.
Kasia answered with a light smile and extended her hand.
As I quietly looked at her hand, my gaze shifted to the necklace on her wrist.
“Ah! I should give it back, should I? It’s a treasure of my tribe; I shouldn’t keep it.”
When she took off the necklace, I felt slightly heavier.
Having never taken it off until now, I hadn’t realized the difference—it was striking.
Thank you for returning it. I’m glad you’re someone who can understand.
“Of course.”
I wasn’t exactly not tempted.
But treasures must always be returned to their rightful owners, so I handed it over.
How tragic it would be if someone took a treasure from our country and never returned it.
It might even lead to war.
“So, are you going back now?”
- Hmm… My purpose isn’t just the necklace.
“Huh? Then?”
“Are you stupid? I said I came to repay a favor.”
Now that I think about it, she had said that even before we talked about the necklace.
“Then….”
- I plan to stay by your side for a while.
“Stay by my side!?”
- Is there a problem?
“It’s taboo for men and women to live together! And my parents would worry… Wait, my parents would be dead by now. No, no! Not cursing! Just because they’d be old! No, no! I’m not saying you’re old! Ugh.”
Imagining living with a beautiful woman made my heart race, and I couldn’t concentrate on the conversation.
After one slip-up, my nervousness made my words jumble out awkwardly.
- Yeah. That’s not wrong.
Kasia slowly bowed her head.
Are her eyes… wet? Is it just my imagination?
“Just kill me….”
- Haha. How amusing. My parents are alive, and I’m still young.
“Your mouth is always the problem.”
I felt my face flush red hot.
- Don’t worry. I don’t plan to be a freeloader. I came to repay a favor. Once I have fully repaid you, I will leave.
“So, you’re saying you’ll stay at my house?”
- Is there a problem?
Minjun, who had been silently listening, asked curiously.
“Why do you trust him enough to live here?”
“What’s wrong with me!”
- I understand human thinking. Though I don’t know everything you’re talking about, I have confidence too.
Kasia explained why she was so sure.
The necklace’s wearer must love nature.
That alone had already won Kasia over, but the decisive factor was that I tried to return the Leaf of Erda without hesitation.
My character was also approved.
“I approve of you too, Kasia.”
?
Of course. Opportunities to live with an elf like Kasia may only come now.
Minjun quietly nodded.
“Anyway, welcome, Kasia. Looking forward to working with you.”
I nodded in return.
Three years since returning to farming.
After the chickens, I had gained a new family.