<Chapter 22>

Pilhyuk was drenched in cold sweat.

He hadn’t meant to actually destroy the Human Special Autonomous District. He just wanted to mess with them a little.

He was part of that district too, after all.

So it was just a prank. Just a dumb little prank.

‘Damn it. Why are those guys, who are usually so fast, taking forever to get here?’

Pilhyuk nervously looked around. The area was so noisy that no one else seemed to have noticed what was happening.

“Haa, ha…”

And of course, that clueless elf didn’t run back to the tent. She bolted straight into the forest.

“Kyaaa!”

A newly freed beast shot into the air and charged straight at Ardishu.

“Shit!”

Pilhyuk squeezed his eyes shut.

Crash!

A loud noise rang out. When Pilhyuk opened his eyes just a sliver, he saw the beast sprawled out on the ground.

‘Huh? The beast? Not the elf? What just happened?’

He blinked in shock at the unexpected turn of events.

“I-it attacked first, so I had to defend myself! This is just self-defense…”

Beside the trembling Ardishu, a powerful wind began to swirl, threatening to consume everything around it.

“I-I don’t even know how strong this is going to be!”

Ardishu’s magic was clumsy. But that didn’t mean it was weak. Quite the opposite. It meant she couldn’t control the immense mana she possessed.

Just then

“Ardishu!”

Pushing through the bushes, Sora appeared. She ran straight toward Ardishu, who quickly withdrew her mana.

“Over here! Hurry!”

“Surround it!”

“Ready your arrows!”

The humans who had just arrived fired a volley of arrows at the beast. It tried to swat them away with its wings, but it couldn’t hold out for long.

“Screee…”

“Throw the net!”

Caught in a thick net, the beast was dragged away helplessly by the hunting team.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. I think you’re more shaken than I am, Teacher.”

Snuggling into Sora’s arms, Ardishu blinked up at her.

“Of course I am. You almost got hurt.”

“It was a low-grade beast. I could’ve handled it by myself…”

Ardishu trailed off mid-sentence, as if realizing something.

“…B-but I was scared.”

“I’m sorry. You must’ve been so frightened. I never should’ve let you go off alone.”

“It’s okay now. You came for me, Teacher.”

The chaotic atmosphere quickly began to calm.

Still dazed from the unfolding events, Pilhyuk suddenly came back to his senses.

‘I-I gotta get out of here while I can…’

He tried to slip away unnoticed. He tried.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Ugh!”

A purple tail shot out of nowhere and hooked around Pilhyuk’s ankle, tripping him.

“Running away is cowardly.”

The vampire blocked his path as Pilhyuk scrambled on the ground.

Staring up at the dragon and the vampire, Pilhyuk felt his mouth go dry.

“R-run away? What for? I didn’t do anything!”

Then Ardishu’s clear voice rang out, sealing his fate.

“Teacher! That man is the one who let the beast out of the cage!”

The moment she shouted, murmurs erupted around them.

“He let the beast out? When a kid was right there?”

“What? That brat’s just trying to pin it on me! It was the hunting team’s fault for not securing the cage properly! I just came out because of the commotion!”

Pilhyuk raised his voice, hoping denial would be enough. After all, there was no evidence.

“Really?”

Paul scoffed. His golden eyes gleamed dangerously, and Pilhyuk nearly confessed on the spot.

“Of course! Who do you think you’re talking to, kid?”

Admitting it would mean the end. Not only did he release the beast, he endangered an elf child in the process.

“Alright. Let’s see then.”

Mana bloomed from Paul’s palm and expanded like a balloon. Inside, the scene from earlier replayed just like a security camera recording.

It showed Pilhyuk opening the beast’s cage in full view.

“This guy’s lost his mind. Picking on a little kid?”

“Tch. I knew he’d cause trouble sooner or later.”

“That’s just cruel. How could anyone do something like that…”

With irrefutable evidence on display, everyone turned on Pilhyuk.

“It was a mistake! You’ve got no proof I did it on purpose! That kid was ready to destroy everything with magic anyway! If you think about it, I’m a victim too”

Pilhyuk yelled.

Sora couldn’t hold back anymore. She got up, walked straight over to him, and gripped her bag tightly.

“You worthless piece of trash.”

She began beating him with the bag, hitting him hard and fast.

“Calm down, Sora.”

“Does this look like a time to stay calm?! People like him deserve worse”

“The kids are watching.”

Jiho stepped in between them and gestured at the children. Sora finally regained her senses and looked around.

The kids were staring up at her with wide, curious eyes.

“Do teachers hit people when they’re bad?”

“Gasp. No, no!”

Flustered by Valentin’s question, Sora waved her hands quickly.

“Teacher only hits bad people. She’s just trying to protect us.”

Ardishu said this and nestled back into Sora’s arms.

“……”

Paul silently watched the scene. Seeing the usually gentle teacher hitting someone had clearly shocked him.

‘…Kind of cool though.’

Paul scratched his cheek. If this had happened to him instead of Ardishu, would the teacher have come for him too?

‘Of course!’

He answered his own thought without hesitation. She would’ve been just as angry, just as protective.

‘Wait a second… something’s off.’

Paul narrowed his eyes as he stared at Ardishu snuggled up to Sora.

“Hey, elf. You couldn’t take down a low-grade beast in one shot?”

“I-I was scared…”

Ardishu fidgeted, avoiding Paul’s gaze. Paul quickly caught on. She was playing the part to get Sora’s sympathy.

“Tch. Bet she’s the one who led the beast into the forest.”

“My father said elves are all sneaky.”

Valentin shook his head knowingly.

“So, what do we do with this guy?”

“He has to be punished. The evidence is clear.”

The people surrounding Pilhyuk discussed his fate.

“I said it was a mistake! Damn it. Who the hell staked that post in so tight?! If it had just come loose, then this is all that guy’s fault! Hey! You hear me?!”

Pilhyuk thrashed wildly, but those holding him just shook their heads in disbelief.

“He’s not even remorseful.”

“He deliberately released a beast and nearly got a kid killed. Lock him up. Let the elf guardian decide what to do with him.”

With that, the decision was made and Pilhyuk’s face turned pale.

“Shit. Y-you’re trying to get me killed…”

“Article 12, Clause 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.”

A woman approached the panicking Pilhyuk. It was Minji, who had passed the bar exam as valedictorian but was now doing menial farm work in this world.

“Anyone who is arrested or detained has the right to receive legal assistance from a lawyer.”

She looked around solemnly.

“Even if this is another world, there must be some form of law. I don’t know what the elf courts are like but I’ll go with him.”

“You’re going to defend him?”

“A lawyer’s ethical duty is clear.”

Minji followed after the helplessly dragged Pilhyuk.

There were no lawyers here. No courts even. But if the concept of a lawyer ever took root in this world, this would be its origin story.

“I’m jealous. She got a chance to show off her talent. If we ever get visitors from the outside, I’m opening a teahouse again.”

“Pfft. Not like a photographer’s gonna get their moment.”

“We should just stick to farming. What’s the point of knowing frontend and backend dev? Ugh, life.”

Minji’s actions sparked a fire in those who had long given up on using their talents in this strange world.

Sora gathered the kids and said firmly:

“When you do something wrong, you pay the price.”

“Exactly. That’s why the scary police officers come and get you.”

Jiho chimed in. Sora added,

“But there are also people who make sure the punishment isn’t unfair, like that lawyer just now.”

Truthfully, Sora had wanted to throw the guy who nearly got Ardishu hurt straight out of this place.

But they were still human. A species bound by social rules.

Even in this foreign world, today, they felt a strange sense of comfort knowing they still belonged to a society.

“Police officers are scary!”

“Lawyers are so cool. I feel safe even if I do something wrong.”

The children marveled at these new ideas. Hearing their innocent chatter, the adults couldn’t help but smile.

“The kids must’ve been so scared.”

“Whew. Nothing calms the heart like a warm cup of tea. Let’s have some.”

Even if they were “just kids” they were elves, vampires, and dragons. From powerful bloodlines.

There was no way a mere human could beat them, but the adults chose to ignore such trivial details.

* * *

The second night of the camp arrived.

“Tonight’s not fire from the sky, it’s fire from the ground.”

Ardishu spoke poetically about the campfire.

Crackle crackle. The flames danced with a comforting sound.

“Alright, everyone, close your eyes.”

I played a soft, calming tune on my phone.

“Think of your family back home. The people who love you and care for you. I’m sure they’re wondering what you’re doing right now too.”

As I spoke gently, Ardishu began to sob. This was the magic of campfires.

“When you go home tomorrow, make sure to tell them you love them.”

Valentin started sniffling too. Knowing Paul didn’t have a family, I pulled him into a hug.

“Your parents are up in the sky, watching over you like stars. They’d be so proud of the amazing person you’re becoming.”

“Hhhnngh…”

In the end, even Paul was sniffling.

It felt like the final night of a school retreat.

They say tears are contagious.

“Sniff…”

“Mom…”

As the sniffles spread, the mood grew somber.

Even Jiho seemed affected, suddenly hugging Valentin.

“Please stop.”

“So mean.”

Even now, Valentin coldly pushed Jiho away.

“I’ll comfort our cooking teacher.”

Ardishu wiped her tears and patted Jiho’s shoulder.

“You’re the best.”

“Teacher Sora, why’d you turn this place into a waterfall of tears? Alright, time for a dance break!”

Apparently allergic to emotional moments, Youngja-unnie put on some lively music.

Just like that, the atmosphere flipped. Hunters, farmers, production teams… everyone joined in and danced together.

After dance time came snacks.

“Hehe. It’s cooled down now. Paul, want a skewer?”

“I’ll eat it since you gave it to me.”

“Eat well and grow big and strong.”

I tried to pat Paul’s head, but—

“No! I did my hair!”

Oho. So our Paul dressed up a little today?

That made me want to tease him more, but I held back.

Holding back on teasing Paul. That’s a max-level challenge.

“Alright, alright. You look so nice today, I won’t mess it up.”

“I look nice?”

“Yeah. You styled your hair really mature today.”

“Hey. Cooking Teacher.”

Paul shuffled over to Jiho and poked him in the side.

“What now, dragon brat?”

“You’re my new hair stylist.”

“…What?”

So Paul was weak to compliments after all.

Watching his silly antics made me smile.

Time passed, the fire went out, and we all headed back.

“Too bad we’re going home tomorrow.”

“We’ll come again, right?”

As if wondering what the big deal was, Paul tilted his head. Valentin, on the other hand, was firm.

“Teacher needs rest on the weekends.”

Valentin was unexpectedly sharp.

‘True. I need rest to keep having fun with you all.’

Still, I felt a bit wistful too.

‘Time to bring out the secret weapon.’

It was ghost story time.

“Alright, one last scary story before bed. Everyone, gather around.”

“S-scary story…”

“You live in a coffin. What’re you scared of?”

Paul teased Valentin and turned off the light. With the room now cloaked in darkness, Valentin scooted closer to me.

By the light of a single candle, I began.

“It was the night after the festival. The children went to bed early, but then…”

Perfect timing. It started raining outside. The soft patter of rain added to the eerie mood.

“They heard something strange… just outside the door.”

“S-strange sound…”

Ardishu swallowed hard.

“The scared kids hid under their blankets, but the noise got louder. Knock!”

Knock. Knock.

At that exact moment, something tapped on the door outside.
 

<To be continued>

Join the GS Discord to stay updated on the latest chapter releases:

https://discord.gg/PRZEAJZE3J