Chapter 6: Elf (2)

Ketal soon arrived at the elf village. However, what greeted him was far from what he had anticipated.

“Ahh!”

“There’s a human here, of all places!”

“No! My baby!”

Numerous gasps of horror and hostile glares were directed at Ketal. He looked back at them with a bewildered expression.

This isn’t what I expected...

The elves were undoubtedly beautiful. Each one of them was more stunning than anything Ketal had ever seen. Even those with age-lined faces possessed flawless features. Under normal circumstances, he would have been awed and moved, but now was not the time for admiration.

The elves were clearly hostile toward him.

“My baby!” a woman cried out with a grief-stricken expression as she saw her child in Ketal’s arms.

At that moment, Ketal realized their misunderstanding. They thought he was a stranger who had kidnapped the child.

The village elder gazed at the child in Ketal’s arms with a sorrowful expression.

“This cannot be?” the elder exclaimed. This place was supposed to be an untouched haven, beyond the reach of any human, yet a human was standing before them. Though his build was exceptionally large, there was no doubt he was human.

“But how? There should have been a barrier!” the elder shouted.

“E-elder! The barrier... it has cracks!” one of the elves said.

“Damnation!”

Their location had been exposed. The elder gritted his teeth. The barrier was created with the secret arts of ancient elves; it was not something that could be breached easily. If it was broken, it meant humans had prepared thoroughly.

Since when were they tracking us? No, there is no time to ponder that now,

the elder thought.

He quickly turned to others to warn them. “Where is the queen? Humans will be upon us soon!”

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

“The queen has briefly left to scout the surrounding area!”

“Of all times!”

Misfortune was piling up on them. Overhearing their conversation, Ketal scratched his cheek. Though they were some distance away, he heard them clearly as if they were speaking right beside him.

So they think I’m a kidnapper,

Ketal thought. He understood why they were so hostile toward him. They were elves, and he was a human.

Stories of humans kidnapping elves, bewitched by their beauty, were well-known. Holding a young elf in his arms certainly would make him look like a kidnapper. He needed to clear up this misunderstanding.

“I am not your enemy. I am—” However, Ketal was interrupted.

“You scoundrel! If you do not return the child, we will hunt you to your death!” the elder shouted.

Ketal’s words were cut off without mercy. Whatever he said, they had no intention of listening. In that case, he would have to show them through actions. By now, the child in his arms had awoken and was trembling.

Ketal gently set the child down and said, “Go on. Return to your people.”

He offered a bright smile. Seeing his face, the child couldn’t hold back his tears.

“Waah!” The child cried out and ran toward the village. Ketal felt deeply saddened.

Is my face that frightening...?

Ketal thought.

Regardless, he had returned the child. Ketal stood upright and raised his hands. “Elves, as you can see, I am not your—”

“He released the hostage!”

“Everyone, attack!”

Without hesitation, the elves released the bowstrings they had been holding taut. Arrows whistled through the air, all aimed at Ketal.

Thwack, thwack, thwack.

The arrows struck Ketal but bounced off harmlessly. Undeterred, the elves continued to pull their bowstrings.

“He is wearing some sort of a protective artifact! It must have its limits—keep attacking!” an elf shouted.

It wasn’t just arrows now—flaming spheres and blades of water flew at him. Ketal lowered his head, looking dejected.

Elves are more savage than I thought...

Ketal thought sadly.

These elves were far from the peaceful, nature-loving race he had imagined. In reality, the elves were more violent and ruthless than he could have guessed.

So this is the true nature of the elves.

Of course, it made sense to Ketal. Elves lived in nature—a realm where survival of the fittest was the cardinal rule. Peace was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Their ferocity, then, was understandable.

Fine.

Ketal decided to accept it without prejudice. After all, this was the fantasy world he had always dreamed of. Finding differences from the books would be part of the adventure.

An arrow flew toward him, which he caught with his hand. The tip of the arrow shimmered, spinning with a faint wind energy.

Elemental magic?

Ketal was surprised.

Flaming orbs and water blades continued to soar through the air. Ketal’s eyes lit up with curiosity. Strange forces like these were well-known in the White Snowfield he hailed from. However, Ketal was thrilled to see elven elemental magic in person.

Watching their attacks with fascination, Ketal made the elves tremble with disbelief.

What kind of artifact could possibly deflect all our attacks...?

the elder thought in disbelief.

Even the most robust protective artifact had limits to how much it could withstand. Yet, despite all of their combined efforts, his artifact showed no sign of breaking.

“Hmm...” Ketal contemplated. While it was somewhat amusing to watch, he wanted to have a real conversation. However, these elves clearly weren’t interested in listening.

I suppose I need to calm things down first.

Ketal raised both arms.

The elves, mistaking it for an offensive move, cast protective spells around themselves.

Ketal clapped his hands. A wave of air pressure erupted.

Boom!

“Aaah!”

“Gah!”

The protective spells shattered like fragile glass. Trees bent and leaves scattered, flying far off into the distance. Elves unable to withstand it were thrown to the ground.

A single clap was all it took to end the battle.

“W-what is this...?” The elves were dumbfounded. Their opponent didn’t use any magic—it was pure physical strength.

A clap had created a pressure wave that overturned everything.

“Oops,” Ketal said. He, too, was taken aback. “Did I overdo it?”

He was used to facing either powerful monsters or pitifully weak ones, so he wasn’t quite sure how to control his strength. However, like it or not, things had calmed down.

Ketal cleared his throat and began speaking again. “I am not your enemy, elves...”

Just then, a sharp wind sound pierced the air. A translucent arrow shot straight for Ketal. It moved beautifully, and Ketal watched, entranced.

Boom!

The arrow struck him and exploded in a burst of flame, engulfing him. An elf descended into the midst of the battlefield. Her golden hair swayed, revealing sharp eyes with blue irises.

The elves cheered.

“Yes!”

“It’s the queen!”

“What’s going on here?” the queen asked calmly.

The elder approached her, breathless. “A human has attacked us!”

“So... it’s come to that.” The queen’s eyes darkened. “Nowhere is safe anymore.”

“He is only the vanguard! The main force will soon arrive,” the elder said.

“What?” She looked puzzled. “I’ve scouted the entire area. There’s no trace of humans.”

“What..?” The elder was confused.

“See, this is why...” A voice emerged from the flames. The elves recoiled. Soon, a hand emerged, brushing the fire aside. “I’d appreciate it if you would listen.”

Ketal shook off the flames, unharmed.

“Impossible!” an elf exclaimed.

“What kind of artifact is he wearing?” another elf joined in.

“Artifact?” The queen’s eyes narrowed.

Ketal only wore light clothing—an axe at his waist, a wooden necklace, and a small leather pouch hung at his belt. If there had been a protective artifact, she would have sensed it. He had survived her attack purely on his own strength.

“Even a strong one like you is targeting us. Humans are truly despicable,” the queen said.

“Again, I’m telling you, I’m not—” Ketal tried to explain but failed again.

“If that’s your choice, I will make you regret it.” The queen drew her bow. “I am the queen of the Autumn Leaf Tribe. Pay for your sins, human.”

Maybe they’re just really hard to have a conversation with,

Ketal thought. However, they were speaking the same language. The elves didn’t refuse to understand; they simply chose to ignore him as if his words were unworthy of attention.

Is the relationship between humans and elves that strained?

Having heard the tales of the slave hunters abducting young elves to enslave them, he couldn’t blame the elves for hating him. Ketal felt dejected.

I guess there’s no choice, then.

There was one thing he learned from the White Snowfield: sometimes, people only listened after receiving a little "persuasion." But he had no intention of using violence. Striking an elf was unthinkable to him.

I just need to make them listen.

Ketal made up his mind as the queen drew her bowstring taut once more.

A translucent arrow formed at the ready. The string released, and the arrow shot forth. It moved with blinding speed, faster than the speed of sound, a blur to the naked eye.

Just before the arrow struck, Ketal moved his hand. He caught the flying arrow. It immediately erupted, flames roaring around him, threatening to consume him.

“Hm,” Ketal muttered. He responded in the simplest way possible. He just clenched his fist.

With a soft hissing sound, the flame dissipated. The elves’ eyes widened in shock.

“What?”

“How...?” The queen was stunned. Her arrows were no ordinary projectiles; they were imbued with the spirits of nature themselves. Each arrow carried the essence of a fire spirit.

Blocking it without injury was supposed to be impossible, even for superhuman warriors. Yet, the human in front of her had snuffed it out with a mere clench of his hand.

“Then I will have to try more...” Determined, she drew another arrow, this time with fury in her eyes. “Burn.”

The bow itself ignited. The extreme heat twisted the air around it, creating distortions.

“Go, strike him down!” the queen yelled fiercely as she released the arrow.

The projectile raced forth, gathering shape and energy. It transformed into a blazing phoenix with radiant wings.

“Oooh!” the elves gasped.

This was the queen’s ultimate technique, Phoenix Arrow. It was a flame that would not die until the target was reduced to ashes—a technique that had never been stopped before.

“Amazing!” Ketal exclaimed. Then, he thought,

A flaming phoenix—what a fantastical skill!

Thoroughly impressed, he clenched his fist and struck the oncoming arrow.

Boom!

Everything in the punch’s trajectory shattered. Branches snapped, and dense vegetation was cleared, leaving a vast, empty space. The wind pressure forcibly extinguished the unquenchable flames.

“Aaah!” the queen screamed.

The gust swept over the queen, knocking her violently to the ground.

Ketal clicked his tongue with a sheepish expression. “Did I use too much strength?”

The queen, battered and bloodied, realized the gap of power between them. That human was no ordinary opponent. He wasn’t just a powerful foe; he was someone far beyond her reach.

He is a superhuman, at least.

The queen could not fathom why such a powerful being was here.

She gritted her teeth in frustration. She had confidence in her own strength. However, there was always another wall beyond the ones that had been overcome. Her opponent had reached a level she could never hope to attain.

With a resolute expression, she shouted loudly, “Everyone! Retreat immediately!”

“My queen!” The elder elf was shocked

“Now!”

“Understood...” Realizing what the queen intended, the elder clenched his teeth and echoed the order, “Everyone! Fall back!”

“Yes, sir!” The elves fled with urgency.

The queen struggled to her feet, swaying slightly. “Human... I acknowledge your strength, but you will never achieve your purpose here!”

“I’m telling you, I just want to talk.” Ketal’s face was a picture of exasperation as he responded to her desperate words.