Chapter 97: The Elf (1)

Kim Ki-Rok stood at the entrance of the first Gate and used Appraisal.

[

The Dying Forest

]

Difficulty: Levels 15–40

Rewards: None

The Gate didn't offer any rewards, and the monsters inside were weak. It was the kind of place suited for training E-Class and D-Class Hunters. The real problem was how few monsters it actually spawned.

As such, Kim Ki-Rok had previously ignored this Gate entirely.

"Skill, Discernment."

[

The Dying Forest

]

Difficulty: Levels 15–40

Rewards: None

Clear Conditions: Destroy the mana stone from the demon realm that is buried underground

※Special Reward Conditions: None

※Special Rewards: None

Not even a special reward was listed. There was simply no benefit in clearing it, or so he had thought.

But what if the Gate triggered a Break and got out of control? Even then, fewer than ten monsters would spill out onto Earth, which was hardly a threat.

"To think that there would be an elven village hidden within..." Kim Ki-Rok muttered in a low voice as he examined the Gate entrance.

Had he never met Archwizard Kan Cho-Woo, once an Elder of the Tower of Wizards, he would've never had a clue this place even existed.

"He even mentioned there was a chance the spirit of an elf might still be lingering inside..."

Not only that, Kan Cho-Woo had actually visited the village himself—back before it was destroyed by the combined attacks of monsters, Black Wizards, and demons—so he was aware of a certain secret.

"What to do..."

He could enter with only Kim Ji-Hee at his side. After all, the monsters here ranged from Level 15 to Level 40 at most. Yet for some reason, he felt that this wasn't a place to be taken lightly.

"They say that even though the appearing monsters are Level 15 to 40..."

According to Kan Cho-Woo, however, the village was riddled with hidden traps powered by powerful magic.

"It's best to reduce any possible variables," Kim Ki-Rok finally decided.

He had once died because he ignored a minor risk, so adjusting the plan to follow the safest approach was just common sense. Delaying things by a day or two wasn't a big deal if it lowered the risk.

To play it safe, Kim Ki-Rok pulled out his phone and opened the messenger app. He entered the group chat named after the DG Guild and sent a message.

Kim Ki-Rok: There's a very high chance we might meet an elf, though, it's just a spirit. Anyone want to come along?

***

At 7 a.m. the next day, Lee Ji-Yeon read the message and paused to think it over. She tapped the chat window, ready to respond, but a few new messages popped up before she could type.

Southern Vermillion Bird (Mr. Dong-Wook): An elf! As in that famously beautiful race, the elves? Right, Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok?!

Northern Black Tortoise (Mr. Seung-Tae): Hey, he said spirit. A deceased spirit.

Southern Vermillion Bird (Mr. Dong-Wook): Even if it's a spirit, it's still an elf! Elf!

Miss Sumihara Shina: Me! I want to go! Pick me! I want to meet the elf!

Minji❤: Me! Uncle! No, Guildmaster-oppa! No! Guildmaster-orabeoni[1]! Pick me! Meeeeee!

Kim Ki-Rok had granted everyone a vacation until the first of February, but judging by the excitement in the group chat, it felt like they were all about to dive back into guild activity starting today.

Lee Ji-Yeon observed the group chat chaos with a wry smile and typed, "I'd like to join, too. Where should we meet?"

Guildmaster: We're in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province.

Me: Eumsong?

Guildmaster: That's right. It happens to be in your hometown.

Lee Ji-Yeon jumped up out of her seat. She was just about to grab a jacket and get ready to head out, only to suddenly remember just how dishevelled her current appearance was.

"Ine," Lee Ji-Yeon called for help.

"What is it?" The Greater Fire Elemental responded.

"I'm sorry, but can you take over typing for me while I get dressed?"

"Understood, I shall... huh?"

"I'm sorry. Really sorry..." she apologized, clasping her hands together.

Letting out a sigh, Ine expanded her form until she matched Lee Ji-Yeon's height. Accepting the smartphone she was offered, the spirit placed her thumb over the screen.

"What do you need me to write?"

***

In fantasy novels and games, elves were always portrayed as the beautiful ones, creatures of the forest, elegant and otherworldly. Even in reality, they were said to be stunning.

No one had ever seen one in person, but on one occasion, a Hunter exploring a Gate discovered a breathtaking painting. The Appraisal system identified its subject as an elf, causing a huge sensation throughout various Hunter communities.

There hadn't been news of anyone else meeting an elf following this incident, but that didn't stop many Hunters from dreaming of such a "fateful" encounter.

Sadist: There's a very high chance we might meet an elf, even if just a spirit. Anyone want to come along?

Nam Dong-Wook, the fifth Mapogu sibling and the Southern Vermillion Bird, leaped to his feet after reading the latest message from their Guildmaster.

He'd been out with friends the night before, but they'd failed spectacularly at hooking up, ended up binge-drinking, and he was still dealing with a nasty hangover. His head was pounding, his stomach roiling. Yet as soon as he read the words "spirit elf," the hangover vanished in an instant.

He immediately hopped in the shower and shaved his stubble. When getting dressed, he chose the most expensive, coolest outfit he had.

"Even if she's just a spirit, she's still an elf..." Nam Dong-Wook mumbled to himself.

This might even be the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to meet his one and only.

Nam Dong-Wook grew excited. "If I get in the good graces of an elf spirit, maybe I can meet a real elf someday, or at least get a shot at befriending them."

Transformed from drunken slob to a neat gentleman, Nam Dong-Wook left home while typing in the group chat.

Nam Dong-Wook: Guildmaster! Are we setting off today?!

Sadist: No. I plan on leaving in two days, on the thirty-first. So until all of you get here, I'll just do some sightseeing with Ji-Hee.

Nam Dong-Wook: Got it!

So he needed to wait two more days. It took about two hours to get from Seoul to Eumsong, maybe three if he used public transport since he rarely drove. Either way, he could leave on the day itself and still make it on time.

If the actual elf meeting would only happen in two days, was there any point in going early? Then again, arriving early meant...

As Nam Dong-Wook was lost in thought, another message came.

Goddess of Fire: Wow, if you came down to Eumsong, you should've called. Where are you?

If he did head over today, he could hang out with the glamorous Goddess of Fire, Lee Ji-Yeon, for the next two days. It wasn't as if he had romantic feelings for her, but the choice between being holed up at home and enjoying a mini-vacation with a pretty woman was obvious.

Ding dong.

"Welcome to our—oh, well if it isn't Mr. Southern Vermillion Bird," the owner of the hair salon cut off his usual spiel once he recognized who it was.

"Greetings, the Southern Vermillion Bird has arrived," Nam Dong-Wook said in a posh voice.

The owner choked back a laugh. "So are you here to get a haircut?"

"Yes, give me a trendy hairstyle! One that perfectly suits me, is stylish, and also very cool!"

The owner just chuckled as he shook his head.

***

On the twenty-ninth of December at 8 p.m., Nam Dong-Wook got off a bus and scanned his surroundings. They were supposed to leave in two days, yet here he was, hoping to amuse himself in Eumsong, maybe link up with Lee Ji-Yeon before the official start date. As it turned out, however, he wasn't the only one with this brilliant idea.

"I guess this is why people call us the Four Cardinal Guardians..." he mumbled with a lack of energy.

A young man wearing glasses, Dong Sung-Min, also got off the bus and sighed as he responded to Nam Dong-Wook's passing remark, "Exactly. I guess there's a reason why they group us up as the Four Cardinal Guards."

As the Northern Black Tortoise, Boo Seung-Tae, also got off the bus. "We're the Four Cardinal

Guardians

, not Guards."

The youngest of the four and the last to get off the bus, Seo Lee-Ha didn't say a word. He just wore a strained expression that gave away how hard he was trying not to look embarrassed.

"For now, I guess we should send a message to the God of... the Guildmaster," Nam Dong-Wook said, taking out his smartphone.

Nam Dong-Wook: Guildmaster! I've arrived in Eumseong!

God of Gods of Gods[2]: You're here already?

Nam Dong-Wook: Yes, sir! Where are you right now? I'll hop in a taxi and come straight to you!

God of Gods of Gods: Hmm... please wait a moment.

Nam Dong-Wook: Why?

God of Gods of Gods: I'm currently at Ji-Yeon's house. Obviously, we need the homeowner's permission, right?

"Wh-what? The Goddess's house?!" Nam Dong shouted, utterly shocked. The other three who were peeking at the screen over his shoulder all looked up in surprise.

Normally, when someone's too beautiful, people tend to keep their distance out of a strange sense of intimidation. That was exactly the case with Lee Ji-Yeon, someone who was far too lovely for the average guy to even consider dating.

God of Gods of Gods: Hmmm... Mr Dong-Wook?

Nam Dong-Wook: Yes, Guildmaster!

God of Gods of Gods: Are you alone, or did the entire five siblings come along?

He wasn't wrong to assume that the group might've come together, but it had been an entirely different group.

After a moment's hesitation, Nam Dong-Wook began mustering up the strength in his legs, preparing to bolt away from the group while texting, "I came here alone."

However, the four of them hung out with each other so often that they had ended up being grouped together as the Four Cardinal Guardians. How could the Blue Dragon, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise not know what the Vermillion Bird was up to?

Dong Sung-Min and Seo Lee-Ha grabbed onto one arm each while Boo Seung-Tae pressed down hard on Nam Dong-Wook's shoulders.

"

Gaaagh!

"

While shedding tears of blood, Nam Dong-Wook typed the chat.

Nam Dong-Wook: I came here together with Seung-Tae, Lee-Ha, and Seong-Min.

God of Gods of Gods: She says that's too many people at once.

Nam Dong-Wook: Hold on, did you actually ask her?

God of Gods of Gods: Yes, I did. For now, you'll have to stay at a nearby hotel tonight. We can meet up tomorrow morning.

Nam Dong-Wook: You're sleeping at Miss Ji-Yeon's place?

God of Gods of Gods: Yes.

"Fuck!" After unconsciously letting out a curse, Nam Dong-Wook continued typing.

Nam Dong-Wook: Understood. In that case, we'll see you tomorrow.

God of Gods of Gods: Okay then, tomorrow morning. Wait, sorry. Change of plans.

Nam Dong-Wook: What? Why?

God of Gods of Gods: Her parents have fallen in love with Ji-Hee. Looks like we won't be able to leave the house till after lunch.

Seo Lee-Ha, one of the members of Lee Ji-Yeon's fan club, ground his teeth in jealousy.

Nam Dong-Wook: Got it...

God of Gods of Gods: Well then, I'll be sure to call you as soon as lunch is finished.

Nam Dong-Wook: Yes, have a good evening.

God of Gods of Gods: Good evening, Mr. Dong-Wook. And same to you Mr. Dong Sung-Min, Mr. Seo Lee-Ha, and Mr. Boo Seung-Tae.

Just like that, the conversation had ended.

The Four Cardinal Guardians all stared at Kim Ki-Rok's parting message with their lips pressed tightly together until his name dimmed, showing that he had logged off the chat application.

Silence prevailed as they stared silently at their reflections in the black screen. After a while, Nam Dong-Wook moved his fingers again. He left the group chat, switched to his contacts list, and changed Kim Ki-Rok's nickname once more.

"SD?" Boo Seung-Tae.

"Sadistic son of a bitch, or sadistic

dog

for short," Nam Dong-Wook explained.

His three companions all nodded in agreement.

As he turned the screen off with his hands shaking in anger, Nam Dong-Wook suggested to his comrades, "There should be food stalls nearby. Let's have some drinks before we go looking for a nearby motel to get some sleep."

"Ah, hyung, I'm still a minor," Seo Lee-Ha reminded him.

Nam Dong-Wook snorted. "But you'll be an adult in three, no, in four days."

After a momentary hesitation, Seo Lee-Ha nodded in agreement, since it certainly felt like he wouldn't be able to get any sleep if he didn't drown his sorrows first.

Fuck!

1. A more respectful way to say oppa. ☜

2. This new nickname for Kim Ki-Rok is based off an internet slang word that parodies the English pronunciation "of God" to create a term that's both respectful and irreverent at the same time. ☜