The High Elf Forest (1)
"……."
Kim Sung-tae clamped his mouth shut and stared at the landscape unfolding before him. The place Gepelt had sent him to was indeed as thrilling as he'd hoped.
Thrilling. The word meant overflowing with interest. But what exactly was interest? It was the fun of getting excited, or a special fascination with something. It could be computers or books, or a game everyone loved. Or it could be horror flicks or gory movies, or extreme sports. What thrilled people varied by taste.
"It's definitely thrilling."
A fog blanketing the world entered his eyes, along with leafless, withered trees. The ground was so parched and crumbly it seemed like it would suck the life out of any plant he tried to bury there. The sky was filled with post-apocalyptic gray. It was a forest straight out of a horror movie.
"Elves living in a place like this?"
He'd asked for elves, but this forest didn't look like it could support any life. He'd specifically emphasized elves—why had Gepelt sent him here? Did elves like places like this? The elves he knew were just what Earthlings imagined; real ones might be different.
With that thought, Sung-tae resolved to start his adventure.
"Shall we walk a bit, Garba? Let's go."
"Yes, my lord!"
Sung-tae stepped onto the barren land and entered the forest. Garba, following behind, couldn't hide her awe at her lord advancing without a hint of fear.
To enter the Ruined High Elf Forest without hesitation. As expected of my lord.
This was her first time here too. But the familiar scenery and ominous aura told her exactly where they were.
The Ruined High Elf Forest. Once home to the noble and beautiful high elves. A legendary forest where, under their care, all sorts of plants and animals bloomed like a rainbow. Even before humans unified the continent, amid the waves of war sweeping the world, it had been called the last land of peace, untouchable due to the high elves' strength.
It's as creepy as its reputation.
Despite its fame, a century ago, the high elves had vanished abruptly. Elves from other forests came searching but never emerged. Then humans, eyeing the forest, sent armies. With the high elves gone and the forest withering, greedy humans dispatched troops to claim the ownerless land. In that era of disunity, many nations sent forces, including famed generals and skilled fighters, preparing for fierce battles.
And they too vanished, just like the elves before them.
A mysterious forest where even the fate of those who approached was unknown. The last visitors to the forest were…
"Garba, what are you doing?"
"I'm keeping watch for any possible enemies."
"Doesn't seem like anyone's here. Feels like we're in a haunted house. Should've brought some salt."
A chill ran down his spine from the eerie cold. The forest seemed devoid of elves, let alone wild beasts. It was thrilling, alright—like ghosts might pop out any second.
"The fog's getting thicker."
"I'll heighten my vigilance."
"Is that necessary? Monsters couldn't survive here, right? No beasts around—what would they eat?"
Sung-tae chuckled, but he froze at a vibration in the ground. Garba swiftly moved to his side and swung her hand toward the earth.
The ground exploded in an instant, and bizarre monsters emerged from the dry dust.
[Groan.]
The risen monsters were rotting zombies. Unable to let go of lingering regrets from life, chunks of flesh clung to their exposed bones, with eyeballs dangling loosely—instinctively repulsive.
"Filthy trash!"
Low-level monsters Sung-tae didn't need to handle. With a flick of Garba's wrist, their bodies shattered and scattered.
But seeing the zombies, Sung-tae backed away.
"Gross!"
They were just too disgusting. Cockroaches were weak, but people fled from them. Brave ones might squash them with tissue or a book, but no one crushed them barehanded. Because they were filthy. No one wanted roach guts from their cracked, shrimp-shell exoskeletons on their palms.
Shit wasn't scary; it was dirty. That's why people avoided it.
"Makes me wanna puke. Zombies, of all things."
"I'll handle these small fry. They won't touch a finger of yours, my lord."
"Thanks, Garba."
Sung-tae gladly left the fight to her. But even that was torture for him.
Ugh. Brains all gray. Rotten? That's innards. Nothing's not rotten.
Zombie guts splattered around, reeking of decay. Watching was agony; just standing there amid the stench was agony.
"It's done."
"Good work."
Garba dispatched them in seconds. Unfortunately, the smell clung to her, so Sung-tae walked farther away than before.
My lord really hates filth.
Thinking that, Garba touched her pocket. A pair of toothbrushes waited inside the thin leather pouch.
Need to wash up soon.
"By the way, Garba. Isn't this… the forest where elves live?"
"Elves, my lord? Yes, it was once home to high elves."
"High elves?"
"Yes, my lord."
She shared what she knew about the Ruined High Elf Forest. From its glorious past under the high elves to their sudden downfall, and the disappearance of intruders.
Sung-tae's face crumpled like he'd bitten a persimmon as he listened.
"……."
"Even 'those people,' the last to enter, vanished here."
"Those people?"
You didn't know about that? Of course, comparing you to them would be a grave insult… but I should tell you.
Before that incident, the forest wasn't so infamous. On the continent's outskirts with little traffic, no one paid it much mind.
But after the event, everyone knew.
"A demon king, fleeing a hero, hid here. Naturally, the hero pursued."
Silence enveloped them. Dry branches rustled in the wind like creepy laughter.
"Neither was seen again."
"……."
A demon king was one thing, but even the hero couldn't escape? Right then, Sung-tae thought of Gepelt.
Gepelt. It's a thrilling forest, sure. But hey—this isn't a forest where elves live; it's where they used to live!
Too late now. Blaming anyone wouldn't turn back time. He was invincible anyway. Unraveling this place's secrets would be thrilling too.
"What could be here that not even survivors escape? I'm curious."
Zombies like those couldn't take down a hero or demon king. Disappointed it wasn't what he'd expected, but newfound curiosity drove his feet.
"Fog's heavy."
The deeper they went, the thicker the fog. Now it was impossible to see ahead. Skeletal trees vanished into it. Even wind sounds faded.
"Garba, stay close. We might lose each other."
"Yes, my lord."
They closed the gap. Zombie rot wafted from her, mixed with a puppy-like scent.
Wolf beastkin? Smells like dog.
He didn't mind. The unique aroma felt nice. As his recovering libido made Garba look womanly again, naughty thoughts bubbled up amid the danger.
Maybe hold hands? That should be fine.
"Garba, instead of walking stuck together, holding hands would be…"
Then the puppy smell vanished. He reached out, but grasped air.
The fog had thickened to near darkness.
"Garba! Where are you!"
Finding someone in this was impossible. Sung-tae pondered blowing it away.
Breath might work, but jumping and blowing should do it.
As he tensed to leap, the fog vanished like a lie. In its place, a green hill spread before him.
"Welcome."
"A new visitor!"
What?
Voices like nightingales drew him. Following, people emerged from the hill: long, deer-like ears; golden hair shimmering like ripe wheat. Draped in white curtains that revealed curves yet exuded pure natural beauty—not lewd, but innocent.
Women with celebrity-like faces. Sung-tae's eyes flashed.
"Elves?"
"Come this way, visitor."
Not just elves—high elves. They fluttered like butterflies, flanking him and leading to their village. Dazed, Sung-tae followed quietly in their grasp.
Arriving at the natural village, thick floral scents tickled his nose.
Too strong. Like heavy perfume.
"Wait. Nice welcome, but I need to find my companion!"
Pulled along in a trance, he snapped back thinking of Garba and tried to shake them off. No matter his lust, he wouldn't abandon a comrade for pleasure. And it was suspicious. A supposedly ruined, creepy forest changing in an instant?
But no need to search.
"My lord, welcome."
"Garba?"
She waved from among the high elves, wearing a soft smile he'd never seen.
＊＊＊
"Have a glass."
"……."
Laughter of high elves filled the hill. There, Sung-tae and Garba accepted cups from them. The wooden cups looked like artisan masterpieces.
High elves? Thought they were extinct. What's going on?
He'd longed for elves—high elves, no less—but Sung-tae felt no joy. He'd heard from Garba about the Ruined High Elf Forest. For them to appear from thick fog? Suspicious to anyone.
Lust wasn't just about sexiness; atmosphere mattered. Even as a lustful 20-year-old, he wasn't dumb enough to indulge in this shady vibe.
"Cheers."
Garba drank the offered liquor. Sung-tae eyed her and scanned around. The colorful world felt artificial.
Hallucination?
But he figured he couldn't be hallucinating. The ultimate in every way, him? Nah. So, real? No clue.
Hmm. Smells strong…
Flower scents so potent his nose stung wafted everywhere. Did hallucinations include smells? Staring dubiously at his filled cup, he glanced at Garba again. She was on her second.
Normally, she wouldn't. She'd been vigilant on the way. Was she hallucinating too?
"Garba."
"Drink up, my lord. The taste is excellent."
"……."
Zombie flesh and blood still stained her. The flowers masked the grossness. He sniffed his cup—no liquor scent, just overwhelming flowers.
"You guys high elves, right? Heard they went extinct."
"Here, drink. Handsome outsider."
"No, answer first…"
"Don't like liquor? We can give honey water."
Suspicious. Way too suspicious!
Even if high elves hid out, this behavior was off. They dodged forest questions.
Ugh. This smell again!
The flower scent, like a whole perfume bottle condensed, numbed his nose.
Where's it coming from?
He set down the cup and looked. Sparse flowers couldn't produce this intensity. Suspicion turned to certainty: monsters.
As he rose, high elves swarmed.
"Sit, guest."
"No."
Who could stop him rising? Nearby high elves grabbed, but he brushed them off like annoying flies.
Except one.
"My lord, please sit."
"Garba, you too?"
He stared at his loyal retainer in shock. He couldn't attack her. Confirmed: she wasn't herself.
"The high elves welcome us. Repay their kindness… yawn…"
"Garba?"
She stopped, yawning hugely, eyes tearing. Rubbing sleepy eyes, she grabbed him unsteadily but collapsed, overcome.
Her eyes flashed as she fell. Fighting drooping lids, she squeezed out:
"My… lord… get… away…"