Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Troll Hunter (10)
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Living in the city and learning human language was one thing, but you had to be careful when dealing with异種族 from the outskirts. To them, humans were nothing but intruders. In fact, it was common to encounter異種族 who harbored hostility toward humans.
Moreover, humanity had learned harsh lessons from history and enforced strict, powerful laws to control the people of Cameron Planet. Killing a fellow human carried lighter punishment than killing a異種族.
In many ways, it was easier to avoid contact with the異種族 in uncharted territories. Yet humans kept trying to make contact.
All for profit.
“You’re sure you understand us properly, right? I set it to Elvish…”
“No need to worry. Look at that elf. She’s got a gun and a watch. She’s clearly had contact with humans before. She won’t attack the moment she sees us.”
Only then did Kim Chang-sik realize the gun the elf was holding was a human weapon. Winchester M2087. It was a weapon produced in droves when the pioneers of Cameron Planet were facing off against them. A lever-action shotgun made for civilian and hunting use, but nowadays, it was hard to find anyone using it. It had decent power, but few wanted to get up close to monsters with a weapon that had low rate of fire.
It was an outdated gun, but a human weapon was still a human weapon. The fact that an elf was carrying it was fascinating.
“How the hell does she have a gun? Did she kill a human and take it?”
“What nonsense is that, hyung? Even if you worked on Earth, didn’t they teach you basic common sense?”
“Huh?”
“Merchants brought and sold those to them.”
The number of merchants venturing into business with異種族 for their goods was now too vast to accurately track. And among those goods, weapons were always steadily popular. In this harsh environment, human weaponry was a hit with the異種族.
“An elf, huh. This is…”
Elves were popular in many ways. Not just for their beauty, but also for their renowned deep understanding of their surroundings. They had little interest in resources themselves, but humanity was obsessed with them.
And among those, elves were particularly famous for their knowledge of plants. Kim Suhyun’s mind raced as he recalled that.
‘Can I get baekhacho here?’
“Human. Human. Can you hear me? Is it coming through clearly?”
“It’s coming through fine, so don’t worry.”
The elf seemed unsure if her translator was working properly. She asked a few times, nodding only after getting a comprehensible response. Though their languages differed, even the cheapest smartwatch’s translation function allowed smooth communication.
Tap.
Leaping lightly from her mount, the elf bowed her head. It was a fairly polite greeting.
“?”
“What’s wrong? Don’t your kind greet like this?”
“No. That’s not Elvish etiquette.”
“Elvish etiquette? You know Elvish etiquette? Fascinating. I heard humans greet like this, though.”
“Not all of us. You learned it wrong.”
“Hmm… Seems I did. My apologies. In any case, greetings. I am Aida Srandal.”
“Kim Suhyun.”
“Kim Chang-sik.”
“Are you two brothers?”
“Not everyone with the same surname is brothers… Damn. It’s complicated to explain. Anyway, no. More importantly, why did you approach us? Do you need something?”
“Ah. Trolls don’t usually appear around here. Occasionally a dumb one gets lost, but while patrolling, I spotted one wandering and caught it. Then I saw you two behind it. So I came to ask. Were you chasing that troll?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh dear. Sorry for stealing your prey.”
“It’s fine. It’s your fault for not catching a fleeing one.”
Aida tilted her head at Kim Suhyun’s words.
“Aren’t you disappointed? I thought humans were thorough about that sort of thing.”
“Disappointed is disappointed, and missed is missed. No point forcing it. Elf, you worried needlessly.”
Kim Chang-sik shot Kim Suhyun a resentful look from the side but didn’t argue.
“Hmm… Still, I don’t feel right claiming it all. You did drive it this far, so you have some credit. I can’t monopolize it alone. Tell me which part of the troll you want. If it’s fine, I’ll share.”
“She’s being nice. Shouldn’t we take her up on it?”
“Hyung. Shut up.”
“……”
Kim Chang-sik closed his mouth again.
“You can have the whole troll corpse. But if possible, I have another request.”
“Another request? Sorry, but I can’t make new trades. Our clan already deals with merchants.”
“I figured as much. You’re wearing a gun and a watch—how could I miss that?”
“Sharp eyes. Does the thick scent of blood relate to that?”
“What are you talking about? The blood pouch is completely sealed.”
Kim Chang-sik sniffed in confusion, but Kim Suhyun understood the elf’s words. She had clearly sensed his power to some degree.
From the way she spoke, her approach wasn’t just out of goodwill. She was probably worried that by claiming the troll exclusively, she might have to fight Kim Suhyun. A thoughtful elf with good judgment.
‘But I never intended to take it.’
“Hey. No matter what, I have zero intention of attacking you.”
Aida smiled faintly in response.
“I’m not worried about that.”
‘Liar.’
The elf stood with polite demeanor, but her guard was up. Her entire body radiated readiness to fight at any moment. Kim Suhyun saw no need to continue the mind games. He planned to state his demand and negotiate straight away.
“What I want is baekhacho. Can you get me some baekhacho by any chance?”
“Hmm?”
Aida’s ears perked up at the unexpected request. She tilted her head and asked.
“Do humans have a use for baekhacho? Are you a merchant?”
“Not a merchant, but I need it personally.”
“Sorry, but even if you take the whole troll corpse, I can’t give you baekhacho. It’s a very precious herb.”
“I figured.”
The troll corpse wasn’t that essential to the elf. Troll blood was a valuable medicine, but they could live fine without it. In comparison, baekhacho was a rare, hard-to-obtain herb. Naturally, the latter was more precious to elves.
“So you do have some?”
“Too sharp. Yes, our clan has baekhacho. But the quantity is too low to sell outside. Sorry. Just take the troll corpse.”
“I’ll yield the troll corpse. Can’t you add something on top? What do I need to do for baekhacho?”
Aida’s thin brows furrowed slightly then relaxed. She feared what Kim Suhyun might do. From the first glance, he exuded an overwhelming presence.
Kim Chang-sik was faint, but Kim Suhyun had been distinctly felt from afar. If it came to a fight, she wasn’t confident. She knew humans had rules for dealing with異種族, but that didn’t mean all humans followed them.
‘Damn. She’s scared.’
Kim Suhyun sighed inwardly. He genuinely wanted a fair trade, but the elf seemed frightened. Threatening異種族 yielded no gains. It was regrettable, but if she kept being scared, better to give up and leave…
“Hey, I’m not threatening you. If you really can’t give it, no choice. Let’s just part ways.”
“Kim Suhyun, was it? I can give you baekhacho.”
“…What do I have to do?”
Aida smiled faintly again upon seeing Kim Suhyun catch on before she spoke. Friend or foe was uncertain, but he was no ordinary man.
“What you humans do best.”
* * *
“There aren’t many enemies of ours in the Ames Plains. At most, monsters from other areas. But recently, raptors have appeared.”
Raptors. Small in size, but among monsters, they were infamous for their top-tier intelligence and cunning. They fought and moved in packs, so once caught, it wasn’t just a fierce fight—it was brutal.
“Adult elves can fight, but our clan isn’t all adults. And if their pack grows, even adults are in danger. Can you exterminate them? If you do, I’ll give you baekhacho. The clan will accept that much.”
“Can’t the elves handle the subjugation? Your armament doesn’t fall short of humans’.”
Kim Chang-sik, listening, asked in confusion.
“Not all elves are combatants. Humans are swarming with them. Raptor hunts aren’t easy. They’re too smart…”
“Exactly. Fighting with just elves is overwhelming. That’s why I want you and your comrades to subjugate the raptors together.”
Aida didn’t expect Kim Suhyun and Kim Chang-sik alone to fight the raptors. Humans had many comrades in the city, so she hoped they’d bring them to handle it.
“What do you say?”
“Fine. I accept.”
“!”
“But this guy’s a problem. Can he stay in your village until the hunt’s over?”
Since merchants were already trading, the location wasn’t secret. Aida nodded readily.
“That’s fine, but… Wouldn’t it be better if you two stuck together?”
“For raptors, solo’s easier.”
“??”
Aida couldn’t comprehend Kim Suhyun’s words. Wasn’t he going to fetch comrades? Ignoring her reaction, Kim Suhyun prepared for the hunt. He told Kim Chang-sik to wait in the village, who looked anxious.
“Is it okay for me to stay here alone? I’m a total outsider…”
“Just stay inside quietly. If they attack, take it.”
“What?!”
“I’ll pay back any grudges properly.”
“Hey, you’re joking, right?! Right?!”
Kim Suhyun left without answering. Aida asked in puzzlement.
“If you’re fetching comrades, why leave him? Can’t he fight?”
“……”
Kim Chang-sik hung his head in humiliation. He waited in agony for Kim Suhyun’s return, like sitting on pins. An elf village he’d finally reached, but no desire to sightsee.
After about twelve hours, Aida heard Kim Suhyun was returning and went to meet him at the village entrance.
‘He already brought comrades?’
She’d thought it’d take days at least. Aida looked around. No other humans. Kim Suhyun walked alone.
“Your comrades elsewhere?”
“What comrades? Hunt’s over.”
“?”
“All the raptors are dead.”
“…!”