The Latest Model Cart
A video was uploaded to the latest-model cart internet community. The footage showed children on a train journey—their backs as they descended into the underground world, utterly astonished. Their ears and tails had shot straight up from the shock. When they reached the ticket gates, they crawled underneath while making little beeping sounds with their mouths. The comment section exploded.
Even though the children had tried to ride without paying, no one got angry. It was only natural that beastkin kids wouldn't know how to use modern conveniences. People simply saw it as an adorable mishap. "Not bad," Guild Master Kang Jin-ho thought, satisfied that no one had scolded the children. The label "beastkin" had turned their ignorance and rude behavior into something endearing. At this rate, he didn't have to worry about them getting scolded wherever they went. Few people would get upset with "beastkin children" who didn't know the ways of the world.
Kang Jin-ho felt somewhat relieved and continued watching the rest of the video.
—······!
The video ended with the children staring in awe at a speeding train, ears and tails standing on end, while Sofia caught one of them as they stumbled. Even Kang Jin-ho, whose emotions were often called dry, found it cute. "Not bad at all." Having his face shown was whatever. Now that the guild had some standing, it didn't matter. It was something guild members had to endure to some degree. What mattered was the children's recognition. Nothing was more troublesome than messing with someone who had high recognition and a good image. Everything was going according to Kang Jin-ho's plan.
Kang Jin-ho moved to the window. If he looked down at a certain time, he could always see the children near the pond. As always, he decided to start his day by watching their lively figures.
**
"Kings!" Levinas cleared her throat and puffed out her chest in front of Saebyeok. It was the pose she only struck when she had something to brag about. "What's up?" "Levinas bought something amazing!" "Something amazing?" "Yeah!" Levinas grabbed us and pulled us along, telling us to come see. At the destination stood a cart in pretty good condition—much better than the original one whose wheels barely turned. "Levinas paid a whole hundred thousand won for this?! It's practically new even though it's used!" "Whoa." A hundred thousand won—that must have been from the last dungeon settlement. Using the settlement money for something this meaningful. With this cart, they could do so many things. Harvest vegetables more comfortably, collect more scrap... Just looking at the cart made her tail wag. As she pondered what to do with it, Saebyeok climbed onto the cart, her posture clearly saying "pull me." Han Yeoreum grabbed the handle. "Everyone, get on." "Ah!" Levinas quickly climbed up too. It was the weight of two people, but the wheels made it light. "How's the ride?" "Good." "We have a car now!" Han Yeoreum pulled the excited children around the park, tossing empty bottles into the cart as they went. After wandering for a while, she parked in one corner. "This is amazing. I've always wanted a new cart." "Huh? Really?" "Yeah. With a cart, you can do so many things." Her old cart had needed oiling just to move, but this one rolled smoothly without any effort. She hadn't expected such a good cart to exist in the world. Pleased, she ran her hand along the iron bar. "King, should we go collect scrap with this?" "Sure." Han Yeoreum loaded the two children and headed toward the guild building, where she ran into familiar faces—Han Yeoreum, Yu-na, and Jin-hyuk. "Winter, what are you doing here?" "We're going to collect scrap." "I-is that so?" "Yes. This is our new cart. The wheels roll really well." "I... see..." Han Yeoreum's expression didn't look good. Yu-na and Jin-hyuk looked the same. Did they not like the cart? Their reactions were a little bewildering. "It's the latest model..." "W-wow, the latest model?" "Yes. Want to try riding? The ride is really comfortable." When Han Yeoreum pointed at the cart with her fingertip, Levinas and Saebyeok scooted aside as if inviting them in. Levinas even waved them over. "I'm fine." Han Yeoreum laughed awkwardly and waved her hands, her eyes darting around as she checked the people nearby. Only then did Han Yeoreum notice the many gazes directed at them. "You really won't ride...?" "Uh, yeah. It's a bit much for me..." "Oh..." Maybe a cart didn't suit their status after all. A strange sense of disappointment washed over her, enough to make her ears and tail droop. "What a shame." Han Yeoreum was a chaebol, while she was just a commoner—there was an inevitable gap in perception. "Then, want to ride instead, Winter? I'll pull you." "It's okay. I like pulling more." "R-really...?" "Yes. Pulling a high-end cart has always been my dream." Every time the rusty wheels of her old cart stopped, she had made that promise. Someday, she would pull a brand-new cart. Now that one was right in front of her, how could she just sit in it instead of pulling? That was absolutely not happening. "W-well..." Han Yeoreum hesitated, staring at the cart. Not wanting to force someone who clearly didn't want to ride, Han Yeoreum waved her hand. "I'm going to go collect scrap now." "Uh, yeah..." After saying goodbye to Han Yeoreum, she pulled the cart forward. After a few more steps, the cart suddenly grew heavier. "Huh?" Why the sudden weight? She turned around to find Han Yeoreum sitting in the cart, face flushed and head bowed low, as if embarrassed to be using something meant for commoners. "M-maybe I'll try riding for a bit?" "Ah! Yes!" She had overcome her embarrassment to ride. Han Yeoreum's tail wagged happily at her kindness. "You two get on too." Han Yeoreum gestured to Yu-na and Jin-hyuk. They hesitated just like Han Yeoreum had moments ago. "...Won't it be too heavy if we all ride?" "It's fine! These wheels are really good!" "R-really?" "Yes! I'll pull all of you!" Maybe because it was the latest model, her energy surged. Yu-na and Jin-hyuk hesitated before climbing on. Even with five people aboard, the cart stayed steady. "Winter, isn't this too many?" "It's fine!" Hup! She pulled with all her strength. Her arms trembled, yet the cart wouldn't budge. "Huh?" Why wasn't it moving? The moment she tilted her head in confusion, the cart began creeping forward. She had to use every ounce of strength just to inch ahead. "Wow." It was moving even with five people on it. As expected of the latest model. Han Yeoreum pulled the cart with a joyful heart.
**
Passersby in front of the guild building all stared in the same direction. A small child pulling three adults and two other children—it was a strange sight. It didn't look like child abuse, though, because the people involved were far too famous. They were from the Yeomyeong Guild and the beastkin children the guild was raising. Was it some kind of game? Or training? No one knew, but people watched as if entranced. "Yu-na, slower." Han Yeoreum, seated on the cart, gestured at Yu-na. It was a signal not to pull too fast. "Okay." Yu-na nodded and waved her staff. The cart's speed decreased slightly. In truth, it wasn't Winter pulling the cart—it was Yu-na's magic. Afraid Winter would be disappointed, she had secretly used magic to help. Winter, unaware of this, pulled with all her might. Thanks to Yu-na's magic, the speed stayed constant no matter how hard she pulled, even as her arms trembled. "Hah, hah..." "Winter, should we stop now?" "J-just a little more...!" What on earth was so special about this cart that she was exerting herself like this? Han Yeoreum thought of the cart beside Winter's tent. It was so worn out it had lost its original purpose, yet Winter cherished it and refused to throw it away. A new cart must feel like a dream to a child like that. "It's not even a doll or a toy..." Wanting to pull a cart as her dream? It was a statement she could never get used to, no matter how many times she heard it. With a pang of pity, Han Yeoreum let out a deep sigh. Just then— "What are you guys doing?" At the familiar voice, Han Yeoreum looked up. Guild Master Kang Jin-ho stood there, looking slightly annoyed. Beside him was Chae Ju-yeon, the master of the Seongsin Guild. "Oh my, are you bullying them?" "N-no! It's not like that! We were just playing!" "Playing...?" Chae Ju-yeon and Kang Jin-ho's gazes turned to Winter. There she was, her whole body trembling as she pulled the cart with all her might, looking utterly pitiful.