An Unexpected Harvest
Han Yeoreum led the way to what looked like a shooting range—a sprawling training ground buzzing with adventurers showing off their weapons. Amid the clamor, there were even firearms belching out thunderous roars.
Bang! The moment we stepped inside, the gunshot rang out, and my ears and tail shot straight up in shock. I couldn't help clapping my hands over them.
"Whoa..."
It was like someone screaming right in my ear. My eardrums buzzed, my eyes flashing wide.
"Gun... big noise, huh?"
Han Yeoreum said something to me, but with my ears blocked, I couldn't make it out. The relentless gunfire pierced right through anyway. I just stood there, hands clamped over my head, blinking in a daze.
"......"
She stared down at me for a long moment, then pressed down firmly on the top of my head, right over my ears. I didn't need the help and tried to dodge her hand, but the perfectly muffled silence startled me into freezing.
"Huh?"
Same hands, but why did the noise vanish when she pressed? I had no idea how, but this was a world with mana—I knew that much. She must've cast some magical trick. Might as well use her palm as earmuffs. Embarrassing? Sure. But better than the agony in my ears.
Caring what others thought was a luxury from a bygone era for me.
And so, with her hand resting on my head, I shuffled toward nearby Jeong Yu-na in this bizarre formation—me creeping forward cautiously, her following with her palm planted atop.
"Yu-na!"
Han Yeoreum called out. The guns were silent, but her voice came through clear. For someone from a magic-less world, it was mind-blowing.
"Yeo... reum...?"
Jeong Yu-na waved us over happily. Strangely, her voice didn't boom like the shots. Maybe because Han Yeoreum and I were touching, letting the sound conduct through.
"Ah, Winter's ears were hurting from the gunfire, so I was blocking it like this."
"I... too...!"
"Nah, just cast a sound-block spell and call it a day..."
Jeong Yu-na shot us an envious look, then swung her staff through the air. A translucent barrier shimmered up around us.
"What's this?"
"Soundproof magic. Blocks anything over a certain decibel."
Han Yeoreum explained as she lifted her hand from my ears. They sprang up like coiled springs.
"Oh..."
The gunfire now sounded muffled, like it was underwater. Did this world even have noisy neighbors?
I was lost in that random thought when Jeong Yu-na pulled out an arrow and handed it over.
"Winter, wanna give this a shot?"
"What's this?"
"One I made. Tailored it for you."
I took the arrow. It looked ordinary, except for the red hue.
"Here, sis brought a bow too."
"Ah... Yes."
I nocked the arrow, then glanced up at Han Yeoreum. Watching the gunners had sparked a question.
"Um, can I try a gun too?"
"A gun?"
"Yeah. Feels like it'd be easier than a bow in dungeons."
"Hmm... Guns are harder to use than bows, though?"
She shook her head firmly. Pulling a trigger seemed simpler—how could that be harder?
"Why?"
"With arrows, you hold the fletching before shooting. Lets you infuse way more mana efficiently."
"Ah..."
Guns were mechanical, so harder to channel mana into. Nodding at this new common sense.
"You can put mana in bullets, but not as well as bows. Guns are for mowing down hordes of low-level mobs. Or just stress relief here."
"Got it."
I'd assumed guns beat bows, thinking like an Earthling without mana. Two worlds' logic clashing in my head.
Then what about grenades?
Did they suck compared to wizard spells too? Pondering that, I loosed Jeong Yu-na's arrow at a distant target.
Thwip! Thanks to the sound barrier? It flew silently, dead center.
"Huh...?"
Power seemed same as my usual arrows. Why bother making this? As I turned to look up at her—
The arrow in the target flared bright.
BOOM!
The blast punched through the barrier. My heels lifted in sheer shock.
"......?"
The target—and nearby ones—shattered to dust. No trace left.
"Wh-what?!"
"Yu-na's experimenting again, looks like."
The massive explosion halted all shooting; eyes turned our way. Mine went wide, staring up at the two women.
"Pretty good, right?"
"Yeah. Built in safeties—no way it'd hurt Winter."
They chatted between themselves, then both looked to me.
"What do ya think, Winter?"
"Wanna try it for real?"
"Uh..."
In the Goblin Dungeon? That power would pulverize magic stones too. After a moment's hesitation, I nodded. Shooting explosive arrows was honestly fun. Just... keep that sound block handy.
We hit the Goblin Dungeon with Han Yeoreum and Jeong Yu-na, but came back empty-handed. The arrows' blasts vaporized goblins—guts, stones, everything.
"Whew..."
For the first time in ages, I savored a real high, strolling back to the container with Han Yeoreum.
"Winter, how was shooting those explosive arrows?"
"Super fun."
"Yeah... I see."
She smiled awkwardly, like she was hiding something.
"Why?"
"Well... those arrows cost a pretty penny, actually."
"...Pardon?"
Was she saying I had to pay? My elation chilled fast.
"This batch was experimental, so no charge. But future ones..."
"I'd buy them?"
"Nah, no cash needed. Just gather the magic stones for materials yourself."
"Sure. That's only fair."
My ready agreement eased the awkwardness from her smile.
"Can do freezing or lightning ones too. Power varies by stone."
"Whoa..."
Lightning arrows? Romance flooded back, heart pounding. Magic stones hurt to waste, but goblins were plentiful. No reason not to.
I'll earn more as I get stronger anyway.
Definitely not a waste. Satisfied, I headed for the container. Han Yeoreum seemed cheered too—fist pumping with an "Alright!"
She likes explosive arrows too?
That guess in mind, we reached the front—
And spotted someone crouched with their back to the field. Perked rabbit ears marked her as Levi Nas.
"My field...!"
Here for revenge after this morning? I bolted over, only to freeze at the sight.
Dandelions—still seeds this morning—were already blooming.
"Where've you been?!"
Levi Nas sprang up, dirt caked on her body and face. Maybe linked to the growth spurt.
As I scanned her up and down for clues, Han Yeoreum clapped lightly.
"Rabbit friend, right? That choker's adorable!"
"Eek!"
Levi Nas yelped backpedaling. Praising a bomb-collared choker? Sounded like a threat. Though no actual bomb.
Probably looked totally unhinged.
First seeing Han Yeoreum after my change, I'd felt the same. A twinge of kinship, I dashed to Levi Nas.
"Did you make the dandelions grow yourself?"
"That's right! That brute shark monster promised to free Levi Nas if she helped with chores...!"
"Sh-shark monster? Free...?"
Clueless Han Yeoreum blinked. I'd explain later. Approaching Levi Nas, who posed proudly with hands on hips.
"Can you fast-grow other plants like the dandelions?"
"Of course! Levi Nas is of the great horn rabbit clan!"
"Whoa...!"
Plant acceleration ability. An unexpected harvest. With this, expand the field, grow more crops. More dandelions mean lower tea costs. Lower costs mean more sales. At this rate, pay off debts before I kick the bucket? Clutching hands in excitement—
Han Yeoreum let out a deep sigh.
"Aigoo..."
Why the sudden gloom? No clue.