Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Dragon IN Elementary School (1)
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Morning.
People bustle about diligently, heading to their own jobs.
Some work for their dreams, others for money.
Of course, sometimes money is needed to achieve those dreams.
Clang clang-!
A construction site exceeding 50 decibels with ease.
"Hey, buddy! You don't put the materials there! What's the point of having all that strength if you don't use your head!!"
"…Sorry."
Just like the Dragon Slayer, earning money to kill dragons.
The usual nagging from the foreman.
The Dragon Slayer silently moved his sturdy body, shifting the materials.
'Earth. Making money here is quite tough.'
To find dragons, he needed money.
Lodging, food, and transportation costs added up fast.
But the moment he spent time earning money…
He lacked the time to search for dragons.
'I am the Dragon Slayer. I must kill dragons. So what am I doing right now?'
The sun blazed down harshly.
The construction noise pounded in his ears.
His body grew weary.
The Dragon Slayer wiped his flowing sweat and sank into a sea of thought for a moment—
"Hey, buddy! What are you doing not working? Break time isn't here yet!"
"…"
Of course, the foreman wasn't one to allow sinking into thought.
There was no room for that on a construction site.
Deprived of even the freedom to think, the Dragon Slayer sweated profusely until break time finally arrived.
"…Break time at last."
"Buddy, good work. With that build, you get the job done well! Go eat and let's power through the afternoon!"
"…Sure."
Step step—
The Dragon Slayer walked with his fellow workers toward a nearby Korean buffet.
Memories of his childhood farming in the village naturally surfaced.
'Those were such peaceful days. After farming, we'd all go eat together. By the end, Mother would have a meal ready.'
Savoring that nostalgia, the Dragon Slayer entered the buffet.
He piled his plate high with pork stir-fry, side dishes of vegetables, and a heaping bowl of rice, then sat down.
His colleagues, already seated, were chatting away.
"Back in my day, you know. Jobs like this in weather like this? Piece of cake, I tell you. Ah, those were the days."
"I used to be a big deal too. You know E Construction? I was the president there."
"That construction company famous for those tenderloin apartments? I heard it collapsed after the dimensional gates appeared."
"Hey now, Joo. Watch your mouth. Those construction agency bastards ruined my life. I might just smash 'em with a hammer."
Mealtime was filled with tales of past glories.
One claimed to have been a company president, another a chaebol's youngest son, and someone else a promising hero.
Unverifiable stories flew around.
That's why all the day-laborer colleagues shared the same thought.
'That guy's full of crap.'
No one believed anyone else.
Because it was hard to believe.
They were reliable coworkers on the job, but past stories? Not a chance.
Then.
"Ahem. Hey, new guy."
?
The foreman, who had been focused on inhaling meat from his plate, turned his attention to the Dragon Slayer.
The Dragon Slayer looked up and asked back.
"What's up?"
"What did you do before? Come to think of it, what's your name? With that build, you must've been an athlete. What'd you do?"
"I…"
The Dragon Slayer recalled his past.
Days as an adventurer.
Days sharing love with his beloved wife.
The day his daughter, the spitting image of his wife, was born.
'…'
But.
They were gone now.
All that remained was a man resolved to kill dragons.
The Dragon Slayer, who had lost his name.
"I am the Dragon Slayer, killer of dragons. I have no name."
Dragon Slayer.
At those words, his day-laborer colleagues fell silent.
'What the hell's with this guy?'
'Life fell apart and he lost his mind?'
'Crazy bastard.'
To break the silence, they changed the subject.
As if nothing had happened.
"So, what's the afternoon work?"
"The foreman said monster trophies are coming in?"
"Haha, gotta work hard again. Buddy… uh, what was it, Dragon Slayer? Feels weird calling you buddy. Anyway, DS, show up every day and keep at it."
DS.
The Dragon Slayer received a new name.
He left the restaurant and got back to work.
After eating, it was time to work again.
"Hey, DS! Put the materials straight! Not there!"
"…"
The Dragon Slayer worked hard again today.
***
A new home.
A new neighborhood.
Everything around felt fresh.
"Ahh, so this is the warmth of sunlight."
Sunlight streaming between buildings.
It felt great.
Moving had been the right choice.
Though Choryun seemed to think otherwise.
"City! The air is so unpleasant! There's no nature here! Not enough trees! We need to demolish all those buildings and plant trees! Ugh, I can't stand it! Father! Order me to smash all the buildings!"
"Try to endure it, Choryun dear."
The air in the city center wasn't great.
Just as Choryun said, there was too little nature.
Still, the upside was no longer needing to watch for pickpockets while walking.
'In 09 District, getting home without running into anyone was good luck.'
They'd driven out all the villains this time, and the elves were staying to rebuild the forest.
Even the slum-known 09 District might turn into a livable place someday.
'The elves said they'd restore the mountain and come to the city. Hope it goes well.'
Anyway.
In the city center overflowing with new things.
I left the apartment with the kids.
For one reason.
"Kids."
"Yeah?"
"Why."
"Yess?"
I put on cheap 10,000-won black sunglasses and said with dignity.
"Elementary school. Time to prepare for enrollment."
Elementary school enrollment.
The reason I moved to 04 District.
To prepare thoroughly, I planned to go shopping with the kids today.
The sunglasses were just in case someone recognized me.
'Autographs. Troublesome.'
Honestly, no one had ever asked for my signature.
Unlike other popular heroes, I wondered why no pretty models were contacting me.
'I should be popular… or not…?'
As if piercing my thoughts, Suryun looked at me with contempt.
"Dad. Your face looks creepy."
"…What did I do, Suryun?"
"You just look like a shady guy. Like you have maggots in your head. I should spray holy water on it."
"That's too much, Suryun."
Sob sob—
Hurt by my daughter's attack, I shed tears.
Her gaze only sharpened more.
"Ahem, anyway. We're going shopping. Everyone be quiet. Mind your manners. No mischief, or no tasty dinner tonight. Got it?"
"Yup."
"Yeah."
"Yess!"
Hwaryun's half-hearted reply irked me a bit.
But I led the kids to the nearby large shopping mall.
One that offered hero discounts.
"What do we say when crossing the crosswalk?"
"Raise hands! I'll raise mine the highest!"
"Raise hands. Annoying."
"We have to raise our hands high! So drivers know we're there!"
Education was paying off.
The kids followed me like chicks, raising their little hands high as they crossed.
Passersby smiled, drawn to the cute sight.
'When my daughters get attention, it feels good but also worrying.'
Unlike 09 District, 04 District was safe.
That kind of friendly attention was fine.
As long as it didn't go viral online or on the news.
The Dragon Slayer might see it and come looking.
Better safe than sorry.
"We're here. No running, walk slowly."
"I'm not a kid!? I can handle myself!"
"You are a kid. No running anyway."
"Hmph."
After basic reminders.
I held the kids' hands and entered the mall.
Passing various stores, we headed to our destination.
Then Hwaryun tugged my sleeve.
"Dad! I want that!"
"Hot dog?"
"Yeah! It's hot! I want something hot!"
A Korean-style hot dog stand.
I led the kids inside.
Checking the menu, I asked them.
"What do you want?"
"What're you getting, Dad?!"
"Basic for me."
"Then basic for me too!"
Hwaryun, copying me for basic flavor.
"Suryun?"
"I'm not eating."
She shook her head.
Suryun, who never snacked, waved it off.
"Choryun?"
"I'm not eating! Hot dog! Dog means dog! I can't eat Mangmung!"
"Oh, you know English too? Smart girl. But that 'dog' isn't a real dog, Choryun."
"R-Really!? Th-Then…"
Choryun pondered the menu.
Soon, she pointed excitedly, finding the perfect choice.
"I'll have that! Cucumber hot dog!"
"…For real?"
"Yes! No meat! Cucumbers are yummy!"
"…"
Quite the unusual pick.
But she chose it.
I ordered what the kids wanted.
Soon, the staff handed over our orders.
"Here, Hwaryun."
"Yay! Hot dog! Gotta load it with red ketchup!"
"Suryun, have a bite of mine."
"…Okay."
"Choryun, your cucumber… hot dog."
"Yes, thank you for buying it! Father!"
The kids took the hot dogs with beaming faces.
Choryun's made a crunch sound.
"Mmm, spicy! Fresh cucumber taste!"
Her happy expression meant it suited her.
'Snacks done. Now shopping.'
Time to prep for school.
I pushed the cart, visiting clothing stores.
Buying clothes they liked, and bags matching their colors.
Bags suited for elementary school, unlike kindergarten.
'Didn't use them long. Kids grow so fast.'
Still.
Unlike before, money wasn't tight.
Enough to buy all the outfits they wanted.
I'd just work harder.
"Dad! Buy this! It's hot outside, shorts are better!"
"I want long clothes that cover my skin."
"I want a beautiful bride's wedding dress!"
Open Hwaryun.
Covered-up Suryun.
Weird Choryun.
I bought a white dress instead of a wedding gown.
The cart filled with our purchases, forming a mountain.
'These clothes have brands, should be fine.'
A bit pricey, but I bought plenty.
The kids wanted them.
And so they wouldn't be looked down on at school.
'Not that they'd be anyway.'
Still, as their dad, I wanted them to thrive in elementary school.
To build happy memories.
That's the parent's role, setting them on the starting line.
That was the moment.
"It's the new Masked Ranger gun! Add this!"
"Hey, wait. Hwaryun, I didn't say buy toys—"
"Raaah! Sweep 'em all!!"
Starting with Hwaryun grabbing toys.
"I need earphones too. Don't wanna hear noisy kids. Gonna listen to music. Music's the only pleasure the state allows. Expensive ones have better sound. I'll take this."
"Suryun, those earphones are pricey? Who's paying?"
"You, obviously, Dad. Thanks for buying, Dad."
"I didn't say I would yet…"
Suryun added high-end earphones.
"Plant seeds for sale! Th-This is a must-buy! Oh, Mangmung snacks! Toys too! Must buy this!"
"Really necessary, Choryun?"
"Yes! City lacks nature! I need to plant seeds, Father!"
Choryun threw in must-haves indiscriminately.
"…"
Result.
I paid twice what I expected.
'That's why big marts are scary. Should've stuck to the list.'
Damn.
The cashier, oblivious, smiled.
"3.17 million won. Got a points card?"
"…Make me a new one."
"Alright, let me help with checkout first."
Sob sob—
I handed over my tear-soaked card.
Prepping for elementary school was tougher than expected.