Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Puppy Pickup (1)
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Elves had been on Earth for quite some time now.
The elves had spent their days in the back mountains of 09 District, restoring nature.
I stepped on the still crumbly soil and asked one of the elves,
“Winter’s coming soon. You all gonna be okay?”
“Of course we’ll endure it. We’re proud elves.”
The elves replied with solemn expressions.
They seemed to think they could tough out the winter.
“…Underestimating winter is a bad idea.”
These guys.
They had no idea how brutal Korean cold snaps could be.
I decided to test if they could survive the winter.
“Suyeon.”
“Yeah.”
“Make some ice.”
I needed to see how well they handled the cold.
Suyeon brought her face close to the basket.
Then she started spitting ice from her mouth.
“Ptooey—”
Crackle!
Ice poured into the basket like from an ice maker.
I picked up the basket of ice and stood in front of the elves.
“You guys don’t seem to get how cold winter is, so I’ll show you firsthand.”
Extreme cold training.
If they could handle this, they’d make it through winter no problem.
I handed the ice basket to Hwaryeon, who was standing next to me.
“Hwaryeon’s in charge of this extreme cold training as assistant instructor.”
“Kehehehe! You’re all dead!”
Hwaryeon took the ice basket and positioned herself behind the elves.
Then she mercilessly showered them with ice.
“Kahaha! Die! All you dragon discriminators must die!”
“Kyaa, kyaaak—! C-C-Cold—!!”
“I-It went down my back!! S-Save me!!”
Had ice slipped into their clothes?
The elves flailed and ran around trying to shake it out.
Hwaryeon grinned like a demon lord as she watched.
“Kahahaha! Die, elves! Perish by the hand of Red Dragon Hwaryeon!”
Hwaryeon laughed as the elves writhed in agony.
Looks like elves had no cold resistance at all.
I’d have to buy them thick sleeping bags and heaters to get through this winter.
“Anyway, elves.”
“Yes, Dragon Father. What is it?”
“You cleaned up your trash okay?”
Trash.
At my question about cleaning it, the elves’ eyes sharpened.
“Come over here and let’s talk.”
“Alright, kids. You play nearby. Daddy’ll be right back.”
I waved as I headed inside with the elves.
My daughters waved back at me.
“Come back quick!”
“Bye-bye.”
“We’ll be waiting, Father!”
The moment we were alone, leaving the kids behind,
I got serious and asked,
“So, how’s the trash cleanup going?”
The elves answered with grave looks.
“It’s progressing well. The human world does have a lot of trash. So much it’s giving us trouble.”
“I see. How far exactly have you cleaned?”
“We’ve cleaned everything up to here.”
Rustle—
The elf pulled out a map and pointed to the spot.
They’d cleared the entrance to the ant nest.
‘Already this far? That’s pretty impressive.’
I’d asked them to clean for the kids’ safety.
And the elves had carried out the mission admirably.
Pleased, I clapped and said,
“Good job, elves. You’ve got what it takes to be dragon followers!”
“Th-Thank you!”
“We’ll always look only to the dragon!”
Thud—
The elves knelt before me as a pledge of loyalty.
For some reason, they reminded me of the association chairman.
‘All dragon followers are a bit crazy. Why are they all like this?’
Not that I minded.
But that level of loyalty was a tad overwhelming.
I had them stand and said,
“Anyway, keep up the trash cleanup.”
“Yes!”
“You’re in charge of security in this district. Do well, and the dragon might remember your names.”
“If the great dragon remembers my name! I’d die happy!”
“No need to go that far.”
Anyway.
I told the elves to keep up the good work and left.
When I got back to where I’d left the kids,
The dragon girls were amusing themselves.
Hwaryeon was playing the most dangerously, though.
“Hey, Hwaryeon! Get down from that tree!”
“Hmph, I’ll do what I want! Don’t talk to me!”
Stubborn as ever.
Hwaryeon ignored me and climbed the tree, grabbing rotten branches.
She’d turned into a monkey instead of a dragon.
‘No matter how I look at it, that looks dangerous.’
Something felt off, so I kept watching Hwaryeon.
She climbed without a second thought.
Then,
“Huh!?”
Snap—
The rotten branch couldn’t hold her weight.
It crumbled with a crunch, and Hwaryeon lost her balance and started falling.
“N-No!”
She was already a fool—falling from a tree would make her even more foolish!
With that thought, I sprinted with all my might.
I caught her midair before she hit the ground.
“Whew, barely made it!”
“U-Uwaa… That was close!”
“Hwaryeon! I told you to be careful!”
Smack—
I tapped the forehead of Hwaryeon in my arms with my palm.
She twisted her head to dodge my hand repeatedly.
“D-Don’t! My forehead’s precious!”
“You don’t treat it precious. What’s precious about it? You need a good smack.”
“Stop it! Kyaaang!”
Whoosh—
Hwaryeon finally resisted with a breath attack.
I had no choice but to set her down.
“Jeez, what am I gonna do with this idiot.”
“Hmph, what do you mean? Just leave me be!”
She turned her back.
Then muttered softly,
“…Thanks for saving me!”
Gratitude was embarrassing, apparently.
I chuckled and said to Suyeon and Choryeon nearby,
“Business done. Let’s head home, everyone.”
“…Yeah.”
“Yes, Father.”
For some reason, they seemed in bad moods.
‘Weather getting colder?’
That could be it.
Even I had off days sometimes.
Dragons probably did too.
Thinking that, I headed home with them.
***
On the way home.
The kids walked noisily, chattering away.
“I’m Hwaryeon! Alley boss! Make way!”
Hwaryeon strutted proudly.
Meanwhile, Suyeon and Choryeon held my hands and walked quietly.
“Sisters, but such different personalities.”
How could they be so different?
As I thought that, Suyeon spoke up.
“But mine’s the best, right?”
“Suyeon’s personality… Hmm…”
“…Why’re you thinking about it, Dad? I’m getting upset.”
Glare—
Suyeon furrowed her brows and shot me a look.
Choryeon tugged my hand and said,
“Father, what about me? Isn’t my personality good? I think it’s great… I wanna know what you think!”
“Choryeon… Yeah, Choryeon has a good personality.”
“Really? Yay!”
Bounce-bounce—
Choryeon jumped for joy.
Seeing her so happy, I was glad I didn’t say the rest.
‘…Good personality, but something scary about her.’
Felt like something terrifying was sealed inside Choryeon.
If it broke free, no way to stop it.
‘Just a hunch, though. Anyway, what’s for dinner?’
What to make that the kids would like?
Lost in thought as I walked.
Suddenly, Hwaryeon blocked my path.
“What’s up, Hwaryeon? Not going ahead?”
“D-Dad!”
“Yeah.”
“Th-There’s a shady human up ahead!”
“Stay behind me, Hwaryeon.”
Step—
I stepped forward, shielding Hwaryeon.
Then glanced where she pointed.
There was a familiar guy doing something unfit for his build.
“Hey, Tubby.”
“Oh, bro. Long time no see.”
Bow—
Tubby greeted while cradling something.
I pointed at the cute thing in his arms and asked,
“Why’re you carrying that? Gonna eat it?”
Tubby shook his head vigorously.
“N-No way. Would I eat something this cute? Found it abandoned nearby! Weather’s turning cold soon!”
He sounded super aggrieved.
Curious about our talk, maybe,
Suyeon peeked from behind me at Tubby.
More precisely, the cute thing in his arms.
“Oh, it’s Mang-mung.”
“Mang-mang—!”
A baby puppy.
It barked at us cheerfully, tail wagging.
Seeing it, Hwaryeon tugged my clothes and asked,
“Dad, can we eat that too?”
“…We could in the old days. Not anymore.”
“Tch, too bad!”
Hwaryeon clicked her tongue regretfully.
I questioned Tubby next.
“So what’re you gonna do with it? You said it was abandoned. Why carry it?”
“Well, see, it was alone and might die if left, so I was gonna take it home.”
“Where’s your place?”
“Over there.”
Tubby pointed.
It was a drug-scented alley.
“…Put it down and go, Tubby.”
No helping it.
“I’ll watch it till you rehome it.”
Yeah.
Left outside in this weather, it’d die.
Reluctantly, I took the fluffy white puppy.
‘Am I getting nosy too? Can’t just pass by a baby pup.’
Just for a little while.
“Mang-mung! It’s Mang-mung!”
“Mang-mungie.”
“Mang-mung! So cute, Father! Look at her!”
And the dragon kids liked it too.