Unexpected Meeting
A little time had passed since I'd taken down the Earth Spirit.
During that period, the fairies and I had focused entirely on treating our wounds.
Fortunately, most injuries could be healed with the fairies' innate magic powder, so we didn't need to bother foraging for herbs. For deeper gashes, we sutured them with the mandibles of giant ants.
Once treatment was complete, all we had to do was hole up at home and wait for our wounds to heal. In the meantime, the fairies and I turned our attention to our newest family member: the wolf pup.
The fairies, in particular, dove into a debate over his name that was fiercer than any battle.
I didn't care what we called him, so I left the naming to them. Their discussion raged on through the night.
It wasn't until the next day that the fairies finally emerged, beaming with satisfaction, and proudly announced their choice.
They'd named him Gail, a word from their mystical tongue meaning "gale" or whirlwind. In Korean terms, it felt something like "Stormy" or "Fierce Wind." I half-expected the childish fairies to come up with something ridiculous, but it was surprisingly straightforward.
Drawing on my experience as a vet, I started training the pup who'd earned the name Gail. Despite his cute looks, he was a little beast at heart. Being a wolf from a fantasy world, he was far more ferocious and snappy than any Earth wolf pup, even at his young age.
Ang! Ang! Grrr... Ang!
The little guy, smaller than my fist, yapped at me with pitiful squeaks. Sometimes he'd clamp onto my finger when I tried to feed him and hold on for half a day straight.
Well, he'd lost his family in an instant and woken up in a strange place—everything must have terrified him. So the fairies and I gave Gail time to adjust, offering fresh minced meat and approaching him gently to earn his trust.
If he acted aggressively toward the fairies, we'd grab him by the scruff and scold him firmly. If he behaved and listened well, we'd reward him with treats and lavish praise. Carrot and stick, alternating as needed.
Luckily, being so young, he sensed he needed protectors. Before long, he opened up to us and started warming up.
These days, whenever I lay on my bedding, he'd clamber onto my belly and nap there. The fairies would follow suit, piling on top of me for group siestas. Peaceful days like that stretched on.
Today, too, I headed out to prepare Gail's meal. Unlike the vegetarian fairies and me, the pup needed meat, so hunting was in order.
My wounds still weren't fully healed for proper hunting, so I stuck to checking the simple traps I'd set earlier. Each time I inspected the ones along animal trails amid the brush and trees, my basket filled with rabbits and squirrels.
You might think I'd overdone the traps, but two rabbits and four squirrels? Gail would devour the lot in a single day. He crunched right through the bones with those dainty little teeth.
Was it his growth spurt? He ate two or three times what a normal pup would. Fantasy world wolf, maybe that's just how they were. Thanks to him, I—the household breadwinner—was out foraging despite my injuries.
I'd hoped to stockpile ahead and cut down on trips, but the mild weather made spoilage easy, and frequent rains ruled out jerky. So, daily hunts it was.
(Kong, nothing here.)
The fairy who'd come along to help—today's name was... Tipheri, I think?—returned empty-handed.
(Can't be helped. We've caught plenty here lately; time to set new ones elsewhere.)
As we searched for fresh animal paths with the fairy, a faint scream echoed from afar.
Waaaaaah!!!
I first thought it was a bird or beast, but listening closely, it sounded familiar.
Kyaaaaah!!!
A young girl's cry. No doubt about it.
(Tipheri, you hear that too?)
(Yeah, I do.)
With the fairy confirming it wasn't just me, I bolted toward the sound. Tipheri clung to my scruff to keep up.
"Hic... sniff!"
The screams grew clearer as I approached. A weary, tear-soaked child's wail. Brushing aside blocking trees, I spotted the source: chaos by a tree near a ravine.
A grimy girl in a tattered dress sobbed atop the tree, while below, a pack of drooling goblins leered up at her. She'd clearly suffered long—her clothes were a mess, her knees scraped and bleeding.
Even so, she swung branches and kicked at goblins trying to climb. But her resistance was fading; her eyes dimmed like a candle about to gutter out. The goblins cackled at their collapsing prey.
With my human heart intact, I charged to save her. Channeling mana, I drew a deep breath and unleashed a roar at the goblins.
GRRAAAAAHHH!!!!!
The goblins froze in terror at the bone-chilling bellow they knew all too well. The girl, hearing it too, stiffened in shock.
I didn't hesitate, fording the ravine toward the tree. Splash!
I cleaved the rapids effortlessly and called to Tipheri.
(I'll clear the goblins. You soothe the girl.)
(She's still a kid... Okay, got it.)
Tipheri's response felt oddly hesitant, but she nodded and flew toward the girl atop the tree.
As I burst into view, the goblins recoiled like they'd seen the grim reaper, forcing their rigid limbs to flee.
Futile. I raised my fist, using them as punching bags to hone my mana control. Orange mana flickered as I slammed it down.
Since absorbing the spirit, my mana burned like flames, its destructive power amplified. Goblins exploded on impact like they'd taken cannon fire. Splat!
Having dispatched the dozen-plus pack in seconds, I shook filthy goblin bits from my face and looked up at the tree. The girl clutched the wriggling fairy like a doll, staring down with fearful eyes.
Expected reaction. Who wouldn't be scared seeing goblins burst apart? The cute fairy would handle persuasion; I just needed to show I wasn't hostile.
Thud!
I sat on clean grass, looked away, and nibbled surrounding blades. Message sent: I'm harmless, won't hurt or eat you.
(Don't worry, Kong's our friend—he came to protect you!)
With my non-threatening pose and Tipheri's reassurance, the girl's wariness eased.
I slowly turned, gazing up with the gentlest eyes I could muster. Up close, she was... stunningly pretty, filthy as she was.
Her skin glowed with a healthy tan, and her lake-clear eyes sparkled bright amber.
Age around ten to twelve?
Her torn, dirtied clothes screamed noble lady from the fabrics and ornaments.
What was a refined young miss doing in this dump? As curiosity stirred, her fear vanished, replaced by sparkling curiosity. She spoke to me.
"Ella sir... Lumina vers, Terna del."
Her words were in a tongue I'd never heard. It sounded vaguely like English, but incomprehensible. Not Earth, so different language made sense.
When I didn't respond, Tipheri translated.
(Kong, she says thanks for saving her. She lives because of you.)
Good—the fairies knew the local human tongue. Lacking spoken language, I used telepathy to convey my intent.
(Are you hurt anywhere?)
She startled at the deep voice in her mind but understood, nodding with a smile.
(Good. Come down then—grab my arms.)
I extended both arms up. She didn't resist, descending meekly into my grasp.
Once on the ground...
"Ah!"
She yelped and collapsed.
Her ankle, peeking from her dress, was swollen. Fearing a break, I reached to check.
(Your ankle's swollen. Stay still while I examine it.)
She nodded, eyes tearing up—hurt more than expected. Gently probing, I confirmed: sprained ligament, not broken. A splint for a few days would fix it.
(Tipheri, can you dust some healing powder on her ankle?)
(Hmm... fine. For you, Kong, and since she's hurting.)
Tipheri had been oddly wary of her from the start—clear in her eyes and tone, if not actions.
Too soon to judge, but the fairies—out of place in this forest—seemed tied to humans somehow. Whatever their story, I'd wait for them to share. Prodding sensitive wounds could backfire.
Tipheri masked her caution, conjured powder in her hand, and fluttered it gently over the swelling. The sparkling dust melted in like snowflakes.
"Wow... mie ra!"
The girl, pain forgotten, marveled at the magic. Tipheri puffed up proudly.
(Hmph, take a good look! This is fairy greatness! So, human kid, show some awe!)
Hanging with me too much, Tipheri demanded admiration like she did from me. Clap clap clap! The girl clapped her tiny hands enthusiastically.
(Heh!)
(Enough playing. Kid, do you know the way home? This guy's happy to escort you safely.)
This wasn't a place for fragile children.
I lived peacefully now thanks to my strength, but this forest crawled with beasts and monsters. Honestly, meeting goblins was lucky for her.
Scale-panthers or trolls? Instant death. Time to get her home fast.
Her face darkened at my words, and she fidgeted. The opposite of what I'd expected.
She turned away from me.
What? Lost?
Makes sense. Even I, forest-dweller, got turned around sometimes. For a kid...
(Then come to our place first. It's getting dark—too dangerous soon.)
(...Kong... really?)
(Tipheri, I get you're wary of her—of humans. But look, she's no threat. Just a kid who needs help.)
Tipheri fell silent.
(For my sake, please. Explain to the others too.)
(If you say so... but! Double snacks tomorrow!)
(Deal.)
I patted her head and turned to the girl.
(Let's head out. Climb on.)
She hesitated, eyes mixing excitement and anxiety. Sigh—was she worried it'd be rude?
(It's fine. I'm not the type to make an injured kid walk. Hop on, no worries.)
I lowered into an easy mount. She shed her qualms, curiosity winning as she climbed aboard and gripped my broad shoulders.
To prevent drops en route, I wove nearby vines around us both.
Looks like a baby in a sling.
She seemed to like it, peeking over my shoulder, fiddling with my fur.
(Here we go—hold tight.)
"Ai!"
(Got it.)
I set off at a slower pace than usual. Midway, I realized I hadn't asked her name.
(By the way, what's your name? I'm Kong.)
"Kong? Kong!"
(Yep, Kong.)
She repeated it, amused, then pointed to herself after a thoughtful pause.
"Aria... Aria Bellentia."