Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Dryad in the Well
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“Last night, cherry blossoms suddenly bloomed all along the Han River, becoming the talk of the town. We'll take a closer look at this unusual phenomenon where flowers that had already peaked and fallen are blooming again. Connecting to the scene now. Reporter Kim Dae-yong?”
"Yes, this is the view around Han River Park right now. The cherry blossoms, which had started falling one by one to herald the start of spring, suddenly burst into full bloom last night, drawing crowds of citizens. Just a week ago, this place was filled with pink buds, but lately, petals have been scattering, signaling the end of spring. Yet with these sudden blooms last night, the riverside feels like time has been rewound."
"It was truly amazing. I was out for an evening walk yesterday when suddenly the flowers started blooming. Petals just went whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—."
“I've been so stressed lately, but seeing this beautiful sight puts my mind at ease. I regretted not being able to have a flower-viewing picnic before they all fell, but now it feels like nature extended it through the weekend as a gift...”
“I saw it yesterday and wondered if it was a dream, so I came back out today...”
"However, some experts are voicing concerns about this phenomenon. Though it's not outside the season, they say the sudden flowering is a clear abnormal sign. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has announced they're investigating if it's related to gate activity. Authorities urge citizens to enjoy the blossoms while staying safe. This was YDN News reporter Kim Dae-yong."
"Thank you. Next up: Amid rising social issues with indiscriminate proselytizing groups..."
‘……?’
Rustle.
“It's my house ceiling...”
As always today, I came to my senses and opened my eyes on my bed, under my blanket, in my room.
‘I didn't even drink, so why is my memory blank?’
I scratched my head and tried to recall what happened.
‘Did Ga-eun bring me home...? She's never been here before.’
The previous night.
After getting off the boat, Su-hyeon let out a big yawn.
“Su-hyeon-ah, sleepy?”
“......”
Min-ji leaned on her knees and met her eyes, but Su-hyeon was busy slowly rubbing them.
“Guess she can't hear.”
As Ji-eun finished speaking, Su-hyeon nodded deeply once, then grabbed Ga-eun's hem to keep from falling over.
“What kid gets sleepy so suddenly?”
“Kids are like that.”
While her friends watched the standing-sleepy Su-hyeon, the light faintly illuminating the sky and river's end vanished.
Now fully night, with only the park lights shining, Su-hyeon flopped down.
“Su-hyeon-ah!”
The three jumped in shock at her collapsing like a doll with exhausted magic stones.
“Check if she's okay!”
Ga-eun regained her composure first and calmed the other two.
“It's fine. She's just asleep.”
“Asleep!? Who falls asleep like this...?”
“She's really okay, right?”
Ji-eun held a finger to her tiny nose, feeling a faint snore and breeze.
“She seems to fall asleep when the sunlight completely disappears. I've seen it before.”
“Sunlight...?”
Ga-eun picked Su-hyeon up into her arms.
“Well, guess that's it for today?”
Min-ji shrugged, wrapping up the mood.
“Too bad, but yeah. You guys coming to the library tomorrow too?”
“Nah, she has work early in the morning. Let's rest tomorrow. You have a stream too, right?”
The group left the park with Su-hyeon in tow and said their goodbyes.
“We'll head that way and catch the bus straight home.”
“Okay? I'm taking a taxi.”
“What about her?”
Min-ji said, looking at the peacefully sleeping Su-hyeon on the hilltop.
“I have her guardian's contact. Or I could just let her crash at my place.”
“Ooh... If I didn't have work, I'd beg to crash too.”
“Good thing. I felt bad dumping her just on you.”
“No one's at fault, so no need to feel bad. It's fine.”
Ga-eun patted Su-hyeon's back.
In truth, Ga-eun was using all her strength to manage her expression.
Su-hyeon's tiny body heat and breath were warming her chest.
Focusing on the little heartbeat through her clothes melted away all her stress.
“Bye, Ga-eun~. Bye, Su-hyeon, sleep well...!”
Min-ji whispered softly into the sleeping Su-hyeon's ear and left.
“Night. See you next week.”
“Yeah, bye.”
As Ga-eun waved them off, she suddenly muttered.
“Ms. Brüel, you're here, right?”
A woman's voice came from the empty space behind her.
“You knew?”
“No, just thought you might be, so I called.”
“I see. I was really startled, thinking I'd been caught.”
“I saw you on the subway. What about those people?”
“Ahem, circumstances at the time... Beyond drugs and mana brainwashing, they truly believe deep down they're right. So I'll undo it over time and send them back.”
“Ah...”
She doesn't wipe them out clean.
I thought she might.
“But is it necessary to go that far? You're not even involved.”
Ga-eun was a bit curious about Brüel's unexpected side and the excessive service.
“......Involved.”
“Why?”
“Nothing. Anyway, Su-hyeon-nim...”
“Ah, here.”
The little light-green one seemed to move from the reluctant woman's arms to the tense other's... but then stretched out a small hand and tightly grabbed Ga-eun's top.
“Wha...!”
Seeing Ga-eun's top stretch slightly, both women froze.
“......”
“......”
They looked at Su-hyeon awkwardly held between them and asked.
“......What do we do?”
“Why Su-hyeon-nim not me...!”
“Um...?”
Fortunately, she slowly pried the hand off successfully.
Su-hyeon clenched and unclenched her hand a few times as if feeling empty, then burrowed into Brüel's arms.
A pink tongue flicked out briefly, then in.
Brüel let out a triumphant hum.
“Hmph...”
“...What are you doing?”
“Heh, nothing.”
“......”
“I did that...?”
I was on a call with Ga-eun in front of Brüel right now.
Phone on the floor on speaker.
“Don't believe me? Fine.”
As I lifted my head, my eyes met Brüel's, who was kneeling properly.
Brüel nodded silently.
“No, I believe you... I just didn't know I fall asleep at sunset.”
“You don't know your own body?”
“Well, no one's taught me...”
It's not like there's a status window sorting it out. It changed overnight; how should I know?
“Still, you should know your limits and traits. What if something happened? Like at the sauna before, or this time—what if you'd been alone?”
‘Brüel's around, so it'd be fine.’
But I'm not clueless enough to say that.
Better to stay quiet and just say ‘Yes, got it.’
“I'll ask at home after exams.”
“Yeah, since you're different from humans, you have to take care of yourself.”
“...Got it. Then work hard on your stream later.”
“Mhm~ See you next week.”
Call ended, silence filled Brüel's room.
The phone screen showed KakaoTalk now, not call in progress.
And countless news links from Ga-eun.
Cherry blossoms, night cherry blossoms, abnormal signs, live Han River updates...
All about me.
I'd called Ga-eun after seeing them to ask about yesterday.
“......”
Chaos while I slept.
“Um... sorry...”
As I apologized, glancing at her, Brüel looked puzzled.
“Why apologize?”
“Everyone's trying to hide my identity, but I not only don't help—I make more work.”
Brüel replied flatly.
“That's our role, so it's fine.”
“Still, less work is better.”
No intelligent being likes extra unnecessary work.
Brüel gazed at me steadily, then shook her head slightly.
“Wiping traces of your daily movements—adding one more like this doesn't change much. Don't worry about it.”
Meaning this extra on top of usual cleanup isn't a big deal.
‘Am I treated like a walking disaster...?’
Strange feeling.
“We fundamentally move for your peace and safety. So most things are handled before they reach your eyes or ears. We left the news and blossoms alone because there's truly no issue.”
“......”
After pondering, I asked Brüel again.
“Brüel, I've asked before, but is there really no reason you're following me? Honestly, I can't understand...”
Not right to say when I'm living cushy thanks to the elves, but I can't fathom why these capable, powerful beings care for me.
They said it's because I resemble their World Tree, but that's not reason enough.
What do they find pretty about a stranger like me...
Hm, I'll be pretty when grown.
Thinking of Mom and Dad's faces, it's a guaranteed jackpot.
Problem is, who knows when that'll be, centuries maybe.
“Anyway, if there's anything you want me to do later, tell me ahead. I'll try my best to repay you...”
I have mysterious powers, but where's the practical use...? Just blooming flowers like yesterday.
Ah, I can control plant beasts too.
If only they'd think like Prof. Ia-young about farming them.
Right now, it feels utterly useless.
“We have personal wishes, but as a race, we neither ask nor force anything of you. We do it because we want to, so do whatever you want freely.”
“You said that before.”
Seeing me grumble, thinking her answer insufficient, Brüel placed a hand on her chest.
“Su-hyeon-nim, our protection comes not just from affection, but other reasons.”
“Like what?”
“A legend passed down among us about the World Tree. In summary: Everything the World Tree does ultimately serves righteousness, so fully supporting it benefits the universe.”
“I don't get it... Everything the World Tree does is right?”
“Yes, because that's what a World Tree is.”
Though you're not our World Tree...
Do whatever you want. It'll turn out right in the end.
That's why we protect and support your existence.
Brüel's eyes held a distant wistfulness as she added silently.
To me, living as human, it was incomprehensible.
“What if I give a bad order? You'd still think it's right and follow?”
I blurted in frustration.
Brüel countered with a question.
“Will you?”
“Well, who knows...?”
“For example, what order?”
As Brüel asked curiously, I panicked and thought hard.
“Uh... w-world conquest or something...?”
Maybe due to looks, but it's kid-like evil.
“Pfft.”
“You laughed!”
My eyes widened as I yelled, but Brüel feigned seriousness.
“Do you think world conquest is bad, Su-hyeon-nim?”
“...Isn't it?”
“It depends on method, purpose, form. Most feel negative due to the word's nuance.”
Really?
Her plausible words tilted my head.
“What's the standard for ‘conquest’? Territory? Humans? Capital? Force? Ideology? Genes?”
“Th-that's...”
“For example, changing the world beneficially for all could be a form of conquest.”
I clutched my head and muttered.
“Too hard. What's your point?”
Brüel smiled softly.
“You won't give such an order. But if you did, and it was truly your will, we'd follow gladly. Because we'd be missing some intent of yours.”
“Even you smarter ones don't know?”
“Likely you yourself haven't realized it.”
“......”
I fell silent, then asked cautiously.
“Still, what if I order something truly incomprehensible evil?”
After thinking, Brüel answered simply.
“Well, then. We'd ask Ok-rye-nim.”
“......Ah?”
Grandma's there.
I'm not the boss?
“Ok-rye-nim would consider what we miss, and if you're going astray, set you right.”
Sure...
Felt like I overreacted alone.