Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Fearful High Elf
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“Something for the public good…… What kind of things do you have in mind?”
“Well, I can’t reveal it right now, but I have a few very special abilities up my sleeve. I’m hoping there’ll come a day when I can use them. I think they’d benefit a lot of people.”
“Could you tell us what those abilities are, by any chance?”
“Well, it’s hard to disclose right now. It’s an ability that a lot of people might react sensitively to.”
“Ah…… By the way, do the people around you discriminate against you or anything like that?”
“No? I haven’t felt that at all. If anything, they’re curious about it. Everyone’s been so nice that I’ve adapted pretty quickly.”
An So-young, the journalist, smiled faintly at my words.
“That’s a relief. I’ve covered a lot of stories about mutants, and I’ve seen plenty who were deeply hurt by the people around them. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened to you, Seo-hyun.”
“Honestly, I think I’m pretty lucky with people.”
“That’s the most important thing. The people around you have a huge impact on your life. Oh, next question. I heard you were originally male—is that true?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, I’m a fully discharged sergeant. If I’d known this was going to happen, I wish I’d mutated a little earlier. I went through a lot.”
“Ahaha…… Going from male to female—doesn’t that feel confusing?”
“It’d be a lie to say it isn’t confusing at all, but I don’t think it’s a huge problem. Whether man or woman, I’m still me. One might expect identity confusion…… but for some reason—maybe because of the dragon traits—I haven’t felt that much turmoil.”
“This might be a sensitive question…… Is that okay?”
“What’s the question?”
“Are you thinking about dating?”
“Maybe someday, but not right now. I think I need a bit more time to accept my changed self.”
“I see.”
“What do you hope for the future?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I just want people to realize that not all mutants are bad. I want to walk the streets proudly.”
“I see……”
“Any more questions?”
“No, this should be enough. Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll show you the draft before publishing. There might be things you reconsider and decide shouldn’t go public.”
“Sure.”
* * *
By the time I finished reviewing the interview content, it was already getting dark.
“I did an interview today.”
“An interview? Where?”
“Korea Daily.”
“Wow…… Now you’re getting requests from one of Korea’s top three newspapers? You’re blowing up, sis! What questions did they ask?”
“Nothing too sensitive—just about my current situation, how I felt when I mutated, that sort of thing. I threw in that I hope for more positive views on mutants.”
“The reporter must’ve been pretty intimidated covering you. That thing from three days ago went viral as a video.”
“Oh, I know about that. But she didn’t seem scared.”
“Good to hear.”
“Oh, and I might go catch another mutant soon.”
“……Who this time?”
“A National Intelligence Service agent said a nasty mutant from China entered Korea…… They’ll let me know once they ID him.”
“They paying again if you catch him?”
“The bounty’s pretty big, apparently.”
“But I’ve always wondered—why is the National Intelligence Service handling this? Shouldn’t that be the police?”
“No idea. Something about jurisdiction…… I don’t think it’s worth worrying about.”
“If you get the bounty, buy me dinner.”
“Argh…… Fine, fine. You treat your sis like an ATM.”
“You’re saying ‘sis’ pretty naturally now.”
“It just…… happened while living like this. I thought it’d take longer to get used to, but you calling me sis all the time made it quick.”
“All thanks to me. Worship me……!”
“Where’d you pick up that weird stuff?”
“What? I’m just imitating you.”
“When did I ever say that?”
“You’re always rambling nonsense at home. Last time you were talking about doing internet streams or whatever.”
“……Can’t deny it. Hey, but aren’t you worried I’m out catching dangerous mutants?”
“Honestly, I’m more worried for the mutants you catch than for you. If I hadn’t seen that thing from three days ago, maybe, but after that? Why worry about you?”
“True……”
“Take it easy. They say if you punch seriously, human bodies explode. Think mutants are different?”
“Psh, I can control my strength. Have you ever seen me break anything?”
“No. Still, be careful.”
“Got it. Anyway, they’re introducing me to other mutants before we catch that one…… Wonder what they’ll be like.”
“You’ll meet some interesting people.”
“Yeah? Kinda looking forward to it.”
“Oh, time for my tutoring gig. I’m off?”
“Sure.”
* * *
Right after my sister left for tutoring, I got a sudden call from the agent.
-Seo-hyun, you free for a bit?
“Oh, sure. What’s up?”
-Remember that case I mentioned? We’ve pinpointed the mutant’s location, so we’re about to start the capture op.
“Faster than I thought. It’s only been about three days.”
-We got lucky. One of the mutants helping us specializes in tracking people. Oh, want to meet some other mutants while we’re at it?
“Oh, sure, I’d love that. Aside from that minotaur-type, I haven’t met any others.”
-Great. We’re planning the op for this Friday—does that work?
“Huh, later than I expected.”
-Haha, we just located him. Now we need detailed plans, figure out what he’s after in Korea. It takes time…… Should be ready by Friday.
“Got it. Any info on the mutants I’ll meet?”
-Yeah, the one joining the op is a High Elf-type. She can hear plants over wide areas, so she helps us out occasionally.
High Elf? As far as I know, the only one is in California, right?
“A High Elf? The one living in California?”
-How’d you know?
“Oh, just…… think I saw it on the community forums.”
-Haha, yeah, that’s her. Lives in California.
“Not American?”
-She’s dual citizen. Normally, getting US citizenship means losing Korean, but mutants can keep dual for special cases.
“Isn’t that preferential treatment?”
-It is, but not for everyone. Only mutants who help the nation. She’s joined us on ops a few times.
“Ah……”
-Anyway, you’ll enjoy it. She’s a really fun person.
“Looking forward to it.”
-See you Friday.
A strange excitement washed over me. I’d never met or talked to another mutant before.
Even if communities show quirky sides, online and real life differ.
So, what’s this High Elf really like?
Maybe more serious than I think.
* * *
Or so I thought.
“Hiiieek……! P-Please spare meeee……!”
What’s this cute, pitiful creature?
I stared at the High Elf before me—blonde hair, lake-blue eyes.
Her name was Choi Sia.
She mutated with powers stronger than a regular elf’s: controlling plants, hearing their voices.
Twenty-three years old.
A year younger than my twenty-four.
But why’s she like this?
“Um……”
“P-Please, just my life……! Oh god, a real dragon……! I’m done for! All that’s left is exploitation!!! ”
“Uh, agent? Is she always like this?”
“Even I’m a bit thrown off. She’s quirky, but not to this extent.”
The agent looked perplexed too, staring at me. What’s going on?
“Um, Sia?”
“H-Hiiik!”
“I won’t do anything, so calm down a bit?”
“I-I can’t calm down……! I don’t know why, but…… it’s instinctual, this fear telling me to stay awayyy!”
Watching her, one thing hit me.
In novels and media, dragons are brutal rulers of nature…… a terror to elves living in harmony with it.
Is that based on reality?
But she’s a High Elf, not just any elf?
“W-Wait. I-I’ll calm down, calm down!”
She even did deep breaths, muttering.
“The one before me won’t exploit me……! Won’t enslave elves……!”
……What the hell did dragons do to her kind?