Chapter 60

Waking up in the tent was a rare treat.

A fairy peeked out, gripping the fabric of the tent and peering curiously.

The dim light of dawn broke through, illuminating her clearly.

As I rubbed my eyes and tried to sit up, she flitted away in a flash.

Should’ve expected that from a fairy, I guess.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

What’s money anyway?

And greed?

Regrets from yesterday came flooding back.

I didn’t want to start the day on a sour note, so I shook my head to clear those thoughts.

I got up, stretching my stiff body.

Suri quietly landed on my shoulder with a soft flutter of wings.

“Did you sleep well?”

She nodded.

Does she really understand what I’m saying?

Her expression seemed to ask for a scratch, so I gently stroked her forehead with my finger.

With a satisfied look, Suri followed me as I stepped outside the tent.

“Human!”

“Hello! Hello!”

“Did you sleep well??”

The fairies’ cheerful voices chirped around like birds.

Their tone brimmed with goodwill as they darted about in the sky.

“I slept well. How about you guys?”

“Yeah! Thank you!”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

They giggled and zipped around me in joyous greetings.

It was a perfect way to start the morning.

Even without food, I felt full—this sense of fulfillment washed over me.

This was a rewarding scene.

Even though faint ash and dark stains lingered everywhere,

the flow of life persisted.

With the fairies’ magic, new sprouts were budding all around.

“Is that you?”

Sometimes, there’s power in a voice itself.

Soft yet strong.

That playful tone.

Joy.

And an overwhelming confidence.

A chill ran down my spine despite myself.

I turned to see where the voice came from.

A silvery, translucent fairy hovered before me.

With a bored expression.

A faint smile.

And atop her head sat an iridescent crown.

She floated cross-legged in midair.

“I hear you saved our children. Hmm… And I also heard you can speak our language?”

“Yes, I can.”

The strangeness of “our” language struck me.

The curiosity in her gaze made my heart race.

“So you do speak it well? Where’d you learn it? Hmm… Not that it matters much.”

She twirled gracefully, her words flowing like the current of a river.

“Sorry for the late introduction. I come from the Sky Garden. I’m the gardener who tends to it. Nice to meet you.”

“My name is Minho. I’m a farmer. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, right. Humans have names, don’t they? Heh, almost forgot that.”

The gardener smiled warmly, her lips curling into a bright grin.

Still, for some reason, an unsettling tension lingered.

Even without weapons, I could feel the combat readiness radiating from her.

If things went wrong, I might not survive.

It was an oppressive pressure that surpassed even the dragon I faced on the 50th floor.

“So, Minho? Minho.”

“Yes.”

“You bear the magical mark the kids left on you, don’t you? Hmm…”

“It’s an honor beyond measure.”

“Such a good boy. Hmm… hmm… You farm too…”

Abruptly, her smile faded.

Expressionless.

She walked toward me slowly, as if delivering some kind of verdict.

My breath caught in my throat.

It wouldn’t come easily.

She moved as if walking on invisible platforms, her steps elegant yet lethargic.

“I won’t kill you.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The captain said the same thing. The kids too. They asked me to show mercy. Hmph. I was curious about what a human loved by fairies looked like, so I came down.”

“Oh.”

“Well, since I decided not to kill you, feel free to ask any questions. Your face is filled with confusion, isn’t it?”

Finally, that eerie sensation disappeared.

Seriously.

Was I really that close to death?

It’s hard to believe I stood at such a precarious crossroads.

Yesterday felt like tasting a bitter fragment of medieval history, leaving a sour taste.

But today started off anything but ordinary.

Is this what a slice of fantasy feels like?

A world where everything hinges precariously on whether or not the lower beings can keep up.

Curiosity, huh?

There are mountains of questions I want to ask, but my mouth refuses to open.

Still, I managed to force out the words, driven by a natural survival instinct.

“Why did you try to kill me? Could you explain the reason?”

“Hmm… Because you’re human?”

The gardener tilted her head as if questioning why I’d even ask such a thing.

“I get it now.”

Difference in understanding.

Maybe we’re running parallel paths here.

Her vague answer only made me seek more clarity.

“Could you elaborate further?”

“Well, the ones who hurt the kids are usually humans. Sometimes other creatures do it too, but mostly it’s humans.”

“I see.”

“So, you’re human. They’re human. Normally, we just kill them. It’s a matter of probability. It’s less hassle to just kill than deal with the consequences of letting someone live. Does that make sense?”

“A little.”

“Ahaha! You’re quite calm compared to most. Most people I’ve met are violent and rash, but you’re different.”

“Hehe.”

There wasn’t much else to say besides an awkward laugh.

Just having this conversation drained me.

Of course, I paid attention to every word choice.

“Ahaha! Don’t be so tense. Saying I won’t kill you doesn’t mean I dislike you. I was just gauging you. Sometimes people pretend to be pure but harbor ulterior motives. You’re not one of those.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

“That’s right. Good boys deserve rewards. Hmm… What would you like? What do you enjoy?”

“Uh…”

“Do you like the kids? You wouldn’t have saved them if you didn’t, right?”

“Yes, I like them. They’re cute and lively. A little clumsy too.”

“Aha! Is that so? They are, aren’t they? Aren’t they cute?”

“Yes.”

“I like your attitude. Farmer… No, should I call you Minho? That’s right. Minho.”

It’s chaotic.

Her speech patterns seem to multiply with each sentence.

Is this a fairy trait?

“Yes.”

“I can’t give you the kids. Unfortunately, our children can only live in designated places.”

“That’s fine.”

“But how about these little ones?”

A silver cradle appeared.

Threads of silk.

Suddenly, a night sky shimmering like the Milky Way unfolded.

In the bright glow, something small and adorable wriggled.

Two tiny antennae-like protrusions on its head.

A round body.

Round eyes. Tiny mouth.

And below, pudgy little hands sticking out.

Its silvery form sparkled and wobbled cutely.

“Are these spirits?”

“Oh! You know about them? How do you feel?”

“Can I really take one?”

“I wouldn’t force anyone. I’m not a fan of coercion.”

Mesmerized, I reached out my hand.

Five of them gathered together, squishing softly against each other.

Their previously faint eyes widened upon seeing my hand.

One opened its mouth in surprise.

They were adorable.

So adorable that the tension melted right off me.

Pong!

One leapt into the air, creating a small sound.

Pof-pof!

Another rolled toward my hand.

One dived straight into my palm.

One melted limply.

And one stared silently into my eyes.

“Oh?”

“They’re adorable.”

“You have great affinity. Hmm… Actually, I wasn’t expecting this scene, but it’s nice. Everyone seems to like you. They approve of you.”

“Can you communicate with spirits?”

“Nope. I read their emotions. You can take them all if you’d like.”

Pof-pof!

Pong!

When they jumped, they made cute little sounds.

Their touch was soft and squishy.

Between bouncy and squishy.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing as one crawled up my hand.

What is this?

They’re genuinely adorable.

These aren’t the spirits I remember from games; they’re far cuter.

Their charm melted my heart effortlessly.

Just as Suri was starting to shed her baby cuteness for a more dignified appearance,

these little ones arrived to fill that void perfectly.

“Incredible.”

The gardener looked at me.

I subtly avoided her gaze, instead reaching out to gently stroke the spirit.

“How do you manage this? Hmm… Fascinating.”

“What’s so fascinating?”

“You. The forest scent suits you. The kids like you too. Usually, it’s not like this. You’re special. Very special.”

As she dragged out a long “hmm,” tension rose again.

How terrifying it is to face someone so unpredictable.

“Aha! Don’t be so tense. I won’t harm you. I’m just surprised. You’re interesting. Ahaha.”

“Aha-ha.”

We laughed together to ease the tension.

Well, at least I don’t seem to have made an enemy, so that’s reassuring.

“What do these little ones eat?”

“Hm? They don’t eat anything.”

“But they have mouths.”

“They just exist. Hmm… Honestly, I’ve never thought about feeding them.”

“Can I try feeding them?”

Is this a Korean trait?

First, feed them something.

Since I had plenty of crops and delicious fruits, why not?

“Sure. I’m curious. Let’s try it.”

The gardener’s eyes sparkled with interest.

The spirits melted softly in my hands.

They flowed gently between my fingers, bouncing playfully.

I pulled out some Shine Muscat grapes from my bag.

One for each, total of five.

Though they initially showed no interest, once I placed the grape in their mouths, their reactions were extraordinary.

Their eyes shone like stars.

The faint crunching sound.

The subtle fragrance wafting through the air.

All the spirits became lively, clearly enjoying themselves.

Seeing this, I pulled out more Shine Muscat grapes.

Tossing one into the air, they skillfully caught and ate it.

Munch-munch.

Their whole bodies swayed softly as they chewed carefully.

“Oh-ho? Ho? Oh-oh?”

The gardener’s reaction was intriguing.

Unbothered, I fed each spirit a piece of fruit.

“Do you find this tasty?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

“Can I have some? It looks good.”

“Of course.”

First, I handed her a Shine Muscat grape.

Her expression softened strangely.

Boredom turned to curiosity.

Her formerly indifferent face now carried a hint of warmth.

“Hmm… This is good. So you’re a farmer.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yes. With this, I’m satisfied. Take care of the kids well when you bring them home.”

“Yes, I’ll take responsibility.”

“That’s right. I’ll leave now. Don’t stay too long here. This place will disappear soon.”

“Yes.”

“Goodbye. If we ever meet again, it’ll be fun, Minho.”

The gardener disappeared.

Together, some invisible barrier dissolved.

Vision, senses.

The wall that blocked everything melted away, redefining the landscape.

Fairies fluttered about.

And the serious-looking fairy captain.

Their forms became clearly visible.

“Human!”

“Human! We’re relieved!”

“Human!”

Voices filled with worry.

“Thank goodness you’re alive…”

Coupled with the solemn voice of the captain.

“Were you in danger?”

“Our king despises humans…”

“King…?”

“The one you just met is our king.”

“She called herself a gardener.”

“What else would the gardener of our garden be? She’s our king—the Fairy King. We didn’t expect her to descend personally.”

“Ah.”

A simple fact.

I had guessed she was of high status, but a king?

“Thankfully, we have another chance to formally express our gratitude.”

“It’s fine. As long as everyone’s safe, that’s all that matters.”

“We won’t forget this favor.”

The captain’s voice sounded like a declaration.

The chattering fairies fell silent.

All bowed their heads in solemn gratitude.

Embarrassingly, I scratched my beard out of habit.

One by one, they bowed their heads.

From all directions, they expressed their thanks to me.

Wherever I looked, there were only children bowing respectfully to me.

It felt somewhat satisfying.

This was the result of my decision.

A future I wouldn’t regret.

“We will always welcome you. If you need help, ask anytime. We’ll rush to your aid, setting aside everything else, just as you did for us.”

The captain spoke slowly and deliberately.

“This is both gratitude and a promise of vengeance.”

I nodded.

Fairy Farm.

My plan to meet fairies ended with an ironic twist.

Though there were dangerous moments, the outcome was favorable for me.

The squishy sensation in my hand.

I gained five spirits.

They were the new family members who would live on my farm.

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