[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 234

In an instant, the surroundings become chaotic due to a sudden swarm of goblins rushing in.

“Hmm.”

Grandfather Georam, who had been observing the scene, exhales cigarette smoke and steps forward as if to mediate.

The scholar goblin is screaming so loudly it could hurt your ears, and the other goblins are chattering in complete disorder.

“Enough.”

Despite the noisy situation, Grandfather Georam’s small remark seems to pour cold water on the commotion, and everything quiets down.

“Ahem.”

Grandfather, removing his pipe from his mouth, casts a glance.

It seems he wants someone to speak.

“Hello, I’m a peach here to visit. And this friend here is Pposiraegi.”

“Yep!”

*Clap clap clap.*

A simple greeting is followed by heavy applause.

I thought they’d be scary because of their fierce looks, but as Grandfather said, they seem warm since we’re guests who’ve come after a long time.

“My prey.”

“This guy must’ve gone mad after living so long.”

Once the greetings are over, the noise picks up again.

They all seem full of energy.

“We should test them.”

“A test?”

At my question, Grandfather Georam nods lightly and takes a step forward.

With a small word and a light step, he takes control of the goblins.

With that kind of leadership, I wonder if Grandfather Georam wants to call himself the village chief.

“Everyone, throw a test at this guest who wants to become one of us.”

“Yes, but—”

*Whack!*

“Ugh!”

A middle-aged man with a beard that could rival a mountain bandit gets hit by the pipe, tears welling up as he clutches his head.

“Ugh… Yes, boss.”

*Whack!*

“Gah!”

“He’s the village chief.”

At that moment, a young-looking goblin pushes through the crowd and approaches.

“Is it already time for that Nameless guy to get married?”

“Yep, if you’re a goblin, you should find your own bride.”

From the stories around, it seems the goblin’s name is Nameless.

He has short black hair and red eyes.

Though he looks fierce, his good looks make it hard to see it as a big flaw.

“Nameless, you’ve come.”

“Yes, Chief.”

The goblin called Nameless approaches and bows deeply to Grandfather Georam.

His gesture shows deep respect for the elder.

“So, why have you come? Planning to wrestle or something?”

“Of course. I’m a wrestling goblin—what else would I compete in?”

His competitive spirit is overflowing.

“Hoho, the wrestling goblin is glaring at you with sharp eyes behind you. What’s that about?”

Nameless glances back and locks eyes with a muscular goblin.

“I’ll soon inherit it from my master.”

“Cocky brat.”

I hear the wrestling goblin mutter. So, the real wrestling goblin is that guy.

Even among the many goblins gathered here, he looks particularly young. It seems he’s not just young in appearance but in reality too.

“He’s Nameless, the one who will inherit the name of the next-generation wrestling goblin.”

“Nice to meet you, but if you don’t ease up on the eye pressure, I’ll pluck them out?”

Nameless, who had been staring intensely at me while extending his hand, flinches.

—Tsk, tsk.

“Whew— Why are you glaring at me like that? You wanna die?”

Suddenly, the noisy surroundings fell silent, and in an instant, it turned into a sea of laughter as if nothing had happened.

“Hahaha! The peach who came to visit has quite the temper!”

“Phew! If only I were a bit younger.”

“Truly goblin-like, isn’t it?”

“But that girl isn’t a goblin, right? Didn’t the village chief say she’s a guest?”

“Seeing how boldly she smokes that cigarette, she must have some goblin blood in her.”

“Enough.”

Grandfather Georam stepped in to mediate again, and the Nameless Goblin, who had been glaring at me with competitive spirit, took a step back.

“Right, you’d be perfect for this.”

“Grandfather, how old is that goblin?”

“That friend is the only young, juvenile goblin in our village.”

“Juvenile? Not a youth?”

Even though he’s much taller than me, he looks about my age.

I can’t understand how the concept of age works around here.

“I’ve been alive for 20 years.”

“What? You’re younger than me?”

I couldn’t help but clench my fists.

As I took a step toward the Nameless Goblin, he startled and stepped back.

“Where’s this snot-nosed brat with red eyes? Huh!? Damn it.”

“Are you… a geezer?”

“Selling off the Five Relationships and acting like a brat. Don’t you know respect for elders? Isn’t that right, Scholar Uncle?”

“Gaaah!!”

The scholar goblin, rolling on the ground with blood streaming from his eyes, kept rolling without answering.

I don’t know how deep I hit him to make him like that.

“This brat still has his eyes wide open and red. Are you showing off that you want them plucked out?”

“G-goblins naturally have red eyes…”

“Who do you think you’re talking back to, sis? You said you’re a disciple of the wrestling goblin, right? Follow me to the sand pit.”

When the sand pit was mentioned, the Nameless Goblin, who had been shrinking back, straightened up as if nothing had happened.

“The wrestling goblin always gives his best.”

“I don’t lose to people my age either.”

As I looked up at the Nameless Goblin who had come close to me, Grandfather Georam stepped back.

“It seems like you’ve both agreed, so let’s begin.”

Grandfather Georam lightly waved his pipe, and the dirt on the ground crumbled into fine sand.

“It’s game time!”

The goblins, without hesitation, stepped back to make space and sat down, pulling out their pipes and gourds.

Meanwhile, some female-looking goblins approached, carrying baskets full of food.

“Here, eat something.”

“Thank you, miss.”

“Here, for you too, sir.”

In an instant, the game area was set up as the goblins shouted.

Looking at them, I can see why Baekseol suffered because of the smell.

“Whew—”

Just as I was about to warm up, a lively sound came from afar.

*Clang clang clang— clang clang!*

The cheerful sound of the gong split the rhythm, followed by the deep sound of the drum balancing the melody and boosting the excitement.

“Those are the folk goblins. They set up the game area and liven things up.”

“Ah, I see.”

Listening to Grandfather Georam’s explanation, they seem like pretty hip goblins.

Baekseol seems excited too, pressing down on my shoulders with her front paws and wiggling her body.

“Having fun?”

“So much fun!”

“Glad we came to hang out.”

“Yeah!”

I feel happy, like I’m making new memories with my little friend.

Meanwhile, the figures of the folk goblins Grandfather Georam mentioned start to appear.

“Ooh.”

They spin their hats and approach with dazzling moves, as if kicking through the air.

*Clang clang clang!*

“Eolssu!”

Their rhythm-breaking skills are no joke.

As they get closer, the goblin audience gets hyped up.

The area quickly fills with the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I’ve felt this lively!”

The folk goblins reach the noisy audience seats, flipping their bodies mid-air while spinning their hats.

Even while doing that, they don’t lose their rhythm. They’re truly the masters of play.

“Pposiraegi, want to get in my pocket?”

“Yeah!”

“Should I play with the shiny ball Haetnim gave me?”

“Yeah!”

I open my hoodie pocket, and Baekseol slips right in.

I can feel her wiggling against my stomach. Light seeps out from the pocket, so it seems she’s taken out the protective gear Haetnim gave her.

“Phew—”

*Click.*

After putting out the short cigarette, I stand in front of the sandpit and feel a gaze from the opposite side.

“What.”

“Don’t you know the rules of ssireum? Take off your shoes. It’s basic respect for your opponent.”

“Since when do you take off your shoes to fight, you idiot? Go ask your enemies to take off their shoes too later.”

“You—!”

“Why don’t you ask them to strip down to their underwear while you’re at it? Want me to take it off for you at night?”

“Hahaha!!”

As soon as I throw that line, the goblins around me burst into laughter.

“Hehe. He’s got a point.”

The Nameless Goblin and I both turn our heads at the same time.

The owner of the hearty laugh that joined the conversation is the real ssireum goblin I saw earlier.

His well-trained body looks like it’s about to burst out of his clothes.

“Nameless. Don’t get too cocky fighting a lady.”

“…Yes.”

“She could be your future bride.”

“……”

Nameless glances at me after hearing the ssireum goblin’s words.

“You little brat. What a mouth.”

*Gulp.*

“I won’t lose to an old man…”

“I don’t lose to people my age either.”

*Snort.*

“Human, you—!”

“Freaking racist.”

After glaring at Nameless for a while, the ssireum goblin approaches the sandpit.

“Enter!”

As soon as the ssireum goblin finishes speaking, Nameless steps onto the sandpit, having taken off his shoes.

Even though I said all that, I guess I should show some manners too.

I take off my shoes and socks and step onto the sandpit. The ssireum goblin gives a small nod.

The fine sand tickles between my toes.

“Bow to each other!”

I stand stiffly, waiting, and when I raise my head after bowing, I lock eyes with Nameless.

I give him a sly smile, and the sound of grinding teeth is loud.

*Crunch!*

“Sit down!”

He keeps glaring.

Nameless kneels on the sandpit.

“Grab my waist!”

As I grip Nameless’ waist, I can feel his rough breathing.

“Lift your left knee!”

Following the Sumo Goblin’s lead, the match is about to start quickly.

“Stand up!”

Even before it begins, the strength from Nameless’ arm is strongly felt.

“I won’t lose.”

“The training I’ve done with brats like you is different.”

“Ha! I’ve never seen a body as soft and mushy as yours without a single muscle.”

“Does it feel good hugging a kid like that?”

“Ugh…!”

I’ve never done sumo before, but one thing’s clear.

The match has already started.

Nameless’ arm strength feels like it’s about to break my waist.

“Start!”

With the Sumo Goblin’s shout, strength flows into my limbs and waist.

“Hup!”

The moment I exert strength, Nameless Goblin is lifted from the sandpit and thrown over my back.

**Hercules-style Grappling Technique**

**〈Suplex〉**

Crash─!!

As I bend my waist back and slam Nameless Goblin’s head into the sandpit, the match ends right there.

“Peach, one round!”

Nameless Goblin’s legs, buried shoulder-deep in the ground, tremble.

─Waaa!!!

The goblins’ loud cheers soon engulf the entire village.

Amidst the cheers, the Sumo Goblin mutters.

“That guy’s done for…”

“That scrawny kid isn’t my type, though.”

“Then?”

As I try to answer the Sumo Goblin’s question, the surroundings fall silent as if frost had descended.

Even the sound of someone swallowing is heard.

“Well, if I had to say, someone big and strong like Sumo Goblin Uncle?”

Clang─!

The moment I answer, one of the goblins sitting nearby draws a sword and jumps up.

“Sumo Goblin. It’s a match.”

“…Sword Goblin. Are you drunk or something?”

“I also want to get married…”

A tear streams down the corner of Sword Goblin’s eye.

“I must go…”

—

Heavenly Peach (天桃)