Chapter 81. The Fire Spirit King
Kim Do-Joon and his companions returned to the village. Their primary goal was to locate the Dark Elf rumored to be somewhere in the area. Since the Dark Elf was likely more knowledgeable than either Kim Do-Joon or Elena, they knew this meeting was their best chance to gain any valuable information.
“Wow...” Hwang Hyun-Woo marveled at the scene before him.
The sight never ceased to amaze him. The village was a bizarre mix; with goblins, gnolls, orcs, and other diverse monsters living together in harmony. It was fascinating to see these creatures, who’d typically be at each other's throats, coexisting peacefully.
“How do they manage to live together without fighting?” Hwang Hyun-Woo asked with a puzzled look.
“The lord of that castle must have them under strict control,” Kim Do-Joon replied, his eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the distant fortress.
“That makes sense... It's still pretty incredible, though,” Hwang Hyun-Woo muttered.
The village, if one could even call it that, looked more like a primitive tribe than anything else. The houses were rudimentary, just barely sturdy enough to keep out the night dew. The tools they used were crude, yet despite all this, there was an unmistakable sense of community.
After drying meat from hunted beasts, they stored it alongside gathered fruits in a communal warehouse, distributing them as needed. Such organized behavior was far removed from the usual chaotic instincts of monsters.
“...”
Suddenly, Kim Do-Joon's gaze wandered to Siwelin. She had a distant, almost longing expression, as if reminiscing about something lost. Was she thinking about the people of her temple, the ones she had left behind?
After taking a moment to absorb the atmosphere of the peaceful village, the group pressed on. Their destination was the place where the Dark Elf resided. Elena took the lead, guiding them with a determined stride.