Forced Labor Begins
I swept the floor with the enthusiasm of a prisoner on death row.
Dust rose in the air as I dragged the broom across the wooden planks.
> Me (internally): "All I wanted was to buy some silk and go back. Now I'm basically this elf's unpaid worker."
The little flat-chested elf sat behind the counter, pretending to keep an eye on me.
In reality, he was dozing off, arms folded, head bobbing.
> Me: "You don't even have customers! Why did Lora recommend this place? It's like an abandoned shop."
His ear twitched, but he didn't wake up.
I sighed and resumed sweeping.
> Me (internally): "I swear, once I hit level 90+, I'll make sure to pay back what this little tyrant has done to me."
---
A Name Revealed
I kept cleaning and decided to break the silence.
> Me: "So, since I'm stuck here, what's your name?"
The elf opened one eye lazily.
> Elf: "Eve's."
> Me: "Eve's? That's it?"
> Eve's: "Yeah. Got a problem?"
> Me: "No, no! Just… uh… you look kinda young. How old are you?"
His ear twitched violently.
> Me (internally): "Wait. Oh, crap."
Eve's hand shot out like lightning—
SMACK!
For the third time today, my cheek burned with pain.
> Me: "WHY?! I JUST ASKED A QUESTION!"
> Eve's: "Don't ask a person's age. Especially an elf's."
I rubbed my now-permanently sore cheek, muttering under my breath.
> Me (internally): "Okay, noted. Don't ask the elf's age, or you'll regret it."
---
An Unexpected Visitor
After what felt like an eternity of sweeping, I glanced at the Lovy Clock.
> Portal Appearance: 3 hours, 17 minutes.
> Me (internally): "Ugh, still three hours?!"
Just as I was about to complain out loud, the door suddenly slammed open.
> BAM!
A huge man entered, muscles bulging, dressed in battle-scarred armor.
His boots thudded heavily against the wooden floor as he stomped toward the counter.
> Me: "Oh crap, this guy looks like he's here for a fight."
He reached the counter and slammed his fist down, rattling the shop.
> Man: "Eve's! How long has it been?! Have you finally made up your mind?"
Eve's didn't even open his eyes.
> Eve's: "I don't want any trouble, Sack. Leave."
> Me (internally): "Sack? That's his name? Sounds like a guy who gets beaten up often."
Sack gritted his teeth.
> Sack: "Tch! Don't act like you can ignore me forever!"
Without warning, he unsheathed a sword and pointed it straight at Eve's.
I froze.
> Me (internally): "Oh crap. He's serious."
---
The Power of the Elves
Before I could react, a sharp gust of wind filled the room.
> WHOOSH!
In the blink of an eye—
Sack's body lifted off the ground and was launched out the window!
> CRASH!
The glass shattered, sending shards flying as Sack's body crashed into the street outside.
I turned my head slowly toward Eve's.
The little elf was now wide awake, standing behind the counter, his hand outstretched.
The air around him shimmered with faint, green energy.
> Me (internally): "Holy crap. Wind magic?"
Sack groaned, staggering back to his feet outside.
> Sack: "D-Damn you, Eve's! I'll be back! Just you wait!"
> Eve's: "Yeah, yeah. Talk all you want. Now leave."
Sack limped away, still cursing under his breath.
I turned back to Eve's, who was already back at the counter, yawning.
> Me: "You just threw a guy out the window… and you're going back to sleep?"
> Eve's: "It's not my problem anymore."
> Me: "…"
He lazily pointed at the shattered window.
> Eve's: "Clean that up."
> Me: "Yes, ma'am…"
As I picked up the broken glass, my thoughts were racing.
> Me (internally): "So this is the power of elves… No wonder they're feared. And I'm stuck working for one."