"First, we'll meet the Village Chief," said the Fairy Goddess as she and Kai walked down the hill where Kai's house and farm were located.
"I didn't realize my house was this far from the rest of the village."
Kai ignored what the Fairy Goddess had said, since he wasn't particularly interested in meeting the Chief. He figured he was probably jusft another old man who always shows up as the mayor in games like this.
"Well, that's just how this village is. But don't worry, everyone in the village should already know about your house, so you shouldn't have much trouble inviting them over to hang out," the Fairy Goddess explained.
"Wait, does that mean I can go on dates with them at my house!? Hehehe!"
"I'm not sure why you're laughing like that all of a sudden… but yes, you could—if they're willing."
"I see… well, if that's the case, there's not much I can do about it. Honestly, it's kind of embarrassing, but if that's what they want, then I can't really refuse."
The Fairy Goddess tilted her head, staring at Kai. She had absolutely no idea what the young man was thinking at that moment.
"Uh… I should warn you before we head to the village chief's house."
"What? Don't tell me he's into guys or something!? If that's the case, I'm screwed! I'm not into that at all—honestly, it grosses me out! Can you make sure I don't have to deal with someone like that!?"
"No! That's not it at all! The chief isn't like that, and that's not what I'm trying to say!"
"Then what is it? Don't freak me out like that!"
"You're the one jumping to conclusions!"
The Fairy Goddess sighed, starting to wonder if she'd made a huge mistake choosing him as the village's savior.
"What I meant is—you have to be careful when talking to me if there are other people around."
"Why?"
"Because aside from you, no one else can see me… at least, for now."
"Oh, that's how it is… Alright, I get it."
It was something often found in games or fantasy stories—only the protagonist could see beings like fairies or spirits. That's why he couldn't go around telling others about her.
"The village chief lives in that big house… right by the village entrance," the Fairy Goddess said, pointing toward a two-story home not far from the gate. Above the gate, a wooden sign read: Welcome to Alam Village.
"We didn't come in through that gate. Won't that make the villagers suspicious of me? Especially the chief?" Kai asked as he stood in front of the chief's house.
"Don't worry. As long as you explain that you've been chosen by a goddess to save this village, he'll understand right away. There's a legend here—when the village is in danger, a hero sent by a goddess will appear to protect it. You're that person."
"Ehh… so this village really believes in that kind of childish legend, huh?"
"Yes, something like that…"
The Fairy Goddess looked a little offended by Kai's words, but she forced a smile. Deep down she knew her explanation did sound a bit childish, even if she didn't think it was nonsense.
"So, should I knock first?" Kai asked.
"No, you can just go straight in."
"That seriously sounds like something a video game protagonist would do… rude as hell."
Despite his complaint, Kai stepped inside without knocking.
The first floor was empty. He couldn't sense anyone there—no signs of life at all.
"He's probably in his office, upstairs," the Fairy Goddess told him.
"This must be it," Kai muttered as he stopped before a door that seemed to lead to the village chief's study.
Kai walked straight into the room without knocking, just like he had before.
"Who might you be?"
Asked a man with a round face and stocky build. From his outfit—an old-fashioned black suit that looked like something a mayor would wear in a classic RPG—it was clear this man was the Village Chief.
"My name is Kai. I was sent by a goddess to save this village. I heard you're going through some hard times."
Kai introduced himself briefly and explained his purpose.
"You were chosen by a goddess? Hard to believe."
"Funny, I feel the same. I can't even believe it myself—sometimes I think maybe I've just been tricked."
"Kai!"
The Fairy Goddess grabbed his collar and shook him, clearly displeased with what he had just said. But since the Chief couldn't see her, all he saw was Kai's body shaking on its own.
"Do you perhaps have another reason for coming here?"
The Chief asked suspiciously.
"Another reason? Like what?"
Kai tilted his head.
"Well, for example—"
Before the Chief could finish, the door behind Kai opened, and a small girl peeked into the room.
"Papa, are you here?"
the girl asked, her eyes scanning the room.
"Oh, sweetheart… you're back already?"
The Chief's tone suddenly shifted to something soft and childlike. He rushed over and hugged the girl tightly.
Kai's eyes widened.
"P-pedophile!"
Then He shouted, throwing a punch at the Chief.
The Village Chief quickly dodged.
"What on earth are you doing!? Attacking me out of nowhere like that!?"
"I should be the one asking you that! What are you doing hugging a little girl like that? Listen here... I may hate men who love other men, but I despise even more disgusting old men like you who are into children! I am a firm opponent of pedophilia!"
Kai clenched his fist once more, ready to swing at the Village Chief, but the Fairy Goddess quickly stepped in to stop him.
"Calm down, Kai! Didn't you hear what that girl just said? She called the Village Chief 'Papa.' That means they're father and daughter."
"I've seen perverts who force little kids to call them 'Papa' before! I won't fall for that trick."
"What on earth are you rambling about?!"
The Village Chief, provoked by Kai's behavior, grew angry as well, preparing himself to fight.
"You keep accusing others of being pedophiles, but the truth is—you're the real pedophile here, aren't you!?"
"Huh!?"
"You came here targeting my sweet little daughter, didn't you!?"
"What!? Why the hell would I come here for something like that!? Besides, who'd believe that anyway!? There's no way a cute girl like her could be your daughter!"
"Hehe… big brother just called me cute!"
As the two men glared at each other with burning hostility, the little girl at the center of it all blushed shyly at Kai's compliment.
"Calm down, Kai! I'm certain that little girl really is his daughter. I've been watching over this village for a long time, so I know this much for sure!"
Hearing the Fairy Goddess's explanation, Kai finally eased up a little.
"Show me the proof!"
Kai said, thrusting out his hand.
"Huh!?"
The Village Chief stared in confusion at Kai's outstretched hand.
"Show me proof that you're her father."
"Oh, if that's all… I have plenty!"
The Village Chief then pulled out several photographs from his wallet—pictures of the girl from when she was a baby up to her current age. He even took out a photo album filled with memories of the two of them together. Kai also noticed a woman in some of the photos, who seemed to be the girl's mother, though her face was never clearly shown. Kai couldn't help but wonder if that pedophile Old Man had intentionally erased the mother's presence from their lives.
"Now, do you believe I'm really her father?"
asked the Village Chief with a proud, confident smile.
"It's still hard to believe... but I guess it's true. Even so, you still creep me out,"
Kai muttered, shuddering at the seemingly endless pile of photos. Just how obsessed could a father be with his own daughter?
"Then what proof do you have that you were really sent by a Goddess?"
"Proof?"
Kai froze for a moment, unsure of what evidence he could possibly show to make his story convincing. But the Fairy Goddess quickly pointed toward the pouch strapped to his waist.
"Just show him the farming tools I gave you."
"Ah."
Kai immediately followed her suggestion. He touched his pouch, and a transparent screen appeared before him. He tapped on the icon of a hoe, and in an instant, a real hoe materialized while the screen vanished.
"This is my proof. Do you believe me now?"
"Hm? You just made a hoe appear out of thin air... What kind of magic is that?"
"This is the power given to me by the Goddess herself!"
The Village Chief didn't want to admit it, but it seemed the young man before him was telling the truth.
"Very well, I'll believe you... at least for now."
Kai could still sense the man's suspicion.
"My name is Van, and I am the Chief of this village. If anyone suspicious shows up here, it's my duty to drive them out!"
Van spoke coldly, his eyes filled with distrust. He didn't even bother extending his hand for a handshake, making it clear he still didn't trust Kai.
"Nice to meet you! My name is Vinnie! What's your name, big brother?"
Vinnie introduced herself with a bright smile.
"Hey, Vinnie… you shouldn't introduce yourself to strange people!"
Van quickly pulled his daughter away from Kai.
Although he felt annoyed, Kai forced a smile in front of the little girl.
"My name is Kai! You can call me Big Brother, and you can even think of me as your own brother if you'd like!"
"Oi, who said you could become part of my family?!"
"I never wanted to be your kid anyway!"
Kai and Van once again locked eyes, both filled with hatred. Meanwhile, Vinnie just smiled as she watched the exchange.
"Hehehe… Big Brother is such an interesting person."
"No, I don't think he's the kind of person you imagine him to be,"
the Fairy Goddess wanted to deny the little girl's thoughts, but unfortunately, her voice couldn't be heard by her.
"Alright, for now I'll consider you one of this village's residents. But remember, if you do anything suspicious—or worse, lay a hand on my daughter—I'll drive you out immediately!"
Van warned sternly.
"Hah! Like someone like you could throw me out of here!"
Kai shot back with a defiant grin.
After exchanging glares full of hostility, Kai finally turned and left the village chief's house.
"Bye-bye, Big Brother! Come play again tomorrow!"
Vinnie called out while waving her hand.
"Yeah, of course! As long as that annoying old man isn't around!"
Kai waved back with a smile.
"Hey, Vinnie… don't get too close to that weirdo, or you'll catch his weirdness!"
Van added, making a vein pop on Kai's forehead as he heard what was said about him. Before he could respond, father and daughter had already gone back inside.
"What a shameless, rude man…"
Kai grumbled with a sulky expression.
"I don't think you're in any position to say that."
The Fairy Goddess spoke while looking at Kai with concern. 'Would everything really be all right? She couldn't stop worrying about the future.
"So, where are we going next?"
"Umm… how about the ranch?"
"The ranch?"
"Yes, the ranch here raises all kinds of livestock—chickens, cows, sheep, and horses… you might even come across a rare animal there someday."
"I see… so there are rare animals here too."
It felt almost like a game, which made Kai a little curious to see them for himself.
It didn't take long before the two of them spotted a place that looked like a ranch.The ranch was larger than Kai's ranch, but it had no fields for crops, so in terms of total land, Kai's property was actually bigger.
Kai and the Fairy Goddess went straight into a building that seemed to serve as the ranch's trading post. Inside, Kai was immediately greeted by shelves filled with ranch-related goods—animal feed, grooming brushes, and even tools for milking cows.
"Oh, welcome… can I help you with something?"
Asked a burly man with short blond hair. Unlike the village chief earlier, this man gave off a much friendlier impression.
"Oh, sorry to intrude… I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kai. I recently moved to the farm and ranch up on the hill."
"Oh, that ranch, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Bob!"
As Kai and Bob were about to shake hands, Kai suddenly heard a strange noise coming from outside.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Kai froze, his hand stopping just before touching Bob's, as he turned to see where the sound came from. Then he saw a strange creature, its body shining yellow—or perhaps golden—enter the building. That creature locked its sharp gaze on Kai and began to approach him.
"Eh?!"
Feeling threatened, Kai tried to flee, but before he could, the mysterious creature had already closed in on him and delivered a powerful kick. His body was sent flying, crashing into a wooden wall and breaking through it.
"Ugh—damn it…! What the hell was that for!?"
Kai shouted angrily, rubbing his aching body after the impact. Even though the wall was only made of wood, the pain was still sharp and lingering.
He wanted to scold the mysterious creature, but instead, standing before him was a beautiful girl with soft-looking blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. Kai was so captivated by her presence that he completely forgot his anger.
"What's this? Are you new here?"
The beautiful girl asked as she looked at him.
Unable to form a word, Kai could only nod silently, still entranced by her beauty.
"Hm… I see. In that case, nice to meet you… My name is Claire."The girl said as she introduced herself.