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Thin smoke rose from small chimneys.
The sound of chickens.
The sound of children.
The sound of wood being chopped.
A small village. Peaceful.
Momo stopped at the edge of the dirt road. Her eyes swept across the wooden buildings.
"...Do they live in structures like this?"
Rey sighed. "Yes."
"It's not sturdy."
"Not everyone needs a dragon fortress."
Momo stepped inside. The wooden boards creaked under her sandals. Some villagers turned to look. An old woman stopped sweeping. A small child pointed at her red hair.
"Her hair looks like fire..."
Momo stared at the child. The child backed away a little.
Rey immediately cut in. "Don't stare at people like that."
"I'm just looking."
"Your stare looks like it's going to burn his house down."
Momo turned away. A man was grilling meat on iron skewers. The smell of burning fat filled the air. Momo stopped completely. Rey knew that was a dangerous expression.
"...Don't."
"I just want that."
"We don't have any money."
Momo walked toward the meat cart. The merchant smiled kindly.
"Want to buy? Two coins per skewer."
Momo stared at the meat. Then she looked at the merchant.
"Give it to me."
The merchant smiled. "Coins first, young lady."
Momo tilted her head. "Coins?"
Rey appeared behind her. "We don't have any yet."
Momo stared at the meat again. Then—she pointed her hand slightly. The air around the cart vibrated. The iron skewers turned hot. The merchant screamed a little.
"Hey! Hey! Why did it get so hot?!"
Rey immediately grabbed Momo's wrist. "Stop."
The peach seal on her back pulsed warmly. Tiny cracks appeared in the ground under her feet. Some villagers backed away.
"Is she a mage?"
"Her hair is glowing..."
Momo looked at her hand. "...I was just calling for heat."
"And you almost melted the cart."
Rey pulled her away. Momo looked unsatisfied.
"I'm hungry."
"I know."
"I can just take it."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that is called stealing."
Silence. Momo thought for a few seconds.
"If I am strong enough to take it, why is it wrong?"
Rey looked at her for a long time. He was serious.
"Because this world is no longer ruled by who is the strongest."
Momo didn't answer right away. That sentence… felt strange to her.
A small child approached carefully. He was holding a small piece of bread.
"Here."
Momo stared at the bread.
"For you."
Rey froze. Momo accepted the bread slowly.
The child smiled. "You look hungry."
Silence. Momo took a small bite. Then she stopped. She looked at the child.
"...Why did you give this?"
The child shrugged. "My mom says if we have extra, we share."
The seal on her back felt warm. Not because of pressure, but… it was different. Rey noticed the change. Momo swallowed.
"Thank you."
The words sounded stiff. The child laughed and ran away.
Rey leaned against a wooden post. "See? The world isn't just about war."
Momo looked at the village again. Wooden houses. Laughter. The smell of food.
"...It's weak."
"Yes."
"But… it doesn't fall down."
Rey smiled slightly. "That's the point."
Suddenly—shouting was heard from the end of the village.
"A forest wolf is here!"
Some men grabbed spears. A large wolf appeared from the bushes. It wasn't very strong, but it was enough to cause panic.
Momo stepped forward. Rey said quietly: "Don't destroy the village."
"I'm not stupid."
The wolf jumped. In one step—Momo was in front of it. She didn't fly; she stayed on the ground.
One punch. The air exploded. The wolf was thrown far away.
But—the house behind it cracked. The wooden wall partially broke.
The villagers went silent. Dust fell slowly. Rey covered his face with his hand.
"...That's why I said don't."
Momo looked at her hand. "...It's too fragile."
Some villagers looked at her with a mix of wonder and fear. Someone whispered:
"Dongga..."
Momo heard it. She turned slowly. Rey heard it too.
And for the first time—his face changed a little.
A small village. A small crack. But that name… it was still alive.
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