The Association had left us with a warning not to work all the time and to make sure to have fun, too. However, I had no idea what “fun” even meant for me right now.

Could simply watching television be considered playing? That felt more like resting, though. Were rest and play really the same thing?

As I stood there, arms crossed and lost in thought, Yeoreum crouched beside me.

“It’s not that hard. If something feels enjoyable, then it’s play.”

“Something enjoyable?”

“Yeah. Like when we played at the playground last time. Didn’t you have fun?”

“Um…”

I wasn’t exactly a child anymore, so it wasn’t all that enjoyable. I’d only felt comforted because Yeoreum’s hand had been on my back.

“…Was it not that fun?”

As I remained silent, Yeoreum scratched her cheek, so I decided it was best to be honest.

“It wasn’t exactly fun, but it did feel nice.”

“Why did it feel nice?”

“Because you pushed me on the swing. That was the first time I felt a touch that didn’t hurt.”

For someone like me, who had longed for human touch, it had been a rare moment of gentleness. Of course, back then, I still hadn’t fully trusted Yeoreum, so I hadn’t fully enjoyed it.

“I-I see. So, it wasn’t fun?”

Yeoreum mumbled awkwardly, averting her gaze. Maybe she was disappointed that I hadn’t found it enjoyable despite her efforts.

“But it wasn’t a meaningless moment. I really appreciated you pushing me.”

“…Alright…”

Hehe.

While Yeoreum flashed a hesitant smile, Levinas, who was sitting at the stall selling mushrooms, perked up suddenly.

“Levinas knows how to play!”

“What do you know?”

“Playing! Levinas can show you how!”

Was she just looking for an excuse to play? It seemed more important to play with her than to figure out what play meant for me, so I decided to go along with her plan.

“Alright. What do you want to play?”

“Wait here a moment!”

Levinas jumped up and dashed off somewhere. Yeoreum, watching her go, took her place at the stall.

“Mushrooms for sale! Fresh and damp mushrooms!”

For our guild’s top fighter to focus so intently on selling mushrooms… I suppose only the best could do something like that.

Feeling inspired, I quickly sat down beside her.

“We’re also selling freshly grown carrots and lettuce…”@@novelbin@@

---

In just a few minutes, we managed to sell all the mushrooms and vegetables on the stall. The park was crowded, which definitely helped. Plus, the homegrown vegetables were a hit.

‘Impressive.’

Selling that much in only a few minutes—it was like this place was a prime selling spot.

In most places, a spot like this would have a steep fee. Yet, since we lived with the guild, we could use it for free. There really was a reason why people wanted to live in good locations.

‘I wonder how much a spot like this would usually cost.’

I figured it’d cost at least a million won a month. While I pondered, I saw Levinas running back toward us.

“Tada!”

Levinas proudly held up what she’d brought—a deflated soccer ball, soft and saggy on one side.

“A ball?”

“Yeah! Levinas found it in the woods over there!”

“…Are you sure it doesn’t belong to someone?”

“It’s been there for a week.”

Since it had been abandoned in the forest for a week with no sign of an owner and was already deflated, I figured it would be fine to play with it.

“…Kids, should I just buy you a new ball? This one doesn’t seem like it’ll roll well.”

Yeoreum eyed the deflated ball in Levinas’s arms with dissatisfaction. While it probably wouldn’t roll far even if we kicked it, it was actually better for playing together. Chasing a rolling ball would only tire us out, and saving our energy was important for work.

“I’m fine with it.”

“Levinas is fine with it too!”

“Ah, alright.”

Despite our reassurances, Yeoreum still looked dissatisfied. With a small sigh, she picked up a basket from the stall.

“I’ll pack up the stall. You two go and play for a bit, okay?”

“No, let me help you pack up.”

When I moved to pick up a basket from the stall, Yeoreum quickly grabbed it from my hands. It was her way of telling me I didn’t need to help.

“I don’t want to risk getting taken away, okay?”

“Oh.”

I understood now—she was referring to my need to play. I felt guilty, but for her sake, I forced myself to go along with it. While it might look like play, in truth, I was just humoring Levinas. Still, to an outsider, it would seem like we were simply playing. Two birds with one stone.

“Alright, I’ll play then…”

“Where did you learn to say that?”

Leaving the stall, I ran over to Levinas, who was busy kicking the ball alone. Even when she kicked it with all her might, it didn’t go very far and stopped nearby.

“Haha! It’s a ball, but it doesn’t roll!”

“Yeah. It’s a strange ball.”

Only a kid could find joy in playing with a deflated ball. Inspired by her enthusiasm, I decided to give it my all too.

---

As Levinas and I continued our attempts to kick the deflated ball around, people resting nearby sighed as they watched us.

“The ball… It doesn’t even go far.”

“Right? It’s so deflated it can barely roll.”

“I’d like to buy them a new ball…”

Did watching us kick the ball really bother them that much? I guess people in this world had a habit of giving unsolicited advice about playing, too.

“Levinas, make sure to catch it, alright?”

“Okay!”

With a light tap, I kicked the ball, and it rolled only a short distance to Levinas, who laughed at how close it stopped.

“King, is playing with the ball fun?”

“Um…”

“Not fun?”

Honestly, playing with a ball wasn’t that fun for me. I wasn’t a fan of soccer in my original world, and I wasn’t very good at it either. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying myself.

“I don’t know about playing with the ball, but playing with you is fun.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah. Playing with you makes everything fun.”

Maybe she was happy to hear that because Levinas jumped up with a grin.

“Playing with you is the best thing ever, King!”

“Wow, that’s amazing. I feel the same!”

“Yeah! We’re the same!”

Levinas kicked the ball toward me, though it went in a different direction. She didn’t seem to know how to properly aim her kick, but she just laughed.

“You’re so mature, so maybe you’d enjoy playing like an adult?”

“Well… maybe?”

What would playing like an adult be, anyway? I tilted my head in confusion, following the direction the ball had gone. It had rolled right up to Choi Jinhyuk, who was standing nearby.

“Oh! A giant!”

“What’s up with this ball?”

Choi Jinhyuk picked up the ball by his feet and tossed it toward my head.

“Oh…”

Was he trying to get me to head it? I instinctively raised my head, but as I did, I stepped on a small rock and wobbled. Although my beast-kin agility saved me from falling, I ended up taking the ball straight to my face.

Thud!

“…!”

Thankfully, he had thrown it lightly, so it didn’t hurt. I didn’t even let out a small groan, though my ears and tail perked up from the shock.

“S-sorry, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

Choi Jinhyuk looked apologetic, so I gave him a smile to show it was fine. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“I guess you’re not familiar with headers yet. When the ball comes up, you’re supposed to hit it with your forehead, not your face.”

“I-I see…”

Not familiar with headers, huh. I’d only stumbled because the ground was slippery. But it left me feeling like I was an idiot who couldn’t even play soccer.

“King, are you okay?!”

Levinas ran over from where she’d been standing. I felt grateful for her concern.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“That was amazing! You kicked the ball with your face!”

“Y-yeah…”

Was it really that amazing? Levinas’s small hands patted my face gently before she looked up at Choi Jinhyuk.

“Hey, Giant. Since you’re tall, that means you’re an adult, right?”

“I’d say so, yes.”

Hearing his answer, Levinas bounced happily in place, looking as thrilled as a child.

“Then you must know how adults play!”

“…Are you curious about how adults play?”

“Yes! King is so mature, so he should play like an adult!”

Oh. So she was asking for my sake. Her kindness was truly heartwarming.

“I don’t mind showing you.”

“Really?!”

Just as Levinas was celebrating, Encia appeared behind Choi Jinhyuk.

“Mr. Jinhyuk… I see you’re with these two.”

As my eyes met Encia’s, my tail started to wag. Her tail also seemed to respond in kind, swaying gently.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Winter. What were you doing?”

Levinas eagerly raised her hand to answer Encia’s casual question.

“Playing like adults!”

“…What?”

“The Giant said he’d show

 us how adults play!”

“A-adult play…?”

Encia’s mouth dropped open. Her normally stoic expression was now full of surprise, which was an amusing sight.

“I wonder what adults do for fun! I’m excited to try it!”

“Yeah, me too.”

In this world, even monster hunting was considered a casual hobby. There could be something even more intriguing than that.

Looking up expectantly at Choi Jinhyuk, I noticed that his face had grown serious as he stood in silence.