Early in the morning, as the village began to wake, Soyeon and Ellie arrived at the market. The damp autumn air brushed against their skin, and the faint rays of sunlight illuminated the rows of vendors. They chose a spot at the edge of the square—an area frequented by those searching for rare goods.
"Let's set up here," Soyeon suggested.
"Alright," Ellie agreed, already accustomed to the bustle of market life. "I hope someone buys the new pills."
Soyeon gave a faint smile as she began arranging salves, tablets, and packets on a cloth.
"We'll see. We've brought both the old remedies and the new ones. Let people decide for themselves."
But deep down, she worried. What if the "new" products were completely overlooked? Soyeon knew that people were often hesitant to try anything unfamiliar, clinging instead to the tried and true. "Why is it so hard to show them that new doesn't always mean bad? Perhaps it's not about the pills themselves but about their fear of change," she thought while organizing their wares.
For the first ten minutes, passersby merely glanced curiously at the stall before moving on. Finally, their first customer arrived—a woman in her forties who was already familiar with Soyeon's remedies.
"Good morning," the woman said, examining the familiar bundles of dried herbs. "My daughter's headache is back. I'll take your usual blend."
"Of course," Soyeon replied, handing over a packet of herbs. "Brew it as you always do."
The woman was about to leave but caught sight of the neatly packed pills out of the corner of her eye.
"And what are these odd-looking things?" she asked, squinting at them as if they were something alien.
"These are pills for the same purpose—just easier to use," Soyeon explained.
"I… I think I'll stick with what I know, just to be safe," the woman said, paying for the herbs before quickly departing.
Ellie wrinkled her nose in disappointment as she watched their new product being ignored.
The next customer, a man with tired eyes and back pain, also asked for "the usual brew" without even inquiring about the pills. He gave them only a passing glance before muttering:
"What are those, candies? No thanks, just give me the usual. I'm not one for these newfangled things."
This pattern repeated itself several times. Customers seeking relief from headaches, fatigue, and anxiety consistently chose the old remedies, eyeing the powders and pills with suspicion. Ellie grew increasingly frustrated with each rejection.
"They won't even listen," she whispered to Soyeon.
"It's alright," Soyeon reassured her. "People are afraid of new things. Without someone brave enough to try, it's hard to change their minds."
Soon, their stall was surrounded by customers—but all were asking for the "old remedies." A few locals asked about the pills out of curiosity, only to dismiss them after hearing Soyeon's explanation:
"No thanks, I'll stick to the old ways. Anything new always has a catch."
"There's probably some kind of magic in those little balls," others whispered behind their backs.
The dismissive remarks stirred a faint irritation in Soyeon, though she kept a composed smile. Inside, however, anxiety brewed: "Why are they so stubborn? These pills are more convenient and even more effective! Or maybe it just takes time for them to trust the idea?" The day turned into a test of patience and perseverance.
"Well, at least the dried herbs are selling well," Ellie said, trying to stay optimistic. "We're still making money."
"Yes," Soyeon agreed. "But I'd like someone to try the new remedies too. They really are easier to use."
An hour passed, and the pills and powders remained untouched. Only one elderly woman inquired about their price, but when she heard it, she frowned.
"More expensive than the usual brew? No, thank you. I'm not paying extra," she said, leaving with a bundle of familiar herbs.
Ellie was beginning to lose heart.
"It feels like no one will ever appreciate our work," she murmured.
"Be patient," Soyeon encouraged, trying to sound confident. "New things are always hard to accept. But if one person tries and sees the benefits, others will follow. The key is to believe in what we're doing."
Ellie nodded with a sigh.
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in the crowd—it was Gromer, the hunter. Tall and confident, with his bow slung over his shoulder, he approached the stall with a smile.
"Hello, healers! How's business?"
"Hello, Gromer," Soyeon replied. "It's going alright, but no one's buying our new pills or powders."
The hunter frowned, his eyes scanning the neatly packaged remedies.
"New, you say? Let me see."
Inspecting the pills closely, he asked,
"Are these the same remedy you gave me for sleepless nights?"
"Yes, the same, but ground into pills," Soyeon explained. "They're more convenient and might even work a little better."
Gromer set his bow at his feet, considering her words.
"How much are they?"
After hearing the price, he thought for a moment.
"More expensive, huh… but if it's easier to use… Alright, I'll give it a shot. Your remedy worked wonders last time."
He handed over a few coins, and Ellie eagerly accepted them, her face lighting up with joy.
"Thank you, Gromer. I hope you'll find them helpful," Soyeon said. "Just take two pills in the evening with water or tea—no need to boil anything."
"Perfect," Gromer nodded, satisfied. "That works for me."
The scene didn't go unnoticed. Nearby villagers, aware of Gromer's practical nature, began to gather around, peppering him with questions:
"Are you sure it's not some magical trick?"
"Why pay extra for this? What's the point?"
"Does it really work?"
The hunter smirked, brushing off their skepticism.
"Look, I've tried their brews before, and they worked. If they say this is better, I trust them."
Encouraged by his endorsement, a few curious villagers decided to take a chance on the powders and pills. Seeing Gromer's confidence seemed to sway their doubts.
Gradually, more customers approached the stall. An elderly woman, intrigued by the idea of not having to brew anything, perked up.
"That does sound convenient. I always struggle to get the proportions right."
She purchased a packet of headache powder and carefully listened as Soyeon explained how to use it, warning about the slightly bitter taste and suggesting adding honey if needed.
"Got it," the woman said thoughtfully. "I'll take some dried herbs too, just in case."
Bit by bit, both the old remedies and the new products began finding their way into the hands of customers.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Soyeon and Ellie glanced at their stall and let out a relieved sigh: the pills and powders were almost sold out, and the traditional remedies had also found eager buyers.
"See, I told you," Soyeon smiled at the girl. "At first, they were afraid. But once Gromer set the example, many followed."
"I was starting to lose hope," Ellie admitted, her face glowing with joy. "But now I see—it's all about having the right 'advertising.'"
"Exactly. And we got ours," Soyeon concluded as she packed up the remaining goods.
***A Taste of Rumors
The village streets, now bathed in twilight, came alive with warm lights. Returning home after a successful day of sales, Soyeon and Ellie were lost in their thoughts. The sky was painted in gentle hues of pink and gold, and the cool evening air filled them with a pleasant weariness.
As they passed one of the taverns, the enticing aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, teasing their noses.
"Soyeon, do you smell that?" Ellie stopped, tilting her head back to catch more of the delicious scent. Her eyes sparkled. "It smells so… good!"
Soyeon paused too, inhaling deeply. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of its emptiness.
"Well," she said, glancing at the girl, whose eyes looked up at her pleadingly. "It seems we won't be eating at home tonight."
Ellie squealed with delight, grabbing Soyeon's hand and tugging her toward the tavern.
Inside the tavern, a warm, lively atmosphere greeted them. The glow of torches reflected off the wooden walls, and the air was filled with laughter and chatter as patrons discussed the latest news over their meals.
Soyeon chose a quiet table in the corner, away from the bustling crowd. She motioned for Ellie to sit and gestured for a serving girl, who quickly approached and placed a simple but clean menu on the table.
"What do you recommend?" Soyeon asked, trying to sound confident.
"Today, we have freshly roasted chicken with vegetables and bread," the girl replied cheerfully. "And I'd strongly recommend our pumpkin soup—it's quite popular."
Soyeon nodded. "We'll have two portions of chicken and soup, please. And water."
The server nodded and quickly left them alone. Ellie, now calm, glanced around, her eyes scanning the faces of the cheerful patrons.
"It's so cozy here," she whispered to Soyeon.
"Yes, but stay alert," Soyeon cautioned, her own eyes sweeping over the room. "Too much talk can sometimes be dangerous."
When their food arrived and their plates were nearly empty, snippets of a nearby conversation drifted to their table.
"Did you hear about the animals?" a man with a thick beard asked in a loud whisper, his voice gruff like someone used to hard labor. "They say the beasts have gone mad. Wolves are attacking people for no reason, and deer have just vanished, like they're under some curse."
"They say it's the mages' doing," chimed in another man, short and stout with a bushy mustache, his voice tinged with irritation. "Those sorcerers always stir up trouble. Maybe it's some dark magic. Or maybe it's those exiled ones wandering the forests. You can't trust them, not a bit!"
Soyeon tensed at the mention of "magic." She feigned focus on Ellie, but her ears were sharply tuned to their words.
"Oh, come off it," a third man, heavyset with a flushed face, declared loudly, slapping the table for emphasis. "That's all nonsense for old wives' tales. The animals are just looking for food, that's all. The forests are barren, so they're coming closer. Have you seen how many deer are wandering into farmyards? It's nature, not magic, damn it."
"But haven't you heard that even the capital isn't calm these days?" the bearded man leaned forward, lowering his voice. "They say the Emperor is planning something. Word is he's been gathering troops for a while now, but no one knows why."
Soyeon slowly set down her fork, feeling her heart quicken.
"The Emperor? Troops? Why now? These rumors about strange animals and magic… they're starting to form a troubling pattern. What if they're signs of something bigger?"
She glanced at Ellie, who seemed oblivious, her attention fixed on the last piece of bread on her plate.
Later, as they ate, an older man in hunting garb unexpectedly approached their table. He looked weary but kind.
"Pardon me, ladies," he began, bowing slightly. His voice was steady, though his eyes betrayed the exhaustion of someone familiar with the wilderness. "I saw you selling herbs earlier. You must know the land better than most of us. Have you noticed anything strange about the animals lately?"
Soyeon frowned, surprised by the question. "The animals? What do you mean?"
"They're acting oddly," he explained. "I'm a hunter. Recently, I've noticed wolves and even deer behaving strangely. They're either unusually aggressive or… disappearing from the forests altogether."
"This isn't the first time I've heard about this," Soyeon said thoughtfully, her gaze briefly flickering to Ellie. "Why so many rumors at once? Is this a coincidence or part of something larger?" she wondered. "But why ask me?"
The hunter shrugged. "People say you understand plants and nature. If anyone might know something, it'd be you."
Soyeon offered a faint smile. "Thank you for the trust, but I'm just a herbalist."
The hunter nodded, thanked her, and left, but his words lingered in her mind.
By the time they left the tavern, night had draped its dark cloak over the village. Ellie, delighted by the meal, clung to Soyeon's hand.
"Today was such a fun day!" the girl exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "The tavern, the delicious food… Soyeon, can we come back here again?"
Soyeon, gazing up at the starry sky, nodded. "Yes, but something tells me the peaceful days are coming to an end."
She spoke the words more to herself than to Ellie. The oddities around them were slowly forming a grim picture, as if the night concealed ominous secrets. The rumors of magic and strange happenings in the forests echoed in her heart, leaving a chill behind.
"What if this is just the beginning?" she thought as a light breeze brought an inexplicable shiver. A sense of foreboding settled over her—she felt that challenges lay ahead, ones they were not yet prepared to face.