"It's been two decades since my birth, and ever since gaining consciousness about the world, my sole ambition has been to lead a peaceful, quiet life. I've encountered all sorts of judgments about my lifestyle, being likened to a retired grandparent, but I never gave up. Finally, I acquired a house in the most serene village I could find. With my family's wealth secure for generations, I believed I had nothing to worry about, or so I thought, until this very moment.

"Why is this happening to me?" I asked aloud. "I've done no harm to anyone, nor have I ever wished for something like this. So why am I sitting here on the edge of a mountain so high that I can see the clouds below, shivering in my pajamas? Is this the end of my peaceful life?" I muttered in disbelief.

"....sigh*"

"What's the matter?" I inquired.

"Nothing. I'm just disappointed. I had once believed humans to be the most intelligent species one could encounter, yet it appears I've been mistaken all along. I've spent my life without any purpose," the old man replied with a tinge of sadness.

"So, you're disappointed in me, even though we've just met, old man. But do you know why I'm here? I swear, I was about to go to sleep when, out of nowhere, I found myself sitting here," I asked the old man, seeking answers to the strange situation.

"Come inside," the old man said as he guided me into a nearby cave.

"Wow, this cave was here all along? I was freezing out there for no reason," I remarked in surprise.

"I've been trying to summon a human for years on end, and this is the first time I've succeeded in summoning one. I should be proud of myself," the old man mumbled to himself, his voice tinged with a sense of accomplishment.

"Hey, old man, did you summon me here?" I inquired.

"Yes, isn't it amazing?" replied the old man with a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Yeah, it's cool and all, but can I go home now?" I asked, my curiosity mixed with a growing sense of unease.

"Well, I've only ever tried summoning a human. I have no idea how to unsummon one," the old man replied with a mischievous smile, leaving me with a sense of uncertainty about my predicament.

"....So, what do I do now? And why are you telling me this with that creepy smile? I'm panicking here," I stammered nervously, my anxiety building as I grappled with the bizarre situation.

"There's nothing that can be done now, but I'll do my best to search for a way to send you back home. In the meantime, you can stay with me here," the old man replied, his tone more reassuring as he offered a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty.

***

Raymond followed the old man deep into the cave, eventually arriving in a room adorned with a wooden desk and chair, adorned with an array of books and scrolls. The desk was strategically positioned before a large open window, offering a breathtaking view of the clouds outside and bathing the room in a warm, natural light. Adjacent to the desk was a bed, and in the room's corner, a closet tucked away, completing the cozy but mysterious setting.

"Is this going to be my place?" I inquired, my eyes scanning the room as I tried to make sense of my new surroundings.

"Yes, this is our room, and I kindly request that you treat it with respect, as I'm now responsible for your well-being," the old man stated firmly, his tone carrying a sense of responsibility.

"I don't mean to be rude, but where do I sleep in here?" I asked, trying to clarify the sleeping arrangements in the room.

"You can sleep on the bed. I only sleep once a week, so we can take turns," the old man replied, offering an arrangement that seemed quite unusual to me.

"Once a week? That's certainly not healthy, old man. You should get more rest," I commented as I climbed into the bed, feeling concerned about the old man's peculiar sleep pattern.

"Us elves don't need to sleep every day. Some of us only sleep once a month, but I'm getting old, so I have to sleep more often," the old man explained, shedding light on the unique sleep patterns of his kind.

"I wish I were an elf," I whispered to myself, my thoughts drifting to the intriguing world of elves and their distinct way of life.

As I contemplated the situation, the old man's distinctive features became increasingly apparent to me: his snow-white complexion, jewel-blue eyes, cascading grey hair that shimmered in the light, and most notably, his elf-like ears. He was adorned in a white and blue hunfu, a garment that complemented his appearance perfectly. I couldn't help but wonder if he had a family, grandchildren, or a spouse during his adult years, pondering the mysteries of his past.

"You are my grandchild," the old man said, his words sounding as though he had perceived my thoughts, bringing a sense of warmth and connection to our newfound relationship.

"WHAT? I'm an elf, but my ears—wait, my mom never mentioned an elf grandpa," I exclaimed, caught completely off guard by this revelation, my mind racing with questions and confusion.

The old man chuckled and replied, "I'm not your biological grandpa, but as long as you are here, you are my grandson. I will be taking care of you," his words filled with warmth and reassurance, offering a sense of belonging and security in this strange new world.

I could feel my heart warming. The concept of having a grandparent was entirely foreign to me, and I had always pondered what it would be like to visit my grandparents' house. My friends had often shared stories of how their grandparents showered them with delicious food and boundless love. Regrettably, I had never experienced that joy. However, in this moment, hearing the old man affirm that I was his grandson and that he would look after me filled me with an overwhelming sense of happiness and contentment.

***

I rose from the bed, turning to face the old man who sat in the wooden desk chair. A smile on my face, I started, "Grandpa—"

As I was speaking, a sudden commotion disrupted the room. A dragon had caught sight of the old elf through the window and launched a sudden attack. Its massive claws struck the upper body of the elf with terrifying force. My eyes widened in sheer horror as I watched the gruesome scene unfold, the dragon's powerful grip crushing the upper half of my supposed grandpa, leaving only his legs sitting in the chair, a grotesque and horrifying sight etched into my memory forever.