A mysterious figure's silhouette was cast on a window pane.
A soft scrape echoed as the figure pried open the unsecured window and silently climbed into the high-rise dwelling.
With stealthy movements, the intruder surveyed the interior of the dark house, taking note of its layout.
Approaching the door, the mysterious being gingerly turned the handle.
A quiet creek filled the still air as the door opened a crack. Peering inside, the intruder saw several shallow breaths and one deep one in the room.
Confirming that all within were fast asleep, the figure tiptoed inside.
As he approached the desk he had scoped out, he retrieved something from the bag.
"Who's there?" a girl's voice spoke from the bed, where everyone was thought to be sleeping.
The figure jolted and turned towards the bed, where a young girl with adorable fox ears was now wide-eyed.
Her eyes were so clear and alert, it was hard to believe she had just been sleeping.
"Grandma? No, not grandma" the girl said, tilting her head in confusion.
Her pure curiosity was evident as she gazed upon the mysterious figure before her.
Finally realizing what was happening, she exclaimed in surprise.
"Ah!"
"Shhh!" The figure quickly hushed her, putting a finger to their lips.
The fox girl quickly silenced herself, still looking shocked.
The two stood rigidly, surveying their surroundings.
Thankfully, the steady breathing patterns in the room remained unchanged.
The figure let out a sigh of relief and lowered his raised hand, then approached the girl.
In the dim light filtering through the window, Santa Claus' appearance was revealed.
"Wow"
The girl exclaimed upon seeing Santa's red clothing, fur hat, shaggy white beard, and wrinkled face.
Her fox ears perked up, and her tail under the blanket wagged with excitement.
"Santa Claus?" she asked.
"Yes, you must be Speranza," Santa replied, recognizing her.
The girl's face lit up with a big smile as Santa called her name.
"You've been a good girl this year, so I brought you a special gift."
Santa held a beautifully wrapped present in his hand.
The girl's eyes lit up with delight as she gazed at the gift.
Santa raised his index finger again, ready to quiet any excited outburst.
"Shhh!"
The fox girl hushed herself, still beaming from ear to ear.
Santa Claus gently brushed the fox girl's hair, his expression filled with fondness.
"I've left your present there, remember to open it with your father tomorrow. OK?"
Nodding her head, the girl watched as Santa Claus slipped out the door, a warm smile still on his face.
She eagerly followed him, but when she opened the door again, he had vanished without a trace.
Her search of the living room proved fruitless and with a hint of disappointment, she returned to the room.
However, the gift still sat on the desk, tempting her.
You've been a good girl, make sure to open it with your father tomorrow.
After much consideration, the girl raised her tail determinedly, then got back into bed, struggling to fall asleep with excitement over her encounter with Santa Claus and the anticipation of the morning.
"It's been pouring all of a sudden since early this morning. By the time the farm members felt strange, it was already like this."
The landscape of the demon world was completely white, as if someone had spilled white paint by mistake.
"I can't believe it's snowing a lot is the farm okay?! What about the strawberry field?!"
"For now, everything is fine. On the farm, Elaine, Lilia, and I came forward to solve the urgent matter, and the people of Elden Village are now taking care of the strawberry field."
"Phew. That's a relief.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, there were no major accidents on the farm, the strawberry field, or the surrounding territory.
"That's why you prepared the dimensional leap magic?"
Andras replied with a bitter smile, like Ryan.
"Even with winter clothes, it was difficult to get here from the farm. So, using the dimensional leap magic will be easier and safer, even if it's a bit inconvenient,"
He had arrived earlier and finished setting up the magic.
"Thanks, Andras," I said gratefully.
"No need to thank me, it's just natural for me to do this,"
Andras replied with a comfortable smile, calming my anxious mind.
As I realized I was back, I felt happy belatedly.
"Andras, how have you been?"
"I'm doing well, how was your vacation?"
"It was good. It was nice to recharge after a long time and I had a lot of fun. I'll tell you all about it when I get to the farm later. Oh I'll have to work today," I said regretfully.
Excited to catch up with the farm members I haven't seen in a while, I realized I would have to run around all day due to the snow bomb.
"Hahaha! It's cold!"
Speranza, Akum, and Cheese shouted as they ran around in the snow, not noticing my worries.
Cheese seemed to be enjoying himself, as if he remembered the snow mountain of Red Scales Village.
"It must be great," Andras commented.
"That's just what children do. The Elden village might be in a similar situation," he added.
I smiled, remembering how I used to run around like that when I was young, and now understood why my parents would sigh next to me.
Leaving the children to play, Andras and I moved our luggage and prepared the dimensional leap magic.
As we finished moving our luggage over the ready magic circle, the dimensional gate began to emit light.
"Uh, Sihyeon? Did Ryan come with you?" Andras asked.
"No, I didn't hear anything about that," I replied.
"Then, who is"
Andras started to say, but was interrupted as two figures emerged from the light of the dimensional leap magic.
Andras stood in front of me, on alert, while I prepared to take care of the children in case of emergency.
After a moment, the shapes became clearer, and two people appeared in front of us.
Before I could identify them, a familiar voice cried out.