I Became a Cub in the Elven Kingdom - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – Trypophobia

Earlier, Shu Li had glimpsed the forest through the Nursery’s skylight, knowing there were many adult fairies outside.

However, he hadn’t imagined the sheer spectacle—and terror—of tens of thousands of palm-sized fairies gathered together.

Though each fairy was exquisitely beautiful in isolation, their collective presence instantly diminished their individual charm. The overwhelming visual impact triggered a visceral reaction, igniting Shu Li’s trypophobia.

A wave of goosebumps erupted across his skin. His wings faltered, causing him to veer erratically through the air.

The Fairy Cubs who had exited the Nursery ahead of him were jubilant, clearly lacking Shu Li’s sensitivity. Seeing the multitude of adult fairies welcoming them, they puffed out their chests and soared forward with renewed vigor.

Today marked the Fairy Cubs’ departure from the Nursery. Fairies from across the forest had gathered before its doors, watching with tender affection as the adorable cubs emerged one by one.

Little chubby Budno led the charge, undeterred by the attention of the adult fairies. He puffed out his chest and soared forward with unwavering confidence.

Fairies were generally small and slender, and while cubs often had baby fat, it was rare to see one as round as a ball.

The sight of this exceptionally plump cub brought smiles to the faces of the adult fairies.

This must be a particularly gluttonous cub, they chuckled inwardly.

After Budno, the other cubs obediently lined up and flew out of the gate one by one.

The adult Fairies watched their vibrant forms with gentle eyes, their faces radiating affection.

When the last golden-haired cub emerged, the adult Fairies exchanged puzzled glances.

Hmm?

What’s going on?

There’s a little one here who can barely fly!

He flew erratically, bobbing up and down, veering left and right. His delicate face was pale, as if he had seen something terrifying. His eyes flickered open and shut, darting nervously.

“It’s Sperien,” one of the adult Fairies murmured, noticing the flower crown on the cub’s head.

As a Fairy Cub blessed by the Elven King, Sperien was renowned.

Whenever Aisha and Siet left the Nursery, they would share amusing anecdotes about the cubs with the other Fairies. Sperien was their most frequent topic.

The little one had begun communicating with adult Fairies through gestures on the very day he was born. To obtain underwear, he painstakingly collected insect cocoons, drew out the silk, and attempted to weave his own pair. Though diligent and eager to learn, taking notes in class, his Elven remained rudimentary.

Such an intriguing little cub! The other adult Fairies had been eager to meet him, curious to see if he was as unique as Aisha described.

Now that they had finally seen him, the adult fairies expressed concern about Sperien’s health.

Is he unwell?

Why else would he be so listless, barely able to fly properly?

Shu Li remained completely unaware that he had become the focus of the adult fairies’ attention. He was desperately battling his trypophobia, cautiously keeping up with the group ahead.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally moved away from the Nursery’s entrance. The adult fairies gradually dispersed, and Shu Li’s trypophobia finally began to subside.

I almost suffocated back there.

Imagine stepping outside and being immediately surrounded by a swarm of “bees” filling the sky and ground—how terrifying would that be?

Though he regretted comparing the beautiful fairies to bees, their sheer numbers, clustered so densely together, were an unbearable strain on his visual nerves.

At that moment, Shu Li envied the other Fairy Cubs’ thick-skinned composure.

Perhaps they were genuine cubs who had never seen the world, while he was just a pseudo-fairy, a transmigrator carrying memories from another life.

With his trypophobia fading, Shu Li stopped flinching, boldly opened his eyes, flapped his wings, and soared forward.

The adult fairies who had been watching him exchanged puzzled glances.

What’s going on?

Suddenly, he could fly?

Was he just shy before?

This doesn’t seem to match what Aisha and Siet said!

Still, as long as he’s not sick, that’s what matters. We’ll observe him closely later to ensure every cub remains healthy.

Shu Li followed the group to the Giant Tree.

When he was still in the Nursery, looking at the Giant Tree through the skylight, he couldn’t grasp its terrifying scale. Now, seeing it up close, he was utterly awestruck. Compared to the surrounding trees, it was like a giant towering over dwarfs.

The Giant Tree soared into the clouds like a majestic pagoda, its lush foliage radiating boundless vitality. Its massive root system covered a vast area, deterring any other trees from approaching, leaving only wildflowers and grasses to timidly grow in its shade. Its thick branches layered in orderly tiers, supporting rows of intricately crafted miniature houses that added vibrant splashes of color to the colossal tree.

The Little Fairies were tiny creatures; before the Giant Tree, they were no bigger than ants.

The Fairy Cubs, fresh from the Nursery, stared in wide-eyed wonder at the colossal tree.

“So… so amazing!”

“Will we live on the Giant Tree from now on?”

“Wow! I love this big, big, big tree!”

“Where are our houses?”

“I don’t want to live too high up! It’s so tiring to fly that far!”

“I want to live at the very top! It must be super fun!”

The cubs chattered excitedly, occasionally gasping in awe.

A passing adult Fairy overheard them and smiled at the cub who wanted to live at the top. “Hey, little cutie, you can’t live on the top floor.”

“Why not?” the cub asked stubbornly.

The adult Fairy made a blowing motion and lowered his voice. “The top floor is swept by freezing winds. Without magic, you’d freeze into an icicle the moment you got there, then be torn to shreds by the gale.”

“Whoa—then I don’t want to go to the top floor!” The cub was terrified, hugging himself and trembling. Two large tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, on the verge of crying.

The adult Fairy blinked in surprise.

Oh dear, I think I went too far with the joke. The poor cub’s about to cry!

“Chris, you’re teasing them again!” Aisha flew over, hands on her hips, glaring at the adult Fairy. She had noticed the cubs lagging behind the group and had come to urge them on, only to find Chris deliberately making one of them cry.

Chris had just turned one hundred years old, a prime age for mischief. He loved playing pranks and often “bullied” younger fairies, earning frequent punishments from the Elders, yet he remained incorrigible.

No one could have imagined he would stoop so low as to target a three-month-old cub!

Aisha rolled up her sleeves, her eyes blazing with fury.

Seeing the Fairy Godmother about to erupt, Chris hastily apologized, “I’m sorry! I’ll never do it again!”

Without waiting for Aisha’s response, he flapped his wings and vanished like lightning.

Aisha ground her teeth as she watched the distant speck disappear.

Lucky he escaped so quickly!

Shu Li, who had witnessed the entire exchange, gaped in astonishment, already anticipating a future filled with excitement.

Not every adult fairy meticulously cared for cubs; some, like Chris… Chris-whoever, found amusement in teasing the little ones.

Though their intentions weren’t malicious, such antics were enough to make the innocent cubs burst into tears.

Aisha worked hard to soothe the frightened cub, then took his hand and flew toward the middle and lower branches of the Giant Tree.

Moments later, twenty-five Fairy Cubs stood on a thick branch, their eyes wide with curiosity as they gazed around.

The branch was incredibly thick, as wide as a small plaza, allowing the cubs to run and play freely without any fear of falling.

Of course, even if they did fall, it wouldn’t matter.

They had wings and couldn’t be hurt by a fall.

“See that branch over there?” Aisha pointed. “The houses on it will be your homes until you come of age. The boys will live on the left side, and the girls on the right. Now, everyone go to Siet to draw your door numbers.”

Decio raised his hand. “Can we trade numbers?”

He wanted to live next to the leader.

Angele nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with anticipation as he looked at Aisha.

Aisha smiled and nodded. “If the other person agrees.”

“Yay!” Decio and Angele high-fived excitedly.

Shu Li also felt relieved.

He didn’t want an annoying neighbor like the chubby Andreno, whom he’d have to see every day, ruining his mood.

Siet brought out a wooden box, shook it a few times, and placed it on the branch. He then called the cubs to line up and draw their numbers.

Soon, each cub had drawn their own door number from the box.

“I got number 3!”

“I’m number 12,” Decio announced.

Decio and Angele turned simultaneously to look at Shu Li.

Shu Li showed his number, saying with a helpless shrug, “I’m number 20.”

It seemed they would have to find someone to trade with.

Decio and Angele immediately set about finding other cubs to trade for numbers 19 and 21. Coincidentally, number 21 turned out to be the chubby Budno.

“I’m not trading with you!” Budno clutched his number plate tightly, baring his teeth at Shu Li.

Shu Li puffed out his cheeks.

What was that thing I said earlier?

If your neighbor is an annoying guy, it’ll ruin your whole day.

As fate would have it, he and Budno had actually drawn adjacent numbers.

Shu Li decisively found another cub to trade with.

Seeing Shu Li abandon his original number plate so cleanly, Budno looked utterly dejected. His eyes widened, and he hesitated, clenching his small fists before awkwardly turning away, presenting his rear to the group.

Shu Li glanced sideways, roughly guessing what the chubby cub was thinking.

He’s just like the elementary school kids in my old world—the more they like someone, the more they bully them to get their attention. They never realize how mean and childish their behavior is.

What a psycho.

In the end, Shu Li traded with another cub to get number 11, Decio got number 10, and Angele kept his original draw, number 12.

Decio and Angele would never allow any other cub to live next to their leader.

After receiving their doorplates, the cubs found their respective cottages.

Shu Li stood before cottage number 11 and pushed the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Puzzled, he examined the door and noticed a small slot. He tried inserting the doorplate into it.

Instantly, a magic circle appeared on the door. With a click, the door swung open, and the slot spat the doorplate back out.

“Wow!” Shu Li exclaimed, grabbing the doorplate and pushing the door open to enter.

Decio and Angele immediately copied him. With two clicks, they opened their own doors.

The three cubs eagerly rushed inside, their eyes wide with curiosity as they took in their new surroundings.

Though small, the cottages were fully equipped.

Inside, they found a bed, table, chairs, cabinets, and a separate bathroom.

Shu Li’s face lit up when he saw the pristine toilet.

Perfect!

Finally, he wouldn’t have to squat in the grass, shamefully exposing his bottom.

The house was impeccably clean, as if it had been specially prepared, not a speck of dust in sight. The bed was covered with soft sheets that emanated a fresh floral scent. A row of decorative wooden carvings lined the table, each one so charming it was hard to put down. The spacious cabinet was divided into numerous compartments, perfect for organizing belongings by category.

Looking at the cabinet, Shu Li remembered his luggage was still with Aisha.

He quickly closed the cabinet door and hurried outside. Just as he stepped out of his house, he ran into Aisha.

Seeing the little cub’s anxious expression, Aisha smiled and retrieved his luggage from her storage pouch.

After thanking Aisha, Shu Li dragged the heavy bag into his house with all his might.

He had brought so many things from the Nursery that they nearly filled the entire cabinet.

“Phew—”

Finally finished unpacking, he sat down on a chair, panting, and gazed around his cozy little home, feeling utterly content.

Ding-a-ling!

The familiar bell rang, and Shu Li twitched his ears, recognizing it as Aisha summoning all the Fairy Cubs.

He grabbed his nameplate, stepped out of the house, and the door automatically closed and locked behind him.

A wave of security washed over Shu Li.

He was deeply satisfied.

Though the items he had collected in the Nursery weren’t particularly valuable, he loathed the idea of strangers trespassing in his little cottage.

With a graceful spread of his wings, he glided effortlessly to the side, his toes barely touching down as he landed lightly on the branch where the group had gathered earlier.

Aisha, the Fairy Godmother, was responsible for teaching the cubs all the essential knowledge of Fairy life.

Once all the cubs had assembled, she waved her Fairy Wand, guiding them through the Fairy habitat.

This impossibly colossal Giant Tree was an ancient Divine Tree, over a hundred thousand years old, that had sheltered the Little Fairies for millennia. In return, the Fairies had made their homes among its branches, constantly providing it with nutrients, eradicating pests, and pruning its overgrown foliage to ensure its continued health.

“How do we provide nutrients to the Divine Tree?” one of the cubs asked, puzzled.

Aisha smiled. “Just like how you nourished the flowers and plants in the Nursery.”

Shu Li replayed her words in his mind several times, and when the meaning finally clicked, his pupils dilated in shock.

Huh?!