CHAPTER 104……………………………………..
I realized in an instant that it was dangerous, but my legs were frozen—I couldn’t move. Fear gripped me, knowing that someone I knew had vanished in the blink of an eye, and I was paralyzed, unable to do anything.
Gwooooh.
Meong-i (the cat) now let out a sound closer to a dragon’s roar than a cat’s meow, flapping its wings. It seemed to have chosen me as its next target, as if it was about to swoop down at any moment.
“Step back.”
Without needing to be told, Kang Kwonhoo understood the situation and stood in front of me. Baek Sohyeok’s rapier glinted as if ready to pierce Meong-i at any moment, and the skill “Sun’s Swordsmanship” surrounded it with radiant light. Though the sword looked thin, the magic coursing through it made it threatening on its own.
I can’t let that swing at Meong-i.
I grit my teeth and shook my head.
Fwhoooosh.
The sound of wings cutting through the air echoed, and flames burst from Meong-i’s mouth as it flew. Hunters fighting nearby screamed and scrambled to evade. I, however, couldn’t dodge the suddenly aggressive Meong-i; I barely managed to deflect the flames with my sword. Kang Kwonhoo clicked his tongue beside me, but no other response came to mind.
This is my fault.
I had brought Meong-i to clear a quest but hadn’t properly watched over it during the battle. Meong-i was also my companion, and guilt welled up from my feet to my chest.
Maybe it’s angry at me…
The thought of karma made my mouth taste bitter.
“I—I’ll try to talk to it.”
I grabbed the edge of Kang Kwonhoo’s clothes and shook my head, stopping him from taking immediate action against Meong-i.
“What can you say to a beast that doesn’t even recognize its owner?”
He had swatted away incoming attacks with a single sweep of his sword and looked down at me in confusion.
“Still, I’m the only one who can calm Meong-i down. If Mr. Kang blocks the other hunters and Flanariants, I’ll try somehow.”
“Somehow.” It was a word so simple, yet overwhelming. I didn’t expect him to go along with such a reckless plan, but I was desperate.
“I’ll give you thirty minutes. Don’t get a scratch. If you get hurt even a little, that’s it—no more time.”
Though there was a condition, Kang Kwonhoo had given me a chance. I felt relieved; I hadn’t expected him to give me any.
Can I lure Meong-i down by drawing its attention?
I had no flight skill, and once Meong-i spread its wings, it showed no sign of descending. I didn’t want to injure its wings to force it down either.
If it won’t come down, I’ll go up.
I took a mana potion from my inventory and drank it before Kang Kwonhoo could stop me. From about ten steps away, I saw him signal to watch me, but I ignored it. I had already committed; he couldn’t object now.
[Skill “Blessing of Lightning Lv29” activated. Blue lightning envelops your body.]
I wrapped lightning around my body, focusing especially on my feet. The electric mana pushed my body to its limit, making my toes tingle.
After a running start, I used the momentum to sprint up the wall. Just before leaving the wall, I leaped into the air toward the hovering Meong-i.
Kaboom!
Because Meong-i was so high, I had to use significant force, which caused part of the wall to crumble. The impact resonated through my feet.
Got it!
I had grabbed onto Meong-i’s back as planned, so there was no regret.
Gwoooorrr.
Meong-i let out a frustrated wail, shaking its body violently to throw me off like an annoying insect.
“Meong-i! It’s me! Please, snap out of it! I’m your owner!”
Even as I shouted, its movements only intensified. Realizing shaking alone wouldn’t dislodge me, Meong-i twisted and flipped repeatedly in midair.
Ugh.
At twenty-nine, I’d never even ridden a rollercoaster. The sensation of my heart being left in the sky and my body falling was unfamiliar and unbearable, but I had to endure it with my eyes tightly shut.
I hope it doesn’t get hurt…
By the third spin, I had adjusted to the unpleasant motion. Then I started worrying about gripping Meong-i’s fur too hard, fearing I might injure it. Its thick hide might withstand it, but my mind was uneasy.
Grrr…
Almost immediately, a pained sound came from Meong-i’s mouth. It was clearly in distress. I loosened my grip slightly, fearing I had been too rough, but Meong-i continued to whimper.
What could be hurting such a good creature?
I wondered what Meong-i was seeing beyond those red eyes and what could be tormenting it so that even I couldn’t recognize it.
“Snap out of it. Where does it hurt?”
I climbed closer to Meong-i’s ear and tried to communicate. I also activated a skill I had rarely used before.
[Skill “Beast Tamer Lv5” activated. Attempting to bond with the unconscious ‘Cat Dragon’]
This skill, rarely needed, seemed to grow stronger as my affinity with Meong-i increased. Its level had risen on its own, perhaps naturally as I spent time with Meong-i.
It’s still far from strong, but even this will help.
Meong-i had responded even when the skill was Lv1, so I had some hope it could be tamed. I wrapped my arms around its neck, pouring in my remaining mana.
Kyaoooong!
Contrary to my expectations, Meong-i thrashed even more. Smashing against walls and ceiling, I began to get hurt.
No!
I glanced down desperately. Kang Kwonhoo’s eyes locked with mine—he was ready to attack Meong-i.
If this keeps up, he’ll really strike it.
That thought thundered in my mind despite the chaos.
[Skill “Beast Tamer Lv5” stacked. Attempting to bond again with the unconscious ‘Cat Dragon’]
I used the skill repeatedly, even knowing that stacking a low-level skill wouldn’t be dramatic.
[Affinity increased. Current affinity: 54%. Skill “Beast Tamer Lv5” leveled up to Lv10. Attempting to bond more strongly with the unconscious ‘Cat Dragon’]
What?
Growing this fast seemed strange. I wanted to ignore it, blaming affinity, but it felt suspicious.
No. Focus on Meong-i now.
I shook my head. A miracle I needed most had just occurred.
[Skill “Beast Tamer Lv10” stacked. Attempting a stronger bond with the unconscious ‘Cat Dragon’]
Meong-i’s frantic movements slowed, and it gradually fell toward the ground. Its red eyes returned to normal, its body relaxed—clearly, the skill had worked.
“I’m sorry… for leaving you behind…”
Whispering softly, Meong-i made a small, tearful mew.
Weoong…
Its usual affectionate voice reached me. Even falling, it curled its tail to shield me from harm. My nose stung.
[Skill “Beast Tamer Lv10” overused. Your emotions synchronize with the ‘Cat Dragon’]
Images struck me like lightning. I was inside a glass tube filled with yellow liquid—or rather, Meong-i was, as I was syncing with it.
From small clues, I instinctively knew the homunculus monsters weren’t natural—they were literally created through experiments.
Though I knew it wasn’t real, the yellow liquid seemed to flood my nose and mouth. I could hardly breathe. Meong-i’s pain was being transferred to me.
Ugh…
I covered my mouth and nose.
“Woojin?”
As I writhed in agony on the ground, Kang Kwonhoo ran over. The Flanariants nearby lay destroyed, leaving no trace.
“What’s wrong? Try to breathe properly.”
His anxious voice reached me. There was nothing threatening nearby, yet I could barely inhale.
“Woojin, focus.”
Huff… huff…
I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My consciousness blurred; I felt myself sinking into water. Even Kang Kwonhoo’s hand on my shoulder felt distant.
“I didn’t want to do this myself… it doesn’t feel good.”
Through my blurred vision, Kang Kwonhoo approached with Baek Sohyeok’s face.
“Don’t dodge this time.”
And then…
Our lips met.
