Chapter 15
Translator: Roshi
‘It kept circling around and attacking.’
‘It looked like some kind of feline monster, but it was so fast that I couldn’t be sure.’
‘It seemed to be more active at night, but it sometimes attacked during the day too. Because of that, we couldn’t get proper rest….’
These were the things Lee Ha Na and the other members of the investigation team had shared.
‘It rummaged through our backpacks.’
‘It mostly took shiny things, stealing phones, weapons….’
‘It attacked us, but it felt more like it was playing tricks rather than really trying to harm us.’
Do-yoon had listened carefully, just in case, and thanks to that, he was now 99% sure.
That’s why he came outside to confirm it.
The bear siblings were playing well with the others, so leaving them briefly wasn’t a problem.
“Let’s see.”
If it was the creature Do-yoon was thinking of, then it was incredibly perceptive.
Not only that, but it was so cunning that it wouldn’t show itself if it sensed that its opponent was even slightly stronger than it.
However…
Shimmer, shimmer!
It had a weakness for temptation.
Especially if the shiny thing happened to be a Magic Stone.
Do-yoon took out the Magic Stone he had obtained from the Point Boar.
Then, he quietly slipped into the shadows.
Shiiing-
It was so quiet that he wondered if he was doing something pointless.
How much time had passed? He could feel a shadow creeping closer, little by little.
Very cautiously.
Without making any sound.
Rustle.
Rustle.
Only after quite a long time did the creature reveal itself.
‘Bingo.’
Seeing its form, Do-yoon knew his guess had been right.
‘Rich Tiger.’
Its sleek, jet-black fur glistened like a panther’s, and it was as fluffy as an overfed cat. Its golden eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Even its fluffy, feather-duster-like tail, which swayed to reflect its mood, matched the Rich Tiger he knew.
It was the same creature that had crossed over from the other world to this one.
Through a dungeon.
Sniff, sniff…!!
The creature cautiously sniffed around, but then suddenly flinched.
“So quick to notice.”
It had sensed Do-yoon’s presence.
The Rich Tiger could also use shadows, which is why it detected him.
This was the same reason it had managed to escape when he brought the bear siblings.
-Bya!!
‘Still a cub.’
As he had heard, its size was smaller than the bear siblings.
Even its cry still sounded like that of a cub.
“Here, eat this.”
Instead of chasing after the retreating creature, Do-yoon tossed the Magic Stone he had brought as bait.
It didn’t immediately pounce on it, but its steps faltered, hesitant.
It was only because it was still a cub that this was possible.
-Bya?
The creature tilted its head as if questioning his intentions.
“Eat it and grow big and strong. Settle down here.”
-Byaa?
At his words, the creature cocked its head again. It neither came closer nor left.
It just watched him with its round eyes, its tail swaying slightly.
Such an innocent creature.
Rich Tigers were inherently gentle and playful.
Even though they caused a lot of trouble, people would never forcibly drive them away if they lived nearby.
Rich Tiger.
The monster of fortune.
As its name suggested, it brought abundance to the area where it lived.
Both to nature and to people.
Even if Do-yoon hadn’t rescued the bear siblings, they likely wouldn’t have died.
Rich Tigers had the ability to heal others.
This one had simply played too rough as a cub, and if Kkomi had collapsed unconscious, it would have healed her.
-Bya!
The creature, which had been cautiously observing Do-yoon, seemed to confirm that he wasn’t a threat. It approached, took the Magic Stone in its mouth, and disappeared.
It must have found him too intimidating to play any tricks.
But the fact that it didn’t just run away and instead took the Magic Stone was already a good sign.
‘I need to make it come back often and settle here.’
Do-yoon didn’t follow the creature.
It needed to settle down naturally.
If it were forcibly captured and confined, it wouldn’t bring prosperity but rather a curse.
And since it was still a cub, he decided to take his time and slowly build trust.
“When it grows a bit more, it’ll even eat that.”
In truth, he wasn’t particularly interested in the creature bringing material or natural abundance.
He had a different reason for wanting the Rich Tiger to settle here.
It was for the Magic Stone Seeds that could be obtained from its droppings after it ate Magic Stones.
Even though it felt a bit unpleasant, if it was washed thoroughly, dried, and then roasted, it would make a fragrant tea with a flavor that couldn’t be found anywhere else.
For that to happen, though, the creature needed to grow a bit more.
‘Feed it well, raise it well, and it’ll... poop well.’
He decided to raise it naturally and let it settle on its own.
‘Come to think of it.’
The bear siblings, Yongyong, the Point Boar, and now even the Rich Tiger.
Of course, the only ones he had officially brought into the house were the bear siblings, so his actual household count hadn’t changed.
That’s why he tried to justify to himself that he hadn’t actually added any new family members.
‘They’re not family. Just… let’s call them neighbors.’
He fed them and took care of them, which technically made them family, but he stubbornly denied it.
-Ajosshi!!
“Hmm?”
Just then, a loud shout came from the direction of his house, cutting off his train of thought.
It was Hanuri’s voice.
-Hanuri is hungryyy!
Do-yoon, who was about to rush over to check what had happened, couldn’t help but chuckle at Hanuri’s follow-up yell.
It hadn’t been that long since she last had a snack, yet she was already hungry again.
It seemed it was time to head back.
Before Hanuri’s hunger soared up to the heavens.
*
“Hmm.”
Back at home, he found himself caught in a dilemma.
“Hehehe.”
Hanuri was grinning innocently, looking at him expectantly.
And behind her, Lee Ha Na and the rest of the investigation team were watching cautiously, as if trying not to get in trouble.
“Hanuri told them that Ajosshi is going to make something delicious… You will, right? Hehe.”
She sneakily looked up at him, gauging his reaction as she asked if she had done well.
How could he possibly say no to that puppy-like expression?
Do-yoon let out a small chuckle and patted Hanuri’s head.
As he stroked her head, he gave the answer she wanted to hear.
“Sure.”
“Hehehe! Ajosshi is the best! I like you as much as Hanuri!”
As soon as she got his approval, the child began bouncing around gleefully, showering him with affectionate antics.
A perfect representation of pure beagle energy.
That word suited Hanuri perfectly.
Do-yoon watched her with an amused smile, but then something peculiar caught his eye.
‘Huh? This… Is this some kind of ability?’
As he observed Hanuri bouncing around, he focused on her carefully.
Thanks to the Brosia Honey, one of her tangled energies had almost completely unraveled.
Maybe because of that, a distinct energy was emanating from her, something he recognized well.
It was the energy of affinity.
Affinity with nature, plants, spirits, animals… even mana itself.
An ability that allowed one to communicate and connect with all things.
Although it was weak now, because she was young and her energy had only recently been untangled, there was no doubt.
He couldn't mistake this energy since he knew someone who was the ultimate master of this power.
One might think what could mere affinity accomplish, but.
That person could even cause calamities by communicating with mana.
‘Whether she’ll reach that level, I don’t know.’
Regardless, it was a remarkable ability.
It was probably thanks to this ability that she could talk with Ddugi, Chuchu, Yongyong, and the bear siblings.
Even her ability to quickly bond with the investigation team might have been influenced by this power.
When they first arrived, the team had been frozen in fear because of him.
Yet, in that situation, they had easily warmed up to the unfamiliar child. It had seemed strange at the time, but now it made sense.
‘It’s an ability that suits her well.’
Look at the way everyone’s eyes were brimming with anticipation at her words.
Especially Lee Ha Na, her expression was something else.
Gone was her previously stoic face, replaced by one that looked as though she’d sell her soul to the devil if it meant she could have a taste of what Hanuri promised.
Hanuri’s affinity had completely melted their wariness.
"Hehe... Ah! Ajosshi smiled too! Hihi, do you like it too?"
“Yeah.”
Before he knew it, he had been smiling while watching the child.
At her words, he nodded and patted her head again.
In truth, his reason for smiling wasn’t the same as hers.
He had smiled because one of her tangled energies had nearly unraveled, which meant her lifespan had increased.
The time he could spend with Hanuri had grown longer.
But… what did that matter?
The important thing was that the child was happy.
He smoothly changed the subject.
“Did you buy the kimchi?”
“Yes! I brought it back!”
The delivery man, Park Ki-ho, quickly replied with an enthusiastic nod.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
‘Let’s make pork kimchi stew.’
Before grilling the Point Boar barbecue, there were some leftover parts set aside.
While these parts weren’t great for grilling, they were perfect for making stew.
With the freshly bought kimchi and a crowd of people to feed…
‘Stews are always better when they’re hearty and abundant.’
Since the snacks earlier had been a bit rich and sweet, a spicy stew would make for a dish everyone could devour endlessly.
For Hanuri, who might not handle the spiciness, he planned to prepare steamed eggs and stir-fried sausages as well.
“Alright, Hanuri, do you want to wash this for me?”
"Mm-hmm!"
Pretending to hand the rice to Hanuri, Do-yoon subtly signaled to Park Ki-ho, who was standing behind her.
Ki-ho quickly stepped in to take the rice from Hanuri’s hands and went with her to wash it.
As expected, he was quick to catch on.
“Alright, let’s start with the stew.”
It had been a while since Do-yoon last made pork kimchi stew, and the thought alone was making his mouth water.
“The kimchi…”
The kimchi Ki-ho had bought was well-fermented, perfect for making stew.
Do-yoon began by chopping the kimchi into appropriately sized pieces.
Next, he heated up a pot and started by stir-frying thick slices of Point Boar meat.
Once enough oil had rendered out and the meat’s surface had turned a delicious golden brown, he added the chopped kimchi and continued stir-frying.
‘Smells amazing.’
True to its reputation as Korean soul food, the aroma greatly stimulated his appetite.
He wanted to toss in some rice right then and there, but he restrained himself for now and poured in the milky rice water Hanuri had brought over.
Bubble, bubble.
The pot was now full of kimchi stew, bubbling away and filling the room with its savory aroma.
He added a spoonful of minced garlic, a step essential for any Korean recipe, and chopped green onions, followed by a few slices of spicy green chili peppers for extra kick.
The smell became even richer and more mouthwatering.
He was already fantasizing about mixing it into a bowl of steaming white rice, topping it with a fried egg, and digging in.
‘Not yet.’
But patience was key.
Kimchi stew tastes better the longer it simmers.
“Ajosshi…”
A pitiful voice suddenly came from beside the pot.
When had Hanuri gotten there? Her eyes were glued to the stew, sparkling with hunger and anticipation.
“It might be too spicy for you.”
“B-but… I wanna try it…”
“Alright, you can have a little once it’s ready.”
“Yay!”
Letting her try a bit wouldn’t hurt.
But then…
“Wait, why is everyone here?”
As Do-yoon finished the final touches on the pork kimchi stew, he realized that he was surrounded.
It wasn’t just Hanuri.
The bear siblings, Yongyong, Park Ki-ho, Lee Ha Na, and even the investigation team members standing awkwardly in the back were all gathered around.
“Go set the table.”
“Yes, sir!”
At his command, Park Ki-ho picked up Hanuri and carried her over to the living area, followed by everyone else trailing after them like ducklings.
Everyone, except for one.
“……!?”
It was Team Leader Lee Ha Na, staring at the pot with a blank, almost trance-like expression.
Do-yoon, noticing her dazed state, looked at her silently until she finally snapped back to reality.
Her face twisted in shock, as if she had just seen the devil, and she quickly scurried off to join the others.
That kind of reaction… it had been a while since he’d seen one like that.
“Feels like I’m having a lot of these moments lately.”
Muttering to himself, he placed soft, white tofu over the now-rich and thickened kimchi stew, completing the dish.
It was a strange feeling.
Those memories from the past weren’t particularly pleasant ones… and yet…
Maybe it was thanks to Hanuri.
Now, even these long-forgotten memories didn’t feel so bad.
*
[Hunter Bureau, Dungeon Management Department, Monitoring Room]
No one paid attention to the news playing in the corner of the room.
“Team Leader!”
“The team leader’s not here.”
“Ah! Then, Deputy Leader!”
“Yes, what is it?”
“It’s the team leader!”
A team member, who had been staring at the countless monitors, pointed at one of the screens.
The screen showed a Wyvern casually gliding along in low-altitude flight.
“Why is the team leader there?”
“Who knows? Do you think the team leader have reawakened as a tamer?"
“There’s no way. Someone like her, with an AI-like personality, couldn’t possibly have an ability like that, right?”
“Ah, you’re right.”
The team member nodded emphatically in agreement with the deputy’s words.
But then… what was this scene all about?
“Wait, isn’t that…?”
“What?”
“You know, that person! The one who returned early from investigating the Dungeon Break near Chuncheon.”
“Oh, that Reawakened person from Taegeuk?”
“Yes, I think that’s them. Ah, here it is! There’s a memo from Taegeuk Guild. It says the Wyvern Tamer is going to retrieve the investigation team and that we shouldn’t interfere.”
“Why are you only mentioning this now?!”
“Well, Deputy Leader, you told me not to talk to you when the team leader wasn’t here…”
“Then why are you talking to me now?!”
What a mess.
The team member glanced at the deputy with a look of irritation.
Though, technically, it was directed at the reflection of the deputy’s face in the monitor.
“So, what do we do?”
“What do you mean, what do we do? I’ll go report the team leader’s return to HQ, and you make sure to send out a memo to the surrounding area so they don’t attack that Wyvern.”
“Got it!”
*
Slurp!
Do-yoon took a big sip of the spicy, refreshing kimchi stew broth, the sound making it clear just how much he was enjoying it.
The taste needed no explanation, it was perfect.
Clack!
He set his spoon down firmly, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he turned his head.
*****