[Blue(2)]
There were three monsters that arrived, but we were only interested in two. I could see the baby monsters huddled inside their large cages.
[Level 3 Unicorn Species ? White Shadow Unicorn (Infant)
Current Stat Rank: E
Potential Growth Stat Rank: A
Optimized Initial Skills:
Shadow Running (A) — Acquired upon growth
Powerful Charge (A) — Acquired upon growth
Enhanced Gallop (B) — Acquired upon growth
*Growth possible only in specific areas.]
Inside one cage, two monsters were pressed close to each other. They were none other than Shadow Unicorns, a famous pair known to travel together, one black and one white. The status window of the Black Shadow Unicorn was identical to that of the White Shadow Unicorn.
Growth possible only in specific areas, huh? These guys have pretty tough conditions for reaching adulthood. The specific area is likely inside a dungeon, and finding that place and staying there long enough for them to grow will take a lot of manpower and time.
“So it’s Shadow Unicorns! They have amazing charge power for high-rank mounts! Hey, Haeyeon Guild Master, can’t you spare me just one?”
Moon Hyunah looked regretful, saying that even though they’re high-rank, their stats make them ideal mounts. With the Enhanced Gallop buff, they might be better for grand charges than some top-tier monsters. Not all top-tier monsters are fast, after all.
In the other cage, a small monster the size of a medium-sized dog was curiously looking around.
[Level 2 Griffin Species ? Golden Griffin (Infant)
Current Stat Rank: C
Potential Growth Stat Rank: A~S
Optimized Initial Skills:
Ruler of the Wind (S) — Acquired upon growth
Golden Arrow (A) — Acquired upon growth
Wind Resistance (A) — Acquired
Sharp Roar (B) — Acquired upon growth
*Growth possible after consuming a certain amount of specific monsters.]
That “certain monsters” likely refers to other magical beasts. If that’s the case, it’s a relatively easy growth condition for a top-tier monster. Though it depends on how much is “a certain amount” and what grade the specific monsters are.
Even though it was a Golden Griffin, its soft fur was a creamy color, probably because it was still a baby. It had a small eagle’s head and a body more akin to a plump cat than a lion, with large wings relative to its body size. A wind attribute, huh? There was an S-rank hunter with that attribute, though he was a foreigner.
“Griffins are nice too, but I’m more drawn to the charge power than the quick dives.”
Despite her words, Moon Hyunah’s eyes were gleaming with desire as she looked at the Golden Griffin. Griffin species are powerful monsters with excellent abilities. In aerial combat, they’re nearly unmatched, with only dragons posing any real threat. While Great Birds might be slightly faster, they can’t match a Griffin’s durability in a head-on clash.
“Here are the ownership tokens.”
An A-rank hunter from Haeyeon, who had likely spent a lot of time and effort acquiring and protecting these monsters, took out three tokens from their inventory.
Yuhyun immediately handed them over to me.
“I’m counting on you again.”
“Leave it to me.”
There’s not much to worry about with the Black and White Unicorns since they’re herbivores and relatively docile. The Griffin is the only concern, but with Peace around, it should be fine. As I held the tokens, the monsters simultaneously turned to look at me. The unicorns still seemed a bit frightened, but the Griffin’s eyes were bright and lively. Those eyes were such a beautiful shade of blue, like deep, vibrant gemstones.
“The unicorns are a male-female pair, and the Griffin is female.”
Yuhyun informed me. So they have clear genders. Our Peace is still undetermined, and so is Chirp. Maybe I should take Chirp to a chick sexer, or perhaps a bird specialist.
Creak
The Griffin’s cage was the first to open. Without a hint of fear, the baby Griffin hopped out and shook itself off.
-Screee!
It let out a joyous sound.
-Scree, scree!
Seemingly excited to be out of the cage, it bounced around and stretched its wings wide. After loosening up, it alternated its gaze between me and the unicorns, tilting its head as if deciding which to approach first.
“Don’t attack the unicorns.”
There’s no way it would understand, but I said it anyway. Like in the legends of our world, dungeon Griffins also had a liking for horses—as prey, that is. With the rank difference, there’s no way I should keep the Black and White Unicorns and the Griffin together.
The more baby monsters I have, the more troublesome this becomes.
-Screech!
The Griffin, its fluffy lion tail flicking, turned toward me. Its blue eyes were still sparkling, and its slightly parted beak looked like it was smiling. Despite being suddenly kidnapped and dragged across the sea, it had an entirely innocent expression.
-Scree! Scree!
It gave a high-pitched cheer and bounded toward me. The wings were quite large, so I wondered if it couldn’t fly yet. No sooner had I thought that than its pale, milk-colored wings spread wide.
Flap
The Griffin lightly soared into the air, bringing it eye-level with me. Just like with Peace, a message window popped up.
[The title ‘Perfect Nurturer’ enhances the effect of the item ‘Ownership Token.’
The tamed creature shows affection toward the nurturer.]
“You’re really cute, aren’t you?”
The little thing was adorable in appearance, but its playful puppy-like expression was absolutely lovable. I put the ownership token into my inventory and spread my arms.
“Come here.”
-Scree?
The Griffin tilted its head, circled once in the air, then dived at me.
“Be careful!”
“Ugh!”
Yuhyun quickly grabbed the Griffin by its wings, but its hard beak still grazed my chest rather harshly. Since a C-rank stat Griffin had charged at full force, if Yuhyun hadn’t caught it, my ribs might have broken.
“Here, drink this.”
Moon Hyunah offered me an open potion.
“I don’t really need a mid-rank potion…”
“I don’t bother with low-rank.”
Oh, okay. I get it, but it still feels wasteful. I should start moving beyond my F-rank spending habits, but it’s hard. Still, since it was free, I drank it.
“You shouldn’t handle the Griffin directly, Hyung.”
Yuhyun said, frowning slightly.
“Unlike Peace, it seems to have poor control over its strength, so you could get seriously hurt.”
-Screee!
The Griffin, still suspended by its wings, flailed its four legs in the air. Judging by its innocent expression, it didn’t seem like it had any intention of hurting me.
“It’s not that it can’t control its strength. It flew up so skillfully, didn’t it? It probably doesn’t realize how weak I am.”
If it was unskilled at controlling its body, it wouldn’t have flown around so easily. Not just flying—it even executed a perfect hover and spin.
“It’s probably never considered the idea that it could be stronger than something else. It’s been around mid-rank hunters at least, if not other monsters.”
Since there was no malice and it was already tamed, I just needed to teach it. The only problem is that I can’t explain things to it with words.
If you can’t talk it out, you’ll have to show it.
“Do you have any high-rank potions?”
I asked as I rolled up my right sleeve. Mid-rank should be enough, but just in case. Yuhyun was the first to react to my words.
“Wait, Hyung. What exactly are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to teach this little Griffin how weak I am.”
“And teaching it means—”
“Just hold onto the kid and stay out of this. If you interfere, it’ll just take longer.”
Yuhyun’s expression was far from happy, probably because he’d figured out what I was going to do.
“There’s no need to go that far. We could get someone else to do it.”
“Why drag in some poor, unrelated F-rank? It’s my job to take care of the monster.”
Besides, it wouldn’t be easy to teach it if there wasn’t any affection involved. With my title effect, it should be over quickly.
“Hyung’s right.”
Moon Hyunah said, shaking the high-rank potion she’d taken out.
“You’ll have to take care of various monsters in the future, so you can’t start pushing things onto others already. And Haeyeon Guild Master, I know you care about your brother, but he’s a hunter too, you know? Hunters get attacked by monsters all the time. Even if he’s in a special position, he’s still deeply involved in the hunter world, so you shouldn’t get so worked up over something like this. Or are you planning to keep him locked up forever?”
He actually was trying to do just that. This is him being better.
Maybe feeling a bit guilty, Yuhyun didn’t argue any further and just stayed silent. His expression was still sour, so I’ll have to comfort him later to prevent him from acting out again.
“You’re a good little thing.”
I reached out toward the Griffin, who was staring at me with those bright, round eyes. Despite being held in the air by its wings, it quickly smiled and wagged its tail. It really does seem to have a great personality.
-Screee!
It extended its neck and—
Chomp!
“Ow!”
It bit my hand without warning. I deliberately cried out loudly and forcibly pulled my hand away, stepping back. I avoided making eye contact with the Griffin, turning my head away.
-Screee
A high-rank potion was poured over the wound on my hand, where the flesh had been torn so badly that the bone was visible. A mid-rank potion would’ve sufficed. Still, the high-rank potion worked wonders, healing the wound instantly. Expensive stuff really is the best.
“You okay?”
Moon Hyunah asked as she capped the potion. I nodded and turned back around.
The Griffin had its eyes wide open in shock. Judging by its reaction, it seemed to understand the situation quickly.
“No biting. It hurts.”
I spoke soothingly as I extended my hand again. Its beak reflexively opened, then closed again. Instead, it grabbed my hand tightly with both front paws. Its exposed claws dug into my skin.
“Ow!”
I yelled out again and quickly turned away.
-Kyuuu
This time, the Griffin let out a noticeably subdued sound. I treated my hand again and waited a moment. After ignoring it for about ten minutes, I turned back to the Griffin. It had been hanging its head, but now it lifted it quickly.
-Screee!
I smiled as I approached again. When I extended my hand this time, the Griffin didn’t bite or grab it. I gently petted its head and the underside of its beak.
-Screee, screee!
“Good, good. You’re a good one.”
As I stroked the tip of its beak, I slowly slipped my fingers into the gap as it opened slightly. It bit down cautiously but started to apply a little too much pressure.
“Ow!”
I acted as if it hurt, and the Griffin immediately loosened its beak.
-Screee
“Well done. You can’t bite too hard. It hurts.”
When I touched its beak again, it bit down lightly, just enough to hold my fingers without causing pain.
“You can let go now.”
Yuhyun released his grip on the Griffin’s wings. The baby Griffin flapped into the air, hesitating before gently placing one front paw on my chest instead of pouncing. Smart little thing.
I extended my arms and hugged the Griffin.
-Screee! Screee!
“Don’t struggle. Keep your claws in. That’s right. Yuhyun, this little one doesn’t have a name… I assume.”
This is the guy who didn’t even give Peace a name after having him for a month. No way he already named the new monsters.
What should I call her? I looked down, and she chirped happily, gazing up at me with those striking blue eyes.
“Blue.”
-Screee!
So cute. She’s so fluffy and warm. The unicorns will just be Black and White. Short, simple, easy to understand. That’ll make it easier to call them during battle.
“Looking forward to working with you, Blue.”
-Screee!
As she nuzzled her yellow beak against me, I pressed my cheek against it in return.
Click!
The sound of a phone camera went off. It was Moon Hyunah. She was smiling as she pointed her phone at me.
“Don’t take pictures without permission.”
“Oh, don’t be so uptight. I just want to pretend we’re close. Want to take one together?”
“No, thanks. Please delete the photo.”
“Why are you only like this with me? What about your brother?”
Why Yuhyun? I turned to look at him, but there wasn’t even a hint of a phone. She’s dragging my poor brother into this for no reason again.
“Hand over the phone.”
“Want to trade it for a picture of me?”
No, I don’t. After forcing her to delete the photo, I approached the unicorns’ cage. The two foals looked up at me with identical head tilts, like twins. They’re really cute too. Then again, it’s rare to find a baby animal that isn’t.
-Screee! Screee!
Just then, Blue suddenly flew out of my arms. Then—
Bang!
-Neigh!
-Snort!
She rammed into the unicorns’ cage. The loud noise made the cage rattle, and the frightened unicorns scurried to the corner.
“Blue! No!”
-Screee!
Blue scratched at the unicorns’ cage with her front paws. When the cage didn’t budge, she turned to look at me as if asking for help. I guess the unicorns seem like a tasty lunch to her.
“They’re not your food, you little rascal.”
I pried her off the cage, and though she grumbled, she obediently nestled back into my arms. Geez, I’ll have to be really careful with these three.
For safety, the unicorns were moved separately. Even after that commotion, Blue’s gaze toward the foals remained sharp, so it seemed wise to manage the unicorns and Griffin separately going forward. It’s hard enough for an adult, let alone a baby, to suppress the instinct to go wild for horse meat.
“Are you sure you can really take her home?”
Yuhyun asked as he looked at Blue, who was clinging to me. Just a moment ago, she’d been shrieking loudly when I tried to put her in a cage.
“We can’t keep them apart forever. I might as well introduce her to Peace now.”
Hopefully, the two get along well. As brother and sister. Or maybe as sisters?
–TL Notes–
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