Territory Marking and Scented Misunderstandings
We decided to handle the territory marking whenever there was time to spare. But first, I needed to meet with Porori and discuss it.
Even if it was to create a boundary on the outskirts, territory was an extremely sensitive matter for beasts. Overlapping territories could lead to mutual wariness that escalated into outright hostility. In severe cases, it might even spark full-blown territorial disputes and fights.
Lord would prevent that, but it was better to prepare for the worst.
"It'd be great if Ratatosk gives permission, but we have to consider the possibility of refusal. In that case, you might have to handle it all yourself, Sivar."
"Fine."
"Sorry for putting you through so much. Is there anything you want?"
Something I wanted, huh. I thought about Lord's offer for a moment.
I was already getting sweets like candy and cake from Kara and Grace. Food wasn't an issue either, and I planned to fill up on Usk meat for a while. Nothing was lacking, but one thing nagged at me.
Money.
'Once Kara finishes the auction, we'll have a good amount...'
The key here was how to store that money. A massive sum was coming in at once.
Luckily, this world had nations advanced in science, so banks existed. Depositing there would be safe.
But to do that, I needed personal identification. No ID, no bank account.
'Guess I'll have to leave it with Kara for now.'
Tatar was a young nation but booming in trade. They were naturally sensitive to money matters and had adopted banking and finance accordingly. Leaving it to Kara made sense. She wouldn't do anything weird with my money.
"Nothing comes to mind right now, I see. Take your time. I could teach you a few techniques if you want. Interested in learning swordsmanship?"
"Later."
"Hm. A shame."
He's subtly trying to teach me swordsmanship. Of course, training under Lord would be great. If Luna did too, she'd leap not one step, but several ahead.
But for me right now, swordsmanship was pointless. My main weapon was an axe, and even hand-to-hand was overwhelming. More importantly, Lize said my strength was irregular movements. Learning a specific martial art would erase that advantage, she advised.
'Just the basics for everything.'
Sword, spear—whatever, just the fundamentals, then done. Dig one well deep to succeed, but I'm the exception. Specializing would dull my other edges.
Plus, time was insanely short. I had Rampage control training with Lize every weekend; adding more would complicate things.
"Then we need to talk to Ratatosk... When do you think he'll be back?"
"Soon, probably. I'll pass it on."
"Thanks. Here's a map of the academy..."
Lord trailed off, then went, "Ah," as if remembering something.
"By the way, Sivar. Can you read maps?"
"No."
Of course not. And even if I had one, it wouldn't matter much. I already knew all the paths. What map? As long as I didn't venture deep into the Chaos Forest, it was fine.
"I go alone. Know paths."
"Hmm... Still, better with company, just in case."
"Lize there."
"Ah, right, Lize."
Mentioning Lize instantly relaxed Lord's expression. I hadn't even thought of that.
As mentioned, I trained Rampage control with her every weekend. I could handle territory marking then too. Luna would naturally tag along.
Busy days ahead.
"This seems like a good place to wrap up. We'll keep this secret for now. Tell the professors after it proves effective."
"Why secret?"
Luna asked with a puzzled look. Ellie wore the same expression, sharing the sentiment.
Lord chuckled at their faces, took a sip of tea, then gave a reasonable explanation.
"Wasn't planning to at first. But after hearing Sivar's method, I changed my mind. If word of such a brutal approach spreads, what happens to Sivar's position?"
I didn't care. Reputation? I'd tossed that far away long ago. After midterm prelims treating me like a terrorist suspect, would this shake me? If anything, it'd just reinforce the "wild man acting wild" rep I'd been getting steadily. No big deal.
"It's not just reputation—it's basic human decency. Honestly, I don't like it either. Just no better option right now."
Humanity was the issue. I could feel he treated me as a person. Made me a bit sorry, since all I gave him daily was frustration herbs.
Time to expand territory diligently.
"Even in the official notice, no mention of Sivar. Just say the outskirts stabilized."
"Won't they suspect? Might think more dangerous monsters appeared."
Ellie raised a perfectly valid point. Stability was good, but it could breed suspicion. Might even expose Porori's existence.
I could hide it somehow, but...
Lord, anticipating this, replied calmly.
"No worries. Just announce it doesn't attack humans. Professors will coordinate. Good thing's a good thing—they'll let it slide."
True. Nature baffled even renowned scholars. Stability benefited the academy. They'd gloss over it.
No environment for panic either. We had Porori contributing to stability.
Just proceed quietly till then. If exposed, Lord would cover.
"Any questions?"
"No."
"None."
"Sorry for wasting your time. Oh, Sivar—I've arranged forest access anytime."
With planning done and Lord's well-wishes, we dispersed.
Classes canceled due to Usk appearance. Afternoon free.
'Still time till lunch.'
About an hour till baby Usk butchering. Nothing to do till then.
Same for others—we chatted idly.
"What? You met the president?"
Perfect timing—ran into Kara. She'd dropped blade tusks at the smithy, heading back.
Curious as we exited the president's residence.
Wanted to explain, but not now.
Ellie, spotting Kara, suggested right away.
"Wanna go see Ratatosk? Plenty of time till lunch, and we can explain to Kara too."
"Yeah."
Decided to find Ratatosk.
Forest entry banned due to Usk, but Luna mentioned Lord's permission—they let us in quick.
Power's convenient.
Back in Chaos Forest outskirts. Occasional beast roars—still chaotic.
En route, explained to Kara what happened with Lord.
Shocked at first, but saw merit, reacted positively.
"By the way, sis. Smithy making weapons from blade tusks?"
"Yeah. Pick up in a week. Pay then. Auction this weekend—should be fine."
"Any... no, never mind."
She definitely meant to ask if extras remained. Classic Luna.
Lucky for her, I wondered too.
Asked Kara.
"Leftovers?"
"Asking if any left? Obviously. Enough for my sword and your axe. If not, pay with it. Convert to cash?"
"Intact ones only."
"Got it. Heard tusks priciest. At least 1 million silver minimum?"
Silver coins were base currency here. Fit the era.
One silver ≈ 100 Korean won. So, 100 million won.
"That pricey? Jealous. Sivar's rich now."
"Minimum. Auction could go higher. With other parts, 3 million possible."
"Buy tasty stuff with that. Don't overeat."
Tasty food and bank savings. Leaving management to Kara for now.
But rumors of big money would draw scammers. Block them thoroughly—unless it's who I want, then accept immediately.
'Still a student, right?'
One grade above, from memory. Not supposed to appear yet.
But grabs huge funds via special event. Big help for me and Kara.
"Where's Ratatosk? You know, Sivar?"
"Why call me, missy?"
Wandering forest when Ellie grumbled—familiar voice from behind.
Speak of the tiger... Porori, perfect timing.
How?
"Ah, Ratatosk. Got something to say. Work with Sivar."
"With him? What?"
"Well..."
Ellie explained Lord's plan step by step.
Ratatosk listened intently.
After, positive response.
"Don't care. Mark or not, these guys weak. But condition."
"What?"
"If female I like, she mine. That's it."
Reasonable. Females in territory = predator's property.
Doesn't change courtship effort, though. Males' sad fate.
"Whatever."
"Yeah, you wouldn't care. Lucky different species, at least."
Thought it'd go smooth.
Till...
"Why no mark over there?"
"Huh?"
"Not here—there. Mark there too."
Pointing academy-ward.
Porori questioned no academy marking.
Absurd. Pants down in plaza, piss everywhere?
"...Ratatosk. Humans mark different. And not personal."
"Oh? Yeah, that old human holds strong—no territory easy."
Luna explained; Porori nodded understanding.
Then pitiful look, "comforted" me.
"Can't take females free then. Till you beat old human."
"..."
Speechless. Beast brain limit?
Funniest: couldn't refute.
Crappy language couldn't explain civilization's complexity.
Touch these girls? Lord and Lize would personally re-educate.
"Humans got their way. But you marked females already?"
"No."
"Huh? No? Weird."
What's weird? This squirrel.
Thought maybe Ellie—then Porori tilted head, locked eyes with one person.
Not Ellie, not Kara—Luna.
Pointed stubby paw, baffled tone.
"Didn't mark this female first? Last time, reeked of you."
"...What?"
"...Me?"
I—and targeted Luna—stunned.
My scent on Luna? What?
Ellie: buried face in chest.
Kara: sparring rubs.
Luna: zero direct contact.
"That wandering yesterday...?"
Whatever misunderstanding—no way.
Replied inwardly to Kara's mutter.
Hear details first. Figure Porori's error.
"Marked gold missy from first meet? Your scent strongest on her. Intense."
"..."
Damn. Chaos Forest first meet—shit step.
Beast view: understandable mistake.
To clear: explain that incident.
Grave to grave.
"Luna. What? Marked you from first meet?"
"That..."
Ellie grilled; Luna eyes darted.
Kara watched, sensing timeline off.
Luna rolled eyes awhile—probably guessed.
"...Yeah. Hard to say."
Couldn't spit it—evaded.
Humanity touching. But sharp glares inevitable.
This rat's useless when needed.
While inwardly cursing Porori, quiet Kara asked.
"Can't say? Hint then. Wasn't there. What happened?"
"Hard direct."
"Why?"
"It's..."
I pondered Luna's follow-up.
"Kinda beastly method..."
"..."
That mouth summons disasters.
Faith rises!
Thanks anyway, Luna.