Chapter 23: You, Become My Kkamangi!
It definitely had the form of a horse. So I watched the creature a little longer.
Prurrung.
Even its cry sounded like a horse. But its behavior was peculiar. It wasn't approaching me, nor was it fleeing. It had just emerged from the forest edge and seemed at a loss, hovering there uncertainly.
I recalled what I knew about horses. They were friendly to humans, but that applied to domesticated ones—wild horses were different. And they were animals with strong wariness. That was a trait common to herbivores, I'd heard.
"Guess I need to get a bit closer first."
What did horses like? Carrots and sugar cubes came to mind right away. Sugar gave them energy, so they loved it, or so I'd heard. The problem was I didn't have any sugar cubes. But I did have carrots—Stamina-boosting carrots, no less.
I approached cautiously, keeping an eye on the horse.
"You're magnificent."
It was a sleek black horse. One particularly striking feature?
"You've got a horn?"
A horn. A horse with a horn—usually that meant a unicorn, right? But unicorns were white horses. This one was black. Well, unicorns were just figments of Earth's imagination anyway, so no relation to this world's creatures.
"I won't hurt you."
I inched closer, infusing my words with sincerity. I truly had zero intention of harming it. Sure, I wanted to ride it, but never hurt it.
"This is good stuff. Wanna try?"
Worried it might startle, I gently tossed a carrot in front of it. The horse flinched. From what I could tell, it had been chased out of the forest by predators and stumbled into this unfamiliar outside world by accident. It was startled by the new environment and too scared to go back—trapped in that tense spot.
I could sense its extreme tension and fear. It just felt obvious.
"Is this thanks to Animal Affinity?"
Seemed like it. And whether my skill was working or not, the black horse started sniffing the carrot's scent bit by bit. I watched patiently. Then it began munching.
Hiiing!
After devouring one carrot, it neighed happily and went for the next. Once all the tossed carrots were gone, its eyes fixed on the one in my hand.
"Want more?"
I tossed two more. It gobbled them up deliciously, then looked at me again. This time, I dangled the carrot enticingly—come get it if you want.
The horse hesitated, then slowly approached. As it drew near, I extended my arm with the carrot. Cautiously, it lipped it up. Glancing at me warily, it chewed.
The sensation of a horse chomping from my hand was odd. Different from feeding treats to a cat. Not bad, just... peculiar.
"More?"
Prurrung.
I offered another. It munched away. Emboldened, I gently reached for its muzzle. It stayed still. I stroked its nose softly; it just kept eating.
"How about Kkamangi?"
Prurrung?
"That's your name. Like it?"
Did I come on too strong? It was like approaching a woman at a café and declaring, "Today marks day one of us." Even I thought it was a bit much.
Do you wish to tame the target?
Whoa, it worked. I hadn't expected it to, but damn. No wonder dramas pull that off—though usually when the guy's drop-dead gorgeous. In my case, Animal Affinity Level 4 must be doing the heavy lifting.
Hiiing.
Kkamangi neighed once, as if pleased with the name, and licked the back of my hand.
Temporarily tamed target 'Kkamangi'. The system acknowledged it. Though still temporary.
"Let's see what you're made of."
Observation skill used.
No special rewards for feeding, huh? Honestly, that was a relief. Wouldn't want something so amazing I'd be tempted to eat it...
Prurrung?
Sharp instincts—it picked up on my shifting thoughts instantly. Must be those genes from millennia alongside humans... Wait, different world. No human tales here yet. But if there were people, they'd probably domesticate horses too.
"Cool horn."
Not some novel-length meter-plus spiral—just about 30 centimeters. More cute than menacing. Didn't look built for impaling foes like in stories. Never seen it fight, though.
"Kkamangi, tons of tasty stuff here. Eat up first, then we'll talk. Haha."
Whether for work or riding, feed it well first. I'm no exploitative boss. Fatten it up, then put it to use.
"Gonna need a saddle?"
Riding bareback seemed uncomfortable all around. Time to source one—or make it. That meant learning tanning and leatherworking. Worth it long-term, but I needed blueprints first. Research outside, then.
"Let's assume I'll craft my own gear. Need leather for that. Orc hide, maybe? How was it look?"
Fantasy novels featured orc-leather armor and gear aplenty. No clue if these orcs' hides worked, though—never skinned one.
"Baekya, fetch an orc."
Krrroong!
Baekya dashed into the forest and soon dragged one back. I dispatched it easily with my composite bow. Orcs were no challenge anymore.
"Time to skin."
Nyaang?
"Hoya, why the look?"
Hoya seemed to misunderstand. I meant skinning the orc, not...
"Where'd you learn to think like that?"
Nyang!
Hoya flopped down lazily, as if annoyed. Watching it, I felt envious. All day rolling or sleeping—that was Hoya life. Cats slept 21 hours, active 3? Enviable.
"Gonna make a saddle."
Nyang.
Do what you want. I glared playfully, then started skinning the orc.
Skinned properly wasn't easy. Separating flesh from hide required precise cuts—lots to watch. Physically and mentally draining. But self-sufficiency demanded it.
After one hide, a notification popped.
Tanning (Active) Level 1 skill created.
As expected. Now, leatherworking. Not saddle-ready yet, so a simple bag first.
Not simple at all—mine came out a basket. Three hours in, skill unlocked.
Leatherworking (Active) Level 1 skill created.
"Round two."
With the skill, it felt different—easy. Ten baskets later, Level 2.
"This is why I grind."
Gate owner buffs? Or my gate special? Fun either way. Effort yielding rewards? Pure joy. World's woes stem from unrewarded toil—infuriating. Here, no such issue.
"Skill up—more crafting?"
Had Baekya snag three orcs, killed them (leveled up once), tanned hides—Tanning to 2. Allocated +4 Strength, +1 Intelligence. Smarter me? At 23, not genius yet. Dexterity hit 15. Rewards? Addictive. Crucial for focus.
Pushed Leatherworking to 3. Felt capable of more. Whipped up a wallet—sturdy, usable.
"Different charm from woodworking."
Leather gone—more orcs? Nah.
"Break time. Read."
Signaled Baekya; it fluffed into bed form. Plush heaven with book. Hoya snuggled, dozed.
Dog life ain't best—guarding homes. Cats? Play all day, humans entertained. Rare to expect vigilance.
"Your life's better."
Nyaang.
Don't bug sleeping me. Focused on book.
"Weird title."
Hunting Basics—old popular novel, full set cheap used.
Time to dive in.
Back in reality at 5 PM. Needed saddle research—YouTubed, hardware store run. Weekends meant full gate days—bliss.
Prepped, re-entered.
Hiiing!
Kkamangi galloped over, nuzzling my body. Adorable from the start. Stroked its head, drank water. Then Si-yeon's skill popped to mind.
"Magic exists, but..."
How to learn it? Suddenly curious.