Dungeon & Commander (68)
The pillar of light was no longer visible. They had plunged into a point no one in their right mind would enter.
A vast grassy plain stretched out like rippling waves, and atop it sat a massive boulder. The broad rock was perfectly flat.
Kim Jun steered the Haren Saurus toward it.
He dismounted first and climbed onto the boulder, stomping hard on its surface.
If this were the shell of some living turtle-like monster, it'd be a goldmine.
Fortunately, it was just a rock.
"Over here. We're taking a break. The big guy needs it too."
Kim Jun beckoned.
Baek Seungtae slid awkwardly off the Haren Saurus's back and hit the ground rolling. His shoulder throbbed as if it might tear apart, and the bite wound burned fiercely. Through the shredded leather of his outfit, the gash was fully exposed.
That bite got me good. Could get contaminated if I'm not careful. Gotta get out of here fast.
Baek Seungtae staggered to his feet and lurched toward the boulder.
He hadn't exactly expected a helping hand, but seeing Kim Jun flop down on the rock with his arms pillowed behind his head irked him all the same.
The Haren Saurus had wandered off somewhere.
"...Hey, the monster's gone."
"It'll come back."
Kim Jun replied without sitting up.
Feeling like a fool, Baek Seungtae swallowed his irritation—though he couldn't think of anything clever to say anyway. Climbing onto the boulder jostled his injured shoulder and arm, sending waves of pain crashing through him.
"Hoo."
A long sigh escaped as he finally sat. Glancing sideways, he saw Kim Jun with his eyes closed, breathing steadily as if asleep.
What the hell is this guy? And how'd he pull off that Haren Saurus? Ah, the Domoto Ring can tame small monsters. But he's just a carrier. And no ring on his finger. So not that. How'd he do it?
Baek Seungtae nearly asked, then held back. Curiosity bubbled up again, but he bit his lip.
"Tamed it."
Kim Jun said.
"...Tamed it? How?"
"You see it in documentaries—taming wild horses. Kinda like that."
"S-So, no tools or anything? You just tamed that Haren Saurus all by yourself?"
"Crazy move. That's why I'm out here solo now, cut off from the team."
Kim Jun meant it—he truly regretted it.
If he'd jumped off the bucking Haren Saurus early, he could've rejoined the team in no time. But the urge to tame it had pulled him in, and now he was being hunted by a pack of Ulpensauruses.
Kim Jun sat up and eyed Baek Seungtae.
Caught staring like he was some exotic specimen, Baek Seungtae whipped his head away.
"So why'd you chase after me? Don't tell me you hate my guts so much you ditched your team to follow."
"...Crazy move."
Kim Jun burst out laughing.
Baek Seungtae almost joined in but forced it down—didn't want to laugh with a carrier.
His eyes flicked to the bloodied digger lying beside Kim Jun.
He could still picture it: that digger Kim Jun had jammed straight through an Ulpensaurus's skull.
"How'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Killed that Ulpensaurus with a digger. No normal person could move like that. Not even with carrier training."
Baek Seungtae realized he hadn't thanked this annoying carrier once. He had to—it wasn't right owing a debt to one. But not right now.
"Contamination."
"What?"
Kim Jun explained what had happened to him on Devils Day.
He told of the miraculous survival thanks to the Raiposaurus, then added that the contamination had boosted his reflexes.
"...I see."
The hatred drained from Baek Seungtae's voice.
This guy wasn't some cocky carrier... he was just a poor soul who'd gotten contaminated fighting to survive.
"Strength too. Still just carrier level, though."
"Nah. No raider's ever tamed a Haren Saurus barehanded. Hell, no one even thinks to try. Contamination or not, you've gone beyond carrier territory."
"Yeah?"
Kim Jun found the situation amusing. Coming from a guy who'd tried to kill him earlier, no less.
"Watch yourself. Contamination side effects can hit anytime, anywhere."
"I know."
"Your team too?"
"Of course."
Then came the wolf howls—not one or two, but dozens baying in unison.
Kim Jun stood, and the Haren Saurus returned. He mounted swiftly from the boulder and glanced at Baek Seungtae.
"...It really came back?"
"It knows. Can't survive here without the pack. And it needs me—I'm its boss now. Anyway, we should run."
"...Yeah."
With Kim Jun's help, Baek Seungtae clambered onto its back.
The Haren Saurus broke into a powerful gallop.