Kkobong (2)
My vision spun wildly. Time crawled by in slow motion. Kkobong, the albino gorilla once known as Wi-baek, harbored a question amid the dizzying blur.
What... the hell...?
Be it beast or man, death in a split second is hard to register. But Kkobong saw it clear as day. In a world spun 180 degrees, the sloth was staring right at him. Its razor-sharp claws were slick with blood. Too late, he realized that sloth had cleanly sliced his throat.
"Uwaa?!"
Kkobong's eyes bulged in sheer terror. Cold sweat poured down, his heart pounding like a drum. Freed from the illusion, the first thing he did was paw at his neck. Just moments ago, his head had been flying through the air. But now it was back on, good as new.
Wh-what the fuck just happened...?
Even if it was an illusion, it was too real to brush off. A human would feel the same. Kkobong kept groping his neck, then looked up with trembling eyes.
There stood the sloth, wearing its usual laid-back expression. It even tilted its head, like What happened?
N-no way...?
Beast instinct screamed it wasn't an illusion. If that arm had swung all the way down, illusion would've turned real. Beasts can't handle higher thinking, as mentioned before. But anything tied to survival—death—they grasp faster than anyone.
Scratch-scratch.
Scratch-scratch.
Oblivious to Kkobong's shock, Ppareumbo just scratched its head. Like, Speak up if you've got something to say. But after tasting death's preview, what words could a beast muster? Kkobong backed away slowly, putting distance between them.
Now I get it.
Why Grills handed the key to this sloth. No trap—it was simple. Ppareumbo was the strongest here. At least Grills couldn't show death illusions like that. So Kkobong drew another conclusion.
This sloth's stronger than that human. Which means...!
The human was just the sloth's underling—a slave! Classic beast logic, yet it nailed their dynamic. Grills offered food tribute for Ppareumbo's protection. Even if he beat Grills, the sloth stood invincible. No freedom.
The boss...
Bosses always have smart lackeys. That human filled the role, handling grunt work too.
Escape... impossible.
Kkobong despaired. Instinct told him: even revived, he couldn't scratch the sloth. Dare attack after a death preview? Only if he hated his life.
But...
Not all bad. Kkobong was a wild 'lone wolf.' In the Four Seasons Forest, few beasts matched this sloth. Maybe his brother, the gorilla leader. Catch its eye, and safety was guaranteed.
Maybe this one's the key...
To toppling that sly bastard. Head freshly 'severed,' his mind raced. Kkobong locked eyes with Ppareumbo, then slowly bowed his head.
"Chio cho chawo."
Roughly: Take me in. Unlike with Grills, submission to true power. Ppareumbo stared blankly, tilting its head. Like it didn't get it. But Kkobong read it different.
Doesn't trust me yet.
Made sense—barging into territory. Wild law said he deserved death. Yet the sloth spared him. Such mercy.
First, earn approval.
Kkobong vowed: prove useful, join as underling. Sideline the chatty human, win trust.
Means obeying that human for now.
Annoying, but bearable. Patience is bitter, fruit sweet—words from his teacher. Plan set, Kkobong showed manners before Ppareumbo. But words weren't enough. Wilds demand action.
Did the human do this?
Unprompted, Kkobong started woodworking. Clumsy, but using Grills' saw technique. Mana blocked, but gorilla strength remained.
"Huh? What's this? Working on your own?"
Perfect timing—Grills returned. His creel teemed with flapping fish. Kkobong glanced, then resumed silently.
"Huh... whatever. Good's good. Let's eat first."
"......"
Kkobong ignored him. Couldn't understand anyway. But spotting Ppareumbo inching over, he stopped. Can't work if the boss preps food. He stuck close, waiting obediently.
Grills cooked as usual.
"Here. Dig in. You too."
Fresh grilled fish, mouthwatering. Kkobong eyed it cautiously, then reached out. Hot from the fire, but edible.
"Good, right? Tasty?"
"......"
Kkobong nodded reluctantly. Had to admit—it was damn good.
Versatile bastard.
Prime slave material. No wonder Ppareumbo trusted him. Kkobong wolfed it down, vowing to outshine Grills.
Gotta work harder.
Slave mentality budding in Kkobong.
"Kyuu?"
"......"
"Kyuuu~"
Wonmo rubbed against his leg—a cute family welcome. Kkobong stared fondly, nodding.
Truly merciful. Even takes in young ones.
Misconceptions piling up.
*****
Back from the river—what'd he eat to turn so docile? Rebellious Kkobong tamed in no time. Hard to pinpoint why, but I could guess.
Ppareumbo laid down the law?
Else his brain got rewired. Proper thrashing broke his spirit. Music to my ears.
Shlick! Shlick! Shlick!
"Good. Just like that."
"......"
Prime worker acquired. Show him once, he handles the rest. Odd habits aside—beast stuff, overlookable. Finer work like planing? Mine. Apes lack finesse. Still, doubled efficiency.
Whoa, already this much?
Logs for legs nearly done. Most wrecked by his rampage restored. His dogged sawing, my planing—teamwork.
"Kkobong. Break time. Dawn's breaking."
"......"
Stubborn as hell. Slave vibes or just deaf? Kept going. Staring, a question hit me.
Who taught him speech?
Gorilla leader brother? Same human teacher? Ppareumbo acted clueless. Probably strayed young. Time passed—even Rice Kraone bit it. Too many questions. Prioritize.
First: who taught speech and martial arts.
Deep expert, teaching gorillas. Could reveal forest entry story. Ask Cheonma.
Normally no, but key stuff needs Jungwon tongue. Smooth talk uncovers details. While Kkobong finished, I pinged Cheonma for translation.
[Cheonma: (photo of question pic) This work?]
[YasaengGrill: Yes. Thanks always.]
[Cheonma: Trivial. Curious what he'll say.]
With her help, question sheet ready. Kkobong approached, fresh despite labor.
"Kkobong. Check this."
"?"
Showed it—puzzled look. Text: Who taught you speech and martial arts? He squinted, leaning in. Poor eyesight.
"Ho augh..."
Read it, started to speak—stopped. Like Why tell you? Glanced at Ppareumbo too. Definitely got schooled while I was gone.
Finally, hesitant: "Wi Ho Chang."
"Wi Ho Chang?"
He nodded. No clue who. Cheonma might. Spelling matches pronunciation, probably right. Filmed it anyway. Asked Cheonma first.
[Cheonma: Wi Ho Chang? If the one I know, shocking figure.]
[YasaengGrill: Who?]
[Cheonma: Cause of Blood War, once called Blood Overlord.]
[YasaengGrill: Oh.]
Overlord. Cool title.
[Cheonma: Also infamous as Blood Demon.]
[YasaengGrill: Famous?]
[Cheonma: Biggest name before I debuted in murim. Ask Gallery if curious.]
[YasaengGrill: Got it.]
Blood Demon. Common with Heavenly Demon in wuxia. Knew basics.
Usually portrayed stronger than Heavenly Demon.
Posted to Gallery.
> Why the fuck ask about that bastard?
> Wi Ho Chang's alive!!!
> Wi!
> Ho!
> Chang!
> Ah. Shit, Blood Cult sniffed it out already;;
> Serious advice: delete quick if you don't want weird comments;;
> YasaengGrill: Why everyone freaking??
Reactions way off script.