Oriharukon (1)
After running into that massive chicken comparable to a sword-toothed tiger, there weren't any real dangers. Sure, every now and then I'd spot snakes, giant lizards, or hawks the size of pterodactyls, and all sorts of bizarre creatures. But luckily, I never actually crossed paths with any of them. It was all thanks to this shield—an upgrade over the golden shield, something called an Adamant-whatever. It proved its worth every time danger reared its head.
This is turning into a dinosaur safari or something.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw that hawk the size of a pterodactyl. Good thing it had already finished hunting; otherwise, I would've been in real trouble. And the prey it had snatched up wasn't exactly small either.
No way a bird made off with Wonmo, right?
Wonmo's footprints and Ppareumbo's claw marks still stretched out ahead. But after spotting that pterodactyl-like hawk just now, I couldn't help feeling uneasy. If the trail suddenly cut off, it meant they'd gone airborne. Ppareumbo was strong on the ground, but getting kidnapped into the sky would leave it helpless.
"Wonmo! Where are you? Answer if you're there!"
I called her name as I followed the tracks. That's when I found what looked like a snake she'd half-eaten. Its head was cleanly crushed, body torn to shreds, still twitching faintly—fresh kill.
She's close.
I'd nearly caught up to Wonmo and Ppareumbo. The problem was the tracks were getting faint. Ppareumbo's claw marks were still visible, but no paw prints at all. The trees were dense, and the ground was overgrown with grass.
Just you wait till I find you.
I'm gonna give that butt a good spanking. And Ppareumbo's getting an earful for not stopping her. Unless there's a damn good reason.
...But does it even matter if I forgive it?
It's stronger than me anyway. I shook off the thought and pressed on. Finally, the dense forest started thinning out. Which was even more problematic—leaving the woods meant entering new territory. Please don't let it be one of those space-warped zones.
-Kyuuuuwuuu!
A familiar cry rang in my ears. Only Wonmo made a sound that cute.
"Wonmo?!"
I whipped my head toward the noise. It sounded urgent. Was she being chased? Even with Ppareumbo there, the desperation suggested serious danger.
"Wonmo! Over here! Here!"
"Kyuuuuwuuu!"
She must've heard me—the cries grew louder. The bushes in that direction started shaking violently.
Shwaak!
"Kyuuuuwuuu!"
Wonmo burst from the bushes—with Ppareumbo strapped to her back. Relief washed over me for a split second, then shock as I saw what followed.
Shwaak! Shuk!
"Peeyak! Peeyak! Peeyak!"
"Pyaak! Pyak-pyak!"
Those black-bodied chicks from earlier. Not just one— a whole flock poured out, flapping their wings energetically. They looked kinda cute, but the size... Human-sized chicks charging in a horde? Terrifying.
"Peeyak? Peeyak?"
"Peeyak?"
The chicks chasing Wonmo froze when they spotted me. My sudden appearance threw them off; they seemed to be sizing up the situation.
"Kyuu... Kyuuu...."
Wonmo clung to my leg, trembling. Clearly terrified of the chicks.
Can't blame her.
To her smaller size, it must've felt like elephants on her tail. Meanwhile, Ppareumbo on her back looked totally chill.
-Kkokkio!!!
We were in a standoff when a mighty rooster crowed from afar. The chicks perked up, glancing at each other.
"Peeyak. Peeyak."
"Peeyak."
They exchanged some chick chatter, then turned and vanished into the bushes. That rooster call must've been the "all clear" or recall signal.
"Phew."
"Kyuuuwuu."
I let out a sigh of relief as the tension broke. Wonmo slid down my leg, finally relaxing.
"...Wonmo."
"Kyuu?"
"Do you even know what you did wrong?"
She tilted her head, clueless. Yeah, telling her off now would be like reciting scriptures to a cow. Ppareumbo probably only hitched a ride after she bolted, so no scolding there either.
"Sigh. Let's head back. This place is too dangerous."
"Kyuu. Kyu."
At "head back," she tugged my pants with her beak, trying to lead me somewhere. Maybe she'd found something. I glanced around cautiously—could be worth checking.
I logged into the Gallery.
Plenty of time left.
Took about two hours to find her. Lunch was still ahead, but I couldn't wander forever—had to factor in return time. Especially with stuff for PassingDwarf.
Post about finding her first.
I wedged Wonmo between my legs so she wouldn't bolt while typing. Ppareumbo hopped onto my back in the meantime.
Found the troublemaker
YasaengGrill (Photo of Wonmo looking up from between my legs)
Found this troublemaker. Nearly gave me a heart attack splitting up like that. Good thing Ppareumbo tagged along, or it'd have taken forever.
└Cheonma: Glad you found her. No injuries?
└YasaengGrill: Ran into a huge chicken midway, but no damage.
└Cheonma: A chicken? How big?
└YasaengGrill: Way taller than me, height-wise. Chicks were eye-level with me.
└Cheonma: Hm. Hard to say if it's a spirit beast or just an oversized fowl.
└YasaengGrill: Chickens can be spirit beasts?
└Cheonma: All flora and fauna can evolve into spirit beasts given the right conditions.
└SwordTasteStar: How about catching it for a hearty meal?
└YasaengGrill: My head would've been smashed first lol. Scariest shit ever.
└SwordTasteStar: The guy who took down a tiger scared of a chicken?
└YasaengGrill: Yep.
└SwordTasteStar: Fair enough.
└lololol
└Look at her just accept it lmao
└PassingDwarf: Hey punk, when's my snacks? My buddy's grumbling about the delay.
└YasaengGrill: Sorry for real. By tonight or tomorrow.
└PassingDwarf: Better believe there's extra for the wait.
└YasaengGrill: Two geoducks enough?
└PassingDwarf: More than that—gimme some fish. Wanna try it.
└YasaengGrill: Can do, but you're cleaning 'em yourself.
└PassingDwarf: Deal.
Gallery reactions checked—time to head back.
"Kyuu. Kyu."
But Wonmo kept nagging to go somewhere. First outing in ages; she seemed reluctant to call it quits. Time was on our side, so why not? I'd bolt if it got dicey.
"Fine. But if it's dangerous, we run. Got it?"
"Kyuu!"
She beamed at my okay. I chuckled at that adorable face and patted her head.
Gotta install bars at the cave entrance.
No wonder pet owners do that. Essential for preventing escape attempts. Once her naps end, she'll be glued to me anyway.
"Alright. Lead on."
"Kyuu!"
I followed with Wonmo in front. She stuck close now, aware of the risks— even checking back to make sure I kept up. This is why people get pets, I thought, just as she turned and cried out.
"Kyuu!"
Pointing ahead with her paw like "right here."
I looked.
"A cave?"
Yeah, a cave. Wide-open entrance. Unlike the golden mushroom spot, nothing guarded it—just a dark, ominous maw welcoming us. Kinda creepy.
"Wonmo. We really gotta go in?"
"Kyuu!"
Her adventure spirit outdid mine. Puppy curiosity, I guess. I told her to wait, scouted around. Too dark inside—torch essential. Good thing I brought cloth and oil.
Fwoosh!
Torch lit—ready to enter. Wonmo led only as far as the light reached.
Downhill from here.
Soon a slope began. I told her to back off, thrust the torch forward. Gentle incline with footholds—should be fine climbing back. Still, caution.
"Wonmo. Hang on a sec."
"Kyuu?"
Bought two long ropes from Gallery, tied them securely to a sturdy rock.
Safe even if we slip.
One around my waist, one hers. Skipped Ppareumbo—those claws were grip enough. Safety set, I descended slowly. Even as a cub, she moved nimbly, outpacing me.
These boots are gold.
Non-slip soles prevented mishaps. Still watched my step—twisted ankle would be disaster.
"Whew."
Bottom of the steeper slope. Checked for more—nope, flat ground.
"Whoa..."
The cavern's scale drew a gasp. Torchlight alone, but no issue—my eyes pierced the dark enough for terrain.
No dangerous critters...
Bats, bugs, snakes—big but harmless. Snakes bolted at our approach. To Wonmo, though? Snacks.
"Shaaah!"
"Kyakyaak!"
Pathetic snake vs. owlbear cub skirmish. No fangs, no threat—her reflexes shredded it.
Owlbear's an owlbear, alright.
While she munched, I explored.
But...
Shining the torch revealed something odd. The whole cave sparkled like jewels—not one spot, everywhere. Even the ground underfoot glimmered faint purple.
What the hell?
Picked up a loose stone—same subtle purple sheen. No ordinary rock.
Ask Gallery. Dwarf should know.
Grabbed a few for ID. Scanned for more oddities—nothing but the pervasive purple glow.
That looks human-shaped.
Spotted a giant-like statue. Touched it—no reaction. Natural formation.
Recon done, prepped to leave.
"Gotta shower soon—ticks everywhere."
"Kyuu?"
"Yeah, you. You. Food, then bed."
Back to shelter quick—marked the path, no detours. Two-and-a-half-hour Wonmo adventure over.
But chores piled up.
Food, ID these rocks, bathe Wonmo. Busy busy.
Posted query first: What's this rock? Valuable? Auction or dwarf-process it.
Bolts from crossbow arrows?
Started chores. Bathe Wonmo—bush-diving meant ticks galore.
"Kyuuuwuu..."
"Feel good?"
"Kyuu!"
"Living like royalty, huh."
Wonmo bobbed in warm water, face poking out. Good deed done despite the hassle.
Showered myself, checked posts.
└PassingDwarf: Told ya, that's Oriharukon. Swear even drunk I'd know it.
└Or what? Bet your beer?
└Fine, I admit lmao
└PassingDwarf: Ugh damn; that's harsh;
└Punk chickened out lol
└Mithril but can't stake beer?
└Honestly dwarves can't resist beer lol
└SunForever: Looks like Oriharukon to me? Pic of mine for comparison.
└What kinda guy even are you with Oriharukon on hand?
└SunForever: Setan rich boy
└Lmao revolutionary answer
"?"
Something weird had happened while I was gone.