Chapter 499: The Date
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 499: The Date
[ Wings Blessed and Loved by Father. ]
[ These are wings crafted with a father's love. Made from the stems, leaves, and petals of plants, these wings are far more durable than they appear. They possess a resistance to physical attacks imbued with magic, including some high-level spells. Influenced by Mistilteinn, they automatically restore health and mana. They can be infused with mana, allowing them to transform into various shapes. In addition... ]
“...”
I didn’t even need to read it all.
‘This is broken.’
Even at a glance, the specs were ridiculous.
I knew I had put a lot of effort into making them, but I never imagined they would create such a synergistic effect. Resistance to physical attacks imbued with magic—that meant it would take the pure physical strength of someone like Goff to deal any real damage. And thanks to the effect of the Mistilteinn within me, it felt like she had received a continuous buff that restored her health and mana.
“Ah...”
Since I was the one who made the wings, it seemed I was able to see their details.
“Father’s… ble-blessing and, lo-love…”
Lapura’s eyes widened immensely as she, too, read the name of the wings. Jung Hayeon had the same reaction. Even without seeing the detailed specs, she could surely sense the immense power these wings held.
“Tae-Taesung-ssi, don’t tell me you…”
“I did.”
“Ah… Congratulations, Lapura.”
“Ye-Yes! Thank you, Father…”
Seeing her clutch the precious wings to her chest, it was clear she was more than pleased. They were not only beautiful in appearance and packed with incredible functions, but the part she seemed to love most was, of course, their name.
“I’m glad you like them.”
It was an unintended stroke of fortune. I felt like I had given a new challenge to Lapura, who was already busy assimilating the powers she possessed. But if she could master them quickly after her coming-of-age, I was certain the Blood Dagger Clan would gain its strongest leader yet.
“What’s going on?”
“Chieftain?”
The remaining problem was the pair who had appeared with such perfect timing. Sensing Lapura’s mana, they must have instinctively known something had happened and entered the tent.
“...”
It was Jang Ye Ri, who had been taking bridal lessons, and Mev, who had just been miserably defeated by Laveua. They must have come with a rough idea of what was happening. It wasn't just Lapura's mana that had spread when her wings emerged. They had surely noticed my own mana mixed in and concluded that Lapura had received something from me. While Choi Eunju and Baek Ahyeon might let it slide, it was only natural for those with children of their own to be intensely curious.
What they saw was Lapura, enveloped in wings that pulsed with enormous power. I had no intention of making excuses, but the wings, imbued with my own strength, left me no room to escape.
“Ha…”
“Chieftain…”
Jang Ye Ri let out a disbelieving laugh, while Mev’s eyes welled up with tears.
“I don’t know what trick you used… but it seems to be a father’s gift for his beloved daughter.”
“...”
“How magnificent. Truly magnificent. The love is so great it spreads throughout the entire tribe. Is this not the very model of a good father? I have seen many families in my time, but never have I witnessed a home with such immense paternal love. Once again, I am convinced you are a good father. However, I would have been less disappointed if you had shared that love just a little…”
“Is… is this favoritism? Fa-Favoritism? Sob… sniffle… Mommy’s sorry for not being good enough, Laveua… Mommy’s sorry for only playing games…”
“How truly disappointing… It feels as if I’ve become a mere concubine, my mate.”
“Hic… sob…”
I had expected this kind of pressure, but their intensity was beyond anything I had imagined. I tried to explain, but my words couldn't possibly reach those who already felt they had been discriminated against. Even Jung Hayeon wore a slightly apologetic expression, and Lapura had suddenly become the guilty party. Jang Ye Ri continued to chip away at me with sarcasm, while Mev collapsed onto the floor in despair.
“Ahem… ahem… O-Of course, I have gifts prepared for Laveua and Ratga as well.”
Of course, I had nothing prepared at the moment.
“That’s a relief. I hope those aren’t just empty words.”
“R-Really?”
Jang Ye Ri was immediately suspicious, while Mev lifted her head.
“It will take some preparation, so I hope you can wait a little…”
That was all I could say. Naturally, I had to start preparing their gifts this very instant. Even if Lapura was the heir, I knew it wasn't right to show such favoritism. The problem was, considering what Lapura had received, any ordinary gift wouldn't even come close.
It would have to be something on par with the weapons I myself carried to be comparable. I decided I would have to visit the Item Shop soon and nodded. I didn't need any more weapons for myself, and my points must have piled up by now. As someone with access to the Secret Store, I was sure I could find some suitable items.
Gifts for the children.
Preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony and a date with Kim Yoora.
I hadn't come to the Brother's Land to rest my body, but it seemed enjoying a vacation was out of the question. I let out a small sigh in the chilly atmosphere of the tent.
*
“What? Really?”
“Ye-Yes, Shakara-unni. I-It just sort of happened. I-It's flustering, but.”
“Did I hear you wrong? Didn’t you say you weren’t interested before? I thought you said you were satisfied with the great gift you received and were living gratefully. Am I wrong? Or did you change your mind all of a sudden?”
Kim Yoora slowly lowered her head. It had been a rather impulsive act, so she had no excuse. In truth, she still remembered what she had told Shakara-unni before.
She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but the feelings that had begun to grow were already beyond her control. It was just a simple date, but lately, she had been too excited to even sleep. She had gotten a promise from him that he would do it before the coming-of-age ceremony, and she had just found out that he remembered. She couldn't count how many times she had cheered after he came to her tent yesterday and asked her to go out with him. Nicole had been so startled by her cheers that she had rushed over to the tent to see what was wrong.
“Y-Yoora also… ah… had a very coincidental opportunity…”
“I wasn’t asking you, Nicole.”
“Ooh…”
“And it’s a bit… to act like that when you’re here to ask for a favor.”
They had sought out Shakara-unni for a specific reason.
“S-Sorry, Shakara. W-We’re complete novices in this area…”
“Honestly, you came to me knowing I also want to be in his arms, right? Though it seems pretty hopeless for me…”
“D-Did you have a close encounter recently, Shakara-unni?”
“Of course, I did. It was for a very brief moment, though. I think he caught on. Maybe it was because of my father, but he hastily left… even that was so charming… Haaah… I swear he’s gotten even sexier since I last saw him. It felt like he was casting some kind of spell. I’m jealous. Still, you’re better off than me, getting to go on a date.”
“...”
“And do you think that was my only encounter? He even shows up in my dreams sometimes… with that gorgeous body… he…”
“Stop! Stop! That’s enough! Shakara!”
“What’s with you, acting like such a prude? Nicole, weren’t you already doing this and that with your little husband?”
“I-I haven’t yet! We-We’re not even married yet! What are you talking about!”
“Hmmmm…”
“A-And with Ratga… w-we still have a p-pure relationship… H-How should I put it… Ratga is still too young… a-and my m-mother-in-law is a little scary!”
“…”
“…”
“Mother-in-law?”
“Mother-in-law?”
“N-No, ah! Anyway, it’s not like that!”
“...”
“Well, we got a little sidetracked… but I’ll ask again. What exactly do you want me to do?”
“Ahem… ahem… W-Well.”
“Yes.”
“I want you to make Yoora look charming!”
“Hmmmm…”
“And my payment?”
“Th-That can come later.”
“…”
“Fine. I’ll take my payment later if things go well. Putting Yoora in my debt isn’t a bad deal.”
“Thank you, unni.”
“No need to thank me. So, when is it?”
“I-In a little while.”
The day they were supposed to go out was today. The offer had been made a few days ago, but she had just been pacing anxiously until she and Nicole finally went to see Shakara-unni.
“What?”
“I-In a little while…”
“How many hours do you have left?”
“Th-Thirty minutes or so…”
She began to feel intimidated by the strange atmosphere. The aura coming from Shakara was that intense.
“You sure took your time coming here. Are you crazy? You came here trying to solve this in just thirty minutes? Be honest. Are you just here to mess with me? Ha… This is absurd. You guys. Are you out of your minds?”
“…”
“Nicole, go to Lord Blood Dagger right now and tell him we might be a little late.”
“What? Unni, n-no, I can’t do that! Make the Chieftain wait!”
“How generous is Lord Blood Dagger? He won’t care about being a few minutes late. He’ll just assume there’s a reason. Nicole, did you not hear me? Hurry up and tell him.”
“O-Okay!”
She watched Nicole dash away. She had come for help, but she couldn't help but sigh, feeling like things were getting complicated. The thought of making the Chieftain wait was something she couldn't even imagine. Her body trembled with guilt.
“I-If he gets angry! Th-Then…”
“Just stay still and listen to me. I’ll do your makeup first. He said he likes humans… and since you’re human, it’s probably best to do your makeup like a human.”
“U-Unni…”
“I’ll finish as fast as I can. It’s a good thing you came with a bare face… If you had put anything on, we would’ve had to start from scratch. Just wait a moment.”
She had heard Shakara was very interested in beauty, and her hands moved differently. With every swift motion, her face changed little by little, a sight that was utterly bewildering. It felt as if she were casting a spell. Her skill surpassed even that of Nicole, who was an excellent artist.
It was no lie that she had mastered not only Green Skin techniques but human ones as well.
“Unni, you’re better than Nicole.”
“Drawing and cosmetics are two different things. Anyway, where did you decide to go?”
“I-I don’t know that part…”
“Still, it must be nice. At least you have a little bit of hope.”
“H-Hope?”
“I have a huge handicap, you see. My father, Black Spear. I thought if I remained the clan heir, I’d get to see him often… but then Lord Blood Dagger suddenly became the Great Tribe Leader, so that went down the drain. At this rate, I should have just gone independent. I should have moved near the Land of Glory…”
“Th-That’s…”
“I’ll have to hold my breath and wait until my father fully retires. Compared to that, your situation is much better, isn’t it? Honestly, you look a lot better now than when you used to go on about gratitude and whatnot. At least you’re being honest with your feelings. What do you think?”
For some reason, she couldn't answer Shakara-unni’s question. She felt it was still too early to say she was being honest. She had never conveyed her feelings, never confessed. She had spoken impulsively, but it was a far cry from what anyone would call a confession.
“…”
“I like you, Yoora.”
“Th-Thank you.”
“Not in that way, but with you, Yoora, maybe just once…”
“Ah…”
“Just kidding.”
“…”
“At first, it was uncomfortable because you were human… but you’re actually more like us than we are… You know what I mean. You’re pure, upright, and strong. You can tell just by seeing how the Giant Wolves follow you.”
“…”
“For now, we might be rivals, but if you succeed, we’ll both be family… so let me give you a piece of advice.”
“Yes? Yes…”
“Don’t get hurt.”
“What?”
“I’m saying you might get hurt. Well, sorry to be a downer. For now, that’s all I can tell you.”
Kim Yoora pressed her lips together at the slightly serious tone. For some reason, Shakara’s words landed with a heavy weight.
‘Don’t get hurt.’
She felt like she could fly. She was so happy, it felt like she was playing in a dream. Right now, those words were impossible to understand.