Chicken Cart Getaway and Harem Heart-to-Hearts
Riding along, "Peep! Peeep!"
"Yeah, yeah, got it—keep moving on your own, alright?"
The cart-pulling bird—a freaky ostrich-bodied thing with a plump chicken head dangling ridiculously on top—picks up on the faint killing intent I let slip and snaps into position like a green private at attention.
Beasts are simple: just make the hierarchy crystal clear, and they fall in line like clockwork.
Smirking with satisfaction, I watch Nangkangi skittering back and forth across the chicken heads. The little guy's looks are pathetic as hell, but don't let that fool you—he could solo a mid-tier monster without breaking a sweat. Somehow, it communicates in perfect rhythm, tapping out Morse code with its legs, and I'm loving every second of it.
"Nangkangi, the red-tailed one's spicy flavor, and the brown-tailed one's soy sauce flavor—so train 'em right, yeah?"
"Nang!"
"Heh heh. Yeah, that's right. With heads like that, naming 'em after chicken flavors is basically tradition."
Snickering at the chicken association makes my mouth water automatically. These aren't total idiots despite being beasts—they're smart enough to pull carts—so Spicy and Soy Sauce start trembling, desperately avoiding eye contact with me.
Thought they'd send some show-pony horses for flash... guess that merchant has more sense than I figured.
A chuckle escapes as I recall the guy I screwed over when buying the cart. He sent these chicken-heads and the carriage to my mansion anyway, so he's not a total lost cause.
Horses are standard for carts, sure, but adventurers like our party—or anyone practical—prefer these chicken-heads, the official name being cockatrice sub-species. I'm nodding in approval too.
Who knows what fucked-up breeding experiments birthed these, but from what I've gathered, their killer perks are: smarts to read the rider's intent, monster-born combat chops that'd shred low-rank adventurers, and—best for cart-pulling—omnivorous diets.
Plus, the cart they sent prioritizes function over flash... not bad at all.
The rugged, oversized carriage strapped to Spicy and Soy Sauce screams comfort and durability. It even improves my image of that sleazy merchant who'd have been dead otherwise.
"C-Captain! All the luggage is packed..."
A slightly awkward voice tickles my ear. Turning, I spot Tier—back to her early days post-heat, all hesitant and fidgety, unlike her usual self.
She remembers the heat cycle... but is this the same wild, reason-lost frenzy as before?
Just eyeing her up and down with interest wipes away her bold demeanor. Now it's all uncontrollable tail-wagging, flattened ears—the full awkward loner girl package. She peeks at me from under bowed head, jolting away whenever our eyes meet, restless as hell. It's cute, so I snort a laugh and naturally stroke her head.
"If the luggage is packed, wait here with these guys. I'll stuff everything in my Inventory and be out."
"Y-Yeah!"
She nods with head down, so I can't see her full face, but her snowy nape flushes deeper than ever. Looks like my past actions weren't that big a deal. Perfect timing—one good fuck cleared all her grudges toward me. My head bobs in satisfaction.
Problem is, those grudges might've shifted to the others... oh well? Heh heh. Catfights or whatever, let 'em sort it. World's best shows are fire-watching and fight-watching.
No way Tier, Dokgo Hwaryeon, or Park Jisu could imagine life without me anyway. Grinning, I stroll across the yard toward the mansion.
Clunk! Clunk!
"Watch close, Plang? Normal horses are a hassle, but cockatrice sub-species like these are easy. Control the pace like this to handle 'em."
"Ooh... cool! I wanna do it!"
"W-We agreed you'd drive on the way back, so just watch for now?"
"Okay!"
We left the mansion, hit the main road, and ditched the city gates not long ago. From the driver's seat, Tier and Plang's bickering drifts back as the adventurer city's walls shrink in the distance. Hits different.
Thought it'd be tower-climbing and heroine-hunting grind... but even a tower game's still a full world.
Glancing down, the empire map to that bastard Gonjiam's territory—procured via the guild master—catches my eye. Maps are strategic gold in medieval shit like this; guild master's tight grip was funny, but it really drives home how this world goes beyond the mobile game vibe. Kinda sentimental, uncharacteristically.
"Um..."
If I checked a mirror, I'd look like a total simp, but she's seen worse from me. Daphne, sharing the carriage space, hesitantly speaks up.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I... heard from Tier, but... is it... true?"
Figured she and Plang missed the multi-world chat amid heat-cycle sex haze... but looks like big sis duty's on point.
"Yeah, I can hop worlds at will, and like Tier said, I've got other family besides you three."
"Ah..."
"Not discriminating against you or Plang, but your cases differ from Tier's, so I didn't bring it up first... you cool?"
As head of the household, owning fuck-ups means staying bold, not turtling with tail between legs.
Patriarchal world's rigged for it—cheat openly, apologize confidently, lead strong, no drama.
Recalling guild master's life-wisdom during map pickup and "consult," Daphne tilts her head, then smiles and nods.
"Yes. Strictly speaking, Plang and I started different from Tier... honestly, more family doesn't bother me. New bonds won't make you neglect us..."
Listing reasons with a gentle smile. Like she says, my possessive love for mine doesn't yield to anyone. I grin, picking up her words.
"Obviously. If I was gonna ditch you, no way I'd spill this."
"Hehe, exactly."
"Then you're good... what about Plang?"
"Hm... probably same as me. For her, it's not about who's around—it's you being there or not."
"Lucky me, then... anyway, Tier, even if you clash with the others over this, look after 'em?"
"Yes!"
Beaming at her bright nod and smile, I wrap up and glance ahead.
"Something up front—nothing I need to handle, right?!"
"Y-Yeah! Plang and I'll take care of it, so stay inside, Captain!"
Sensing intruders via ki, I bellow to the driver's seat. Tier stammers back like a kid caught red-handed.
Ability reveal went smooth, trash talk forgiven just right... and perfect intruder timing to break ice.
Nice trip shaping up.