The Awakened Squirrel's Persistence
"Why'd I even come out here?"
"Already 9 o'clock?"
More than two hours had passed since he'd set out for his walk. Just as he thought it was time to head back, something pinged on his senses. There was a monster beyond the bushes straight ahead.
Over ten of them.
Judging by the numbers, orcs were the most likely, but he couldn't rule out lizardmen or skeletons. Of course, it didn't change the fact that he'd clean them up with one swing.
The moment Park Jaeyoung took a step forward.
Crack!
Something snapped—a branch on the ground, probably. He couldn't let the monsters he'd sensed slip away, so his body shot forward like a bullet.
Park Jaeyoung vaulted the bushes and swung his sword in the same motion. Flames erupted along the arc, erasing fifteen orcs without a trace.
Despite the clean work, Park Jaeyoung frowned.
"Still there?"
The same faint presence he'd felt at the start lingered. He didn't know their intent, but whatever it was, they were still tailing him.
"Should I just grab it?"
It wouldn't be hard. He could just cleave the whole forest in two. Or blow the entire area away—nothing would survive that.
But he wasn't feeling it.
How long would it take for a razed forest to regrow? At least ten years, maybe more.
He wasn't some die-hard environmentalist, but he wasn't a destroyer either.
"Follow me all you want!"
Park Jaeyoung shouted toward the source of the presence. Whatever it was, it was clearly interested. If it wanted to keep tailing him, fine.
He spun on his heel and headed back toward his tent. The thing dogged his steps faithfully.
When Park Jaeyoung stopped, it stopped. When he moved, it moved. Even now, at the forest's edge.
Park Jaeyoung glanced back. The dense foliage and its small size hid it from view. Still, something was there. His senses kept confirming it.
Let's see what you are...
Park Jaeyoung gauged the distance to the treeline and stepped forward. One, two... three.
Whoosh!
He whipped around and charged into the forest. He reached the boundary in an instant and thrust out his right hand, feeling something snag.
He raised his hand high to inspect his catch. Black stripes across its back, a tail thick with dense fur, cheeks puffed out like balloons.
A common sight on any local mountainside.
"A squirrel?"
Now that he knew what it was, his tension evaporated.
It was a frequent occurrence in the early days after the Cataclysm. Animals exposed to mana leaking from gates would awaken.
This little guy must be one of those.
Squirm, squirm!
The squirrel thrashed wildly to escape Park Jaeyoung's grip. He nearly lost hold and let out a hollow chuckle.
With this much strength, it could rip apart an orc without breaking a sweat. In human terms, roughly C-rank.
"Hold still!"
After a few repetitions, the squirrel stopped struggling. Instead, it blinked up at him, as if pleading for mercy with those pitiful eyes.
"I'll give you something tasty."
Still holding the squirrel, Park Jaeyoung approached his backpack and pulled out a bag of nuts, setting it on the table. He'd bought them as beer snacks.
He tore open the bag one-handed and picked out an almond.
"Here, good boy."
He held it to the squirrel's mouth, and it snapped it up. After a moment of chewing, it stared intently.
"Want more?"
The squirrel wagged its tail.
"No running off."
Park Jaeyoung set it down and poured a handful of nuts onto the table. The squirrel's tail twitched as it stuffed its mouth nonstop, cheeks ballooning before it finally started munching.
Park Jaeyoung smirked.
"I'm heading to bed, so eat your fill and go."
The tent Park Jaeyoung used was an artifact infused with all sorts of magic. The interior maintained perfect temperature and humidity, blocked out external light, and emitted a soothing aroma for restful sleep. Ideal conditions for a good night's rest.
When Park Jaeyoung woke, his mind was crystal clear.
"Did the squirrel leave?"
As he stretched, a clump of fur brushed his hand. He turned to see yesterday's squirrel, fast asleep, its little body rising and falling rhythmically. It looked plumper than before—probably just his imagination.
"When did you sneak in?"
Sensing his presence, the squirrel stirred awake. It puffed up its body and bristled its tail, swiveling its head in search of enemies.
But the moment its eyes met Park Jaeyoung's, it deflated and wagged its tail.
The squirrel clasped its paws together and gazed up at him, blinking just like last night.
"You wanna keep living here?"
The squirrel nodded vigorously.
"Gotta earn your keep, though?"
It flexed its tiny arm, as if saying, Just leave it to me.
A palm-sized squirrel couldn't eat much anyway. With it putting on such a show, how could he refuse?
"Alright, let's live together from now on."
The squirrel nodded frantically.
Now that they were roommates, it needed a name. He couldn't keep calling it "squirrel."
Park Jaeyoung chuckled and asked,
"How about Daram from now on?"
The instant he said it, the squirrel froze mid-nod and slowly turned its head like a horror movie ghost. The creaking sound was probably his imagination.
"Okay, okay, something else."
At the firm rejection, Park Jaeyoung backed down. The dog and cat from his childhood had loved being called Puppy and Kitty.
Grumbling inwardly, he tried another.
"What about Rami?"
The squirrel crossed its arms and turned away. It even snorted, if he wasn't mistaken.
This too? Picky little thing.
"Porri. Let's go with Porri."
Its stiff tail started wagging again. Daram or Rami sounded way better, but if it insisted this strongly, what could he do?
"Let's go eat breakfast."
Emerging from the tent with Porri, they were greeted by scorching sunlight. Summer was summer, alright—blazing hot at 9 a.m.
Park Jaeyoung headed to the prep table. He planned a light breakfast: toast, bacon, fried eggs. Iced Americano for dessert.
He hadn't set them up yet, but his backpack held an ice maker and espresso machine—both artifacts that ran without electricity or water.
"What should our Porri have?"
A quick internet search confirmed squirrels were omnivores. But given its size, nothing too salty or greasy.
Chicken breast it is.
Who knew the topping for his salads would come in handy like this.
Park Jaeyoung pulled chicken breast and breakfast ingredients from the mini fridge.
"I'll make yours first, Porri."
As he boiled the chicken, Porri scurried over and rubbed against him. A cool sensation spread, invigorating his whole body.
Startled, Park Jaeyoung looked down at Porri.
This is a pretty high-level buff.
He stroked Porri's head, and it wagged its tail happily.
Park Jaeyoung shredded the boiled chicken along the grain, plated it on plastic, and set it on the ground. Porri dashed over, grabbed it with both paws, and chowed down.
After watching for a moment, he fired up the cast-iron skillet.
Sizzle!
Bacon first. Eggs fried in bacon fat always hit different. Once the bacon crisped, plenty of fat rendered out.
Next, fried eggs. He cracked two against the pan's edge without breaking the yolks.
Finally, toast. He wiped the grease with a paper towel, lowered the heat, and added two slices of bread. He pressed them down for that perfect crunch.
Park Jaeyoung plated his breakfast haphazardly. He set up the ice maker and espresso machine for an iced Americano.
After a sip, he reached for the toast when something hit him.
"Oh, right!"
Can't forget jam and butter. He grabbed two jars from the fridge and spread butter on one slice, jam on the other.
"Now, let's eat."
He polished off the plate in no time. Cleanup done, it was 10:30.
Luxuriating in a brief moment of leisure, he pondered the day ahead. Top priority: the house. He couldn't live in a tent forever.
No need to build yet—just clear the site.
As Park Jaeyoung stood, he sensed a presence in the distance. Soon, a familiar face appeared in a white tee and jeans.
Kim Minseo.
Someone who had no business being here.
Park Jaeyoung's eyes darted uncertainly.
"President!"
"Why are you here?"
Kim Minseo beamed.
"Just felt like it."
"What about the Association?"
"What trouble could come from stepping away for a bit?"
Kim Minseo glanced at the coffee machine on the table.
"You'll at least treat me to a cup, right?"
Park Jaeyoung chuckled dryly and approached the machine. He made a latte and handed it over. Kim Minseo's face lit up.
"You still remember my taste."