Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Quite Frightening
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Right in front of me, there's a Beastkin clutched in my hand.
How did I know? ...Obviously from the tail and ears.
The ears are slightly pointed. Similar to Ranyori's. Though hers droop more.
The tail is definitely different from Ranyori's. It's fluffy with fur.
She's a bit smaller than me in build. But judging by her figure, she seems female.
Thinking about it that way, she's actually on the taller side. Yeah.
Hmm, so what now? Should I start with a greeting?
"Hello there, miss."
"...!"
"How about we have a little chat?"
"Grrgh...!"
I'd approached politely to talk, but the reaction wasn't great.
She was straining with all her might to break free from my grip, grunting away.
Too bad for her, I seem to have been born with some kind of reincarnation perk or talent in various areas. Including physical prowess.
...Anyway, this doesn't seem like something done with good intentions, right?
Man, who would've thought I'd end up as the target of one of those Beastkin livelihood crimes Ranyori told me about.
They must know who I am and approached on purpose.
The novel I wrote accidentally hit a home run.
And naturally, interest in me as the author skyrocketed too.
I mean, don't I look like prime kidnapping material, ripe for the picking?
Famous people yield something if you nab them. And I've made a good chunk of money lately.
On top of that, my personal info isn't exactly super hidden.
I didn't bother making a pen name—just used my real one.
Published with Warrenberg too. So if people want to dig into me, they'd start around Warrenberg Publishing House.
Of course, normally that wouldn't work. No one signs a big contract just because it's close to home.
...But damn it, that's exactly what happened in my case! I backed right into their trap like catching a mouse by accident!
Sigh... So this Beastkin must've been lying in wait here, targeting me specifically.
Though judging by how sloppy it was, it doesn't seem like a planned, organized thing.
More like she stumbled on me and figured she'd try her luck for a quick score.
"Let... let go...!"
Hey, look how weak her strength is. It's not even that my grip's strong— she just seems totally drained.
I kinda want to go easy on her... She's just pitiful. Maybe hanging with Ranyori's rubbing off on me.
Anyway, she dragged me into this alley, so who knows what she planned. Nothing's clear yet.
Of course, if her attitude stays shitty, she's done for. Normally, I'd teach her a harsh life lesson right away.
Right now, I'm just acting on a whim. If I get pissed... well, can't be helped.
"Hey, miss. What were you planning to do?"
"Let go...!"
"Why should I?"
"I wanna go...!"
"No, no, you can't just leave. Not after what you did."
I mean, no begging forgiveness or turning the tables—just wants to go home? That's a new move.
Ha... Maybe I need to get tougher... Not really my style, though.
"Excuse me for a sec."
"...! What're you doing?!"
"What's in your other hand?"
"Don't touch my hand!"
"Hmm."
"Ngh...?!"
I checked her other hand too. She resisted hard, so I just muscled through.
Probably doesn't hurt too bad. Even if it does, so what? She was about to do worse.
Nothing in her hand anyway.
Surprising. I figured at least a dagger... or hell, a brick or something.
Maybe it's hidden in her clothes?
Can't check properly in this position. Both my hands are tied up holding her.
Hmm... Guess I'll change positions.
"Okay, I'm gonna trip you now, miss."
"...?"
"So be careful not to hit your head or legs."
"W-Wait a sec...!"
"One, two."
"Eek...?!"
Success. Tripped her to the ground. Hope she didn't get hurt much?
I mounted her to pin her down. Grabbed both her hands together with one of mine and fixed them above her head. Then searched her clothes.
"What the hell! Where're you touching?!"
"Hmm..."
Nothing here either. No weapon, no weird drugs.
Peeled off her ragged cloak first. Yeah, ragged inside too.
"Eek...!"
"Got anything hidden?"
"D-Don't touch!"
"Wow, really nothing. Why's that?"
"Stop... stop...!"
I searched thoroughly, thinking some ace-in-the-hole might pop out from a secret pocket...
Nope? Not in the inner clothes, not in the pants pockets.
She really came bare-handed? Impressive?
"Hyaa...! Help—"
"Whoa, hold up. Don't make me sound like the bad guy."
"Hmph...!"
She tried yelling, so I clamped her mouth quick. Screaming at night's dangerous.
Hmm. This isn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped.
She's not cooperating with talk.
But it's not light enough to just let her go.
And yet? Searched her and zilch? What now?
"Hic...!"
"?"
What's this, crying? What'd I even do?
She seemed to quiet down a bit, then tears started flowing.
Honestly, shouldn't I be the one crying? Ambushed on the way home at night?
Was she scared? Of what?
I mean, getting jumped by your would-be victim, pinned down, clothes stripped for a search—what's scary about that?
'Ah, damn, it'd be scary as hell.'
Okay, fair. I've been a bit rough.
"Miss. I'm not trying to do anything weird, okay?"
"Hic... Hnng..."
"I'll let go of your mouth, but please don't scream."
"Haaah—"
"Come on, seriously."
What to do here. Gotta calm her down first.
"Alright. I get there's some misunderstanding between us, right?"
"..."
"You grabbed my collar and dragged me, so I thought it was kidnapping, threats, that kinda thing."
"..."
Still covering her mouth, but she can nod or shake.
She shook her head side to side.
Hmm. Am I in deep shit?
"No real bad intentions at all?"
"..."
"Oh, fuck, thank god."
Nope! She shook her head! Relief...
Okay, so no threats, but still some bad intent.
...Though is this really 'relief'?
"Let's really talk this out. I won't report you, and I'll even help."
"..."
"You agree?"
"..."
"Oh!"
Finally, she seemed willing—nodded quietly.
So I released her hands and stepped aside.
She was still sitting on the ground. Didn't look like she could stand right away.
"I-I really don't know, but why'd you do this? I can guess roughly."
"...Hungry."
"Pardon?"
"So... just wanted a bit of money..."
"Wait, you ambushed me for that?"
"...Do you know how painful hunger is?"
"Do you know who I am by chance?"
"Who're you...?"
"Nope."
Overthinking it. She didn't target me as Aren—just any sucker she saw.
"Who the hell are you anyway...?"
"An author."
"You write...?"
"Yeah."
"But that strength...?"
"I work out."
"...So what if you're an author."
"Know the name Aren?"
"Nope."
"...Heard of Senyora of the Back Alleys?"
"Nope. Can't read."
"Ah, illiterate?"
"Yeah."
That explains the odd speech.
"Why should I know some writer?"
"'Cause the one I wrote blew up big time."
"So, you made bank?"
"Yeah."
"How much."
"Tons?"
"Enough to live off without working?"
"Obviously."
"...For real?"
"For real."
"Real real real?"
"Real real real."
"Lucky..."
"Yeah, it's great."
Pretty innocent reaction. Didn't expect that.
"So, you grabbed my collar to drag me off and...?"
"Gimme money."
"Yeah, obviously."
"Right."
"Yes. Next."
"Right."
"? That's it?"
"Yeah."
"No hitting or anything?"
"Why hit? Hitting hurts."
"True. It does. But no one's giving money without a beating."
"Then fake it."
"...Hmm."
"Show teeth, they get scared."
She opened her mouth wide with an 'ahh.'
Hmm, yeah, those canines are pointy.
...So I just bullied a poor kid who only wanted to scare me for meal money?
Was I the bad guy?
"F-First off, no reporting."
"Yay!"
"You hungry right now?"
"Starving."
"Mm. I'll get you some food."
"Why?"
"Straight up, you look pitiful, and I'm sorry."
"!"
This feels right. Gotta do something...
"What's your name?"
"Ulpi."
Ulpi? Wolf?
"Oh, so Wolf Beastkin?"
"Not wolf. Dog."
"...Dog Beastkin?"
"Yeah."
"Oh..."
"Don't believe me?"
"Honestly, a little."
"Wanna hear me bark?"
"No need."
"Woof woof!"
"I said stop."
Wait, I thought wolf from the size and ears, but just a dog breed?
Looking at her face again now.
Hmm, softer impression than expected. Round eyes too.
Even when acting tough earlier, she just squinted—no real scowl.
Suddenly... it all clicks.
The weird lack of hostility in her eyes, speech that's blunt but not prickly. And avoiding hurting others.
Just a Dog Beastkin thing... Saw a Cat Beastkin, now a Dog one...
"Hungry..."
"Mm, wait here a sec."
"Food...?"
"Yeah. I'll grab some."
"...You won't ditch me?"
"Please don't say that, Dog Beastkin."
"Close your eyes and count to ten, you'll be back?"
"...Wanna come with?"
"Yay!"
Suddenly like a stray pup... We just met today...