Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Black Wolf
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44 level.
The intimidation radiating from that level was considerable.
She was around the same level as Gretel, but considering how much slower levels came at higher tiers, the gap was nothing to dismiss.
Besides, Gretel was a witch.
A powerhouse who could stuff the Night Witch herself into a fireplace.
It made sense that she wielded strength befitting level 40.
But the red cape standing before me?
How the hell could she outlevel Gretel, a witch hunter?
A few wolves would be a piece of cake for her.
And that cape looked closer to crimson than plain red, too.
The silver lining was that all my eyes could perceive was her level.
Meaning the red cape in front of me wasn't some monster.
She was human.
...
That made it even scarier.
"Crow-nim?"
"Caw, caw!"
I flapped my wings, trying not to show my panic.
"You really can understand me!"
Should've just played dumb bird passing by.
Too late now. Already tangled up.
"I'm Red Cape. Will you hear my story?"
What happens if I say no?
Felt like that cape would turn even redder.
"Cawrk."
No choice. I waddled forward.
Red Cape smiled at me.
Golden hair like Gretel's, but darker on her.
Wearing the red cape, one hand clutching a huge basket—it evoked that fairy tale character perfectly. But the contents? Nothing out of a storybook.
Sharp weapons, as I'd glimpsed earlier.
Tools, maybe, but carrying them in a lunch basket? Not natural.
Every instinct screamed not to get close, but staying away would just make her come to me.
"Heh, you're a big one. That necklace around your neck—you're Gretel's familiar, right?"
"Caw."
Not a familiar, but no point denying it.
I was connected to Gretel, after all.
Wearing her token without being one?
She might mistake me for a thieving crow and snatch me up.
Unjust, and I hadn't even stolen anything yet.
"Gretel can't leave the house, so you're out here in her place? Looking for Hansel?"
Hansel!
She even dropped his name.
"Cawrk."
I nodded emphatically in agreement.
"Good. Same goal here. Hansel went off to hunt the big bad wolf... and got lost."
【Big Bad Wolf】
While tracking the big bad wolf at Gretel's request, you encountered Red Cape.
Red Cape seems to share your goal.
You ponder:
Is it more efficient to team up with Red Cape to track the wolf and Hansel?
Or pursue the wolf alone with the girl?
The choice is yours.
Quest Clear Reward: Random Skill Enhancement
"So, can you help me find Hansel and the wolf?"
On the surface, just an ally.
But nothing that simple.
Why chase the wolf? She hadn't said.
In the original tale, she was the one chased.
Hunting a wolf solo in a forest crawling with beasts and monsters?
Even without seeing her level, it'd raise flags.
Now that I could? Red flags everywhere.
Plus, those bread crumbs I'd scarfed—she'd dropped them.
Why scatter bread on the ground?
Plenty of ways to mark a path: snapped twigs, piled stones.
Not bird bait like that.
So not for trails.
Luring innocent birds like me, maybe.
...But why? She wouldn't know I was here.
Just hungry for birds?
Suspicions piled up.
Sage would've cut through it clean.
Like knowing it's spring only after cherry blossoms fall, realized he was Sage after Kiwi left.
"Crow-nim?"
So my answer was...
"Caw caw."
A nod.
...Suspicious or not, what choice did I have?
Stick together for now.
Shake my head to her face?
Felt like something real bad would go down.
She might drop the mask.
Or maybe she's a genuine good Samaritan, unlike my suspicions.
Lost grandma to wolf, bulked up via training—not impossible to respect.
"Shwoooong..."
Thus began our uneasy trio's journey.
Shungshungi tucked inside me, it'd look like just the two of them.
"But Crow-nim."
"Caw caw."
"It's night, yet you walk fine? Don't crows have poor night vision?"
"Cawww..."
Humans aren't great at night either?
How are you strolling?
Level bully, probably.
"Flying at night must be tough, right? Want to perch on my shoulder?"
"Caw?"
"I'm taller, so it'd be faster. Birds are light anyway."
Red Cape stared straight at me.
"Cawrk."
I shook my head vigorously.
Gretel warned me.
A crow like me draws witches' eyes.
Especially one with human-level smarts—prime familiar material.
Well, I was human originally.
"Tell me anytime you change your mind!"
Like I'd climb up there.
Never.
Not some domesticated bird.
"Cawrk."
I cawed to convey that.
Dunno if it landed.
"Look closely around. Black or gray wolf fur nearby? Means the den's close."
Surprisingly, Red Cape tracked the wolf and Hansel by the book.
Scrutinizing every detail for traces.
Flying with Shungshungi would be easier, but flashing that felt risky.
She saw me as a smart big crow now.
Ghost-handling smart big crow? She'd collar me for sure.
"Around here, I think? Saw someone yank a fistful of wolf fur..."
What was that pause?
Not admitting she did it, right?
I tucked my feathers tight.
"Main thing's rescuing Hansel, who went after the wolf, yeah? Even if we spot it, better wait. He might be hiding elsewhere."
Yeah, solid advice.
Our goal—no, my goal was Hansel's rescue.
No need to hunt the wolf myself.
Red Cape could handle it anyway.
So I just scout traces, aid her.
How many minutes later?
"Awooooo!"
Clear proof: a wolf's howl, distant.
"Caw, cawrk!"
I flapped to point the way, in case she missed it.
Whoosh!
Red Cape was already gone from sight.
Blasted off at insane speed.
Now I got the shoulder offer.
Her true pace was that fast.
"Take it slow! Crow-nim, I really need your help!"
With that, she vanished.
Needs my help?
Didn't look like it.
Still, better follow for scraps.
I spread wings toward her trail.
Swoosh!
Thwack!
Something swift snatched me mid-air.
"Caw!"
Startled by the sudden shadow-lurker.
Dove for cover in shadows, but something off.
The grip wasn't that rough.
"Shwaaaang!"
Shungshungi hissed threats, but my captor seemed harmless.
"Huh, what is it. A crow?"
Feral voice, but mismatched warm softness enveloped me.
"Why's a crow with that creepy bitch?"
Black Wolf!
The big bad wolf!
He's here? Then what was that howl?
Decoy to lure Red Cape?
Fairy tale big bad wolf walks upright, talks human.
This one too.
Wolf-shaped, but more humanoid.
"That necklace... You here to catch me too?"
Gray hair, wolf ears.
Golden eyes, sharp fangs.
And a feral, wolf-worthy physique.
"Yeah! This body's the big bad wolf!"
Huge...!
Incredibly huge!