Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Befriending Jack
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A carnivore Beastkin in human form was scary enough, but a wolf that huge?!
I ran at the fastest speed I could muster. I'd never run on all fours in my life, but damn, I was fast.
Nothing pulls out your physical potential like survival instinct, I thought as I bolted, planting my hooves wherever they landed.
"Baaah!"
Suddenly, a pair of impeccably wrinkle-free black pants appeared right in front of me. I skidded to a halt, leaving a gouge in the lush green grass of the garden.
I quickly looked up to see who'd blocked my path. Even in the backlighting that made his face a bit shadowy, he seemed to glow. It was Billy.
"Uncle!"
Ed came panting up behind me, yelling. Billy glanced at the situation over my shoulder and seemed to grasp it instantly.
With a faint smile, he walked past me toward the wolf, then stepped in front of the tongue-lolling beast charging our way.
One hand in his pocket, standing casually askew, he looked down at the wolf and chided it gently.
"She's not your prey. Put that tongue away."
A chill ran down my spine at his words. Pale-faced, I looked up at Billy, who had closed the wolf's gaping jaws with one hand. He turned to me with a kind voice.
"You okay?"
I nodded, glancing between the obedient wolf sitting tamely at its master's command and the man handling the massive beast with ease.
That's when that accursed status window popped up right in front of my eyes.
Status windows have never brought me good news! What now?!
< Befriend the Wolf >
📍 Description: Take one step toward overcoming your carnivore Beastkin phobia! Spend some time getting friendly with a carnivorous animal first.
⏰ Success Reward: Choice window appearance rate reduced by an additional 10%.
⚠️ Warning: Failure to complete means you'll never overcome your phobia.
📝 Note: Quest target 'Jack' is the tamest wolf here.
Befriend the wolf that just chased me like I was dinner?!
Billy and Ed noticed my ashen face and approached with puzzled looks. Ed reached out first, cupping my face with his small hands and turning it this way and that. Then he looked up at Billy.
"She must've been really scared. What's with that wolf?"
Billy stroked the wolf's head and gave a brief introduction.
"This is Jack. He runs my errands."
Jack sat regally, his imposing build and size matched by his cool stare fixed on me. Still scary, but knowing he was the tamest eased my guard a little.
It's still a wolf, though. Can I really get friendly with him?
This was the biggest dilemma of my life, pre- and post-possession. The penalty was harsh—I wanted to accept the quest, but instinct screamed no.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them wide, glaring at Jack. His pupils flickered slightly at my stare.
In that split second, I racked my brain furiously. Finally, I decided.
Let's give it a shot.
Fearing carnivores was ingrained in Lami's body. But my soul had changed—shouldn't that change things?
If my body would just cooperate, there'd be no reason to avoid carnivore Beastkin or animals. Who knew how long I'd have to live in Wolf Territory? I couldn't keep fearing wolves forever.
"Lady Morton?"
"Lami?"
Billy and Ed called cautiously as I glared at Jack. I whipped my head around to face Ed, whose cheeks had plumped up, making him even cuter.
Ed, someday I'll give you nothing but good choices without that window!
With that resolve, I took a heavy step forward.
"That's a combative glare. Planning to throw down with him?"
Billy watched with keen interest, but I had no bandwidth for that.
Wait, how do you even befriend a wolf?
I wasn't human right now, and I'd never thought about bonding with carnivores. As a sheep, my options were limited.
My legs shook the closer I got to Jack. Seeing my determined expression, Billy and Ed stepped back to watch.
Glancing around, I spotted something good. I trotted to Ed and grabbed the handle of the hay-filled basket in his hand with my mouth.
"Wh-whoa? The hay's spilling!"
Ed gripped it tighter as hay scattered, but I yanked the handle toward me nimbly.
Then I flung the basket sideways with all my might. Hay flew everywhere as it sailed through the air.
"Woof-!"
Jack launched himself after it the instant he saw it. I'd wondered if wolves liked fetch; it worked perfectly.
This is frisbee, you wolves.
I watched Jack leap and catch the basket with satisfaction, only to feel two intense stares.
Looking up, I saw Ed with a utterly baffled expression and Billy hurriedly turning away, shoulders shaking.
"Never seen a Beastkin handle Jack like that."
Billy said, forcing down his twitching lips.
...That wasn't it?!
Panicking, I looked at Jack bounding back with the basket in his mouth.
The fierce, majestic wolf I'd first encountered around the corner was gone. Now he wagged his tail excitedly like an overjoyed puppy.
Apparently, no one in the Rub estate had ever played with Jack like this. Way too excited, he shook his tail vigorously and charged at me.
Instinctively, I backed up and bumped into Billy's legs behind me. That sparked a bit of courage.
If Jack tries to eat me, Billy will stop him.
He wouldn't just watch his nephew's guardian get devoured as a sheep, right?
I swallowed hard and watched Jack closely as he brought the basket back. His prominent snout came right up to my nose.
"Meeh?!"
Fear made me bleat weirdly, but I pressed on with the [Befriend the Wolf] quest.
After throwing the basket several more times and inventing other games, I finally saw the success status window and could head back inside the mansion.
In Billy's study, he lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed, staring at me across from him.
Moonlight streamed through the window, settling on his deep blue hair. Watching the Wolf Beastkin bathed in it, backlit by the moon, felt surreal.
Is this what werewolf vibes from media feel like in real life? I mused idly, then Billy spoke.
"You ran really well back there."
Embarrassed for no reason, I looked away and pretended not to hear. He chuckled softly.
Billy rose from the sofa and sauntered over slowly. My eyes kept drifting to his languid gait. His fitted black shirt made every movement pop.
"Staring so openly is embarrassing."
He teased playfully with zero embarrassment, crouching in front of me and tilting his head to meet my eyes.
In the dim study lit only by a few glowing orange magic lamps, the tension mounted naturally.
"It was a nice sight."
"Mee?"
Not getting it, I tilted my head. He flashed a charming smile.
"I liked watching you struggle to survive."
...What?
He liked seeing me desperately fleeing the wolf? That's some twisted taste.
Casually dropping that terrifying line with a smile, he stared into my eyes.
Wait, that expression just now...
Why the wistful look while saying that?!
Blinking to check if I'd imagined it, I looked up again—back to his usual face.
He stood and moved to the window leading to the terrace, stroking Jack's back as he spoke.
"You're scared of carnivores, huh?"
He'd clearly noticed my unusual fear. It was obvious, after all.
I nodded instead of answering. Still petting Jack's fur softly, he continued.
"But earlier, you treated Jack like a dog."
His tone was gentle, but the words chilled me. Startled, I wondered if I'd messed up and how to defuse this.
Then Billy, who'd been focused on Jack, pulled his hand away and turned to look at me.