Chapter 38 - The Ancient Demonic Beast Wanted to Live
The Ancient Demonic Beast Wanted to Live
Translator : Elizabeth
"These are the double ledgers prepared by the Charon Merchant Guild."
Serafina pulled the thick, red-leather-bound ledgers from her robe and handed them to Roan.
"Hmm."
Roan took the ledgers and quickly scanned the contents in order. His expression shifted by the second—surprise, anger, and finally, a satisfied smile played across his lips.
"Ho-oh, incredible." Roan snapped the ledger shut. "Slave trading, drug smuggling, and even the details of funds sent to the Followers of the Abyss. It’s all written here in great detail."
They had already captured the Charon Guild Master on-site. With these ledgers in addition, dismantling the Charon Merchant Guild—the cancer of the South—would be child’s play. What was even better for Roan was that the list of corrupt officials and nobles who had colluded with them for bribes was also recorded in full.
"With this, I can execute them for certain and cut out the South’s rotting flesh."
Roan looked at Serafina. She still seemed nervous, but her gaze was bold. He could see that she wasn't handing these over for free.
"You have an intention for handing these to me, I presume?"
"Yes. When the Charon Merchant Guild vanishes, a massive void will open in the Southern commercial sphere." Serafina caught her breath and continued. "Don’t you need a trustworthy partner to fill that gap? A clean guild that won't commit illegalities and will faithfully pay taxes to Your Grace."
"And that would be the Lapis Merchant Guild?"
"It is."
Roan smirked. She was daring. He felt he understood why the Fist Emperor liked this woman. Someone had to fill Charon’s place anyway. In that case, Serafina—who was backed by the Fist Emperor, knew Charon’s weaknesses accurately, and was seeking cooperation—was the most suitable partner.
"Very well! I shall put these ledgers to good use. Nothing shall stand in the way of the Lapis Merchant Guild."
The political transaction concluded smoothly. However, Roan’s gaze shifted from Serafina to Kang Jin-ho—specifically toward the inner pocket of Jin-ho’s robe, where the subspace pouch likely resided.
"On another note," Roan began, putting on a mock-stern expression. "About the gold bars and treasures that were in that underground vault."
"What about them?" Kang Jin-ho stood crookedly, as if he had been expecting this.
"In principle, all criminal proceeds are to be returned to the national treasury. Especially funds related to the Followers of the Abyss; as the Admiral, it is only right that I seize them."
Roan was testing Jin-ho, half-joking and half-serious. The amount was just that large. With that money, he could construct several new fleets. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel greedy as the ruler of the South.
However, Kang Jin-ho’s reaction was as cold as expected.
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Jin-ho cut him off, his face turning solemn. "This is plunder I obtained by smashing those guys. And it’s my investment capital."
"Investment capital?"
"Yeah. It’s my money that I invested into the Lapis Merchant Guild. Criminal proceeds? You find those on your own. What’s here is the rightful reward for my labor and my private property."
It was a miracle of logic. But then again, he was the one who had single-handedly blown away the Kraken and pulverized the fortress. He was also the one who found the hidden vault. At this level, one couldn't help but acknowledge his merit. By custom, in such cases, the rights of the martial artist who solved the problem alone were usually recognized.
"Anyone who touches my money is an enemy."
Crack. Kang Jin-ho balled his fist.
Above all, Roan was afraid of that fist. If he really touched the money, it felt like a second round of their duel would start right here.
"If you want to take it, duel me. Just so you know, I'm knocking your teeth out this time."
"……."
Roan swallowed hard. He remembered their earlier sparring match—the humiliation of not being able to leave a single scratch on the Aura Guard, and the monstrous strength that hurled a Kraken. Risking his life against this monster for mere money was a stupid move. It was a trade that didn't balance the books. Besides, it was difficult to claim it when he hadn't contributed to the victory.
"Hahaha! It was a joke, a joke!" Roan laughed heartily and quickly changed his stance. "I have that 10% discount coupon you gave me, and since you’re the primary hero of this incident, it’s customary to concede that much plunder. I’m just saying that’s what the law is. We must respect custom!"
"You should've said that from the start." Kang Jin-ho unclenched his fist.
Roan breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. The man wouldn't yield his share even if it killed him.
'What a thorough business spirit.'
For some reason, he seemed more like a Southerner than the Southerners themselves. He looked like a man who came from a world where money was everything and money was status.
'Dear me, what am I thinking.'
Roan shook off the useless delusions. Regardless, the result wasn't bad. In fact, it was a satisfying outcome for everyone.
'This is enough. I subjugated them without a single casualty.'
Roan wiped out a troublesome criminal organization and cultists, securing the South’s peace. Serafina gained a foothold for a comeback and massive capital. Kang Jin-ho secured a thick request fee and a future source of funds. It was a win-win for everyone.
"Now then, what’s left is..."
Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned toward the shore. There, a massive lump sat huddled on the land. It was the Kraken. Having regained consciousness in the meantime, it had assessed its situation and was waiting quietly in the most pitiful posture it could manage.
"The question is how to handle that squid."
Kang Jin-ho smacked his lips. It was a national rule to eat seafood when visiting the South. And where else would he get to taste such extra-large, rare seafood?
"Hey, Roan. Call one of your chefs over."
"A chef? Why?"
"Just to cut off one leg. It’d be perfect for butter-grilling."
At Jin-ho’s words, Roan and the knights were awestruck. "Butter-grilling the Kraken? You were serious?"
"Of course I'm serious. I'll even let you join in. It’s too much for me to eat alone anyway; it'd just go to waste."
Even without knowing the specific words, the Kraken—sensing that it was about to be eaten—let out a shriek. It couldn't possibly miss him smacking his lips while pointing at its legs.
"Kieeeeeeeek!"
The Kraken desperately shook its head and twisted its tentacles. It was a gesture that seemed to scream, 'Please save me! I taste bad!'
"Oh? This fellow is quick-witted."
As Kang Jin-ho approached, the Kraken struggled even more violently, pleading for its life. it was trying its best to make a desperate appeal for mercy.
"Look at that. It looks like it’s begging for its life," Roan said, intrigued.
"Even if I save it, it'll just run back to the sea. Wouldn't it be better to just kill it cleanly and make butter-grilled squid or jerky? This much would last for ages."
At Kang Jin-ho’s savage expression, the Kraken turned pale (or the cephalopod equivalent). It didn't want to be eaten like this. It didn't want to end up inside the stomach of this monster in a human mask. The Kraken racked its brain desperately. It had to prove its usefulness to this monster—no, this Master—at any cost.
Splash! Splash!
The Kraken raised two tentacles and assumed a posture like a salute. Then, with its remaining tentacles, it made a motion of sweeping the floor as if cleaning. It was a sign of loyalty—a slave declaration promising to do anything ordered. It was mimicking the actions of sailors it had seen before sinking their ships hundreds of years ago.
"Oh my!" Serafina’s eyes lit up. "Fist Emperor-nim. That fellow seems to have higher intelligence than expected. I think it understands speech."
"It's an ancient beast, so it wouldn't be stupid."
"Then... how about we try teaching it how to read?"
"Letters?" Jin-ho asked back.
"Yes. If it understands speech, communication might be possible. Wouldn't it be more profitable to tame and use it rather than killing it?"
Truly a merchant. Serafina saw even the Kraken as a resource. Taming the Kraken, the ancient beast that once ruled the southern seas, would bring immeasurable value. It would ensure the safety of maritime trade routes and be a massive threat to competing guilds.
"That sounds interesting. Perfect for killing time." Kang Jin-ho nodded. "Fine. Give it a try. If it can't learn, I'll grill it then."
Serafina approached the wet sand on the shore. She picked up a tree branch and wrote out large letters. Though not described in the original novel, the script of this world was similar in structure to Earth’s alphabet. It seemed to be because this was a Romance Fantasy novel world.
[LOYALTY]
"Now, try following this."
Serafina said, pointing at the word. The Kraken blinked its massive eyes and looked down at the letters. To survive, it desperately extended one tentacle.
Squirm, squirm.
The tip of the house-sized tentacle drew crooked lines on the sand.
"Oh! It wrote it! It really wrote it!" The knights cheered. The sight of a Kraken writing was likely a first in history.
Kang Jin-ho watched with his arms folded. "Not bad, huh? Its head isn't too stupid."
Hearing the praise, the Kraken trembled with relief. 'I lived.' It felt like it wouldn't be eaten immediately.
Excited, Serafina wrote the next word.
[MASTER]
The Kraken followed brilliantly this time as well. It then gathered its tentacles, pointed at Kang Jin-ho, and bowed its head. It seemed to be appealing how well it could follow the letters. Its learning speed was fast. Combined with its survival instinct, the ancient beast's memory was producing incredible results.
"This is a real find," Roan said in admiration. "With this level of intelligence, we can sufficiently control it. Since it might run away if left in the sea, we should take it to land first and restrain it. Can you take it to the mainland? I'll take responsibility for the binding."
"Well, that's easy enough."
Kang Jin-ho grabbed one of the Kraken's tentacles and draped it over his shoulder.
"Let’s go, squid. It’s moving day."
He leaped lightly. The massive Kraken once again floated into the sky. This time, it wasn't a projectile; it was a kidnapping.
SHOOOOOOM—!
Kang Jin-ho flew across the sea carrying the Kraken. Roan’s fleet followed behind. Before long, the port of Escar City came into view. As the dawn mist cleared and morning broke, many people were already out at the harbor. They had gathered to see what was happening after learning the Admiral’s fleet had departed earlier that dawn.
"Wh-what is that?!" "A monster... in the sky!"
The people were horrified as they looked at the sky. A massive shadow was descending. The legendary monster Kraken was floating toward the harbor like a giant balloon. And beneath it, a single human looking like a tiny dot was supporting that massive bulk.
"We’ve arrived!"
Kang Jin-ho set the Kraken down on a wide sandy beach next to the port.
BOOOOOOM—!
The ground shook as if an earthquake had hit when the massive body touched the earth. The spectating citizens screamed and fled. However, unable to overcome their curiosity, they soon began to creep back.
"It-it’s the Kraken!" "The actual monster of legend!" "Who caught that thing?" "Who is that man?"
The people's gazes focused on Kang Jin-ho, who stood before the Kraken. He was casually dusting his hands without a single drop of sweat.
"Stay quiet. If you move, you die."
As Kang Jin-ho laid down the law, the Kraken quickly curled up and tried its best to look pitiful. The sight of that massive bulk crouching and gauging his mood was quite comical.
"The ships are coming!" "It’s the Duke’s fleet!"
The following fleet of Roan docked at the port. As soon as Roan disembarked, he called for the wizards and the engineering corps.
"Bind it! Restrain it as tightly as possible so it cannot escape!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" "Right away, Your Grace!"
At the command, dozens of wizards belonging to the Escar Ducal House rushed forward. Engineers brought Adamantium chains and massive iron weights from the warehouse. Thick chains were wrapped around each of the Kraken's legs, and gravity magic was cast on the weights.
Clank! Clank!
"Activate the magic circles! Amplify the weight!" "Deploy the binding barrier!"
Vwoom—!
The magic circles shone, and the heavy restraints pressed down on the Kraken. Steel weights weighing hundreds of tons sealed its movements. The Kraken became unable to move a muscle. However, the beast did not resist. Rather, it accepted the chains docilely, as if this restraint were the lifeline that would save it. It knew that if it resisted, it would surely be eaten by the monster standing in front of it.
"Waaaaah!" "Long live the Southern Admiral!"
The citizens watching burst into cheers. The sight of the sea’s calamity captured alive and bound was pure shock, terror, and awe itself. This news would spread across the entire South and eventually the entire Empire in no time. However, since most people didn't know about the Fist Emperor, they seemed to mistake the feat as something Roan’s fleet had accomplished.
Kang Jin-ho didn't mind that part. Since he was the one who brought it, they would find out eventually.
"Well, that’s that."
Kang Jin-ho looked at the bound Kraken with satisfaction. His interest was solely on the Kraken. He stepped up to the beast's eye and wagged his index finger.
"Listen well, squid. From today, you study hard."
Kang Jin-ho’s voice was low, but it struck the Kraken’s eardrums like thunder. It sounded like the roar of a terrifying predator.
"If you can't understand my words by tomorrow, then you're truly headed for the butter-grill. Got it?"
"Kieeeing!"
The Kraken nodded desperately. It understood that it would be eaten if it didn't study. The will to study for its life burned fiercely in its eyes.
Watching that, Roan and the knights swallowed hard. A man who threatens and forces an ancient demonic beast to study. Who on earth was this man?
'Is he... really an Outer God?'
Roan, the knights, and the marines who had accompanied them all seriously doubted it inwardly. But no one dared to speak it out loud. No one wanted their teeth knocked out.
And so, the Kraken entered the path of "cram-school education" for the sake of survival.