Learning for Survival, and Desire

Translator : Elizabeth

For the giant creature bound to the beach—the ancient demonic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠beast Kraken—tonight was a crossroads between life and death.

‘I must know. I must understand to live.’

The Kraken did not sleep a wink. Although steel weights weighing hundreds of tons each were pressing down on its entire body, such shackles were nothing compared to its mental terror. The threat from that devilish human seen during the day, Kang Jin-ho, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was engraved into its mind.

‘Whatever he’s saying, it’s clear he wants to eat me!’

The Kraken could tell just by the atmosphere and attitude that the man wanted to devour it. To avoid being eaten, it had to memorize the script and the language. It had to prove its worth.

‘The sounds… remember the sounds.’

The Kraken’s massive eyes flashed. It listened intently to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠conversations of the humans chattering nearby.

"Is this the Kraken?" "How fascinating."

The Kraken analyzed the humans' dialogue. It wasn't simply memorizing sounds. It was utilizing the high intelligence characteristic of an ancient demonic beast to analyze the patterns and regularities of the language.

"Look at it. It hasn't moved an inch." "Is it acting like that because it's scared?"

Even the whispering of the guards monitoring it served as learning material for the Kraken. Subjects, predicates, intonations, and even the subtle shifts in nuance based on emotion—once its intelligence was fully engaged, it absorbed all this information at a startling rate. Survival instinct made it all possible.

‘This is a command. This is a question. That is… an exclamation?’

As the night deepened, the chaotic human language in the Kraken’s head began to be systematically organized. It recalled the letters Serafina had written in the sand. It remembered the guards showing it papers with letters and teaching it the pronunciations every hour. Thus, the ancient beast did its absolute best to memorize the language and script of the humans it had once dismissed as mere microorganisms.

The next morning, the Southern sun rose above the horizon. Kang Jin-ho walked out to the beach with a leisurely yawn. Following behind him were Roan, Serafina, and the knights.

"Did you sleep well, Squid?"

At Kang Jin-ho’s casual remark, the limp Kraken snapped its eyes open. Its pupils were filled with terror, yet they also held a keen spark of intelligence.

"Shall we do a test?"

Kang Jin-ho gestured to Roan. "Release it."

"What? Right now?" "Yeah. If it runs away, I’ll just catch it again." "Understood. Release it!"

Though feeling uneasy, Roan signaled the mages. With a low humming sound, the gravity magic was deactivated and the iron chains were unfastened.

Whoosh—

Obtaining its freedom, the Kraken moved its tentacles lightly, savoring the liberation of its body. However, the beast did not flee to the sea. Instead, it huddled politely and waited, gauging Kang Jin-ho’s mood.

"Good posture." Kang Jin-ho nodded with satisfaction. "Sit."

The moment the command was given, the Kraken immediately lowered its lower body and curled its legs in a circle, pressing them against the ground. It was a perfect sitting posture without a moment's hesitation.

"Stand up."

Shoosh! The massive body was vertically erected in an instant.

"Ohh…." Exclamations erupted from the watching knights. Kang Jin-ho didn't stop there and increased the difficulty of the commands.

"Lift your third leg on the left."

Thud. The accurately designated leg rose.

"Flip onto your back."

Crash! The giant bulk rolled onto its back without hesitation.

"Write 'I am loyal' on the ground."

[I AM LOYAL.]

At Kang Jin-ho’s command, the Kraken immediately used its tentacle to write the words in the sand. It was proven that the beast understood the language and could write the script.

"Is this… really a demonic beast?" Roan could not close his mouth. Even a well-trained military dog wouldn't be this proficient. The pride of an ancient beast had vanished without a trace in the face of a predator's threat.

"Good. Next turn." Kang Jin-ho pointed to a massive boulder on the far side of the beach. "See that rock? Destroy only that. Don't touch the tree next to it."

This was not a simple command for destruction. it was a high-difficulty order requiring precise power control and restraint. An order to destroy only the target while leaving the surroundings entirely unharmed!

The Kraken stared at the rock for a moment, then swung a single tentacle like a whip.

BOOM!

With a roar, the rock shattered into pieces. Stone dust flew, but the palm tree standing right next to it remained perfectly intact, without even a single leaf falling. It was a flawless execution.

"Good, you didn't damage the surroundings. You pass," Kang Jin-ho declared.

Only then did the Kraken slump down, letting out a sigh of relief in the form of a water spray. 'I lived.' The Kraken was overwhelmed with emotion at the fact that it wouldn't be entering that terrifying monster’s stomach today.

"Serafina." Kang Jin-ho called her forward.

"Yes, Fist Emperor-nim."

"Come here." As she approached, Kang Jin-ho placed a hand on her shoulder and pointed at the Kraken. "From now on, you manage this squid."

"Pardon? Me?" "Yeah. Use it as the Lapis Guild’s bodyguard and porter. Make it escort the ships when crossing the sea and use it to carry heavy cargo. It has to earn its keep."

It was a staggering gift. If the Lapis Merchant Guild could employ the ancient beast that once ruled the Southern seas, they would have no rivals.

‘Whether it’s pirates or the plots of competing guilds, I can crush them all!’

It meant that no one would be able to touch a Lapis ship. Serafina’s eyes widened. "B-but will I be able to control it? If the beast doesn't listen to me…."

"Don't worry. I’ll make sure the education sticks." Kang Jin-ho approached the Kraken and stared directly into its massive eyes. The playfulness vanished, and a chilly killing intent enveloped the beast.

"Listen well, Squid," Kang Jin-ho’s voice dropped low. "From today, the temporary master in charge of you is that woman. She is my wallet and my representative."

The Kraken nodded desperately.

"If you don't listen to what my wallet says, or if you run away, or if you get ideas and cause trouble…" Crack. The sound of bones echoed from Kang Jin-ho’s fist. "That day will be your funeral. It won't matter where you hide in the depths of the ocean. I don't need to breathe underwater. I will chase you to the end and turn you into live sashimi quite painfully. There will be no mercy then."

Terror surged in the Kraken’s eyes. ‘Scary!’ It wasn't a simple threat. The Kraken knew: ‘This monster would really do it!’ This foul-tempered and vicious monster would definitely retaliate if provoked. There was nowhere in the world to run. Betrayal meant death.

Tremble, tremble.

Paralyzed by fear, the Kraken extended a tentacle and wrote in large letters across the wet sand, combining the characters it had worked so hard to learn last night.

[I WILL BE LOYAL. I WILL NEVER BETRAY YOU.]

A clear sentence, though written crookedly. Seeing this, Roan and the knights were lost for words. An ancient beast was communicating with humans by writing. It wasn't just simple signaling; it was clear dialogue. Fear had evolved its intelligence—or rather, it had forced the beast to use the intelligence it never felt the need to use before.

"See? I told you it listens well." Kang Jin-ho smiled at Serafina with satisfaction. "Now this fellow is yours. Raise it well and contribute to multiplying my assets."

"…Thank you. Truly, thank you." Serafina bowed her head, overwhelmed with emotion. With this, the Lapis Merchant Guild had secured the strongest martial force in the South.

The situation was settled. The Charon Merchant Guild was dismantled, and Serafina began absorbing their assets and interests. The remnants of the Followers of the Abyss were all imprisoned. And the calamity of the sea, the Kraken, became the loyal mascot of the Lapis Guild.

His business in the South was finished. 'Time to leave.'

That night, Kang Jin-ho left the VIP suite of the Escar Ducal Mansion and stayed in a hotel room.

"Leaving tomorrow, then."

There were no regrets. He had earned money, enjoyed a vacation, and seen an interesting show. He planned to wander aimlessly again and take on appropriate requests.

It was then. Tap, tap.

A cautious knock was heard. He sensed Serafina’s presence. Kang Jin-ho spoke casually. "Come in."

Click. The door opened and Serafina entered. However, her appearance was different from usual. She wasn't wearing her usual neat dress-suit attire. She wore a thin nightgown made of shimmering silk. It was a transparent and precarious outfit that looked as if her skin would show through under the moonlight. With her blue hair let down, she looked like a dangerously alluring woman, completely different from the cold guild master she appeared during the day.

"……."

Kang Jin-ho stopped packing and looked at her. It was obvious at a glance that this wasn't business. She held no ledgers or contracts in her hands.

"What is it? The settlement should be finished."

Serafina closed the door behind her. Her face was flushed red, but her gaze was unwavering. These were not the eyes of ambition or calculation. They were filled only with a pure and primal longing for one man—Kang Jin-ho.

"The settlement is finished… but there is something I haven't given you yet."

She approached slowly, her bare feet making no sound on the carpet.

"Tonight… I wish to serve you, Fist Emperor-nim." Serafina’s voice trembled slightly. "Before you leave, I want to give you my everything."

It wasn't an impulsive proposal. she had gone between heaven and hell. The man who saved her from the brink of despair. The only person who recognized her value and affirmed her ambition. And the man who protected her with overwhelming power. It was impossible not to fall for him. This wasn't a merchant’s investment; it was a woman’s love and devotion.

"……."

Kang Jin-ho sat on the edge of the bed, resting his chin on his hand. He scanned her from head to toe. She was beautiful. In the original story, the Golden Queen was described as being famous for her beauty. She was indeed stunning enough to live up to that description.

However, his reaction was apathetic. "I told you. I don't sleep with virgins."

His rule was firm. "It's a hassle to take responsibility. I hate it when people cling to me after one night saying 'I gave you my purity' or 'take responsibility'."

An ordinary woman would have fled with a red face from such words. But Serafina did not back down. Instead, she took another step forward and stood before the bed. She raised a trembling hand and took Kang Jin-ho’s hand, placing it over her left chest, where her heart was pounding.

Thump, thump. A fast, intense pulse was transmitted through his palm.

"I won't ask you to take responsibility," Serafina said, staring straight into Kang Jin-ho’s eyes. "I won't force marriage or love. It’s just… because I want this."

A light of resolve dwelt in her eyes. "You showed me a new world. You lit a fire in my ambition and allowed me to be reborn. So… I want you to take my first time as well." She whispered, rubbing her cheek against his hand. "Just hold me tonight. That is enough. I will always be your wallet. At the same time, after today… I won't ask first. You can just come to me whenever you want and enjoy my body. I am satisfied being such a tool."

There was no lie to be found in her eyes. Only unwavering desire and the resolve of one who knew her place exactly. Kang Jin-ho smirked.

'She really is a tough woman.'

Her venomous drive to get what she wanted—befitting of a "Golden Queen"—was worth acknowledging. He didn't dislike that attitude of throwing oneself away to obtain a goal.

"Fine. If you insist."

Kang Jin-ho pulled his hand back and wrapped it around Serafina’s waist. Her body was pulled in close. Through the thin nightgown, their hot temperatures met.

"Keep this in mind, though." Kang Jin-ho leaned in and whispered into her ear. It wasn't a sweet endearment, but a cold contract condition. "Our contract condition: 'If you become a nuisance or useless, I discard you at any ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time.' That promise remains valid even on this bed."

Kang Jin-ho warned her once more. But Serafina smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck and beamed with joy.

"I will keep it in mind. I will serve you with my all… so that I am never discarded."

At her answer, Kang Jin-ho’s lips curled into a satisfied grin. He lifted her up effortlessly.

"Fine. Let’s see then. Just how great your resolve is."

Kang Jin-ho carried her toward the inner part of the bedroom. The moonlight faded, and darkness fell over the room.

"Ah, ah…!"

The shadows of the two overlapped as one. The last night in the South deepened in that manner.