Received a Gift
'Liar... You said there was no boss.'
I gulped dryly, stealing a sideways glance at the deer staring intently down at me from right above my head.
...What do I do?
For now, deer are herbivores, right...? It probably won't try to eat me.
The problem was that this was inside the Tower. A place where common sense didn't apply—maybe this deer was carnivorous.
I held my breath, watching the deer's eyes carefully as I cautiously took one step back.
...I don't taste good.
Rustle.
The sound of grass crunching under my foot seemed ridiculously loud.
But the deer just stood there motionlessly, gazing at me with its large, clear eyes.
...It's pretty docile?
As I slowly took another step away, the deer stretched out its neck and lowered its head right in front of me.
"...Eek."
Its face was suddenly right in front of mine. I squeezed my eyes shut, stifling a scream, convinced those huge jaws would chomp down on me any second.
"......?"
But no matter how long I waited, no pain came.
Peeking open one eye, I saw the deer had no intention of threatening me at all. It had gently sat down, matching my eye level.
...What is this guy? Just a good kid?
Up close, the deer was far more beautiful than I'd imagined. Its pure white fur shimmered faintly, and the massive antlers sprouting from its head sparkled like transparent ice.
I reached out a hand, mesmerized.
Cautiously stroking near its forehead.
Swish. Swish.
"Whoa... you're really soft."
The deer's fur was even softer and warmer than I'd expected.
Though not quite as soft as my tail.
As I gently petted it, the deer didn't resist—instead, it closed its eyes in contentment, meekly accepting my touch.
...Could I eat this?
"Pruuung."
"...Sorry."
As if it knew I'd had a naughty thought, the deer opened one eye and looked at me.
Definitely not a normal deer...
With my tension eased, I used both hands to vigorously stroke its cheeks and the nape of its neck.
"Puhuuuung."
"Aww, good girl. What's your name? You live alone?"
As I scratched its nose bridge, Han Serin's voice came from behind.
"Arang! Unnie caught a ton of tasty-looking stuff... Hey! What the heck is that?!"
I flinched at Han Serin's sharp yell and pulled my hands back.
"Uh, um... I dunno. It just appeared behind me all of a sudden..."
"Arang, step back for a sec. Just in case."
Han Serin approached slowly, mana subtly rising around her.
The Tower had no fixed rules.
What was obvious yesterday might change today. Even if that monster seemed friendly to Arang right now, it could snap and attack at any moment.
"...Doesn't seem hostile."
Even up close, there was no trace of the aggression typical of monsters or mana beasts.
...Did it come because Arang's here?
She'd been to this place multiple times before, but she'd never seen or heard of a monster like this.
"Never heard of a monster like this on the 5th floor."
Han Serin narrowed her eyes and tentatively reached toward the deer's face.
The moment her hand was about to touch it—the deer, which had been peacefully dozing, snapped its eyes open and jerked its head away, dodging her.
"Huh?"
"Pruurrrung."
The deer snorted once at Han Serin, then turned back to stare intently at me.
"What the—? It's discriminating?"
I reached out again carefully, watching Han Serin let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Come here."
At my small gesture, the deer eagerly lowered its head again, resting its heavy chin on my palm and locking eyes with me.
"......"
"......Hehe."
Han Serin stared at me blankly, speechless at the blatant favoritism.
"...This is kinda pissing me off... Getting discriminated against by a monster."
"Must be 'cause I'm too cute~."
"Guess that deer has a thing for small boobs or whatever."
I shot Han Serin a long glare at her words.
Once I grow up... they'll get bigger.
"Okay, okay, sorry Arang, unnie won't tease anymore, 'kay?"
"Fine... But seriously, what is this thing?"
"Dunno. First time seeing one like this. Probably only shows up under special conditions."
Han Serin crossed her arms, scanning the deer curiously from all angles.
Just then, the deer—which had been resting its chin on my palm, enjoying the pets—slowly rose to its feet.
"Huh? You leaving?"
As its massive frame stood tall again, I startled and took a step back.
The deer gave me one last lingering, wistful look, then suddenly shook its neck vigorously side to side.
Pruuurrrrk!
As it lightly tossed its head.
Plop, thunk.
"......Huh?"
"Gasp."
The majestic white antlers towering above its head fell to the ground like old broken branches.
"The antlers... the antlers fell off...!"
They were detachable...?
While Arang and I gawked at the fallen antlers, the deer gently rubbed its soft nose against my cheek one last time, then turned without regret and walked toward the lake.
Splash. Splash.
Even as its hooves touched the lake surface, its body didn't sink.
As the deer walked farther to the center of the lake atop the water, its form began to scatter like shimmering light, gradually turning transparent.
Shhh-.
And soon enough.
The deer dissolved into particles of light and vanished completely with the wind.
...What was that, for real?
Arang and I stared blankly at the lake for a long while, mesmerized by the mystical sight.
"......A spirit."
Han Serin murmured softly, eyes narrowed.
"A spirit?"
"Yeah. They pop up rarely... In places rich with natural energy. Guess the conditions were met here."
"Whoa, so cool~...."
"The cool part is you. Spirits usually avoid contact with humans, but it approached you first and even left its antlers."
At her words, I finally turned my gaze to the two massive antlers on the ground.
I approached cautiously and picked one up.
I'd expected it to be heavy, but it was surprisingly light.
It had a fun texture—like transparent ice, but somehow soft too.
Ding-.
◈ A mysterious horn condensed from the pure energy of a clear lake and the spirit's mana. It holds the utmost pristine energy, utterly free of impurities.
"...What's this?"
Hmm... edible?
I wasn't sure how to process it, but it felt like something I could eat.
My tail swished at the faint sweet scent wafting from the antler.
Maybe just a quick lick?
Lick.
"...Huh, not much flavor?"
It had a subtle nutty taste, but nothing distinct.
Maybe grind it up and put it in bread?
I hugged the two antlers tightly to my chest and scampered over to Han Serin.
"This seems like a good item—could you store it in your subspace inventory for me?"
As I looked up at her with sparkling eyes, Han Serin stared down at me for a moment, then smirked and took the antlers from my arms.
"You shouldn't hand over stuff like this so easily if it seems valuable. What if someone swipes it?"
"But unnie wouldn't do that, right?"
"...Unnie...? Ah, fine. I'll do it. Hand 'em over."
Han Serin's face flushed as she carefully stored the antlers in her subspace.
Was it the "unnie" that got her?
Han Serin closed the subspace and stretched languidly.
"Alright, got your loot. What now? Wanna hang out a bit longer, breathe the fresh air? Or head back?"
I rubbed my chin, pondering her question.
"Hmm...... Since we're here, let's rest a little more."
Han Serin chuckled at my answer and picked up the branch of fish she'd tossed on the ground earlier.
"Sure, let's do that. Then we can grill these fish I sweated buckets to catch. Food from the Tower hits different."
"Yay! I'm starving!"
Han Serin patted my head lightly and pulled out a gas burner to start grilling the fish.
I sat down beside her and asked something I'd been wondering.
"But unnie, don't you raid the Tower? You're always just at the cafe."
"...Not much lately."
Seeing her hesitate oddly while staring at the fish, I decided not to pry and just watched the grilling quietly.
She's got some circumstances... No need to dig.
I didn't want to pry into someone else's secrets.