Chapter 104

Translator: MJK

Chapter: 104

Chapter Title: Puppy Power-Up

Saint Mary International School, 4th Grade Class A.

It was the day the pop quiz results were announced.

"So-ye took first place again this time too. Everyone, give her a round of applause!"

The kids clapped enthusiastically at Teacher Kim Soo-hyun's cheerful voice.

So-ye shyly bowed her head as she accepted her test paper—a perfect score covered in bright red circles.

She hadn't even been enrolled long, but So-ye was already leading the class by a wide margin.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

She didn't cause any trouble during lessons.

She'd just done things the way she always had.

Yet her grades were consistently top-tier.

And with her doll-like beauty on top of that, it was only natural that all eyes were on her.

Of course, not all those gazes were friendly.

"Tch, what a show-off."

Kim Sera, sitting in the back row, snorted loud enough for everyone to hear.

The only child of a wealthy family, she'd been the queen bee of the class until now.

She clearly wasn't thrilled that the attention rightfully hers had rolled over to the new transfer student.

"Thinks she's hot stuff just 'cause she studies well. Hey, isn't her brother unemployed? Heard he doesn't even go to cram school."

"For real? So she studies all by herself at home?"

"Tough cookie. Real hungry spirit, huh?"

Sera's little posse giggled along.

So-ye pretended not to hear as she packed her books, but then Lee Min-joon, sitting at the next desk over, shot to his feet.

"Hey, Kim Sera. You done talking?"

Min-joon's voice rang through the classroom.

Sera flinched and turned around.

"W-what? Did I say something wrong?"

"Yeah, you did. He's not unemployed... uh, what was it? Oh, right—a farmer. And if you're jealous of So-ye, just say so! Don't whisper behind her back like a total hick."

Min-joon had grown a lot since the keychain incident last time.

The spoiled rich kid who'd tried to buy people off with money had become a loyal friend who knew when to speak up.

"You... Lee Min-joon, just you wait!"

Sera's face flushed red as she whipped back around.

Min-joon huffed and strode over to So-ye.

"Don't let it get to you, So-ye. They're just jealous."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Min-joon."

So-ye flashed him a bright smile, and Min-joon's face lit up with the pride of a world-saving hero.

He seemed thrilled that he'd protected her.

Clack-

Bunny, dangling from her bag, clicked her tongue inwardly.

How dare they badmouth my little mistress? She itched to unleash her shadow tentacles and give them a proper schooling right then and there.

But it was unexpected how well Min-joon had put up a shield.

Bunny generously added points to Min-joon's tally in her mental ledger.

But the ringleader, Kim Sera...

Daring to irk my mistress?

Bunny resolved to book a premium nightmare delivery service straight to that arrogant brat's dreams tonight.

Lunchtime.

Saint Mary's cafeteria was famous for rivaling a hotel buffet.

The reason was simple.

The parents had a lot of pull.

"It's for my kid—no organics, no good."

"Ingredients only from that morning's delivery. The lobster has to be Canadian, or they won't touch it."

To meet the demands of those helicopter moms, they'd scouted Michelin-starred chefs and used only top-shelf ingredients. It had earned them quite the reputation.

The kids swarmed toward the cafeteria.

But So-ye stayed in the classroom and pulled out her lunchbox.

Her brother had drilled it into her: be cautious with outside food for now.

Clatter!

As So-ye opened the lid, the noses of the few kids still in the room twitched in unison.

A glossy red-sauced grilled dish glistened invitingly.

But one kid recognized it first and spoke up.

"Huh? Isn't that deodeok?"

A classmate's eyes went wide.

"Yeah, it is. Grilled deodeok."

"Whoa... you eat stuff like that? Isn't deodeok for grown-ups?"

"So-ye, you're so mature. I can't even handle the bitterness."

The kids looked at So-ye with eyes full of envy.

For elementary kids, being called "mature" was the ultimate compliment.

So-ye was just about to puff up with pride when a bucket of cold water doused her.

"Deodeok? That's super bitter!"

It was Kim Sera.

Pretending to pinch her nose, she wrinkled her face.

"Ugh, that bitter smell. How do you even eat that? Total grandma taste."

The kids murmured at Sera's words.

Deodeok definitely wasn't a favorite for elementary palates.

But So-ye calmly picked up her chopsticks.

"It's not bitter. It's really good."

"Liar. How could deodeok not be bitter?"

"For real. Wanna try?"

So-ye offered a piece to her desk mate, Park Joo-ah.

Joo-ah hesitated, but the aroma was too tempting, and she opened her mouth on impulse.

Nom.

Joo-ah's eyes went huge.

"...!"

"See? Bitter? Tastes bad, right?"

Sera asked eagerly, but Joo-ah's response was the opposite.

"No... what is this? It's amazing! Not bitter at all—sweet like sweet potato!"

"What? Sweet potato?"

"Isn't this meat? So chewy and melts in your mouth. So good!"

Joo-ah's excitement drew the other kids in a rush.

"Me too! Just one bite!"

"Hey, I was first!"

So-ye laughed and slid the lunchbox their way.

The kids scrambled to grab pieces.

And one by one, they burst into awe.

"Whoa, insane. This is deodeok? I hate deodeok, but I could eat this forever."

"Way better than what our chef makes at home."

"So-ye, I'm so jealous. You must eat like this every day!"

Just like that, So-ye became the class's envy-worthy foodie.

"......"

Sera ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠watched the scene before slinking back to her seat.

No one backed her up.

"Th-this...!"

Tears pricked at her eyes.

She couldn't believe all the attention had been stolen.

Around that time, at the countryside house kitchen.

Sizzle-

I flipped the deodeok crackling on the frying pan, a satisfied smile on my face.

My special gochujang marinade.

For the family portions, I'd swapped it for a sweet sauce made from garden fruits.

The nutty sesame oil aroma mixed with the savory-sweet sauce, filling the kitchen.

"Smells good, right?"

-Mrrow!

Muryong tugged at my pants from under the table, whining for it now.

A few days ago, I'd transplanted the [Snow Mountain Deodeok] that Gorani dug up from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Kunlun Mountains into my garden and refined it.

Originally, snow mountain deodeok had great medicinal properties but rock-hard texture and bitter taste that made it tough to eat raw.

But after a few days in my garden soil, it had transformed completely.

"Alright, all done."

I plated the perfectly grilled deodeok and headed out to the porch.

"Want some?"

"Kirring!"

Gorani chomped one whole, letting out a blissful squeal.

"Hasuo, you too."

"Ppoeng..."

Hasuo hesitated a bit.

Maybe seeing it as a root buddy?

But the sweet scent proved too much; he nibbled a corner,

"Ppoeng!"

then his eyes sparkled as he vacuumed it up.

"Cluck-cluck!"

"Oso-sot!"

Kkokko and Oso-ri pecked at the tender flesh, nourishing themselves properly.

Muryong especially had honey smeared around his mouth and banged his bowl demanding more.

"Perfect as a snack—chewy and sweet like jelly."

I wondered if So-ye was enjoying hers at school.

I'd packed extra to share with friends.

A peaceful, delicious lunch.

Sunset.

I grabbed a basket, hopped on Gorani's back, and headed to Old Man No's place.

"You home, Chief?"

"Oh, Assistant Jang! Come on in!"

No Tae-seop, relaxing in the yard after work, greeted me warmly.

But before him, something burst from the front door like it was going to shatter it.

"Woof!"

Hellmung-i.

His tail wagged so hard it vanished as he latched onto my leg.

The two heads rubbed against my hands in competition, nearly toppling me.

"Aigoo, Hellmung-i. Good boy? Put on some weight, huh?"

Glossy black fur over a solid, muscled frame.

Clear signs of good eating and love.

His eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief.

"Here, a treat."

I portioned the snow-melted honey deodeok into his bowl.

"Woof?"

He sniffed, eyes rolling back at the aroma.

Left head chewed one piece while the right snatched another, gobbling frantically.

They growled competitively but shared amiably—adorable.

"Heh, this guy ignores my kibble but goes nuts for that."

"Brought some for you too, Chief. Try this deodeok—delicious."

No Tae-seop popped a raw piece and gasped in admiration.

"Whoa... this is the real deal. Melts in your mouth. My throat's been scratchy this change of seasons, but this clears it right out."

We sat on the yard bench, sipping tea while watching Hellmung-i play.

"Oh, about that house I asked for last time."

"Ah, the black market siblings' place?"

The old man grinned, pulling keys from his pocket.

"All set. Fresh wallpaper, new flooring, basic furniture stocked. They could move in tonight."

"Thank you so much. Seo-jin will love it."

The house for the Kim Se-jin siblings.

Right next door, facing Old Man No's wall.

Security? Hellmung-i up close, Gorani from afar—no safer spot.

"How's Valhalla treating you, Chief? Settling in?"

"Flying high. Top guild's different, alright. Say the word, and it's on your desk by morning. Bureau took a month for approvals."

His face brimmed with energy.

The joy of working where talent was valued and backed fully.

"Bureau's a mess since Park Jin-soo bolted after his screw-up. Command's collapsed—total chaos."

"And with Congressman Park Min-chul losing pull..."

"Yeah. But that guy's no quitter. He'll use this mess to swallow the Bureau whole—privatize it or restructure under him."

A veteran's instinct from decades in power games.

"Krrang! Grrrowl!"

Then Hellmung-i finished the deodeok, licking his empty bowl wistfully.

I watched quietly, spotting something off.

"Kek! Kehehk!"

Right head coughed black smoke; left wheezed white frost onto his whiskers.

"Hellmung-i, come here."

Looking closer, red lava-like veins glowed faintly under his black fur.

Shhh-

Focusing my internal energy, I scanned his aura.

Two heads swirled with distinct energies: flames in the right, ice in the left.

Opposing forces clashed wildly at his mana circuit core, sparking.

'Is this possible?'

Normal mana beasts had one attribute.

But raised on my garden crops, he'd somehow surpassed species limits.

The issue: his body wasn't ready for both powers yet.

"Woof?"

He tilted his head at my gaze, an immense shadow flickering behind those innocent eyes.

"Chief, mind if I borrow Hellmung-i for a check-up?"

"Please do, Assistant Jang. He's been coughing a lot lately."

I soothed the old man, scooped up Hellmung-i, and mounted Gorani.

"Be right back."

Straight to Rio's place by the garden.

"Rio, could you take a look at him?"

"This is..."

Rio narrowed her eyes at Hellmung-i.

"Looks like a small hellhound... but the energy density inside is abnormal. Like two A-rank beast cores crammed in forcibly."

She placed a hand on him and jolted.

"My god... lava and glaciers flowing together inside. They're repelling each other, clogging the mana circuits. He'll burst at this rate."

Hellmung-i ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠whimpered, rolling on the floor in pain.

Rio's face grew grave.

"Only one way: remove one energy."

"Remove?"

"Yes. Give up fire or ice to save him. No beast can house two opposing attributes."

Rio reached for his mana core.

The safest fix: excise one conflicting source.

"No, there's another way."

I stopped her hand.

"But if we don't now, Hellmung-i's in danger."

"No, it'd halve his potential."

I pressed his forehead, channeling internal energy to peer deep inside.

To Rio, it looked like clashing forces.

To me, different.

'I can save both.'

They just lacked a central pivot, grinding off-kilter.

Humm-

I gathered pure internal energy from my dantian at my fingertip.

Then tapped the clogged center—his dantian.