Chapter 035
[Chapter 035]
< Gorani Rocket Delivery >
First delivery.
The Master's order fell.
Being careful so the basket tied to its back didn't shake, the Gorani threw its body into the darkness.
Tack-tack, tack!
The Master's first errand.
The chest swelled as it chewed over it.
It would have been a distance to run at once normally, but today was a bit different.
Because it was the day it entered deep into the village with the Master's permission for the first time.
Of course, crossing this mountain and going out to the city was something it could do anytime.
But it didn't.
Because there was no lack in its life reigning as the monarch of this forest.
It didn't even know if an outside world existed, a monotonous and instinctual life where it didn't even think of going out.
But everything changed after meeting the Master.
In the process of eating mysterious grasses from the garden to get new power, and interacting with Muryong or Hasuo, its days were variedly filled.
The Gorani opened its eyes to a bit of intelligence and vigorous curiosity that had been dormant.
Now the previous life was not remembered, like an old dream.
Le-ap!
With a few jumps, it crossed the mountain and entered the city where lights were sparkling.
Everything was seen for the first time.
Square iron boxes were speeding, and dazzling light was emitting from building walls.
Especially, even with the door closed, a sweet scent vibrated before a certain shop.
[Sing-Sing Fruit & Vegetable]
It was certain that treasures were full beyond this gray door.
It wanted to eat.
But it couldn't.
It was currently performing an important mission.
Ta-ta-ta-ta-tak!
Leaving the regret behind, the Gorani began to run on the asphalt again.
Whish-
The speed was too fast.
In people's eyes, it just looked like a single streak of black wind had passed by.
It jumped between building and building, and escaped through narrow alleys like a ghost.
This sensation of muscles exploding throughout the body.
This freedom as if placing the world under its feet!
High-speed sprint under the lights.
It was a thrill it could never have experienced if not for the Master.
“KKIYOOOOOOOOOOT!”
Standing on the highest building rooftop, the Gorani let out a roar of joy toward the moon.
Master, long live!
* * *
Old Man No was sitting in a garden chair, sipping whiskey while watching the crackling campfire.
Instead of urban noise and smoke, cricket sounds and clear night air.
It was peace forgotten for 20 years.
‘This was what living was.’
It was awkward.
The perfect freedom had for the first time in 20 years.
He even felt a sense of guilt whether it was okay to fully enjoy this sweet rest.
But at the same time, this peace was very good.
Growl-
But his stomach was empty because he hadn't eaten.
Since he lived his whole life eating Bureau cafeteria food, it was quite awkward to take care of meals alone.
Ssssss....
“Hmm?”
In an instant, the flow of air changed.
The campfire flames flickered ominously in the wind, and Old Man No sensed instinctive danger.
This is the ominous and contaminated mana energy felt only in a Rift.
“...!”
Gaze directed toward the dark corner of the garden.
A giant wolf with two heads was standing there before he knew it.
“GRRRRRR-ROOOOO-!!!”
As if it were a gatekeeper of hell, the roar bursting from the two maws simultaneously tore the ears.
B-Rank upper monster, Hellhound.
‘Is it a guy that lived in hiding in the nearby mountains!’
He had heard rumors that livestock occasionally vanished around here, but to think such a fearsome thing was hidden.
Old Man No pulled out the mana interference pistol he always carried at his waist.
But it would be useless.
For a B-Rank Hellhound level, even a small wound couldn't be inflicted with such a mana interference pistol.
A monster capable of turning a large city into a wasteland overnight if it put its mind to it.
“Heh, a too shabby ending if it's like this?”
Old Man No let out a hollow laugh.
Rather than being afraid of death, regret rushed in first.
To think he’d die like this right after starting old-age life after retirement?
Above all, a feeling of apology also came at the fact that he was dying without having given something to Kang-hyun yet.
But right then.
Pa-pa-pak!
An unusual and noisy sound was heard beyond the detached house's gate.
“KKIYO-O-OT!”
An unidentified scream echoed.
And with that.
Pa-pak! Pa-pa-pak!
Thud!
Something jumping in from outside the gate hit the Hellhound with a thud.
“...Go, Gorani?”
“Kkiyot?”
Old Man No widened his eyes at the appearance of the Gorani looking at him while panting, then threw his gaze toward the wall.
There, the Hellhound that was hit by the Gorani and bounced off was slumped while frothing at the mouth, unable to even scream.
“....”
Old Man No stared at the Gorani looking at him, speechless.
He thought for a moment it might be a monster, but it wasn't.
Right, it was a giant Gorani.
With the majesty of a monster (ma-su) with its whole body covered in solid muscle... first of all the face was a Gorani.
‘But why... is it familiar?’
He surely had a memory of seeing such a giant Gorani somewhere.
Ah, right!
Isn't it that Gorani he saw when he went to Kang-hyun's country house?
Did it come all the way here after remembering my scent then?
Clink-
Looking closely, a flashy necklace with high-purity mana stones closely strung was hung on its neck.
And a basket was tied to its back.
‘It's right.’
Inside the basket, there were not only vegetables overflowing with fresh energy just by looking, but also warm foods with steam rising.
Two golden-steamed corns, sweet-smelling roasted sweet potatoes.
And even a sandwich packed tight with fresh vegetables from the garden.
A small note was placed next to it.
[Old Man No, you didn't even take care of dinner, did you?]
“Haha... Hahaha.”
A hollow laugh burst out.
That young friend was worrying about him all the way here.
He was discarded like a worn-out shoe by the organization he was part of for 20 years, but the subordinate who was kicked out was taking care of his meals even after leaving.
Beyond gratitude, it was an emotion that made one corner of his heart sting.
‘Where did such a person roll in from.’
Old Man No picked up one steamed corn with warmth remaining in the basket.
A savory fragrance vibrated.
And, above all, it was warm.
“Hmm?”
But after receiving the basket, the Gorani was just standing there staring blankly at Old Man No.
Although it was a body like a giant monster, mysteriously no threat or hostility was felt at all.
It just stared intently with clear and large eyes as if there was something it wanted.
“...By any chance, you want me to pet you?”
When Old Man No cautiously reached out his hand, the Gorani pushed its round ears in and rubbed its head against Old Man No’s hand.
“Kking!”
The Gorani expressed joy by hopping only then as if it were satisfied.
And then, it vanished like wind into the darkness once more.
“KKIYOOT!”
Muttering while looking back and forth between the wall where the Hellhound was slammed just a moment ago and the basket in his hand.
“Well, really... all sorts of things happen if you live long.”
A Gorani is a delivery.
Saying it's a Gorani, the large eyes or round ears were on the cute side, but the body wasn't at all.
A strength not outclassed even when compared to that crushed Hellhound.
No, rather the density of muscles wrapping the Gorani’s body was close to that of a well-trained Tanker.
‘Just... what do they feed that Gorani for it to be at that level?’
By this point, it was to the level of having questions about the Master raising that Gorani.
He just stared intently down at the al-chan (full) basket in his hand.
* * *
Lately a new rule was created for So-ye.
Exactly never being separated from Bunny (To-sun-i).
“Bunny, let's eat.”
Always by the side when eating.
“Shall we sleep while covered with the blanket now?”
Always by So-ye’s side when sleeping.
Occasionally, mysteriously, even when she forgot Bunny on the bed and came out, once she regained her senses, Bunny had already come to a close distance within reach.
Of course So-ye just thought someone took care of it, and didn't even realize such a thing.
“Airplane play~”
So-ye grabbed Bunny’s long ears and flew around the hospital room making a "bu-ung" sound.
“....”
The cotton limbs of the old doll were stretched long like taffy, but Bunny just silently accepted So-ye’s playfulness.
“Hee-hee, exciting!”
Mysteriously, lately, it felt like the pain subsided much more when Bunny was nearby.
The unpleasant tingling in the air from the faint mana that was felt despite eating delicious vegetables sent by Kang-hyun and taking medicine.
But when she hugged Bunny, that tingling also seemed to be softly blocked.
“Warm....”
What's clear.
Is that the body is becoming better day by day.
“The side dishes Oppa sends are the best delicious!”
So-ye was no longer suffering even if she watched the outside world stuck to the window.
The sound of children's pleasant laughter was echoing from the playground outside the window.
Watching that, So-ye spat out words she hadn't dared to say for a while, for the first time.
“Bunny, can I also go to school someday?”
She wished she could.
“Can I also... make friends?”
Contemplating while pressing Bunny’s belly.
“Hee-hee.”
Thinking it's a very clear good day where she's not depressed or sad at all.
* * *
That night.
The time Kang-hyun fell into a deep sleep.
With Muryong on his belly and Hasuo at his feet, they were sleeping while leaning on each other.
The Gorani, raising its body from the shed, escaped the house.
Shuck!
The Master also said.
That as long as it's not caught, it's okay to go out occasionally.
The Gorani liked the humans' forest (city) it visited for the first time a while ago very much.
Sparkling lights, mysterious smells, numerous people.
Everything was mysterious and fun.
Where shall I go today?
Ku-dung, ku-dung.
The sturdy chest was beating and moving very busily.
It couldn't forget the thrill of the city tour it went a few days ago.
Whish!
The Gorani threw its body toward the mountain excitedly.
Every time the hooves imbued with the power of Stalactite Petroleum touched the ground, a faint wave arose in the surrounding space and grass and trees softly made way.
* * *
At that time, Gangnam Bureau Control Center.
Staff members who were furrowing their faces in the fatigue of overnight work jumped up from their seats in surprise.
As something was captured on the control center screen.
“Manager! It appeared again!”
“What!”
On the screen, an unidentified mysterious creature was captured flying at a terrifying speed over the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do.
It was so fast its form couldn't be identified, and it wasn't caught on radar.
Even every CCTV on the path that flight object passed was temporarily neutralized by a powerful mana wave.
“Crazy! Just what is it that its movement alone is a natural disaster level power? Damn, the path?”
“Same as last time. After circling once around Seoul city center, the signal was lost again near this area, the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do!”
“Is it an S-Rank monster, or an unidentified flight object from a foreign country....”
The control center manager and deputy manager faced each other with serious faces.
“If this is a stealth recon plane from a foreign country, this is a security problem beyond a diplomatic problem. Report it to the Ministry of Defense right away...!”
“No. This wave is from a living organism. If an S-Rank monster with that level of speed and stealth ability is roaming the Seoul sky, that's a more terrible thing!”
The control center was turned upside down.
To think the night sky of the South Korean capital is wide open like a highway to an unidentified existence.
This was not an exaggeration to call a national crisis.
Of course, they couldn't know.
The fact that the identity of the existence they were trembling over as an S-Rank monster was just a Gorani excited for city viewing.
< Gorani Rocket Delivery > END