Chapter 22

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Translator: 8uhl

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: Wolf's Companion

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"Haa..."

I threw myself onto the bed right after getting out of the shower. Water dripping from my hair soaked the blanket, but I didn't have the energy to care.

I hadn't felt this exhausted inside the dungeon, but now that I was back, I felt like I could drop dead from fatigue.

Bzzz.

My phone vibrated.

[Great job out there, my daughter.]

[Get some rest... ^^ - Mom]

I'd texted Mom on the way home, and she finally replied during lunchtime. I sent back a single emoticon and buried my face in the blanket again. The faint scent of fabric softener soothed my mind.

It felt like I'd sleep so soundly just like this.

Kiiing.

"Oh, right."

This time, it was a sound from my inventory. I lifted my head and opened it. The silver bracelet I'd found in the cabinet earlier was vibrating wildly. When I took it out and placed it on my hand, it finally calmed down.

A pair of pointed ears sprouted from the wooden bead, followed by four skinny legs poking out. Cracks began to form in the light like a hatching egg, and as it fully dispersed, the form of the Sun-Devouring Wolf slowly emerged.

Awooo—!

The Sun-Devouring Wolf—no, Nokdu—that burst from the bracelet looked just like a puppy you'd see in the countryside. Fluffy snow-white fur, a moist nose, and pale green eyes, with facial features that somehow looked adorably aggrieved.

Kyau— ngh... whiiiine!

Nokdu burrowed into my arms, letting out pitiful whines, but its tail wagged vigorously all the while.

"Nokdu, do you remember me?"

Kyaang! Ngh! Kiiing...!

"Guess I'm the only one who doesn't remember..."

Nokdu scratched at my arm with its front paws, desperately trying to stay close, as if vowing never to lose me again.

I hugged Nokdu tight and patted its back. The restless pup gradually calmed, draping its front paws over my shoulder and breathing softly.

'—Du... ya!'

Ego suddenly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shouted.

'You remember Nokdu?'

'Of course— our precious... buddy!'

The connection was still spotty, but I could make out what Ego was saying now.

Crackle.

'Ah, ah. Can you hear me clearly now?'

'Huh? Yeah.'

'Phew, my energy's finally recovering.'

It took a while.

Ego cleared its throat.

'Since you regressed right before dying, Nokdu somehow survived too.'

'If I die, it dies?'

'Yeah. Summons share their life with their companion.'

I shared a life with this little guy?

I tilted my head to peek at Nokdu's face. The whining pup had already fallen peacefully asleep.

'Nokdu... the Sun-Devouring Wolf is a one-of-a-kind item in this world. No one knows which dungeon it'll appear in, and even if it does, it's not guaranteed to be yours.'

'Then meeting Nokdu first was a total miracle.'

'Miracle doesn't even cover it. Nokdu chose you itself.'

'Nokdu chose me...'

I carefully lifted Nokdu off my shoulder and laid it on the blanket. The moment I pulled my hand away to cover it, Nokdu woke up and started whining again, as if afraid I'd leave it behind.

"No, I'm not going anywhere."

I patted its back, and Nokdu blinked sleepily before drifting off once more.

'The more you bond with Nokdu and fight together, the stronger it gets. Take it into dungeons every day if you can.'

Phew...

As Ego's humming faded, the narrow room filled only with Nokdu's soft breaths.

'Should've welcomed it more warmly.'

No memories, but it must've been closer to me than anyone. I kept regretting my lukewarm reaction.

I lay down beside Nokdu, pulled it into my arms, and pressed my forehead to its own. Feeling our souls touch, I soon fell into a deep sleep.

"...Do I look like a vet to you, you idiot?"

I should be grateful a slipper didn't come flying my way.

Wanting to learn more about Nokdu, the Sun-Devouring Wolf, I'd rushed straight to Mi-rae-ssi's lab after waking up. Now I stood there like a criminal, getting scolded.

Awoong?

Along with Nokdu, who grinned innocently in my arms, oblivious to it all.

Mi-rae-ssi glanced between Nokdu and me, clicked her tongue, then finally let us into the lab.

I hadn't noticed before because of her long sleeves, but her entire body was covered in tattoos. From her stretched-out T-shirt collar revealing her collarbone, to her forearms and fingers—packed with unknown symbols and script.

"So you want me to dissect this wolf pup now?"

"Dissect? Don't say such creepy things."

"Then what?"

"I just want to know more about this bracelet."

I handed the Sun-Devouring Wolf to Mi-rae-ssi. She squinted and picked it up with tweezers.

"Nokdu was summoned from this item."

"Summoned from an item? That's a new one."

Mi-rae-ssi donned her goggles from the cluttered desk and examined it closely.

Plop.

She dipped it in a transparent liquid and pulled it out.

"Mind telling me what you're doing?"

"Gonna read this weird bracelet's composition. Saliva's pooling—shut your mouth."

Mi-rae-ssi irritably shoved me aside with one arm. Nokdu looked up at me, tilting its head. Seemed happier just being with me than feeling neglected.

"Aigoo, so cute."

Kya—wu!

Viiiing.

The Sun-Devouring Wolf went into a small capsule, hit by a laser, and numbers flooded the nearby screen.

"Hmm... unbelievable."

Mi-rae-ssi zoomed in on the screen, dumping ice from her cup into her mouth.

"Normal items and weapons are mostly made from dungeon byproducts."

"What about this one?"

"Come see for yourself."

Tap.

The screen displayed info on the Sun-Devouring Wolf.

"Monster?"

"That's typical for summons. Looks like yours is too."

Slurp.

Mi-rae-ssi sipped coffee brought by a robot and continued.

"You've been a hunter for less than a month, and you already have a summon. Your luck is insane."

"What do summons usually eat? What if it gets sick?"

"That's why I'm not a vet, idiot. Just search it on XTube."

Any longer, and I'd get an earful of curses. I bowed to Mi-rae-ssi with Nokdu and slipped out—sure enough, a hearty string of expletives hit my back.

"Hey! Take this!"

"Ack!"

Smack.

I caught what she threw with one hand.

"Summons live on monster meat or byproducts. Don't starve the poor thing, idiot!"

"Mi-rae-ssi...!"

Bam!

The lab door slammed shut.

Yeah, she's got a foul mouth and temper, but she's not a bad person.

'Huh, that sounded like swearing.'

I stowed the bear meat in my inventory and headed to the association lobby. Sitting on the sofa, I gazed blankly at Nokdu while stroking its soft fur. Nokdu gently nibbled my fingers with its front paws, careful not to hurt me.

"Haa..."

Grrr, huff.

It still didn't feel real.

Not remembering is more frustrating than I thought.

Even amid my confusion, Nokdu was busy rubbing its face against my hand.

"Nokdu."

Kyawoong?

"I don't remember what kind of companion I was before, but..."

Our eyes met. Its emerald eyes sparkled brightly.

"Let's take good care of each other again."

Awoooo—

Nokdu let out a long howl and leaped into my arms. A small, warm glow began to bloom in my chest.

Bzzz.

Now what?

I pulled out my phone from the inventory and opened HunterNet. The notification blinked.