Chapter 51
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Dragon Knight
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The examination at the Management Office ended more simply than expected. Just like the screening for an ordinary Awakener.
Il-ho was rated roughly at B+-Rank Hunter level. Her physical prowess reached A-Rank standards, but the lack of any usable skills held her back.
Il-ho seemed disappointed with the rank, but as a being born from me, I was certain her potential reached far higher.
In principle, Il-ho should have been classified as a 'familiar created by Awakener Lee Da-yoon's skill.' But thanks to my strong insistence and her unique nature, she was granted official Hunter status.
And rightly so—how could you call a being that thinks and acts independently, even transforming into human form, a mere familiar?
Besides, labeling her that way would paint me as an outrageous Awakener who commands a 'B+-Rank Hunter-level familiar.'
Above all, I wanted to treat Il-ho not as some tool, but as a person.
That was when we finished all the procedures and returned home.
Pang!
Smoke billowed up as Il-ho transformed into her small, cute armored skink form.
"Huh?"
She didn't need to do that now that I was supplying her with my mana. Puzzled, I picked up Il-ho, who was sitting obediently on the sofa.
"Why'd you turn back into a lizard again?"
As I tilted my head, Il-ho rubbed her body against my hand. Somehow, I could read her thoughts and feelings in the gesture.
"You think you can't right now because you're still too weak? Weaker than the others?"
Il-ho nodded up and down.
In other words, Il-ho believed she shouldn't stay in human form because she was too weak.
More precisely, she felt guilty about consuming my mana without being helpful, especially when I already had guardians protecting me.
"Hmm... This is tricky."
Of course, if I ordered her to stay human, Il-ho would obey without question. She'd follow my word to the letter.
But that wouldn't erase the guilt weighing on her heart.
So there was only one solution.
Make Il-ho stronger.
Il-ho thought she wasn't fulfilling her role as a guardian, and she felt bad about using my mana.
Both issues would resolve once she grew stronger. Strength would let her protect me, and she'd no longer need my mana.
A brilliant idea flashed in my mind.
'Send Il-ho into a dungeon!'
That way, she could level up, and all our problems would be solved.
Of course, sending a newborn into danger tugged at my heartstrings, but Il-ho was born a warrior. She had an instinct that didn't shy from battle. I was the one worrying; Il-ho would surely want this too.
"Il-ho. Do you want to get stronger?"
At my question, Il-ho's golden eyes sparkled brighter than ever. She nodded without hesitation.
"Great! Then let's level you up!"
But I couldn't send her in right away. Sending her empty-handed risked injury.
So, I needed to make her some gear.
"Alright, Il-ho. Your dad... no, mom? Big sis? will make you the coolest gear in the world!"
I headed to the room with my lair, declaring it solemnly. I needed to grab the ziplock bag of my body byproducts for crafting materials.
With Il-ho perched on my shoulder, I confidently checked the shelf—but not a single scale remained.
Only then did I remember giving all my scales to Il-ho earlier. Ten of them, every last one.
No regrets there, but it was a problem with no materials left for crafting right now.
"Ugh..."
I couldn't rip off healthy scales, and I wouldn't give her shoddy gear...
"There must be some I dropped somewhere."
Yeah, definitely. I started searching the entire house.
"Il-ho, help me look too! Something shiny! Miss So-jeong, could you help search for scales?"
"Yes. I'll look."
Il-ho hopped cutely off my shoulder and scurried around the floor.
I got down on all fours, checking under the sofa, bed, desk—every nook and cranny.
After a long search, I spotted a faint glimmer in the sofa's corner.
"Found one!"
Stretching my arm deep inside, I pulled it out. Definitely one of my scales. But one wasn't nearly enough.
Just then, Il-ho came dashing out of my lair room, a golden scale sparkling in her mouth.
"Oh! Good job, Il-ho!"
I stroked her head. One more, and I could make something decent.
So, best to leave the house search to Miss So-jeong and try another approach.
"Miss So-jeong, I'm going to take a bath to loosen some scales. Could you check the house?"
"Yes. I'll search thoroughly."
My other method was a bath.
Like before, when I tried pulling scales for crafting—soak in warm water to loosen them.
As I headed to the bathroom, Yu So-jeong called out.
"Miss Lee Da-yoon."
"Yes?"
"If it's alright, why not bathe Il-ho too?"
Her unexpected suggestion stopped me short.
"Huh? Il-ho too?"
"Yes. She's picked up a lot of dust running around the house."
Looking down at Il-ho, I saw dust dulling her once-shiny scales. Makes sense after rooting around under furniture.
'Yeah... that tracks.'
Better to wash her while I was at it.
"Yeees~ Il-ho, come here!"
With Il-ho on my shoulder, I went to the bathroom. I set her on the sink, then stripped to wash up.
Pang!
Il-ho shifted back to human form. And started struggling to undress.
Why? What for?
Half-undressed, Il-ho tilted her head at me.
She apparently thought bathing required human form.
'Ugh... Hard to correct this misunderstanding...'
In the end, I approached half-naked Il-ho and pulled her top off over her head. Her clothes came off, revealing pale skin.
Once I stripped too, we were both naked.
'...She's my daughter? Little sister? Whatever.'
This situation felt incredibly awkward. Sharing a bathroom naked with a girl stirred an odd mix of taboo and strange excitement.
Ignoring my flushing face, I took Il-ho's hand.
"L-Let's shower first!"
Hot steam filled the bathroom. With the tub filling as background noise, I led Il-ho under the showerhead.
Warm water cascaded over us.
Il-ho, innocent as ever, tried grabbing the water stream like it was fascinating.
Singing the national anthem in my head, I started washing her.
"Okay, time to shampoo. Head down."
Il-ho obediently lowered her head. I focused hard on not thinking stray thoughts as I lathered her black hair.
Massaging her scalp through the soft strands, Il-ho squirmed like it tickled.
"Hold still. Almost done."
When the foam was thick enough, I grabbed the showerhead to rinse—right then.
Shake shake shake!
"Eek?!"
Il-ho shook her head like a wet dog. Suds flew everywhere. Startled by my yelp, she gave me big puppy-dog eyes like a scolded pup.
"Felt weird? You got spooked, huh? Rinse quick before it gets in your eyes. Close 'em tight."
Sighing at her unspoken guilt, I carefully rinsed her hair.
"Okay, eyes open now."
After finishing Il-ho's hair, I hurriedly shampooed mine. Time slipped by unnoticed. Suddenly, I held body wash.
Mechanically, as fast as possible, I soaped and rinsed Il-ho's body. Then mine, roughly.
"Phew..."
The long shower finally ended. The tub now brimmed with steaming hot water.
I stepped in cautiously first.
"Come on in."
Il-ho climbed in obediently. Warm water enveloped us, melting away tension. Il-ho seemed blissful too, snuggling close with eyes closed in comfort.
She even splashed her tail playfully underwater.
Hmm, some floating bath toys would be perfect for playtime like this.
Not for me, for Il-ho. Toys help development, right? Touching and playing with them.
Then the bathroom door opened, and Yu So-jeong entered.
"Eek?!"
I yelped, covering myself with my wings. She approached casually, holding something.
"Miss Da-yoon. I brought some toys for playing."
Rubber ducks, squeaky soft toys, self-moving water toys—perfectly ordinary, perfectly suited. Il-ho would love them. Amazed by her thoughtfulness yet hiding shyly behind Il-ho, my eyes locked on one item.
'That one...?!'