Chapter 66
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Ur's Wild Instinct Training
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The training to awaken Ur's wild instincts didn't go as well as expected.
Was it because they'd spent too much time living like pets?
Or maybe because it was still just a young pup?
No meaningful results emerged after nearly half a day of exploration.
'I didn't expect it to happen in just a day or two...'
But seeing no potential at all was frustrating.
Yeon Sung-hun pressed his forehead with a groan.
"Kruuung..."
Seeing Ur so dejected and downcast, Yeon Sung-hun scratched his head.
"...Hoo. Yeah. You worked hard too."
He gently stroked Ur's head before picking it up.
"Good job."
"Kraaong—."
"Alright. I'll give you tons of treats when we get back. Chin up."
"Kraang..."
"Yeah, yeah. Something you love."
Pat, pat. Yeon Sung-hun soothed the creature quietly as he exited the rift.
It might be disappointing for Ur, but Yeon Sung-hun had no intention of giving up just like that.
If he hadn't gotten involved at all, that would be one thing—but now that he had, he had to achieve some results.
'I got it wrong. Instead of throwing it straight into fights with monsters, I should have started with basic adaptation training.'
He'd assumed that since it was the remnant of an A-rank monster called the mountain's lord and even a devil, it could handle sparring with monsters right away. But that might have been too hasty.
'I'll lower my expectations a bit.'
Building fundamentals before real combat might be the smarter approach.
Yeon Sung-hun wrapped up the "walk" disguised as Ur's training while mentally planning its future schedule.
By the time he returned to guild headquarters with it...
"Oppa! That's way too long for just a walk, isn't it?! What on earth have you been doing?"
"Oh my gosh! Look how filthy our Ur is! Sung-hun oppa, what did you do?!"
"Are you okay, Ur?"
"Kraaang!"
Yeon Sung-hun faced a barrage of questions from the female guild members who'd been training at headquarters the whole time.
"It was really just a walk."
"Does this look like 'just a walk' to you? The poor thing's a mess!"
"...You know how quirky it is? It rolled around in the dirt and..."
"Is that true, Ur?"
Yeon Sung-hun's gaze urgently turned to Ur, who was whining in Lee Ha-na's arms.
One thing he could admit: Ur was clever. It would understand.
Considering the bond they'd built, it wouldn't betray him.
'I trust you, Ur.'
As if reading his desperate eyes, Ur's blinked once.
It quickly opened its mouth.
"Kraaang! Kraaong!"
"Oh? Really? Did Sung-hun oppa really do that?!"
"How could you do this to our baby, oppa!"
"I'm disappointed, Sung-hun oppa."
Ur had tried its best to defend him, but to these women, its words hardly mattered.
They couldn't communicate anyway.
They'd already decided to tease him, ignoring Ur's cries as they ganged up.
Were they getting revenge for him sneaking off alone with Ur, leaving them out?
Yeon Sung-hun felt dizzy at their deliberately mischievous teasing.
It reminded him of grandkids showing off— not a bad feeling, really. Still, it left him a bit down.
Especially with the other guild members pretending not to notice, just watching.
The moment he furrowed his brow, Han So-yul's nagging flew at him, preventing any reaction.
The torment disguised as scolding continued until the women said they needed to wash up and left.
"Kraaong—..."
"...Yeah, thanks for the comfort."
Pat, pat.
Ur patted his shoulder with its tiny paw like a person.
"Kraang. Kraaang."
"...I won't forget you taking my side."
The situation was reversed from the previous rift.
To think he'd end up comforted by the creature.
Yeon Sung-hun let out a chuckle at the absurdity before standing.
"Wanna head home and crash? I should see Hae-eun and Mom."
He stroked Ur's head lightly and picked it up.
Ur nestled into his arms familiarly.
"Kraaang! Kraang!"
"Yeah, yeah. I won't forget your favorite special high-density mana potion. Tons when we get home."
Carrying Ur, Yeon Sung-hun headed straight home.
No big achievements, but at least the bond between master and monster had strengthened.
Yeon Sung-hun visited the Black Market.
Not for materials, but at Jeong Hyun-su's request to meet.
Unlike usual late evenings, the midday Black Market had a different vibe.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah. Face-to-face like this, anyway."
Lately, Gye Cheong-san handled most deals, so meeting Jeong Hyun-su was rare.
"You should drop by more often."
"Why?"
"Not seeing my valued partner makes me uneasy."
"If you don't do anything shady, no need to worry. You always track my movements anyway."
"Tch. So antisocial. Face-to-face talk matters. No friends, huh?"
"...Not something I want to hear from an underworld creep."
Yeon Sung-hun crossed his arms with a click of his tongue.
"So, why'd you call? I'm busy."
"I know. Time is money fits you best."
"Hm. What's the business?"
"Hm. What if I just wanted to see your face? Would you get mad?"
"...If that's it, I'll smash a potion into your face right now."
"Whoa, calm down. I did want to see you—but someone else wants to."
"Someone else...?"
Yeon Sung-hun frowned slightly. Jeong Hyun-su nodded calmly.
"Yeah. The boss... I mean, my father wants to meet."
"Ho..."
Yeon Sung-hun let out a low exclamation.
"Now, after all this time?"
"Yeah. A bit late, but anyway."
Yeon Sung-hun stroked his chin at Jeong Hyun-su's nonchalant reply.
"What if I say no?"
"Hm. I'd cut off all support... nah, can't. You're our top client. Nothing changes if you refuse. Promise."
"Hm. Insisting on meeting me. Why?"
"...Asking me?"
"No reason I can't. You've got Geese."
"...True. No hidden motives. Just wants to get acquainted."
"...Fine. No harm in meeting."
After brief thought, Yeon Sung-hun nodded.
A bit sudden, but the meeting with the Black Market boss was set.
Guided by Jeong Hyun-su, they arrived deep inside the Black Market.
After checkpoints and devices, a room buried far underground.
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue quietly.
"Overly fortified."
"Fits the dangerous position."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at Jeong Hyun-su's calm reply.
"Then let's go in."
Creeeak. The thick door opened, revealing the interior.
It looked like any ordinary office. Almost a normal study at a glance.
After scanning, Yeon Sung-hun's eyes turned to the room's owner.
A middle-aged man waiting silently, as if expecting them.
Noticing the gaze, he met Yeon Sung-hun's eyes briefly.
Their casual eye contact drew an involuntary exclamation from Yeon Sung-hun.
'No ordinary guy.'
His build seemed 1.5 times larger, his face rugged, but above all, his aura set him apart from normals.
'So this is the Black Market boss.'
He'd swallowed nearly half the domestic underworld lately—truly the underworld's pinnacle.
Though Yeon Sung-hun deserved much credit, this man would have claimed it anyway.
"Hm. You're here."
"Yes, Father. I brought him."
Jeong Hyun-su bowed. The man nodded lightly and offered seats.
Yeon Sung-hun and Jeong Hyun-su sat opposite quietly.
'Up close, his presence is insane. Less underworld thug, more...'
Like a knight order captain.
How did a man like this end up in the underworld?
As Yeon Sung-hun observed silently, the man, having eyed him back, spoke first.
"Glad to meet you. I'm Jeong Dae-hyeon, Black Market president."
He extended a hand. Yeon Sung-hun shook it.
"Yeon Sung-hun."
"Hm...!"
Jeong Hyun-su flinched at the curt reply, glancing at his father.
"Casual speech."
"I'm not beneath you."
"I'm older."
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled involuntarily at Jeong Dae-hyeon's words.
Including his past life, he was an ancestor Jeong Dae-hyeon couldn't dare face.
"Surprisingly childish for your looks."
"Heh..."
Jeong Dae-hyeon let out a hollow laugh, caught off guard.
"...Do you have nine lives or something?"
"Threatening me? Childish to petty."
"Heh..."
Jeong Dae-hyeon gaped blankly.
He'd heard the guy was bold, but not like this before him.
"...Betting it all on that alchemy skill? Think I can't kill you no matter what?"
He quietly raised his aura.
'As I suspected, a hunter...!'
A high-ranker, not ordinary. Terrifying pressure that made his body tremble.
"...S-rank?"
"I get your confidence, but that arrogance will bite you. We don't need your potions!"
Yeon Sung-hun clicked his tongue at the murderous intent, like he might lunge.
He'd figured he wasn't easy, but...
'An S-rank, of all things.'
Why stay in the underworld at that level? He could've claimed a top spot anywhere.
Tch. Yeon Sung-hun said flatly.
"If you're so sure, why not try?"
A potion was already in his hand.
"...Heard all about your potions. But will you throw faster? Or will I smash you first?"
"That's why I said try if you're confident."
Yeon Sung-hun stared back undaunted.
The tense standoff dragged on.
"...Guts sticking out your belly, just like they say."
With a hollow laugh, Jeong Dae-hyeon's pressure vanished.
As if the terror was a lie, he lounged on the sofa casually.
Yeon Sung-hun pocketed his potion with a tongue click.
Jeong Dae-hyeon tch-ed.
"Brave, reckless, or just that confident?"
"Knew it was just posturing from the start. No killing intent."
And he didn't think Jeong Hyun-su's father would be dumb enough to ditch profits over something trivial.
"Hmph. What if I'd snapped and charged?"
Yeon Sung-hun shrugged at the displeased glare.
"Then why not try, like I said?"
"...Really think I couldn't snap your neck before you threw?"
Yeon Sung-hun chuckled softly at the low question.
He raised his hidden hand.
A pistol rested on it.
"That's..."
"Special from our factory. Pierces high-rank monster hides easily."
"...Would've been full of holes if I'd slipped."
Jeong Dae-hyeon sighed lowly before continuing.
"Anyway, glad to meet again. Wanted to see you."
He extended his hand once more.
Yeon Sung-hun shook it quietly.
"Like father, like son. Same as your kid from the start."
"He's my son, after all."
Jeong Dae-hyeon grinned. Yeon Sung-hun chuckled.