Chapter 147
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Awakener Association (4)
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The association staff member looked troubled as he alternated glances between me and Grandpa.
He seemed to have half-given up on persuading the stubborn old man and was hoping I'd just accept the challenge.
'Hmm... It's not like I'm losing anything here...'
Getting friendly with a university professor couldn't hurt.
Especially since I was in dire need of high-level information right now.
Things like methods to lift high-grade curses or ways to control forcibly activated skills.
'Guild intel is mostly focused on conquering sinkholes anyway. Better to build ties with a place that prioritizes academic research too, right?'
And it wasn't just that—getting close to the professor might let me connect indirectly with some college girls.
Yeah, that was actually the main draw. The image flashing through my mind was me shouting "Time Stop!" in a lecture hall full of coeds.
"Miho."
I scooped her up like I was picking up a puppy.
"Can you beat that grandpa if you fight him?"
"......"
The little fox in my hands let out a growl.
We couldn't communicate verbally, but her expression radiated massive confidence.
'Well, yeah... She's a villain who survived 200 years clawing it out in Amazoness. It'd be ridiculous if she couldn't handle one academic grandpa who's not even lived a full century.'
Plus, from what the staff said, Grandpa Kwak Tae-il's aptitude was Tamer.
A guy who naturally fights by taming animals or monsters.
"Alright, Grandpa. Miho seems eager to fight too, so I'll take you up on that offer."
"Good thinking!"
"But in exchange, can I ask about tamers and other stuff too?"
"Oh? Already acting like you've won?"
"Doesn't seem like I'll lose."
"Such spirit in this young man! I'll gladly share any info I can provide!"
We moved to a different location.
From a plain office to something like a gym where movement wouldn't be restricted.
"Let's make the purpose of this spar clear before we start. This fight is to assess the combat capabilities of the familiar named Miho. Whether she can enter an F-rank sinkhole or not will be the benchmark, so both sides, please keep it moderate and avoid injuries."
The staffer stood in the center, repeating similar warnings over and over.
He was being cautious because if either side got hurt, he'd be held responsible.
"Don't worry. I'll control my strength accordingly!"
Grandpa patted his thick forearm confidently and stepped forward.
Miho growled from my arms, clearly displeased with the sight.
"Miho, just to be safe... no killing, okay? It's just to show the difference in strength."
I whispered into her ear, and she nodded obediently.
I could always throw the fight on purpose here and get buddy-buddy with Grandpa Kwak.
But if I lost, I'd have to lend Miho to him for three days.
'I don't want to see a man touching Miho.'
She was in her tiny fox form now, but my mind still held the image of her human shape.
Every time I stroked her, it felt like caressing the human Miho. I imagined exactly where on her body my hand was. And it was the same if someone else touched her.
'A woman would be one thing, but no way I'm letting a man touch her!'
"Get ready, both of you."
Following the staffer's cue, Grandpa Kwak stepped forward.
Instead of walking up myself, I lifted Miho from my arms with both hands and tossed her high into the air.
"Go get 'em, Miho! You're up!"
I could've just set her down gently, but I couldn't resist channeling that famous Japanese anime.
Miho spun a few times in midair and landed lightly on the floor like a cat.
Then she turned back to me with a look that said, What the hell was that?
"Haha! Young man, a tamer's fight relies on syncing with your partner! You can't handle monsters like that and expect to bond."
"We're already super close, so it's fine."
"Don't mistake a monster obeying you for true bonding. A real tamer approaches their partner with humility. You learn their capabilities, figure out the commands to draw out those moves through repeated training. That's how you stay calm in a crisis and fight effectively."
"Is that why you're so confident? You don't think you'll lose to a newbie tamer who just awakened?"
"I could say yes. Wild monsters roaming free are far more dangerous than ones half-tamed by mediocre tamers. You're a fresh awakener just registering—no combat experience. Can you really read my moves and give your partner the right orders?"
"Think I can."
"Truly a man with golden blood in his veins."
Grandpa clenched his fist.
It was admirable, in a way—not letting his guard down even against a fox the size of two fists.
"As the elder, I'll yield the first move."
"You'll regret that."
I've seen plenty of cocky young men like this.
Especially those who tame high-rank monsters for support or snag fierce beasts—they always make that face.
'Knocking the arrogance out of young hotshots and guiding them right is the senior's duty! And as a bonus, I get to study this cute monster called Miho. Two birds, one stone!'
I tensed up, wary of the little fox kit.
Rookies usually give simple orders in cases like this.
"Miho, attack!"
'Even golden blood doesn't change the basics, huh.'
When that happens, the monster's assault is straightforward.
They charge straight in or attack from range.
Just read the path, and dodging's easy.
Suddenly, Miho's tail twitched.
Or seemed to.
A sharp whoosh of wind sliced past.
And with that sound came a burning pain in my arm.
"......"
I touched the sore spot.
My shirt was torn. Sliced clean like with a sharp knife—long gash down my forearm.
The flesh beneath was thinly cut too. Not deep, just a bit of blood trickling out.
'Wh... when did she hit me? That brief tail flick? N-No way that's possible...'
The little fox prowled casually, growling low.
Her two tails waved like ripples, bristled up.
The fox who'd looked so cute moments ago suddenly seemed to grow larger.
"Th... that killing intent is vicious... This... isn't some young familiar, is it? How can it have such ferocity...?"
Killing intent isn't something you exude just by glaring fiercely.
It's the aura built up from countless brushes with life and death, leaking naturally.
The kind only those who've willed death upon others—and made it real time and again—can possess.
Her tail whipped violently again.
This time, fully focused on it, I caught the motion.
"Guhk—!"
I barely dodged.
Not by sight—by sensing the tail's path and moving instinctively.
"What's going on?"
"Miho's channeling mana into her tails for attacks."
"A skill?"
"Probably. Hard to make slashes that sharp with physical ability alone."
"Low level makes it invisible, huh? Can't see a thing..."
"Your Speed stat's too low. You'd need at least 70 to glimpse it vaguely."
Jeong Ji-ham and Jeong Ji-su chatted casually.
They didn't seem to sense this killing intent at all.
"How strong is that grandpa?"
"B 100-ish?"
"Compared to Kim Cheol-su?"
"Total stats similar. But his aptitude's Tamer, so Libido's probably his highest. Can't shine in close-quarters like this. Factor in age, I'd say B 70 level."
"So Miho's stronger?"
"Way stronger. That first hit—I barely dodged it myself. She's holding back on purpose now. Like a cat toying with a mouse."
Cat before a mouse.
No—even worse. Felt like a rabbit before a tiger.
"I... I surrender! I give up!"
Tattered Grandpa Kwak stuck out his tongue and collapsed to the floor.
His white dress shirt barely clung to him, revealing skin torn in places with blood trickling out.
"No way I can win this. Total defeat."
"You look pretty banged up. You okay?"
"Miho went easy on me, so I'm fine."
"Good to hear. You won't forget the deal, right?"
As I lifted Miho and asked, Grandpa shook his head and pulled out a business card.
It had his name, Kwak Tae-il, and a university logo emblazoned on it. One corner was notably sliced off—courtesy of Miho's attack.
"Call anytime."
"I'll hit you up when I have time."
I extended my hand toward Grandpa.
A handshake after something like this—man's romance.
He got it and gripped my hand firmly with his large one.
Even then, his eyes chased Miho in my arms.
After finishing the awakener registration, we headed to see our guild master, Liyo.
It was partly to clear the third Sudden Mission requiring creampieing Eroph, but
more to overturn that contract where I'd promised to impregnate her.
"Who knew our Miho was this strong."
"......"
"Must suck being stuck with me when you're this powerful."
"Grrr..."
I ruffled her growling throat, and the sound turned adorably soft.
"Oppa, you're rejecting her for sure, right? No pregnancy."
"Got it."
"Master's gonna try sweet-talking you. Not just Amazoness info—she'll wanna use that villain Eroph for the guild too."
"She doesn't seem that ruthless..."
Sure, her insides were ruthless.
"Oppa, you're too soft on pretty girls. Master'd use even a kid from you and that villain for the guild."
"Harsh review."
"What? I'm praising her highly, that's why I'm nagging you like this..."
Knock knock knock.
Ji-su, leading the way, knocked on the master's door.
I was right behind, stroking Miho's back, while Yi-seom noona approached slowly from afar.
"Come in."
At Liyo noona's permission, Ji-su opened the door.
Following her inside, I spotted the people in the room.
Besides Liyo noona in the master's office, there were two guests.
Ya Hye-jeong, dressed in her lewd priestess outfit.
And next to her, Hong Ha-yoon in an identical priestess getup.
The two women I'd threesomed with yesterday sat on the sofa.