Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: New Trait (2)
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I stared blankly as Geumho absorbed the mana.
What in the world?
I had no idea what was happening. There was definitely a pain in my back, so it seemed the Dragon trait had activated.
...But what did that have to do with Geumho?
Geumho was a guardian related to beastmen.
He had nothing to do with dragons.
What is this?
I decided to review the characteristics of dragons.
The creators of magic and the strongest race.
They could use polymorph to take on human form.
They build and live in lairs by themselves.
Huh?
...Wait a minute. A lair? Alone?
A flash of insight struck me.
Strictly speaking, dragons don't live in their lairs alone.
That's right. Guardians.
They have guardians that protect their lairs.
It was a part of the story that came much later, but even monsters that looked like bosses were guarding dragon lairs.
Then could it be that making something a guardian was itself a Dragon trait?
Grrrr.
Having completely absorbed the mana, Geumho nudged his head against me again. I absentmindedly stroked him, lost in thought once more.
If my theory was correct.
If Geumho had become bound to me as my guardian.
Geumho.
Wouldn't his previous binding have been released?
Can you go outside the entrance?
Geumho nodded vigorously.
We slowly made our way out of the golden ruins.
We passed the spot where Geumho would normally have stopped, whimpering with a dejected look, and reached the entrance leading to the surface.
...It's really been released?
Geumho seemed completely fine.
My guess was right.
It was a trait not mentioned in the original work, so I didn't know its exact effects,
but it was clear that the binding had been released.
Ah.
But there was one problem left.
How was I going to get this giant creature home?
Should I just leave him for today and come back for him tomorrow?
He's just too big.
It was then.
*Fwaat-!*
Huh? Geumho?
A magical light once again shone from Geumho's body.
* * *
Saturday, 1 PM.
Yuhwa was in the guild master's office, doing paperwork.
After checking the last document, Yuhwa stretched languidly.
All done~
Yuhwa had received help from many people to cover up the death of Kim Shinwoo (Pyo Ilchan).
In return, the amount of work she had to handle had mushroomed, and she'd been so busy she barely had time to breathe.
But that was over now.
The major tasks were mostly finished. There had been some difficult matters, but thanks to the new partnership with the Collector, they were handled without issue.
*It's all thanks to Mr. Seoyul.*
Yuhwa smiled softly.
The successful talks with the Collector, the peace the Bihon Guild now enjoyedit was all because of Kang Seoyul.
Then she suddenly pouted.
*Though his identity is still a complete mystery.*
A person should have some human-like qualities. How could he be so meticulous?
No matter how much she investigated his past, nothing came up.
*In the end, there was nothing special about the Sunshine Orphanage either.*
It wasn't that she suspected Kang Seoyul. But what was suspicious was suspicious, and what was curious was curious.
Yuhwa let out a groan and pouted.
...Is he some kind of secret agent? Why is he hiding everything so tightly?
And Kang Seoyul didn't seem to have any intention of telling her himself.
Sigh.
No matter how she thought about it, the Sunshine Orphanage was the most suspicious part, but her investigation had turned up nothing.
Just as she was thinking that.
*Vrrr-*
The smartphone she had tossed on her desk vibrated.
[Kang Seoyul]
Speak of the devil.
Yuhwa chuckled and answered the phone.
What's up?
Ah. It's nothing much, I was just wondering if we could meet for a moment.
What's this? Is this a real date proposal?
Yuhwa replied casually, as she always did.
You've been saying that a lot lately. Could it be that *you're* the one who's interested in me, Ms. Yuhwa?
Yuhwa's eyebrow twitched.
I'll return the favor and use the same words you did last time. You're quite full of yourself.
Haha.
Kang Seoyul laughed softly.
So, do you have time now?
Well, I just so happen to be on a break~
Ah, then please spare me a moment. There's something I'd like to ask... Hey! I know it's stuffy, but just hold on a little longer.
Kang Seoyul cut himself off and said something strange.
...Are you with someone?
Ah, yes. I'll explain that later, too.
Hmm. Alright. Then where should I meet you?
Yuhwa stood up and put on her suit jacket.
No need to come out. Just call the front desk and have them open the gate for me.
What?
Yuhwa, who had been heading out of her office, froze.
I'm right in front of the guild house now.
* * *
Inside the guild master's office.
Yuhwa and I sat facing each other.
On my lap, a cat with charming golden fur was rubbing against me.
Purrr.
It snuggled deeper into my arms, acting cute.
I stroked its entire body, signaling for it to calm down a little.
It immediately quieted down and curled up on my lap.
Good boy, good boy.
That, that kitty in your... ahem. What's that cat?
Yuhwa's eyes sparkled as she looked at Geumho. More importantly, she was about to say 'kitty' just now, wasn't she?
His name is Geumho. Cute, isn't he?
Strictly speaking, he wasn't a cat.
He might have shrunk, but he was still a tiger.
...So his name is Geumho. He's very cute.
Yuhwa stared at my lap with a dazed expression.
I followed her gaze to the excitedly wriggling Geumho on my lap.
The tiger that had been the size of a house had now transformed into this adorable, cat-sized creature.
I didn't know why, but it seemed to be a side effect of becoming a guardian.
Oh. And I'd tentatively named the trait 'Guardian'.
It seemed to be a trait that created guardians, so I gave it a fitting name.
Its effects weren't certain yet.
I needed to experiment a bit more.
In any case, the important thing was that this trait had overwritten his contract, completely releasing Geumho's binding to the Golden Sanctuary.
So, what did you need? I doubt you came just to introduce me to this kitty.
It's a similar reason.
I see.
Yuhwa's reply was soulless.
Her eyes were completely fixed on Geumho. It was as if I wasn't even there.
She didn't even seem to notice she'd said 'kitty'. She had corrected herself earlier.
She was staring so intently it looked like her eyes were about to pop out.
Her expression had gone slack.
Would you like to pet him?
...Can I?
*Is she really that happy?*
It was like starlight was pouring from her eyes.
Of course. Geumho, be good for her, alright?
Purrr.
I handed Geumho over to Yuhwa.
Woooow...
The moment her hand touched Geumho's fur, Yuhwa's expression completely melted.
Geumho looked up at Yuhwa and tilted his head slightly.
What is he? What breed is he? How can he be so cute?
Although I didn't need to say it.
Yuhwa loved cats.
Due to a certain incident, she didn't have one now,
but she loved them enough to frequent pet cafes.
Yuhwa hugged Geumho, holding him gently against her chest. Geumho stuck his tongue out slightly and licked her cheek.
Wow. What kind of kitty is so affectionate?
...I-I guess so? He must like you, Ms. Yuhwa.
*Surely Geumho isn't just getting a taste, right?*
He might look cute, but Geumho was undeniably a monster.
*...It's probably just my imagination, right?*
I had warned him repeatedly not to attack people recklessly, so it shouldn't be a big problem. Still, it made me nervous.
Meow meow. Meow meow meow~ Where did my little friend come from~?
With an innocent smile, she took both of Geumho's front paws and shook them lightly.
I think she might have forgotten I was watching.
Ah. Ahem.
She noticed.
Whether out of embarrassment or not, she cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly flushed.
I was lost in the moment.
Trying to act all stern now just looked pathetic.
So, th-the reason you're here? Could it be...
Yuhwa looked at me with eyes full of hopeful anticipation.
Well, even if she didn't look at me like that, what she was thinking was correct.
Bringing Geumho out was fine, but it was so sudden that it created a problem.
The dorms prohibited pets, so I needed someone to look after him right away.
Could you look after Geumho for a little wh
Yes!
A firm answer came back before I could even finish my sentence.
How long should I look after him? About 10 years? Or maybe 20?
Isn't the minimum unit a bit too large?
...Um. Just until I move out of the dorms?
Aww. So four years, then.
She stroked Geumho's head with a sullen expression.
No, it's not four years.
Why would she think I'd live in the dorms until graduation?
About a month.
Tch.
Yuhwa clicked her tongue.
*Nice try, trying to slip that by me.*
Alright. It's a shame, but I guess it can't be helped.
She looked genuinely disappointed.
But I'm not so sure he'll want to go back to you after a month.
Yuhwa gave a rather arrogant smile.
Ha.
What a laughable provocation.
If Geumho chooses you after a month, I'll let you keep looking after him.
I just recorded that. You'd better not go back on your word.
Yuhwa smiled brightly and took out a pen. It was a scary smile, but I wasn't worried at all.
Geumho's love was my exclusive property.
A man's word is his bond.
Good. Just you wait. In a month...
A smile played on Yuhwa's lips.
It was a slightly scary smile.
Geumho~ What should we play today?
What are you talking about? He's sleeping at my place tonight.
What?
What was she misunderstanding?
Today was Saturday.
A day when I could sleep at home instead of the dorm.
Geumho, come here.
Purrr!
Kyaa!
Geumho swiftly leaped into my arms. I held him and grinned triumphantly.
Ugh.
The sight of Yuhwa's trembling expression was quite satisfying.
* * *
That night.
Back home, I had Geumho lying on the bed while I sat at my computer, typing.
This guy sure sent it fast.
Aill Chris.
I was checking the list of smuggled Ancient Artifacts sent by the Collector.
Hmm.
There aren't as many as I thought.
Then again, he did say it was a list of artifacts he could send immediately.
...There are no Dragon artifacts?
Look at this guy.
He won't give up his Dragon artifact collection even if it kills him. Is that it?
Heh.
Sure enough.
It was written in the postscript at the end of the file.
[My apologies, but I cannot give you the Dragon artifacts. Not until I'm dead and buried.]
If that was all, I would have replied with a bucketful of curses,
but there was another sentence below it.
[Instead, once the audit is over in June, I will arrange for other artifacts to be sent over. Look forward to it.]
Well, that changes things.
The Dragon traits are overpowered, but in the end, getting them is a matter of probability.
In many ways, having more options is the best.
Ah. To be honest, the best-case scenario would be to go to the Collector's house and hold each artifact for one minute,
but would that Collector fellow really leave me alone for that long?
And I couldn't just go around touching them one by one in front of Aill Chris.
I wouldn't allow it either, if I were him.
No, even if he left, there's no way I could get my hands on them.
The rejection reaction of an Ancient Artifact is powerful enough to take your life if you're not careful.
They would obviously be protected by strict safety measures.
Just like that room in the department store where the Ancient Artifact was displayed.
Ah, I should have held the Vampire Lord's Fang for a minute back then.
...No, that's not right.
If I had held it then, I would've been caught on CCTV and 100% taken in by the NIS. And if it were just the NIS, that would be one thing, but the Seekers of Truth would never have left me alone.
...I would've been captured and subjected to biological experiments for sure.
Ugh. Just imagining it is horrifying.
I shook off the thought with a light sigh.
So he'll send two of these within ten days?
What should I pick?
...Hmm.
My deliberation continued for a while.
To be honest, if I were only thinking about good traits, it wouldn't matter which race's artifact I chose. Each race has at least one overpowered trait.
Traits like the 'Blessing of the Beast King' or 'Master of Mana' that I'd briefly mentioned before.
There was one among the Elf traits, too.
But it's not like these traits will appear just because I want them to.
In the end, it's all a game of chance.
It feels like I'm playing some crappy luck-based gacha game.
Ugh.
I think I'm getting analysis paralysis.
I mulled it over for a full minute.
Ah, I don't know.
In the end, if it's all a game of chance no matter what I pick, it's only human nature to choose the option with the highest probability.
I'm going all-in on Elves.
I decided to choose the Elf race, for which I already possessed three traits.
Among the many racial traits I remembered, they were the race with the fewest useless ones.
Above all, I needed to figure out in advance how this tattoo would change when I acquired the fourth and fifth traits.
Green, red, black. What's next?
I glanced at the World Tree tattoo on my right shoulder blade.
Still black.
It felt strangely ominous.
Well, it's probably just my imagination.
I opened my inbox again to reply to the Collector.
...Huh?
In my inbox was an email that made me doubt my eyes.
[From: KIM GOD]
Kim God...? Kim Shin!?
An email had arrived from the creator of this world.