“What time is it now?”

He asked with an expression that screamed he was dying of sleepiness. Hwang Rim, despite not even wearing a watch, pretended to check his wrist and said,

“Just before seven.”

“It’s still dawn. Do you not sleep? The bed was already uncomfortable enough that I barely got any rest. Did you kidnap me just to torture me to death?”

I made a long yawn for show. I really was sleepy. I’d gone out briefly during the night and maybe slept four hours. It wasn’t an escape, just a step out. There were guards stationed 24/7 and no holes big enough to slip through, but still. It wasn’t hard to come and go.

“I thought you’d want to hear the news.”

Hwang Rim plopped down beside me. The mattress didn’t just sink — it felt like the whole bed was tilting sideways. He was a big guy to begin with, and if muscles weigh more than fat, then he must be heavier than he looked. Maybe double my weight? I’m jealous.

“You’re gonna break the bed. Can’t they give you something better?”

“Filled that tiny body of yours to the brim with complaints, huh.”

“You’re just too big. What, did you entrust your ego to the sun and now think the world revolves around you?”

Most people around me are already bigger, and it’s honestly a little sad. Then they go around saying I’m small like it’s some kind of joke. Not just Myungwoo, even Yuhyun and Yerim are growing steadily, while I’m stuck. Especially Yerim — maybe it’s the S-Rank awakening effects or the virtual dungeon, but she’s grown five centimeters since we first met. She looked all teary saying, I think I won’t be able to wear the shoes Mister bought me anymore. …At this rate, she might even grow taller than me. Not that I didn’t expect it.

Yuhyun also grew two centimeters, probably thanks to both the growth buff and the effects from the alpha stage. Maybe he’ll surpass his pre-return height within a year. It even made me wonder if he hadn’t grown to his full potential before the regression…

“…Anyway, I’m going back to sleep, so don’t wake me before 9 a.m. If you’re going to make me work without pay, at least let me sleep well.”

As I tried to lie back down on the bed, Hwang Rim grabbed my waist and lifted me up lightly like I weighed nothing, setting me down on the table.

“You really have no fear.”

“Why should I be scared when my life’s not in danger?”

“People make mistakes when they get mad.”

“What am I, some thug from the slums living like there’s no tomorrow? I’m not dumb enough for that.”

Hwang Rim’s eyes rounded slightly as he smiled.

“It’s good to know your own value, but still — why don’t you take better care of yourself? Because of those two wrecked airports in Shanghai, I took a pretty big hit too.”

“Oh no.”

“My family’s situation got worse, too. Storage costs, extra transport fees, delay penalties. The losses are no joke.”

“Well, there are days you take a hit in business.”

He looks like someone who should be a million light years away from that kind of calculating talk. His large hand landed on top of my head. I tried to shake it off, but it didn’t budge. His touch, like petting a dog, made my face involuntarily scrunch.

“I’m guessing the Haeyeon Guild Leader came with you. What if I feel like taking my anger out? I heard he really cherishes his older brother.”

“My little brother’s just too kind. You’re starting to sound like a cartoon villain. Show a little class, will you?”

“I lost all class the moment I kidnapped an F-Rank. Should I pet you like a cat instead?”

“How about, out of a sense of conscience, you let me go? Or at least tell me how to break out of the mental skill.”

Just give me a hint. At my words, Hwang Rim lowered his hand and lifted my chin. His features were striking, but his gaze was heavy.

“If you mean Park Hayul’s skill, it’s actually one of the easier ones to break out of — for others. But for you, it’s going to be hard.”

“Because I’m F-Rank?”

“Well, that’s part of it. But honestly? I think you’re just screwed.”

…If it’s not just because of my rank, then what’s the real issue? At least it’s clear there is a way to escape.

“If it’s hard anyway, just tell me. Might as well be upfront.”

“Let’s go get breakfast.”

Hwang Rim tucked me under his arm like a parcel. What am I, luggage?

“So this is what you came for? Breakfast? Must be nice to have so much free time.”

“I was going to talk about the Hunters from Korea, but you’re not going to say anything anyway. Skills, weaknesses, other bits of information.”

“I’d rather rip out my tongue.”

“You’re a strange one. If you’d lived too soft, you wouldn’t have already gotten your legs shattered. But if you’d been through hell, you should have more survival instinct than this.”

“It’s the latter. You didn’t do your homework.”

Hwang Rim looked down at me as he walked.

“And you were just a non-Awakened, and Korean on top of that?”

“This is a secret, but I’ve been through most of the things you can imagine. Honestly, things are better now. I’ve even got poison resistance.”

For an F-Rank, they didn’t even bother drugging the food. As long as there’s none of that Transcendent or Source nonsense, even being kidnapped like this is better than before the regression. At least I’m at peace. I don’t have to worry about dying.

“I wish that were a lie, but it doesn’t sound like one.”

“It’s true. So pass the word to Mister Cho to stop wasting his time.”

“He doesn’t listen to me. And he’s probably pissed right now, so watch your mouth. You might really lose your tongue.”

“Because of the airport mess?”

“A turtle died.”

…A turtle?

“You raised a turtle? That’s unexpectedly cute. Did he like it a lot?”

“No. But it was his, after all. The turtle just didn’t like him.”

“I doubt many people — or animals — would like that guy in the first place.”

“True.”

Hwang Rim laughed, saying I was spot on.

“He’s got the kind of personality that gets hated.”

“And you’re fine badmouthing him with me like this? Not that I mind.”

“It’s not like he’d care.”

Fair enough. Carried in Hwang Rim’s arms, I was brought into the dining hall. Cho Hwawoon wasn’t here yet. Instead of placing me on a chair, Hwang Rim sat me right on the table. Sitting where food is supposed to go felt a bit wrong.

“Well, since we’re gossiping, tell me more. How long have you known him? Was he like that as a kid too? Is he melee-type? I bet he has good gear — any chance he’s got SS-Rank items?”

China had more land, more people, and naturally more Hunters, so SS-Rank gear had to be more common too. There might even be some unknown SS-Rank weapons out there. Since Cho Hwawoon seemed to be one of the top military-affiliated Hunters in China, he was probably decked out in SS-Rank equipment. I’d love to strip it all off him.

“You started by eyeing baby monsters, now it’s gear?”

“Actually, I have a Skill that upgrades SS-Rank equipment. Want to give it a try?”

I scanned Hwang Rim from head to toe, wondering if he was wearing any. Damn, the guy’s body was something else. Wow, look at those wrists — that bracelet must be an item. And his thighs — obviously — but even his calves were thick enough that I couldn’t wrap both hands around them. His shoes looked like gear too.

“Can I grab your wrist real quick? The right one. Nothing weird — it just looks really solid. I’m jealous.”

“You’re not even trying to hide it. Just ask for it straight up.”

“Then give it to me. I’ll just admire it.”

Seriously. Just admire it for, like, ten years and return it in mint condition. Swear on it. If the performance sucks, I might even return it sooner.

As we exchanged nonsense, the door opened. Cho Hwawoon walked in. That bastard looked freshly rested, face all shiny.

“Hell~o. Good morning! Heard your turtle kicked the bucket. What happened? Should I offer my condolences? I forgot my wallet, so no funeral money though.”

“Drowned.”

It was Hwang Rim who answered instead.

“Huh? A turtle? Oh, a land turtle?”

“At the airport.”

Ah… so it was a person. If it was water, then — wait, Yerim? No, it’d be Yuhyun. That guy probably took him down first, incapacitated him, and then he got swept away along with the airport. Since he was a turtle-type, probably a defensive class, that made it even more likely.

I gave Cho Hwawoon an expression of genuine regret as he approached.

“These things happen when kids play around.”

Of course, if you actually injured someone’s pet, you should bow your head, not call it “kids playing around.” Cho Hwawoon looked at me with a chilling gaze.

“Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim, right?”

“I may be versatile, but I don’t have clairvoyance. I heard the news half-asleep, okay?”

Thunk. My neck was grabbed, and I was slammed down onto the table. A burning pain seared into the back of my left hand.

“Take it easy, will you.”

Hwang Rim pulled out a chair and sat down as he said that. Wow, thanks a lot.

“I heard you’ve been in contact with the Murim Alliance. Since when has the Haeyeon Guild been talking to them?”

“My little brother may be strong, smart, and good-looking, but we keep work and personal life strictly separate. I’m not affiliated with Haeyeon. I’m the director of the Monster Mounts breeding facility.”

And the one who probably made the connection with the Murim Alliance was Seong Hyunjae. That guy definitely had ties to China. He even showed up in Hong Kong uninvited. On the other hand, Haeyeon had only just started expanding into Japan. Their overseas activity had been limited to auction house participation at best.

I braced myself for whatever would come next, gritting my teeth — but this time, nothing happened. Smooth operator. Pin me down so I can’t see what’s happening around me — that makes people more anxious by stirring their imagination. Clearly not his first time with torture. He was good at this.

Creeaak. In the tense silence, a grating sound reached my ears. If I didn’t have Fear Resistance, I probably would’ve gotten chills.

Something touched my back without a sound. One more point for a creepiness I couldn’t feel.

“How many people do you think came?”

“Not my area, seriously. How about I spill what I actually know? Okay?”

Seong Hyunjae and Chief Song Taewon — those two were probably moving together. No way Chief Song was still in Korea on vacation.

“My Skill doesn’t just help baby monsters grow — it can affect even adult monsters’ abilities.”

“Their abilities too?”

That was Hwang Rim’s voice.

“You know the Flame Horned Lion, right? That species normally doesn’t have a Phasing Skill. But the one I raised gained it.”

“You’re saying you can make them gain new Skills?”

“Exactly. I can also change their form. Especially reptiles. Maybe because they naturally shed their skin, their growth transformations are bigger.”

I wasn’t lying. If I put my mind to it, I really could alter them to that extent.

“Insects, especially ones that go through metamorphosis, probably change even more. But I haven’t raised any yet.”

“You’re spilling this way too easily. That’s suspicious.”

“Ah, you’d find out eventually anyway while raising the water dragon. And it’s also a way of saying, treat me well. You went through all that trouble to secure an S-Rank monster, but it could end up with trash stats if it’s raised wrong, right? I need to eat well, sleep well, and stay healthy so the monster mounts can grow up strong and sturdy too! So quit tormenting me like this and at least ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ feed me.”

“Yeah. Gotta feed you, Woon-ah.”

“That’s right, gotta feed me. After all’s said and done, there’s no one like you, Mr. Hwang Rim. I really love you, Mr. Hwang. Could you rein in your friend a bit, please?”

“He’s not my friend.”

“Why not? You two seem pre– ack!”

The dagger that had been driven through my hand was pulled out. I really hate this whole thing where they fix you in place by stabbing with knives or spears instead of just tying you up. It makes me want to throw them a rope from my inventory. If I were the one doing the torturing, I’d tie them up real nice with a bow instead of stabbing~ Actually, no, I’d probably just stab them.

“If you insist. Bring the food.”

Cho Hwawoon walked over and sat down in a chair. Guess he meant to eat first and then continue. Doesn’t seem like he’s seriously trying to extract information — more like putting pressure on me or venting. Ah, what a life.

After we ate lunch, we headed down to the basement where the baby water dragon was. The humid underground pool was quiet.

“You didn’t feed it, did you? I’m the only one who should be feeding it until it’s fully grown.”

The soldiers kept silent. Come on, that much you could answer. Clicking my tongue, I hobbled closer to the pool on crutches. A few more days down here and I was going to end up crippled.

“Hello, baby water dragon.”

Even at my call, the water dragon didn’t show itself. Instead, a small ripple moved across the surface.

“I’m not really up for getting in the water today. Could you come out instead?”

Leaning toward the pool, I discreetly pulled an item from my inventory. It was a luminous item often used for signaling. I tossed it into the water and shouted,

“Huh…? The baby water dragon’s condition is—!”

Right after, the light flared, and the guards rushed over in alarm.

“What’s going on—huh!”

“D–Dragon!”

SPLASH! Water surged upward as a blue-scaled dragon burst from the surface. As the light faded, its full form came into view. It was a wyvern, slightly larger than a human, with massive wings.

“It’s grown into a juvenile! Look at it, look! Didn’t it grow beautifully?”

With awe in my voice, I turned to the soldiers. They stared, flustered, at the dragon as it stepped out of the pool.

“…A water dragon?”

“It can have wings. Look closely — see the fins?”

I hobbled forward on my crutches. Just as I said, fins were attached along the dragon’s back, between its toes, and on its tail.

“Don’t get too close. It’s still just a juvenile. It hasn’t fully grown yet. It’s probably sensitive from the sudden growth.”

– Krrrr.

The blue dragon pressed its head against me. Around then, Cho Hwawoon and Hwang Rim arrived in the basement, having heard the commotion. Hwang Rim looked at the dragon with wide eyes.

“Other than the color, it’s totally different.”

“I raised it as a wyvern on purpose so I could escape with it. Once it becomes an adult, it’ll get more elongated. Other than the wings, it’ll be quite similar. And let’s be honest — wyverns are way more practical than water dragons.”

“That’s true.”

Hwang Rim nodded. Even Cho Hwawoon didn’t seem displeased. Water dragons could only be used in certain locations, but wyverns? They were versatile, useful both in and out of dungeons.

“For a while, it’ll want to stick close to me. That helps keep it stable. I sped up the growth on purpose… Still, seeing how fast it happened, it must’ve already been close to a juvenile stage.”

“We should restrain it, just in case it tries to flee─”

– Kyarrurrk!

As Cho Hwawoon moved closer, the dragon bared its teeth and growled fiercely. I calmed the dragon and gestured for Cho Hwawoon to back off.

“It’s not going to leave my side anyway. I’m in no condition to run, either. Don’t provoke it — it’ll hinder its growth.”

This is a wyvern that’ll grow into an S-Rank, a wyvern~ Unlike a water dragon, Cho Hwawoon could make use of this monster himself, which might explain why he backed off so easily. With this, the escape prep was complete.

Hope the goblins take good care of the baby water dragon they snuck out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep