“You’ve already let them know you’re here! There’s no good in wandering alone!”

Samir’s voice came from down the alley. I slipped away earlier, and from high above in my Delowz form, I saw him heading between the walls. It would certainly be dangerous—if they saw me as Han Yujin.

‘Good thing Delowz looks like an ordinary cat.’

At first I thought the S-rank equipment set effect would be pathetic, but it was more useful than expected. Even if someone discovered this skill, a simple dye job on my fur would hide me. It should last a few more uses. White cat, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico.

I walked away from where Samir had disappeared. After a short while, Gyeol approached in his cat form.

“Daddy!”

Gyeol grabbed my tail with a delighted look.

“Daddy got a tail too!”

“Meow.”

Yes—tail. I wagged it at Gyeol and surveyed the area. No one was around, but it was still risky to roam in human form. Better to make that one phone call and then hide in Delowz form.

First, pull out my phone… hard with cat paws.

“Meow, murr.”

No human speech. Could I telepathically converse like Rua did with Phaeya? Even though Gyeol gained independence by naming, he was still a beast linked to me. I recalled Phaeya’s magic and tried to speak to Gyeol mentally. Sensing my effort, Gyeol lent his strength.

[Daddy!]

“Yeah, Gyeol?”

My voice reached him. The fairy dragon chirped happily and clung to my scruff. Gyeol, you’re shedding fur.

[Daddy will get your phone, can you call Uncle?]

“Okay! Should I go human first?”

[Yes—safer that way.]

The pink fairy dragon stood out too much. Gyeol shifted into child form. His pastel-pink hair had become silvery blond, as if he thought it less conspicuous. He fetched the phone from my inventory and handed it to me.

“…Daddy, it won’t make a call.”

[Huh? Wait a moment. I thought roaming was automatic…]

Was it blocked? I didn’t know—this was a spare phone. Maybe it doesn’t support international use or lacks a plan?

[No internet either?]

“Yes.”

Impossible. The phone I trusted was dead. Panicked, I looked at Gyeol, who said:

“I’ll ask someone at a shop to let me make a call.”

[That’s no good. Daddy will check.]

“But human form is dangerous. If we get caught again, he might marry me off.”

[It’s fine.]

“No, Gyeol can do it.”

[You’re in a foreign land with no one you know—it’s dangerous!]

“Daddy, I’m not helpless. I won’t get hurt. I can make a call. I want to help you too.”

Gyeol spoke earnestly.

“You’re right by my side, anyway.”

[But…]

It was just a phone call and I was right there. Looking into Gyeol’s clear golden eyes, I took out the translator item from my inventory.

[Hide it under your clothes and wear it.]

“Okay.”

[They might read your lips—cover your mouth with your hand when you speak. And if you meet bad people, don’t resist—just obey.]

“Obey?”

[Yes. They’re either non-awakened or low-rank hunters—find a quiet spot and Daddy will come handle them.]

At once I’d get a phone and a scout. Gyeol nodded vigorously. Despite my worry, excitement shone on his face—just like a kid before a field trip. He was thrilled to take the lead in helping me. He claimed he wasn’t a child, but moments like this proved otherwise.

[International call will cost money. We don’t have cash, but they’ll accept magic stones.]

“I have magic stones too.”

Gyeol pulled a pouch from his inventory—looking every bit like a kid from a well-off home.

‘Getting to a shop safely will be tough.’

Maybe a /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ kind adult would help, but… Gyeol set off, I followed close behind. The street of cube-like houses was sparsely populated. Likely everyone was at work. Passersby glanced at Gyeol strangely but didn’t approach.

‘He really doesn’t look like a local kid.’

No adults nearby, his bright expression looked out of place. Impossible to belong.

“I guess there are no shops around here.”

Gyeol covered his mouth and whispered.

[There should be a town center nearby. Want me to bring out the car?]

“No—Gyeol can go. Ask for directions and then fly me there. In human form you’re stronger—you could carry me.”

That would draw attention. Gyeol dashed toward a woman carrying a load.

“Hello!”

He bowed energetically, then asked for directions.

“I’d like to make an international call—are there shops around here where I can borrow a phone?”

“…If you follow this road, there’s a house with crates piled up. They import American goods, so you can make calls there.”

She looked a bit surprised but gave a friendly, gesturing answer. “They bring in foreign items, so they make international calls too.” Gyeol bowed thanks.

“Are you alone? It’s a 30-minute walk.”

“That’s fine! Daddy’s nearby.”

Her worried look vanished as soon as he spoke—caring for children is universal.

Following her directions, we soon left the small village. We walked along a dirt road marked by tire ruts.

“Daddy, tell me if your leg hurts. I’ll let you ride in my bag.”

He insisted he was fine, but then:

“If you wander alone as an outsider, it’s dangerous.”

Someone spoke unexpectedly. Gyeol and I turned. Samir was bending forward as he approached. How did he catch up! Gyeol frowned and stood before me.

“Daddy said not to talk to strangers.”

“You already did.”

“I won’t.”

Gyeol spun and hugged me. Though it was a struggle, he kept walking briskly; Samir followed beside him in slower strides.

“Who are you with, child?”

Gyeol pressed his lips shut. Was he suspicious? Gyeol and I had no public relation. A sudden foreign child would be odd, but no link existed.

“Need a hand with your bag?”

“No.”

“What’s your name?”

“Hey, ah!”

My unstable form slipped between Gyeol’s arms. As I tried to land lightly, Samir swiftly scooped me up. Hey!

“Hiss!”

“Put me down!”

Gyeol punched Samir’s leg. Unfazed, Samir petted me. Hey! Let go!

“A cute cat.”

“You’re a bad adult!”

“I’m trying to help.”

“Nasty man! You’re bullying a child! Adults shouldn’t torment children!”

Gyeol fumed in explanation. Samir raised an eyebrow in mild embarrassment.

“You don’t seem lost.”

He seemed to sense something about Gyeol, yet had no clue. After all, who would expect a fairy dragon in child form? Unlike Noah or Liette, everyone knew Gyeol was a beast from the start.

“I’ll walk you just to this spot. I’m headed that way anyway.”

What about the car? The prince walked on foot. He probably intended to watch Gyeol along the way.

[We have no choice—let’s just go together.]

At my words, Gyeol nodded bravely.

“Give me back the cat.”

“It’s heavy. It’s easier for me to carry it.”

“Hiss!”

Gyeol bit Samir’s arm—only puncturing his clothes, of course. As expected of an S-rank, his hide was tough. While tugging on the fabric, I saw a comm earpiece in Samir’s ear. He was probably tracking me via his network.

[Daddy’s fine, Gyeol. Stay a little ahead. Listen to this man’s communications.]

Gyeol puffed out his cheeks as he looked up at me.

“…I’ll be very careful.”

“As you say.”

Gyeol led, Samir followed leisurely. Thanks to him, we’d face no immediate danger.

“This area is relatively secure, but private militias do patrol.”

Private militias? Likely dungeon-hunter conflicts. This region probably had some mid- to high-rank dungeon leaks. At least low population meant low-grade dungeons.

I glanced at Samir, chewing his coat sleeve. His hair had a metallic dark-blue sheen—perhaps influenced by his skill or awakening. Were his natural locks black? And he wasn’t wearing a veil.

“No—tell them to come this way.”

Samir bowed his head slightly and spoke quietly. There was clearly a mic at his collar.

“We mustn’t leak this. Having S-rank hunters descend en masse would be unwelcome.”

A brief silence followed. I wondered what crackled in his earpiece. Should I distract him? Even if Gyeol heard, I could too.

“…Understood.”

His navy eyes cooled. My feet were on the ground again, and Samir strode past Gyeol into the lead. He accelerated, gaining distance of some ten meters—

Screech!

A heavy military vehicle burst from the dust. Someone leapt from the roof. At once, a spear appeared in Samir’s hand. A burly hunter in a turban swung twin curved swords like rippling waves, aiming at Samir.

Clang!

Spear met blades with a cacophony. Samir staggered back slightly.

“We found him.”

“You’re swift, brother.”

Samir crouched low and spun aside, deflecting the twin blades. He was one of the blood-unrelated S-rank princes. Clang! Again swords rang. I quickly bit Gyeol’s pant leg and pulled back.

[Let’s avoid this.]

No need to get involved. Let’s pretend we don’t know them. Watching the two S-ranks, I quietly retreated. The dust obscured vision, but Delowz’s vision must be sharper. Even as a cat, I could track the S-ranks’ movements.

Screeeech—

‘Ugh!’

“…My ears.”

Someone unleashed a skill—the noise was deafening. The ringing continued. Then I looked skyward—and saw a helicopter descending. They tried to mask its sound! The door opened, a glint caught my eye—

Thud! Samir vaulted onto the other hunter’s shoulder. Clearing the distance in one leap, he then—

BOOM!

Someone jumped from the helicopter, plummeting with terrifying speed. A massive axe struck the twin swords. The burly hunter’s feet sank into the ground. His long black hair flowed like a banner as he spun the axe overhead, landing barefoot.

“Isabella!”

The hunter sheathing the cracked twin swords scowled.

“You left your hair exposed again!”

Isabella—Samir’s cousin with no blood tie? The hunter glared at her, tugging up her loose shirt to cover her waist.

“Th-That’s—!”

The hunter averted his gaze, furious. Samir stepped forward to shield her and gave a wry smile.

“Good thing Korean women dress freely.”

In my homeland, adults walking barefoot or exposing hair would draw stares too. Hair I could tolerate.

“S-rank hunters don’t burn in sunlight. You could go naked.”

“Isabella, enough! Wandering off alone and now this!”

“I’m an S-rank hunter. I’ve felled thousands of monsters with my hair. Those with Hunter grades over ten can’t stand the heat.”

Isabella flipped her high ponytail. Enchanting hair would be tough, but hard to control—usually cut short.

“You won’t leak this? Then let’s withdraw.”

Samir gestured with his spear. Two against one was unfavorable, especially with his weapon damaged.

“As you may know, Hunter Han Yujin is still missing. Rather than chase ghosts, I suggest deploying scouts.”

The hunter surveyed the area, as if looking for me hidden nearby. Then he quietly boarded the vehicle and withdrew.

‘Only two S-ranks remain.’

Could we slip away undetected?

“Cat.”

Isabella, having stowed her axe, crouched before me and reached out. Wait—don’t pet me!

“Strange.”

“Indeed?”

At Isabella’s words, Samir nodded and glanced at Gyeol and me.

“A child who isn’t afraid of S-rank hunters and a cat. Rare, but their simultaneous appearance is odd.”

…Gulp. Gyeol and I recoiled. I’d almost forgotten how familiar we were with S-ranks.

“Moreover, this child’s face is strangely familiar.”

Samir stared at Gyeol. Damn—what to do? Should we keep up the pretense? But they wouldn’t let us go easily.

“…I am—”

Gyeol clenched his fists and spoke, wearing a truly familiar expression.

“Since you’ve noticed, there’s no choice.”

…In a tone like someone else. Gyeol! Wait! Gyeol shed his bag and shifted to adult form—identical to Seong Hyunjae. Gyeol!

[What are you doing, Gyeol!]

“…Sesung Guildmaster?”

“Yes. And the reason I visited quietly is…”

Gyeol hesitated, then looked at Isabella.

“To propose to Miss Isabella.”

“Huh, Han Gyeol?!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep