A porter, huh. Moving hundreds of kilos a day—a grueling job. Even though there’s no shame in any profession, it was hard to imagine a girl doing such physically demanding work. The thought that Great Supreme Kwon Arin would now lead such a tough life because of me didn’t sit well.

“Um, can’t you go easy on her…?”

“Sure, we’ll just follow the guild’s rules.”

“O-okay…”

I wasn’t sure what the Dawn Guild’s rules were, but if Yeoreum said so, it probably wouldn’t be too strict. I watched as Yeoreum led Great Supreme Kwon Arin away. Oddly enough, Kwon Arin had a dazed smile, as though she’d lost her mind to the terrible reality that lay ahead.

“G-good luck…”

If things got too rough for her, I’d try to help. With a silent cheer of support, I left the reception room with Levinas. As we stepped out, Sophia, Encia, and Argo approached us.

“Gyeoul, there you are.”

“Yes? Did you need something?”

“Today, we’re going to teach you about the wild instincts of beast-kin.”

“The wild instinct?”

What was that? Curious, I followed as Sophia gestured for us to come along. I could’ve spent the time training in the hunting grounds, but I didn’t want to pass up the chance to learn. So, I decided to go along.

“Gyeoul, do you know the biggest difference between humans and beast-kin?”

“Um… maybe it’s the ears and tail…?”

“Right! Levinas also has a horn!”

Levinas proudly showed off her small horn, her affection for it shining through adorably.

“Yes, that’s close to correct. Beast-kin aren’t animals, but they do have animalistic parts. That’s what separates them from humans.”

“I see.”

So, what’s the point? I held back my blunt thoughts, just keeping my gaze attentive.

“Humans have limitations on their primal instincts. A sentient being can never truly understand the raw nature of the wild. They can mimic it, but the essence is different.”

“Oh… So beast-kin…?”

“Yes, beast-kin are different. They’re sentient but also instinctive. They’re born with an understanding of the raw nature of the wild.”

With Sophia’s explanation, we arrived at the guild’s training grounds, where we spotted the familiar figure of the mage, Jung Yu-na.

“Oh, Gyeoul’s here?”

“Yes, I came to train my instincts today.”

“Instincts…? What’s that about?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

I looked back at Sophia, but it was Encia and Argo who stepped forward this time.

“Gyeoul, I’ll demonstrate. It may seem intimidating and impolite, but please remember it’s only training.”

“O-okay…”

When I nodded, Encia took a deep breath. All at once, an overwhelming aura began emanating from her.

“…!”

My skin prickled. I felt frozen in place, unable to move, like prey standing before a predator. The rough demeanor of Park Min-gyu, who’d tormented me for so long, seemed like child’s play compared to this.

“Hic!”

Levinas hiccuped beside me, and Jung Yu-na let out an impressed sigh. The intensity of Encia’s aura was utterly astounding.

“Uh…”

Her gaze was fierce, as though she might leap at me and tear my throat out at any second. Levinas must have felt the same, for she leaped up and hid behind me.

“Eek!”

Shrieking, Levinas took cover. I wanted to do the same but settled for gripping Jung Yu-na’s arm tightly, reminding myself that Encia wouldn’t actually attack.

“It’s over.”

Encia carefully dispelled her aura, and I was finally able to breathe again.

“Haa… Haa…”

So, this was the wild instinct Sophia spoke of. It was indeed a whole other level from mere intimidation. Even other adventurers training nearby seemed unsettled, some drawing their weapons, bracing against the powerful aura.

“Captain! Are you alright?”

Argo shook my shoulders back and forth, causing my voice to waver as I replied.

“Yes, I’m o-okay, really.”

“To come out unscathed after that! Our captain is truly strong!”

I wasn’t exactly unscathed… I was terrified. I was about to correct him when Sophia approached me.

“What did you think? Do you think you can do it too, Gyeoul?”

“M-me…?”

“Yes, you’re a beast-kin, and since you’re a carnivorous type, you should be able to manifest an aura just as strong as Encia’s.”

She thought I could give off an aura like Encia’s? Was she serious?

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised, as murmurs started among the nearby adventurers.

“Can Gyeoul really do something like that?”

“She is a beast-kin. Maybe she can?”

Hearing my name among the voices of adventurers I often crossed paths with made me feel nervous.

“Um, Sophia, I don’t think I can do it yet…”

“What makes you think that?”

“I’m not as strong as Encia…”

Sophia shook her head, her determined expression practically telling me I could do it.

“You may not be able to do it now, but with practice, don’t you think you could someday?”

“Practice?”

“Yes, like practicing archery.”

I guess so. No one could expect me to do it like Encia on the first try. Just as Sophia said, what I needed right now was practice.

“…Do you think I could eventually be like Encia if I keep practicing?”

“You could even surpass her.”

Surpass Encia? Sophia wasn’t one to lie. Finding renewed courage, I took a deep breath, imitating Encia’s earlier focus.

“I’ll try.”

“Good.”

With a fierce look, I tried to summon any latent wild instinct within me. I wasn’t sure how to draw out my primal side, but I knew I needed to look scary.

I’m a carnivore, a ferocious apex predator. Imagining myself as a threatening beast, I raised my hands like claws, ready to pounce.

“Grr… Rawr…”

I raised my hands and looked around. Jung Yu-na and the other adventurers were watching me with smiles. Encia and Argo clapped, encouraging me.

The only one who looked genuinely frightened was Levinas, who hid behind Jung Yu-na, trembling.

“Uh… I guess ‘rawr’ isn’t quite right…”

I wasn’t a child, and saying “rawr” out loud was pretty embarrassing. I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly.

“No, saying ‘rawr’ is correct.”

“R-really…?”

“Yes, it can help you summon that primal feeling.”

“Oh…”

Though embarrassed, I was reassured that this was the right way. After witnessing Encia’s primal aura, I couldn’t back out. It had been more than intimidating, making my skin feel like it was burning. If I could pull it off, I was willing to bear this small embarrassment.

“Just keep practicing whenever you have time.”

“…Even the ‘rawr’ part?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I understand.”

I’ll keep practicing, then. Hopefully, someday I’ll be able to pull off something like Encia’s aura. Ignoring my embarrassment, I extended my fingers like claws.

“Grr… Rawr…”

—

Inside the Dawn Guild training hall, adventurers couldn’t focus on their training, constantly stealing glances at one spot.

“Hmm…”

“Ahh…”

There, in front of a mirror, was a young beast-kin girl practicing her ‘rawr’ while showing her little fangs and claws.

‘Honestly…’

‘She’s too cute.’

‘I want to take her home.’

Of course, the adventurers knew. Gyeoul wasn’t doing this to show off or appear cute. She was genuinely trying to learn the primal aura that Encia had displayed—a power that had made even veteran adventurers tense up.

Gyeoul was striving to reach Encia’s level. But her journey there was so endearing that the adventurers couldn’t help but smile.

“Rarr… Grrr…? No, that doesn’t sound right…”

Her serious attempt to sound threatening was utterly adorable, and some adventurers started to wonder if having Gyeoul around was the best perk of the Dawn Guild.

“I’m giving up on training today.”

“…Just don’t stare too openly.”

“Y-yeah.”

With fatherly or motherly smiles, the adventurers watched Gyeoul practice, just as Yeoreum entered the training hall. She didn’t look around but went straight to Gyeoul.

“Gyeoul, what are you up to?”

“I’m training.”

“Training without a bow?”

“I’m practicing my beast-kin instincts.”

Beast-kin instincts? Could Gyeoul, sweet and adorable as she was, really pull something like that off? Yeoreum blinked in surprise.

“Can you do it?”

“No, not yet, so I was practicing.”

“Oh… would you mind showing me what you’ve practiced?”

Showing her the “rawr” and “grr”? Gyeoul felt shy but decided to do it for the sake of her progress. She wanted to grow out of her timid self and face people more confidently.

At the very least, she wanted to be able to face others normally. That meant she needed more confidence. With a spark of hope, Gyeoul summoned the aura she’d been practicing.

She showed her fangs and raised her claws.

“Grr… Rawr…”

Displaying her primal side, Gyeoul

 tried to look menacing in front of Yeoreum. Yeoreum could only gape at her in silence.

“Uh… It’s not very intimidating yet, right…?”

“…”

“It might look strange now, but they said if I keep practicing, I’ll eventually look fierce. They said any beast-kin can do it…”

Even with Gyeoul’s explanation, Yeoreum didn’t respond, just kept her mouth hanging open in awe.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep