Black Killer Whale Baby [EN]: Chapter 129

Unexpectedly, my eyes widened at the story.

I don’t know why, but his eyes were full of wariness towards me.

However, his mouth was spilling out the story, contrary to his eyes.

“Huh?”

“…Our ability prioritizes distinguishing targets.”

I blinked.

‘Distinguish?’

What kind of distinction is he talking about? I don’t know why he’s telling me this, but questions arose first.

“Wait a minute. Are you… telling me something that Levi doesn’t even know? To someone you just met today?”

He didn’t seem like such an innocent kid based on first impressions.

The image of him threatening me with something sharp, putting his life on the line, was still vivid.

Besides, he was a kid who grew up with Levi. There’s no way Levi would have taught him carelessly.

‘That Levi… wouldn’t teach him to shout ‘I don’t like strange uncles, no!’ when a strange uncle comes, but to stab that uncle’s thigh without hesitation.’

Anyway, it was a strange situation for him to suddenly say this.

Considering that Whale and I haven’t had a normal conversation at all yet.

Whale also seemed a little stung, as if he recognized the part I mentioned.

He turned his blunt face away. He even seemed a little sulky.

The boy soon sighed softly.

“My late mother said so. When you feel like you have to do something… do it.”

So, he felt like he had to tell me?

I nodded.

Because I understood what he was saying.

“Since we’re beastmen, the decisions our instincts point to are sometimes more important than the decisions reason makes. So, what do you want to say?”

“…I.”

Whale hesitated for a moment.

“You spoke as if you knew a lot about me, right? Do you know the Beluga Whale [referring to his beastman lineage and associated traits]?”

“I can say I know, and I can say I don’t know.”

“What is that?”

“It means that’s all I’ve heard. How would you feel if someone judged you based only on rumors about you?”

“…”

“Me too. That’s why I want to know what kind of person you are now.”

When I looked at him seriously without a smile, Whale also slowly erased the embarrassment that had spread across his face.

He was still a very young face, even though he was big for his age.

“The Beluga Whale is… a ‘Guardian of Goodwill’.”

“That’s a nice title.”

I didn’t know why this story came up, but I did my best to respond.

“Is it the same as our Orcas being called sea thugs or something?”

“…”

“Oh dear, you can’t take a joke. Keep talking.”

Responding is the best for kids. Don’t look at me with those ‘what’s that again’ eyes?

It seems Levi didn’t teach him jokes.

“…You’re weird.”

“I hear that often. So, will you continue the explanation? What? Guardian of the Captain?”

“Guardian of Goodwill.”

“Yeah, it’s a joke. Are you relaxed now?”

“…”

According to Whale’s clear explanation, it was like this.

Beluga Whales were whales that helped other aquatic animals in nature without any compensation.

This disposition was also demonstrated in their specialty, resulting in the ability of healing, which was focused on others.

“Only can be used for good people. It’s like a hero of justice ability?”

It is said that they check a person’s goodwill before healing.

In other words.

“You can see a person’s goodwill?”

“Yes.”

Whale nodded obediently.

In fact, even while speaking, Whale still didn’t understand why he was giving me this explanation.

He looked confused.

Even so, the explanation was solid.

That feeling must have been quite strong.

‘I think it’s also because of his personality.’

“Levi hyung [older brother/respected male figure] is kind.”

“I see.”

That Levi is a kind guy. He’s very ruthless to enemies, though.

So, is the ‘goodwill’ that Whale is talking about unrelated to being cruel to enemies? The more I listened, the more confusing it felt.

Let’s find out more about it later.

“Then what about me?”

When I asked with curiosity, Whale’s face immediately became full of wariness.

He wasn’t scared.

Because his steadfast eyes were staring at me.

“You’re not a good person.”

It wasn’t an unexpected answer, so I chuckled.

At the same time, I tilted my head.

“That’s right. Where are there good Orcas? I’m not a good human.”

“But.”

Whale’s eyes were firm.

“You’re someone who sacrifices yourself for the sake of goodwill.”

“…”

I was silent before asking.

“Is that also part of your ability?”

“…Yes.”

“…”

“So, I’ll trust you.”

The conclusion was somehow strange.

I felt bewildered by the sudden conclusion.

“What does that…”

“Levi hyung, I don’t think he knows, but he’s not someone who has friendly conversations with strangers.”

“So?”

“Even if hyung didn’t, I would have tried to be wary, but I think you’ll protect us.”

“…”

“I’ll trust you.”

It was a strange feeling.

This boy was someone I hadn’t been involved with in previous iterations.

I wanted him not to die, and he was someone I sought out because I needed him.

“Aren’t you saying you trust too easily?”

In nature, Beluga Whales are animals that often help animals that have nothing to do with them.

I can’t say I’m a fan, saying it’s a dignity befitting the huge size of the Great Whale…

If you know whales, it’s basically the species that comes to mind.

“I can see it.”

Saving baby seals that have become Orca’s toys, or walking with baby dolphins with curved spines.

Well, the reason I know this is because I liked that whale.

“You have a face that says you trust my judgment.”

“Yes.”

“You trust me?”

“I trust you.”

Maybe that’s why.

The moment I heard those words, I felt strangely relieved.

It was similar to the comfort I felt watching whale videos a long time ago.

‘Is this the famous whale therapy?’

Besides, why is that? The trust in his silent and steadfast eyes felt strangely familiar.

Ah, I see.

I smiled softly.

“Oh my. You really look like our Yongyong [term of endearment, like ‘puppy’ or ‘cutie’]?”

“…Yongyong?”

“It means I like you.”

I poked my chest.

Then I pointed my finger at Whale.

“But, let me give you one piece of advice: don’t trust people so easily.”

“…”

“Try to hide your true feelings as much as possible in the future.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know about you, but there are plenty of people in the world who will take advantage of those true feelings.”

Whale wasn’t flustered. Instead, he stared at me intently and asked steadfastly.

“Do you too?”

My smile deepened a little.

“The fact that you’re asking that is proof that you’re still young.”

It was at this moment that I said this.

The door clicked open, and three people came out from inside the room.

It seemed the story was over.

‘Oh, judging by their expressions, it seems the story went well, right?’

Ilia had the same expression as always, but Levi’s expression seemed more stable than before he went in.

‘But why does Atlan have that sour look on his face again?’

I thought so and looked at Whale again.

Whale raised his thick eyebrows for a child. As if he didn’t like it.

“You’re young too.”

Ah, did the words I said hit the nail on the head?

Is it because he’s being raised by Levi? Somehow, the way he gets angry feels similar.

He’s perfect to tease, isn’t he?

I smiled brightly.

“Are you getting angry?”

“No.”

“Really? There’s a lot of anger here?”

“…”

I tapped my eyebrows a few times before laughing.

“Just a big baby.”

Then, something seemed to ignite on the face that was glaring at me.

But before Whale could say anything, someone suddenly intruded.

“What, what’s this atmosphere?”

“Ah, you startled me. Why are you suddenly blocking the way?”

I was startled because Atlan’s chest was filling my vision.

Atlan turned his head and glared at Whale, then frowned, pointing his finger at him.

“Are you blind? What baby are you talking about? He’s bigger than I was when I was a kid.”

“Look at his face, his face. Beluga Whale kids are originally huge, right? He’s still young.”

“What’s so young about him?”

“He seems similar to Yongyong in our house, so he’s young.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That Yongyong you’re raising is older than you, right?”

I blinked.

‘I don’t even know Ekion’s exact age, what is he talking about?’

I only knew that Ekion was roughly similar to me.

“How do you know that?”

“I asked him?”

“Why?”

“If he’s young, he’s under me.”

“…What kind of crab is walking forward [idiom for speaking illogically]? If all the young kids are under you, you’ll put me under you and roll me around?”

“…What are you talking about? You, you’re an exception!”

I didn’t like the way he was talking about age.

…This XX [expletive]. Is he a boomer [derogatory term for older people]?”