545. Broadcast Begins (1)
How did he recognize me? I was thinking, ‘Good job, Peace!’ but then…
– Grrr.
Peace bared his teeth at me. P-Peace, it’s Dad, Dad. Peace’s nose poked my neck. That was the Grace skill [a skill that allows the user to share their senses with a bonded creature]. Then he growled again, a warning rumble in his throat.
‘Could it be… does he think I’m a thief?’
It was supposed to be a perfect transformation, so my scent should have changed too. But Grace should still have my human scent. In other words, to Peace, I’m a cat stealing Dad’s stuff…….
– Ack!
Peace grabbed Grace and pulled. W-wait, Peace! I pushed Peace’s head away with my paw, looking around. It was inside the alley, but close to the entrance. It was an easy spot to be seen. I couldn’t turn back here. It was too soon to be caught.
– Krkk!
– Aeok!
I kicked Peace with my hind legs, but he didn’t budge. Fortunately, it was hard for Peace to get Grace out of his mouth. Weren’t Yoohyun and Yerim with him? They must have followed me, suspicious of my sudden disappearance and a cat running away with my things. Our Peace is a genius.
– Waaeng.
Dad! It’s Dad! I tried, but it was hard to speak human words with a cat’s vocal cords. Was it because my grade was too low? I couldn’t create a voice like Noah or Riet. Peace, you shouldn’t bully weak animals.
I gave up pushing Peace away and stuck out my tongue instead. It was unpleasant, but I closed my eyes and licked Peace’s paw that was pressing down on me. Ugh, fur.
– Keuheung.
Peace flinched. Yes, Peace. I want to get along with you. I sent him a desperate look that said, ‘I like you so much.’ I blinked slowly, trying to look as harmless as possible. Just let me go for a second. Dad will go inside and turn back to normal. Peace stared down at me.
– Nyaak!
He licked my face for a long time, wondering what I was thinking. Then he grabbed the back of my neck and lifted me up. Peace, no! Peace threw me!
– Myaeulk!
He threw me. The figures of Blue and Comet flickered before my eyes as I flew through the air. Yeah, Peace. You recognized Dad. You’re such a good boy…….
The building wall rushed toward me. My body naturally spun around, and I landed perfectly on the ground, bracing against the wall. Wow, the item effect is really good. I admired my light and perfectly landed paws when Peace ran up to me. Huh, wait a minute!
‘Wasn’t that the welcoming ceremony?’
I hurriedly ran further inside. Come to think of it, Blue might have been mistaken. Anyway, Peace, Peace!
“Ah, Dad!”
I quickly went into a secluded place where I couldn’t be seen from the outside or above and released the skill. Peace, who was chasing me, stopped abruptly.
– Kkeung.
“Yes, it’s Dad, Dad.”
Peace tilted his head and rubbed his cheek against my leg. Peace can’t talk, so it’s okay if he hears me. Watch, Peace, I’m going to turn into a cat again, no, a young Dellouz. Peace tilted his head again. See, Dad changed.
– Meow.
An awkward cat sound came out. It would be better to keep my mouth shut if I want to pretend to be a cat. Peace tilted his head again and wagged his tail.
– Kkiang!
He jumped and rolled on the floor, then lay flat in front of me. He seemed excited. Yes, Peace. Dad, aigoo [an expression of endearment].
– Kkuueung.
Stop, stop! Peace pounced on me and started licking me all over. Ugh, Peace! My fur is wet, it’s damp! I twisted my body to get out, and he chased after me as if to play tag.
– Kkyauung!
– Nyaak!
Stop! I shouted as loud as I could, but Peace, who didn’t understand, butted his head against me. It didn’t hurt, but I ended up tumbling over. His golden eyes sparkled and he bared his teeth as if smiling, which meant he wanted to play, but Peace!
– Gyareureung! Kkiang!
Peace licked me again. Ugh, euk, Peace, more than that, we have to go to the island, to the island! I pressed Peace’s snout with my paw, and he finally fell off. Then, as if reading my mind, he enlarged his body to about the size of a sub-adult.
– Geureureung.
Are you going to give me a ride? I hope riding on you doesn’t count as catching you. I’ll protest if it does. I climbed onto Peace’s body and hid inside his lush mane. I wouldn’t be noticeable unless someone dug through it. As soon as I settled down, Peace spread his wings and soared into the sky. Does he know where we’re going? I was worried he might go to Yoohyun, but fortunately, he set off in the right direction and began to cross the sky.
How does Peace send messages? I’m curious.
“Hey, Peace! Peace!”
Someone shouted. Judging by the proximity of the voice, it seemed to be a Hunter with a flight skill. Peace ignored him and passed by. Then suddenly.
Boom-!
There was a loud explosion and the sound of water gushing up. Peace stopped flying. I also inadvertently peeked out very slightly.
‘…Wow.’
In the distance, a huge ice pillar had risen in Central Park. The ice mass, as tall as an average building, sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight. Yerim, you’re the best.
‘She’s trying to help me.’
If she acts so conspicuously, people will usually think she’s trying to protect me and flock to that side. It’s a lake in the park, so there will be less damage. I wonder if Yoohyun and Chief Song are there too. It would be nice if she could hold Sung Hyunjae back too.
‘He might recognize me.’
He’s a sensitive human, so he might notice that this cat is the Dellouz he went into. I must never run into him.
– Iyaung.
Peace, I called. Peace turned back toward the island. Just in case, I carefully checked below, and just before reaching the island, I tapped Peace. Peace stopped in mid-air and circled around as if not knowing what I wanted, then descended close to the water’s surface. Good, well done.
“Peace!”
Someone shouted again. Our Peace is so popular. I used my nimble suction skill to stick close to Peace’s body and descend. I carefully hid my body as much as possible and slipped into the water as if diving.
‘Ugh.’
Before my small body floated away, I quickly turned back into a human and took out the underwater action item. All this trouble because of that Chatterbox bastard. I walked halfway underwater and climbed onto the island.
“Ar…rived!”
It’s even before ten o’clock! Thanks to Peace, I have plenty of time left. Peace, who had been circling over the island, came to me.
“Hyungnim!” [term used by younger males to address older brothers or close male friends]
Moon Hyuna ran up to me. Noah was also behind her.
“You arrived safely?”
“Yes. Soaked, though.”
“We were first!”
Moon Hyuna wrapped her arm around Noah’s neck and laughed. Noah smiled awkwardly, a little embarrassed.
“We left as soon as we saw the message.”
Then no Hunter can catch up with Noah. I wrung out the water from my clothes and looked around, and I saw quite a few Hunters. There seemed to be about ten of them.
“There are quite a few. I thought I’d be late because you were catching me.”
One of the Hunters shrugged as if he had heard me.
“I don’t have a hobby of harassing kids for rewards.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m tempted by the SS-class weapon, but I have my pride.”
Another Hunter said. No, that. Pride. I shouldn’t feel so easy to take on now. Fixed ideas can’t change in an instant, but still.
“Your stats are F-class, but Hyungnim is also small.”
Moon Hyuna said softly to me as I frowned unconsciously.
“The average height is a bit taller in this area. So they feel like they’re bullying a kid. They say Hyungnim looks like Doryeonim’s [young master] younger brother.”
What? Why am I Yoohyun’s younger brother?
“I’m the older brother. Besides, my age is…….”
“Emma, you said you had a picture of your nephew? Give it to me!”
Moon Hyuna received a photo on her phone and showed it to me. A man with a huge build was smiling brightly.
“He’s sixteen years old.”
“…….”
“Doryeonim is tall and has a good body. So does Noah. Besides, just like we get confused with Western faces, they judge by size.”
Oh, I see. Still, my age is, if you think about it, thirty……. I took out a Dodam Breeding Center commemorative towel and wiped off the water, feeling awkward. I found a camera pointing at me and deliberately shook it so that the Breeding Center embroidery was clearly visible.
‘Anyway, the people here are relatively moderate.’
As I moved toward the inside of the island, I memorized the faces of the Hunters who had arrived first. Rather, the people here might be more dangerous to me. Unlike the easily heated-up guys, they’ll respond coldly even if I try to sweet-talk them.
‘An island that can only be reached by passing through the city center and taking a boat.’
It was an environment that would take quite a while without flight skills or ride-type skills. Ferry operations must have been suspended for safety. Nevertheless, they quickly prepared transportation and arrived quickly. Their skills were also good.
“It looks like it’s going to be cold. There’s a store over there. I’ll buy you a warm drink.”
Noah also took out his towel and gave it to me. The river breeze was cold. If I catch a cold, I’ll have to bill Chatterbox.
“Noah ssi!!” [honorific title]
Chwaaaaa- Kang Soyoung shouted from the head of the Black Dragon, cutting through the water. Riet landed on the island with a loud thud. Water flowed down like a waterfall under the black scales. A boat was also visible behind it. Other Hunters began to arrive one by one, as the news that I had reached the island was broadcast.
“Uncle! Did you see it?”
Yerim, who was excited, flew in with Song Taewon, who was in a state of resignation, and Yoohyun crossed the river, stepping on blue willow leaves.
“If you opened a personal broadcast, it would have been a hit!”
More than that, please put Chief Song down first.
“You’ll catch a cold, Hyung.”
“Uncle, did you swim across the river by any chance?”
“I don’t have the strength to do that. I saw it too. It was amazing.”
Following Yoohyun, Yerim and Song Taewon took out the Breeding Center towels in turn. Everyone carries them around well. I wonder if Sung Hyunjae will come by boat.
I wiped off the water with the towels and moved further inside. The island, which had been attacked by monsters several times, was devastated. There was nothing but the dungeon building, the store, and the half-destroyed pier. It used to be a tourist attraction.
“In recent years, with the reduction in dungeon breaks, Governors Island has also regained peace.”
A person from the broadcasting station was explaining in front of the camera.
“The dungeon on Governors Island is A-class, ah, Korean Hunters can be seen over there.”
I received an interview request, but I refused. I’m not in a good shape right now. I need to dry my clothes before the 10 o’clock broadcast. The store was still doing business even in this situation. They probably don’t sell clothes.
“I heard they also do illegal transactions there.”
Noah said to me in a small voice.
“The New York Hunter black market is quite large.”
Korea also has a black market, although it’s small. I reflexively looked at Song Taewon. Did he hear me?
Before long, the last Hunter arrived on the island. Sung Hyunjae and Gyeol seemed to have come by boat with the Evelyn team. I slightly avoided the golden gaze that was looking at me. I hope there’s no cat hair on my body. He’s the kind of person who would say, ‘Oh, you were,’ if I meowed.
Tadadadada-
Another helicopter appeared in the sky above, which had been quiet for a while after all the Hunters had arrived. Chatterbox, pretending to be an ordinary human, landed from the helicopter, fluttering his coat tails. At the same time, the door of the closed dungeon building opened wide.
“Hunter Han Yoojin.”
Chatterbox called me cheerfully. His feigned excitement was really natural.
“Congratulations on arriving safely on the island. You never fail to meet expectations.”
“…Thank you.”
Smile, smile. The Hunter who landed with Chatterbox handed me three gold coins and a small box.
“Well then.”
Chatterbox checked his wristwatch and continued.
“It’s ten o’clock.”
With a click.
– Nㅇd
– It’s up
– Hul [Korean slang for ‘wow’]
– Peace!
– As expected, Hyoojin is on TV
A small window appeared and words started scrolling down like a chat. What, what is this? There was no mention of this. I looked at the window in a panic. Fortunately, there was an on/off function and a blocking function. So.
“H…hello.”
I greeted awkwardly. Where should I look? Why can’t I see my own video?
– Hello!
– 🙂
– Hello!
– I’m only looking at Peace’s dad lol
What should I do? What should I do? I heard Yerim shouting energetically, Hello, this is Park Yerim! Chief Song also greets stiffly, Hello. Yoohyun neatly ignored it, and Hyuna waved her hand, Hello. Noah also says hello, and Sung Hyunjae is looking at the chat window with a faint smile.
“Oh, as you know, I’m Han Yoojin, the director of Dodam Ride-type Monster Breeding Center. Yoohyun, you should at least say hello.”
“Hello.”
– I love Han Yoohyun!111111111
– He listens to his brother well
– Hellohellohellohellohello
…Should I close the chat window? My eyes kept going to the constantly rising posts, and I couldn’t get my mouth open. Broadcasting isn’t easy.