Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 129

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 129
My eyes snapped toward the unexpected words.
Though his gaze toward me was filled with wariness for reasons I couldn’t fathom.
Yet his mouth spoke smoothly, contradicting those guarded eyes.
“Huh?”
“…Our ability requires distinguishing the target first.”
I blinked.
‘Distinguishing?’
What kind of distinction was he talking about? Regardless of why he was revealing this, questions bubbled up first.
“Wait. Are you seriously telling me something even Levai doesn’t know? And to someone you’re meeting for the first time today?”
Based on first impressions alone, he didn’t seem like such a naive child.
The image of him threatening me with something sharp, holding my life over the chopping block, remained vivid.
Moreover, he was a child raised alongside Levai. There was no way Levai had taught him carelessly.
‘That Levai bastard wouldn’t teach him to cry “I don’t like it, no way!” when a strange man visits. He’d educate him to thrust a blade into that man’s thigh without hesitation.’
In any case, it was strange for him to suddenly say such things.
Especially considering that Whale and I hadn’t had a single normal conversation yet.
Whale seemed to recognize the point I’d made, his expression slightly stung.
He turned his blunt face away sharply. He almost looked a bit sulky.
Soon the boy let out a small sigh.
“My mother, who’s passed away, told me. When you feel you must do something… act on that feeling.”
So he felt he had to tell me something?
I nodded.
I understood what he meant.
“Since we’re beastkin, the decisions instinct points to are sometimes more important than those reason makes. So what are you trying to say?”
“…I.”
Whale hesitated for a moment.
“You spoke as if you knew me well, right? Do you know about the White Whale?”
“I could say I do, and I could say I don’t.”
“What does that mean?”
“All I have is what I’ve heard. How would you feel if someone judged you based only on rumors about you?”
“….”
“Same with me. That’s why I want to know what kind of person you are right now.”
As I gazed at him seriously, my smile fading, Whale slowly wiped the bewilderment from his face.
Despite his size for his age, his face was truly young.
“The White Whale is… the ‘Guardian of Goodwill.'”
“That’s a wonderful title.”
Though I didn’t know why this conversation had come up, I did my best to respond earnestly.
“Is it the same as how our orcas get called ‘sea thugs’ and stuff?”
“….”
“Oh, a child who can’t take a joke as a joke. Go on then.”
Young children respond best to jokes, so why would I want to see that look of ‘what on earth is that’ on your face?
It seems Levai never taught you how to take a joke.
“…You’re strange.”
“I hear that often enough. So, want me to continue the explanation? What was it? Guardian of the captain?”
“Guardian of goodness.”
“Right, I was joking. Feeling less tense now?”
“….”
According to Whale’s methodical explanation, it went like this.
The White Whale was a creature that helped other sea animals in nature without asking for anything in return.
This nature of theirs manifested in their special abilities, resulting in a healing power focused on others.
“One that can only be used on good people. It’s like the ability of a righteous warrior, isn’t it?”
They say these whales confirm a person’s goodness before healing them.
In other words.
“You can see goodness in people with your eyes?”
“Yes.”
Whale nodded obediently.
In fact, even as Whale spoke, he didn’t look like he understood why he was giving me this explanation.
He seemed confused.
Yet his explanation remained thorough.
It seemed that sense of his was quite strong.
‘It might also be a matter of personality.’
“Levai is a good person.”
“I see.”
That bastard Levai is indeed a good man. It’s just that he shows no mercy to enemies.
Then did the ‘goodness’ Whale spoke of have nothing to do with showing cruelty to enemies? The more I listened, the more confusing it became.
For now, I’d look into it more later.
“What about me?”
When I asked out of curiosity, Whale’s face immediately filled with caution.
It wasn’t fear.
His steady eyes stared directly at me.
“You’re not a good person.”
Since it wasn’t an unexpected answer, I let out a small laugh.
At the same time, I tilted my head to one side.
“That’s right. Where would you find a kind orca? I’m not a good human.”
“But.”
Whale’s eyes were firm.
“You’re someone who sacrifices yourself for the sake of goodness.”
“….”
I fell silent before asking.
“Is that also part of your ability?”
“…That’s right.”
“….”
“So I’ll trust you.”
The conclusion felt oddly abrupt.
I felt bewildered by this sudden, unexpected conclusion.
“What do you mean.”
“Levai isn’t the type of person who engages in friendly conversation with strangers, even if he doesn’t seem like it.”
“And?”
“If he didn’t, I would’ve been cautious too, but you seem like you’ll protect us.”
“….”
“I’ll trust you.”
It was a strange feeling.
This young boy was someone I hadn’t encountered in previous iterations.
I had hoped he wouldn’t die, and I’d sought him out because I needed him.
“Aren’t you being too trusting?”
In nature, the white whale was an animal that often helped creatures unrelated to itself.
I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but it was a dignity befitting such a massive creature….
If you know whales, it’s the species you naturally think of first.
“I can see it.”
Rescuing baby seals that became orca playthings, or traveling alongside baby dolphins with curved spines.
Well, I know these things because I loved that whale.
“Your face says you trust my judgment.”
“Yes.”
“You trust me?”
“I do.”
Perhaps that’s why.
Hearing those words, I felt a strange sense of peace wash over me.
Similar to the comfort I’d felt watching whale videos long ago.
‘Is this that famous whale therapy?’
And why did it feel both novel and familiar—that trust gleaming in those quiet, steadfast eyes.
Ah, I understand now.
I let out a small laugh.
“You know, you really do resemble our Yongyang.”
“…Yongyang?”
“It means I like you.”
I tapped my own chest pointedly.
Then I raised my finger and pointed at Whale.
“But, if I may offer one piece of advice—don’t go around saying you trust people so easily.”
“….”
“From now on, try to hide your sincerity as much as you can.”
“Why?”
“You might not realize it, but there are plenty of people in this world who exploit such sincerity.”
Whale didn’t seem flustered. Instead, he stared at me intently and asked with stubborn persistence.
“Do you?”
My smile deepened slightly.
“The fact that you’re asking that is exactly proof that you’re still young.”
It was at that very moment.
The door clicked open, and three people emerged from the inner room.
It seemed their conversation had ended.
‘Oh, judging by their expressions, things went well?’
Illia’s face remained unchanged, but Levai’s expression appeared more settled than when he’d gone in.
‘But why does that bastard Atlant have that bitter look on his face again?’
With that thought, I looked back at Whale.
Whale, despite being young, raised his thick eyebrows sharply. As if displeased.
“You’re young too.”
Ah, had my words struck a nerve?
Since he was raised by Levai, perhaps that’s why his bristling seemed similar to his.
This was perfect for teasing.
I smiled with amusement.
“Are you bristling?”
“No.”
“Really? Your anger is written all over your face.”
“….”
I stopped poking at his eyebrows and laughed.
“Just a big baby.”
At that, something seemed to ignite in the glare he directed at me.
But before Whale could say anything, someone suddenly interjected.
“What’s with this atmosphere?”
“Oh, you startled me. Why are you suddenly blocking my view?”
Atlant’s chest suddenly filled my entire field of vision, and I jumped in surprise.
Atlant turned his head to glare at Whale regardless, then quickly pointed with his finger while frowning.
“Are your eyes crossed? What do you mean baby? His size is probably bigger than mine was at that age.”
“Look at his face, his face. White whale children are supposed to be incredibly large, right? He’s still young.”
“How is that young?”
“He seems similar to Yongyang at our place, so he’s young.”
“Don’t make me laugh. That Yongyang you raise is older than you, isn’t he?”
I blinked.
‘I don’t even know Ekion’s exact age, so what is he talking about?’
I only knew that Ekion was roughly similar in age to me.
“How would you know that?”
“You asked me?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“If you’re younger, you’re beneath me.”
“…What’s with that crab-walking logic? If all the kids are beneath you, then roll me around and eat me too while you’re at it?”
“…What are you saying? You’re the exception!”
The way he kept going on about age didn’t sit right with me.
…This bastard. Is he some kind of fossil?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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