Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 144

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 144

 

There was something more surprising than the fact that we had fallen into a snowy world (dungeon).

 

“…It’s quiet.”

 

The merciless attacks from kidnappers or monster charges that immediately threatened our lives that I had expected… weren’t there.

 

Instead, I could see snowy plains stretching endlessly through the wide open view.

 

And this place was just silent.

 

‘Then, what exactly is this place?’

 

‘Why did they bring Cheonji to a place like this?’

 

Unlike me, who couldn’t quite grasp the kidnappers’ intentions, Baek Cheonhyeong seemed to have reached a conclusion in that short time.

 

He casually scanned the surroundings and said.

 

“They probably didn’t want to dirty their own hands… Most likely, they just threw the child here to die on his own and left.”

 

“…Why? If they kidnapped Cheonji, the logical next step would be to demand money or something else. For that, the child needs to be alive-”

 

“They probably have no intention of demanding anything from me.”

 

“…”

 

“Either they’re trying to divert my attention temporarily, or… it’s pure malice.”

 

My breath caught in my throat.

 

‘I naturally assumed it was a kidnapping for ransom.’

 

But this, these bastards are something else entirely.

 

Isn’t their intention too vicious?

 

I don’t know what they’re trying to accomplish by diverting an S-rank Hunter’s attention… If they did this out of pure malice without any intention, it’s an even more ridiculous act.

 

‘Aren’t they afraid of the consequences?’

 

Touching an S-rank Hunter’s family could only be explained as having their liver outside their body.

 

‘Honestly, even now he looks precarious.’

 

I’ve often seen guardians panic even in the brief moment of losing sight of a child…

 

But despite my complicated feelings, I deliberately listed the hopeful aspects of our current situation.

 

“For now… There don’t seem to be any dangerous monsters immediately, and unless the kidnappers entered the dungeon with us, there’s a higher chance Cheonji is okay.”

 

No, he has to be okay.

 

I brushed the snow off my pants hem while glancing sideways at Baek Cheonhyeong.

 

‘He seems okay for now, but…’

 

On the surface, Baek Cheonhyeong was maintaining his composure strangely well for someone who had lost a child.

 

However, I felt an unprecedented sense of unease from that appearance.

 

‘It feels like watching a time bomb that’s about to explode but remains quiet…’

 

I buried the uncomfortable feeling in my chest and pretended not to notice as I turned my gaze away.

 

Right now, Cheonji is the priority.

 

“First, let’s go over there.”

 

If Cheonji fell in the same place as us, he probably headed in that direction.

 

In the distance, I could see the shape of a small village covered in snow.

 

‘Looking around, there’s nothing that looks like a gate exit, and the only thing that stands out is the village.’

 

Coincidentally, the arrow on the tracking walkie-talkie was also pointing in that direction.

 

After confirming Baek Cheonhyeong’s silent nod of agreement, I immediately started walking.

 

We quickened our pace as much as possible and arrived at the village quickly.

 

“?!”

 

Wait a minute.

 

Before entering the village, I noticed something and reflexively pulled down the hat attached to my jumper.

 

“Why the hat.”

 

‘Look at the street, human!’

 

A bustling crowd right from the entrance.

 

No, could this even be called a crowd?

 

‘They don’t seem human…?’

 

They resembled humans in appearance, but were distinctly different.

 

There were entities with human bodies but animal ears and tails, and some even had their entire heads replaced with dog or cat heads.

 

Not only that, there were things covered in talismans and various accessories all over their bodies, dropping gems as they passed through the streets… They couldn’t possibly be considered human in form.

 

I’ve entered dungeons a few times, but my knowledge about monsters is still terrible.

 

‘Why would I need to know such things in the first place?’

 

So, to my civilian eyes, these look no different from monsters!

 

Who knows if there are species among them that eat humans.

 

Therefore, it’s right to act as non-human as possible, isn’t it?

 

I looked up at Baek Cheonhyeong with such eyes.

 

But then.

 

“You asked me to trust you, but Teacher, you can’t trust me.”

 

No, that’s not it. This is extremely logical and reasonable…

 

“If that’s not the case, then it’s better not to do such foolish things.”

 

What did he just say.

 

With those words, Baek Cheonhyeong strode into the village alone without consultation.

 

His walking pace was excessively fast.

 

I was internally horrified but moved my feet to catch up with him.

 

The village we ended up entering like that.

 

Not long after we started walking, I suddenly realized.

 

‘Was I worrying for nothing?’

 

There were no blatantly staring gazes at us.

 

I couldn’t feel any looks like those of prey, or eyes that were wary or curious.

 

However…

 

‘Somehow it seems like they’re avoiding us.’

 

More precisely, they seem to be avoiding Baek Cheonhyeong walking ahead, not me…

 

‘What is it? Is the aura of an S-rank different from the start?’

 

The residents squeezing through the narrow streets and making way looked awkward even at a glance.

 

I’m not sure, but it seems better than being looked down upon…

 

Feeling both ambivalent and somewhat relieved that we’d stepped away from a dangerous situation, my tension eased a little. Then, other things began to come into view.

 

Among the bustling residents, products and shop building styles that subtly didn’t match the season.

 

‘Why are they selling fans in this weather? And why are there so many flower shops?’

 

Moreover, the clothing of those on the streets looked too thin for the cold environment, and there were tent-like structures that seemed hastily put up to block the falling snow… that caught my eye.

 

It’s like a village experiencing winter for the first time, should I say?

 

‘What is it? Is it just my imagination?’

 

‘Unlike us, can’t they feel the cold?’

 

While thinking such thoughts and following Baek Cheonhyeong, I found myself entering a small tavern.

 

I could see Baek Cheonhyeong, who entered the shop first, charging straight at what appeared to be a bartender – a Giant Spider.

 

…It really is a Giant Spider.

 

‘Ah, I think I’m going to lose my mind already.’

 

“Let me ask you something. Haven’t you seen a small human around here?”

 

“Are you… human?”

 

Eight eyeballs simultaneously turned toward Baek Cheonhyeong and me standing behind him.

 

At that moment, curiosity flickered over the spider’s eyeballs… then suddenly blinked rapidly.

 

Then, they widened as if about to flash… wait a minute.

 

I looked at Baek Cheonhyeong.

 

He had his mouth firmly shut, but his gaze was cruelly static.

 

Now white foam began leaking from somewhere around the spider’s mouth.

 

‘I knew this would happen!’

 

I roughly grabbed Baek Cheonhyeong’s forearm.

 

At the same time, I felt the pain of everything inside being twisted and squeezed… but I endured it and opened my mouth.

 

“…St-stop.”

 

“This way is faster.”

 

This bastard, it seems he’s been using his ability without me knowing since earlier.

 

‘Don’t tell me he’s been using it since we entered the village?’

 

My teeth ground together from the pain.

 

“I know too. But stop it. The more hastily you act, the less likely things are to work out.”

 

“….”

 

His eyes flashed rebelliously for a moment, but fortunately I soon felt better and could see the spider’s eyes returning to their proper positions one by one.

 

‘What was this guy’s ability again? Something about mana I think… I’ll check that later.’

 

I swallowed and quietly came to a conclusion.

 

‘This bastard already seems to have lost all sense of restraint.’

 

This only looked fine on the surface, but he seems to have lost his mind a long time ago.

 

‘I need to… get a grip.’

 

I need to keep a proper hold on the reins.

 

“I understand you’re anxious, but we need to stay calm in times like this. It looks like we can communicate with them, so let’s resolve this through words.”

 

I know the full situation front and back, so I can understand, but what kind of bolt from the blue must this be for them?

 

‘Right, it seems like we can communicate… I should too.’

 

I flinched briefly, then my jaw dropped at a fact that occurred to me.

 

“You can understand our language?”

 

I haven’t even used my Tamer Ability yet?

 

“Kek kek!! Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly attacking? If you’re curious, just ask!”

 

“I just tried it, and got lucky.”

 

“The humans who came before at least didn’t do this! Of course, we couldn’t communicate at all! This must be because of those damn changes too!”

 

The spider was fuming about being suddenly attacked, while Baek Cheonhyeong paid no attention to it at all.

 

“So, have you seen a small human?”

 

“I don’t know!! The weather suddenly got cold and my head froze up so I can’t think. Happy now?!”

 

“The weather suddenly got cold?”

 

Only then did the snow piled up outside and the incongruous street scenes that didn’t match it flash through my mind again.

 

“Yeah! It’s been snowing like crazy for three days now. This has never happened before! From what I can see, you guys seem to be from another region, but this place has never not been spring!”

 

“….”

 

At those words, Baek Cheonhyeong fell silent as if lost in thought.

 

I just rolled my eyes in the meantime, reading the atmosphere.

 

Actually, I was worried the Bartender Spider might refuse to talk after being angry about Baek Cheonhyeong’s attack…

 

‘But this seems to be working out somehow?’

 

Should I just leave things as they are?

 

“So that’s why the street looked strangely out of season.”

 

“Right! I’m freezing to death because of it, and there are no customers! But then you suddenly barge in and annoyingly…! W-wait a minute… I remember!”

 

“….”

 

“That fairy! I was wondering where I’d seen one, but I’ve seen a small one that looks exactly like you!”

 

“…Was he carrying a Yellow Bag and wearing sky-blue clothes?”

 

The only one who looks exactly like Baek Cheonhyeong is Cheonji!

 

But Cheonji isn’t a fairy, is he?

 

“Ah~ Right, I think that’s how it was! I know that fairy. He was making a fuss about having to go Home. Come to think of it, it seems like the snow started falling after that fairy appeared in the village…”

 

“Which direction did he head.”

 

Baek Cheonhyeong’s eyes glinted dangerously as he asked.

 

I also focused intently on the Giant Spider as it spoke.

 

“Jeon took him. After all, the Fairy Village is so far away you have to take a train to get there.”

 

“Jeon?”

 

“Yeah. Strange guy.”

 

Baek Cheonhyeong started tapping the bar Table with his finger.

 

While he seemed to be thinking, I took over like a relay and spoke up.

 

“That child isn’t a fairy. He’s a human child. You said the child took a train – has that train already departed?”

 

“Really? So he was human. We thought he was a fairy since we’d never seen such a small human before. Plus, he had grass and flowers stuck in his hair… Oh, the train left long ago. Trains only come to this village once every two days.”

 

Oh my god.

 

‘So Cheonji took a train two days ago, based on the time inside the Dungeon?’

 

I roughly ran my hand through my hair in frustration.

 

‘One mountain after another.’

 

I looked down at the tracking Walkie-Talkie in my hand.

 

‘This has been acting unstable since earlier too.’

 

The arrow had been flickering as if it would go out any moment since we arrived in the village.

 

‘I thought it was because we were getting closer to Cheonji, but now I see… is it malfunctioning?’

 

Damn it.

 

“When will the next train come?”

 

“Tomorrow morning.”

 

“Is this person called Jeon dangerous?”

 

“Not at all, Jeon is just an idiot.”

 

…At least we avoided the worst case scenario?

 

Being with an idiot is better than being with a dangerous person, isn’t it?

 

‘Right, even if he’s an idiot, having a Guardian is much better…’

 

You crazy bastard, get a grip.

 

I pinched my thigh to snap myself out of it and shook my head quickly.

 

“Phew… Which way is the train station?”

 

Regardless of who’s with him, finding Cheonji even a day sooner is the right thing to do.

 

“Go straight out and you’ll see it. It’s at the edge of the village.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

As soon as I finished speaking, Baek Cheonhyeong also seemed to finish his calculations and left the Shop without looking back.

 

Of course, I hurried after him and heard one additional warning from the Bartender Spider on my way out.

 

-“We don’t hate humans… but there are some who look down on us. Be careful. I wish your Friend would just die though. Choose your friends wisely, young man.”

 

It was a much better warning than being told to be careful not to get eaten.

 

As we left the Tavern, the air became sharply cold.

 

Baek Cheonhyeong looked up at the falling snow with a dazed expression.

 

“….”

 

I hesitated for a moment, then held out the tracking Walkie-Talkie toward Baek Cheonhyeong.

 

“…The Walkie-Talkie seems to be broken. The route tracking has been cut off.”

 

Finally, the arrow disappeared completely.

 

Now it was truly a case of adding insult to injury.

 

With only a handful of clues, we’d have to search for Cheonji through sheer physical effort, not knowing where he might be.

 

However, none of us had any intention of complaining about the current situation.

 

We just had to accept that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy and keep moving.

 

After that, we searched the Train Station and other Shopping District areas, gathering clues.

 

As a result, we confirmed that the information was all similar to or nearly identical to what the Bartender Spider had told us.

 

Only after night fell and we confirmed that no more lights were coming on in the Shopping District did we finally say:

 

“We’ve done everything we can today, so let’s find a place to rest, get a good night’s sleep, and take the train.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

After that, we searched around and found something like lodging where we got a Room.

 

There was no heating to speak of, so cold air circulated, but we accepted this too.

 

I curled up under the Blanket and closed my eyes.

 

‘Considering we almost had to sleep Outside since we don’t have any local currency, this is pretty good.’

 

Even this Room was obtained by me handing over one of the snack bags from Nabi’s Bag and charming the owner with all sorts of sales talk.

 

‘Two rooms for one bag of chips… Yeah, that’s more than worth it.’

 

My eyes closed as Nabi, transformed into a child, snuggled into my arms and fell asleep.

 

Tomorrow, the key will be taking the train again.

 

***

 

The process of boarding the train was easier than I had worried.

 

Because I succeeded in bartering reality snacks for 2 train tickets, just like I had tricked the inn owner.

 

However.

 

I had clearly arrived at my assigned train car and was resting well…

 

I blinked my eyes at the unbelievable reality.

 

The completely destroyed train car.

 

I confirmed with my own two eyes the axe blade that had just grazed past my head, now embedded straight into the wall.

 

And when I barely managed to turn my gaze back to the front.

 

-Crunch.

 

I could see a human figure with its head crushed like a plastic bottle falling backward.

 

But at the same time, the blood that splattered in all directions didn’t reach my face.

 

“Hmm… That one just now, my mana control was lacking.”

 

Because Baek Cheonhyeong had blocked in front of my face with his palm and brushed away the splattered blood.

 

I grabbed my head with the feeling that I might faint at any moment.

 

‘I can’t pass out here.’

 

Fuck.

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