Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 145

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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 145

 

The first-class train cabin with all its windows blown out.

 

Outside the train corridor, corpses with twisted limbs are scattered about.

 

I sat down weakly in a chair, conscious of my churning stomach.

 

“….”

 

Then I clasped my slightly trembling hands together and lowered my head.

 

‘Clearly… I was fine just a moment ago.’

 

A little while ago, after witnessing that shocking scene, it seemed my brain had far exceeded its capacity to process.

 

My thoughts slow down as if buffering.

 

After a brief moment…. Soon I began tracing back through my thoughts to find the cause of the situation, as if by habit.

 

‘How did things end up like this?’

 

***

 

Rewinding time a little…. Before boarding the train.

 

We left the lodging and moved to catch the train that was departing early in the morning.

 

On the way to the train station, we also stopped by the shopping street to buy supplies needed for the journey.

 

‘It was fortunate that I exchanged one X-cho for some money with the lodging owner in the morning.’

 

Of course, every time a snack disappeared from the bag, Nabi made sure to add a comment…. Like this.

 

[ …That’s Nabi’s. ]

 

[ That’s my favorite snack. ]

 

[ Can’t you just give me Eternal Rest instead of snacks? ]

 

What crazy person would choose Eternal Rest over snacks.

 

“Once we get out of here, I’ll buy you more snacks. No, just buy whatever you want.”

 

[ You promised! ]

 

Only after making a pinky promise did Nabi allow me to use her snacks as currency.

 

Anyway, we used the same method at the train station we arrived at.

 

“We only have this much money….”

 

-No. Go back.

 

Through the small gap under the partition, I can see something like octopus tentacles moving back and forth.

 

‘As expected, it doesn’t work.’

 

The regular train ticket price was more expensive than I thought.

 

‘Even if we hadn’t bought supplies, it wouldn’t have been enough. I should have exchanged more for money if I knew this would happen.’

 

…But there’s always a way.

 

“Ah~ What should I do. I need to go sell this now… Ah, this is really a top-grade premium item.”

 

I raise my voice with a regretful sigh.

 

Loud enough for whoever is on the other side of the partition to hear.

 

“If I can’t take the train, it’ll be difficult. The VIP customers will be greatly disappointed.”

 

…Yes, Baek Cheonhyeong. Your acting skills still haven’t improved, but thanks for the support.

 

I casually placed a palm-sized snack in front of that small gap.

 

Thin stick-shaped snacks in a rectangular box.

 

Namely, Pocky.

 

“This is really precious. It’s what humans eat. We got it with great~ difficulty….”

 

“If we can’t sell it, the loss won’t be small.”

 

-…You say it’s precious?

 

At this point, I deliberately make my voice flat and monotone.

 

Rather, to make the other party eager.

 

“It’s precious. We can’t get it because there isn’t any. They say humans aren’t seen much these days either, right?”

 

-That’s right…. But what is this? Is it food?

 

They asked.

 

After that, everything went smoothly. When I immediately opened a snack package and handed over one piece…. A short silence followed along with crunching sounds.

 

Then.

 

Thud.

 

Like magic, two first-class train tickets fell in front of us.

 

I quickly grabbed the train tickets stuck to suction cups and sensibly handed over the entire box of snacks.

 

-Really, I shouldn’t be doing this! I, I’ve never eaten anything like this before….

 

Of course, I noticed all the snacks in this village were dried fruits.

 

‘This is probably the first time experiencing such a blood sugar-hitting taste.’

 

“I know, I know. My goodness…. You gave us first-class round-trip tickets. Enjoy them!”

 

With the train tickets we safely obtained, we actually made it into the first-class section of the train!

 

However, being slightly excited about the unexpectedly good seats, there was something I failed to notice.

 

That there was a group watching us closely.

 

This train, which looked similar to a steam locomotive, had a structure where seat grades got higher the closer you got to the front.

 

‘We’re almost at the very front of the train.’

 

After searching for the seats marked on our train tickets, we finally reached the first-class cabin.

 

‘It’s divided into rooms here.’

 

When I opened the door to our assigned train cabin, the cozy interior befitting first-class was revealed.

 

Above the transparent, wide windows hung royal blue-toned curtains, and around a long table placed in the center were soft seats that served as beds on both sides.

 

A space that was cozy yet showed luxurious details.

 

If the situation weren’t like this, it would have been a place where I could truly enjoy the feeling of going on a trip.

 

I placed my bag on the shelf above the seat and sat down.

 

‘It’s warm….’

 

Last night, the lodging was so cold that even sleeping wasn’t really sleeping.

 

‘I was able to get some sleep by hugging Nabi.’

 

Since my fatigue definitely wasn’t completely gone, I leaned back against the seat as if stretching.

 

“…Still, we managed to board the train safely.”

 

“We did.”

 

“Honestly, I thought we’d get into trouble at least once, but nothing like that happened….”

 

-Be careful. I heard there are many highway robbers inside trains and around stations these days. They say they steal things and even kill people….

 

That octopus station attendant also warned us, so I was worried.

 

“They said the Fairy Village is close to the final station, so we should be able to just ride all the way there.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

He seems to be talking less and less, and he definitely doesn’t look okay.

 

‘He’s going to explode eventually.’

 

I can only hope we find Cheonji before that happens.

 

If that guy explodes, I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle it.

 

…After some time passed, the train quietly began to move.

 

Along with the gradually increasing speed, the scenery visible outside the window soon began passing by quickly.

 

Baek Cheonhyeong fixed his gaze outside the window with his arms crossed.

 

I was also leaning back against the backrest with my eyes closed to conserve energy when.

 

“Cheonji seems to not have taken his medicine.”

 

I slowly opened my closed eyes.

 

His gaze still remained on the snowy scenery outside.

 

“There’s medicine to stabilize his frequency that he takes morning and evening, but he seems to have forgotten it.”

 

“….”

 

“Only my younger brother would have the power to turn spring into winter.”

 

Ah.

 

Come to think of it, Cheonji’s ability was….

 

‘Support-type.’

 

And an A-grade Awakener who doubles the effect of all abilities.

 

Only then did the situation and clues begin fitting together in my head like puzzle pieces.

 

The words of the village residents I heard while gathering more clues about Cheonji after leaving the tavern.

 

-“Actually, this is something only locals know, but someone saw that the heating stone under the fountain in the Village Square broke a few days ago. That, a hundred years ago? Some elf made it for us. It’s supposed to maintain spring-like weather forever. Of course, I moved here last month so I didn’t know it was real.”

 

-“Eh? Heating stone? Where did you hear that from? Hey, look here. You seem like an outsider, but heating stones are absolutely not something that breaks unless they suddenly receive tremendous mana!! Stop spreading false rumors and get out of here quickly!”

 

-“It definitely has gotten much colder since three days ago.”

 

‘Then could it be that Cheonji really broke the heating stone?’

 

Cheonji’s ability without taking the Wave medicine unintentionally amplified the mana dwelling in the heating stone… And if we assume it broke because it couldn’t withstand the suddenly increased mana…

 

It matches the current situation frighteningly well.

 

So that’s why the spider in the tavern said that!

 

-“Oh! It’s been snowing like crazy since three days ago. This has never happened before! Looking at you folks, you seem like residents from other regions, but this place has never not been spring!”

 

And Baek Cheonhyeong already knew all of this.

 

Because he’s his younger brother.

 

‘He can’t help but know well.’

 

I pulled my back away from the backrest.

 

‘Actually, I was planning to tell you when the situation improved a bit.’

 

I need to have some kind of conversation.

 

If I leave him in such a precarious state, he’ll definitely cause trouble someday.

 

‘I need to either stabilize that guy, or if that doesn’t work, at least get some hints about their brotherly relationship.’

 

About why they still haven’t reconciled…

 

Of course, before that.

 

I stood up from my seat.

 

“I’ll go get some water.”

 

I saw a dining car in the middle when passing through the regular seats, so I can go there and ask.

 

‘I forgot to bring water in my preparations.’

 

First, I should make that guy drink some cold water and cool his head before talking.

 

Just as I stood up and opened the train car door.

 

…The corridor that should be visible right when opening the door wasn’t there.

 

Instead, a solid wall blocking the way?

 

No, this is…

 

Before I could recognize what the wall was, my body was slammed back into the seat.

 

And at the same time, something glittering flew from beyond the wall and barely grazed my hair as it passed by.

 

Swoosh- The sound of cutting through air made my neck break out in goosebumps.

 

“…”

 

I opened my eyes wide to steady my dizzily shaking vision.

 

‘What just grazed past me?’

 

I unconsciously turned my gaze.

 

And what I saw was.

 

‘An axe.’

 

A well-sharpened axe was embedded straight into the wall next to the window.

 

‘Damn, crazy.’

 

I hurriedly turned my head to check on my companions.

 

But I shouldn’t have done that.

 

-Crack.

 

Because I saw what was probably the head area getting twisted like a crushed plastic bottle before falling backward.

 

-Thud.

 

“Hmm… That one just now, my Mana Control was clumsy.”

 

I blinked.

 

Next to Baek Cheonhyeong brushing blood off his hands… The figure with the crushed head disappeared, revealing the Train Corridor that had been hidden.

 

Only then did I realize that the wall blocking my way wasn’t a wall, but the torso of someone who had invaded our car.

 

A scene I couldn’t believe even seeing it.

 

In the glimpse of the corridor, there were several more cold corpses…

 

Every single one had their face or torso dried up and twisted as if the air had been sucked out instantly.

 

‘What? Were they trying to kill us?’

 

But Baek Cheonhyeong noticed them and killed them?

 

It’s confusing.

 

My stomach feels queasy.

 

Just as I felt the strength leaving my legs, Baek Cheonhyeong spoke again.

 

“Come here.”

 

“…?”

 

Who is he talking to?

 

I almost opened my mouth without realizing it.

 

However, those words weren’t directed at me.

 

One of the fallen figures staggered up from where it lay.

 

With blood foam at the corners of its mouth, it limped over… and stood upright in front of Baek Cheonhyeong.

 

“Have you ever seen a small human who resembles me before?”

 

At his question, the head of the one with feline ears slowly moved left and right.

 

A definite denial.

 

Then.

 

“Really? Then, die.”

 

As soon as the words ended, it immediately disappeared.

 

It had thrown itself out of the moving train.

 

On its own.

 

I looked at Baek Cheonhyeong.

 

Snow was blowing in through a window that had somehow broken.

 

He looked back at me with a face much paler than before.

 

“Abilities get stronger the more you hone them… And sometimes you can use them in modified ways like this. Really, it’s a useful ability. Don’t you think?”

 

-Ding

 

『 Official Registrant: Baek Cheonhyeong

 

Ability: Mana Control

 

Grade: S(S++)

 

*Detailed Description: Control the world’s energy, mana, as I please!

 

Sub Skill: Psychic Type(Memory Manipulation, Mind Reading) A(S-)

 

Ritual Condition: Finger snap.

 

Status Abnormality: Sub Skill overuse.

 

▶ Fever

 

▶ Permanent memory loss

 

STORY 1. Erased Names

 

Baek Cheonhyeong’s Status Window flickers at a frightening speed.

 

Then finally, it completed an additional phrase.

 

『 Sub Skill: Psychic Type(Memory Manipulation, Mind Reading, Mind Control) S- 』

 

Mind Control.

 

Sound belatedly reaches my muffled ears.

 

The clear sound of fingers snapping together.

 

Finger snap.

 

I clenched my fists.

 

‘…What should I do with this crazy bastard?’

 

***

 

At the same time, Baek Cheonji sighed while holding the hand of his companion Jeon.

 

“Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”

 

“…I’m telling you I’m not a fairy.”

 

Naturally, Baek Cheonji was rejected at the Fairy Village they had arrived at!

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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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