Not A Regressor - Chapter 279
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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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I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 279
Dogs and Wolves (4)
“Stay still, you little bastards!”
Crack!
With that brutal shout, the young demi-human girl’s head snapped to the side.
Her cheek swelled crimson, a thin line of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth where it had split open.
“Don’t hit the face, you idiot. It damages the merchandise value.”
“Ah, right. My apologies. The little thing was thrashing so much, I got carried away.”
A demi-human with brown ears and tail bowed deeply to the one who appeared to be the leader.
“Lilu!”
The young demi-human boy watching the scene let out a savage roar and kicked against his restraints.
Clang!
The thick iron chains binding the boy’s body rang out sharply.
“Aaaahhhhh!!”
The boy thrashed his entire body with a fierce howl, but he couldn’t break free from the chains as thick as a forearm.
“I said stay still, you can’t even—Aaahhh!”
The demi-human who had tried to silence the boy by covering his mouth screamed and clutched his forearm.
The boy, having bitten into the man’s flesh with his sharp fangs, glared savagely at the hunters with eyes wide open.
Spit.
The boy spat out the chunk of flesh he’d torn away, his eyes still blazing with fierce defiance.
“Sigh. These Silver-maned Wolf Tribe brats are all the same.”
One of the demi-humans who appeared to be the leader frowned deeply and approached the boy.
“You damned little runt!”
Smack! Crack!
The leader hunter kicked the boy brutally as he lay sprawled on the ground.
“Haha! Boss, didn’t you say not to lay hands on him?”
“That brat’s headed for the fighting pits anyway, right? Might as well toughen him up with a beating beforehand.”
“Kekeke. That’s a fair point.”
The brown-furred demi-humans burst into cruel laughter at the sight of the boy being beaten.
A scene of violence drenched in vile malice.
Kwon O-jin and his companions, who had rushed over upon hearing the screams, watched the spectacle from their hiding place in the undergrowth.
“Those bastards….”
Ha-eun spat out a curse and began to rise.
“Wait, sister.”
Kwon O-jin grabbed Ha-eun’s shoulder and held her down, though she looked ready to charge forward at any moment.
Ha-eun glared at Kwon O-jin fiercely.
“You want me to just sit here and watch?”
“Just wait for now.”
Kwon O-jin soothed the enraged Ha-eun and narrowed his eyes carefully.
Two young demi-humans were being kidnapped by the brown-furred demi-human tribe.
‘So that’s why they said silver wasn’t allowed.’
The young beastfolk bound in chains possessed silver ears and tails.
Kwon O-jin surveyed the brown-furred beastfolk with narrowed eyes.
Eight in total.
Subduing them immediately wouldn’t be difficult.
‘But I could put them to good use.’
They would make excellent guides for Kwon O-jin’s group when they infiltrated the Kan Kingdom.
“Ha-eun, Isabella.”
“…What?”
“Yes, Kwon O-jin.”
“Both of you stand behind me with your heads slightly bowed. Make yourselves look as docile as possible.”
“…What are you plotting now?”
What was I plotting?
I had only one thing to do.
“You’ll understand once you follow along.”
I pulled my lips into a smirk and turned my gaze toward Riak.
Riak watched the young beastfolk boy and girl with eyes filled with conflicted emotion.
“Riak, you just stand quietly beside me and keep an eye on them.”
“….”
Instead of answering, Riak shifted slightly to my side.
I nodded lightly and rose from the undergrowth.
“Who goes there!”
Had they heard the rustling sound?
One of the hunters quickly drew a club from his waist.
I walked toward them without hesitation.
“What are you doing here?”
My back was perfectly straight.
My steps were unwavering.
My voice and gaze dripped with arrogance.
“Who are you….”
“You dare question me?”
I furrowed my brow and glared at them with a fierce expression.
The hunters exchanged glances and clamped their mouths shut.
“Answer.”
I spoke curtly to the hesitant group.
I felt their gazes studying me carefully.
What they saw was a young man with black wolf ears and tail, regarding them with arrogant eyes.
Behind me stood two strikingly beautiful women with their heads bowed respectfully, and beside me was a massive wolf whose fierce glare suggested it would tear them apart at any moment.
One of the two women possessed black ears and a tail, and the wolf escort also bore black fur.
The conclusion they could draw was singular.
The opponent was a ‘noble’ among the Black-maned Tribe, someone of considerable rank.
“W-we greet the esteemed one of the Black-maned Tribe.”
One of the beastfolk who appeared to be the leader of the hunters hurriedly bowed his head.
Kwon O-jin gazed at them bowing like docile sheep and offered a faint smile.
‘Just as the elder said, this place and Earth are no different.’
Submission to authority.
It was an inevitable phenomenon in any society where hierarchy existed.
Regardless of truth, if someone merely appeared to occupy a high position and rank, they would naturally be intimidated.
Especially for those living at the bottom, trafficking young beastfolk into slavery—it would be far more effective.
“We are of the Brown-haired Wolf Tribe….”
“I asked what you’re doing here. Do I really need to know who you wretches are?”
“Y-you speak the truth, my lord!”
The saying that kind words beget kind words only holds true between equals.
When hierarchy is clear, the more curt and disrespectful one’s tone, the more courteous the response becomes.
Respect, after all, springs from fear.
“So… th-that is….”
The hunters glanced nervously at the boy and girl bound in chains, cold sweat dripping down their faces.
Unable to form coherent words, they stammered uncertainly, and Kwon O-jin clicked his tongue in disapproval.
‘So kidnapping the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe isn’t exactly legal, it seems.’
If trafficking members of the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe were legal, they wouldn’t be sweating profusely and watching for his reaction.
Kwon O-jin turned to regard the two captive youths, his expression darkening with displeasure.
“You caught these lowborns to sell them?”
“…Yes.”
At his casual remark, the hunters’ eyes gleamed with interest.
From that single offhand comment, they concluded he was a high-ranking official who lacked strict adherence to law—one of their key ‘customers.’
“Y-yes, that’s correct!”
“Hmm. Has the male already been sold to someone?”
“The male has a buyer, but the female is still available!”
The lead hunter answered with an ingratiating smile.
Kwon O-jin’s eyes gleamed with interest as he crossed his arms.
“Who’s buying the male?”
“That is….”
The hunter trailed off, averting his gaze.
The lead hunter, who had been deliberating, soon made his decision and shook his head quietly.
“My apologies. I cannot disclose that information.”
Trading members of the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe was strictly illegal.
Revealing the buyer’s identity was among the hunters’ most sacred taboos.
“I see.”
Kwon O-jin smiled with satisfaction.
“That’s a relief.”
“Huh?”
“If you had revealed who was behind this, you’d all be dead where you stand.”
The lead hunter’s shoulders flinched.
A cold sweat trickled down his spine.
“Ha, haha! In this business, who could survive with a loose tongue?”
“Anyway.”
Kwon O-jin’s gaze shifted toward the girl called Lilu.
A contemptible smirk crept across his lips.
“You said the female has no reservations?”
“That’s correct!”
The lead hunter’s eyes gleamed as he stepped closer.
He parted his lips with a sinister grin, his voice dripping with insinuation.
“What do you say? Why not acquire a slave from the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe this time?”
“Hmm. Why would I bother purchasing such a lowly creature?”
“Haha! You’ve never experienced a Silver-maned Wolf Tribe slave before!”
The hunter, sensing an opportunity, let his words flow like a torrent.
“Though the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe may be spirited, once they’re broken in, they have countless uses.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed! Their physical prowess is so superior that depending on training, they’re excellent for bodyguard duties or for working as servants!”
His tone was as shallow as a home shopping host.
“And furthermore….”
The lead hunter stepped closer to Kwon O-jin with a sinister smile.
He cast a glance at the two women standing behind Kwon O-jin before continuing.
“There’s hardly a tribe as beautiful as the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe, wouldn’t you agree?”
“….”
Kwon O-jin’s fists clenched roughly.
He’d suspected it from the moment the hunter told him not to touch the girl’s face.
The Silver-maned Wolf Tribe was indeed being exploited in that manner.
“She’s just a child now, but later on….”
A sickening revulsion twisted through his insides.
Every word that spilled from the hunter’s mouth reeked of putrid filth.
A sigh.
A deep breath escaped from Kwon O-jin’s lips.
Once again, Baek Moo-gang’s words echoed in his mind.
“Really… there’s not a damn difference.”
“Huh?”
“No, keep talking.”
“Ah, ahem. Of course, I understand that you’d find it distasteful to lay hands on such lowly creatures.”
Perhaps the lead hunter noticed Kwon O-jin’s lack of interest in the young girl.
He cleared his throat and swiftly changed the subject.
“Even so, if you keep one, it would be quite useful in many ways! Just look at that beautiful silver fur! Surely you’re aware that fashioning jewelry from the fur of the Silver-maned Wolf Tribe has become all the rage among noblewomen these days?”
The lead hunter’s gaze shifted to Ha-eun, who stood behind Kwon O-jin.
“I’m sure the lady would also find it to her liking….”
“O-jin.”
Ha-eun, who had been standing quietly behind Kwon O-jin with her head bowed, lifted her gaze.
Her eyes gleamed like embers ready to ignite.
Ha-eun’s teeth ground together with a sharp click as she stepped forward.
“Sorry, I can’t hold back anymore.”
“Wait just a moment, sister.”
If I couldn’t restrain myself here, all the effort I’d put into this lie would be wasted.
Of course, I could suppress them by force and coerce their cooperation, but without a technique like ‘Domination’ that could completely overwhelm their minds, the risk was far too great.
“Just a little longer….”
As I tried to stop Ha-eun from exploding—
Crack!
With the sound of bone crunching, the lead hunter’s body was sent flying as if struck by a massive truck.
“Kugh! Hack! W-what?!”
The lead hunter sputtered in panic, spraying blood.
“Huh?”
Ha-eun turned her head in shock.
“Grrrrrrr.”
Riak, baring his snow-white fangs, snarled ferociously.
His legs, which had been planted like pillars, shifted as he advanced slowly toward the fallen lead hunter.
The lead hunter crawled across the ground, his face drained of all color.
“K-kugh! W-wait! Why did you suddenly… Hack!”
Snap!
Sharp fangs tore into the lead hunter’s throat.
Riak chewed and swallowed the flesh he’d torn away, then glanced back at me.
“I know you have a separate plan, youngster.”
All this ridiculous acting was meant to make use of these hunters, after all.
“I understand it’s more efficient, and that there’s much to gain from it.”
But.
“There are times in this world… when you must not hold back.”
The wolf’s eyes, burning like embers, turned toward the hunters.
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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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