CHAPTER 49…………………………………………………
Clink.
As I moved my leg, something delicate made a sound beneath my paw.
I couldn’t see anything clearly, but I could feel the presence of something small, about the size of my fist.
‘Is this Wu Zhonghua?’
I bent my knees and reached my paw into the air.
Something transparent and fragile landed in my paw.
Its texture was soft, like a newly sprouted leaf or a tender plant shoot.
When I gently shook my paw, a clear tinkling sound rang out from the tiny object.
‘This is amazing.’
I brought my paw close to my nose and sniffed.
A faint fragrance wafted up, tickling my nose.
I couldn’t describe it exactly, but it was undoubtedly the scent of a flower.
The object in my paw was probably a transparent flower.
Raindrops falling in midair scattered the flower’s shape, letting me vaguely make out its form.
‘Ah, so that’s why they say it blooms only on rainy days. On clear days, it’s practically invisible.’
I brought my mouth close and lightly licked the area where I thought the petals were.
It was enjoyable to admire such a transparent flower by a rainy pond, but what mattered more to me right now was whether I could eat it and gain experience points.
I opened my mouth and swallowed the transparent flower in one bite.
A bittersweet flavor combined with a burst of floral fragrance.
It was so moist that it felt almost like drinking a refreshing tea made from the flower.
【Experience points acquired.】
【Leveled up.】
【Achievement unlocked: “Not Everything Visible Matters.”】
【Reward: Skill 《Stealth》 acquired.】
‘Oh, what? I just leveled up not long ago, and now I’ve leveled up again?’
I grinned at the floating text before me.
Apparently, the plant I had just eaten was extraordinarily effective for me.
Not only did I gain experience points, but I also unlocked an achievement—it was incredible.
Name: Alpha Whitey
Species: Beast lv.13
Strength: 39
Agility: 35
Health: 39
Skills: 《Omnivore》 《Strong Claws》 《Low Frequency》 《Stealth Maneuver》 《Stealth》 《Courtship Dance》 《Crossbreeding》 《Frenzy》
I had leveled up two levels in this garden in no time.
Though I had grumbled about being suddenly dragged here, I now considered this quite a fortunate opportunity.
‘Amazing. Is there more?’
I wandered around the pond, pawing about in search of more transparent flowers.
If I touched one, it would likely tinkle like before.
Yet no matter how much I pawed around the pond, I couldn’t hear that sound again.
‘Weren’t there supposed to be a lot?’
According to Mao, Wu Zhonghua was supposed to bloom abundantly around the pond.
‘“A lot” should mean there’s at least one more.’
Unable to give up the chance for rapid leveling, I scoured the pond like a mad beast.
‘Hm?’
After some time in the rain searching, a large shadow fell over me.
A fluttering sound like a waving flag made me lift my head.
Right above me, a winged creature descended toward me.
It landed nearby and tilted its head curiously.
—Who are you?
It spoke as if it were stating the obvious.
I didn’t back down, opening my mouth to ask.
—I was going to ask the same. Who are you?
At first, I thought it was just a big bird, but up close, it was a very strange creature.
Could one even call it a beast?
It had a naked human female torso blended seamlessly with the body of a bird.
To describe in detail: aside from its face, upper body, and thighs, the rest of its body was that of a feathered bird.
Legs bent like a bird of prey’s, sharp talons visible; wings had grown in place of arms, stretching perhaps two meters.
Muscular thighs and sharply defined abs stood out in perfect lines.
Most remarkable were the large, prominent breasts on its upper body.
Its skin was a healthy tan, and the pink nipples stood out cleanly, drawing my gaze irresistibly.
—I’ve never seen anything like you.
It tilted its head, studying me.
Its blue eyes blinked slowly.
Black feathers, matching its hair, grew sparsely like tribal decorations.
Beneath that, the tan skin of its face revealed a strikingly beautiful woman.
Closed lips and slightly stern blue eyes gave an intelligent impression.
Immediately, I imagined mythological sirens or harpies that lure men to devour them.
It landed gracefully in front of me, furrowing its brows.
—What are you doing at the pond? An intruder? How did you get into the garden?
Its voice was thin and delicate, but cold and rigid—hardly matching the soft curves of its chest.
It circled me, apparently the standard greeting for this world’s beasts: inspect new creatures by circling them.
—What were you doing here?
It repeated the question. Perhaps it already forgot it had asked.
It stood firmly before me, looking down.
Its size was about twice mine, comparable to the witch Eve.
With those piercing blue eyes staring coldly, the intimidation was immense.
—I’m Raohu Mao’s guest. Don’t be so suspicious.
—A guest of the lady?
Hearing “Raohu Mao,” the creature’s sharp gaze softened slightly.
Apparently, the name “Raohu” carried more weight than I realized.
I proudly straightened my chest so as not to appear suspicious.
—I saved Mao’s life. As a reward, I get to roam this garden.
—Hmm, a lifesaver. Then indeed, you are a guest. No one can enter this garden without the lady’s or elder’s permission.
—What happens if someone enters without permission?
Curious, I asked.
—An intruder, you mean?
The harpy let out a cold smile, followed by a strange chuckle:
—They’d just be shredded by these claws and become fertilizer. Under this soil lie many bones.
—I see.
I now had a rough idea of what kind of place this garden was.
The fruits and vegetables I had enjoyed weren’t nourished with a farmer’s sweat, but with the blood and flesh of intruders.
‘Could I win if I fought this creature? She looks strong.’
I glanced at her chest again, elastic and prominent.
Unlike Eve’s soft, floppy breasts, hers looked firm enough to push back.
—What is it? Do you have something to say to me? Why are you staring?
Noticing my gaze, the harpy covered her chest with her wings.
Perhaps she felt shy being stared at while naked.
Seeing her embarrassment, I felt slightly embarrassed too.
I stammered, feeling like a guilty person:
—Uh, I’m just… looking for Wu Zhonghua. I can’t see it anywhere.
—Foolish. Wu Zhonghua is right in front of you.
The harpy spread the other wing, pointing to the center of the pond.
—That’s it.
—Where?
To me, it looked like just an ordinary lotus.
—Which flower is Wu Zhonghua?
—The flower blooming in the center of the pond.
—Huh?
I felt a twinge at the back of my head—it seemed my initial guess was correct.
—No…
Then what was that transparent flower that had tinkled before?
I didn’t even know what I had eaten, my mind spinning.
I cautiously asked:
—Then, the transparent flower…? The one that tinkled?
—That’s a Mandrake. Usually called Man-nyeon-seol-sam. It’s Lord Raohu’s only treasure in the garden.
—Treasure?
—Yes. A very rare plant, likely the only one in the entire forest. Hard to spot, and it’s often moved around. Have you ever seen it?
—I haven’t. Only heard rumors. I hoped to see it, but too bad.
I lied casually, maintaining a poker face.
The harpy scoffed, as expected.
—Hmph, of course. I haven’t seen it either, only heard rumors. They say forest masters fight over this flower. I’d like to see it myself.
She spoke proudly as if it were her own possession.
—Ah, I see.
I shivered with cold sweat.
If it weren’t raining, I would have been soaked from my own sweat.
I felt a chill realizing the transparent flower I ate was actually a precious item.
The magpie, the Mandrake…
Even without meeting Raohu, things were worsening.
I vaguely remembered Mao mentioning that the garden contained the father’s treasure.
‘So that was the flower. No wonder it was so effective.’
The transparent Mandrake had leveled me up instantly and even granted a skill.
Understanding why it was treasured made sense.
‘I should get out of here quickly.’
I wracked my brain for a plan.
Luckily, the flower is hard to find, so maybe it won’t be noticed that I ate it.
Even if it is noticed, it will take some time.
I just needed to escape the western forest before then.
I anxiously darted my eyes around.
The harpy’s blue eyes narrowed sharply.
—By the way, what kind of beast are you? Cat-like? Looks like a now-extinct ratel? Spines on your back… a porcupine?
She hadn’t given up her curiosity.
Perhaps she was keeping a log of garden intruders.
I decided on a careful answer.
—I’m a Ratel Edgehog.
—Ratel Edgehog… never heard of it. Not from the western forest?
—And you—what kind of animal are you? A sparrow?
I wanted to know what this curious creature was, even if I soon left the west.
—S-sparrow!?
She shrieked sharply, raising her eyebrows:
—I’m Harpy Salomeda! How dare you treat me like a sparrow! Even as a guest, that’s rude!
She fluffed up the feathers in her wings and hair. Clearly angry.
—And my species is not a sparrow, it’s a swallow!
—Swallow?
—Behold my proud tail feathers!
She twirled, showing two long tail feathers trailing from her back.
From behind, she looked like a gentleman in a tailcoat.
I absentmindedly reached toward her tail feathers.
She shivered and screeched:
—Y-you! How dare you touch me!
—I thought you were inviting me to see them.
—I said see, not touch! How dare you touch my delicate tail feathers… Even if you are the lady’s guest, I will not forgive this!
She flapped her wings and soared into the sky, letting out a loud, piercing cry:
—It’s a duel!
