287 Cycling relationship 2 (1/2)
A small girl ran forward and glanced around. She then found something and her anxious face turned into a bright smile.
”Puppy! Puppy!”
She held up a piece of fried chicken in her hand and the Kerox that had been sleeping in the shadows raised its head. It was the most common monster in the otherworld.
”Whoa! You're a huge one!”
The monster was three meters long. Its sharp teeth could be seen from its slightly open mouth but the girl didn't seem to be bothered at all.
”Are you hungry? Give me a hand! Hand!”
”Grrr…”
The Kerox growled but the girl just grinned. She got closer to the Kerox with the chicken and the Kerox's large head moved.
”NO!”
Someone gasped, and many were shocked. A bone-crunching sound was heard from the Kerox's mouth.
”Wow! You're a good boy!”
The girl praised the monster as the Kerox chewed on the small chicken leg and then lowered its head next to the girl's body. The girl then patted the Kerox's head, which was bigger than herself. She was treating it like a small puppy. Joonbum laughed.
”She tamed a monster.”
”Yeah, she has talent,” Doral said. He pointed at the girl.
”She has the talent to befriend animals, just like you.”
Doral shifted his eyes to Joonbum.
”Me?”
”It wasn't only because Galfus was hurt that you were able to befriend her. It was because of your power.”
”What power?”
Jinpok became confused, but Doral nodded and pointed at her.
”As I said, it's a talent. It's something you were born with. She'll probably be able to tame any animal or monster alike. She's better than any Ainos in that regard.”
”Wow, are you serious?”
Jinpok was astonished. The Ainos had a special affinity for befriending animals, but the representative of such a race was now complimenting a little girl with such remarks.
”However, it seems that her talent isn't only limited to animals.”
Joonbum mused and looked around. Tens of soldiers around were gazing at the girl with caring, affectionate looks.
”Heh. That one is a treasure too.”
Jinpok smirked and took out a cigarette. He was staring at an older boy who was glaring at the giant Kerox. His expression was filled with anger, fear, and hesitation.
”Look at that! He's already like an adult!”
Jinpok laughed and Joonbum also smiled.
”And that girl is too damned smart,” Hectos said as he came up to them while chewing on some jerky. Arwen and Gedenkroy, who came with him, nodded.
”Her power influences us too.”
”Really?”
Joonbum then glanced at the girl, Ahn Misun, again. The siblings who were found on the deck of the aircraft carrier were now being cared for by the entire Southern Army.
”Whoa. She got up on it!” Jinpok shouted and everyone turned. The girl had now gotten up on the back of the Kerox's head. Everyone froze and stared at them.
”We now have ourselves a Kerox rider. I thought they couldn't be ridden?” Jinpok mumbled and turned to Doral.
”No, at least not to my knowledge.”
Doral shook his head and Arwen seemed to be shocked also. Even the Ainos, who had a special talent to befriend any animal, couldn't do such a thing.
”Then, how do you explain that?”