Chapter 80 Mythical Beast (3) (1/2)

Yeon-woo creased his brows.

‘Why is she doing this?’

The Phoenix he knew, although it was somewhat arrogant in nature, usually wasn’t this hostile to players. Even when players trespassed her territory, often times, it would just observe them and see what they did.

But for some reason, the Phoenix he was dealing with did not fit the description.

First things first, Yeon-woo tried to settle down the Phoenix via conversation.

“I’ve come here for the Flame of Life. Will you kindly grant me your quest?”

『Begone, you filthy human! I have nothing to share with your kind.』

But he was rejected right away.

Yeon-woo tried to persuade her several times after that, but the answer was always the same.

Something was definitely wrong here.

But strangely, he didn’t feel like she was going to hurt him.

‘For some reason, she reminds me of a cowering hedgehog.’

Hedgehogs are cowardly by nature. When facing a predator, they tend to erect their pointy spines in order to hide that they are scared.

And that’s how the Phoenix sounded like to him right now.

Although it was a little bit funny to compare a legendary beast to a tiny animal, that’s how strange the situation felt.

And above all, unlike her threats, he didn’t feel any threat coming from her, even when she could kill him as easily as lifting a finger.

‘Something must have happened to her… But what could it be?’

Then a sudden thought flashed across Yeon-woo’s mind.

The weakness that humans, animals, and beasts all have in common.

The period when all living things become cautious and extremely sensitive.

*Pat*

Yeon-woo began to climb up the rock wall.

The Phoenix threatened Yeon-woo more furiously, but he didn’t stop his steps.

*Tadak*

Soon, he arrived at the mouth of the cavern.

“Excuse me.”

『Human! How dare you set foot inside my nest!”』

From the inside of the cave, he saw something gleaming in the pitch darkness. Something yellow and huge.

They were the eyes of the Phoenix.

And they were spitefully glaring at the uninvited guest.

But just like when he was outside the cave, she still didn’t try to expel Yeon-woo from her nest.

From her uncertain attitude, Yeon-woo became more certain of his assumption.

He quickly cast Draconic Eyes and examined the inside of the cave.

Deep inside the cavern, he spotted the hulking figure of a red bird curled up in the darkness.

A bird entwined with faint flames.

Her body was so large that Yeon-woo thought his body would look like an ant in her eyes.

‘If her crouched body is this big, then how big will she be when she spreads her wings out?’

As Yeon-woo examined her majestic body, he noticed there was something sticking out under her belly. There, he found two eggs.

‘I knew it.’

His assumption was right.

“You have eggs.”

『That is none of your business. Now, away with you from my presence. I have no time for you.』

The Phoenix still snarled at Yeon-woo, but he could tell there was a hint of uneasiness mixed into the thought she transferred.

At the same time, she became extremely vigilant.

Though she was restraining herself for fear of hurting the eggs, he could see the flame around her body rippling as if waiting to burn him down.

‘But she probably can’t move from her spot right now. I can feel there’s not much time left before the eggs hatch.’

He could understand why the Phoenix became so sensitive.

Yeon-woo then looked straight into the Phoenix’s eyes and asked a question.

“Did you lose an egg?”

『….』

A momentary silence.

“I hit the bull’s eye, didn’t I?”

『…So? Have you come to mock me? Please, just get out of my nest.』

The egg of the legendary beasts. That kind of item could be sold at a high price among the players. So quite a few clans and players tried to steal these eggs even at the risk of their lives.

Yeon-woo felt a little sorry for the Phoenix. Because he knew about the love parents had for their children better than anyone will ever know.

Looking at the Phoenix, it reminded him of his mother, who had spent her remaining days worrying about her lost son and had called her son’s name till her last breath.

“If I can bring your egg back….”

So Yeon-woo wanted to help her.

『What…?』

“Will you grant me your quest?”

Besides, this was also a chance for him.

The man’s offer perplexed the Phoenix. Then she narrowed her eyes in efforts to read Yeon-woo’s intentions, to see if he was hiding anything.

As a legendary beast, she could read, though not perfectly, into a human’s thoughts.

And she could tell what Yeon-woo had said was all true. There was no other scheme behind his words.

『…Do as you please.』

The Phoenix then closed her eyes and laid her head back.

It was permission.

At that moment,

*Ding*

[Sudden Quest / Phoenix’s Egg]

Description: The ruler of the southern forest, the Phoenix, had one of her eggs stolen while she was away looking for food for his soon-to-be-hatched babies. Find Phoenix’s lost egg and bring it back to her. Phoenix will never forget your kindness.

Time limit: Before the egg hatches.

Reward

1. Phoenix’s favor

2. Qualification for the quest ‘Flame of Life’

3. If you’re not reading this at forum.wuxiaworld.com, you’re reading stolen work. Don’t support those websites.

*   *   *

‘Now, how do I catch those guys with the egg?’

Yeon-woo began to organize his thoughts as he climbed down the rock wall.

Originally, he was going to set up a base camp in a suitable location near the Phoenix’s nest and check the rewards he got. But apparently, he would have to postpone that plan.

‘I just hope this won’t take too long.’

From what he could tell, there was not much time left before the egg hatched. He had to hurry up and catch the thieves as soon as possible.

‘The description doesn’t say exactly how much time I have. But it won’t be more than 24 hours.’

Fortunately, there were strange traces everywhere near the cave.