56. Hunting Day

56. Hunting Day

“In the name of love and justice, I will not forgive you!”

Kuuu-ong- A colossal mechanical worm vibrates lowly. Its red eyes flash, showing extreme hostility towards me.

But I’m not scared by this. I’m a very, very cool, strong, and powerful magical girl.

“Take this! Rebar Toss!”

I pulled a rebar from a nearby building and threw it at the worm. The worm, unable to react to the sudden attack, was hit directly by the rebar and collapsed with its massive body.

The worm disappeared into dust.

It’s my victory.

“Hoo hoo… As expected, I’m amazing!”

“Kkang!”

“Seol-gu!”

After the battle ended, a white fluffball scurried over and stood beside me. It’s my friend and mascot, the polar fox, Rang Seol-gu.

He’s a precious friend who heals my heart with his fluffy tail after a tough battle.

I reached out and stroked Seol-gu vigorously. The soft, mochi-like texture spread from my fingertips.

At that moment, Seol-gu opened his mouth.

“Who are you to touch my tail without permission?”

“Huh?”

“Do I look like a stupid, useless fox just because I go ‘kkang kkang’? Touching someone’s body without permission is sexual harassment, understand? Get your hands off my tail before I report you to juvenile detention!”

“Huk.”

It was a dream.

“W-was it a dream…?”

Waking up in a cold sweat, I quickly looked around.

I saw the familiar scenery of my room. The warmly burning stove, the rubber ball on one wall… There was no mechanical worm monster, nor a magical girl costume overflowing with pink.

Instead, I saw a white furball lying on its back on my stomach.

I reached out to wake Seol-gu, but then the dream flashed in my mind, and I quickly pulled my arm back. Instead, I whispered into Seol-gu’s ear.

“S-Seol-gu… wanna wake up?”

“Kkae-heung… Kkang?”

“Um… you don’t dislike being petted or anything, do you?”

“Kkang?”

Seol-gu tilted his head. He looked so cute that I immediately wanted to reach out and knead his cheeks, but the Seol-gu from my dream kept flashing in my mind, so I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“Kkang kkang.”

Seol-gu, with a silly expression, offered me his magnificent tail. I hesitated and then offered my tail too, and we bumped them together.

This is called a tail cross.

It means it’s okay.

“Phew… That’s a relief. I actually had a bit of a scary nightmare! So I was just checking.”

“Kkang!”

“It’s okay, you don’t need to use magic. Dreams are just dreams. I’m fine.”

I refused Seol-gu’s healing magic and jumped energetically off the bed. Warm sunlight streamed through the window.

A few more days had passed since the first sunrise. The lingering effects of the polar night had completely disappeared, and a truly ordinary morning, devoid of any dimness, greeted me.

Moreover, the weather was very clear, as if the sky was celebrating the end of the polar night, making it the perfect day to go out and play.

On a day like this, it would be perfect for digging up the ice fruit I couldn’t finish collecting last time. Maybe I could collect dozens of them.

But today, I wasn’t planning to spend my time just playing or digging for ice fruit. Because there was something more important to do!

“Sister!”

“Yes, Seol-ah.”

“I’m all ready!”

“Your hair is still messy. Come here, I’ll finish brushing it for you.”

My heart pounded with excitement. My tail wagged, scattering my fur. The more Sister’s brush tidied my hair, the more my excited heart grew.

“Are you that happy? You’ve already done this once before.”

“Yes!”

Not just me, but my whole family, and even all our tribe members, had been eagerly anticipating this.

It’s the day of the hunt.

But I was already an experienced hunter. Even though it was natural to be excited, there was no reason to be this thrilled. Yet, the reason my tail was wagging so much… was because today, I planned to show Sister my magic.

“Hoo hoo….”

Sister probably thinks I’m just happy about going hunting.

Glancing sideways, I saw no hint of suspicion towards me on Sister’s gentle face. It was the look of someone watching their younger sibling eagerly anticipating a trip to an amusement park.

This is all thanks to my diligent efforts in keeping the secret. I’ve secretly used magic so hard for this day!

As my tail was being brushed smoothly, Sister said.

“Oh, right, Seol-ah. Do you know that?”

“What?”

“Yura and Yuri are also participating in the hunt starting this time.”

“Really?!”

“Yes.”

Yura and Yuri. They are the twin daughters of Uncle Cheol-su, whom I met last time to ask about the identity of the stone. It’s surprising that they are participating in the hunt.

“They heard that Seol-ah was going hunting and wanted to go too. So, this time, it seems like Seol-ah, Yura, and Yuri will be going together.”

“I see…! Then I’ll be the leader!”

Among the three, I am the only one with hunting experience. Therefore, the leader of the Children’s Hunting Squad 1 is none other than Rang Seol-ah.

To be the first among the wolf cubs to participate in a hunt, and now to be the first to lead a squad. Isn’t this promotion too fast!

But I deserve it. I am the youngest daughter of the pack leader wolf, and the only wolf who can use magic!

Yes, since it’s come to this, I’ll show my magic not only to Sister but also to Yura and Yuri. Imagining everyone being surprised by me, my heart already pounded.

“L-leader… Yes, that’s right. But Seol-ah.”

“Yes!”

“You know that you shouldn’t act unilaterally just because you’re the leader, right? A leader is a position that guides people, so they must also listen to their team members. With great power comes great responsibility. If you’ve reached a high position, you bear even greater obligations. So, don’t just be happy about becoming a leader; you must think carefully-“

“Ugh. Don’t worry, Sister! I know that much!”

Sister lectured me with an expression that lacked much trustworthiness. I didn’t like it that she seemed to underestimate me so much. However, if I achieve results, Sister will eventually acknowledge me.

It’s something that will be resolved naturally over time. As I covered my ears with both hands, Sister stopped talking and then smiled at me and said.

“… Yes, that’s right. Seol-ah is old enough to do well on her own. I’ll trust only Seol-ah.”

“Of course! Just trust me!”

Now it feels like Sister finally understands me. I got off the bed and stood on my own two feet, wagging my tail confidently towards Sister.

Flap flap, my tail fur scatters. Sister’s room fills with tail fur. Hoo hoo, let it all turn white!

But for some reason, Sister kept staring at me. My hair and tail should be completely brushed by now, but does she still have something for me?

I worried she might scold me for scattering too much tail fur. I glanced at Sister and slowly reduced the speed of my tail.

When my tail’s movement finally stopped, Sister said to me.

“… Seol-ah, Sister’s brush is stuck in your tail.”

“Huk!”

Only then did I realize that Sister’s brush was stuck in my tail. Fortunately, she wasn’t going to scold me. Relieved, I pulled out Sister’s brush and returned it.

“Here!”

“Thank you, Seol-ah.”

I walked briskly towards the door. Dad must already be gathering the tribe members outside, so I should hurry over there….

At that moment, my tail was grabbed firmly.

“Kkang?!”

“You’re not planning to just leave after messing up Sister’s room, are you?”

“Ah, no, that’s…!”

In the end, I had to turn back from my path outside and clean the room with Sister.

——

The long cleaning is over.

I rubbed Seol-gu’s belly vigorously to wake him up from his nap on the rubber ball and informed him that we were going hunting.

“… So, you’ll be home alone until this afternoon. You have to behave and not cause any trouble, okay?”

“Kkang.”

“Eh… you don’t want to?”

Seol-gu shook his head, then leaped up and settled on my head. With the sudden change in my center of gravity, I stumbled greatly and asked Seol-gu.

“But… Seol-gu, there will be a lot of wolves there, are you okay? I don’t mind going together, but….”

“Kkae… Kkae-heng?”

“Why! Because today is the day the wolves go hunting, of course there will be many wolves!”

“Kkae… Kkang….”

Seol-gu hesitated to show himself to Sister. Although they have become quite friendly now, it wouldn’t be the same with wolves he sees for the first time.

Who knows, maybe the tribe members will hunt Seol-gu as prey.

I’d rather not. Seol-gu is my precious friend, and he only looks bigger because of his fur; there’s no edible part.

“You have to stay home. Okay?”

“Kkang….”

“Don’t worry about me! I’m a very, very strong, powerful, and cool wolf! I’ll catch a lot of food!”

I patted Seol-gu’s head as he tilted it, and finally stepped outside the house.

It’s hunting time!