Ch.189Defection (3)

The Noble Predator of the Snow, the White Gallergorn watches me.

Just as there’s a significant difference between Blue Gallergorn and Green Gallergorn, the White Gallergorn above them is a far superior being.

The Gallergorn Claw Sword carried by the Temple Guardians and the Gallergorn Claw trait used by Siheyon Yujin are all elements derived from the White Gallergorn.

That’s not all.

“Monster’s Tentacles,” a trait that doesn’t exist in the game. This ability to shoot Psychic Breath using tentacles is unique to the White Gallergorn.

And unlike me, it can fire that Psychic Breath repeatedly. Though my destructive power might be stronger in my Subadult state, unlike me, it has no limit to how much it can shoot.

‘Fighting would mean certain defeat.’

I turned my body toward Adhigh Orr.

[Zzzzzz (We need to run)]

Adhigh’s flight speed had significantly decreased due to its broken wing. I grabbed it, held it tightly against my chest, and ran like mad.

“Great One” “Kin” “Appeared” “Me” “Pursue”

[Zz (What?)]

No sooner had those words ended than two Green Gallergorn appeared before me. Unlike the small Adhigh, these creatures with bodies nearly 10m tall blocked my path.

I tried to go around them, but I felt massive energy concentrating behind me. Then, a purple heat ray burned past right in front of me.

“Ham Oort” “Says” “Stop”

When I looked back, the White Gallergorn was leisurely following me. Its tentacles, which had been deeply stained purple, gradually returned to a light red color.

The White Gallergorn had precisely burned only the ground in front of my feet with its Psychic Breath. It was a warning.

‘What is it trying to do?’

While Adhigh might be unusual, Gallergorn are naturally very ferocious creatures. They rarely forgive those who intrude into their territory. It’s no wonder Gallergorn’s Nest is classified as one of the highest difficulty hunting grounds.

In fact, the Green Gallergorn were tensing their muscles, ready to attack at any moment.

The only reason they remained still was one:

Because of that White Gallergorn, unnaturally calm.

‘It wants something.’

I quickly examined the White Gallergorn. Judging by its relatively short horns and thick tail, it was female.

Gallergorn are creatures with sexual dimorphism. Males are slightly stronger than females, but that’s hardly relevant in this situation.

Its body length is more than twice that of a Green Gallergorn, befitting a White Gallergorn. Its wings are currently folded, but when spread, they would be magnificent.

So far, it exhibited the typical characteristics of a White Gallergorn, but there were two differences.

I didn’t notice at first, but looking again, there were black-stained scales scattered across its body. Perhaps traces of dried blood from other creatures.

‘More importantly, it’s unusually thin for a Gallergorn.’

Both the Green Gallergorn watching us and the White Gallergorn before me were very thin. Their ribs were visible through their sides.

Of course, just because they’re starving doesn’t mean I can win. I’m also significantly weakened.

‘Let’s try talking first.’

[Zzzzzz (What do you want?)]

As Monster’s Tentacles trembled and created waves, the White Gallergorn tilted its head.

“Strange” “Kin” “Speech” “Possible?”

[Zz (Yes)]

“Strange Kin” “I” “Introduce” “Ham Oort”

The White Gallergorn, introducing itself as “Ham Oort,” continued sending thought waves.

“Ham Oort” “Needs”

[Zz Zzzzzz (What do you need?)]

Instead of answering, it raised its front leg and pointed at Adhigh in my arms.

“Daughter of Meteor” “Special” “Kin” “Salvation” “Needed”

[Zzzzzz (Adhigh?)]

“Ham Oort’s Pack” “Weak” “Great Odd Grad’s Pack” “Strong” “Daughter of Meteor” “Absolutely” “Needed”

Due to the Gallergorn’s unique way of speaking, it was difficult to understand precisely, but to summarize:

White Gallergorn Ham Oort’s pack is competing with another Gallergorn pack.

And they’re at a disadvantage against the opposing pack.

Of course they would be. The leader of a Gallergorn pack is always a Black Gallergorn. The only exception is when a Red Gallergorn appears as a raid boss during events.

‘A White Gallergorn would be mid-to-low tier among Apex creatures.’

Much stronger than an Ice Horror, but weaker than a Black Gallergorn. With such limited strength, it can’t protect its kin from other monsters targeting the dragon’s nest.

‘But that makes it even stranger.’

Since a White Gallergorn leads the pack, it’s naturally weaker than a Black Gallergorn pack. Would having Adhigh really make a difference in such a situation?

‘Does Adhigh have something special?’

From what I’ve seen so far, apart from being exceptionally intelligent, there’s nothing special about it.

If anything, the fact that it grew from a Blue Gallergorn to a Green Gallergorn during our time apart might be unusual. Since I don’t know the growth process of Gallergorn, I can’t tell if that’s special or not.

‘…What should I do?’

If I refuse, it will most likely say it will take Adhigh by force. That’s just how Gallergorn are. It’s almost unheard of for a Gallergorn to “politely” request a conversation like this.

But I’m also hesitant to hand over Adhigh just like that.

I don’t understand why Gallergorn, who despise the weak, suddenly need Adhigh. Especially one that was driven out because of its disability.

‘Moreover, if they’re going to use it in a war between packs, it’s even more dangerous.’

Adhigh is a precious being who has been with me all this time. I can’t hand it over without knowing exactly what they’re thinking.

Just then, as if reading my thoughts, it sent a thought wave with perfect timing.

“Ham Oort” “Says” “Daughter of Meteor” “Precious” “Life” “Protect”

[Zzzzzz (Protect?)]

“Yes” “My Child” “I” “Child” “Protect”

‘What?’

There was information in its thought wave that I couldn’t just ignore. I looked at Adhigh in my arms.

[Zz Zzz Zzzzzz (Is what it’s saying true?)]

Adhigh hesitated, then nodded.

“Kin” “Parent” “Correct”

“Great Odd Grad” “Pack Leader” “Daughter of Meteor” “Banished” “I” “Could Not Stop”

Ham Oort spoke briefly. There seemed to be deeper circumstances, but it offered no further explanation.

It seemed to expect me to hand over Adhigh now, but I couldn’t.

Because Adhigh’s reaction was nothing like how one would react to meeting their mother.

The intermittent trembling of its body wasn’t simply due to the cold.

Something must have happened when it was banished.

[Zzz Zzz Zzz Zzzzzz Zzz Zzzzzz (You abandoned your child once, what’s stopping you from doing it again?)]

“Ham Oort” “Swears” “Daughter of Meteor” “Life” “Protect”

[Zzz Zzzz Zzzzz (What if I refuse?)]

“I” “Strange Kin” “Spared” “Reason Exists” “You” “Daughter of Meteor” “Protector” “Ham Oort” “Grateful” “But”

It bent its long neck and brought its head close to the tip of my snout. Leaving just a paper-thin distance between us, it said:

“Ham Oort” “Fight” “Not Avoid” “Desired Thing” “Obtain”

Its eyes, which had been emitting a beautiful amethyst light, flashed threateningly. The Green Gallergorn behind us also growled noisily.

Judging by its reaction, the only way to survive seems to be handing over Adhigh.

In the past, I would have done so without hesitation. I might even have used Adhigh as a bargaining chip to establish friendly relations with the Gallergorn.

‘But.’

Some strange, inexplicable emotion won’t allow it. My mind is filled only with the thought that I don’t want to let Adhigh go like this.

It’s incomprehensible. How could mere emotions override survival instinct?

‘…I must be crazy.’

Whether it’s a side effect of the Hunt’s Emblem, or my brain shutting down due to energy deficiency.

The reason is unclear, but one thing is certain: I’ve gone mad.

Because I’m about to divert what little energy I have left toward God’s Whip.

Just as negotiations broke down and we were about to lunge at each other, Adhigh suddenly slipped out of my arms. It stood before Ham Oort, barely managing with its broken front leg.

“I” “Great One” “Contract Complete” “I” “Mother” “Kin” “Return”

[Zzzz (Adhigh?)]

Though trembling, Adhigh maintained a dignified attitude.

Ham Oort looked down at it for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Daughter of Meteor” “Judgment” “Wise”

It carefully grasped Adhigh with its front leg. Not gripping tightly, but handling it like a treasure. After placing Adhigh on its back, it spread its wings wide.

The forest, with its tangled branches, filled with pure white light. Ham Oort, its wings shining like the sun, disappeared with Adhigh. The Green Gallergorn followed through the opening Ham Oort had created.

Snowflakes fell one by one in the place they had left.

‘……’

Adhigh never looked back at me.

But just before Ham Oort departed.

A thought wave as faint as falling snow tickled my tentacles.

‘Goodbye, you say?’

The last message it left was a farewell.

Saying that since the contract to bring it to Gallergorn’s Nest was complete, it would return to its kin.

‘…I thought you were smart, but you’re such a fool.’

If it thought I would just say, “Oh, is that so?” and let it go, it was greatly mistaken.

It went with the Gallergorn because it thought that was the best option. Otherwise, not only I but also the others hiding in the forest wouldn’t have been safe.

I trudged back the way I came. I gathered the remaining Green Gallergorn corpses and Screamer remains and returned to our temporary shelter.

“Big Baby! Something terrible happened!”

“What’s going on? Adhigh suddenly ran out and the Green Gallergorn… huh?”

When I returned to the nest, No. 26 and Sky Mother welcomed me. PS-111 was in hibernation, probably because its energy was depleted.

[Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzz (Eat this first for now)]

“Big Baby, where did Little Baby go?”

“…Don’t tell me?”

[Zzzz Zzz Zzz Zzz (Adhigh went away for a while)]

“Away?”

[Zzzzzz Zzzz (Its family came)]

“……”

“So it won’t travel with us anymore?”

I firmly shook my head.

[Zzz Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzz (No. That will never happen)]

If Adhigh went willingly, there’s nothing more I can do. Especially if its own mother came to take it.

But I remember.

That it said it wanted to stay with us even after the contract ended.

It doesn’t matter how the Gallergorn treat Adhigh. If it wants to be with us, my job is to make that happen.

‘For that, recovery comes first.’

I used my combat arm to slice open the Green Gallergorn’s belly. I tore out the half-cooled innards and tossed them to Sky Mother.

[Zzzz Zzzzzz Zzz Zzzzzz Zzz Zzzzz Zzz (With your broken beak, eating must be difficult. This might be easier)]

“…Okay.”

Sky Mother looked at me for a moment, then silently began tearing at the innards. No. 26, watching cautiously from the side, carefully tore off the Gallergorn’s wing.

‘…At least I gained important information from talking with it.’

The leader of a Gallergorn pack holds immense authority. Usually, the oldest Gallergorn in the pack becomes the leader, but that’s not always the case.

If a young but powerful Gallergorn appears in the pack, it can challenge for the leader’s position. In other words, the pack leader can be replaced at any time.

‘When the challenger wins, that is.’

And Ham Oort called me a “strange kin.”

If they recognize me as something similar to a Gallergorn, there’s only one answer.

Becoming their leader.

‘This time, I’ll prepare thoroughly.’

Being helplessly overpowered like today is enough for once. When all preparations are complete, I’ll go rescue Adhigh.

I made this pledge while gnawing on the Gallergorn’s front leg.