"Keeek!"
"Kkwooook!"
Translation: Bad human!
The dumb goblin took the bait hook, line, and sinker.
Jackpot.
Kkwi-kku and the goblin were charging straight toward me.
"Kkwooooook!"
Translation: Come out here right now!
Kkwi-kku, with its evolved survival instincts, let out a fierce cry.
Even if it told me to come out, nothing could happen until it got right here.
"Keeek!"
Dadadak!
The goblin closed in fast.
It was so fixated on plump, juicy Kkwi-kku that its eyes were spinning.
'Now!'
I raised my spear from the bushes, aiming for the goblin's throat.
"Focused Thrust!"
[⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡]
[Focused Thrust]
[Piercing attack!]
Whiiiiiish— Puk!
"Kigegek!"
My ambush pierced right through the goblin's vocal cords.
Blood poured from its mouth in rivers.
"Grrrgl..."
Its body shuddered violently, pupils dilating wide.
[✨ LEVEL UP! ✨]
[Lv.5 → Lv.6]
"Kkwoo!"
Kkwi-kku bounced in place at the sight of its natural predator dying.
"Good job, Kkwi-kku."
Stroke, stroke, stroke.
I sliced the goblin's head off with my butchering dagger and stuffed it into my sack.
That made eight.
The severed goblin head wore an expression of utter injustice.
"Don't hate me too much. I just tossed the bait—you bit down hard."
Who was there to blame?
I was the player, and it was the prey.
"Kkwoo!"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, sure."
I crouched down and stroked Kkwi-kku's head and butt.
From the start, Kkwi-kku had agreed to play bait in exchange for pets after each goblin.
"Kkwoo..."
Flop.
Feeling good, Kkwi-kku rolled onto its side.
Its flesh spread out like a massive rice cake.
Squish, squish.
Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.
Getting the hang of it, I massaged its flesh just right to make it feel even better.
A bit of a hassle, but worth it for the easy hunts.
'Shouldn't something happen by now?'
Still, a twinge of anxiety stirred in my chest.
Kkwi-kku saw me as its master and followed me.
We'd hunted eight goblins together.
Sure, Kkwi-kku's damage was basically zero, but its aggro control was flawless.
By now, the system should recognize our 'master-pet' bond and formalize it...
Rustle.
Poke.
"Hm?"
"Kiek?"
"Kiruk?!"
"Eek!"
Lost in thought, I locked eyes with two sudden goblins.
I scrambled back in shock.
They must've come scouting after the noise.
And right in front of me lay the headless goblin.
"Kiek!"
"Kwaaak!"
Enraged by their kin's death, the two goblins lunged.
"Damn!"
My level was 6 now.
I'd allocated stat points to strength, agility, and stamina, but taking two at once? Dicey.
So far, it'd all been bait tactics—no direct fights.
'Dodge, then strike.'
I backstepped, eyes on their clubs.
Swinging created openings.
Slip in and hit vitals for a one-shot takedown.
"Kiek!"
Whoosh!
"Hup!?"
The club-wielding goblin jumped, aiming for my head.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
I barely leaned back to dodge.
'Chance!'
That risky jump failed—huge opening.
Grip!
I gripped my spear tight.
Then, snapping upright, I thrust using the momentum.
Whish!
"Kkwoo!"
"...!"
Suddenly, Kkwi-kku hurled itself at my head.
'What the hell?!'
Quick scan: the rear goblin was winding up like a pitcher.
My improved dynamic vision from leveling up caught it.
And that stone it threw... was heading straight for my head, right in front of Kkwi-kku.
Kkwi-kku threw itself to save me.
'You idiot!'
Swoooosh—
Was it Kkwi-kku's iron will to save me that sparked a miracle?
Suddenly.
A warm, unknown energy wrapped my arms, legs, and chest.
Power surged through me instantly.
I shot my left hand out and snatched Kkwi-kku mid-air.
Time crawled, but my hand moved lightning-fast.
Whoosh!
"Kkwi!"
Crunch—
'Ngh!'
My muscles screamed.
Dizzying pain like a dislocated shoulder.
But no stopping.
I could respawn—Kkwi-kku couldn't.
I had to protect it.
Whish—
I barely tilted my head; the stone grazed my cheek.
Crunch—!
"Gaaahhh!"
Ignoring the agony, I spun in place and thrust at the club goblin.
Whiiiiiish— Puk!
"Krekk!"
My iron spear embedded in the goblin's skull.
Whoosh— Thunk!
"Kgh!"
Its desperate club swing smashed my left arm.
Spikes dug deep—searing pain followed.
Thunk!
I shoved it hard with my shoulder anyway.
Whoosh!
Even tumbling, it swung wildly.
Its bloodshot eyes burned with murder.
Slash—
Flesh tore on the spikes, blood spraying.
"Hrah!"
I slammed my spear down into the fallen goblin's head.
Puk!
"Keeek!"
It let out a death screech.
The spear pierced straight through its eye into the brain.
Vital hit—critical applied.
"Kiek?!"
The startled throwing goblin pulled another stone for follow-up.
Pop!
No openings—I lunged, closing distance with a spear thrust.
"Focused Thrust!"
[⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡]
[Focused Thrust]
[Piercing attack!]
Puk!
"Krueeeek!"
The iron spear stabbed the thrower's chest.
Even with the skill, it didn't drop in one hit.
Slash!
"Kuh!"
Its claws raked my left cheek.
I gripped the spear in its chest and twisted hard.
Crack!
"Keeek!"
In agony, the thrower screamed.
"Die!"
I channeled another Focused Thrust through the spear, twisting viciously.
Puk!
Krunch!
I felt its heart burst through the shaft.
"Grrgl..."
Gurgling, the thrower's pupils dilated.
The stone dropped from its hand.
"Haa... haa..."
I staggered, using my spear to stay upright.
Zero strength left.
Stamina depleted from overexertion.
"Ugh... gonna die of exhaustion."
I caught my breath for a while, recovering stamina.
After some time, I finally felt alive again.
"Kkwoo!?"
Kkwi-kku hopped over, checking if I was okay.
Seeing that cute rabbit made my anger flare.
If my dynamic vision had been any weaker, Kkwi-kku would've died or taken a fatal hit from that stone. Rabbits are fragile.
"Hey! Why'd you jump in like that? You think a pebble would've killed me?!"
"Kkwoo..."
"Don't ever do it again. Got it?"
"Kkwoo."
Meekly, Kkwi-kku nodded.
"C'mere."
It hopped into my arms.
"Thanks."
Wrong was wrong, but gratitude was gratitude.
Stroke, stroke.
I petted its head and butt.
In response, Kkwi-kku rubbed its head happily against my chest.
'Good kid.'
Evolved with survival instincts, yet it threw itself for its master... Touching.
"Exactly ten now."
Slice— Slash.
I set Kkwi-kku down and severed the two goblins' heads with my butchering dagger, adding them to the sack.
First time was gross—I'd squeezed my eyes shut—but after that, numb.
"Let's go. Hop on."
"Kkwoo!"
Kkwi-kku leaped onto my shoulder.
Now a proper hunting duo, we strutted back to Talia Village like triumphant generals.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Eat up."
Loyal subordinates deserve rewards.
I gave Kkwi-kku a carrot.
Specially washed, dirt-free.
Munch, munch.
"Kkwoo?!"
Translation: This taste!
Kkwi-kku chomped away eagerly.
Looked blissful eating.
"Kkwoooo!"
Happy, it rolled side to side.
[⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙]
[The evolved rabbit's affinity for you has exceeded the threshold.]
[The evolved rabbit has become your pet.]
[Your pet will grow alongside you.]
[You've formed a perfect bond with the rabbit, gaining 150 EXP. ]
[✨ LEVEL UP! ✨]
[Lv.6 → Lv.7]
"Whoa!"
Kkwi-kku was officially my pet.
Thrilled, but a corner of my heart felt off.
Seemed like feeding it mattered more than our life-or-death hunts for building affinity.
Grind, grind.
"Heh, eats well."
Whatever.
Kkwi-kku munching that carrot was the cutest thing.
Plus, the bond gave me 150 EXP.
That's five more goblins' worth.
Anyway, now we're linked by the game system—no losing it randomly.
"Kkwoo..."
Finishing the carrot, Kkwi-kku flopped down and patted its belly with its front paws.
Rabbit life was the best.
"Hey, newbie adventurer. Waste of a carrot feeding that rabbit trash."
Chef Vincent from the adventurer guild grumbled.
"Let rabbits graze in the back hills. What's so cute about some puny thing? Tch."
Vincent the chef hated crop-ruining rabbits.
Risk of dropping affinity, but I stood firm. Couldn't let my baby get down.
"My Kkwi-kku's no ordinary rabbit. It's evolved. Check this out. Kkwi-kku, hop up."
"Kkwoo!"
Boing!
Kkwi-kku leaped from lying down straight onto my shoulder.
Double the jump height of normal rabbits.
Actually, unrelated to evolution—purely Kkwi-kku's developed legs.
"See? Insane jump power."
"...Oho."
Vincent's short admiration.
"Feel Kkwi-kku's butt. Super plump and nice."
"R-Really?"
Vincent reached tentatively.
"Kkwoo?!"
Chomp!
Startled, Kkwi-kku bit his finger.
"Ow!"
"Uh? You okay?!"
He grimaced, wrapping it in cloth—blood seeped out.
"Hey! What the hell?!"
Lower affinity with Vincent meant pricier food.
Panicking, I scolded Kkwi-kku.
"Kkwoo. Kkwoook! Kkwooo!"
Translation: Human, you think becoming my master lets you boss me? That guy's hands reek of my kin's blood!
"Ah..."
My mistake—careless.
Guard Captain Hans quests rabbit meat; Vincent cooks it for profit.
I overlooked the guild's ecosystem.
"You crazy rabbit bastard! I'll skin you alive!"
Furious Vincent spat cruelty.
Too harsh, even in anger.
"That's too much! This rabbit's my pet!"
"Hmph, a people-biting rabbit as a pet? Get it outta my sight!"
"We're leaving anyway. Good luck with business!"
Affinity must've plummeted.
No more cheap hard bread—or any food—from him.
'Not long left anyway. Graduating Talia Village soon.'
I sighed deeply and headed to Hans.
"Haha, Vincent's softer than he looks. Forgive him."
"...No, he got bit—fair to be mad."
"Planning to keep that rabbit around? Thought it wasn't the culprit, but... pet rabbit? You're one of a kind. Useless in combat, though?"
"Nah, super helpful. Anyway, ten goblin heads."
I handed over the sack.
"Confirmed. Here's your reward."
You've acquired 1 silver.
Now my assets: 1 silver 30 copper.
1 gold = 100,000 won cash; 1 gold = 100 silver. So, 1,300 won earned so far.
'Early game—expected.'
Below minimum wage, but no regrets.
I'd leverage my natural talents to become a ranker soon.
Lightning riches then.
"Next quest, please."
Hans smiled meaningfully.
"You handled this fine, but from now on... Different. I'm assigning you the hobgoblin boss of the goblin village."
[📜 NEW QUEST 📜]
Hobgoblin Hunt
📍 Description: Hunt the hobgoblin and bring back proof by severing part of its corpse.
⏰ Reward: 3 silver / 1,000 EXP
"Don't get cocky—form a party. See you alive."
"Thanks for the advice."
Affinity tanked anyway—I shot Vincent a glare and left the guild. If he jacks up prices, I'd cook myself.
"Scaring me for nothing. Not that tough, they say."
Hans hyped the danger, but hobgoblins were boss mobs a five-man party could handle easily.
"Kkwi-kku, party hunt this time—no need for your help."
I stroked its back.
Chewy texture under my fingers.
One graze from a hobgoblin attack, and Kkwi-kku's toast.
"Kkwoo."
Translation: Suits me fine.
It closed its eyes contentedly, nodding off like it was about to nap.
'Sheesh, who's the master here...'
Felt like Kkwi-kku saw me as the butler.
I'd said it out of worry, but it acted like it was gonna lounge.
Squeeze.
I pinched its butt hard for being cheeky.
"Kkwoo?"
Translation: Kinda rough?
"Kkwoo. Kkwooo."
Translation: Softer, masseuse.
"..."
I vowed never to give it another carrot.
Continue reading up to 80+ chapter on NovelsHub.org