Living with the Dangerous Beast-Chapter 60: Sohwa’s First Prey

Dohwi made no secret of the fact that he had lived for a thousand years on Mount Taeryong and never failed a hunt.

「Look. I came back to this world with an ironclad body, but we all know what your mentor has become after its encounter with me. A pathetic cripple with no tail.」

Even before the black Imoogi hiding in the clouds, Dohwi showed no sign of fear.

「As I already said, if I want something, I get it. Hand it over if you don’t want to end up like your mentor, too.」

Despite having repented and walking the path of a Buddhist under the great monk, the monk felt a great amount of anger surging from deep within whenever he saw the arrogant tiger that Sohwa somehow adored.

‘Sigh... Still having trouble controlling my emotions... I guess I’m far away from truly understanding the teachings of the great monk.‘

In this state, ascending to the heavens was not an option, and it would require a lot of luck not to become a Gangcheori (* A legendary malevolent dragon said to wither plants and crops as it passes by).

“Monk, I’ve returned your precious orb, so please don’t hate Dohwi anymore....”

Sohwa said, her large eyes filled with tears.

“I keep having dreams where Dohwi is struck by divine lightning. I’m begging you, please don’t hold any ill will towards him.”

The monk, who had softened his expression momentarily, quickly returned to his usual stern demeanor.

“Ahem. What power do I have to do such a thing?”

“I know you have the powers that can bring rain and control the clouds. Even if not the heavy rains, isn’t the morning drizzle that falls on this mountain your blessing?”

“Nonsense. I am cultivating the teachings of Tao to ascend into the heavens. How could I harbor such impure thoughts?”

It was a lie, a blatant one to be fair, since he was praying to the gods more than a dozen times a day so that damned tiger could get hit by lightning and drop dead.

Feeling a pang of guilt, the monk quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, I understand what you’re trying to say. For your sake, I will leave all the unfortunate incidents I’ve had with that tiger in the past.”

“Do you promise?”

“Of course. I heard he will be leaving for Mount Taeryong soon, so I won’t see him much anymore.”

“How do you know that?”

“Wouldn’t a hermit who brings rain know such a rumor?”

In fact, it was Daebum who had eavesdropped on Sohwa and Dohwi’s conversation.

“That vile tiger is pretending to be a king there. Are you ready for that?”

“Ready? Don’t even mention it. I’m so worried, but Dohwi is so stubborn....”

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

The monk clicked his tongue secretly.

It seemed the cunning tiger still hadn’t revealed he was the true master of Mount Taeryong.

As the monk tucked the radiant red orb deep into his robe, he suddenly looked up.

“So, you don’t need this orb anymore?”

“No, I don’t.”

Sohwa’s face lit up with a bright smile.

The cruel winter had passed.

With her mating season over, the fox no longer pined for cubs.

“We are so happy together. Why would we need a child? We can live happily on our own.”

“Just make sure he doesn’t come back in the winter to take it again.”

The monk patted Sohwa on the head and resumed sweeping the yard.

The broom, now free of hatred, swept the dust away with a lighter touch.

As Sohwa took one last look at the hermitage, she thought she saw a fluffy brown tail behind the Buddha statue.

She tilted her head in confusion but dismissed it as her imagination.

She then ran to her husband, who was preparing lunch.

“Dohwi!”

“Did you have a good time? Oh, don’t run like that!”

It was a full-fledged spring, with nature coming to life and hearts, once shrunken, now gently stirring.

Bonus Story Chapter 1-1: Sohwa’s First Prey

This story begins on the day a brazen fox, who subdued the world’s famous mountains with just her fists, succeeded in her first hunt.

* * *

Sohwa’s eyes darted back and forth from her hiding spot behind a rock.

At the end of her gaze, a fluffy brown bundle was hopping around, exuding the fragrant smell of fresh grass.

A rabbit.

Today, Sohwa had set her sights on that brown rabbit.

It seemed to be a young one, not fully grown, and its tiny body looked easy enough to catch.

“Dandelion greens!”

The rabbit, head buried in the grass, was the perfect target.

Sohwa pounced like a swift shadow towards the fluffy bundle.

“Got you, little one!”

“Eek!”

Sohwa sank her teeth into the rabbit’s neck and wrapped her front paws tightly around its fur.

The frightened rabbit froze in place, unable to escape.