My Tamed Beast Returned with a Dragon Chapter 25 - The First Signs of Awakening

Through Dochun, Eunsae released her official statement.

[Exclusive][Hunter Daily] Yoo Eunsae Refutes Marriage Rumors, Vows Legal Action Against Rumor Spreaders
(Includes the photo Eunsae had shared with her friends: her, the baby, and Belquior together)

Hunter Yoo Eunsae has spoken up regarding the controversy that sparked a few days ago.
First, she apologized to the public for the sudden and confusing news. She clarified that she is not married and that the baby is not her own.

According to her statement, the man in the photo is someone she met during an overseas trip. Due to personal circumstances, he has been raising the child alone.
At a difficult time, he reached out to Eunsae—whom he already knew—for help, and she agreed.

The man reportedly doesn’t live full-time with Eunsae, only stopping by occasionally.
He is a hunter with magical abilities. Eunsae asked the media to refrain from speculative reporting about both him and the child.

“Do you think that photo was okay?”

Eunsae looked worried as she read the published article.
Mirinae nodded with full confidence.

When the idea of using a photo that included Belquior and the baby first came up, Eunsae had firmly opposed it.

She didn’t mind her own face being out there, but they—especially the baby—had no reason to be exposed to the media.
She feared what kind of backlash that might cause.

But Mirinae, the brains of Dochun, strongly insisted. She said they’d understand the reason soon enough.

After much hesitation, Eunsae got Belquior’s permission and handed the photo over to the journalist.
Still, she couldn’t shake the worry.

“What’s the community saying?”

“Here, take a look.”

We passed her the phone we’d been scrolling through.

 

[Anonymous Board] So Yoo Eunsae says she’s not married—thoughts?

Sounds fake…
He’s not a relative, not even the same nationality, and she just agreed to take care of his kid?

She’s unmarried and has zero experience with kids. What made her say yes??

Comments (102):
⤷ If you count raising a beast cub, I guess that’s experience…?
⤷ Feels like it was written by a screenwriter lol
⤷ Did Eunsae even hang out with anyone besides the Dochun S-ranks?
⤷ Even a stork wouldn’t buy that story~
⤷ Yeah, but have you seen the guy’s face…?

[K-Hunter Gallery] Just admit it already

Sub: Yoo Eunsae

Comments (37):
⤷ I can hear the Yoo Eunsae fanboys crying all the way from here
⤷ First S-rank hunter to “marry in a hurry” in Korea
⤷ What’s there to admit? She said it’s not true
⤷ Dochun stock dipped because of the marriage rumor—is now the time to buy in???

[Life Info Board] Guys did you see that Yoo Eunsae article photo???

I ran here after seeing it, no joke.

Where did she even find that ice-cold-looking, stupidly handsome man???
And apparently he’s a single dad? That’s too much plot for one real person lololol

Someone give me directions—I’m immigrating to wherever he’s from.

Comments (405):
⤷ He literally glows… My eyes have been blessed
⤷ If he asked me to cosign a loan, I’d say yes and drag my whole family along too
⤷ There’s no way they’re just friends. She’s raising his kid. That’s not nothing. I’ve seen the look.
⤷ But he’s a magic-ability hunter, right? Anyone know who he is??
⤷ ⤷ Go post it on the international hunter forums
⤷ Post removed. Topic violates board rules. Repeated violations will result in a ban.
⤷ ⤷ C’mon, this is life info. Let us discuss.

[Anonymous Board] Just marry him already

Yoo Eunsae-nim, just go ahead and marry him. He’s hot. You have our blessing.
I’ll host the wedding. Who wants to officiate?

Comments (618):
⤷ I’ll officiate. Who’s singing the wedding song?
⤷ I’ll sing. Who’s dancing in front?
⤷ I’ll dance—but someone join me, dancing solo’s sad
⤷ Everyone, group choreography! So where’s the venue?

…

 

As time passed, public curiosity shifted from the marriage rumor itself to who the man was.
Fans who exclusively followed overseas hunters surfaced, trying to uncover Belquior’s identity.

But no matter how much they dug, they found nothing—no nationality, no name, no age. Nothing.
Eventually, people started calling him nicknames like “The Hunter from Another World.”

Looking at the forums, Eunsae turned to Mirinae.

“Mirinae… You planned this, didn’t you?”

“There’s nothing better than deflection to cloud the real issue.”

Though conspiracy theories claiming Eunsae was hiding a secret marriage continued to circulate, they never gained real traction.

In fact, the rumors helped explain her year-long disappearance, working in her favor.

“But now all the attention is on Belquior-nim…”

“If things get too heated, we’ll make something up and release it. Didn’t you say he won’t stay long anyway? We can manage.”

“…Right.”

Eunsae was reminded of something she’d forgotten.

Once the baby awakened to their dragon nature—he would leave.

“Does that mean I’ll never see him again?”

Her chest tightened.

“Why do I feel this way?”

She was surprised at herself.
After thinking for a moment, she came to a single conclusion.

“I’m… sad about saying goodbye to the baby.”

That sweet, gentle baby…
What would they become after realizing they were a dragon?

Would they remember the time they spent together?

Seeing Eunsae suddenly downcast, Mirinae offered comfort.

“Don’t overthink it. Just live your life for now. Watch out for paparazzi, and the legal team will handle the lawsuits.”

“Thanks… I’m counting on you.”

After seeing her friends off, Eunsae went into her room. Belquior turned from the window, where he had been gazing outside.

“Why that face? Has something else happened?”

“Belquior-nim.”

Eunsae looked directly at his face. The community’s comments praising his looks floated through her mind.

They don’t know how kind and thoughtful he is… Looks aren’t everything.

“…No, nothing.”

I just… wish you’d stay a little longer. But Eunsae held back the rest of her words and smiled instead.

 

 

****

 

 

 

That night, Eunsae was stirred awake by the baby’s raspy breathing.

It wasn’t the usual soft noises of sleep.
Snapping upright, she rushed over and checked on the baby.

The child’s body was burning hot—like a ball of fire.
Panicked, Eunsae stumbled about before bolting out of the room.

“Belquior-nim!”

He was in the guest room.
He’d already opened the door, having awakened the moment Eunsae’s urgent footsteps echoed through the hall.

“The baby—he’s sick!”

“The baby?”

Belquior’s golden eyes turned slowly, as if piecing something together.

“…It seems the time has come.”

“Sorry—what?”

Belquior entered the room where the baby lay.
He brushed back the sweat-drenched hair from the baby’s forehead.

The baby whimpered faintly at the touch.

“This is the sign of the first awakening.”

“Then…?”

“It means he’s beginning to function as a dragon.”

Eunsae clenched her fists.
It was happening this soon?

The time granted for the baby to remain here had only been a temporary grace period.
Her heart twisted with sadness—but more than that, she focused on what she could do now.

“What should I do? Is there any medicine to reduce the fever or ease the pain?”

“…Eunsae.”

She gasped.
It was the first time Belquior had spoken her name directly.

His golden gaze met hers, steady and calm.
Despite the fear and anxiety, her heart fluttered.

“This is something the baby must endure on his own.”

“…”

“All you need to do… is be there for him.”

Eunsae bit her lip.
Moments like this reminded her clearly—she and the baby were fundamentally different beings.

Belquior said she didn’t have to do anything, but she couldn’t just stand by and watch.

Following what she’d read in parenting books, she checked the baby’s temperature, wiped him down with a lukewarm towel,
dressed him in light clothes, put on socks, and gave him small sips of water when he seemed uncomfortable.

She whispered constantly—telling him he’d be okay, to hang in there, that she was right here.

Belquior quietly watched all that Eunsae did.
He couldn’t be sure how much it actually helped… but every time the baby stirred, he seemed to reach out and grasp her fingers.
So perhaps it wasn’t useless after all.

The fever didn’t subside until late the next afternoon.
Eunsae paced the room in worry.

“Are we sure nothing’s wrong? Does the awakening usually take this long?”

“It’s fine. You should rest.”

“Belquior-nim, don’t you care at all about the baby?”

Flustered and on the verge of tears, Eunsae’s voice cracked.

Belquior reached out, pulling her by the wrist—and before she could react, she found herself sitting in his lap.

Her body tensed in surprise.
A large hand gently patted her shoulder.

Like how she comforted the baby.

“The baby’s holding on just fine.”

“…”

“Thanks to your care.
But for him to feel at peace… you need to rest too.”

“Um… could you let me down?”

Being a grown adult cradled like a child was beyond embarrassing.
She squirmed, but Belquior lightly held her in place.

“Sleep.”

As if triggered by that one word, overwhelming drowsiness swept over her.
This was Eunsae—who had stayed awake through three nights in a dungeon without batting an eye.

What…?

For a moment, she suspected Belquior had used magic.
But his golden aura remained still.

Her head drooped like a chick dosed with medicine.
Belquior let her lean against his shoulder and held her close, gaze drifting to the baby lying on the bed.

The tiny body squirmed and let out a soft whimper.
It tugged at his heart—but it wasn’t dangerous.

Within the baby’s body, a formless energy writhed and gathered.

He’ll make it.

What Belquior had said to Eunsae wasn’t just for comfort.
The baby was weathering the transformation better than expected.

So well, in fact, that Belquior’s help wasn’t needed.

Her power…

All she’d done was hold him, speak gently to him—
but the baby responded. As if desperate to live up to her warmth, he pushed himself through the pain.

As the sun began to set, the baby’s aura grew stronger and clearer.

The blazing heat began to recede, until his body temperature hovered just slightly above normal.
Stillness settled over the room.

The baby’s eyes fluttered open—bright and alert.