My Tamed Beast Returned with a Dragon Chapter 27 - Yoo Eunsae Returns as a Hunter

The dungeon they had decided to enter was the White Sand Lake Dungeon.

The beasts that appeared there were called Lake Rays—creatures with whale-like bodies and stingray fins.

Although they mainly lived in water, Lake Rays could also fly and were distinguished by their large, sturdy tusks, similar to an elephant’s ivory.

Around every Lake Ray, one could always find Pond Rabbits. Despite their cute appearance, they were troublesome due to their ability to summon whirlwinds.

“I’ve never seen a Lake Ray go this berserk before.”

Inchan muttered as he gazed into the distance. The other friends nodded in agreement.

“Well, one of its tusks was ripped out. No wonder it’s like this.”

“Who did that? They should’ve just finished it off cleanly instead of leaving a mess for someone else to deal with.”

The Lake Ray’s left tusk was missing. As the frenzied beast thrashed around, the lake was torn apart.

The Pond Rabbits scattered in confusion, swirling around before getting caught up in the chaos.

Normally, Lake Rays were leisurely creatures that glided along the lake’s surface. Even though they were classified as A-rank beasts, they weren’t particularly difficult to handle, making them a common target for less experienced hunters.

We grumbled.

“Ugh, I was hoping to relax, do some fishing, maybe even camp out since the dungeon is a lake… but looks like we’re jumping straight into a raid.”

“We can have fun after we’re done.”

“Oh, really? Would you be able to sit back and enjoy the scenery, roast marshmallows, and eat a packed lunch in a place that reeks of blood?”

“And why not?”

Sol chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. She stretched her body.

“At least we don’t have to waste energy provoking it. It’s already burned itself out from all that rampaging.”

“Ah… I feel guilty.”

“That’s nonsense, Seo Inchan. Since when have we spared weaker beasts or let wounded ones go?”

Sol tied up her red hair tightly.

“A beast is just a beast. If we hesitate, civilians will get hurt.”

“You’re not wrong… but it just sounds weird coming from you, Sol.”

“Jealous because I took the cool line before you could, boss? How petty.”

They were relaxed. Mirinae, who had been casting buffs on her friends, called out to Eunsae.

“Eunsae, you’re good to go, right?”

“Of course.”

Eunsae summoned her weapon. It was a staff made from the tailbone of the carnivorous poison dragon, Veil Karas.

After twirling it a few times with her wrist, she mounted the flatfish beast.

“Get into raid formation.”

Leading the charge, we struck the lake’s surface with our swords. Shaaak!

The water split apart, momentarily revealing the lakebed. The attack reached dangerously close to the Lake Ray.

The airborne beast spotted us and charged in a frenzy. Its eyes were bloodshot, and an unknown liquid—spit or venom—dripped from its mouth.

Sol, who had been igniting flames, flinched.

“Hey, hey… This isn’t rabies, right? Wait, is there some kind of mad beast disease we don’t know about?”

“It’s in worse shape than I thought.”

A shadow briefly passed over our faces.

As the beast crossed half the lake, one of us leapt into the air and unleashed an aura slash.

Wooooo—!

Sensing danger, a Pond Rabbit whipped up a whirlwind.

Kukku!

The flatfish beast flapped its wings hard, momentarily stalling the whirlwind that had been rapidly sucking in the lake’s water.

Yuha’s arrows struck the Lake Ray’s fins with rapid precision. The beast thrashed in agony.

It gasped in heavy, ragged breaths before charging at us with its remaining tusk.

Sol’s flaming spear drove down vertically. The damp flesh sizzled as it burned.

Kuwaaaaak!

A scream of sheer agony echoed—more than just pain, it carried emotions.

Resentment, grief, hatred… Sol covered one ear.

“Ugh, now I really feel guilty.”

“And you were calling Inchan nonsense just a moment ago.”

“I didn’t expect it to go down this easily. Maybe we should’ve just let the boss handle it alone. This feels like beast abuse.”

Meanwhile, Eunsae was handling the Pond Rabbits. Each time she swung her staff, the tiny creatures bounced away.

Yuha’s arrows pierced through the fleeing beasts. The flatfish beast disrupted their attempts to summon more whirlwinds.

Who ripped out the Lake Ray’s tusk? And for what purpose?

Eunsae pondered. There were always hunters who indulged in cruel acts.

Some took pleasure in watching beasts suffer as they died, treating the hunt as pure slaughter. It was a subject of much controversy.

There were also poachers—those who only took valuable materials needed for weapon enhancement while leaving the dungeon uncleared.

They argued that since beasts were just beasts, there was no need to follow any kind of ethics.

Was this another case of that…?

Eunsae was momentarily lost in thought.

“Eunsae!”

A pillar of water shot up. Eunsae was swallowed by the surging waves.

The others scrambled, dodging the sudden, simultaneous water attacks. It was the Lake Ray’s final desperate struggle.

Our swords slashed through its fins. Dark red blood splattered into the water.

The massive body tilted. Splash! Bubbles rose as the Lake Ray’s corpse sank.

As soon as it died, the Pond Rabbits scattered. The group rushed to Eunsae, who was soaked from head to toe. Sol scolded her.

“Yoo Eunsae, you’ve gone rusty! You couldn’t even dodge that?!”

“Ahaha, I got distracted for a second. I’m fine, no injuries.”

The flatfish beast gently lowered Eunsae onto the ground. As she wrung the water from her clothes, the ground suddenly trembled.

The group froze in alarm.

“W-what the hell?”

“What’s happening?”

The earthquake stopped after a moment. Nothing in the dungeon had changed.

“What was that? This has never happened before.”

“Right? I thought a hidden boss was about to pop out.”

“Like, the true final boss? The real last boss?”

After wrapping things up, they exited the dungeon.

Reporters, who had swarmed in after hearing about Eunsae’s involvement, immediately rushed forward, screaming questions.

“Hunter Yoo Eunsae! Please comment on the man and the baby!”

“Are you officially returning? What are your future plans?”

“Can you tell us about the man’s identity?”

Despite the fact that top-ranked hunters from Dochun had cleared the dungeon, no one asked about the raid itself.

Yuha nudged Eunsae’s side with her elbow.

“Wow, Yoo Eunsae is so popular~”

“They’re asking about Belkior and the baby.”

We gestured for her to step forward while we hung back.

She faced the reporters.

“Hunter Yoo Eunsae is officially returning as of this moment.”

Click! Click! Click! Cameras flashed wildly.

“Due to personal circumstances, I won’t be traveling globally as I did before. However, I will gradually increase my activity. That is all.”

“What is your relationship with the man?”

“How did you two meet?”

“Guild leader Han Woori, do you know anything about him?”

Ignoring the reporters’ barrage of questions, the group left.

The staff hired by Dochun handled the press.

News of Yoo Eunsae’s return spread like wildfire.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Our interview was broadcasted on media.

A man wearing a black cap was walking down the street, looking at his phone, when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

[Hunter Yoo Eunsae is officially returning as of this moment.]

His eyes widened in disbelief.

[Due to personal circumstances, I won’t be traveling globally as I did before. However, I will gradually increase my activity. That is all.]

“Eunsae… is coming back?”

He stared intently at the frozen screen. His brows furrowed.

“…How?”

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

[Baby, it’s been a while.]

The massive tree, glowing with a deep blue light, rustled its branches. The baby, nestled in Belquior’s arms, reached out toward the tree.

From the moment of birth, the baby had instinctively understood their ‘mission’—to protect the World Tree and maintain balance in this world.

“Uung. Hello.”

[Congratulations on your first awakening. Was it difficult for you?]

“Noona helped me, so it was okay.”

At the mention of Eunsae, the baby’s expression brightened. The baby’s beaming smile was so endearing that the World Tree let out a soft chuckle.

[Is Eunsae doing well?]

“Noona is doing well. I miss Noona.”

[Oh dear, it seems Belquior brought you here in a hurry.]

“Uung…”

The baby’s face fell. Belquior, glancing down at the child, spoke.

“Yggdrasil, grant the baby your blessing.”

A blessing meant sharing the World Tree’s power—an essential process for the heir.

The tree’s branches stretched forward. A newly sprouted, tender branch wrapped around the baby, lifting them gently.

Leaves bloomed. The soft touch brushing against the baby’s cheek made them giggle, scrunching their neck.

A calm yet majestic voice resonated.

[Son of the Dragon, Belquior, do you swear to protect this tree and fulfill your duty?]

“Yes.”

[Will you accept my blessing?]

“Yes!”

A breathtaking glow of iridescent colors burst forth. A distinct mark appeared on the baby’s forehead before sinking into their skin.

The baby marveled at the power stirring within. A boundless vitality and an indescribable strength settled deep in their heart.

[It is done.]

“I want to go to Noona now.”

The baby immediately started fussing to return to Belquior’s embrace. Belquior looked troubled.

“You must stay here for a while to stabilize your power.”

“No! Let me go! I want Noona.”

“You can’t.”

The baby felt heartbroken. Being suddenly separated from Eunsae was already upsetting, and now, they didn’t even know how long they had to stay here.

What if Eunsae forgot about them? What if another dragon tried to take Eunsae away?

Tears welled up and spilled down the baby’s cheeks. Frowning slightly, Belquior awkwardly patted the baby.

The baby’s body gently rocked up and down. The unexpected action startled them, causing the crying to stop.

Belquior tilted his head in confusion at the unexpected reaction.

“…Was this not right?”

Using magic, Belquior conjured the baby’s favorite toys—a rattle and a duck-shaped tumbler.

The baby buried their face in Belquior’s chest.

“I don’t want these anymore…”

“My apologies. But for now, this will have to do.”

Belquior traced his memories of Eunsae. What would she do in this situation?

He gently stroked the baby’s soft, fluffy hair.

“It won’t take long.”

“Ung…”

The baby clutched the rattle in their chubby hands and shook it weakly.