My Tamed Beast Returned with a Dragon Chapter 40 - I Will Protect Bomi

The night of the Hunter’s Night event.

From early evening, Eunsae had been stuck in a hotel room where the party was being held.

Watching the people bustling around, Eunsae spoke awkwardly.

“Um… You don’t really have to go this far.”

“No way, Hunter Yoo Eunsae! It’s a rare occasion for you to appear in front of people—we can’t let it be half-baked. Our pride is on the line here!”

Hee Yeonah, the head of the personal styling team, widened her eyes dramatically.

Her pastel-colored hair, like cotton candy, was tied up high, and every one of her fingers held a makeup brush.

There was a faint trace of madness in her eyes.

“The whole world is watching Hunter Yoo Eunsae right now. You need to step into that hall in the most perfect state!”

“No, I mean, who’s even watching me…”

“Hunter Yoo Eunsae! How can you call yourself an S-rank hunter if you don’t care about public attention? Take a cue from Hunter Namgoong Sol. She doesn’t even need her stylist to tell her…”

Eunsae finally raised her hands in surrender at Hee Yeonah’s passionate shouts.

“Okay, okay. Do whatever you want.”

“I was going to anyway.”

Hee Yeonah had been frustrated with nothing to do during Eunsae’s break after announcing her semi-retirement. Today, she planned to unleash all that pent-up energy.

Truthfully, Eunsae knew. Even though it was a party hosted in Korea, the guest list was so star-studded that public attention was inevitable.

Besides, the purpose of the event was scouting, so everyone was on edge to see who would be chosen.

For the record, other guild executives had received invitations as well, but all of them declined to attend and sent floral arrangements instead, citing professional courtesy.

Guild members who received invitations were free to choose whether or not to attend—but whatever they chose, they had to take responsibility for it.

“Hmm, the back’s a little too bare…”

“This level of exposure is totally normal these days!”

All dressed up and made up, Eunsae stood in front of the mirror. Light pink eye shadow, eyeliner that accentuated her round eyes, and cheeks tinted in a peachy glow—she looked more lovely than usual.

The dress was a mermaid style with a deep cut down the back, all the way to her waist. A ribbon tie around her neck trailed down over her shoulder blades.

Eunsae kept looking at herself in the mirror, as if her appearance felt unfamiliar. Hmm… does this look weird?

“Time’s up. Out you go!”

Worried Eunsae might try to change into something else, Hee Yeonah quickly shoved her out the door.

“Wait, I’m not mentally ready ye—”

Slam.

The door shut before Eunsae could even finish.

As she tidied the messy room, Hee Yeonah reflected on Eunsae’s behavior, which had been a bit unusual.

Normally, Eunsae might grumble, but she’d still wear whatever was picked for her. She didn’t usually stare at the mirror this long.

‘Could it be… there’s someone she wants to look good for?’

Hee Yeonah had heard rumors that Eunsae was close with a foreign male hunter. But officially, there was “nothing going on” between them.

‘Nah, that can’t be it.’

This was Yoo Eunsae, after all. She was the type who didn’t budge no matter how intense the flirtation.

Hee Yeonah covered her mouth and giggled.

Click, clack.

Having exited the hotel room, Eunsae went down one floor and knocked on a door. Almost immediately, it swung open.

[Nuna! …Whoa.]

“My Byeol, always the first to greet me.”

Her large, clear black eyes curved into crescents. Byeol, who had been momentarily stunned, sniffed and circled around Eunsae.

She seemed intrigued by Eunsae’s transformation.

[Nuna, you smell different than usual.]

“You don’t like it? Does it bother you? Should I wash it off?”

[No! Nuna, you smell pretty like a flower. You sparkle like a gem.]

“Really? Thank you.”

Eunsae hadn’t worn any perfume due to the beasts’ sensitive noses, but it seemed her cosmetics had a scent. Inside the room were Byeol, Bomi, Baekhap, and Hwangsae.

The larger beasts would be brought by other guild members.

And then—

“Lord Belquior, I’m here to escort you.”

Eunsae reached out toward Belquior, who was looking in her direction. He looked different in this unfamiliar setting.

His clothes were the same as always—so why did he feel so different? The odd sensation made Eunsae consciously manage her expression.

Surely, her flushed cheeks weren’t just from blush.

“You’re escorting me? In this world, do women escort men?”

“No. But what does that matter?”

Normally, men do the escorting—but tonight, Belquior was technically a “guest.” Since he came for her sake, she wanted to lead in a way that made him comfortable.

Belquior, who had been silently watching Eunsae, unexpectedly extended his hand. It was a large, well-shaped hand.

“Your hand.”

“……”

Eunsae blinked, startled by the unexpected gesture.

As a monster tamer, she had traveled the world and attended all sorts of events. Of course, she had been escorted many times before.

But nothing had ever felt quite like this. Carefully, she placed her palm in his.

A warmth passed through their light contact. For a moment, it felt like a spark. Was that her imagination?

Suddenly feeling her face heat up, Eunsae hurriedly changed the subject.

“D-Don’t you have anything to say to me? About my outfit, or my hair…”

“You’re beautiful.”

“…Really?”

“I don’t lie without reason.”

Eunsae had expected something more critical—maybe that the dress was too revealing or not appropriate.

But his calm eyes, staring straight at her, seemed to be stating a simple truth.

Eunsae beamed.

“Thank you.”

Smiling brightly, she moved closer. Belquior’s expression, usually unreadable, softened ever so slightly as a delicate scent drifted to him.

It was different from the natural scent she usually carried—slightly more artificial—but somehow, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

In fact, he didn’t mind being even a little closer.

Eunsae gathered her smaller beasts and headed with Belquior to the entrance of the banquet hall. Dodari, Haneuli, Dandelion, Cookie, and Jojjo were already there under the guidance of guild members.

Since the hall opened into an outdoor area, it would be comfortable for the beasts to move around.

Eunsae softly called out.

“Bomi.”

Ppi ppi!

From the other side of the door, Bomi responded brightly, seemingly sensing the countless people inside. Thankfully, she didn’t seem shy.

Relieved, Eunsae smiled and said to Bomi,

“Once we go inside, you can do whatever you like.”

Ppi!

Bomi was thrilled. Really? I can really do whatever I want?

Baby dragon Byeol wrinkled her nose disapprovingly but stayed quietly in Eunsae’s arms.

[Nuna, if Bomi causes too much trouble, I’ll stop her.]

“Thanks, Byeol. I’m counting on you.”

Eunsae gently patted Byeol on the head, proud of her. To be honest, Byeol and Bomi didn’t really need to come—but she wanted them to enjoy the party as much as possible.

“Alright, let’s go in.”

Eunsae and Belquior walked ahead, followed by the beasts. It was a grand procession.

“That’s Hunter Yoo Eunsae!”

“Whoa, she really brought all her beasts. I hardly ever see Jjo-jjo, Hwangsae, or Baekhap.”

“Coming here today was so worth it. It’s my first time seeing Hunter Yoo Eunsae up close.”

All eyes were fixed on Eunsae and her beasts. Surprisingly, even though Belquior gave off a tremendous presence, very few people were paying attention to him.

More accurately, people noticed someone was beside her, but couldn’t recognize who it was or recall his features at all.

Eunsae found that fascinating.

‘The perception-dulling magic is incredible.’

She had expected Belquior’s magic to be powerful, but this was beyond even that. Eunsae felt relieved and let go of some of her tension.

Just as the beasts were nearly done making their entrance, a stir broke out among the crowd. Someone had spotted Bomi.

“W-Wait, what’s that beast? The pink one!”

“Huh…? You’re right. That look… haven’t we seen that before?”

“That’s it! That’s it! It’s China’s symbol! Chuntian de Yaoqing!”

“What? Seriously? Isn’t it just a look-alike?”

“Idiot, as if there’s another beast that looks like Chuntian de Yaoqing!”

The hall exploded into chaos.

Chuntian de Yaoqing resembled a deer, but its legs and tail were covered in soft, feather-like fur—that was its most distinct feature.

Even as a baby, Bomi’s pink fur and appearance were unmistakably that of Chuntian de Yaoqing, China’s symbolic beast.

Despite the crowd’s wild reaction, Eunsae walked in proudly. Belquior glanced sideways at her, slightly impressed by her composure.

Ppi ppi!

Bomi bounced excitedly, thrilled at the crowd’s cheers. As she spun in the air, flowers burst into bloom around her. A shower of pink petals rained across the banquet hall.

Everyone stood in stunned silence. That was one of Chuntian de Yaoqing’s unique traits. There was no more denying it—it was truly her.

As the guests gawked, reporters rushed in.

“Hunter Yoo Eunsae! Is this your new beast? Was it hatched from the egg transferred from China?”

“Is that really Chuntian de Yaoqing? Please, just one comment, Hunter Yoo Eunsae!”

They were reporters we had planted specifically for this event. Surrounded by them, Eunsae calmly responded.

“Bomi is Chuntian de Yaoqing.”

“Bomi? Is that the name of the new beast?”

“Is it really the same egg transferred from China? Do you think China will stay silent about this?”

At that last question, Eunsae frowned and looked straight into the camera.

“Bomi is my beast. No matter who comes— I will protect Bomi.”

It was a firm declaration—and one that would send a clear warning to China.