The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 68

‘Throwing a dagger out of nowhere?’

 

I pulled my body back and only stretched my hand forward, tilting the torch. I was on high alert.

 

Finally, the boy’s face became clearly visible under the light.

 

Even though he couldn’t move, the child was curled up and glaring at me with flashing eyes.

 

“Who are you!”

 

The boy shouted in a fierce voice.

 

‘That’s what I want to ask, you punk!’

 

Instead of answering, I observed the boy closely.

 

Was he about ten years old?

 

Spiky black hair, deep and clear black eyes. Along with a slightly dark skin tone, he had distinct and striking facial features at a glance.

 

Compared to his young face, he was quite tall… and had good proportions, making him look like a child model.

 

The boy was wearing a tattered sleeveless shirt, and lean muscles were visible on his exposed forearms.

 

‘A body trained in martial arts…’

 

Above all, the most impressive thing was his eyes.

 

His monolid, rounded eyes might have looked gentle at a glance, but as he glared fiercely, they reminded me of a wild animal that would be hard to tame. 

 

So, roughly speaking, the way his nerves were completely on edge was…

 

‘Like a wolf cub wary of a stranger?’

 

It seemed like I needed to help him, but his guard was too high.

 

‘For now, it seems he doesn’t have any more weapons in his hands.’

 

Seeing him reaching out his hands here and there to check if there was anything else to throw at me.

 

By a stroke of luck, the dagger he had thrown at me seemed to be the only weapon he had.

 

“Don’t come closer, I said, don’t come closer!”

 

The boy continued to yell, but I didn’t care and focused my gaze on his leg. 

 

This wasn’t the time to be having a leisurely conversation.

 

“Don’t move. I’ll help you.”

 

I placed the torch aside and ran over. Then I tried to pull the boy’s foot out from under the pile of rocks.

 

Just as I grabbed his leg with my two small hands…

 

Thud!

 

“Ack!”

 

The boy forcefully shoved my shoulder away with his hands.

 

“Where do you think you’re grabbing!” 

 

As I suddenly fell on my bottom and stared wide-eyed, the boy let out rough breaths.

 

‘Now what do I do with this?’ 

 

Even in my past life, I had seen children get rough when their emotions were running high like this a few times.

 

And I recalled the fact that it was difficult to calm them down with ordinary methods.

 

“This won’t do.”

 

I stood up and brushed myself off.

 

Then, I loaded a small pebble into my slingshot. Aiming accurately at the boy’s temple.

 

“What’s that…!”

 

Thwack—!

 

The flying stone accurately hit the boy’s head.

 

Yes. This is the true power of my slingshot!

 

To adjust the power and send them to another world for a moment before bringing them back, providing a thrilling experience!

 

“Ahhh…….”

 

Slide.

 

The boy’s pupils seemed to roll back, and his eyes quickly fluttered shut.

 

Looking down at the completely unconscious boy, I rubbed my nose with my hand.

 

“You’re getting in the way, so just sleep for a bit!”

 

Right, when your nerves are on edge from stress, getting a good sleep is the best!

 

‘Then shall I think about how to get him out?’

 

I fell into deep thought while looking at the large rock crushing the boy’s leg.   

 

Placing my hands on my hips, I tilted my head, then puffed out my chest and nodded.

 

‘Good! I can do it that way!’ 

 

* * *

 

“Uuugh.”

 

Groaning as if his head ached, the boy’s eyes snapped open.

 

I, who had been waiting for him to wake up, gave a welcoming smile and waved my hand. 

 

“You’re awake?”

 

“Wh-What?!”

 

The boy was startled and quickly tried to flail his arms, but.

 

“Huh…?”

 

He was easily stopped.

 

Because I had already tied him up tightly with the rope I brought in my bundle.

 

‘I didn’t want to go this far either.’

 

But since I didn’t know when this child might attack me, it couldn’t be helped.

 

“Did you… tie me up?”

 

“Yup, but you should say thank you first.”

 

“What?!”

 

“I got your leg out from under there!”

 

I smiled brightly, feeling proud.

 

Honestly, it was quite a struggle. 

 

I had found a long, sturdy piece of wood, placed a stone in the right spot, and pressed down with my body weight with all my might.

 

Fortunately, the principle of leverage worked, and the rock moved. While it did, the boy tossed and turned, successfully pulling his foot out.

 

I stared intently at the boy’s face, waiting for a word of thanks. However, what returned was the exact opposite.

 

“Thanks? You tried to kill me. Plus, you tied me up like this. Aren’t you going to untie me right now?”

 

“That’s a complete misunderstanding! You threw a dagger at me first. How can I trust you and let you go?”

 

When I spoke while pointing at the dagger dropped on the floor, the boy let out a short sigh as if he was at a loss for words.

 

I aimed for that opening and quickly threw a question at him.

 

“Why did you come here? And how did you end up like this? I’ll untie you if you tell me.”

 

As I asked somewhat gently, he seemed to hesitate for a moment before reluctantly opening his mouth.

 

“…I was caught by enemies. Those b*stards dragged me all the way here to use me as a hostage to catch my father… but I took care of them in the end.”

 

A grin spread across the boy’s lips. He had an expression as if he was recalling what had just happened.

 

“And then it rained, so you came here, but a landslide happened, and you ended up like this?”

 

“Yeah. You got it exactly right. Then I’ll ask this time. Who are you?”

 

Since he answered obediently, I should give an answer too. I shrugged and replied.

 

“I’m Yeong. I grew up on this mountain. Who are you?”

 

Since he was the first child my age I had met, my eyes sparkled with an unprompted desire to become friends.

 

But the boy stared at me intently, and then.

 

“Don’t tell me, you, you, you!!!”

 

“……?”

 

“Are you that! That famous bandit’s daughter?!”

 

He suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs.

 

“Famous?”

 

When I asked with my eyes wide open, the boy let out a small laugh.

 

“You really don’t know, do you? Just how famous you are in this field. Kim Gangdu has the most power in this vicinity, so how could anyone not know. And the rumor that he adopted a daughter has already spread widely.”

 

Wait, I’m that much of a celebrity?

 

What exactly is this ‘field’ anyway? My ears perked up, and I quickly threw the next question.

 

“You… know my Dad?”

 

“Of course I know him!”

 

He stared up at me, his eyes sparkling as if in admiration.

 

“H-How?”

 

“Want to know?”

 

“Yeah!”

 

“Then untie this first!”

 

I let out a short sigh, ‘Phew.’ I was almost fooled!

 

“I still don’t really want to do that.”

 

“…Hmm, then can I just untie myself?”

 

“Huh?”

 

No way? Do you know how hard I tied it…?!

 

Snap, rip—!

 

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy flexed his body hard and snapped the rope I had tied him with.

 

Snatch—!

 

I didn’t hesitate and picked up my slingshot again, loading a stone.

 

“Hey, wait! If you really shoot that again, I won’t let it slide! Do you know how much that hurt earlier?”

 

“Are you going to make me say it again? You threw a dagger at me earlier.”

 

“I-I’ll apologize for that. I only did it because I didn’t know you were the bandit’s daughter. Calm down.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I tilted my head at the boy’s suddenly nice tone.

 

Wait, why is he acting like this? He even gave me a beaming smile.

 

“I really! Really! Wanted to meet you, you know? You! And for a very long time at that!”

 

“M-Me?”

 

“Yeah. I’ve heard so many stories. They said you’re really smart, pretty, and cute, so you’re a treasure the bandits cherish immensely… I was even more curious because you’re my age. But since everyone was overprotecting you, there was no way I could see you! I’ve heard so much that I feel like we’re already best friends!” 

 

Wait, who’s been going around saying things like that!

 

Of course, it was all true.

 

Feeling a bit embarrassed for no reason, I scratched my head.

 

“You really heard things like that?”

 

“Yeah, from the people living in the mountains. They come down occasionally, to the sea. They trade this and that with us there. Some of the things you use were probably brought by us, you know? It’s faster to buy from us than to go down to a civilian village.”

 

“Who are… you guys?”

 

At my question, the boy wore a mischievous smile and said loudly as if to emphasize it.

 

“Pirates!”

 

“…..?!”

 

“Nice to meet you, bandit’s daughter. I’m Damho.”

 

Grin. His gentle monolidded eyes curved into an arc.

 

How should I put it. If he was like a growling wild animal earlier, right now he was like a puppy wagging its tail happily.

 

“I’m the successor to the Pirate Captain.”

 

“….?”

 

Wait a minute. This name, this setting… why is it so familiar?

 

Right. If it feels this familiar, it must definitely be!

 

‘I know. The limping pirate Damho! He’s a supporting character from the original work, isn’t he?!’