Hunters Keep Coming To My House - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Griffin (A), or Boom-ba, opened her eyes wide at the delicious smell. 

Sniff, what is this smell right now? This is the scent of her favorite horse meat! 

Boom-ba’s eyes sparkled in an instant. As the nest suddenly moved to an unfamiliar place, there were hardly any horses, the usual prey, around. This smell irresistibly stimulated Boom-ba’s salivary glands.

So delicious, really, so delicious! 

The lion’s tail swayed as she began to move towards the direction of the smell. Although she had caught and eaten a horse earlier, it wasn’t satisfying.

To replenish the energy spent on caring for the eggs, more horse meat was needed. However, having caught only one, it wasn’t enough. 

Boom-ba stood up abruptly. Instinctively, she knew she couldn’t empty the nest with the eggs now. Fortunately, there were no natural enemies nearby, but the eggs could be a tasty treat for any monster.

Staring intensely at the eggs, Boom-ba rolled her feet inside the nest restlessly. She knew that if she missed this opportunity, she might not be able to eat horse meat anymore. Yet, as a responsible parent, she had to protect the eggs.

Two conflicting emotions clashed within Boom-ba. She pecked at her beak, trying to alleviate the dilemma. Soon, Boom-ba seemed to have made a decision. She moved her wings as if to say she would regret it for the rest of her life if she missed this delicious horse meat smell. She’ll hunt quickly and come back to protect the eggs.

Squawk! 

Wait for it, her prey! 

Boom-ba roared forward, vigorously flapping her wings, soaring into the sky. With instinctive senses, she swiftly moved towards the direction of the scent. 

And soon, Boom-ba realized.

Kwack?

Why is the horse in the sky instead of on the ground? 

Boom-ba, who wasn’t entirely lacking in intelligence, was confused by the completely different situation from what she knew, and she spun around in that spot.

However, the wafting smell was extremely stimulating.

Well, horses could have wings too, she must have thought casually, and Boom-ba flew towards the scent again.

Soon, Boom-ba understood the reason for her confusion.

“You’re ‘Boom-ba’!”

From a frail human.

Kraaaah!

Only after facing the terrifying blue hatchling did she realize.

Kwaeek! Now she’s going to die helplessly!

Boom-ba blamed her foolishness and let out a pitiful whimper. But the frail human started saying strange things.

“Well, do you understand what I’m saying? Boom-ba, the meat you want is in my hand. Do you recognize this?”

In the human’s hand was the horse meat that Boom-ba so desperately wanted, and it was fresh with blood still dripping!

Instinctively, Boom-ba began to drool profusely.

“Well, if you want this, you just have to catch us. Easy, right?”

Catch? Eat? Easy?

Boom-ba shook her head as if to say she couldn’t understand. That human was undoubtedly more foolish than herself.

As a creature ingrained with instincts to either kill other species upon encounter or, if unable to win, flee, Boom-ba couldn’t help but think that the human was truly foolish.

Is she telling her to catch her for the horse meat? Hmm?

Hmm? Boom-ba pondered for a moment. Can she trust this human or not?

That’s when it happened.

Roar!

The terrifying hatchling, ridden by the frail human, shook its head arrogantly and roared as if questioning why it wasn’t following its master’s command. Boom-ba’s body moved involuntarily, and a somewhat forced game of tag began.

After that, it was a whirlwind. When Boom-ba chased the human, the human would tempt her with horse meat, enticing her by shaking the meat before tossing it nearby. Boom-ba would then open her beak wide and eagerly devour the meat. This behavior was repeated several times.

At one point, a large tree appeared, and they performed acrobatics in the air a few times. Suddenly, a vast lake spread out, causing a water storm. Amidst all this, the human continued to lure her with meat.

Without realizing it, Boom-ba was chasing the human at her maximum speed. She naturally started thinking that, for a frail human, she endured the fast pace well and generously provided delicious food. Gradually, Boom-ba developed a liking for the human in front of her.

Boom-ba had been stressed by the sudden change in her habitat. However, being able to enjoy such a delightful flight and tasty meat!

Boom-ba wholeheartedly agreed that she had made the right decision to listen to the words of this frail human.

How long did they engage in this enjoyable pursuit through the skies? In the blink of an eye, Boom-ba slowed down, taking in the familiar surroundings.

Kwack?

When did she return to the nest?

Too immersed in the moment, Boom-ba had forgotten about the eggs and even forgot how close she was to the nest. This was a mistake as a mother Griffin.

Taking a moment to reflect on her mistake, she lightly landed near the nest. In front of her were the frail human and the fearsome hatchling.

“Heh, you were faster than I expected. This speed was new to me, so it was a bit challenging. But I got used to it quickly, so let’s go even faster next time.”

Kwaeek?

Kraaah!

Kw…

Despite the intimidating pressure from the fierce hatchling, Boom-ba still enjoyed the flight. She could eat delicious meat, and for a while, she flew without a care in the world.

Yes, if she met this human again, it would be fun to play. Boom-ba stretched her neck and gently nudged the head of the frail human. Beneath her, she felt a sharp gaze, but she summoned the courage to endure it.

Indeed, this human was frail. The sensation of touching the head was incredibly soft and delicate, but it was quite a pleasant feeling.

She also thought about her future offspring experiencing this sensation.

At that moment, a small cry from the hatchling reached Boom-ba’s ears.

Koo…

She wanted to stay closer, but Boom-ba had no choice but to part ways.

Kwaeeng…

* * *

[Great Achievement!

Griffin (A) Boom-ba acknowledges you as a friend!

Reward: Acquire the title ‘Boom-ba’s Friend (A)’]

[Your growth knows no bounds!

You have become friendly with Griffin (A) Boom-ba!

Now, when Boom-ba sees you, she will greet you warmly.

Additionally, she will be your excellent partner in <Combat Flight>!

We look forward to supporting even more fantastic flights in the future!

Success Reward: Boom-ba’s Friendship Level, Obtain Boom-ba’s Egg

Note: Please receive the reward ‘Boom-ba’s Egg’ directly from Griffin (A) Boom-ba.]

I looked at the system window with a satisfied expression. 

‘I thought I was only getting quest rewards, but they even gave me a title.’

I had a feeling of quest for success from the moment Boom-ba leaned on me. However, I didn’t expect to get more than just the quest rewards.

Well, Griffin is a high-level monster, so it makes sense they would give something valuable.

After understanding it by myself, I lightly shook hands with Boom-ba. Sitting properly on the nest, Boom-ba let out soft cries.

Kwaeek, Kwaeeng.

“…I guess that’s a yes?”

Honestly, Boom-ba’s sound still resembled a pig grunting.

Unable to discern meaning from the sound, I tried to read Boom-ba’s eyes. The sparkling eyes seemed to express enjoyment.

Sigh, even a Griffin can be cute…

I opened my inventory and took out the remaining horse meat, tossing it to Boom-ba. She enthusiastically received it and hid it deep in the nest.

Those meats were supposed to be used for another flight with Boom-ba… I guess I’ll catch more when flying with Arvani later.

Now that the quest was cleared, it was time to return. I climbed onto Arvani again. Boom-ba gazed at me as if disappointed.

“Oh, I was told to receive the egg directly, but… Well, I don’t feel like getting it from the mother.”

I’ll come by often to play with Boom-ba.

“I’ll come back next time. It won’t take long, Boom-ba.”

Kwaeek!

“Yeah, yeah.”

Kwaeaaah!

Boom-ba, seemingly talkative, responded eagerly. It might be her way of greeting; I wasn’t sure.

After a light farewell gesture, I rode Arvani and descended to where Han Seung-hoo was. He had been observing the situation near the nest.

“Seung-hoo, let’s go home!”

I informed him of the quest’s success, and Han Seung-hoo looked at me with a surprised and incredulous expression.

“…Why?”

“Oh, no reason, sister.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“…I just feel like I can’t lose you now. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Do you talk like that in front of the person involved?”

“It’s the ambition of the younger one.”

With a bright smile like a single flower, Han Seung-hoo mounted Arvani. Feeling something off, I pulled the reins.

Let’s discuss this at home, especially since Jung Tae-il would be waiting.