“Hey! Get the fire going! We’re going to eat together!”
“Stop gawking! Get on over with more food!”
“Hey! Fetch some pig oil if there is more!”
The old man ordered the people around, whether it was to bring ingredients or to help out.
‘Wow. He’s a pro.’
The result of the grilled food was that it was very delicious. Everyone enjoyed eating while they drank beer.
‘This is a good day.’
The appearance of a strange man had changed the atmosphere of a small quiet dinner into a feast.
“Thanks for the food, old man.”
Jinpok slightly bowed to the old man. The old man smiled.
“I’m sorry if I barged in. it just reminded me of the good ol’ days.”
Jinpok nodded. He looked younger than the old man, but he was actually much older, so he knew what the old man was talking about.
“But are you guys also off to hunt dragons?”
The three of them looked at each other in puzzlement and Jinpok shook his head in reply.
“No. We’re just enjoying a well-earned rest.”
“Ah! I see.”
“Yeah.”
“I guess I made a mistake then. There are too many folks going to hunt dragons around here.”
The old man frowned. It seemed he didn’t like it at all.
‘Dragon hunt?’
“Is dragon hunting common these days?” Joonbum asked and the old man nodded.
“Yeah. It’s a legendary creature, right? It’s not like those dinosaurs. We’re talking about legendary dragons! Everyone wants to capture them. Nobles… merchants… every single one of them.”
“Really?” Jinpok asked curiously and the old man nodded again.
“Yeah. They are worried that the Empire will come for it first.”
“First?”
“Huh? Do you not know? Look at those Kongs!”
“Kongs?” Jinpok asked in reply but realized that the old man was talking about the King Kongs.
“King Kongs! The Empire took them for themselves. Uh, by using that child to control it.”
‘Wait…’
Joonbum frowned.
“They are like living weapons. No guns or cannons can put them down. If you put armor over those Kongs, they are terrifying weapons. What do you think might have happened if those Kongs could not be tamed?”
‘Then we probably have wiped them out.’
Dangerous monsters that could not be controlled could only be put down. The three of them nodded and the old man continued speaking.
“So, the Empire tamed those Kongs faster than anyone else. Isn’t the Emperor amazing? Anyways, what do you think the Alliance would feel after looking at that? You see what I’m talking about? Then what do you think about the dragon?”
Dragons were powerful creatures. It was even terrifying to even glimpse its presence. Its size was that of a giant building with an equally enormous pair of wings. It was exactly the same kind of dragon that old fantasy novels depicted. The only difference from the myths were its eyes. Its eyes were similar to those of normal human eyes.
‘Human eyes.’
It was rumored that maybe dragons too were the transformed versions of former humans, just like the King Kongs.
“Nobles from the Alliance are working to tame them, and merchants are gathering hunters to do it. They’re just being careful so they don’t draw the attention of the Empire. Oh, and scientists are dying to get their hands on them too.”
“Scientists?”
“Yeah! I mean, they fly right? There are loads of things that they are curious about.”
So, after a long talk, they began to start eating again. After the meal, they had some good warm tea and began to smoke. The old man was also offered a cigar.
“Is it from the other side?”
“Oh, so you know?”
“Of course. The cigars are made by the Ainos, aren’t they? Whoa, look at this. This must be expensive, right?”
“Yeah, a little, I guess. But it’s okay.”
“Haha! Thank you for this.”
And while they enjoyed the time at night, the old man suddenly brought up an expected topic to the three of them.
“I’m just throwing it out there… but are you guys interested in dragon hunting?”
End of Chapter
