‘But I’m lucky,’ Jackson thought. The knight in front of him was bigger than him and he was talented as he was intelligent. A man like himself was no match against this lord. The lord did not need to be strong, he needed to be smart. Joonbum was that kind of man.
‘It won’t take long for this land to become a kingdom. Maybe three… or five years…’
Jackson began to think up a plan.
‘I will need more talented people then… the Magnos too. I don’t like them that much, but they’re needed…’
Jackson was determined.
*
“He’s coming.”
“Hmph.”
A man didn’t look too welcoming at the appearance of the guest.
“Will he be able to tame it?”
“We just need to give it to him. It’s up to him.”
The Magnos talked among themselves in disapproval as they glanced to the side.
“Yeah, but it’s a shame to give out a Gerekstal like that.”
“Hmph.”
They were all not happy with Joonbum taking the Krakul.
“We’ll see soon enough.”
A man who looked gentler than the rest spoke quietly. Another man who didn’t like where the Magnos were going with the talks spoke out in approval.
“Right. The Ainos welcomed him into their tribe, don’t underestimate that. The Ainos are our old friends and so is he. I believe he will have no problems with the Gerekstal if he was accepted by the Ainos.”
“The Guardians consider him their leader, don’t forget that either.”
Everyone began to ponder as it was a mystery to them.
“And look at that cornfield.”
They turned to the vast farmland filled with corn, it continued on so far that they could not see where it ended. Gerekstal moved about the plants and grazed freely on them.
“I didn’t think it would be enough to feed the Gerekstals.”
“Look at the growth. As they’ve said, it sure is a miracle crop.”
Everyone nodded. The crops grew so quickly that everyone including the Gerekstals were fed. In most cases, life was better here than in the mountains.
‘Gerekstal Knights.’
Joonbum approached and jumped down from his Galim. The Magnos turned to him as he walked toward them clad in full armor. They looked at him as if they were going to fight him right away.
“So, he has been through some fights.”
“He’s well-built.”
“His armor is battle-worn.”
“The Ainos don’t need to lie.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t expect that to be true.”
Joonbum heard what they were talking amongst themselves but ignored it. Jackson, however, didn’t like hearing them talk smack about Joonbum.
“Oh, the talker is here also.”
“I don’t like talking with that man, makes me get headaches.”
“I have nightmares after talking with him!”
Some Magnos warriors began leaving as they noticed Jackson who had come together with Joonbum. Joonbum ignored them and walked in.
“Welcome.”
It was casual. Joonbum smiled as it was rare that he was welcomed in such a casual manner these days. These people were rough but did not mean to be offensive, they just acted as they felt. There were no manners in their actions, but it did not bother Joonbum. It even reminded him of his ordinary days on Earth.
“I’m Gustal, Captain of the Gerekstal Knights and protector of the Magnos.”
A short man with broad shoulders walked up to him and introduced himself.
“I’m Joonbum Khalodian. It’s nice to meet you.”
Joonbum bowed slightly. It surprised Gustal and many other Magnos. They never expected a noble to bow his head.
“Hmph. You seem to be better than the rest.”
Joonbum smiled. But Jackson wasn’t so fond of what was going on. He glared at the Magnos coldly from beside Joonbum. Gustal glanced at Jackson and coughed. He turned to Joonbum and pointed outside.
“Look, it’s that one. You can take it if you can tame it.”
Joonbum turned in that direction.
“Wow. A-amazing…”
There was a huge Gerekstal the size of a large truck grazing on the grass. It was a dark black Gerekstal, bigger than any other. Jackson seemed to be amazed at the Krakul as well.
‘It’s beautiful.’
He was mesmerized by the beast while everyone, including Gustal, was angered. Unbeknownst to Joonbum, the Magnos faces were turning red as they became enraged. Joonbum, who was mindlessly staring at the Gerekstal, realized something strange. There was something moving within the corn stalks.
‘What is that?’
There was something below the stalk of corn, but it was out of sight. That was when Jackson gasped. Joonbum noticed a small head emerge out of the corn stalks, curiously watching Joonbum and everyone else.
“A baby?”
It was a baby Gerekstal. Joonbum glanced quickly between the baby and the huge black Gerekstal.
“HAH!”
“He really thought we would give him Gerwin?”
“Well, I don’t blame him falling in love with Gerwin.”
“Haha.”
The Magnos began talking to each other and Jackson realized why they seemed disturbed by Joonbum just moments ago. He glared at them and began feeling angry. Some of the Magnos warriors seemed to realize Jackson’s anger and moved to react. That was when Gustal intervened.
“Hmph!”
They stopped. Joonbum, who was looking quietly, turned to Gustal. He glanced at Gustal and asked,
“So, is that the one you’re giving me?”
Gustal nodded as if he was asked something obvious.
“Of course. I know you like the big one, but they only allow those who grew up with them on their back.”
“I see.”
Joonbum nodded. Jackson understood that they weren’t trying to ridicule Joonbum and blushed.
“I need to raise it when it’s a baby?”
“Right.”
Joonbum turned to the baby again. It was so tiny.
“It’s small.”
It was a little bigger than a small puppy. It began hopping towards Joonbum out of curiosity. It was cute. Joonbum gushed at unexpected cuteness of the little dinosaur.
“You sure are cute.”
The Gerekstal approached Joonbum and began sniffing him. At that moment, the giant black Gerekstal also came near the baby, but it just watched Joonbum. Gustal explained, “It’s a baby, but it will grow quickly. They will grow taller than Galims within half a year and it will mature to an adult in a year. It’s Gerwin’s offspring, and Gerwin is the leader of the pack, so don’t worry, she’ll grow big and strong.”
Gustal seemed to be proud of that fact. It was a baby, but it wasn’t just any baby dinosaur. However, Joonbum was already mesmerized by its cuteness. He was already stroking the baby Gerekstal.
“Wow.”
“He’s good.”
“Gerekstal’s already friendly with him!”
“Look! It’s showing its belly!”
Gustal and warriors watched, astounded, as Joonbum rubbed the belly of the Gerekstal. Gerwin, the black Gerekstal, watched him silently. Joonbum then began running around the cornfield amongst the Gerekstal and they didn’t seem to be bothered.
