The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 49

“Don’t do that again from now on.”

“Yes…”

“Luwen, you too. When you say hurtful things to others, you get hurtful words in return.”

“I’m not bothered at all. No matter how much someone belittles me, I’m not that kind of person.”

This kind of mindset is good, but… Thinking about it, Luwen in the original story had a sharp tongue too. He didn’t have many lines, but the occasional things he said were quite cutting. I guess his true nature doesn’t change.

“But there’s no need to make unnecessary enemies. With one word, you can pay back a debt of… not a thousand nyang, but a thousand gold coins.”

“Isn’t that fraud?”

Luwen, not knowing the Korean proverb, innocently asked back. I explained the origin of the proverb, adapting it to this world.

After listening to the end, Luwen nodded.

“I understand what you mean. But I can’t just let those who are disrespectful to you go unpunished, young master.”

“I appreciate your feelings. But I don’t want you to be at odds with people. What if you go around swinging a sword trying to get revenge?”

“I…”

Luwen started to speak but hesitated. However, it was enough to guess what he was going to say next. Probably that he’s confident he can win against anyone who comes at him. It’s good to be confident in your abilities, but overconfidence is dangerous. Just as I was about to add a word of advice, even if it might sound preachy, Luwen spoke first.

“I’ll do as you say, young master.”

Hm? He suddenly changed his mind? Although I don’t know why, I was curious and couldn’t just let it go thinking it was good enough that he changed his mind.

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“It’s fine if they come at me, but I’m worried they might harm you, young master. There are times when you’re alone at the clinic, right?”

It was true. When Luwen goes for horseback riding practice or sword training, I guard the clinic alone. There’s no need for Luwen to be there when I’m seeing patients, so I’ve been sending him out to train during those times.

By the way, so he changed his mind out of concern for me. I was reminded again of Luwen’s words that he would act carefully as long as I was by his side.

I feel touched for no reason. I’ve raised this child well. Unlike myself.

“Thank you.”

Thank you for growing up well, and thank you for being considerate of me. I expressed my ambiguous feelings with those words, and Luwen smiled brightly.

Now, what’s left is Taran.

Taran was still standing there, looking dejected. He couldn’t even meet my eyes. He must think that if he gets on my bad side, he won’t be able to study or get revenge, so it’s understandable that he’s being cautious.

“Alright, you two. Apologize to each other and make up.”

“…I’m sorry for calling you a slave.”

As Taran hesitantly spoke first, Luwen responded halfheartedly.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry too.”

“Mm.”

Taran kept glancing at me while answering, and Luwen didn’t seem to have any intention of apologizing. I’m not sure if they’ve really made up. If this were a play, the audience would all leave. They probably don’t think they did anything wrong. Still, I suppose it’s better than nothing that they at least made a gesture.

Looking back and forth between the two who seemed to have become enemies from their first meeting, I chuckled.

“Alright. Even if you fight, no hurtful words to each other. Of course, no fistfights either. If anyone does that first, know that you’ll be punished by me.”

Both of them answered “Yes” simultaneously. Thinking this was enough for now, I asked Taran:

“Did you find the herbs?”

“Ah, yes. Here.”

Perhaps because of his earlier failure, Taran had gathered them to have them all checked at once. He pulled out the herbs from his cloth pouch and held them out. This time, he had properly found the Dwean. And the Rumolica too.

“That’s right. This is Dwean. You found the Rumolica well too. You know the effects of Rumolica, right?”

“It has a strong anesthetic effect and is used when surgery is needed!”

“Correct. You know it well.”

When I praised him with a slight smile, his face immediately brightened and he grinned widely.

“There’s one left, right?”

“Yes. Want to look for more?”

“Yes!”

I watched Taran walk away with light steps. I think there was one more herb nearby that he missed.

“Aren’t you tired, young master?”

“I’m still fine.”

Afterwards, we stood side by side in the shade, talking quietly while looking at the flower-filled field. It felt like looking at a small garden in the forest.

Just as we were starting to relax in that peaceful comfort…

Crack- Thud! Boom!

At the sudden loud noise, Luwen and I turned our heads simultaneously.

Crack! Crack!

Another loud sound was heard, and we saw a huge tree that had been sticking up in the distance fall down. This didn’t bode well. Something massive was approaching us. And it was coming straight in a line. Moreover, the trees were falling at a rapid pace.

A few monsters that could approach at this speed, breaking all the trees, came to mind.

‘Damn. They’re all large monsters.’

The boss hadn’t given any warning. Taran and the Kans guarding us were also carefree. This means it’s not a species that originally inhabited this area.

If it’s a large monster that moves its territory, the candidates are quite narrowed down, but no matter which one appears, it’s not something we can handle on our own. Most large monsters are hunted by mobilizing the knights.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have sent them on an errand to move logs.’

It was a moment when I regretted that the Kans weren’t here. Our only combat power now is Luwen alone, and even he is still an adolescent whose body hasn’t finished growing.

I reflexively looked at Luwen’s face, but his expression wasn’t good. He was looking at me with trembling hands tightly gripping his sword handle. In the serious atmosphere, I sensed a resolve I didn’t want to see.

Taran, who quickly returned to us, was the same. His face had turned pale and his lower jaw was trembling.

I need to stay calm. With that size, it can’t cross the narrow cave, so returning is our top priority for now.

However… it seemed we would be caught up to.

‘It’s too fast.’

I don’t know what excited it, but I hope we’re not its target.

“Let’s go back for now.”

At my calm voice, Luwen exhaled deeply. Has his tension eased a bit? Indeed, the guardian’s attitude is important in times like this. If I show anxiety, the two of them will be even more scared.

“Young master, I’ll carry you on my back.”

“No, save your strength.”

“It’ll be faster if I carry you.”

In a short moment, over ten trees had fallen. The unknown monster was closing the distance rapidly. Taran is familiar with the forest so he’ll run well, so I guess I’m the problem. As Luwen said, it might be better to be carried to gain even a little distance. This wasn’t the time to be stubborn.

“Then I’ll take you up on that offer. But first, just a moment.”

Preparing for any situation, I picked an Oddrip stem and a flower and kept them. Luwen looked at me with puzzled eyes, but I didn’t explain. I hope there won’t be a need to use this.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Luwen bent down in front of me. I felt sorry to be carried by a child, but we couldn’t waste any more time, so I quickly got on. I knew he was already bigger and taller than me, but I was a bit surprised at how broad and firm his back was.

Luwen, who stably supported me, started running hurriedly. Worried that my head might hit tree branches, I lowered my upper body and looked back. Taran was following closely behind, panting heavily. He looked like he might burst into tears at any moment out of fear.

Roar-!

The monster’s roar, which had gotten quite close, shook all the leaves at once. Goosebumps rose all over my body. It felt like a sharply honed blade touching the nape of my neck.

“Hic!”

Finally, Taran burst into tears. However, I couldn’t say anything now. Because I had seen what kind of creature it was as the monster leaped high.

“It’s a Honey Grive.”

It was a bear-like monster that doesn’t leave its territory. The difference from a bear is that its legs are long, making it look more similar to a human form. However, it’s classified as a bear species because it likes honey and its head is similar to a bear’s.

Honey Grives usually don’t leave their territory because they live where there’s a lot of honey. If it has left its territory, it means it’s been driven out. Either it was driven out by a stronger monster, or by humans.

Since there was a Honey Grive territory on the path we came through, it might be humans. Or it could be that the First Prince’s pursuit team chased it.

And…

‘I was careless.’

I gritted my molars.

The one who alerted the Honey Grive to our position was probably me. Because I used the Oddrip stem. It might have been attracted by the flower’s scent and then got excited when it smelled humans. No, that’s probably right. The Honey Grive is coming towards us, not the field. It seems to have accurately perceived our position.

Perhaps because of this, we were caught up to in an instant. A huge shadow fell over our heads. Like a cloud passing by, the Honey Grive’s shadow passed over. Its landing point was right in front of us.