Ranker's Return-Supplementary Story 25

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Supplementary Story 25

Bung Bung Islandโ€”a secret island that floated in the air, invisible to people. It was inhabited by the Marionette Bears, a mysterious species.๐Ÿ๐™งโ„ฏ๐‘’๐’˜๐ž๐’ƒ๐—ป๐’ัต๐˜ฆ๐‘™.com

โ€˜Where is he?โ€™

A small bear with white fur like snow was wandering around the forest of Bung Bung Island and looking for someone.

โ€œChild, where are you?โ€

Eventually, the white bear failed to find them with her eyes, so she made a sound and started to call for them instead. After walking around for five minutes, the white bear finally found what she was looking for.

โ€œWhat are you doing here?โ€

The white bear stopped in front of a small brown bear.

โ€œHuh? Sister!โ€

The brown bear raised his head.

โ€œWhatโ€™s wrong with your face? Did you not eat again?โ€

The white bear sat down next to the brown bear and her paws turned the brown bearโ€™s face back and forth.

โ€œI ate. However, I didnโ€™t eat much because it didnโ€™t taste good.โ€

The brown bear shook his head.

โ€œI told you that you should eat it even if it isnโ€™t delicious.โ€

The white bear let out a sigh and swung her paws through the air. Then a black gap was created in the place where the claws scratched and passed. The white bear stuck her paws in between it.

โ€œLetโ€™s eat this.โ€

The paws of the white bear that had slipped through the gap was holding a piece of meat full of blood.

โ€œMeat, meat!โ€

The brown bear rejoiced when he saw the meat. His eyes that were like dead fish came alive.

โ€œWait a minute. Iโ€™ll cook it for you.โ€

The white bear dissuaded the brown bear, who was about to rush over immediately. Then she started to prepare the meat. She picked up a stone that was the right size and used magic to make water and clean the stone. Then she heated the stone by making a fire with magic. The meat was placed on the stone and made a wonderful noise.

โ€œDelicious...โ€

The brown bear drooled at the sight of the meat being cooked.

โ€œHow long has it been since youโ€™ve eaten?โ€

The white bear showed pity for the brown bear.

โ€œI think Iโ€™ve been starving all day...โ€

Upon close inspection, his cheeks looked slightly dented.

โ€œI had a bit of lunch...โ€

โ€œLunch? What about breakfast?โ€

โ€œI had breakfast. Dad secretly cooked meat without Mom knowing.โ€

The brown bear replied with a smile.

โ€œAh... really?โ€

The white bear was dumbfounded for a moment, but held it in. She never uttered the words that came to mind.

โ€œIt is the time when you are growing, so you have to eat well. Even if the meal isnโ€™t delicious, you have to eat it, okay?โ€

Instead, she spoke very very softly.

โ€œI understand, Sister.โ€

The brown bear nodded and shrugged.

โ€˜Delicious meat, meat.โ€™

He already couldnโ€™t hear the words of the white bear very well. He let it enter one ear and flow out the other. He focused his whole mind only on the sound of meat being cooked.

The corners of the white bearโ€™s mouth flinched when she heard the word โ€˜Sister.โ€™ It was only for a short time. The corners of her mouth soon rose.

โ€œIt is done. You can eat now.โ€

The white bear worked hard to lower the corners of his lips and extinguished the fire. Then she pushed the stone with the meat in front of the brown bear.

โ€œI will enjoy it.โ€

The brown bear nodded to the white bear and held out his paw toward the meat.

โ€˜He eats well.โ€™

The white bear looked at the brown bear and smiled. The way he ate in a hurry was just cute in her eyes. The brown bear ate meat for a long time before suddenly raising his head to stare at the white bear.

โ€œWhat is it? Do you want me to cook more?โ€ the white bear asked with a puzzled expression.

โ€œItโ€™s okay, Iโ€™m full.โ€

The brown bear shook his head from side to side.

โ€œI just suddenly became curious.โ€

โ€œWhat are you curious about?โ€

โ€œThere is no place to get this type of meat on Bung Bung Island. I just wonder where they come from for you to cook it every day like this.โ€

The brown bear had searched all over Bung Bung Island for meat, but he couldnโ€™t find any beasts where he could obtain meat. Meanwhile, the white bear always had meat.

โ€œAh, you were curious about that. It isnโ€™t from Bung Bung Island. Iโ€™m not looking for it here, but somewhere else. There are many beasts there.โ€

โ€œSomewhere else?โ€

โ€œYes, the continent.โ€

The brown bearโ€™s eyes were filled with curiosity.

The continentโ€”he wondered what type of place it was. Until now, the world of the brown bear had only been Bung Bung Island.

โ€œNo, it is dangerous.โ€

The white bear could read the thoughts of the brown bear. It was obvious what he was thinking.

โ€œDangerous?โ€ The brown bear hesitated. The white bear wouldnโ€™t lie.

โ€œYes, it is very dangerous. There are many monsters and humans.โ€

โ€œMonsters? Humans?โ€

โ€œYes, didnโ€™t you learn about it from Uncle and Auntie?โ€

The brown bear nodded at the white bearโ€™s words. He heard it often from his parents.

Monsters and humansโ€”lifeforms that existed outside of Bung Bung Island. He was always told to be careful because it was dangerous.

โ€˜Is she getting meat from such a dangerous place?โ€™

โ€œSister,โ€ the brown bear stared at the white bear and called out to her.

โ€œHuh?โ€

โ€œThank you. You always take care of me.โ€

The brown bear sat down and bowed his head.

โ€œBe careful.โ€

The white bear hurriedly pushed the brown bearโ€™s head. If he went down a bit further, then his fur wouldโ€™ve touched the meat.

โ€˜It is rewarding.โ€™

The white bear, Leah, grinned.

***

Time passed and the brown bear, who seemed like an immature child, got his name due to a connection. However, it wasnโ€™t just a name. Tang-Eโ€™s growth was very bizarre. It was an unparalleled speed in the long history of the Marionette Bears. It was too fast even if he had signed a โ€˜contract,โ€™ which was magic from ancient times.

Naturally, the way those within the tribe looked at the brown bear changed. It was from just a cute child to a pillar that would support the next generation of the tribe. However, there was one person who looked at the brown bear with unwavering eyes.

โ€œTang-E, where are you?โ€

The white bear, Leah, looked exactly the same as before as she wandered through Bung Bung Island in search of the brown bear.

โ€œTang-E is here.โ€

A brown bear, or now a golden bear, Tang-E appeared from among the bushes.

โ€œWhat were you doing?โ€

Leah approached Tang-E in an instant. It was like space was folded.

โ€œSister, I was waiting for you.โ€

โ€œMe?โ€ Leah cocked her head. Did this mean he knew where she would look for him and waited?

โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you come to see me?โ€

โ€œI just thought you would come to me. It is because it has always been like that. In any case, that isnโ€™t the point.โ€

Tang-E stopped talking and dragged Leah somewhere.

โ€œI will cook meat for you today.โ€

Tang-E was ready to cook meat at the place where he took Leah. He just needed to set fire to the firewood and he would be able to cook the meat.

โ€œIโ€™ve been saving meat.โ€

Tang-E moved his paws to his chest, took out the meat he had stored in his subspace, and lit the firewood.

โ€˜He has really changed...โ€™

Leah couldnโ€™t hide her puzzled expression. She heard that there had been a big change in Tang-E in the last few months when she hadnโ€™t seen him. She just never imagined it would be this much.

โ€˜Subspace magic and fire magic! I think he has enough magic power...โ€™

It was as if the Tang-E she knew before was gone.

โ€œSister, didnโ€™t you say it before?โ€ Tang-E opened his mouth as he looked at the burning firewood.

โ€œMe? What?โ€

โ€œThe continent is dangerous.โ€

โ€œAh... I did.โ€

She remembered. She definitely said that before.

โ€œIt was true. The continent is dangerous.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s right, it is dangerous.โ€

โ€œThat is why Iโ€™m even more grateful to you.โ€

Tang-Eโ€™s words ended here, but Leah could tell the meaning of the words.

โ€˜By the way... there seems to be a misunderstanding.โ€™

The continent that Tang-E knew was clearly different from the continent that Leah knew. Leah was active only in the Hejin Great Mountain Range on the continent. That place was enough to get meat for Tang-E.freโ„ฏ๐“Œe๐š‹๐ง๐˜ฐvโ„ฏl.๐œ๐š˜๐—บ

โ€˜In any case, wellโ€ฆ it doesnโ€™t really matter.โ€™

Any misunderstanding of this type was good.

โ€œBy the way, it looks like youโ€™ve done this more than once or twice?โ€

Leah was amazed to see Tang-Eโ€™s perfect fire control.

โ€œNow I canโ€™t eat well at home. I eat a lot outside,โ€ Tang-E replied with a hesitant expression. It was an expression that showed he said something that shouldnโ€™t be said.

โ€œThen will you do it often in the future?โ€

Leah patted Tang-Eโ€™s head like she didnโ€™t care.

โ€˜I should get more meat from Master dude.โ€™

โ€œOkay, Tang-E will do it often.โ€

Tang-E smiled and nodded. Leah found Tang-E cute like this.

***

Reina entered the office and paused momentarily. There wasnโ€™t a person in the office, only two bears.

โ€œTang-E, where did Hyeonu go?โ€ Reina asked as she approached Tang-E, who was stamping hard.

โ€œHe went out because something happened. He will probably be back in a little while,โ€ Tang-E replied without even giving Reina a glance.

โ€œYou donโ€™t know what is going on?โ€

โ€œTang-E doesnโ€™t know. Master dude has many secrets of his own.โ€

โ€œI see.โ€

Reina gently nodded.

โ€œBy the way... arenโ€™t you getting along well with Master dude these days?โ€

Tang-E put down the seal in his hand and slowly raised his head.

โ€œHow do you know that?โ€

Reina looked at Tang-E with a surprised expression.

โ€œDo you think Iโ€™m stupid? I have this much sense.โ€

Tang-E raised an eyebrow.

โ€œMy older brother noticed it.โ€

Gom-E hugged Tang-E.

โ€œI also heard it from Master dude. He said you ate together a while ago.โ€

Tang-E exposed what he had heard from Hyeonu. Of course, he didnโ€™t mention what Hyeonu said about Reina. He just gave the nuances.

โ€œIt is very good to eat often with Master dude.โ€

โ€œWhy is that?โ€ Reina questioned Tang-Eโ€™s words.

โ€œThink about it. The faces of the people who can eat with Master dude.โ€

Tang-E looked like she was pathetic.

โ€˜People who eat together?โ€™

Many faces passed through Reinaโ€™s head. Yeongchan, Jin Sijong, Gang Junggu, Kale, Mason, etc.

โ€˜There arenโ€™t many people?โ€™

There werenโ€™t many people that came to mind.

โ€˜Does this mean Iโ€™m part of that line?โ€™

Reina continued to speculate on her own while Tang-E spoke again, โ€œIn particular, it is important that Master dude took you somewhere. It means the human who usually doesnโ€™t like the hassle in the past is buying the meal and suffering.โ€

Reinaโ€™s expression changed strangely after hearing Tang-Eโ€™s words. It looked like she liked something but she was trying to suppress the emotion.

โ€œSo pretty human, why donโ€™t you go out a bit more actively?โ€

โ€œActively? How?โ€

โ€œDo I have to tell you that?โ€ Tang-Eโ€™s eyes narrowed.

โ€œNo, it is okay. Iโ€™ll take care of it.โ€ Due to this sharp gaze, Reina couldn't help avoiding Tang-Eโ€™s eyes for no reason. Then she started to think in earnest about how to get closer to Hyeonu.

โ€˜How can I teach you something I donโ€™t know, stupid human?โ€™

Tang-E saw this and secretly sighed with relief.

โ€˜I am trying like this, Master dude.โ€™

Tang-E smiled proudly when he thought of Hyeonu who had disappeared somewhere.

โ€˜I hope it will go well.โ€™

Tang-E hoped and hoped again. It was so that his efforts wouldnโ€™t be in vain.