Chapter 68

# Chapter 68. <This Isn't Right>

King of Whales. Sycell.

The giant whale's eyes turned toward Kale. The corners of Kale's mouth curled up slightly.

'I can feel the pressure.'

A king who ruled over a domain of the sea, his presence was incomparable to that of an emperor who ruled over a part of the Western Continent. That's why Kale smiled even more.

Sycell's eyes sparkled, and the whale's eyes curved into a smile. Kale took a step back and spread his arms.

"Shall we talk on the deck?"

Sssss. Steam rose from the sea. At the same moment, three figures approached the ship silently and quickly.

Thud. Thud. Thud. The three landed lightly on the deck. At that moment, Kale could hear the voice of the black dragon Laon in his head.

-Dragons are more beautiful, cooler, and greater!

Kale stroked the dragon's head, understanding its heart. The three pure-blooded whale people were explosive in appearance alone.

'They're completely frozen.'

Choi Han was frozen, staring at the whale people. Kale followed Choi Han's gaze and looked at the three standing in front of him one by one. Witra, the heir to the Whale King. She was the same as usual.

And the orca, the man with white hair. He was undoubtedly the greatest warrior of the whale people, Achilles. The character who always appeared in the 'Birth of a Hero' whale chapter.

The human who was a fan of Lak. A stubborn and nasty guy. But he was quite loyal.

"It's been a long time since I came down to the Southern Sea."

At the deep and handsome voice, Choi Han turned his head. Sycell, the Whale King, was smiling kindly.

The most handsome middle-aged man in 'The Birth of a Hero.' The book described his appearance in four lines, as if the author had poured his soul into the description.

'It's understandable.'

But looks don't feed you. Kale just needed to take what he could get.

"The South is warm, isn't it?"

Sycell's eyes sparkled.

'Just as Witra described.'

Weak but strong. That's how his daughter described the person in front of him. And as she described, he was the weakest on the deck, but he was confident.

"The South is nice. Thank you for saving our son. I wanted to express my gratitude, so I came with my daughter."

"It's nothing. I just did what I had to do."

Kale smiled gently and extended his hand politely. There was no need to have a long conversation in the middle of the night.

"Since we're both busy, shall we get straight to the point?"

"Sure. But, you know."

Sycell sighed softly. Kale did the same. Kale extended his hand.

"Choi Han."

Thump. Kale placed his hand on Choi Han's shoulder.

Sycell did the same.

"Achilles."

Choi Han and Achilles glared at each other, even though they had just met. Kale squeezed Choi Han's shoulder, and Choi Han looked at him.

Just a moment ago, Choi Han was captivated by the whale people's appearance, but now why was he so agitated? If Choi Han fought on the ship, it would be cut in half and sink to the bottom of the sea with one slash.

"Why are you like this?"

"... Sir Kale."

Choi Han bit his lip tightly. At that moment, Kale heard a clear answer from the black dragon Laon, as always.

-That whale looked you up and down! How dare he!

While listening to the dragon's rough breathing, Kale turned his gaze away from Choi Han.

Achilles. He's a worse guy than Tunka. Even though he's not a villain, he's the one who handles the sweet potatoes. A teammate who gets on your nerves.

That's exactly who Achilles was.

A calf-like guy who only pledged loyalty to Sycell and ignored everyone else, even his own kind. Kale finally met Achilles' eyes.

'Hmm.'

Kale swallowed.

Achilles' gaze was truly fierce. Why was he like this? But the answer was clear.

'He must have been ordered to meet me in person by Sycell.'

Saving Sycell's son or helping him greatly wasn't important to him. The strong gaze from a more powerful being made Kale's body tense slightly.

Sycell noticed Kale's tension and glared at Achilles sharply. He had told him several times not to do this, but Achilles never listened.

"Achilles, stop-"

Sycell stopped speaking.

He turned his head.

'Father, Sir Kale is different. Really, for a moment, he looked very big.'

Witra's words came to mind. Sycell's eyes met Kale's. He saw Kale standing calmly, as if his body had never tensed. But the atmosphere was different. He finally understood why his daughter said he was strong.

A cold, unfathomable gaze was directed at Achilles. Choi Han, who had been watching from the side, felt his furrowed brow relax.

"... Sir Kale."

He called Kale's name without realizing it. But Kale didn't turn around. Choi Han felt it was natural. The indifferent gaze that only looked forward and the atmosphere that enveloped him captivated everyone.

It was different from a strong pressure. It looked lazy and comfortable, but it prevented anyone from approaching easily. Kale's brow furrowed.

'My body is reacting automatically.'

As he felt the pressure, his heart's vitality moved strongly, and the aura he controlled spread a little. These two made him break free from the pressure of the strong.

Kale's mouth slowly opened.

"Who are you?"

Since it came to this, it would be better to completely suppress him.

Kale didn't like Achilles' gaze. He slowly walked forward. Creak. The wooden deck boards creaked under his steps.

"Who are you to look at me like that?"

The aura he controlled gradually revealed half its power. Half a step. Just that much. Standing in front of Achilles, Kale stopped and asked indifferently.

"Are you looking at me like that?"

Achilles couldn't speak. He was slightly taller than Kale, but it felt like Kale was looking down at him. Clearly, he looked weak. Even now, it seemed like Kale could kill him with one hand.

He could see the corners of the man in front of him, Kale, curling up softly. Kale observed coldly as the momentum in Achilles' gaze diminished and spoke.

"If you can't answer, don't."

The man in front of him looked down at Achilles. Achilles realized this.

"Don't let it show so easily."

For a few seconds, Kale and Achilles stared at each other in silence. Achilles' foot took a slight step back.

At that moment, Kale immediately reined in the power of his aura. He smiled pleasantly and looked at Sycell.

"Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

Since they would have to meet a few more times and make a deal, Kale didn't want to fight with them. That's why he used only half the power of his aura and smiled brightly at Sycell.

"... That's right."

Sycell answered after a while, gripping Achilles' shoulder strongly enough for Kale to see.

"Apologize and introduce yourself."

Kale knew how Sycell controlled Achilles' temper. He beat him. So hard that dust flew in the water. Sycell said he beat Achilles that much. He beat the rascal again and again.

And the reformed Achilles became Sycell's loyal subordinate. Knowing this, Kale knew that Achilles couldn't harm him even if he showed such a gaze.

Kale could see Achilles bowing his head without looking at him.

"... I'm sorry."

It was a very small voice. He must have really not wanted to apologize. Kale thought so as he stared at Achilles raising his head. The moment their eyes met, Achilles quickly averted his gaze.

"I'm Achilles."

"Right. I'm Kale Hennithus."

At that moment, Laon's voice echoed in Kale's head.

-Human, you looked a little stronger just now, like one of my claws. Well done! I praise you!

Being praised by a 4-year-old for charisma. Kale swallowed and extended his hand politely to Sycell, who was looking at him awkwardly.

"Give me the items."

"Oh, right."

Sycell, who was strangely flustered, seemed to have lost his royal dignity and looked like a neighborhood uncle. He was that kind of character when you got to know him. Sycell looked at Witra.

"Sir."

"It's been a while. The items."

Witra was relieved to see him as usual.

'Relieved? Me?'

She was surprised for a moment but quickly calmed down and handed over the items. Three items landed in Kale's hands. Among them was a small vial containing only the dead mana of a dragon, with the poison removed.

Dead mana. Not a dark attribute, but a fatal existence to living people. That's why Sycell was curious.

"But why do you need this dead mana? There's no one among humans who needs it. Well, unless it's a necromancer from the past. Even then, such a small amount."

Kale smiled ambiguously.

"I wonder."

He needed just this small amount. Kale put the items he received into his magic bag, had a few conversations with the whale royal family, and parted ways with them.

"See you next time. I'll apologize again for Achilles' inappropriate behavior today."

"It's fine."

"No, he still has a lot to learn."

"... Father."

Witra calmed Sycell, who had let out