Chapter 62: A Lesson in Love

The break room of the pet supply store.

Raxy Bora was adjusting the loosened clasp of her bra, her hands working beneath her shirt.

I sat silently, clutching a box of the new churu treats, staring intently at the floor.

“Harang, your tail is surprisingly strong,” she remarked.

“Mine? Strong?”

Her words made me instinctively look up.

“Yeah. It felt like an adult was rubbing against me with their hands.”

“Really? Is it that strong?”

The comparison left me stunned. An adult’s strength was far beyond anything I thought my tail could produce.

‘Sure, I’ve managed to lift dumbbells with it before,’ I mused, recalling the time I used my tail to support a bit of weight.

Still, back then, it felt more like adding a small push rather than doing any heavy lifting.

My tail was thin and looked fragile compared to other parts of my body.

There was no way it could be as powerful as Bora claimed.

‘But if she says it is, maybe I shouldn’t dismiss it.’

While I watched my tail swish absently, Bora extended her hand toward me.

“Harang, let me hold your tail for a moment.”

“Okay. Here.”

I carefully placed my tail in her open palm.

Her grip was gentle as she wrapped her fingers around it.

“Harang, now try pulling your tail away.”

“Pull it?”

After a brief moment of hesitation, I nodded. It didn’t seem like she’d get hurt even if I put some effort into it.

Taking a deep breath, I focused all my strength on my tail and yanked it away with as much force as I could muster.

“Ack!”

My tail slipped free, and Bora’s arm flailed as her balance wavered.

The sight of her stumbling slightly left me utterly stunned.

‘I made Bora lose her balance…?’

The realization was shocking. I’d always believed that even my full force wouldn’t faze her.

‘Is my tail stronger than I am?’

Dumbfounded, I gaped at her.

Bora, meanwhile, grabbed an empty plastic bottle and handed it to me.

“Harang, can you grab this with your tail?”

Instead of answering, I coiled my tail around the bottle, wrapping it snugly.

“This feels way too light, Bora,” I complained, easily swinging it around like a toy.

The bottle was so light that I could twirl it through the air without any effort.

Whack! Whack!

I started smacking it against the office wall, the soft thuds echoing faintly.

Bora stepped closer, her expression serious.

“Harang, can you crush the bottle?”

“Crush it?”

Compressing it would require actual strength.

I adjusted my grip on the bottle and focused all my tail’s power on squeezing it tightly.

Crunch!

The plastic creaked as the bottle crumpled under the pressure of my tail.

It wasn’t easy, but I managed.

“Wow,” I muttered, astonished at my own feat.

I never thought my tail could do something like this.

I stared at the crumpled bottle, my jaw practically hitting the floor.

Sharp claws, swift movements, and now undeniable strength everything pointed to one conclusion.

‘I wasn’t just some big cat; I really was a tiger.’

The occasional doubt seeded by people treating me like a domestic cat had finally dissipated.

“Bora, what do I do?” I asked hesitantly.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared of how strong I’ve become…”

Her expression softened, though she seemed unsure how to respond.

Strength, when coupled with unrestrained instincts, could be as dangerous as a curse.

I’d already come dangerously close to attacking Jinhyang the other day.

‘This isn’t good.’

If I didn’t figure out a way to control this power soon, there was no telling what might happen.

Hurting someone or ruining their life wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

While I mulled over solutions, Raxy Bora broke the silence.

“Harang, I don’t think you’ll be able to use your tail properly.”

“What? Why?”

The comment blindsided me. Why couldn’t I use such a powerful tail?

“Your tail’s really sensitive, right? I don’t think you’ll be able to focus your strength.”

“Oh.”

She was right. Just brushing or gripping my tail sent strange tingles through my body, draining my strength.

I’d been so caught up in the excitement of my newfound power that I’d overlooked its limits.

‘So… I can’t really use my tail after all?’

The realization hit me harder than I expected. This incredible strength was wasted on me.

“Ugh.”

I flopped onto the sofa behind me, sprawled out in defeat.

“Harang, are you okay?” Bora approached cautiously, concern evident in her voice.

I quickly covered my face with both hands.

I didn’t want her to see the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

“Bora, I’m so sad.”

“Why? What’s making you sad?”

“Just… everything.”

I stayed like that for a while, shielding my face from her gaze.

I didn’t want anyone to see my sorrow, especially not her.

Meanwhile, at the Awakeners’ Association headquarters, preparations were underway for an important meeting.

These meetings were held regularly to address matters like national security,

collaborations between hunters and industries, and training programs for new hunters.

Their ultimate goal was to oversee anything and everything related to hunters, whether public or private.

After all, someone had to manage the immense power individuals like us possessed.

Before the meeting officially began, Jinhyang stood quietly outside a waiting room, her back to the door.

“Hm…”

The room beyond was eerily silent, as if devoid of any presence.

Not even the faintest trace of movement could be detected.

Despite the silence from inside the room, Jinhyang knew for certain that Lee Taeseong was in there.

The infamous Lee Taeseong, who had once been the epitome of arrogance,

was now hiding, his pride thoroughly shattered.

Recent events involving Harang had shifted the balance of power completely, leaving him no choice but to retreat.

Jinhyang found satisfaction in knowing he had tucked his tail between his legs,

but that wasn’t the reason she stood outside his waiting room.

She had come here to deliver a message.

“You’ve been sending our girl quite a few gifts lately, haven’t you?” Jinhyang called out, her voice calm yet pointed.

There was no response, but she knew he was listening.

Unfazed, she continued.

“We didn’t need them, so we threw them all away. But I figured it’s only polite to return the favor, don’t you think?”

From inside, there was a faint flinch.

It wasn’t Lee Taeseong it was likely one of his subordinates.

‘Poor guy,’ Jinhyang thought.

That subordinate was probably in for a rough time. If not dead, he’d be left half-crippled. Either way, it was good news for her.

One less person aiming for Harang’s life was always a victory.

Satisfied with her task, Jinhyang left.

That evening, Raxy Bora and I returned home together.

As we entered, we saw Jinhyang and Yoon Bora sitting on the living room sofa.

‘Oh, right.’

Seeing them both there suddenly reminded me tomorrow was the twins’ birthday.

“Boss.”

Without hesitation, I ran up to Jinhyang and leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

“You know what tomorrow is, right?”

“Of course.”

“There’s something I want to discuss about it.”

If possible, I wanted to take charge of planning a surprise party for the sisters.

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes. I need to keep it a secret from them.”

“Alright. Let’s head to my room.”

Jinhyang rose from her seat, and I quickly grabbed her hand to follow.

However, before we could leave, Raxy Bora clung to my waist.

“Harang, take me with you! Please!”

Her tone was pleading, almost childlike, but I couldn’t allow her to come.

This was all for her sake, after all.

“Bora, this is something for adults to discuss.”

“Adults?”

Yoon Bora muttered under her breath from the side, but I ignored her.

“What’s the discussion about?”

“Something private. If you follow us, you’ll regret it,” I said, flashing a toothy grin like a ferocious predator.

“You’re saying Harang will punish me if I follow?”

“Yes, I will. And it’ll be terrifying just thinking about it should make you shudder.”

I lifted my chin and gave Raxy Bora a sharp, menacing glare.

The message was clear: stay put if you don’t want trouble.

“Hm… but…”

She tilted her head with a mischievous smile.

“I kind of want to know what it’s like to be punished by you, Harang. Feels like it’d be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“Huh?”

That innocent yet eerie grin made me take a cautious step back.