Chapter 94: Goodbye, Mangmung (1)

Recently, I've been trying to find a new owner for Mangmung. I posted online and even asked people around me.

"Hey, Tubby, Weakling. Would you raise Mangmung-"

"Huh?"

"Never mind, you two don't have the face to raise a dog."

"What? Why are you suddenly hitting us and leaving?"

Tubby and Weakling were eliminated as candidates. Next, I went to ask Grandma, another potential owner.

"Grandma, want to raise a dog?"

"A dog? I haven't been feeling well lately. It might be nice to raise one."

"..."

Maybe because she's old-fashioned, she's seeing Mangmung as food. Grandma is also eliminated as a potential owner for Mangmung.

After that, I contacted other potential owners. However, not a single person said they would raise Mangmung.

"I guess no one has the capacity to raise a dog, especially in winter."

What should I do?

I put dog food in a bowl and placed it in front of Mangmung.

"Woof-!"

Mangmung barked as if thanking me. Then he hurriedly ate the food in the bowl.

"Woof woof-!"

"What should I do with you, Mangmung?"

It's too much to raise a dog in such a small house. I petted Mangmung, who was eating his food without a care in the world.

"Sigh, I meant to take care of you for a short while, but it's been too long."

Mangmung licked the bowl clean. Then, after eating, he went to the bathroom and peed on the wall.

"When I see that, I think this kid is quite smart."

Mangmung walked out of the bathroom after peeing. He looked at me once, then approached Choryeon who was watching TV. Choryeon saw Mangmung coming and said with a bright smile.

"Mangmung! Looks like you finished eating! Come sit on my lap!"

"Woof-!"

Does Mangmung think of Choryeon as his owner?

He answered lightly and lay down on Choryeon's lap. Seeing this, I thought to myself.

'Choryeon shouldn't get too attached.'

It'll be sadder when they part later.

Watching Choryeon and Mangmung playing happily together, I made up my mind. I need to find a new owner quickly before Choryeon gets even sadder.

***

Today, I stopped by the Hero Association to submit a report.

"It's annoying having to report in person in this day and age."

But it's good that I can go home early today. At least I'll have more time to spend with the kids.

I roughly wrote up the report with my supervisor.

"Good. If we keep this up, you'll be able to rise to the next rank quickly."

"That's good news. But you know."

"Yes?"

"Are you interested in raising a dog? He's smart and cute."

I took out my smartphone and showed a picture of Mangmung. White Mangmung was cutely sticking out his tongue. The Association employee looked at the picture carefully and shook his head.

"I have a fur allergy. It would be difficult for me."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Tch."

That's too bad.

I clicked my tongue and walked around the Association looking for the next potential owner.

'Hmm, that person looks too old... That person looks pretty?'

I should go talk to her. It's time to restart my love life.

Dreaming of an office romance, I approached a female employee who looked to be in her early 20s.

"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"Do you like dogs? We have a cute Mangmung at home. Would you like to see?"

Swish-

I showed her Mangmung on my smartphone screen. I was a bit embarrassed because it was an old smartphone. The Association employee gave me an awkward smile and answered.

"Ahaha... The dog is cute... You're Hero Lee Ha-jun, right? I'm busy with work, so I'll be going now..."

"Wait, would you consider raising such a cute dog-"

"Goodbye."

Whoosh-

The female employee disappeared from sight at an incredibly fast speed. How can she move so fast in high heels?

I couldn't quite understand it.

"Is there really no one? Mangmung is cute and smart."

Just as I thought there was no owner for Mangmung in the Association,

Buzz-!

The smartphone with Mangmung's picture started vibrating. I opened the smartphone screen to check the cause of the vibration.

"I got a message. The Association President?"

Did he hear that I came to the Association? The Association President had sent me a message.

[Crazy Crazy Dragon Follower Association President]

[I know you're at the Association now. Won't you at least see my face before you go? I have something to say too.]

I don't particularly have anything to say, but it seems the Association President wants to talk to me.

"I don't really want to talk to that crazy pervert..."

But he is favorable towards me. Even if it's uncomfortable, it might be good to talk.

Thinking this, I recalled the path I took last time and entered the Association President's room.

Knock knock-

"I'm coming in, Association President."

Bang-!

I entered the room without even waiting for a response. The Association President, sitting on a luxurious sofa, waved at me.

"You've finally come. Have a cup of coffee."

"Why are you being so friendly, Association President?"

"Haha, aren't we both dragon followers? There's an inner closeness between us. Come, sit down."

I'm a bit uncomfortable because of the strange incident last time, but I sat on the sofa as the Association President said.

"So why did you call me, Association President?"

"Straight to the point? It would be nice to chat more leisurely."

"I'm a busy person, I don't have much leisure time."

It's almost time for the kids to leave kindergarten too. I don't have the luxury to waste time drinking coffee like this.

I gulped down the hot coffee all at once and said.

"You have nothing to say, right? Then I'm leaving, Association President."

"W-Wait a moment! I'll get straight to the point!"

"Okay?"

I sat back down on the sofa at the Association President's words. Then, the Association President looked at me with serious, deep eyes and asked.

"By any chance, how exactly did Yellow Dragon's lips feel-"

"...I'm leaving."

"A-At least answer before you go!"

Jump-!

I wasted my time coming here for nothing. I shook off the Association President's hand trying to hold me back and stood up. And just as I put my hand on the doorknob,

'...But the Association President is rich. Maybe I should ask him.'

Even if he's a bit perverse, he's rich, so he might take good care of Mangmung.

With that thought, I turned around and asked the Association President, who was sighing in disappointment at not getting an answer.

"Association President. I'm just asking, but would you consider raising a dog?"

"A dog?"

Swish-

The Association President perked up at the mention of a dog and raised his head.

"Dogs are nice. Do you have a picture of what kind of dog it is?"

"Look here. This white dog is Mangmung. He's smart and cute."

"Hmm, I'm currently raising 5 dogs. But the kids might like having a new youngest."

"What do you think? Are you interested in raising him?"

The Association President pondered with a solemn expression. He seems like a normal person at times like this, but he becomes crazy when it comes to dragons.

As I was inwardly criticizing the Association President, he opened his eyes and answered.

"Well, if there's no one else to raise him, I could take him. Bring him over. I'll take good care of him. I can do this much for a fellow follower."

The Association President gave me a definite answer that he could raise Mangmung.

After telling him I'd contact him later, I left the Association and stopped by the kindergarten to pick up the children. My gaze was fixed solely on Mangmung hidden inside Choryeon's padding.

"Hmm..."

It was a homeward journey filled with many worries.

***

After having dinner together, I kept staring at Mangmung without saying anything.

"Hmm..."

Mangmung was passing time playing with Choryeon.

"Fetch this!"

"Woof-!"

"Hehe, good job!"

Choryeon petted Mangmung, who had brought back a small ball. Mangmung was smiling happily, feeling Choryeon's touch.

"..."

Still.

Even though it hurts my heart, I had to say it.

'We were only supposed to take care of him for a short while.'

Jump-!

I got up and approached Choryeon and Mangmung.

Did my solemn appearance look strange to Suryeon? Suryeon muttered as I approached.

"Dad's acting weird today, unlike usual."

"..."

Finally, I stood in front of Choryeon and Mangmung.

"Choryeon."

"Yes, Father! Is something wrong?"

Tilt-

Choryeon innocently asked if I had something to say. I bit my lip hard and said to Choryeon.

"Choryeon."

"Yes."

"I found a new owner for Mangmung."

"What? What do you mean, Father?"

"...From tomorrow, Mangmung won't be in our house anymore. Someone who said they would raise Mangmung has appeared."

"..."

Choryeon silently looked at Mangmung, then stared at my face. After staring at me for a very long time, she petted Mangmung and said.

"Is that so... Is Mangmung leaving home... Mangmung and I are friends... To part like this..."

"Woof-?"

Choryeon's eyes started to get wet as she said this. She didn't want to part with Mangmung, whom she had grown attached to.

Choryeon gently petted Mangmung for a moment, and then,

"...I don't want to say goodbye to my friend like this, Father."

With eyes that seemed to have made some decision, she picked up Mangmung, whom she had been quietly petting.

And taking advantage of my surprise, she went into the bathroom with Mangmung.

Bang-! Click-!

Choryeon firmly closed the bathroom door and even locked it. From inside the bathroom, Choryeon shouted loudly at me.

"Father, I can't let Mangmung go! I can't say goodbye to my friend like this! Mangmung and I are one!"

"Woof woof-!!"

"Animals have the right to choose their own owners too! Please respect animal rights!!"

Beyond environmental protection protests, now it's an animal rights protest.

'Choryeon always listened to me well. For her to be this adamant...'

I felt that persuading Choryeon this time would be quite difficult.

It's a big problem, especially since I need to use the bathroom too.