Encia’s energy surged so suddenly that Levinas hid behind me, her cheerful smile replaced by a worried look.

I, too, froze, feeling a force more intense than anything I had ever experienced.

“…”

After glancing down at me and Levinas, Encia closed her eyes briefly, then opened them with a calm expression, her voice even and composed, as usual.

“What kind of play were you talking about…?”

“Well, the kids just wanted to know how adults play…”

“…You mean just ordinary play?”

“Yes, I was only going to show them how adults have fun.”

Choi Jinhyuk nodded vigorously, looking as if he’d been unjustly accused of something terrible.

“…My apologies. I must have misunderstood.”

“No, it’s fine. I’d probably have been suspicious too.”

Choi Jinhyuk waved it off with a small smile, but I tilted my head, still confused. I couldn’t understand why they were acting this way.

Had Choi Jinhyuk said something strange? As I tried to recall what he’d said, Levinas nudged my shoulder.

“King, you’re not supposed to scare people, okay?”

“Yeah, but I’m not really good at scaring people anyway.”

“Really? Is there something King can’t do?”

Levinas’s eyes widened in surprise, like a startled horned rabbit. I knew she admired me, but I hadn’t realized she thought of me as practically omnipotent. I felt grateful for the respect this young girl had for me.

“I’m just like you, Levinas. There are things I’m good at and things I’m not.”

“R-really…?”

“Yes.”

Though I nodded to reassure her, she still seemed doubtful. How impressive did she think I was, exactly?

Hmm. Arms crossed, Levinas pondered for a moment, then stood proudly in front of me.

“Then scare Levinas! Go on, try!”

“S-scare you?”

“Yes! I want to see if I’ll get scared or not.”

Was she testing me? After scratching my neck, I decided to put on a slightly angry face.

“Levinas, you’re really in trouble!”

Though I tried my best to sound stern, it couldn’t compare to the intensity Encia had shown earlier. In fact, I felt my cheeks reddening from embarrassment.

“…”

Levinas stared at me, her face blank, unreadable.

“See? I’m really not that scary, even if I try.”

“…”

“Levinas?”

“That was scary…!”

Levinas darted off and hid behind Choi Jinhyuk. For a brief moment, I noticed a flicker of disappointment cross Encia’s face.

“Levinas, was it really that scary?”

“Yes. If that wasn’t scary, then King must be truly amazing.”

“Uh… well…”

I suppose, as a child, even a mild scolding would be frightening. I’d been thinking too much from an adult’s perspective.

“King, please don’t ever get mad at Levinas, okay? She’ll be really scared.”

“Alright, I promise I won’t ever get mad at you, Levinas.”

Levinas was a kind-hearted child. Even if she did something wrong, I knew explaining it to her would be enough to prevent it from happening again.

With my promise, Levinas peeked out from behind Choi Jinhyuk’s back, grinning, and ran over to me.

“King is amazing! The whole mood changed when you got mad!”

“Was it really that intense?”

“Yes!”

Feeling a bit shy under her admiring gaze, I let out an awkward laugh, and Choi Jinhyuk cleared his throat.

“Well, I have some things to prepare, so let’s leave the playing for tomorrow.”

“Prepare? For play?”

“Yeah. Adults need to prepare for playing.”

“Oh…”

What kind of play required preparation? Though curious, I decided to wait in anticipation for tomorrow. This might just be the first time I truly get to experience play in this world.

---

The next day, I went to a dungeon early in the morning. Since the Association had asked that the children rest and play more, I decided to go without Levinas.

‘It’s almost lunchtime.’

Maybe I should have lunch with everyone today. As I was heading back home with this in mind, I spotted a sign that left me astonished.

[Eat the King-sized Pork Cutlet in 30 Minutes, and It’s Free!]

“F-free…?”

I didn’t usually like getting things for free, but this was a reward for completing a challenge. If I succeeded, I could get a free meal, which would be a huge help.

‘It can’t be so big that no one can finish it, right…?’

If I pushed myself, I might be able to finish it. Saving on a meal meant I could buy more things for Levinas and Sophia.

The decision didn’t take long. Even if my stomach felt like bursting, I would eat that entire pork cutlet for everyone’s sake.

“Excuse me…”

Ding!

The door chimed as I walked in, and a middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted me with a welcoming smile.

“Oh, aren’t you a cute one? Are you here alone?”

“Yes.”

Coming to a place like this alone was a first for me. I rubbed my arms awkwardly, glancing around.

‘It’s crowded.’

It seemed to be a popular spot. That was good news; the more delicious the food, the more I’d be able to eat.@@novelbin@@

“Um…”

I looked up at the woman, feeling a little embarrassed about coming here to get something for free.

“Yes? How can I help you?”

“That… If I eat the King-sized Pork Cutlet, it’s really free…?”

“Oh…”

The woman looked down at me with a puzzled expression. She probably thought I was strange for wanting something free right off the bat. I waved my hands quickly, stepping back.

“S-sorry. I’ll just go.”

I’d acted like a fool just to save on a meal. Embarrassed, I decided to hurry out the door.

---

The restaurant owner, Jung Mi-kyung, stared in surprise at the small child in front of her, asking about the King-sized Pork Cutlet.

‘A beast-kin child…’

She’d heard that some famous beast-kin children lived around here, living in poverty and struggling every day.

Jung Mi-kyung looked at the small, shrinking child in front of her. The tattered clothes tugged at her heartstrings.

‘Hungry but without money.’

Jung Mi-kyung knew all too well what that shame felt like. She had lived through similar days herself as a child.

She decided to give the child a free King-sized Pork Cutlet. There was a fine for not finishing it, but she wasn’t cruel enough to charge a hungry child for failing.

“S-sorry. I’ll just go.”

Was she embarrassed by her desire to get a free meal? The child quickly tried to leave. She probably felt like she was being a nuisance.

The child’s reaction showed she knew the feeling of shame all too well. Still, her hunger must have driven her to try. Poor thing.

“Hold on a moment.”

Jung Mi-kyung called out to the departing child. Startled, she turned around slowly, looking as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Y-yes…?”

“You’re here for the King-sized Pork Cutlet, right?”

“Y-yes…”

The child fidgeted, looking embarrassed. As an adult, it was essential to act casually to help her relax.

“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll have it ready in a moment.”

“O-okay…”

The child took a seat at the farthest corner of the restaurant, trying her best not to draw attention. For such a small child, she was incredibly considerate.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, Jung Mi-kyung placed a plate in front of her with an enormous King-sized Pork Cutlet, much larger than usual.

If she couldn’t finish it, she’d just wrap it up for her to take home. That way, the other beast-kin children could share in the meal. Imagining their happy faces, she couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s pretty big, isn’t it?”

“It… it is…”

Winter stared at the cutlet, her pupils dilating. The sheer size of it was five times what she had imagined.

‘Wh-what should I do…?’

She’d assumed it was a doable size if she pushed herself, but this was a physically impossible amount. She’d have to be made entirely of stomach to finish it.

Had anyone ever succeeded with this challenge? Even a professional food fighter would probably give up. Looking around, Winter noticed a wall full of photos showing people who had succeeded in finishing it.

‘Do people here use magic to expand their stomachs?’

In her experience, Yeoreum’s appetite was that of a typical human, but maybe there were specialists in stomach expansion? Not understanding the kindness of this world or of Jung Mi-kyung, Winter trembled slightly.

“Ugh…”

Might as well give it a shot. Who knew? Maybe her beast-kin abilities would somehow help her finish it. With that thought, Winter began eating piece by piece. However, after finishing about one-tenth of it, she had no choice but to stop. She was too full, her stomach felt ready to burst.

‘Usually, there’s a fine if you don’t finish something like this.’

How much was the fine? Sitting in a corner away from prying eyes, she hadn’t even checked the price list properly.

‘The fine…’

Upon spotting the price list, Winter’s eyes went wide with shock.

“The… the fine is a hundred thousand won…”

How could a single pork cutlet carry a fine

 of a hundred thousand won? While shocking, the quantity certainly justified the price. A large family could fill up on it and still have leftovers. Plus, being in a wealthy neighborhood meant the prices were naturally higher.

“My hundred thousand won…”

That money would last her a month or two if saved. Paying it all for a single meal was devastating. Winter’s shoulders slumped in despair as restaurant patrons, who had been watching, exchanged worried glances.

Everyone knew how much a hundred thousand won would mean to a beast-kin child in this neighborhood, where they were known for their humble lifestyle.