Tame or Be Captured (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 014
Seeing the two of them, the organization members coughed awkwardly and murmured wistfully.
“Our boss finally has his spring day…”
They mistakenly believed the two had gone on a date after locking eyes during training…
Upon arriving home, Jackal swept the area with a sharp gaze to check for any tails, then quietly locked the door.
Watching his back, Asha asked with a slightly wary expression,
“Why lock the door…?”
Jackal turned around with a meaningful look.
“Because your true identity mustn’t leak outside.”
“Huh…?”
Asha blinked in confusion.
“They say butterflies all carry the Spirit of the Wind in their hearts.”
Surprised by his sudden mention of butterflies, Asha was slightly flustered.
Jackal calmly asked,
“Just now, wind swirled around your hand. Was that the first time?”
“Oh, yes.”
“It seems you’ve used the wind ability granted by the spirit.”
“The wind’s ability…?”
Though Asha asked in astonishment, Jackal remained composed.
“You saw it yourself earlier—the arrows hit the bullseye perfectly every time.”
“But maybe it’s just that I have a natural talent for archery…”
Even as she spoke, Asha trailed off, feeling oddly embarrassed.
Jackal chuckled softly and said,
“Even with talent, how many people in the world do you think can hit the exact center repeatedly with arrows they’ve barely shot before?”
“Didn’t you manage that yourself?”
“…For some reason, that stings.”
Jackal frowned slightly, one eyebrow raised in displeasure.
Asha looked down at her hands, trying to recall the lingering sensation of wind that had touched them moments ago.
So focused on the target, she hadn’t even realized she’d used the wind’s power.
Jackal explained,
“Among all weapons, the bow is most affected by the wind. Master archers naturally develop an innate sense for reading wind currents after years of drawing their bowstrings countless times. But in your case, you can freely control the wind, so you don’t even need that kind of intuition.”
Asha muttered, dazed,
“Then… it really was… me…”
Using the butterfly’s power.
She felt both elated and bewildered.
In her past life, she’d never even known she possessed such an amazing ability.
Despite being a butterfly herself, she’d known no more about her own powers than anyone else.
That was understandable—Asha had been dragged straight to the imperial palace as soon as her butterfly mark manifested, leaving her little chance to explore her abilities.
Or rather, she’d never even thought to explore them.
The only ability she was expected to cultivate was the power “to make the Emperor bloom.”
As if her very existence served only to make the Emperor’s flower bloom, no one ever expected or hoped for anything more from her.
Yet in the end, Asha failed to make him bloom and was mocked and scorned by everyone.
Just as others hadn’t treated her with worth, she herself had never valued herself.
Those had been truly desolate days, filled with the feeling of being utterly useless.
Noticing Asha’s face suddenly contort as if about to cry, Jackal asked,
“Why that expression? This seems like something worth celebrating.”
“…I’m just so happy. I’ve always wondered… why me? Why was I, someone who seemed capable of nothing, chosen as a butterfly?”
“…”
Asha looked at him with desperate eyes and asked,
“Do I… truly have value as a butterfly?”
Jackal stared straight ahead and replied,
“Your worth isn’t something others decide for you—it’s something you define for yourself.”
Asha’s eyes widened slightly.
She’d never considered such a thought before; it felt like she’d been struck on the head.
Jackal quietly added,
“Live freely, like a butterfly. Bound by nothing, constrained by no one. That’s surely why you were born as one.”
Asha’s eyes softened at the corners.
He was the first person ever to say such things to her.
Soon, her voice growing thick with emotion, she whispered softly,
“Thank you… Mr. Jackal.”
★ ★ ★
Asha’s archery skills improved rapidly day by day, until she reached the point where she could shoot arrows skillfully even from atop a galloping horse.
Watching her, mounted on a chestnut horse and striking targets as lightly as an elf, Sosa quietly approached Jackal and said,
“At this level, shouldn’t she try real combat sometime?”
Jackal said nothing, his arms crossed, but his expression clearly agreed.
Asha was no longer a fragile girl they needed to protect—she was now a fine Lycaon.
That evening, after finishing her daily duties and returning home, Asha’s eyes widened at the sight of a new hunting outfit lying on her bed.
It was a hunting outfit crafted from pure white wolf fur, tailored perfectly to her size.
As Asha absentmindedly stroked the soft white fur, a voice came from behind.
“It’s your personal hunting outfit.”
Asha turned around in surprise.
Jackal was already leaning against the doorway.
“I made it from the wolf we caught on our latest wolf-hunting mission. The village chief insisted we take the pelt as an extra reward along with our payment. Wear it tomorrow for your first hunt—as a keepsake.”
At the words “first hunt,” Asha’s eyes widened even more.
Jackal stated calmly,
“I judged your skill level sufficient for hunting. Everyone in the organization agreed, and since it’s wildlife—not human combat—it shouldn’t be overly dangerous.”
Beaming with emotion, Asha examined the outfit from every angle and even hugged it tightly to her chest.
The soft white fur lifted her spirits just by touch, warming her whole body instinctively.
Jackal asked casually,
“You like it that much?”
“Yes! I really love it! Thank you so much for such a precious gift.”
At her words, Jackal’s expression softened like melting snow.
In truth, he’d personally visited a tailor, provided the material himself, and commissioned the outfit especially for Asha.
Having worn only cumbersome, restrictive dresses in the imperial palace her whole life, putting on functional, comfortable clothing made Asha feel as if she might take flight.
From behind, Jackal watched her with an inexplicable urge to rub his nose with his index finger.
He remembered how she’d once called a white horse beautiful, and after a fierce battle, he’d hunted down a white wolf just for her.
In winter, the white pelt would act as camouflage against the snow alongside her golden hair, keeping her hidden from enemies’ eyes.
For someone who’d spent her whole life running and hiding, it was precisely what she needed—a thoughtful gift from Jackal.
★ ★ ★
The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, Asha changed into her hunting outfit and headed lightly toward the guildhall.
Her departing figure fluttered like a butterfly taking flight.
When she opened the door, all the organization members turned to look at her at once.
Even Jackal, who’d been standing before them, glanced back—and his eyes widened slightly.
The outfit clung elegantly to her tall, graceful frame, and the soft, snow-white wolf fur made her look like an angel descended from heaven.
The members stared at her, utterly entranced.
Noticing their gazes, Asha wondered if she’d dressed improperly, and blushed slightly as she fidgeted with her clothes before cautiously lifting her eyes to ask,
“It’s my first time wearing something like this… Did I put it on wrong?”
“No.”
“Should I tie my hair up? It might get in the way during the hunt…”
“Do as you like.”
Without hesitation, Asha tied her long golden hair high up with a brown leather cord.
Even that simple gesture looked graceful and beautiful; one member dramatically rolled his eyes back and pretended to faint.
When her fair, delicate nape became fully exposed, Jackal’s eyes widened briefly before he unintentionally snapped,
“Let it down.”
“Huh?”
“I said let it down. Don’t tie it high—tie it as low as possible. If your ponytail keeps fluttering around… it really might get in the way of your hunting, just like you said.”
Though Jackal spoke firmly, Sosa, sensing his true feelings, quietly chuckled behind his back.
Asha obediently lowered her hair and tied it neatly down low.
Whereas before she’d looked lively and cute, now she exuded calm elegance.
Either way, she hardly looked like a hunter at all.
Jackal clicked his tongue, but one member spoke up with utmost seriousness,
“From now on, let’s recruit more female hunters into our Lycaon.”
“Right you are! Excellent idea!”
“I’ll explain the hunting plan.”
Brushing off their chatter lightly, Jackal unrolled a map depicting the forest terrain onto the wooden table.
“It’s a simple hunting trip for food stockpiling—no special rules beyond the usual.”
He explained to Asha, who was going on her first hunt, the designated hunting zone, emergency procedures, and how to signal nearby comrades.
On the map, tiny wooden pieces carved into the shape of hounds moved about.
As the Lycaons finished arming themselves and filed out of the guildhall one by one, only the two of them remained.
Jackal noticed a stray lock of Asha’s hair caught inside her hunting outfit and unconsciously reached out.
The moment he gently pulled it free, their eyes met directly.
Blue and violet irises trembled slightly, gazing into each other.
Caught off guard by the sudden awkwardness, both quickly looked away.
“…Then, shall we head out?”
Jackal withdrew his hand and walked steadily out of the guildhall.
Only then did Asha finally exhale the breath she’d been holding, her face slightly flushed as she touched her hair.
Warmth and the lingering sensation of his touch remained where his fingers had brushed.
Being the last to leave the guildhall, Asha quickly slung her quiver over her shoulder and mounted her horse.
‘I’ve practiced so hard—I can do this.’
She bolstered her confidence inwardly.
As they traveled along the mountain path with the group, Naji cheerfully shared his hunting tips beside her—how to spot rabbit burrows, badger dens, and squirrel-filled tree hollows.
The members passed by him affectionately, playfully patting his head with their palms.
“Right, you stick to catching those cute little critters. We’re going after big game today.”
Stung by their words, Naji shouted even louder,
“You older guys go ahead and catch beasts that crawl on four legs! I’ll be hunting winged beasts!”
Up ahead, Jackal listened silently to their boasts before saying lowly,
“…If any of you fail to catch what you just bragged about, be prepared to get thoroughly thrashed today.”
“…”
It was said that afterward, not a single one dared to speak again.
Jackal’s words were more terrifying than the northern blizzards.
Soon reaching their destination, he turned to the group and said,
“If you find prey you can’t handle alone, blow your horn.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then scatter.”
At his command, the Lycaons dispersed into the forest with the precision of hunting hounds.
This was Asha’s first chance to prove herself as a true Lycaon.
Steelining her resolve, she double-checked her bow and quiver before stepping into the woods.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
No way…did Karaf set up this situation with the assassin or kidnapping attempt to earn points?
Not practically, it is a form of torture. Jackel didn’t jump into the water on his own while tied to the boulder.
It seems backward that the Empress is invited to a Duchess’ tea party.