Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

After returning to the village, I carefully examined Hyang again under proper lighting.

I needed to check if he had any injuries.

The Black-Clawed Red Earwig’s pincers were sharper than I had expected, so I had to ensure Hyang’s shell or legs hadn’t been damaged.

Hyang was much tougher than an ordinary centipede—comparing him to a normal centipede was like comparing an egg to a rock.

Still, his legs were a weak point, and there was a chance one could have been torn off.

Hyang might be a spirit beast, but he was still at a lower level.

And his opponent had been a Twenty-Four Poison Creature.

If the injury wasn’t life-threatening, a lost leg would grow back after his next molt, but that didn’t make it any less concerning.

“Hyang! You scared me! That was way too dangerous! What were you thinking?!”

Still shaken, I scolded Hyang as I turned him over, checking for injuries.

His response?

— Tzzt… 『But…』

A weak excuse, muttered almost guiltily.

The moment he said it, his older sister and younger sibling immediately lashed out at him.

— Tzrrrrrr! 『What? But?!』

— Tzrrt-tzrrt! 『Buuuut?!』

Judging by their tone, they weren’t letting him off easy.

It seemed like they were saying something along the lines of You’re not even sorry, are you? or You really need a scolding!

Hyang’s antennae drooped immediately.

Normally, he would have acted shameless or indifferent, but since he had just barely escaped with his life, even he must have realized his mistake.

For once, he obediently accepted the lecture from his older sister and younger sibling.

“Hyang! Sister Seol told me everything—you almost got yourself killed! What were you thinking?!”

Hwa-eun, who had just heard about the incident from Seol, rushed over.

At this point, Hyang curled up into a perfect ball, tucking his head inside his shell—like a pill bug.

It was the classic I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you! move.

Seeing this, Hwa-eun’s eyes narrowed, and Bini and Cho’s antennae stiffened.

Mom, big sister, and little siblings were all scolding him, and he had the audacity to slam the door on them?

It was clear the scolding session was going to be long, so I decided to step in before it got out of hand.

Sure, I had been shocked, but thanks to Hyang, we had finally found the Fire Crystal—he deserved some praise for that.

And besides, there was something to celebrate.

“Alright, alright, let’s all calm down. He’s not hurt, and I’m sure he’s reflecting on what he did. Let’s leave it at that.”

“So-ryong, you’re too soft. You need to discipline him properly! What if he does something reckless again—”

“Hyang helped us find the Fire Crystal.”

Hwa-eun’s eyes widened at my words.

Apparently, she hadn’t heard this part from Seol yet.

She must have rushed over the moment she heard that Hyang was in danger.

“You found it?”

“Yes. Hyang was looking for it when this happened. There was a massive Fire Crystal embedded in the cave wall behind the Black-Clawed Red Earwig’s nest.

That’s probably why Hyang went wild last time—it must have sensed the crystal’s presence.”