All eyes turned toward me at my suggestion, their expressions filled with skepticism.

I swallowed dryly and spoke again.

“Do we really have to follow Count Ismir’s instructions to return to the human realm? What if we just kill him when he shows up again?”

“Well, sure, but how are we supposed to know when he’ll reappear…”

Reuben voiced the expected concern, his face grim.

The holy knights’ expressions twisted in discomfort. Killing not only the monsters here but also Count Ismir himself was no simple task.

However, apart from following the dungeon’s rules, defeating the dungeon master—a demon—was another way to escape back to the human world.

I continued explaining my idea.

“I read in the Demon Realm Encyclopedia that Count Ismir greatly admires those who can handle monsters better than he can. If we don’t just feed the monsters but actually tame them, he’ll definitely show up again.”

“…What did you say?”

Reuben’s expression showed clear disbelief. The other holy knights looked equally incredulous.

Their reaction was exactly what I had anticipated. Taming monsters? It sounded like nonsense.

One of the knights scoffed loudly.

“That’s absurd! These savage beasts are nothing like wild animals in the human realm. They’re hellspawn! And you think we can tame those?”

“It’d be easier to kill them all instead.”

The knights clicked their tongues in disapproval, but I quickly continued.

“Even so, it’s worth trying. If we manage to tame them, we could even use them to fight Count Ismir. At the very least, they might stop attacking us.”

“Hmph.”

“…Sigh.”

The knights’ responses remained doubtful.

Reuben, seemingly sharing their sentiment, let out a deep sigh before speaking.

“The child’s suggestion isn’t entirely unreasonable.”

“Your Grace!”

“Does anyone here have experience raising animals?”

The knights exchanged glances among themselves before shaking their heads.

“Other than horses, I’ve never even raised a chick.”

“Same here, only horses…”

“I see. At least you’re all experienced with caring for horses,” Reuben said, nodding as though that was some consolation. Being knights, they were certainly familiar with handling horses.

“Then let’s start by feeding the monsters. Do it as gently as possible… treat them as you would your horses. Since we have to feed them anyway, it won’t hurt to do it kindly.”

“…Understood.”

The knights reluctantly agreed.

Perfect!

I immediately opened the system window.

Actually, an idea had struck me the moment I entered this dungeon. It involved one of the additional rewards I received after completing the tutorial.

‘Tutorial completion bonus granted!’
‘Job List—300 additional professions unlocked!’
‘Upon completing a job quest, gain a guaranteed 10-level increase!’

I had over 500 potential professions to choose from, and one of them stood out as perfect for this situation. It even came with a ridiculous buff that boosted my level by 10 as soon as I changed jobs.

Recalling the list, I searched for the most suitable job. As I expected, there was nothing more fitting for the current circumstances.

‘Hehe, you monsters are about to become my loyal pets.’

<Congratulations!>
<You have successfully changed your profession to ‘Animal Care Specialist’!>

***

“Sigh.”

“Ugh…”

The knights began poking at the mutilated remains of the monsters they had just slaughtered, using the tips of their swords.

The only food available for the living monsters was the corpses of their fallen kin. No matter how hard they searched the area, there was nothing else to offer.

The foul stench and grotesque appearance of the flesh made the holy knights gag involuntarily.

“Ugh…”

But survival left no room for choice.

Reluctantly, the knights skewered chunks of monster flesh with their swords. It was a moment that felt almost sacrilegious, given the sanctity of their blades.

“If my sword had a soul, it would never forgive me for this humiliation.”

“Knights, please be careful with your words. Our little monster babies can hear everything you’re saying.”

“….”

The knights were dumbfounded, but Crescent’s expression remained dead serious.

Why are we even listening to this child?

Despite their aversion, the knights decided to follow Crescent’s instructions and watch their language.

“If… if my sword had a soul, it would be overjoyed. Yes, because it’s providing such delicious sustenance for our adorable little babies. Ha. Ha.”

Awkward laughter accompanied their half-hearted effort as they shoved the skewered flesh—no, their swords—through the iron bars of the cage.

“Come on, little ones, enjoy your meal.”

At that moment, several grotesque mouths lunged forward, baring teeth sharp enough to tear through the iron bars and devour a knight’s head in one bite.

“W-wah!”

“Argh!”

Clatter!

The knights’ swords fell helplessly to the stone floor.

“Creeeak!”

“Kuueeek!”

A group of monsters pounced on the chunk of flesh, savagely fighting over it. The scene was so horrific it was hard to watch.

“Damn it…”

“I almost lost my arm…”

“The bars nearly got ripped out too…”

The knights stood frozen in panic.

Fighting these monsters had been horrifying enough, but attempting to feed them while treating them kindly felt equally revolting.

How long do we have to keep doing this?

The future seemed bleak.

As the knights struggled to collect themselves, their eyes fell on Crescent.

And they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“There, there, you’re such good little ones! Don’t give me those angry looks. I’m your loving guardian, here to take care of you. But if you glare at me like that, how can I give you your yummy food?”

“Kuueeek!”

Clang, clang!

“What’s that? If I don’t give you the meat right now, you’ll tear me apart? How cruel! Here I am, preparing such tasty food for you, and all you want to do is kill me!”

“Kyaaaak!”

Clunk!

“Alright, this time, you have to eat nicely. Understand?”

Crescent carefully extended her skewer—no, sword—toward the cage. The monsters lunged at it ferociously, but the meat was quickly pulled back outside before they could reach it.

“!”

The knights were startled.

What is this? Some kind of give-and-take strategy?

“I told you to eat nicely!”

“Kuueeek!”

“If you keep acting like this, how am I supposed to take care of you all? You have to take turns and wait your turn, one by one!”

“Kieeng…”

“Now, calm down. This time, I promise you’ll get some delicious food. I’ll make sure you’re all well-fed.”

With a sweet smile, Crescent once again moved her skewer—er, sword—into the cage.

The monsters flinched.

Is the meat not going to be snatched away this time?

When a few of them cautiously approached the bars, Crescent swiftly pulled the sword back again.

“Kuueeek!”

“Kyaak!”

“Kyaaak!”

The monsters went wild, thrashing and leaping as if they were about to bring the entire cavern down.

Watching them, Crescent clicked her tongue and spoke in an exasperated tone.

“What are you, frogs? What’s that? You’re going to kill me someday? Eat me right now, you say? Ugh… you don’t understand how much I love you. I told you, if you keep acting like this, I can’t give you any food. So calm down, and this time, take your food nicely and politely.”

“Keeek!”

“And no spitting! This is your last chance. If you misbehave again, no more food for anyone! Got it? Now, who’s the oldest and cutest among you?”

“….”

For once, the monsters fell silent.

The knights swallowed hard, their throats dry.

At last, Crescent placed a piece of meat into the cage. The knights tensed, fully expecting the monsters to go berserk and bare their teeth the moment the food crossed the bars.

Instead, what happened defied all their expectations.