Second Adoption (2): Monstrous Strength Chaos God
Long ago, a beast, a monster, and a disaster suddenly appeared in the East. It went by many names, but in this modern age, it had been fixed as the Monstrous Strength Chaos God.
Once, it appeared under the moonlight, bit off the neck of the Eastern Emperor, and commanded countless demonic beasts to form an army that nearly annihilated the East. History books now described it as a monster that had died out long ago.
But those in the know in the East were all aware. The Monstrous Strength Chaos God was still alive.
However, even they didn't know where it had made its lair at this point in time.
'Probably only I do. I'm likely the only one who knows its habitat.'
If not for an irregular like a transmigrator, this fact wouldn't come to light for another five years.
The king of those beasts that had swept through the East in the distant past was now residing on imperial soil.
In the depths of the Hertesia Mountains, right behind the prosperous city of Handel.
The simple reason why this being, which commanded hundreds of thousands of demonic beasts, hadn't been discovered yet was because 'she' didn't want it to be.
"Hoo..."
To be more direct, it was the effect of sorcery.
On the wide snowy mountainside midway up the vast snow-capped range, there existed a spell personally crafted by the Monstrous Strength Chaos God herself.
An exotic Eastern incantation designed to keep climbers from entering her domain.
Even if someone accidentally wandered into her territory, unless they had special resistance to mental interference, it would automatically guide them back down the mountain.
In Eastern terms, it was called a jinbeop, or formation.
Just hearing this, one could tell. The current-era Monstrous Strength Chaos God was different from the mad wolf-like monster recorded in history.
In truth, 'she' wasn't a beast consumed by pure madness, mindlessly unleashing malice upon the world.
I knew the details of her origins, which was why─
I aimed to recruit her rather than eliminate her.
Of course, this endeavor differed vastly from Beatrice's case in countless ways.
For one, unlike Beatrice, 'she' wasn't younger than me. Even accounting for various factors, she was still my senior in age.
Frankly, that alone made calling her my daughter feel a bit ridiculous.
'...Well, the first button was fastened that way, so what can I do.'
From the moment I took Beatrice as my eldest daughter, adopting a different attitude toward the other disasters would look strange.
After some thought, I decided to extend the same approach to the remaining two disasters.
There was no law against adopting someone older than me as a daughter, and at least outwardly, 'she' looked like an ordinary girl.
Adoption didn't seem impossible.
...Assuming, of course, that she didn't take offense.
And that I could return from facing her with all my limbs intact.
"This should be about the right spot..."
Anyway, three hours after climbing the snowy mountains of Handel with a suitable resolve in my heart, I started feeling like I'd seen the same gnarled old trees three or four times.
That peculiar sensation meant only one thing.
I had finally entered the domain of the Monstrous Strength Chaos God.
Shing─
From here on, even I couldn't help but feel a twinge of tension.
I cautiously gripped my sheath, drew my blade, and narrowed my eyes.
To reiterate, the one I sought as my second daughter differed from Beatrice in many ways.
The most threatening aspect to me was that, unlike Beatrice, this being possessed power that could overwhelm me.
'Conservatively, at least 8th Hierarchy.'
She might even reach the 9th Hierarchy.
According to historical records and what I'd seen in the original story, that was still an understatement.
I slowly sharpened my senses.
Thus, I detected the energy attempting to interfere with my mind.
'It's there.'
Sensing the power itself wasn't hard. It was quite blatantly exposed.
Probably because most targets of this formation until now had been ordinary folk foraging for mountain herbs, lowering their guard...
Lucky for me, but no reason to let my guard down.
Gripping my sword ready to unleash aura at any moment, I stepped on the snowdrifts settled on the ground.
Crunch─
And as the tip of my boot crushed a rotten branch hidden beneath the snow─
Pabababak!
"...!"
A presence pierced through my widely extended senses without a care.
In just a brief three seconds, it charged into my detection range at superhuman speed.
'Fast.'
But it wasn't human.
Rather, it was a 'beast' perfectly suited to this mountainous wild.
Or a demonic beast.
"Tch."
Either way, it wasn't friendly.
One look at those straight, slitted eyes brimming with hostility told me that.
-Kurrheong!
Kaang!!
The ear-piercing roar and a cold metallic clang erupted almost simultaneously.
My reaction was prompt.
The flat of my blade blocked the beast aiming for my blind spot.
-!?
The leopard-like creature, apparently not expecting me to block its fangs, widened its eyes in panic.
"Is that all you've got? Even with my attained realm."
Slash─!
That was its fatal mistake.
For a fleeting moment, it showed emotion and faltered.
Giving me ample time to coat my blade in aura and swing.
Naturally, I didn't miss the opportunity.
My blade traced a grim gray trajectory, cleaving the leopard demonic beast in one strike.
Thud!
As its massive head fell, its body lost strength and collapsed into the snowdrift.
Crimson blood flowed out, reaching my feet, but I calmly shifted my gaze.
"Disaster-class, eh? Impressive kin indeed, but one alone can't stop me."
"......"
No reply came, but I knew my words had reached her.
The gaze piercing through me intensified fiercely.
"Hm."
Unshaken, I glanced at the fallen leopard-like demonic beast with my eyes.
A disaster-class demonic beast.
The grade capable of devouring a village or small city.
Undoubtedly strong, but something even early 6th Hierarchy could handle.
Meaning it couldn't inflict meaningful damage on me.
She must have realized that too.
-Grrr......
-Shaaaah.
Slowly, demonic beasts began surrounding me from all sides.
Not just disaster-class like the previous leopard, but even higher.
Three or four extinction-class ones that could plunge a major city into chaos.
From here, even confident 7th Hierarchy experts would break a sweat.
But that wasn't the end.
"...Hoo."
From my vantage overlooking them, I let out a short exclamation at the mountain-like form that revealed itself.
A tiger-like, pure white beast of a size perfectly suited to the mountain depths.
"So you're the White Tiger. Taepaeksin."
[......]
The tiger didn't respond, but it understood, narrowing its eyes slightly.
Its golden, tiger-like eyes were mysteriously captivating, stiffening the body just by looking.
The Four Divine Beasts, White Tiger.
Among the demonic beasts commanded by the Monstrous Strength Chaos God, it was one of the most dangerous.
Depending on the era and region, it had even been revered as a divine existence...
Its majesty was indeed worthy of that.
Even I felt a chill down my spine.
A strong urge to swing my drawn sword surged through my mind.
Similar to the fighting spirit I felt years ago facing the Sword Emperor for the first time.
But.
"Tch."
I quelled the emotion with a click of my tongue.
Now wasn't the time to clash with the White Tiger.
"First off... I apologize for slaying your kin. They came at me without regard, so I had to protect myself."
Instead, I addressed the owner of the divine beast directly, visible faintly beyond the White Tiger's snowy mane atop its massive frame.
As my gaze left it, the White Tiger slowly curled its legs and settled on the ground.
Its fluffy white fur and loaf-like form made me oddly want to pet it.
Suppressing the impulse, I continued.
"Still, shall we talk? You must have sensed it—I didn't stumble into your formation by chance. I came seeking you."
"......"
'She' continued gazing down at me with chilling eyes.
Probably since the moment I entered her formation.
It felt like pressure, but I met her gaze calmly.
The Monstrous Strength Chaos God was undoubtedly at least half a step above me.
But.
Even so, I wasn't without confidence.
I might not win in a direct fight, but shaking off her pursuit if needed? That much, sure.
I smiled confidently and said.
"No interest in talking?"
The response came then.
"...Haa..."
Not much of an answer to my question, but that sigh heavy with annoyance was still a reaction to me.
My smile deepened, and soon she—the Monstrous Strength Chaos God—descended from the White Tiger.
Tap─
Leaping lightly, the girl landed softly on the ground like a falling feather.
Until now, shadows had hidden her full form...
The Monstrous Strength Chaos God.
Contrary to her terrifying infamy, she was just an ordinary girl.
With swaying short white hair and beautiful golden eyes like the White Tiger's.
Her strikingly beautiful features, white beast ears atop her head, and the thick snow leopard tail protruding near her hip bones might not quite fit 'ordinary girl' perfectly.
But aside from those distinctive traits, she was a pretty girl who could be found anywhere.
If I had to describe one more thing, it would be her attire.
A thin silk garment embroidered with blue patterns that clung to her body, accentuating its curves.
Wide sleeves wrapped her slender wrists, and the slit skirt below her hips exposed her youthful thighs and legs plainly.
The revealing outfit was traditional Eastern attire from a continent I'd briefly visited—
As one might guess from the description, inspired by Zhonghua cheongsam.
As I scanned the girl.
"What brings the hegemon of the mortal world to this lady's secluded nest, uninvited."
Her small lips moved, and a clear soprano voice rang out pleasantly.
Her white snow leopard tail smacked the snowdrifts thwack, thwack, betraying faint displeasure.
"A warning in advance: if you've disturbed this lady's deep slumber out of idle curiosity, you won't leave this mountain unscathed."
"......"
I instinctively realized it.
The being before me was in a foul mood from my visit and deeply wary.
One wrong word, and one of us might see blood.
Her aura was as cold as a powder keg.
"Quite the frosty attitude."
I merely erased my smile, still relaxed as I raised my sword.
Gray aura blazed like flames along the blade as I pointed it at the girl and spoke bluntly.
"Before I introduce myself, let me get straight to why I've come. Monstrous Strength Chaos God."
"......"
"Won't you become my second daughter?"
Shwaaaaak!
Regrettably, I didn't get an answer.
Before that, her expression froze coldly, and the yawning White Tiger behind her swung its house-sized paw at me.
Negotiations broke down before they even began.
My sincere words hadn't gotten through.
With regret, I raised my sword.