Chapter 19: Heavenly Fox (4)
"No, that's..."
I know, I wanted to say.
But the atmosphere wasn't right for it. How could I say that to Hoaran, who had just introduced herself with all those pompous titles despite claiming they embarrassed her?
She must have thought I was hesitating to decide, because she nodded and spoke.
"Mm, I understand it's a life-altering matter, so it's natural you wouldn't decide lightly. However, child, let me advise you: seizing an opportunity when it arises is of utmost importance. Remember that well."
It wasn't exactly why I was hesitating, but she wasn't wrong either.
She had a point, sure.
Grabbing opportunities when they come is obviously crucial.
But I'd just taken Lilith as my stepmom yesterday. Sure, we hadn't filed the papers yet—it was all verbal—but still. And now, if I became Hoaran's disciple too?
And treat her like a mom on top of that?
Lilith as mom, Hoaran as mom.
Double momming.
It was downright terrifying.
"Anyway, it's too chaotic here. How about we move somewhere else?"
"Ah."
She was right. The crowd was buzzing from Hoaran's sudden appearance, her knocking out that satyros bitch, and now talk of taking me as her disciple or even letting me call her mom.
This wasn't good.
I didn't care, but it sure as hell wasn't great for Hoaran.
She was my benefactor anyway, and I wasn't in the habit of screwing over my benefactors.
"Yeah, let's do that."
"Mm. Then take this lady's hand."
She extended her hand to me. Staring at those slender white fingers, I hesitated for a split second—remembering I'd already grabbed it when she stood up—and took hold.
"Your hand is so big."
"Pardon? Oh, uh... yeah..."
Well, with my build, of course my hands were big. A powerless dick like me got outmatched by girls half my size anyway.
Fiddling with my hand, Hoaran said,
"Big hands are a good omen. Since ancient times, large hands have signified skill in grasping fortune. It stems from the notion that big hands mean a big body, capable of much work—but in shamanism, large hands are advantageous too. A fine thing indeed."
Her fox ears twitched above her head.
She loves talking, huh. What do you call this? As I watched her, lost in thought, Hoaran trailed off, met my eyes, and went, "Ah," falling silent.
Then, with an awkward smile, she spoke.
"S-sorry. This lady prattled on too much..."
"No, that's fine, but..."
I glanced at her drooping fox ears and said,
"We can chat later. Shouldn't we get out of here first?"
"R-right...! It might be disorienting, so hold on... Hm?"
As she sniffed the air while holding my hand, Hoaran said,
"By the way, child. I smell a familiar scent on you."
"Pardon?"
A scent?
I might stink, but no way did I smell good.
That's when she leaned in close to my face.
"Strange. Why...?"
She tilted her head, peering at my face from every angle, mumbling.
Her eyes locked onto mine, staring intently. The pressure was intense.
Her face was too stunning to look at directly, but averting my gaze felt rude.
Lowering my eyes a bit, there were her massive tits right there. Not as exposed as Lilith's, but the deep cleavage left nowhere safe to look.
I was screwed either way.
And to top it off, she smelled amazing up close.
Not like that satyros bitch's mind-fogging aphrodisiac haze.
It was warm, fluffy—like her tail fur enveloping my face. Cozy, sunlit warmth.
A scent like sunlight shining equally on all.
How the hell does a person smell like that? As I wondered, Hoaran cocked her head sideways and said,
"Strange indeed. Truly peculiar. Faint, but unmistakably that one's scent."
Then she plopped down right there.
"Definitely around here..."
She trailed off, unable to continue.
Her gaze—whether from the satyros incident or survival instincts from nearly dying—locked onto my crotch, where my dick was still rock-hard under my pants.
"Uh, um..."
Her tails shot up stiffly, her face flushing crimson. I slapped my hands over my face.
Fuck.
Suddenly, I regretted not just burning to death back then.
Hoaran's voice reached me.
"S-sorry. Truly sorry... But don't worry. I-I know it's not your will. This lady knows satyros scents carry bewitching spells. So no need to be ashamed—in fact, it's... th-that massive tool you could even boast about...!"
She was flustered, rambling, but every word stabbed my heart.
"At a glance, it's at least a ja long—truly a monster among human cocks..."
"Please... stop..."
I get you're flustered, but ease up on the damage.
Lilith giggling and calling it a prince dick didn't faze me.
But hearing someone like Hoaran—who seemed utterly innocent in these matters—blush and say it? Shame aside, the guilt was killing me.
"Ah, th-that... Um... R-really sorry... It wasn't my intent, please understand..."
I rubbed my dry face and lowered my hands, seeing her fox ears limp in dejection.
"...Could you back off a bit first?"
"Ah..."
She stood, face still red. I sighed. At the sound, she flinched.
I opened my mouth.
"Anyway... what was that about a scent?"
"Th-that? Well... Strangely, you carry the scent of someone this lady knows...?"
Someone Hoaran knows?
...Ah.
It hit me. Of course. Hoaran was one of the twenty-two heroes, like Lilith. She'd even said she came looking for a friend.
She might be here for Lilith.
And sure enough, eyeing me, Hoaran cleared her throat and said,
"Child. Can you explain why you carry Lilith's scent?"
"...It's kinda awkward here. Can we move first?"
"Oh. I forgot. Here, give me your hand again."
She offered her hand once more. No hesitation this time—I grabbed it quick.
The murmurs had exploded since she'd crouched in front of me. I wanted out.
"Alright then..."
Her lips moved, murmuring something.
Is that a spell?
One of those superhuman powers I'd never seen in my old world. Like magic but different, I'd heard.
If I became her disciple, could I do that too?
Knock out a bitch like that satyros in an instant?
"There. Done."
"Pardon?"
I'd been watching her mutter, and now she smiled at me, poking my cheek playfully.
"Look around."
I did. Forest everywhere.
"...Teleport?"
We'd been in a somewhat secluded city spot moments ago. Now? Trees as far as the eye could see.
I rubbed my eyes, looked again. No change. Dense forest.
"Where's..."
"The Fox Forest, as I call it. Where this lady resides."
She shrugged, asking how it was. Did she know her huge tits jiggled with the motion?
"...Nice."
"Hm? What?"
"Nice place. Feels like it'd make you healthier just being here."
Breathing alone felt like it'd fill me with chi or whatever.
Her ears perked happily at that. Beaming proudly, she said,
"Just so. Nowhere else brims with such abundant ki. Breathing accumulates it in your body—perfect for cultivating ki or learning shamanic arts."
"Good for learning shamanism too?"
So if I trained here, I could teleport like her?
I was tempted, but she added,
"Even a dullard could reach semi-immortal realm in under 150 years here."
150 years...?
"...I see."
My shamanism dreams crumbled instantly. Felt like getting candy snatched back—major grudge.
Reminded me of the orphanage director reclaiming gifts from volunteers.
"Child, what's wrong? Your face fell suddenly...?"
"Nah, nothing."
Looks like escaping worthless dick status was impossible.
No big shock—I hadn't hoped much.
"Is that so...? Ahem. Well then..."
Nothing but trees around, yet she scanned the area before looking at me.
"H-here, no ears to hear. Tell me: why do you smell of Lilith? And... there too..."
She flushed, bowing her head.
"Why there of all places? Speak, child."
Her eyes flicked to my crotch.
Ah.
Uh.
Big misunderstanding.
She muttered about Lilith making a man—clearly assuming something between us.
What now...
I scratched my head.
The only reason I smelled like Lilith? Her panties, asleep in my pocket.
Fuck, seriously.
If I let this slide, she'd think I was Lilith's man. Not true.
But explaining the panties? Pervert label for sure.
Per our contract, it might happen someday—not totally wrong. And I am a perv.
Still, nothing to brag about.
Me being her adopted son was our secret. If I succeeded her openly? Power inheritance drama galore.
Eye-for-eye bullshit, but I'd enter her household officially after succeeding her—as heir.
Better than admitting she sponsored her "son" from the start.
Explaining the panties? Admits I stole them.
And telling her friend Hoaran? Straight to Lilith's ears.
Former screws Lilith. Latter screws me.
So, decision: tell her I'm Lilith's adopted son. Honestly.
They seemed close; no way she'd blab.
"Actually, Lilith is my..."
"Mm?!"
As I started, Hoaran snapped her head up, tails wrapping around me.
"How dare you...! Enter my domain without permission?!"
She growled, scattering countless talismans into the air. They hovered, then beams shot out, linking to enclose something.
What the—?
Wrapped in soft tails, I watched blankly.
Then—crack—the sealed space split.
A long-nailed hand emerged first.
Scraaaape—claws tore at the edges, cracks spiderwebbing the barrier.
"Hah, rude intruder, but you've got skill. How about th—Hm?"
Her ears tilted quizzically.
A long, pale leg stepped through the widening gap.
Thud—it hit ground, talismans exploding in puffs.
"Hah, a barrier, huh? Nice. Gotta have this much to steal mine. Whoever you are..."
That voice—unforgettable after one day.
Lilith's voice, echoing even as I nearly died.
Crunch—space fully shattered. Lilith stepped through.
"But picking a fight with this level? Don't know which bitch you are, but fuck, I'll fold you in half and shove your head up your cu—"
Her rage-twisted face lifted, eyes meeting ours.
"......"
Me wrapped protectively in Hoaran's tails, Hoaran standing guard—Lilith's expression twisted for a whole new reason.
Her gaze flicked between us, settling on me.
Relief washed over her face as she scanned me.
But briefly.
"You fucking asshole, what the hell are you doing there?"
No clue why, but she snapped at me. I gripped Hoaran's tail tight.
"Ack, wait... Child, that's sensitive—don't squeeze so hard... If you must touch, gently..."
"Oh, sorry. Didn't know."
Memo: Hoaran's tails are erogenous. Anyway, loosened my grip, glaring at Lilith.
"...Seriously, what the fuck?"
She stared, at a loss for words.
One second raging, next deflating. As I relaxed, about to explain to Hoaran—
Hoaran stepped forward.
"Lilith, long time no see. But invading my domain uninvited, no less—scaring my prospective disciple and child? I can't stand by."
"...Disciple? Child? What the fuck?"
We're fucked.