Chapter 20: Heavenly Fox (5)
It was like pouring oil on a dying fire—Hoaran's words twisted Lilith's expression into a scowl.
But Hoaran, the one who'd dumped the oil, seemed oblivious as she puffed out that massive chest of hers and said,
"This lady knows not what relation you share with the child. But seeing your scent clinging to him, one cannot call you strangers."
However, she reached out a hand.
Shrrrr—
Once more, talismans poured from Hoaran's sleeve, encircling her and me.
"Even if that be so, this lady cannot stand by while the strong oppress the weak with force. Especially not when it concerns this lady's disciple... and future child."
Wait, I hadn't even said yes yet?
But there was Lilith, glaring daggers at me after hearing that.
If looks could kill, I'd have been sliced in half on the spot—her gaze was that vicious.
Lilith's eyes demanded an answer: What the fuck is this bullshit?
I shot back with my own: I dunno either. But apparently, my eye-talk wasn't getting through, because her scowl didn't soften one bit. Communication's a two-way street, but this one-way shit was too much.
"Um..."
I tried to clear up the misunderstanding with Hoaran, but then her tail plopped right on my head.
"Hehe, worry not. This lady's power rivals yours, and this is my domain. Protecting you is no trouble at all."
She flashed a reassuring smile and added,
"So watch closely. Witness how profound and mighty are the arts this lady shall teach you."
Again, I hadn't agreed to learn yet.
I'd spent my whole life in a world where magic might as well not exist, never mind if I had any talent for it.
No way I had a gift for shamanism—average joe at best, total dunce at worst. And even averages needed 150 years of training. When the hell would I ever use it? The thought alone killed any motivation.
I'd been about to politely decline...
But Lilith had no clue about any of that.
"Ha, so that's how it is. Fine, whatever... But seriously? You think you're on my level? Fuck, you're still spouting random crap like always, Hoaran."
Grind. The sound of teeth gnashing.
Lilith's growl.
"All those weird books finally rotted your brain?"
Weird books...?
Nah, this was Hoaran.
Hoaran, one of the twenty-two heroes.
If it were succubus Lilith, maybe, but Hoaran reading sketchy shit? No way.
Think positive.
She probably meant those ancient tomes so arcane I couldn't tell script from squiggles—full of profound mysteries, right?
Yeah, had to be.
As I mulled that over, Hoaran's tail suddenly bristled up.
"Wait—mmph...!"
Already half-buried in her tails front, back, and overhead, I ended up fully engulfed.
I squirmed at first, but then... I stopped.
What the hell is this...?
It was insanely fluffy.
Sure, it felt soft when I touched it before, but wrapped around my whole body? A whole new level of plush heaven.
Once you know this exists, my lumpy bed that leaves me sore every morning? No way I'd ever settle for it again.
It wasn't great before, but tolerable. Now? Forget sleeping properly.
Half my life wasted not knowing this bliss existed.
Maybe I should just go along with Hoaran's offer—the tail's texture was that tempting.
But this wasn't the time to enjoy it.
Hoaran was trembling with rage at Lilith's words.
"W-Weird books? You called them weird books?! Filled with righteousness and chivalry—how dare you...!"
Face flushed, she shouted. Lilith sneered back,
"Hmph. Poison in your system? Cure it by fucking. About to freeze to death learning ice arts? Fuck. Demon possession? Fuck your way out. Righteousness and chivalry my ass—it's all just nonstop fucking. If that's not a weird book, what is?"
"How do you know about that...?!"
I'd suspected wuxia novels when she mentioned righteousness and chivalry, but figured Hoaran wouldn't touch that genre.
Guess I was wrong.
And not just any wuxia—smutty fuck-fests, apparently.
Hoaran reading that?
I stared at her.
Sensing my gaze, she looked back and waved her hands frantically.
"N-No, it's not... Child, yes, there's some of that, but only a part! The core is tales of the righteous punishing evil. I swear, it's true—please believe this lady...!"
"Ha, sure. A bitch like you, alone at night..."
"Kyaaah!! Shut that mouth right now!"
Hoaran shrieked, flinging her hand—talismans rocketed toward Lilith like arrows.
"Ha, you think this'll shut me up, Hoaran? Just like that horny bitch playing with her 'righteous' books every heat cycle...!"
Lilith swept her hand, summoning dozens of flames that shot down the talismans.
But the talismans didn't just fall.
Pop pop pop. Tiny dolls burst from them—mini Hoarans, each with a single tail.
They clapped hands in unison.
"Ngh...!"
Tree roots erupted, binding Lilith's legs in an instant. She groaned as they tightened. Hoaran's talismans kept pouring in.
Grind. Lilith gnashed her teeth.
"Petty tricks!"
Boom!
She stomped, shaking the earth—trees uprooted wholesale. The dolls staggered; flames bloomed, incinerating them. But Hoaran shouted confidently,
"Taste the might of this lady's new arts...!"
"Bring it!"
Lilith torched the incoming talismans—but they morphed mid-air into foxes of fire, ice, and lightning, dodging her flames and lunging.
"Another one of these...? What?!"
She swung to swat them, but they evaded, piling onto her. Boom! She exploded in a blast with the foxes.
"Haha! How's the taste of this lady's fresh shamanism, Lilith? Still petty?!"
Smoke billowed. Lilith emerged unscathed, her skimpy succubus outfit clinging perfectly. Blue flames wreathed her exposed horns, arms, and legs—looking badass as hell.
"Hmph...! This is why you black-hearted fox bitches are... Bet your hole's pitch-black too. Never used it, just fingering every day—caked with grime, right?"
"W-What...? D-Don't slander me! N-No, child, I..."
"Eat this!"
Lilith swung a blue-flamed fist at the excusing Hoaran, who barely leaped back, snarling,
"Y-You...! Cowardly...! So cowardly, Lilith...!"
A battle between two of the twenty-two heroes—rare sight for a plain human like me.
But why did it feel so damn undignified?
Explosions everywhere, yet watching made my chest tighten more and more.
"Cowardly my ass—jealous? Do it yourself!"
"Y-You...! Vile...! If you're this vile, then this lady shall be too...! Think this lady has nothing to say?! Lilith, you succubus—didn't you say you couldn't tell cum from milk as a kid?!"
"Aaaah!! Shut your crazy bitch mouth!"
It started over me, but now it was a black history roast-off. I fidgeted my fingers. No popcorn or cola in hand—what a tragedy.
"That's why you're still a virgin at your age, you damn fox bitch...!"
"Is that your place to talk?!"
"I didn't, you couldn't..."
"Th-This lady didn't either...!"
Talismans and blue flames detonated everywhere.
The dense forest turned to wasteland—ancient trees shredded by the duo.
Yet neither landed a real hit. Even I, towed around in Hoaran's tails, stayed unscratched.
Holding back? But those blasts said otherwise. Fucking confusing.
Maybe they really were evenly matched, like Hoaran said.
But this dragged on, something bad might actually happen.
Time to intervene...?
"Um, Lady Hoaran."
"Sorry...! Talk later... Ngh!"
"Um, Lil..."
"Shut it, you traitor fuck!"
Shit.
Words weren't cutting it. Hoaran dodged Lilith's onslaughts, countering with shamanism. Lilith ignored me entirely.
No choice.
"Sorry, Lady Hoaran."
I hugged the tails shielding me tight.
"Hyah?!"
Hoaran collapsed with an embarrassing yelp, turning to me.
Why...? Her eyes asked. Guilt hit hard, but this was the surest way to stop her.
"Ha, good...! Stay put...!"
Lilith wound up for Hoaran—I called out,
"Mom, that's enough."
Screech. Her fist halted inches away.
I braced for impact—thank fuck she stopped.
"...Why should I listen to you?"
She'd stopped, but grumbled. Then it hit me.
Ah, she needed an out.
After brawling like that, backing off without reason would be embarrassing.
So I said,
"Or I'll spill everything from this morning."
"...Ngh."
Blushing, she withdrew her fist. Sighing deeply, still slumped from weak legs, she eyed me and Hoaran,
"M-Mom...? Lilith is...?"
"...Better explain it yourself."
"Yeah, will do."
Her nod was basically permission. I reached for Hoaran.
"Really sorry, Lady Hoaran. Hear me out first?"
I gave her the rundown.
Going for a dispenser gig to make cash, running into Lilith, somehow ending up her son.
Long story short, couldn't accept her offer.
Her fox ears drooped as I finished.
"So that's it... This lady misunderstood..."
Seeing her downcast like that—even though it was all her assumption—made my conscience sting anyway.
"Hmph, nothing to say to me?"
Lilith crossed her arms, still sulky. Hoaran looked at her and spoke,
"...Lilith, this lady apologizes to you too. It was this lady's mistake."
"Fine."
Hoaran nodded. Lilith continued,
"Guess I'll apologize too. Got too harsh. And you saved this idiot? Whatever, fuck. Thanks anyway."
Whatever shamed her, she spat it out and whipped her head away.
Seemed settled nicely.
Bit rough, but no one hurt—good ending, right?
"But, um..."
Hoaran fidgeted her fingers.
"This lady knows little of succubi... No blood tie, but... isn't that too much? Even without blood, you're still mother and son, no? Ah, no... Heard you're still a virgin, so no line crossed...? But still..."
"...What the fuck now?"
Wait.
Bringing that up here?
"Lady Hoaran? Anyway, Mom and I should head out..."
"Butt out. Hoaran, what're you on about?"
"Your scent was on the child... from there..."
Creak. Lilith's head snapped toward me stiffly. Her blood-red eyes reflected my sweating face.
"No, that's."
"Explain. What does she mean?"
Her glare screamed, Want me to spill? I bowed my head.
And pulled the warm, body-heated panties from my pocket.
"You did steal them, you fucking thief!"
Her hand-chop nailed my crown.