Homecoming to Paradise
With the talk of the Fox Orb concluded, the conversation with the labyrinth's will—in the form of a pink slime—came to a rough end.
There were still questions lingering in my mind, things I wanted to ask, but digging any deeper into the truth right now was beyond me.
Each casual word from its mouth left my mind numb.
Maybe someday, after more time passed, but for now, I lacked the confidence to keep talking.
Above all, I had no desire to chat longer with this thing that kept rifling through my head uninvited.
The fact that I could get the Fox Orb and grow stronger right away paled next to the joy of finally parting ways with it.
Once I left this place, I probably wouldn't see it for a good while.
[...What do you mean?]
[...What a useless ability.]
I'd only just received it, but I already wanted a refund.
I let out a short snort, but it pressed on undeterred.
[I hope this one's actually useful. What is it?]
As it bounced around boastfully, I couldn't help but let out a small gasp of admiration.
[That's a truly useful ability. So with this, I can head straight to the 1st floor?]
[I doubt I'll ever come back here.]
Its voice was as flat as ever, no trace of hurt, and I snorted again softly.
Having realized it was a completely different kind of being from me, its reactions just seemed like pretense.
[I see... Just to be sure, do the other labyrinths know about me?]
[You didn't mention me first?]
I nodded slowly at its words.
I'd assumed labyrinths cooperated since they made the System and status windows together, but apparently not.
[No sense of kinship as kin?]
I fell silent at its matter-of-fact tone.
It just drove home once more how labyrinths operated on a whole different plane from ordinary beings.
[...Yeah. I want to try that floor-jumping ability you mentioned. How do I use it?]
I nodded slowly.
I knew exactly where I wanted to go—no need to overthink it.
[Not thrilled, but likewise.]
With its quiet voice fading, I closed my eyes.
The familiar mana pulse—like passing through a warp gate—washed over me, and the atmosphere shifted in an instant.
Opening my eyes slowly, the dim space and pink slime were gone.
Instead, a vast white snowy expanse stretched before me.
[...I really made it back.]
[More impressive than I thought. Can't use it in other labyrinths?]
[Shame...]
I clicked my tongue softly, and its voice echoed quietly.
[...You read my mind, so you know everything. But I don't trust you. Remember—I'm cooperating only because I have no choice.]
[...I know.]
[Likewise.]
No further words passed between us after my quiet reply.
During that brief silence, as I sorted my thoughts, it spoke up softly.
[...What?]
Its flat voice made me glance around.
A faint, familiar presence—cloaked in stealth, perhaps.
[...You sensed that well.]
I didn't reply.
Instead, I slowly lifted my head toward the approaching presence.
It hadn't identified me yet—faint wariness and hostility emanated from it.
Makes sense. My form and sheer power had changed fundamentally; hard to recognize at a glance.
I waited calmly, signaling no threat. The initial pure caution gradually softened before my eyes.
Finally realizing who I was?
From beyond the dazzling snowfield, a pure white nine-tailed fox poked its head out.
Before I could express joy, it strode toward me.
Snow: [My lord—!]
Even without activating my Magic Eye, the thick emotion poured in clearly.
Like Suli, the nine-tailed fox—Snow—leaped straight into my embrace without hesitation. I flicked my tongue quietly.
The image from that recent illusion weighed on me with guilt toward her.
But I couldn't show it yet, so I spoke calmly on the surface.
[I'm back, Snow.]
Snow: [You were so late, my lord. This lady nearly couldn't wait and went looking for you.]
[Sorry for the delay.]
Snow: [Enough. You're back now—that's what matters.]
Snow and I shared the joy of reunion first after so long.
The reunion with Snow didn't last long.
We were thrilled at first just to see each other, but soon remembered someone else we'd overlooked.
She wasn't the only one waiting for me.
One more I had to meet remained.
Following Snow through the familiar snowfield, to some spot.
A fluffy white bundle frolicked peacefully off to the side, then spotted me.
Before I could speak, the white fluff bolted straight at me.
"Concong—!"
Its energetic cry lacked the desperation or pathos from that illusion.
As Suli rubbed against me with all her might in my embrace, I hesitated briefly before speaking.
So much to say, but only one thing mattered now.
[I'm home, Suli.]
To Soon-i and Luel followed Suli's endless joy in my arms, then the others rushed over too.
With everyone piling on, moving was tricky for a moment, but it didn't feel bad.
If anything, it made my return feel utterly real.
Lehatna's lair had been rowdy, but our home was no less so.
Thus, I leisurely shared the joy of reunion with all.
That night, I told everyone about what had happened.
Just as I had much to share, so did they—stories piled up.
One night was too short for everything, but I wasn't disappointed.
I'd been back less than a day, and we had plenty of time ahead.
So Suli, you don't need to cling to Daddy so tight.
I'm not leaving again anytime soon.
I can't promise never, but...
No, we'll be together for a while.
So no more tears.
Our pretty girl turned into a total crybaby while I was gone.
Your cute face is a mess—time to stop, okay?
There, good girl.
To Soon-i and Luel don't need to cry either.
I'll be staying home quietly for a good while.
So first, help me calm Snow.
She's talking about breaking my legs so I can't go anywhere?
Forget that I have no legs—has she gotten fiercer in my absence?
Snow: [It's all your fault, my lord.]
The head of the house, absent so long, had nothing to say but sorry, bowing his head.
Just as I'd changed much, everyone had undergone quite a few changes in my absence.
First, the lizardmen.
I didn't know how hard Snow had pushed them, but their growth was the most striking.
Not the Tri-colored Bird Triplets of the Sky Zone, but the original Lizardman Triplets—all A-rank now.
And Wise Scale, their leader, had reached a whopping S-rank.
He'd trained specially under Snow, it seemed—his mana abilities far surpassed his rank peers.
Top among Snow's monsters already; I could tell how hard he'd worked.
A backwater forest-zone lizardman growing this much...
Impressive in every way.
Well, I was a backwater forest-zone bumpkin too, in a sense.
But our situations differed greatly.
The swans—former ugly ducklings—hadn't jumped ranks much.
Still around C to D-rank as last seen, but amazingly, their numbers had exploded.
From the initial pair, four birds, now dozens.
Numerically, they rivaled the lizardmen.
I praised their current leader, the one I'd named Ichijo (One Bird).
You worked hard breeding the species.
Well done.
The wolves, who joined latest, hadn't changed drastically.
Just finished adapting, perhaps.
But starting from solid ranks, they had minor improvements.
First, their fur matched the local wolves.
Bigger builds, sleeker overall impression.
From what I heard, they planned to eventually unite nearby packs under Snow...
No objections—go for it.
Need help? Ask.
I'll be idle awhile.
What? No need for wyvern-slaying blade on mere wolves?
Misunderstanding.
Poor analogy.
I slay dragons, not wyverns.
No joke.
Ate two real ones.
Curious? Come with next time.
I got the wolves spooked, but Suli and the kids' eyes sparkled at my dragon-munching claim. I checked their changes.
First, To Soon-i.
She'd hit B-rank in my absence.
More shocking than the rank jump: her porky pig-like form was totally transformed.
Snow finally succeeded with her diet?
To Soon-i looked unrecognizable—sleek and streamlined.
Beyond sleek: elongated, more beastman than rabbit—like a lizardman or werewolf.
Not tall, but perfectly proportioned, slender overall.
Her drastic, unexpected change left me a bit unsettled.
In that state, using her as emergency rations might be tough now.
Especially with Righty around—he'd lament the reduced meat.
I clicked my tongue in regret, and To Soon-i shuddered, sensing it.
Evolution sharpened useless senses too.
Luel had no such dramatic shift.
Just G to F-rank, still tiny and cute post-evolution.
Not bias as a fellow snake: she retained her "petite snake" G-rank charm.
Less ferocious monster, more fragile baby snake.
An aura even hunters might hesitate to touch.
Yeah. Luel's the cutest.
Unlike the others' growth, Suli's rank stayed the same.
Still three tails, utterly lovable and adorable.
Suli's the best, after all.
Craving a healing session with those plump paw pads.
Unlike the others' changes, Snow was unchanged, like Suli.
Always greeting me with the same demeanor.
That constant, comforting familiarity eased me instantly.
Maybe that's why.
I could share with her what I hadn't before the kids or others.
About what I'd lost.
She listened to the end, grieved as deeply as I, cried in my stead since I couldn't.
Finally comforted me quietly. As always, she's too good for me.
Our bond started accidentally, haphazardly, but now she's as precious as Suli.
So to protect her, Suli, and all else dear, I must keep growing stronger.
Untouchable by any.
'Even if that foe is a labyrinth.'
I gave no reply to its whispered words.
No need—it already knew from my mind.
I have no intention of stopping.