A Fluffy Mouthful
I want to take the fox with me, but sadly, I have no hands to carry it.
So for now, I decide to grab it in my mouth.
I worry it might get startled, but surprisingly, it crawls right into my mouth on its own.
I'd felt it before, but this one's got some real guts.
It's definitely going to grow into something big.
The fox has a surprisingly sweet taste.
I take care not to accidentally swallow it.
By the time I'm almost back at the base camp cave, it hits me.
I could have just used mana to transport it without putting it in my mouth.
Oh well. Consider it like popping a candy.
When I spit the fox out, it's covered in my saliva.
Its fluffy fur is all soggy and limp.
“Kyuu─!”
The way it shakes itself off is pretty damn cute.
After a good shake, the fox comes bounding straight into my coils.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
It's adorable as it yips and charges, but I dodge aside.
The fox tilts its head.
Then it charges again.
I dodge again.
We repeat this a few times.
Don't give me that abandoned puppy look...
It's not that my saliva is dirty or anything. Just... a bit much.
Yeah, my bad.
But could you maybe not sneak up on me like that again?
Anyway, since the fox is soaked from my spit, I light a fire for it.
The cave warms up in an instant.
Whoosh─ The sudden flames make the fox's eyes go wide.
“Kyuu─! Kyuu─!”
It barks excitedly at the fire.
Success─ I've distracted it.
As if mesmerized, the fox fearlessly sticks its nose toward the flames.
Its pure white fur could char black any second, so I block it with my tail.
“Kyuu─! Kyuu─!”
It whines in complaint.
Alright, alright.
Shii───
I half-heartedly acknowledge it while wrapping my tail tip around the fox's body.
Just like before, it squirms and whines in protest.
But whether it likes it or not, I'm not letting go.
It'd be a shame if that fluffy fur got singed black.
I tune out the wriggling fox and quietly mull things over.
I brought it on impulse, but I don't regret it.
No point regretting it now that it's here.
Besides, if it gets too annoying or I sour on it, I can always deal with it then.
Sounds harsh for something I picked up myself, but that's life.
It's a monster.
I've curbed my old habit of striking first after meeting Arde, but my nature hasn't changed.
It's a monster surviving the labyrinth, just like me.
That's what monsters are.
Whether it's hunters, other monsters, or some disaster─monsters can die anytime, anywhere.
If I hadn't grabbed it back there, it would've been dead for sure.
The wolves that were after it are gone, but it's still an F-rank monster.
The labyrinth is way too harsh for it.
So from its perspective, getting a little extra life thanks to me isn't so bad.
I have no idea how long it'll last, but for now, I've decided to keep it around as emergency rations and a pet.
Whether it knows its new status or not, the fox keeps squirming inside my tail coils.
But it gives up quick, going limp soon after.
Its perky ears droop too.
“Kyuu...”
Even its lively yips sound drained.
It tugs at my conscience a bit, but as you know, snakes don't have one.
Pfft─ I chuckle lightly and shift the fox up toward my head.
Dragged unwillingly to my front, it's still all limp and listless.
Shii──
I let out a soft hiss and summon a fireball into the air.
The same spell I'd used against that penguin bastard.
Not too many, just a few, floating and bobbing around.
“Kyuu─!!!”
As if mirroring its mood, the fox's droopy ears perk right up.
In a flash, it's forgotten its sulk, utterly entranced by my fireballs.
What a quick-change artist.
Just like before, it lunges at the flames I conjured.
This time, I don't stop it.
I just make the fireballs dance around teasingly.
I've practiced this a ton during mana training, so it's second nature.
It costs a bit of mana, but diverting the fox like this? Total bargain.
“Kyuu─! Kyuu!”
Fluffy fur flying as it bounds around─looks just like a puppy.
Hard to believe it's a monster.
After chasing them awhile, the fox flops down, exhausted.
Panting hard─hilarious sight.
It notices me watching and turns.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Body beat, but it still has energy to yip.
What it's demanding? Boldly, for me to carry it again.
With my tail, like before.
Must've been comfy.
Does it even realize?
My tail could pulp a C-rank monster easy, crush a B-rank in minutes.
“Kyuu─!”
Of course not...
I oblige, carefully adjusting my grip so its fragile body doesn't burst.
Easy to smash, hard to finesse the strength.
I set it down gently near my body, and it yips “Kyuu kyuu!” in complaint again.
What's it want now?
I stare, trying to read it, and it pouts.
“Kyuu!”
Then it wriggles over to my head.
Rests its chin right on me and─
Snore─ Starts breathing evenly.
Out like a light.
Should I really eat this thing... or not?
Honestly? Kinda cute.
For now, more pet than rations.
It's not heavy, but with it using my head as a pillow, I can't move.
I ponder for a bit, then close my eyes too.
In the small cave, only the fox's tiny breaths and the crackling fire remain.
* * *
The next day, the fox is as full of pep as ever.
Early morning, I stir─and naturally, the fox that was curled on my head tumbles across the floor.
Fluffy ball rolling─for a second, I think it's a ball.
“Kyuu kyuu─!”
After a few rolls, it shakes violently and whines.
That energetic yip wakes me right up.
Shii───
I chime in to its grumpy whine and fully uncoil.
The fire I'd set in the cave center still burns.
I snuff it out.
“Kyuu─!”
Ignoring it? It whines again, full of complaint.
I finally glance over.
“Kyuu kyuu─!”
I stare blankly, and it pouts again.
Fox with such expressive faces.
I watch a bit longer, then shift slightly.
It startles, then comes scampering after me like nothing happened.
I don't look, but my tongue senses it clear as day.
Easy to read.
As I slip quietly from the cave, it pants after me, yipping “Kyuu kyuu─!” nonstop.
Sounds like Where you going? so I hiss lightly, “Shii──”
[Going to find your food.]
“Kyuu?”
My telepathic message makes it tilt its head.
I chuckle softly and lift it to my head with my tail.
“Kyuu!”
It yips happily again. Quick to bounce back.
Telepathy works for communication, but it varies by target.
High-rank monsters? Smooth talk.
Low-rank? Barely gets the point across.
Like Wise Scale─queen was fluent, but he stuck to simple words.
So naturally, no real convo with this F-rank fox.
Can't be helped.
For even basic back-and-forth, it needs E-rank at least.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Plopped atop my head, it's thrilled, yipping away.
Rare clear weather─views stretch far, and it's taking it all in.
Unlike its glee, I'm moving extra cautious, scared it'll fall.
Crawling at a snail's pace, way slower than usual.
Wonder if I'll even find food like this...
I’ve got energy stocked in Gluttony, no issue, but the fox needs to eat.
Thinking back to my E-rank days, when I scarfed nonstop─gotta hustle.
It's still a pup, though. Can it even have meat...?
Fox is a mammal─needs milk, right?
But I'm male, and a snake─no milk to give.
...Gotta kidnap a yeti or something?
A grown gorilla-thing like that? Gotta have milk.
I ponder seriously.
Just as I'm about to hunt yetis, my flicking tongue picks something up.
A group of monsters heading this way.
...So the noise draws aggro good, huh?
The fox's value jumps from ornamental to one step up.
Now it's pet, rations, and bait.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Oblivious to my thoughts, it's still bursting with energy.
That innocence─kinda jealous.
The approaching pack? Ones I've seen before.
[Mountain Buffalo]. C-rank.
Always in herds of dozens─even higher-ranks avoid 'em.
Looks like a cow, but carnivores.
Monsters, alright.
No need to hunt─they're coming thanks to the fox's noise, so I wait.
Then the fox paws my head.
Feels like Why stop? followed by yips.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Its plump, fluffy paw pads thump softly.
I savor the sensation blankly for a sec.
“Kyuu─!”
No reaction? It paws harder.
Like Don't ignore me!
Fox thinks it's putting effort in, but not even ticklish.
Honestly, so weak─if my senses were duller, I'd miss it.
Needs some real strength for a massage vibe...
Time to raise this fox a bit.
But damn, those soft pads feel great.
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Still no response? It pouts, turns away with a Hmph!
Then starts shifting─trying to hop down.
Why the rush? Wants to play on the ground now that we're stopped.
I flick my tail to block.
“Kyuu─!!!”
Whine of protest.
Relentless paw attack resumes.
Not damage─pure healing.
Feels like a fresh spark in my dull labyrinth life.
Here, I could let it down, but the buffalos are due─for its safety, no.
Well, it'd be safe even running free against them.
Dozens of buffalos? Nothing to me.
No need to move─just Magic Eye glare, then a spell to clean up.
But why hold it back? Simple.
Don't wanna let it down.
Call it pettiness.
Plus, I crave more paw healing.
While I'm enjoying the fox's therapy, the buffalo herd finally arrives.
Shii───
[Lunch is served. Pick a tasty one.]
My casual telepathy gets an entirely different enthusiastic head-thumping from the fox.
Like Danger! Super dangerous!
Ow─that one tickled a bit.