Restless Suli and the White Fox
Suli can't stay still for a single moment.
Is it just a puppy thing? The moment I take my eyes off her, she toddles off somewhere else.
Thanks to my tongue's wide sensing range, it's not a huge problem since she doesn't vanish into thin air in an instant—but it's still unnerving.
I'd love to tie a leash around her and attach it to my body.
Too bad no such thing exists.
At least I have my tail as a substitute.
And sure enough, I snag Suli again as she toddles off once more.
She lets out a grumpy "Conk conk!" but I don't give in.
How long has it even been since her last mishap?
Besides, the blizzard is still raging outside.
"Conk—!"
Even if you're fine with it, I'm not.
Stay right here by my side, nice and quiet.
Here, your favorite fire. Go on, chase it hard.
"Conk conk!"
Too much chasing and you're bored of it?
...I'll make you a new toy right away.
Unfortunately, no good ideas came to mind.
I hastily shaped some flames into an animal using another fire spell, but Suli didn't bite at all.
Guess it doesn't work since it's the same old fire.
I thought she was an easy one, but she's surprisingly picky.
As I grumbled, failing to whip up a new toy, Suli shot me a triumphant look.
That's what I mean—a fox with way too expressive faces.
"Conk conk!"
It felt like she was saying, "Let me out to play! I wanna go! I'm going!"
Being what she is, Suli had no issue with the harsh blizzard outside.
Monster vibes, I suppose? She'd be fine out there, no doubt.
If any trouble cropped up, I could just bring her back in.
Plus, I'd cleared out all the nearby monsters, so nothing would dare touch her.
And with me right there, no problems would arise anyway.
Still, I was lukewarm on taking her outside because I'm a snake.
For a cold-blooded animal like me, days this frigid are too much.
Good thing I'm a monster—if I were a normal snake, I'd have gone into hibernation and frozen solid by now.
I hate going out even on sunny days, let alone in a blizzard...
This weather? Hard pass, personally.
But Suli, oblivious to my feelings, whined "Conk conk—!" urging me on.
Roughly: "Let's go! Hurry! Hurrrrry—!"
Shii───
I pondered for a moment.
But the outcome was decided from the start.
In the end, I surrendered to Suli's stubbornness.
Am I too soft...?
As an A-rank monster on par with S-rank.
Considering my reputation as a brutal predator, a symbol of terror across the floors I've passed— this was unacceptable.
I really need to lay down the law firmly...
"Conk—!"
But seeing Suli happily wagging her tail, I thought, Ah, whatever.
My mood wasn't bad at all right now.
Truth be told, Suli's free-spirited antics were a bit of a nuisance.
She ignores my words completely, throws tantrums left and right, sometimes irks me, sometimes even makes me furious.
But I'd never once thought of doing anything about it.
That's just how pups are.
As long as she eats well, plays hard, and sleeps soundly—ignoring me a little is something I can laugh off.
So please, just grow up bright and happy like this.
So you don't want penguin meat? You want me to catch buffalo? Through this blizzard?
And today your appetite's off, so medium-rare with a hint of blood?
I scolded her thoroughly.
"Conk conk...!"
Suli's pitiful whine buried quietly into the blizzard's roar.
Picky eaters are no good.
* * *
A peaceful day.
Suli's always full of energy.
She ate heartily and played hard today too.
And as usual, she fell asleep by my head, belly stuffed plump.
Chasing that buffalo herd we found after ages—she had to be wiped out.
An F-rank monster pursuing C-rank ones.
In normal circumstances, it'd be like walking right up and saying, "Please eat me."
Well, Suli's situation wasn't normal.
She had me, her sturdy protector.
The moment she started chasing the herd, I took down a few just right.
To avoid disappointing her with them dropping too easily, I charmed a couple with my Magic Eye and let them keep running.
Suli was thrilled, so I was thrilled too.
Felt like a pretty cool dad... er, master.
In the dead of night, as Suli slept soundly, someone approached the cave.
Shii───
The blizzard had stopped days ago, so my tongue's range was normal.
Yet I only sensed the presence almost at the cave entrance...
Not your average foe.
I rose slowly.
Using my tail, I gently shifted Suli to another spot so she wouldn't wake.
She grumbled a bit mid-move, startling me, but luckily her deep sleep kept her out.
If she woke, she'd throw a fit to come along.
I didn't know who it was, but with no Instinct warnings, they weren't that dangerous.
Could take Suli, no issue...
But when else do I get to vent childcare stress? Time for some me-time.
Plus, no need to wake a soundly sleeping kid, right?
It's the feeling of a dad... er, master leaving the child behind for a solo outing.
So what kind of idiot came calling?
Thanks to my recent rampage, the floor's monsters knew exactly what I was.
They used to charge if I didn't flaunt my presence.
Not anymore.
Just a glimpse of my tail sends them fleeing.
And lately, they bolt at the sight of Suli's white fur too...
Parent and child... er, master and pet, both infamous together. Kinda feels good.
Shii───
So who was the visitor?
Half-curious, half-expecting, I waited at the cave mouth.
It didn't take long for the mysterious guest to appear before me.
First to catch my eye: shimmering pure white fur.
Glossy and sleek, like it was oiled.
Next: nine long tails swaying gracefully, announcing her extraordinary nature at a glance.
And what drew my gaze most: those clear blue eyes.
Her serene, piercing stare made my body react instinctively.
The visitor was a pure white fox with nine tails.
A " Kumiho".
Not ordinary at all.
I knew the instant our eyes met.
She was no pushover like I'd imagined.
Instinct gave no warning... Damn, is it broken now?
For a split second, that absurd thought hit me, it was so disorienting.
Instinct, which never failed me, suddenly silent?
No warning even with her right in front of me.
No overt pressure, but every Kumiho I knew was powerhouse-tier.
At least S-rank. One that escaped a Gangwon-do labyrinth once razed a nearby city.
SA-rank then; the now-missing SS-rank hunter Seong Jae-myeong took it down personally.
With monsters like that, Kumiho are no joke.
This one felt even more dangerous, her aura so mystical.
At least she wasn't showing hostility yet.
That thought crossed my mind—then mana stirred from her.
I tensed, but it was familiar telepathy.
"I have come to see the child."
A delicate, alluring voice echoed in my head.
...Straight to business? She really looks down on me... Wait, child? No way...?
I'd vaguely suspected from her looks at first sight, but my guess was spot on.
She... no, she was probably Suli's mom.
Shii───
"What child do you mean?"
"The child of mine in the cave behind you. Do not think to deceive this Lady. Our mana is linked."
—The scent matches the child's too.
I'd tried playing dumb just in case, but it was pointless.
Shii───
"...What relation do you have to the child?"
"What meaning lies in asking when you already suspect? Naturally, the child is this Lady's offspring. Cease delaying. This Lady endures only because you have cared for my child thus far. My patience is not infinite."
With that, the Kumiho finally unveiled her suppressed presence.
Even just a hint of it was no joke.
My scales bristled all over—a sensation in ages.
Definitely not S-rank. Higher...!
Last time I'd felt this was from the Lava Zone area boss, the Magma Wyvern "Arde".
If we fought, honestly, I had zero chance.
...Should I step aside?
I pondered, feeling her steady gaze.
She'd probably guessed from my deflections—I didn't want to show her Suli.
Because she'd take her away.
No matter if it's the parent—I won't let her be stolen.
I didn't know before, but now Suli was unmistakably mine.
Fully embraced in my coils.
I couldn't let go of something I'd deemed precious, parent or not.
If only my rank were lower...
I'd kill her quick and act like nothing happened.
Suli might feel bad, but better than losing what's mine.
Cruel and heartless? Doesn't matter.
I'm a snake.
A monster.
When I first found Suli, wolves were attacking her.
Seeing this Kumiho now, it wasn't some accident—they'd separated.
So, fair to say she'd abandoned her once?
Such a lovable kid.
So my claim to rightful ownership was no issue.
Suli might resent her abandoning parents anyway—perfect chance for me to get revenge.
Revenge is my specialty.
But against her, no dice.
She could kill me now and reach Suli in seconds.
She's holding back because, as she said, I'd cared for Suli.
...Logically, step aside. No chance of winning. But...
Still, I couldn't.
Too much left to do together—farewells weren't on the table.
...Right. Bide my time. Ambush when she's off-guard, maybe a shot.
When she enters for Suli, or meets her...
Strike in that gap—could work.
Sure, killing her mom in front of Suli might make her hate me forever, but whatever.
I just don't want to lose what's mine.
Worst case, use Magic Eye to...
Shii───
I halted my spiraling thoughts. No further, or no turning back.
Mind control on Suli? Insane.
Stupid idea.
Couldn't do anything to sadden her either.
Thud—
I slammed my head hard into the ground.
To snap out of it—and self-punishment.
Full force, so blood flowed, but Super Regeneration fixed it quick.
Wound already gone.
"...Have you lost your mind?"
The Kumiho, who'd watched silently, finally spoke.
Seeing her—destined to take Suli—stirred killing intent briefly, but I quelled it.
I wouldn't do what Suli would hate.
I wanted her happy.
"My apologies. I lost myself for a moment... Very well, take her now."
I let out a light shii and turned.
Exposing my back vulnerably—but meaningless anyway.
If she wanted me dead, it'd be done already.
Deep down, I half-hoped she'd attack.
Then I could claim self-defense...
No... Think good thoughts. Good thoughts... Picture Suli. That fluffy fur, those chubby paws...
Calming, healing vibes.
Suli truly was the ultimate cure.
But when she grows, will she turn out like her?
The thought popped up; I glanced back.
There she was, following with elegant, graceful steps.
Mystical, dreamlike aura.
Her sleek curves exuded a strange allure, monstrous though she was.
Imagining Suli grown like that... a bit regrettable.
...I wish Suli stayed just like this.
I'd like to see her all grown up once, but this form suits her best.
No growth or evolution, ideally.
And soon, we reached the cave.
I'd dawdled as much as possible, but it wasn't far anyway—useless.
With the cave in sight, I suddenly hated Instinct.
If it'd warned like usual, I'd have fled with Suli ages ago.
Straight to the Lava Zone, to area boss Arde.
No Kumiho could take him.
Too late now, pointless...
After dragging my feet amid her urging pressure, I had no choice but to let her in.
Suli slept on, blissfully unaware.