A Mother's Resolve
The nine-tailed fox discovered Suli sleeping inside the cave and approached her side before I could even stop her.
She landed lightly nearby and gently licked Suli's body.
"Kyuuung…."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of the fox's mouth as she watched Suli squirm lightly in her sleep, murmuring without waking.
She really does look like a mother now.
Her mysterious aura and elegance hadn't vanished, but they felt much softer somehow.
The picture of a perfect parent? It soured my mood for no reason.
Doesn't change the fact that she's the parent who abandoned her child.
There were probably circumstances, sure, but that didn't erase the danger Suli had been in because of it.
I tamped down the surging jealousy.
The fox crouched there for a moment, gazing at Suli, then slowly rose.
She licked Suli's body once more before turning toward me.
[First, allow me to express my gratitude. Thank you for looking after my child all this time. I should have done so the moment I saw you… but in my haste, I overlooked it. Please forgive my rudeness.]
I gave a slight nod in response to her thanks.
As she said, it was belated, and more than that, every one of her actions grated on me, so her gratitude rang utterly hollow.
So now she's planning to take Suli away? Damn it, I really should find an opportunity and kill her….
My dark thoughts didn't last long. The fox continued speaking.
[And with that in mind, I ask that you continue to care for her well from here on.]
[…What?]
[I mean, please look after this child. I'd like you to keep caring for her as you have been… Is that not agreeable? If you'd like, I can offer compensation….]
She mumbled something more, but I barely heard it.
My brain had frozen, unable to process the situation.
Wait, what did she just say…?
She's asking me to take care of her child? That child being Suli?
What the hell is this?
No, no, hold on! Isn't she supposed to take Suli and leave here?!
Another unexpected twist?
My brain short-circuited again, this time for entirely different reasons, now that I'd caught up.
Shii───
[…Aren't you taking the child with you?]
[I've never once said I would.]
I racked my memory.
And realized she had never explicitly said she was here to retrieve her child.
I'd just assumed and decided it all on my own.
…Did I almost attack her over nothing? Or think she was going to steal her away?
I felt a wave of embarrassment.
Good thing I hadn't struck first.
[So, what say you to my request?]
[…No issue there. I've been taking good care of her so far… But why? You seem to cherish her a great deal.]
For a split second, I thought of my own biological mother—the Venom Viper Queen, not the human one from my past life.
Was this fox in a similar situation?
She met my skeptical gaze and spoke in a bitter tone, unlike before.
[I have no desire to part from my beloved child.]
[Some circumstance, then?]
[Indeed.]
The fox nodded calmly.
‘Shii──’ I stared at her for a moment before speaking.
[Is it something you can share?]
[No need to hide it. Especially not from you, who will be caring for my child.]
The fox began her tale, which was a bit long.
[I have a lifelong rival. He is a ruler like myself.]
Ruler—does that mean floor boss level?
Given her presence, I figured at least zone boss, but apparently not quite.
Maybe the Snow Mountain Zone's power scale was just exceptionally high.
[The land I rule is this one. His is two floors below. Though rivals, our territories differ, so we've never directly clashed until now.]
[…But this time was different?]
[He encroached on my territory first. Seemed like mere scouting, but as his rival and the ruler of this land, I could not overlook it. I struck back immediately.]
[I see. So that's why you weren't with Suli all this time?]
I'd wondered why there was no floor boss here. Turns out she'd just been away briefly.
Fortunate for me.
I'd roamed freely because the floor boss was absent.
Had she stayed, I'd surely have met my end at her hands.
[…‘Suli’?]
While I was lost in thought, the fox questioned curiously.
I opened my mouth with an ‘ah.’
[That's what I call her. Couldn't just yell any random thing… Does she have another name?]
To my cautious question, she mercifully shook her head.
[I haven't named her yet. To me, ‘child’ sufficed… But yes, she needs a name. My thanks again.]
[No need for thanks. I just named her for my own convenience… And her name is ‘Suli.’]
[…I see. ‘Suli,’ is it? I don't grasp the meaning, but it has a fine ring.]
She nodded repeatedly, seemingly pleased with the name I'd given Suli.
It warmed me unexpectedly.
Just moments ago, everything she did annoyed me, but now she even felt approachable.
Maybe because we both had a child to raise?
Well, I was more owner than dad, but still.
At least the mother approved of my naming. I'd worried there might be another name, but now I could call Suli without hesitation.
[So, to ask—is the matter resolved? Entrusting Suli suggests otherwise.]
[…Regrettably, he is my rival. It won't end easily. And this time, I rushed back out of worry for Suli….]
She trailed off, and I nodded silently.
I could picture the situation.
Which only deepened my doubts.
She was a nine-tailed fox.
At minimum, an S-rank monster.
With superior physical prowess, and even greater magical and shamanistic abilities.
Likely SA or nearing SS, and ruler of an entire floor to boot.
Would someone like her leave her child completely unprotected?
Her love for Suli was plain to see.
Was there some unspeakable reason here too?
So I asked.
[…Before leaving, I made all preparations. I stocked her usual hiding spot with supplies. But… you, having spent time with Suli, must know her… activity level?]
It clicked instantly.
I stared at her wordlessly. She returned the gaze with the same look.
No words passed, but we understood perfectly.
A strange camaraderie bloomed between us fellow sufferers.
Of course Suli was her lively self even around her mom.
Thinking back, it made sense why Suli hadn't feared me at first sight.
Not bravery or fearlessness—just habituation.
A floor boss stronger than me had always been right there.
One mystery about Suli solved.
Still, her antics show she's bold and fearless too… Or, positively, just very curious?
I nodded to myself in agreement.
Yes, Suli was simply a curious child.
[…So you're leaving right away?]
[Yes, immediately. Best to settle this decisively. I'll end this persistent grudge.]
Her resolute tone drew a silent nod from me.
[Won't you at least say goodbye to Suli? She'd be thrilled.]
She gave a wry smile at my gentle probe.
[I'm not back for good—I'm leaving again soon. A brief reunion would only make the parting sadder. I'll finish cleanly and return… Besides, you know Suli's stubbornness. She'd insist on following me.]
Her added words said it all.
A bitter laugh escaped me.
She wore a similar expression.
[The effort to dissuade her from tagging along… I told her good children wait patiently, but….]
[I know. All too well….]
We exchanged knowing glances again.
We understood each other's struggles without words.
Our bond deepened.
[…How strong is this rival? Are you confident you'll return?]
After a brief silence, I asked quietly.
She replied calmly.
[He is my rival. Far from easy prey. Had he been weak, he wouldn't be worthy… Our strengths are near equal. I believe myself slightly superior, but he'd say the same.]
A foe on par with her—someone I couldn't even imagine beating, let alone predict the winner against.
Just picturing it sent chills down my spine.
I'd underestimated it, but the Snow Mountain Zone was no joke.
[And you asked if I'm confident in returning?]
Lost in thoughts of her rival, she suddenly spoke.
Her tone lighter, a chuckle escaping.
[I entertain only victory.]
Straightened posture, nine tails rigidly erect. Clear blue eyes.
She exuded utter confidence.
I couldn't help but nod.
She continued.
[Above all, I won't die leaving Suli behind. She's my child, but as you know, she needs looking after….]
I agreed fervently.
I nodded vigorously in solidarity.
[Lucky there's someone like you. Brutes only think of killing and eating… Once more, my deepest thanks. Without you, Suli wouldn't be safe, and I couldn't leave with peace of mind.]
The fox bowed her head gracefully, dignity intact.
I nodded back.
[Go without worry. I'll protect Suli thoroughly. So much she'll barely miss her mom.]
I slipped in a touch of selfishness at the end.
She chuckled.
[I'll return as soon as possible. And Suli won't forget her mother so easily, will she? For all my flaws.]
She rose leisurely, nine tails swaying.
As she walked away, I called to her back.
[Saying ‘for all my flaws’… So you do realize you're a lacking mother?]
[…A mother who endangered her child, regardless… I nearly lost Suli without doing a thing… I owe her nothing but apologies.]
[…Pay that debt when you return. As you know, Suli sulks easily and holds grudges surprisingly well. Make it up to her plenty.]
The fox nodded with an ‘ah,’ accepting it.
She glanced back at sleeping Suli.
Then tore her gaze away with effort and looked at me quietly.
Our clear blue eyes met.
[One last time: please care for my child… Suli.]
[No need to say it—it's a given. Just focus on returning swiftly.]
[…I trust you.]
With that, the fox leaped out of the cave and vanished.
Not even my tongue could sense her presence anymore. She was filthily strong.
Did she reveal herself on purpose at first?
I was immensely relieved not to be her enemy.
I stared at the cave entrance where she'd left, then turned my gaze.
Suli slept peacefully, unaware her mother had come and gone.
I watched her a moment, then quietly lay beside her.
Only Suli's soft breathing echoed in the cave.