“…!”
The lightning demon fox, with wild eyes, was chomping down on meat buns like there was no tomorrow. It was as if a gluttonous spirit possessed it, ravenously devouring everything in sight.
Honestly, seeing this mess made me feel more pity than disgust. Who would’ve thought that the infamous “Screaming Baldy” Kim Geunhyeop would take pity on a demon that eats human flesh? But the truth was, the sight of the Yoho was just pitiful.
“Haah!”
After gulping down some green tea, Yoho let out a sigh.
“This is delicious! Give me more!”
“Sure. Eat to your heart’s content.”
The insane guy just grabbed anything handed to him without hesitation.
Even after that, Yoho continued to inhale meat buns until his belly was swollen. After satiating himself, he leaned back in his chair, resting against it and rubbing his belly with a satisfied expression.
“I’m stuffed.”
“How long were you starving?”
“I was starving the whole time!”
“Couldn’t you think of finding food anywhere?”
It’s hard to believe that such a powerful fox demon was starving.
“What do you mean? Have you already forgotten your master’s orders?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Naturally, you’d hunt for food in the mountains. Whether that was animals, demons, or humans.”
Cannibalistic little fiend!
“But your master ordered me to protect you! How could I venture outside the city in such circumstances?”
“Ah.”
So, it seems he was starved because he couldn’t leave for that reason.
“Hey, but there’s plenty of food around here too.”
“Are you suggesting I eat a dog, a cat, or a rat?!”
“Well…”
Animals in the city are pretty much limited to those. Birds? Sure, but it seems those aren’t his taste either.
“Why not just go to a restaurant and buy something?”
“Humans use money! I don’t have any of that!”
“You had the intelligence to use money? Do you even understand the concept of money?”
“How far do you intend to underestimate me?!”
*Zap!*
As if angered, electrical currents surged around Yoho. Moreover, his fox ears and tail stood up, his claws lengthening.
“Look at you! Did you just turn electric after I fed you? Are you even a fox?!”
“Ugh…! That’s—!”
So he does remember I fed him. As soon as I pointed it out, he reverted to a calmer state.
It seems we can at least communicate, and he has emotions. It could mean we can manage some kind of conversation.
“It’s because you’re looking down on me!”
“I didn’t think a demon would understand money.”
“Of course! That’s common sense, you dimwit.”
“No way, but how did you even start thinking you need to buy things? I guess stealing could’ve been an option.”
“If I do that, I’d be branded a thief! I wouldn’t be able to stay in this city. Do you intend to ruin my mission?”
“Ah.”
No way.
I truly am sorry.
I didn’t expect this fool to think that far. I had assumed he couldn’t think past his hunger, but he surprisingly had some brainpower.
Of course, I didn’t apologize to a demon.
“Alright. It seems you know a thing or two about the human world? With that knowledge, completing the Gumiho’s orders should be possible.”
“There’s nothing I can’t do. My master only gives me tasks I can handle.”
“Was gorging on the Ursa Major’s belongings part of the Gumiho’s orders too?”
“That’s… Ah! My Bong Ik Wan Cheon!”
Bong Ik Wan Cheon.
It means a bracelet made from phoenix feathers.
Now that I think about it, when this guy got thoroughly beaten and ran away, he dropped a box. Inside was a bracelet that looked like it had a phoenix feather design on it. So, he remembers that.
“Bong Ik, what? What are you talking about?”
“Quit feigning ignorance! You took it!”
“What did I take? I have no idea! But you better lower your voice to the person feeding you, or I might change my mind about sharing.”
“Ugh!”
He reluctantly bowed his head, but it seems he still doesn’t fully believe me as his stare remains fierce.
“My Bong Ik Wan Cheon… You really didn’t take it?”
“I don’t know anything about some Bong Ik! What’s that even about?”
“…”
“Anyway, was taking the Ursa Major’s stuff an order too?”
“I have no reason to disclose that.”
“Guess I should cut off your food supply.”
“Eek! That food! Food! You think you can control me just by using food?!”
“Okay.”
Throw him out.
“Where are you grabbing?!”
I swiftly grabbed Yoho by the back of his jacket and tossed him outside.
*Bang!*
And closed the door.
“Let me in! Let me in!”
“Hehehe, no food for a disobedient fox.”
“I’ll cooperate, so please open up!”
“You’re being too cocky.”
“Ahhh!”
This is unexpectedly fun, right? Yoho here, after getting plundered by us and taking orders, can’t do much now.
Cool.
Since he’ll be guarding me from now on, let’s keep him a little humble before we get started. That’d be easier for me.
“If you’re gonna guard me, you need to fix that attitude. You’re not going to disregard the Gumiho’s orders, right? And if you keep acting cocky, there’ll be no food.”
“…”
The scene of two guys having a cheerful conversation while standing by a door.
This is what youth looks like.
“I got it…”
“Great.”
Looks like I managed to humble him a bit.
I opened the door again.
“Ugh! This Yoho is bowing to a human just for food!”
“Don’t eat human flesh anymore.”
“If you give me meat buns, I might consider it.”
“Alright, let’s head out again.”
“I won’t eat! I won’t eat!”
“Here, have one more meat bun.”
I quickly tossed him another meat bun.
“Wow!”
Yoho cheered, caught it, and munched it happily.
His tail wagging back and forth looks pretty silly.
“You’re really enjoying it.”
As expected, you gotta tame an animal with food.
* * *
“A new member has joined the Knight Brigade.”
No matter what happens, my plan is to let Yoho into the Knight Brigade. That way, he’ll stay close to me and can guard me. It means he can properly carry out the Gumiho’s orders.
“Clap!”
“Wooooo!”
Did a beautiful girl just walk in?
Our gang members shouted and cheered loudly.
“Her name is Miho Yo.”
“Miho Yo! Miho Yo!”
I gave an appropriate name to Yoho.
It’s a pretty decent name.
“And don’t get too curious about her since she’s a friend of the Guardian Spirits.”
“…”
The atmosphere suddenly stiffened.
“Dismissed.”
I quickly sent the kids off and spoke separately to Galbi Jong.
“Galbi Jong, Miho Yo is a friend of the Guardian Spirits, and she has some circumstances that brought her here, so don’t worry too much about her.”
“Hmm… Understood. But what circumstances?”
Galbi Jong said with a hint of reluctance.
“Since it was approved by the Screaming Baldy, I wouldn’t question it, but I do worry about potential trouble in our Knight Brigade.”
“…”
Potential trouble, huh?
Will there really be some?
Then again, since the Gumiho is involved, it wouldn’t be weird if something happened. But it’s just something we deal with.
“Don’t worry; it’ll be fine. No matter what happens, I’ll handle it.”
“Got it.”
And I also talked with Jaemi Son.
“Hehe… Did you say she’s a friend of the Guardian Spirits?”
“Yeah.”
“I find that rather suspicious… heh!”
“Why are you laughing?”
“It’s nothing. I’m off to train in martial arts.”
“Alright.”
Could Jaemi Son have figured out Miho Yo is a fox? Knowing Jaemi Son, it’s certainly possible. And being discreet makes it even more suspicious.
I’m sure we’ll manage somehow.
“Hey, Miho Yo.”
“What do you want?”
“From now, we’ll be heading to see the Guardian Spirits. Remember those women who scolded you last time? Listen to them from now on.”
“Those bitches…!”
The three of us had teamed up to completely toss Yoho around before. She must be really furious about that, but it also means she’s already been defeated once.
So she should be on her best behavior.
Moreover, even though Miho Yo is a fox demon, she’s still a woman. I’d rather leave her in the hands of Serin and Hayoung, just like having a confidante or subservient.
“Serin! Hayoung! I brought Yoho!”
“…You’ve arrived.”
“But what’s this about?”
As soon as I stepped in, I found Serin and Hayoung striking intimidating poses in the dark.
“I could smell that fox scent creeping in.”
“You have some nerve showing your face here with that look!”
Guys, help me, I’m scared…!
If I had lit a cigarette here, I’d probably be shaking and pulling out a fortune teller at this point.
“Gah…!”
Miho Yo seemed to hesitate at the scene and subtly shifted behind me. Wait, what? Are you already asking me to protect you?
It seems she subconsciously acts that way, deciding to submit.
“Alright. Serin, Hayoung, please manage this fox from now on. Even though she’s a fox demon, she’s a woman. So it’ll be better this way, right?”
“Understood, Geunhyeop.”
“By the way, why’s she trying to hide behind you? If she came to greet us, she should come forward, right?”
See?
“Miho Yo, behave yourself accordingly from now on. Don’t have any wild ideas. We’ve already taken you down once.”
“I-I was ordered to guard you, not to appease those girls—”
As soon as Miho Yo yelled that,
“Stand down!”
*Whack!*
Serin’s stick lunged out like a ray of light.
“How dare you raise your voice, fox! If you’ve entered, you should behave properly, or I’ll make sure you taste the consequences!”
“Don’t even think about ignoring orders! I’ll slap a talisman on you right now!”
“Wait, wait! Just a moment!”
Miho Yo cried out as she was being beaten and hit with talismans, looking at me like she was begging for her life, but like I said, I’ve entrusted her management to them.
The hierarchy among women is not much different from that in the military. From here on, Miho Yo’s cocky attitude will be corrected.
In no time, she’ll be a reliable bodyguard.
“Well then, I’ll be off now.”
“Where are you going!!! Save me!!!”
Miho Yo cried in a pitiful manner, but—
“Who are you to raise your voice?!”
*Whack!*
She just gets hit by Serin again.
“Miho Yo, from now on, listen to the Guardian Spirits and stay safe.”
I said that in a narrator’s voice like in Animal Farm as I closed the door.
I could hear the sounds of her initiation ceremony from inside. Depending on whether she’s a total loser or a top class recruit, Serin and Hayoung will either become her devilish seniors or angelic mentors.
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