Chapter: 128
I tilted my head as I saw the face of the fox come bursting out from the thicket.
Puff!
Why is that thing popping up here?
Huh?
I knew that this Sloppy Fox wandered around looking for people it found attractive.
That’s why the Academy can conduct field trips in this forest.
The Sloppy Fox gets mental satisfaction by admiring beautiful students from the Academy, and in return, it allows them to hold field trips.
Would it let us conduct such trips if it was just going to stay in its den and watch the forest being messed up?
However, when it goes around, it usually uses its own avatar.
It should be able to distinguish what the forest’s owner is allowed to do and what it’s not.
But you know what? Right now, that thing seriously looks like the Sloppy Fox’s real body to me.
Wait, what?
Is my eyesight failing?
Or did I get tricked by an illusion?
[Why is the forest's owner appearing so sloppy like this?]
It seems that the weird one is not me, but rather that Sloppy Fox.
I might be fine, but Grandpa wouldn’t be confused.
The white-furred fox that had its face poking out from the bushes finally stepped out, standing right in the middle of our resting spot.
“What a cute fox.”
“I feel some divine energy from it.”
There were cases in the game where the Sloppy Fox revealed its true form.
The condition is simple.
The total amount of charm possessed by the party members must be high enough that the Sloppy Fox wants to capture it with its own eyes.
When the charm value exceeds a certain level, the authority of the forest goes out the window, and it appears here, unable to resist its desires.
But it’s strange.
Is the charm value of this party really that high right now?
Of course, it’s possibly a bit high.
Especially since Joyna and Phoebe have extremely high charm scores.
Frey also doesn’t lag behind those two, but her score isn’t low either.
And me?
Judging by Arthur’s reaction last time, I suspect my score is at best on par with Joyna.
So simply put, it’s higher than average, but that doesn’t mean it should blow the mind of that Sloppy Fox.
So why is that thing showing itself now?
Is there another variable I don’t know about?
While I was pondering, the fox nimbly moved on all fours and stopped right in front of me.
Mew, mew, mew, mew!
Then it made a sound to grab my attention and rubbed its face against my feet, showing affection.
“The fox seems to like Lady Allen.”
The other party members watched the scene with pleased expressions, but I couldn’t be happy no matter what.
I was the only one who knew that this was not just a cute fox, but a creepy old pervert filled with ulterior motives.
Why is this old pervert acting like this towards me?!
There are pretty people all around, why does it come to me and show such affection, you crazy fox!
Could it be that you have a thing for pedophilia like Lord Jushin?!
Was there some kind of backstory not revealed in the game?!
Sigh It could be a good thing, I guess.
When I lifted the fox by its scruff to match eyes with it, it smiled.
Even though it should be hard to read expressions with that kind of fur, I could tell just fine that this Sloppy Fox was very joyful.
Is this Sloppy Fox actually that into me?
‘Hello, Mr. Owner of the Forest.’
“Sloppy Fox. Do you like being treated like a pet by a girl hundreds of years younger than you? You really are a disgrace.”
As I blatantly showed that I knew its identity, the fox’s smile hardened.
It acted all innocent, wagging its tail and making sounds like a real fox, but that didn’t fool me.
[It truly is the owner of this forest. What significance does it have when it has such energy yet acts like that?]
To be precise, it’s that Grandpa can’t be fooled, not me.
‘You’ve already been exposed.’
“Do you think I didn’t notice? Has your cognitive ability deteriorated with age? Sloppy~ dementia~”
“…How did you know?”
As I spoke another word, suddenly, the fox spoke in a human voice.
“Eh?”
“The fox talked?!”
“How interesting.”
While the three who hadn’t anticipated the situation reacted with shock, the fox slipped out of my grasp, did a spin in the air, and smoke began to billow.
As the smoke cleared, a woman who hadn’t been there just moments ago appeared.
“Indeed, one cloaked in divine energy. To perceive this lady’s identity so lightly.”
The woman was dressed in silk garments, which would never appear in Western fantasy settings, like an NPC from the game.
Thin, delicate eyes and a relaxed smile.
Fox ears were perched above her head, and behind her, nine tails swayed gracefully.
Not to mention, she had an eye-catching figure.
The woman radiated a bewitching yet dangerous charm, tilting her chin as she looked down at me.
“Your insight is as good as your voice; it’s becoming more appealing. What will you say to me?”
‘Sorry, but your gaze is a bit creepy.’
“Sloppy Fox, since your eyes are disgusting and revolting, can you please look away?”
“Ah, that’s also nice. The rebellious ones are charming.”
All the explanations thus far apply when that fox isn’t talking.
As far as looks go, she’s certainly among the top tier, even considering all the characters from Soul Academy, but unfortunately, she has a regrettable personality.
As mentioned before, this one is Sloppy.
No matter how stunning her appearance is, a terrible Sloppy title sticks to her.
If one has high charm, any action they take is seen in a good light.
I didn’t speak without concerns.
From the moment this thing started showing affection, I knew that whatever I did would be brushed aside, so I just started throwing out words carelessly.
She was already an exhausting type when I saw her in the game, but it’s even worse now that it’s real.
And I’m the one stuck dealing with this.
Just as my eyes lowered and the corners of that Sloppy Fox’s mouth curled up more, Joy finally broke out of her shock.
“Excuse me, but what the heck is happening here?”
Ah, right.
I forgot to explain because I was enthralled by the perverted nature of this Sloppy Fox.
I thought I’d become immune to pervy acts thanks to Karl lately, but not so!
A real one without consideration is a whole different world.
“Apologies. My lady momentarily lost her composure.”
The Sloppy Fox turned its head towards Joy at her voice and bowed gently.
Joyna and Phoebe are also charming, so isn’t it nice to see some kindness?
If she had brought some random extra, she would’ve looked down and told them to shut up.
“My lady claims that she is Lina, the owner of this forest. She felt the divine energy and came to observe. So you don’t have to worry; I don’t intend to harm you in any way.”
Divine energy? I wonder if that’s related to Armadi’s energy.
Last time Nakrad mentioned something, and now the Sloppy Fox reacts this way; it seems people who can feel energy sense something strange in me.
Considering the Sloppy Fox’s positive response, could it be that the energy has some charm-enhancing quality too?
Surely, Lord Jushin helps out aside from his pervy tendencies.
It’s his damn tendencies that got me into this trouble.
“Since that’s the case, how about we move to a better spot to talk? I want to spend some cozy time with you.”
At first, the three were looking at the Sloppy Fox with curiosity, but I could see their facial expressions hardening with every word that came out of her mouth.
Anyone would feel sick at the sight of her unpleasant smile and drooling.
Even I am feeling sick!
“If my lady promises not to harm you, I guarantee that too. To be precise, I can’t harm you. There are more than just a few beings lurking in this forest. If she makes a bad move, her head will be on the chopping block.”
As soon as the Sloppy Fox finished speaking, the party members redirected their gazes to me.
Given that I’m the one who brought them here, they’re probably looking to me for judgment.
Though the sudden appearance of the Sloppy Fox has twisted our plans a bit, it’s not a bad variable.
Our goal has been to meet the Sloppy Fox from the get-go.
She extended the invitation herself, so there’s no reason to refuse.
Just as I was about to nod, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
The Sloppy Fox, despite the energy of Armadi, seems to have a very favorable view of me.
To the extent that she’d want to invite me to her dwelling and have a chat.
In this situation, I’m the one holding the cards while the Sloppy Fox is the one at a disadvantage, right?
There’s that saying, the first to fall for someone loses.
Right now, it seems like the Sloppy Fox is the loser in this game.
‘Alright, but…’
“Sure, Sloppy Fox. But I have a condition.”
“What is it? Just speak. I’m usually willing to follow your intentions.”
‘Acknowledge us…’
“Recognize us and offer us corresponding rewards. Then, I’ll willingly endure the fact that you are a disgusting and revolting pervert.”
As I boldly raised my chin and stated this, the Sloppy Fox narrowed her eyes.
As if she were weighing something.
“Sorry, but that’s difficult. While I think very highly of you and your companions, granting a master’s acknowledgment isn’t something I can easily give.”
So I might have been too shameless?
No matter how sloppy she is, she’s the owner of the forest, and assuming she would give me everything without a second thought might have been a little naive.
Still, since she already placed my charm in such high regard, I reckon she wouldn’t view me negatively.
She’d probably think something like, “That confident attitude is nice.”
But this crazy Sloppy is that kind of character.
“Well then, I shall allow you to take the test immediately. Normally, you would have to endure hardships to reach the hidden parts of the forest before taking it. I believe this is a fair trade?”
Sure enough.
This is more than enough of a favor.
Usually, to gain a lord’s recognition to take their test, you’d have to overcome multiple hardships to face the forest lord.
For her to let us take the test immediately is the best concession a forest owner can give.
If other forest lords heard of this, they’d be shocked.
‘Okay, I accept.’
“Fine. Sloppy Fox, not bad for an oldie.”
“How do the others feel? Do you all agree to take my lady’s test?”
When the Sloppy Fox asked, the other three nodded their heads.
On our way to meet the Sloppy Fox today, I had already explained what kind of blessing this fox offers and why it’s better to receive it.
Our attitudes were set from the start; there was no way we’d display a different reaction now.
“Oh, and you with the sword. You’re an exception. You’re not qualified to take my test yet.”
“Why not?”
“You lack charm.”
Hearing that she lacked charm caused Frey to blink in surprise.
Haha. Right? That’s the classic Sloppy Fox for you.
She’s endlessly kind to those she likes, but if someone doesn’t meet her standards, she’s as cold as a beast.
‘Um…’
“Sloppy Fox, this Shoddy Swordsman is also my comrade, you know? You’ve aged but why are you being so petty?”
Frey is practically cemented into my party by now.
Her becoming stronger directly benefits me, so it’s best to get her as many rewards as possible.
If it works, great. If not, I’ll just throw in various charm-related items from my inventory to persuade her, while the Sloppy Fox nodded slowly.
“Hmm. I see. If you go that far, I’ll relent. He doesn’t lack charm excessively, so I’ll recognize him.”
Wow. Just how much bonus charm does Armadi’s divine energy provide for her to concede so easily?
“Well, then let’s get started. Let’s begin the trial to gain my recognition!”
As the Sloppy Fox smiled and snapped her fingers, a fog enveloped the area around us.
Whoosh!
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