“Hello. I’m not a fox, I’m a human, and I listen very well.”
Huff—satisfied.
Seeing Yoho greet us with a bright smile really fills me with joy. It was definitely a good decision to leave this to Serin and Hayoung.
Isn’t it the case that a woman manages discipline best?
“Wow, the kid really has it down. How did you pull it off?”
“I just taught them some manners. After all, that guy is a demon who has lost to us before, right? I made sure he understands our hierarchy.”
“As expected! You’re truly the daughter of the martial family, Serin!”
In our organization, hierarchy and discipline are of utmost importance.
“She’s really nailing her role as the mistress!”
“Heh, that’s only natural for me.”
Serin strikes a confident pose as if to say, ‘This is me!’
“Having been born and raised in a martial family, this kind of hierarchy management is my specialty.”
“Hehehe, indeed a good wife makes a strong household.”
“Geunhyeop too.”
As I shower her with praise, Serin’s expression softens. Is she feeling bashful? She starts huddling closely to me.
“Well then, Miho Yo. You’ve become quite the suitable candidate for my escort mission. Got it?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Now, show me your abilities. I want to see your escort skills.”
“…”
Nodding, Miho Yo steps forward.
And then—
*Pachi-chik!*
Electricity flows through her body as she reveals her hidden ears and tail. She extends her claws and begins showcasing her techniques, scratching the air.
“Ka-haeng!”
Her skill level seems decent. No doubt, since we teamed up against that demon, her basic abilities are quite remarkable. Sure, she’s probably weakened due to her prior injuries, but at this level, I can definitely entrust her.
“Good. You don’t have the eye for it, so show me your magic.”
“Behold! The power of Yoho!”
What the heck is this brat?
Did her power boost bring out her true self?
“Kyaaaah!”
*Cha-hak!*
Excited Miho Yo starts scratching the air, dispersing sparks of electricity. The scattered electricity is impressive.
But it seems like her range isn’t that far.
“Miho Yo! Show me the longest-range spell you have!”
“Ka-haeng! It’s too good to show to humans, but I’ll show you once!”
*Chuh-reok!*
Excited, Miho Yo raises her arms like she’s celebrating. She looks like a primitive shaman praying for rain.
“Kyahap!”
A spirited shout.
Yellow light erupts from Miho Yo’s eyes. Clouds of electricity begin to form around her delicate arms.
And at the moment she swings her arms downward—
*Cha-haaaak!*
A storm of electricity the size of a wagon wheel swirls and shoots directly forward.
“Ohhh!”
Honestly… that’s some serious fireworks!
Did this brat really just fire that off?
*Kwaaaaaan!*
The electrical storm explodes at its maximum distance. If that hit, even formidable demons would be cooked!
Definitely looks useful.
“Kya-hahaha! Did you see! The power of the great Yoho!”
“Of course! The audacity of a fox showing the power of the master!”
“Ka-haeng? Kyaah!!!”
At some point, Hayoung, who came to observe, swings a club and smacks Miho Yo on the head.
“Who do you think you are, talking back like that! I just taught you nicely, and already…!”
“Kyaah! Kyaah! Save me, fox! Save me!!!”
“Sigh. Looks like more training is needed.”
“Yeah. The excitement brings out her personality.”
It seems that Miho Yo is destined to get hit for a while.
“By the way, if I’m going to keep you as an escort, I guess you should at least be able to use a weapon. It’s odd to be unarmed while escorting someone. Plus, I can’t just let you use your powers carelessly.”
If it’s just us, Miho Yo’s powers could strategically be used as resources, but if others are watching, there’s no way she can use her energy or showcase her techniques.
Of course, we need to have at least one weapon for disguise.
“Hmmm… then I’ll teach you the technique.”
“The technique?”
“There’s one available, isn’t there?”
“Oh, that one.”
It’s the technique from a black-hooded warrior I eliminated before creating the Naksal Hall. What was it called again? Something like ‘Golden Money Killing’? I can’t remember anymore.
“The technique is easier to master than sword techniques. And since Miho Yo has a potent fighting style, I think it would match well. She can practice the technique and usually use her human form to wield it.”
“Let’s do that. When it’s just us, she can even use her fox mode.”
“Fox mode?”
“No, I mean her fox state. That came out wrong.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
If we do this, Miho Yo could definitely become quite useful.
Let’s make sure to utilize her well.
Well, it wouldn’t be great if the Gumiho finds out, but… what can we do? To adapt to the human world, I have to do this much. Besides, I can’t continue this uncomfortable coexistence just to pacify the Gumiho, whose presence is uncertain.
But on the other hand, I feel a bit concerned.
The Gumiho’s purpose is to test whether I can use her to give birth to a half-demon or not.
“Ka-haeng! Stupid humans…! They don’t even know this is all a performance!”
I really wonder if I can view this foolish fox as a woman?
It looks quite challenging.
—
While socializing with the fox, I suddenly remember the Gok Ok I received from the Gumiho. I did receive it, but what am I supposed to use it for? Hayoung said she didn’t know, but wouldn’t a fox know?
So, I called the fox.
“Do you know what this is?”
Showing her the Gok Ok from the wooden box.
“Gasp!”
The fox jumps in alarm.
Even in human form, her hair stands on end.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“W-Why do you have that…!”
“It’s given by the Gumiho.”
“Urgh!”
Looks like it must be something precious as the fox glares at me with jealousy.
“So, you’re saying you received it without knowing what it was?”
“If it’s given, I take it!”
“Master, what were you thinking…!”
“Are you backstabbing the Gumiho now? Got it right away.”
“That’s not it!”
In any case, I’m curious about the identity of the Gok Ok.
What the heck is it?
“Quickly explain before you spill it.”
“That’s the Fox Gok Ok!”
Such a simple name.
“It’s a very valuable treasure! It’s too much for a human like you…!”
“Should I call your superior?”
“Gasp!”
Just by hinting to call Serin, the fox quiets down.
Looks like she fears Serin more than the Gumiho.
“Anyway, the Fox Gok Ok. It seems that it’s incredibly valuable, huh?”
“Of course! Just possessing it amplifies magical power!”
“Amplifying magical power, huh!”
It must be an immense treasure for demons. It’s almost like a sharded jewel.
But will it be useful to me?
I primarily transform magical power into pure energy and store it in my lower abdomen, which manifests as phenomena when released.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem very useful.
“Why did the Gumiho give this to me?”
It’s a treasure, but not particularly useful.
“Ka-haeng. It must be to strengthen my powers while I’m guarding you.”
“Uh. No. Go back.”
“Please!”
“Shut up.”
Could it be that the Gumiho gave this to try and enhance my demonic aspects? If so, it seems plausible. Whatever it is, it’s a fact that magical power influences me.
“How do I use this? Ah, I can just hold onto it.”
I quickly got a string to tie the Gok Ok as a makeshift necklace. Completing my temporary necklace.
“It looks good on you.”
I put on the necklace.
“Hmmm.”
I don’t feel any changes.
“Huff!”
Even when I try to elevate my aura, it doesn’t feel different. It doesn’t seem amplified at all.
“This doesn’t seem effective?”
“That’s likely because you’re human.”
“But as you know, I use a power that combines magical energy and internal energy.”
“…I don’t know about that.”
Didn’t expect anything from you, buddy.
For now, let’s wear this treasure given by the Gumiho. Maybe I’ll find some other use for it.
“Now, what’s next? Hey. Fox. What’s this?”
“What… ? Ah!”
Bong Ik Wan Cheon.
When I show her the artifact that the fox dropped last time, she jumps in shock again.
“That’s my Bong Ik Wan Cheon! You scoundrel! How dare you lie! You said you didn’t know!”
“I didn’t know. But when I sent my subordinates out to search, it turned up.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
I casually brush it off, and she begins to ponder.
“Give it back!”
“What is it?”
“Don’t ask!”
“I’m not giving it back.”
“Please!”
What’s with all this begging?
“What’s it supposed to be?”
“Th-that’s a treasure of the Bijo Naksal!”
“A treasure?”
“I don’t know the details. I just know they hold it in high regard.”
“Hmmm… The information is so poor that I don’t feel inclined to give it back.”
“Ugh!”
Panicking, the fox starts to explain further.
She recounts that there was a time when the Bijo Naksal thrived. It’s said they revered the phoenix, so this Bong Ik Wan Cheon is likely an artifact of that era.
“My master ordered me to return it.”
“Is collecting things like this what he wants?”
“Yep. My master is gathering treasures possessed by demons across the lands. This is one of them. So you have to return the Bong Ik Wan Cheon to me, unless you want to anger my master.”
“Is that so.”
Well, I can always return it when I meet him later.
“Do you know about its effects? A treasure with that much history must have some power, right? Usually, things like this are treated as artifacts.”
“I don’t know! The Bijo Naksal didn’t know either!”
“Hmmm.”
If this is truly some kind of artifact or treasure, only the Bijo Naksal would know how to use it.
But did the knowledge of its usage fade away through generations?
In any case, there’s no harm in holding onto it.
“Fine. I’ll keep it for now, and when the Gumiho comes looking, I’ll return it to you.”
“Ugh…”
I notify her while clasping the Bong Ik Wan Cheon onto my arm.
“Wow.”
A necklace and a bracelet?
With these accessories, I feel like my stats have gone up!
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
