Chapter 7
Walking around the inside of Cheonwolru with Sehwa left one impression:
“There are ponds and plants here? Even though all of this is man-made.”
And maybe it was just my imagination, but I didn’t see any guests.
Only people who seemed to guard Cheonwolru, people dressed beautifully while practicing something, and servants cleaning or helping inside the building.
So this is where high-level information flows…
I guess if the information is expensive, the number of visitors is small? But doesn’t that mean less information?
I tilted my head repeatedly, puzzled, and Sehwa laughed softly as she knelt beside me.
“Curious about the carp in the pond?”
“Kyawng?”
[Curious? They look like carp humans bred for their own tastes. Probably tasteless too.]
“These carp are ones the Pavilion Master cherishes. You might fall in if you lean too close, so let’s step back.”
“Keung!”
[Yeah right, like he cherishes anything.]
Still, I didn’t want to get my fluffy cub fur wet, so I obediently stepped back.
She rewarded me by softly patting my head.
“Grrrng.”
“You listen so well. Such a good boy.”
…Whatever.
I could communicate with Sehwa just fine if I wanted to.
But why bother?
The fox cares about this human, not me.
I never met Sehwa in my previous life.
Even if I had, she would’ve died just like all the other Haomun members after being targeted by the Blood Cult.
No matter how kind she seemed, she was still human.
Humans died easily, like falling leaves, and forming attachments only made life more troublesome.
I wasn’t planning to get attached.
The fox needed to return soon so I could rebuild my inner core—and have less reason to stay with this human.
Realizing the harsh truth, I felt gloomy again.
Humans moved in groups, were physically weaker individually, yet frighteningly cunning. A bothersome race.
Still, I quietly followed behind Sehwa.
She walked slower than other humans.
…Probably because she was matching her pace to my short legs.
“Grrrng!”
This is humiliating.
I, who could easily overpower anyone here even in this tiny body, was being pitied.
How did I fall this far?
No, calm down. Calm down.
I had been given a chance—to turn back time and take revenge on those damned Blood Cult humans.
Remembering that made following a human with my stubby legs feel a little more tolerable.
“Why? Are you tired?”
“Kyeng!”
Absolutely not. Don’t pick me up.
I lightly tapped her approaching hand with my paw—gently, without claws.
If I used claws, her soft, pale hand would tear instantly.
“Alright, alright. You want to walk by yourself?”
“Kyawng!”
“Okay. But if it gets too hard, cry out for me, alright?”
“Kkuuu!”
I’m not a baby, woman…
At this size, a real tiger cub would just now be following its mother and trying to hunt butterflies.
Frustrated, I swished my tail hard as I walked.
I heard Sehwa quietly stifling a laugh, but I graciously pretended not to notice.
Trying to follow the fox’s orders, Sehwa led me to every area of Cheonwolru we hadn’t explored yet.
I can’t rely only on fox-gathered herbs and elixirs.
To grow stronger, I’d have to find places to train as well.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching and twitched my ears.
Encounter with the Residents of Cheonwolru
“Lady Sehwa, hello!”
We had reached the sleeping quarters of Cheonwolru’s residents.
People dressed more casually than the attendants rushed over.
“Ah? Kyaa! A tiger cub?!”
“Is that really a tiger cub? Why is there a tiger cub here?!”
“Oh my goodness! I’ve never seen one before!”
Their squeals echoed everywhere.
Then Sehwa’s expression hardened.
“Stop making such a fuss. Would you act like this in front of guests too?”
“B–but…”
“Even if a pit of snakes opens before you, you must never lose your smile in front of guests. Understand?”
“…Yes, Lady Sehwa…”
They immediately calmed down, though their shoulders drooped in embarrassment.
“And this tiger was brought here by the Pavilion Master.”
“…The Pavilion Master?”
Judging from their wide, rolling eyes, even they found the fox’s action unexpected.
“His name is Sangun. The Pavilion Master said to raise him well so he becomes another attraction of Cheonwolru.”
“R-raise a tiger as an attraction…?”
“Well, no other place raises tigers, so he would be rare, but… isn’t it dangerous for guests?”
“That’s why we should train him early. The Pavilion Master is giving Sangun special attention. I’m sure he has a plan.”
“If it’s the Pavilion Master, then…”
Seriously, what did that damn fox DO to earn this kind of trust from humans?
Given his usual behavior, “trustworthy” wasn’t the word I’d use.
And yet these humans treated him like a reliable leader.
Suddenly, one brave human stepped forward.
“L-Lady Sehwa! In that case, Sangun should get used to the people of Cheonwolru first, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“And to make him an attraction, we should make sure he becomes friendly and harmless toward humans.”
“…Is that all?”
“I—I want to pet Sangun!!”
Both Sehwa and I stared at her.
Her face turned bright red as she stammered:
“M-my father always said young animals need human touch to be tamed…”
“Yes! I heard that too! Animals raised with human affection become gentle.”
“And he’s still a tiger! If he doesn’t get used to humans now, he might bite someone’s neck later!”
Others chimed in excitedly.
Sehwa looked at me, clearly conflicted.
Why? Why are you thinking about this?!
“…What they said makes sense.”
“Kyawng?”
[It DOES NOT make sense!]
“If Sangun seems uncomfortable, stop immediately. He may be a tiger, but he’s still a baby.”
“You—you’re letting us?!”
“Yes. Early socialization is important for safety. I’ll report it to the Pavilion Master. But only while I’m watching. Understand?”
“Kyaa!! Yes, Lady Sehwa!”
“You scream too easily.”
“Y-yes, Lady Sehwa…”
The brave woman who spoke first approached me and crouched down.
A chill ran down my spine.
Bad. This felt like trouble.
***
The Petting Storm
I am nearly a thousand years old.
Even if I look like I’m ten in tiger-cub years, this was a crisis.
“Cuuute…!!”
“How can he be so gentle? Even grumpy house cats are more temperamental than Sangun!”
“Oh my gosh, his paw pads are so soft!!”
Humans were unbelievably fragile.
Aside from the natural qi they were born with, they had no strength. Their soft skin would tear under a single swipe.
Being an enlightened beast, I never hunted humans.
Even other beasts I rarely harmed.
So I allowed their light petting.
A generous concession from a mountain lord like me.
The humans looked overjoyed, smiling so wide their faces looked silly.
It was a bit annoying, but what could I do?
If I swiped the wrong way, I could literally kill them.
“Kkewng…”
But even after a long while, they didn’t stop.
I flicked my ears tiredly—
“Kyaaa! He moved!”
“Ohhh, so cute!”
Their exaggerated reactions made the situation even worse.
…This was becoming a problem.
