Chapter 12 

Thanks to absorbing the human-shaped ginseng, my tiger body had grown a little.
It felt much better than before.

… Well, I still sighed, thinking about how I had to feel grateful just because my short legs were now slightly less ridiculous.

That fox has really blended into the human world…

Earlier, I was too busy looking around Cheonwolru to notice.
but he definitely acted like a human master—
and everyone else treated him like one.

The atmosphere changed the moment he stepped in—
People were tense yet happy.
as if the owner of an empty house had finally returned.

“Owner,” huh.

Well, he did say he poured his heart into building Cheonwolru.
I guess he really is the master here.

“San-guuun, want a hug?”

[Ugh. Get lost.]

…If he didn’t try to touch me every chance he got,
My evaluation of him would be so much higher.

He smiled foolishly and reached for me.
So I smacked his palm hard with my claws.

Oh—nice. I’m bigger now, so the hit actually feels satisfying.

“If I hadn’t come because Jimjo begged me, you could’ve died anytime…
yet you only treat me badly.”

Please. I would’ve found another way.]

“Even beasts know gratitude. When will our San-gun grow up?”

[…Should I show you my “grown-up heart” by biting you?]

Only then did he stop teasing me and scramble backward in fear.

Sigh.

[And humans trust this guy to lead Cheonwolru…]

Still—he was reliable.

Annoying jokes aside, he never crossed the line.
He was responsible, loyal, and willing to fight for others.

He had gone up against the Blood Cult to protect foxes on his land.
If he hadn’t done that, he probably wouldn’t have died so young.

…If only his clownish behavior were toned down.
And if he stopped teasing me every five minutes.

The end times are near indeed.
Worse yet, Cheonwolru’s people enjoy watching this madness.

“Oh my, San-gun is being prickly with the Pavilion Master.”

“Amazing. He was so gentle with us.”

“He grew fast. His paws look strong now!”

“Sehwa must be feeding him well!”

“I’ve never seen the Pavilion Master act like that.”

“Seriously…”

[What kind of “human mask” is this fox wearing?]

[Hmm, the mask of a capable, mysterious, handsome man?]

[Oh please. From what fantasy realm?]

[Right here—me! Aren’t I a fantastical fox?]

Should I list every stupid thing you’ve done to me?
Loudly. So the humans hear too?]

[…Don’t.]

[Ugh, why did I save this idiot more than once…]

Hey, you’re benefiting from me too! Call it even!]

[Even? You owe me your life many times over.

“…Ahem. Let’s move on.”

“Oh, right! I had something to do!”

There he goes again. That fox isn’t a fox—he’s a slippery eel.

I snorted and shook my head.

Well, whatever.
Chasing him wasn’t important right now.

I tried to climb onto a nearby pavilion roof.
But loud voices reached my ears and made me sigh.

Tsk tsk. More weaklings trying to force their way into Cheonwolru…

Human recklessness was still incomprehensible.

[They’re perfect prey.]

I rested my chin on my front paws and watched the chaos.

Unlike the wild, humans were strangely lenient—
Those idiots were still alive, after all.

Watching them made my paws itch.
But I didn’t move.

“San-gun.”

I perked up at the familiar voice.
There was the fox, waving at me playfully.

“San-gun! Let’s have snacks!”

I narrowed my eyes at him—but I was curious.

“Kyawng!”

I flicked my tail once and followed him.
Had he prepared licorice?
Or perhaps a qi-rich herb?

With mild curiosity, I stepped into a private room—

—and froze.

Where are the herbs? Where?!]

“Relax. Since you’re here, why not practice your human form?”

I transformed at once.

“You said snacks! But there’s nothing here!”

“You can’t live on herbs forever.
Humans make many delicious foods, you know.”

I frowned.

“Food? Humans cook mainly for pleasure.
I’ve seen offerings before.”

“Right. And they have table manners too.”

“Hmph. So I have to learn those?”

“Don’t think too hard. Just enjoy it.”

He smiled suspiciously while gesturing for me to sit.

I narrowed my eyes. Something was off.

“These are snacks—easy to eat. Just try them.”

“‘Taste,’ huh…”

I examined the food on the table.

I had seen such things before—offerings left for me in the mountains.
Candied fruit skewers, mooncakes, decorative treats…

But these were different.

They looked richer, prettier —
and even smelled intoxicatingly sweet and nutty.

Hmm…

I never ate offerings back then—
I didn’t want to encourage humans, and it interfered with cultivation.

But now, I was in human form.

Tasting one shouldn’t hurt… right?

I picked up the fruit skewer.

It was heavier than expected—ripe fruit.

“Huh? Oh?”

All expectations shattered instantly.

The glossy, transparent coating crunched under my teeth—
a sharp burst of sweetness exploding in my mouth,
followed by tangy fruit juice mixing beautifully with it.

My eyes widened.

“Fox! Fox! What is this?!
It crunched! And it’s sweet—sweet and sour!”

“That’s candied hawthorn.
Seems like you like it?”

“Yes! I’ve never tasted anything like this!”

The fox smiled as if he expected this.

“Children love these.
Kids, your human form resembles those who beg their parents for them.”

“Understandable.”

I licked the sticky syrup from my lips.

“Humans eat such things?
They invent more than I thought.”

“Exactly. That’s why they’re fun.”

He chuckled, and I found myself thinking:

Humans are truly skilled with their hands.

Despite having monkey-like hands,
they created delicate and clever objects—
even tools that enslaved spirit beasts.

Their world was complicated, diverse, and fascinating.
Little wonder that foxes, who loved excitement and novelty,
wandered among humans.

But the fox fell victim to them too…

He was the most human-friendly spirit beast I knew—
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have enjoyed the human world this much.

I sighed as he eyed me mischievously again ,
obviously preparing another joke.

Did I really make the right choice coming to the human world?

Could I protect the fox and Jimjo?
and still take revenge on the Blood Cult—the pests deserving death?

“San-gun, why the frown?
Here, have another.”

Before I could protest,
He shoved a cookie halfway into my mouth.

“Mmff—yuh hisshkeh? (You little…!)”

I meant to yell,
but the sweetness melting in my mouth
made all my irritation dissolve instantly.

…Damn it.

Whatever this snack was—
Its sweet, nutty aroma comforted my heart.

Fine. He bought my silence—for now.