HSMBM 12

Chapter 12

Thanks to absorbing the energy of the doll ginseng, my slightly larger tiger form was a bit more satisfying than before.

…Though the fact that I had to be satisfied simply because my short legs no longer made me stumble so often made me sigh again.

‘Anyway, that fox… he’s really blended into the human world.’

Before, I’d been too distracted exploring Cheonwolru to notice, but the fox was doing an impeccable job pretending to be human—
No, playing the role of a human leader.

You could tell just from how the atmosphere changed the moment he arrived at Cheonwolru.

People looked nervous yet pleased to see him, the place seemed more lively—
Or perhaps “the master of the house has returned” would be a better way to put it.

“Master,” huh.

He did say he’d put a lot of effort into Cheonwolru, so maybe the word master isn’t wrong after all.

“Hey, Mountain Lord~ Want a hug?”

[Ugh, get lost.]

…If he didn’t keep shoving himself into my face every now and then, I might’ve actually revised my opinion of him.

As he laughed foolishly and spread his arms wide, I smacked his open palm hard with my clawed forepaw.

Oh—since I’ve grown a bit, the hit feels more satisfying now.

“If I hadn’t come here because of Jimjo’s request, you’d have been dead already. Yet you still hate me.”

[Oh, please. I would’ve found another way back then.]

“Even beasts know to repay a favor. When will our Mountain Lord ever mature?”

[…Want me to repay it by biting you, with all my mature heart?]

He finally stopped teasing me and scurried backward, making me sigh deeply.

[And the people of Cheonwolru actually trust and follow a guy like that.]

Still, he was trustworthy.

Sure, he played too many pranks—but he knew his limits.

He was responsible, too, and surprisingly loyal.

If he hadn’t tried to stop those Blood Cult bastards who hunted every fox in his territory to extinction, he probably wouldn’t have died so early.

…He’s great and all, if only he’d act less like a fool. And tease me less.

What a world.
And worse, the people of Cheonwolru actually enjoyed watching this nonsense.

“Oh my, look! Mountain Lord’s being snippy with the Master!”
“Wow, that’s strange. He was so calm with us.”
“He grew so fast—his forepaws have gotten strong!”
“Must be because Sehwa’s been feeding him well.”
“I’ve never seen the Master act like that before.”
“Truly…”

[…Just what kind of human mask are you wearing, exactly?]

[Mm, something like a capable, mysterious man whose face under the mask must be handsome?]

[Oh, sure. And what fantasy beast are you supposed to be?]

[Right here. Why, aren’t I a fantastically handsome fox?]

[Should I list every idiotic thing you’ve done to me so far? I can even tell the others. Some fantasy, huh.]

[Let’s not do that, okay?]

[Sigh. Why did I ever bother saving you, more than once…]

[You got help from me too, didn’t you? Call it even.]

[Even? You owe me your life!]

[Ahem. Shall we move on?]

“Oh right! I still have something to do!”

And there he goes again. That guy’s not a fox—he’s a loach. Slippery thing.

I snorted softly and shook my head as I watched him scurry off.

Oh well. It wasn’t like chasing him mattered right now.

I was about to head up to a nearby pavilion when a noise reached my ears, making me sigh again.

Tsk, tsk. Another group of weaklings trying to cross Cheonwolru’s gates, making a fuss.

I’d seen it before, but I still couldn’t understand human recklessness.

[Those guys are perfect prey to get eaten alive.]

Resting my chin on my paw, I began watching the commotion.

Unlike the wild, the human world was surprisingly lenient.

Just the fact that those idiots weren’t dead yet showed the benefit of sticking together.

Watching them made my body itch with instinct, but I didn’t interfere.

“Mountain Lord.”

A familiar voice made my ears twitch, and I turned my head. There stood the fox, waving playfully at me.

“Mountain Lord! Snack time!”

I narrowed my eyes at his overly cheerful tone—but I couldn’t help wondering what kind of snack he’d brought.

“Kyawng!”

I flicked my tail once and trotted over. What could it be? Licorice? Or maybe some energy-rich herb?

With mild curiosity and expectation, I followed him into a private room.

But the sight that greeted me inside was completely unexpected.

[Herbs? There are no herbs!]

“Come on, make yourself comfortable. Oh, and since we’re practicing, take your human form.”

At that, I immediately transformed.

“You said there’d be snacks! There’s nothing here!”

“You can’t live off elixirs and herbs forever, Mountain Lord. Humans have plenty of delicious food too.”

I frowned.

“Food? I’ve heard humans make food just to please their tongues. I’ve seen it offered as tribute before.”

“Right. Well, it does come with a bit of table etiquette.”

“Hmm. So you’re saying I have to learn it?”

“Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy it.”

The fox smiled faintly and gestured to the seat. That grin was suspiciously bright.

“Try it first. It’s all snacks—easy to eat.”

“Taste, huh.”

I examined the dishes on the table.

None of them were entirely unfamiliar; I’d seen similar things when humans offered tributes to me. There were skewered fruits covered in something shiny, and mooncakes with decorative patterns.

But these looked different—far more delicious and beautiful than any offerings I’d ever received.

The strong, sweet aroma and savory scent—so unnatural in the wild—were alluring.

“Hmm.”

I’d never eaten the offerings before. I hadn’t intended to grant humans’ wishes anyway, and I’d thought such indulgence distracted from training.

…But since I’m in human form now.

Tasting one wouldn’t hurt, would it?

I picked up the nearest fruit skewer. It was heavier than expected—ripe and solid inside.

“Huh? Oh?”

Any assumption that it’d just taste like normal fruit vanished instantly.

The transparent coating shattered with a crisp crack, flooding my mouth with a sharp sweetness, followed by the tangy, juicy burst of the fruit beneath. The combination was refreshing and addictively sweet.

“Fox! What is this? It just broke apart in my mouth! It’s sweet—sweet and tangy!”

“It’s made by coating hawthorn berries in syrup. So, it’s good?”

“Yeah! I’ve never tasted anything like this before!”

The shocking flavor made my eyes widen, and the fox smiled, pleased.

“It’s a snack children love. Kids around your apparent age in human form would beg their parents for it.”

“I can see why.”

So humans make things this delicious, huh.

As I thought that, I licked the sticky juice from my lips.

“They make things like this? Humans really are more creative than I thought.”

“That’s what makes them fun,” the fox chuckled.

Watching his amused grin, I thought to myself—

Indeed. Humans are incredible with their hands.

Their hands might look like monkeys’, yet they created far more intricate, imaginative things. Maybe that’s why they could kill spirits like me and enslave us as tools.

In such a complex, varied, fascinating world, it was only natural for a curious, playful spirit like that fox to mingle among humans.

But even he got burned.

Among all the spirits I knew, he understood humans best—and was the most friendly toward them.
If he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have ended up staying here, playing in the human realm.

As he grinned mischievously and looked ready to tease me again, a sigh escaped my lips.

I still don’t know if coming down to the human world was the right choice.

Can I really avenge the Blood Cult—those monsters who deserve to be ripped apart—while watching over that childish fox and Jimjo?

“Mountain Lord, why the long face? Here, have another.”

Before I could react, the fox shoved another pastry halfway into my mouth. I glared at him fiercely.

“Mmghh (You little—!)”

I wanted to get angry, but the sweetness filling my mouth made my nerves relax before I knew it.

Hah… Whatever this snack is, its sweetness and nutty flavor ease the heart a little too well. How cunning.

That sly fox.
Still, since he gave me something tasty, I guess I can postpone my anger for now.