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Chapter 16
“…I might not know much about human appearances, but I do know that face of yours looks wrong.”
“What?! I worked hard on this face — it could charm every human alive! San-gun, you don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“That’s exactly the problem. Tsk tsk… what happened to your dignity as a spirit beast? That slick human face is disgraceful.”
“You really don’t get it. Try living in the human realm for a bit — you’ll see just how well this smooth face works on them.”
Seeing the fox’s smugly confident expression made me want to grab those cheeks and stretch them out.
With that thought, I transformed into the form of a young human child.
Maybe the fox sensed my mischievous intent, because he put on a mask and stood up, clearly determined not to let me touch him.
I felt both disappointed and frustrated at my small body.
“Still stuck looking like a brat, huh…”
“It’s not easy to take on an adult form in your condition.”
“True. Since I’m not going into battle right away, it’s better to stay like this and save my strength for emergencies.”
“Not a bad plan. There’s even a saying in the martial world about that.”
“A saying? What kind?”
“There’s one that goes, ‘Beware of a lone child, woman, or old man traveling alone.’ It means that anyone who seems weak but roams the martial world alone must have the strength to protect themselves.”
“Hm. I suppose humans are fragile, and their young, females, and elderly are even weaker.”
“…San-gun, don’t use words like that. People will stare. At least not when others are around.”
“I get the meaning, but humans sure have a lot of taboos. Still, I’ll mimic them properly.”
“So, are we done here? Come on, San-gun.”
“Ugh, I hate having such short legs. When will I recover properly…”
“How about hunting another spirit beast for its core? That’s one way to recover, you know.”
“That’s my last resort. I’ll only do it if there’s no other way.”
“Right… you’ve never taken another spirit beast’s core before. Sorry, that was careless of me.”
The fox apologized softly and lifted me into his arms. I grabbed his collar, and that let me settle comfortably against his chest.
“For now, I guess I’ll keep playing the ‘mascot’ of Cheonwolru.”
“That’s fine, but make sure to walk around in human form too. You need to get used to a human body.”
“But I’m not even in an adult form.”
“There are advantages to being a kid. Humans are usually forgiving toward children. And since you learned shapeshifting from me, there probably isn’t a child in all of the Central Plains as cute, charming, and lovable as you.”
“…Was that a compliment or just self-praise?”
“Both.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Still, he wasn’t wrong — foxes were the only spirit beasts who mastered transformation so well, and they were naturally good-looking.
“All right. Since I came to the human realm for a reason, I’ll take your advice.”
“Leave it to me. Oh, and about your job as gatekeeper — take it easy. As the guardian of Cheonwolru, you’re impressive, but as a fox, I can’t help but worry.”
“Got it. I’ll hold back and hit more gently.”
“…No, better to knock them out cold. Make sure they don’t even remember getting hit.”
“That’s easier, actually. But tell me — in this form, what level of human fighters can I handle?”
The fox thought seriously for a moment before answering.
“In terms of internal energy alone, somewhere between second-rate and first-rate. Stronger than most second-rate fighters, but not quite first-rate.”
“…Can you explain that in simpler terms?”
“In a decent-sized sect, someone who trains for a few years can reach second-rate. Those without talent can’t even reach third-rate — so you’re definitely not at the bottom.”
That answer made me a little gloomy.
“So basically, I’m on the weak side.”
“Well…”
“Yeah, even I find it depressing. But then how come those guys collapse from just one slap?”
“That’s because they’re not real martial artists. They’re amateurs drunk on pride. Calling them warriors is an insult — even passing dogs would laugh.”
“Hm… so they’re just rookies. Then what about you, Fox? How strong are you by human standards?”
The fox grinned slyly.
“In human form? Publicly, I’m considered a Peak Master.”
“And if you go all out?”
“Transcendent Peak. But I don’t plan to reveal that.”
“Why not?”
“The Hao Sect’s martial artists aren’t especially powerful compared to other sects — information is our real strength. We’re a decentralized network. Even if I were killed, no one would seek revenge.”
“I see. I don’t remember any of them from my previous life.”
“That’s the funny part. The Hao Sect has the reputation of being like bats — neither this side nor that. To survive, you have to be smart and low-key.”
A smirk curved the fox’s lips.
“Besides, what’s the point of flashy fights? When things get boring, I just stop playing.”
“Well, you did treat the human realm like a game.”
…But in truth, he’d been captured by the Blood Sect.
He’d fought them when they invaded his territory and slaughtered indiscriminately — but ended up enslaved, his mind broken, used as a tool. When I was captured, he was discarded like a worn-out weapon.
Even though he wasn’t involved with humans, they still targeted and killed him.
I could still see it — the moment his body was torn open, and his spirit core ripped out before my eyes.
“Hey, don’t make that face, kid.”
He poked my cheek, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“…Your finger.”
“That kind of expression doesn’t suit a child.”
I chuckled and pushed his hand away; he let me.
“I’ll be careful.”
“There it is again — you don’t sound like a kid at all.”
“Does a child have to act childish? I’m not actually one.”
“Just don’t overdo it. In Cheonwolru, you can talk freely, so don’t stress too much.”
“Heh. Like a cat worrying about a mouse.”
“And don’t worry too much either.”
I glanced up, surprised. The fox frowned.
“You think I’m doing this just because of some promise?”
“I thought you’d help out and then quietly disappear.”
“Before I pay my debt? Hah, you wish.”
He pinched my cheek lightly. I narrowed my eyes and smacked the back of his hand.
“Ow! Sharp as ever, even in a tiny body. Guess I don’t have to worry.”
“Then stop pinching my face.”
“What can I say? Soft, fluffy cheeks just ask to be touched. Anyway, you still owe me plenty, so don’t think you’re off the hook.”
He rubbed the back of his hand, pretending it didn’t hurt — but it clearly did.
“So, San-gun, be careful. Humans can be far crueler to those who aren’t their own kind.”
Cheonwolru was always crowded, but lately, even more people gathered there.
The baby tiger guarding Cheonwolru.
A creature that could send most martial artists flying with a single slap, yet obeyed the staff without question — a living curiosity.
And since it was safe to watch up close, both challengers and spectators constantly filled the entrance.
For gossip-lovers, stories about the little tiger never got old — perfect entertainment over drinks.
And watching arrogant fighters charge in, only to be flattened by a cub half their size? That was comedy gold.
Today was no exception. People bought snacks, took their spots, and waited eagerly for the famous cub to appear.
But of course, not everyone was pleased by the spectacle.
“Guh—!”
Another martial artist went rolling across the ground, his face red with humiliation after being smacked by the tiger’s paw.
Had he lost to the gate guards, it wouldn’t have been so shameful — everyone knew the Cheonwolru guards were handpicked by the mistress herself.
But to be knocked down by a tiger cub barely half a man’s height?
That was pure humiliation.
“Ha! The baby tiger wins again.”
“How can something that small hit that hard?”
“Guess a tiger’s a tiger, no matter the age.”
Listening to the laughter around him, the defeated man clenched his teeth as the triumphant cub received treats from the guards.
Losing to a beast — a child no less — was a devastating blow to a martial artist’s pride.
His eyes burned with fury as he glared at the cub. But all he could do was leave.
As he sheathed his unswung sword and turned to go, someone approached him.
“You too, huh? Lost to that damned cub.”
“You as well…?”
“As a fellow victim, I’d like a word. Got some time? Don’t you want to get rid of that damned tiger?”
The man followed the stranger’s gaze — cold and full of hatred toward the tiger — and nodded.
Those eyes were sincere. They truly wanted the creature gone. Just like he did.
“What’s there to discuss?”
“As it happens, there’s a little gathering tonight. You’re not the only one humiliated by that beast. I think you’ll find our talk… interesting. Care to join?”
“I’d like to hear this story of yours.”
“Good. This way, please.”
The stranger led him off — a lure, perhaps. But the martial artist didn’t care.
His pride had already been trampled under a tiger cub’s paw. Logic no longer mattered.
Only his shredded pride cried out for revenge.
