SHMBM 05

Chapter 05

It wasn’t like I climbed onto Sehwa’s lap without thinking.

“He’s supposed to be the most influential person in Cheonwolru, and when that fox leaves, he’s the one who manages everything… right?”

On top of that, he belonged to the Hao Clan, so he was said to be the one who gathered information in Cheonwolru and passed it on to the fox.

“Most of all, he doesn’t have that smell.”

According to the fox, there was no such group as the “Blood Cult.” It was certain they had been growing their power in secret.

But there was one unmistakable way to identify them.

Their smell. Members of the Blood Cult had a particular stench. No matter how faint, I could never forget it.

That rotten blood smell dragged up memories of that hell.

Sehwa didn’t give off that smell, which was satisfactory.

[So, where’s the elixir?]

[Wait a moment, Sangu.]

“Sehwa. Where did you put the elixirs we’ve collected so far?”

“Shall I bring them right away?”

“Yes, please do that.”

“Understood. Just a moment. But…”

I felt Sehwa’s eyes land on me. Pretending not to know anything, I tilted my head and let out a small cry.

“Kyawng?”

[Sangu, what are you going to do?]

[I’m going too. I’m curious about this human.]

[He’s not someone worth paying that much attention to. He’s just being used heavily because of the situation.]

[Sure. Says the guy who kept his eyes on him just because of one comment.]

“You can bring him. No… let’s go together.”

Sehwa’s eyes widened in surprise at that. I sniffed as I sensed the slight tremble of his gaze and the subtle change in his scent.

Hmm. Humans’ scents change with their emotions.
He seemed slightly nervous… why?

“…Understood, Master.”

“The tiger seems to like you. You carry him.”

She nodded carefully and shifted me into a more comfortable hold.

As the fox and Sehwa walked through the halls with me in their arms, every person we passed stared with wide eyes—but only for a moment. Then they bowed and stepped aside.

Seeing that, I was reminded again that both the fox and Sehwa held high status.

Elixirs, huh.

Plain herbs were better, honestly. But this was human territory, and they only had processed elixirs—herbs stripped of energy harmful to humans.

I had no choice. My body was too small to gather energy in the mountains alone. As the fox said, the best choice right now was to hide in the human realm and rebuild my strength.

[Is Sehwa also a martial artist?]

[To a degree. But not a strong one. People in the Hao Clan aren’t known for their martial skill.]

Hmm. So that faint energy I sensed was that.

While I nodded at the fox’s explanation, we reached a small room.

Sehwa carefully took out a key and unlocked the padlock on the door.

“Please come in.”

“Hm. You gathered quite a lot this time.”

“I collected as much as possible after receiving your message several days ago.”

The fox nodded, picking up a small wooden box.

“Oh? You even acquired a millennium-aged Polygonum multiflorum?”

It was hard for any herb to age a thousand years.

Because the herb itself was common, millennium-aged versions were comparatively easier to acquire.

Still, the fact that he had actually gotten one right after being asked… he was surprisingly capable.

“…It was a fortunate opportunity.”

Sehwa bowed slightly. The fox examined the herb and then held it out to me.

“Here.”

“Kyawng!”

I had no reason to refuse, so I immediately bit into it. I’d already been salivating at the energy wafting from inside the box.

Sehwa gasped sharply as I swallowed the precious herb without hesitation. I ignored him and enjoyed the bitter taste spreading in my mouth before gulping it down.

Yes. This is more like it.

I felt the mass of energy slide down my throat and settle where my core was. My tail flicked in satisfaction.

“Think you can eat more?”

“Kyao!”

[Stop talking nonsense and hand over more.]

“You greedy thing. Here.”

[You little—]

I glared at the fox but ate the next elixir anyway. This one had less energy, but it was purer and smoother.

“Master…”

“We’ll talk later. Let’s feed him first. If your arms get tired, put him down. Eating is the priority right now.”

[Of course. And unlike you, she’s carrying me with weak human arms.]

[You’re heavy for a baby tiger.]

This time, instead of eating the elixir, I bit the fox’s hand. Hard. His qi must’ve been thin, because he let out a small yelp.

[Sangu!!]

[Be grateful I didn’t go for your throat. In my real body, I’d crush you underfoot.]

[…I would literally die then. Are you that big?]

[Do you think I crush for fun?]

[…]

This brat. He really was enjoying my weakened state.

I sniffed around, opened the box containing the better-smelling elixirs, and ate freely.

These elixirs were good.

By the time I was satisfied, I had eaten nearly two-thirds of the room’s supply.

I let out a small burp with the scent of herbs, then licked my paws clean.

Only then did I think of Sehwa.

…Wow. If I poke him lightly, he might jump like a startled rabbit.

He looked absolutely shocked. What exactly was he surprised about?

“Um… Master. Forgive me, but may I ask a question?”

“Go on.”

“I was taught that consuming too many elixirs at once could harm the body. But…”

“Ah. That’s fine.”

The fox waved dismissively.

“Animals don’t overeat to the point of harming themselves. I’ll take responsibility.”

“I… see.”

“Especially this one. No need to worry. He’s not weak enough to be harmed by that.”

True. My body had always been fine even with excessive herbs.

“And look. Does he look like he’s in danger?”

Sehwa fell silent at the sight of me lying sprawled on my back, lazily exhaling warm air.

“Still… he ate more than I expected.”

[This is nowhere near enough.]

“I’ll have to gather more elixirs. Sehwa.”

“I will do my best.”

“I’ll prepare the funds. I’ll be busy for a while, but…”

The fox’s gaze fell on me.

What. What now.

“Sehwa. Take care of him while I’m gone.”

“…Pardon?”

“His name… Sangu sounds fitting. Grow strong like a king of the mountains.”

[Oh, please.]

“Or you can give him a name you like. I won’t be gone long, so take care of him until then.”

“M-Master. What about the tiger’s meals…?”

“Feed him the elixirs here. If you want to give him raw meat, try it. He’ll eat it if he feels like it.”

[I won’t. Bring elixirs.]

[Sangu. Pretending to be an ordinary baby tiger is less suspicious.]

[Isn’t it already too late the moment a tiger appears in the human realm?]

[…It’s still better than being revealed as a spirit creature.]

Fair enough.

I snorted and flicked my tail. The fox let out a long sigh.

“I’ll explain more about him later. For now, you take care of Sangu. You’re the most reliable.”

“I won’t fail your expectations, Master.”

Sehwa bowed deeply, eyes shining.

[Hey—hey. You’re leaving without teaching me transformation techniques?]

[Looking at your current state, you’d be lucky to maintain it for fifteen minutes.]

The fox snorted mockingly.

[So just eat your herbs and recover your qi.]

While he teased me and scratched my chin with a finger, I bit hard into his arm, filling my bite with qi.

Don’t treat me like a puppy.