[City of Annabald]
[3 weeks later]
It has been three weeks since we met with the crimson bandit, and oh boy—got to say—it was way harder to get Wendie to agree to leave her mother than I thought it would be. Convincing her wasn't a fight of swords or magic; it was a battle of emotions, loyalty, and words sharp enough to cut. Wendie looked like she was being pulled in two directions the whole time. I almost thought she was going to swing at me more than once. And Kayda… Kayda just sat there like a stone, quiet, watching me squirm while pretending not to enjoy the show.
Oh yes, Grandenzil agreed to change the crimson bandits. She even added things she said she had wanted to change for years, though judging by the way she muttered and paced, she had never found the courage or leverage before. Now she has no choice. Honestly, I think she will have to start the group from scratch, or close to it. Most of the bandits don't exactly have a "we love reform" mindset. Still, having those orphanages under her care is going to help her more than she realizes. A group built from loyalty and gratitude is sturdier than one bound only by greed.
Now, about the last three weeks. I have eliminated all the demon rock pillars within my reach, and I must say—angel enthusiasts are an unappreciative group. Every single time I "cleaned" one of their church grounds of demon rock, they tried to kill me instead of praising me or even offering a thank you. Can you imagine that? I risk life and limb to save their fancy little sanctuaries, and the first thing they do is screech like banshees and lunge with holy spears. Pathetic. Not that they were particularly strong. The lowest of the pecking order is all the church seems willing to throw at me. Sheep dressed as soldiers.
The lucky part is the devil cultists haven't interfered for a while. But that isn't comfort—it gnaws at me more. They've gone quiet, and quiet enemies are always the most dangerous. They aren't being lazy. They're planning. Might is the wrong word. They are definitely planning something, and if my gut is right, it isn't going to be small.
And my body pain? That hasn't dulled at all. It's been constant, like a fire smoldering just under my skin. Three weeks of this ache. I've gotten used to it, I suppose, but that doesn't make it any less maddening.
Well, on to the next point. My curses have changed a lot. Changed in ways I can't quite make sense of. And not only my curses, but even my ele—
"Have you finished monologuing about your trip?" A female voice cut across my thoughts.
I blinked and looked up. A demoness sat across from me on a couch, eyes sharp and posture so stiff she might as well have been carved from stone.
"No, I was still busy, but it's fine now," I said lazily, shifting my gaze from her to the ceiling.
"Good. Now can you explain to me why you are here?" She asked bluntly, her tail flicking with restrained irritation.
"Hmm, didn't Kayda tell you?" I said, glancing at Kayda seated beside me.
"She did," the demoness admitted. "But I want to know why you are here, Kitsuna Draig, adopted daughter of the Draigs." Her glare hardened, like she was testing if the weight of my name would crack me.
"Man, it sounds like you don't like me," I said, putting a hand over my chest with a mock-hurt expression.
"I don't. The first thing you ever said to me was, 'Hello, tomato girl.'" Her face was perfectly deadpan as she said it.
I tilted my head. "But I was only stating the truth. You really do look like a human tomato."
Her brows twitched. "...I will kick you out if you don't explain yourself, Kitsuna." The way she said my name carried venom.
"Tsk, no formal speech, I see," I said, smirking just a little, testing her patience.
"For you? Never," she replied, shaking her head in disgust.
"Great," I said brightly. "I like it more like that anyway. Now, the reason I'm here is because I'm looking for your mother." I beamed as if I had just declared the happiest news. Out of the corner of my eye, I could swear I saw Kayda sigh in silent exasperation.
"And why would YOU be looking for my mother?" the demoness asked, her glare turning sharp enough to slice stone.
"Why does it sound like you don't want my help?" I tilted my head innocently.
"Because I don't," she snapped. "You are a derailing fox and a very problematic one."
"...That's quite rude of you," I said, my ears flicking with mock offense.
"It's as rude as calling someone tomato girl," she shot back immediately.
"No, it's not. You're literally attacking me on an emotional level," I protested.
"It doesn't feel great, does it?" she asked, a smug smile finally tugging at her lips.
"Hmm, some advice from a senior," Kayda interjected from my lap. Wait—my lap? I blinked down at her, confused. She had shifted at some point, her wings gone—hidden.
'She could have hidden her wings this entire time!?' I thought, baffled beyond words.
"When did you lie down onto my lap? And did you have to ruin my fun again?" I asked calmly, staring down at her.
"You are despicable!" the demoness suddenly shouted, springing to her feet and pointing at me with shaking hands. Her voice trembled with genuine anger.
"I am a fox. We don't know the meaning of that word," I said sarcastically, baring teeth in a grin.
"Garr, aghhh! I hate you so much!"
"Join the club," I muttered.
"That sounded like you hate yourself, you know," Kayda remarked from below, one brow arched.
"Uuh. It does, doesn't it?" I said with a chuckle.
"...I hate you," the demoness repeated, though her voice carried more weariness than fury now.
"Yet you're not doing anything about me," I pointed out.
Her jaw tightened. "Do you think I'm stupid? Firstly, I've heard of what you do to your enemies, and I've seen it firsthand. So the conclusion is simple: I hate you, but I won't try to act against you. That would only end in a battle I lose."
"Huh. You're smarter than I thought," I admitted, shrugging.
"...," she stared blankly.
"...," I stared back.
"...", Kayda's ears twitched once.
"Kayda, that's quite mean of you," I said suddenly, smirking.
"What? Am I not allowed to say that?"
"Yes, you're not. You're from her mom's generation. Such an experience is like having your aunt call you a stain on the family's name," I said, gesturing between Kayda and the demoness. Sure enough, the poor girl's eyes glistened faintly, like she was holding back tears.
"That—"
"I am leaving. Do whatever you want," the tomato girl muttered, turning on her heel and stomping out of the room.
"Great. She's going to do something stupid to prove you wrong now," I said, turning to Kayda.
"Why would she?"
"Kayda, as I said—you're from her mother's generation. When someone older says something, it weighs heavier than when it comes from someone their age. Especially from someone they look up to."
"But you're older than her. Look up to?" Kayda asked, confused.
"She didn't know that. Didn't you see the stars in her eyes when we showed up?"
Kayda paused, then nodded slightly. "Hmm. I see what you mean. I overlooked that. Seems I've spent too much time with you."
"Hey!? How is this my fault now?"
"You're someone who says whatever is on your mind, and it rubbed off on me. In simpler terms, it's your fault," Kayda said smugly, her lips curling.
"What!? That's just dumb. Who told you to pick up my habits?"
"You."
"Me? When and how?"
"...", she stayed silent.
"Hah, can't think of an answer, can you, lizard?" I taunted her, feeling smug,just before Kayda grabbed me and threw me bodily out the window.
"What the fuck, Kayda?" I screamed midair.
Boom!
The impact shook the ground and left a crater at my feet. Dust puffed up around me.
"That woman is mad in so many ways," I groaned, crawling up out of the dent and dusting myself off.
"Well, anyway, let's continue exploring Anabald," I muttered, adjusting my scarf as I strolled toward the front gates.
[3 hours later]
"Man, the city of Anabald is quite a net. Especially the view," I murmured, perched high in a ship's crow's nest. The salty air stung pleasantly at my nose, and the horizon stretched endlessly, painted orange by the sinking sun. The city behind me glowed as lantern lights began to flicker to life.
"I actually don't know what they call the ocean here," I admitted, tilting my head thoughtfully.
'Analysis.'
Skills: Dimension storage, Devil Fire, Devil Lightning, Fox Ice, Analysis, Super Regen, Short distance teleport, Sword domain, Mana sense, Fox Golden Lightning, Fox Golden Fire, Healing
Passive abilities include heightened senses, eyes of intimidation, human form, and night vision.
Tail Abilities: LOCKED
After three weeks, my stats haven't changed at all. I haven't gained even a single level despite killing all the monsters. Well, whatever.' I sighed.
"Though devil magic is quite problematic and useful, I guess," I mused, raising my hands. One burst into black fire, the other into black lightning. Sparks danced, and the flames licked hungrily at the air. "And here's the best part—I feel more relaxed and in control using them. I can finally train them more." My smile stretched.
"Hoy there, may I help you?" A voice bellowed from below.
"Hmm? Did I hear correctly?" I muttered, peering down.
"Hoy there, my boy, have they come down from my crow's nest?" The captain shouted, waving.
"Right," I nodded before leaping down. His eyes went wide in panic as I plummeted, but I landed gracefully, boots slamming into the deck without a scratch.
"How… you are not that flimsy?" he asked, gawking.
"Of course. I managed to reach your crow's nest without you noticing, didn't I? I said with a grin.
"Hoy, that's true. They want to join my crew?"
"Uh, ha-ha, sorry, but I'm a bit young to join your little crew," I said, scratching my cheek awkwardly.
"Young?" he asked, confused.
"Yeah, I'm only fourteen years old," I said with a smile.
"You're fourteen and cursed," one crewman muttered, pity in his eyes.
"Oh yeah, I forgot they're more visible now," I mumbled, brushing my cheek. Dark lines traced faintly, my curses etched into my skin.
"Yeah, born with it. Well, anyways, see you," I said, disappearing in a flash.
"Hoy, you're only fourteen and already that strong.They have a bright future," the captain murmured, confident that I could still hear him.
'When I first noticed my curses changing, I thought maybe—just maybe—they'd become obsolete and vanish. I mean, I'm a girl now. I don't want scars ruining my skin. But nooo. Instead of fading, they just got bigger.'
I sighed inwardly, darting across rooftops toward the Anabald mansion. By the time I reached the front gates, night had fully settled.
"Damn. I didn't think I walked that far from the mansion," I muttered, dropping lightly to the ground. "Lucky I already ate, so I'm not starving. Kayda probably grabbed me food anyway."
I vaulted the fence easily. The guards in the shadows tracked me with their eyes, but none raised an alarm. They knew who I was. They just looked, then turned away, pretending disinterest.
"Hmm, I see they already know about me coming in like that," I whispered with a small grin.
I thought, 'Now… I just need to find an open window,' as I prowled closer to the mansion.