《Everyone Loves Fluffy Tails》


 A Fluffy Beginning - Rewrite

    Darkness was the thing mostly comprised in this small room. Only having one screen illuminating the background with a person in front of it. The room was filled to the brim of random selections of merchandise and posters of anime characters, collecting dust as all the windows were sealed shut. The individual idly sat in his seat as the sounds of clicking from the computer emmited and the computer''s motors hummed silently across the apartment building.


    A large device rested next to them, with one wire that was directly hooked to the back of his neck. This device was a virtual reality headset of the highest level, offering the user a brief escape from the reality around them by showing them a new reality far more appealing.


    In the year 2126, a Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or DMMORPG called YGGDRASIL was released. It stands out among all other DMMORPG''s due to its unusually high ability for the player to interact with the game. According to the developers'' website, YGGDRASIL was a game of exploration, and so many things were mysteries left unknown for players to discover on their own or in groups.


    It was a game where all you were told was the controls before being thrown into the deep end. In other words, the special thing about YGGDRASIL was the incredible amount of freedom given to players, compared to any other DMMO-RPGs out there.


    Necessarily, YGGDRASIL needs an exclusive console to play, which records logs for a week. Though the game is a full virtual reality one, in accordance to physical laws, it does not provide a sense of taste and smell, and has a limited sense of touch.


    Further, the most distinctive feature of YGGDRASIL is its flexible system to let player make choices freely. Players can select numerous races and jobs and various tools allowing for customization in the game.


    If a player were to use creator tools that were sold separately, one can freely alter the appearances of weapons and armor, interior data, character visuals, and advanced settings of their in-game residences or home. Some may even further their customization by buying lottery tickets to acquire exclusive cosmetic items or cash-shop items. It seems that the customization system is really far-reaching and broad, even extending to basic programming.


    As it can be guessed from the title, YGGDRASIL mainly refers to Norse mythology, and has nine separate worlds based on it, and they were estimated to be two to three times the size of Tokyo.


    Due to this, this ambitious project served to be one of the most successful businesses in the world.


    Of course that wasn''t the only reason, the reality of the world around them was far from perfect, allowing for players to enjoy the escapism the game offered.


    The person in the seat was one of those players. A salaryman working for one of the huge black companies that overwork their employees to death. Death to fatigue was common in today''s society. Not many people had the time to go out, and nor do they want to. The outside was almost entirely covered by smog and unbreathable carbon in the atmosphere. Everyone stayed within the confines of their home, not making it hard to find other ways of entertainment online.


    Overwork and horrible working conditions became a part of it. The outside world was a harsh place for those in the business world, specifically those at the bottom of it, entirely at the mercy of CEO''s and people with power. Laws couldn''t even make a dent in these shady businesses that plagued every continent.


    The sounds of typing resounded in almost a rhythmic fasion as the person typed in his password on his old fashioned keyboard. The speakers from the monitors notified them. "Welcome, Hitomu Shion" and the screen accepted, bringing them to the home page of Yggdrasil. Shion started to read the notice on the board, and released a large sigh. "Another event? There goes my wallet." He laid in his chair with a palm on his forehead.


    The Devs have been really active lately, pushing out events upon events ever since a few months ago. "If this keeps up, my job won''t be able to support my addiction.." Of course work already strained him enough as it is. Having two jobs would inevitably kill them. Like with many others that he used to know online. "Damn it.. shitty Devs.. making us work more." Shion cursed under his breath. After pausing a bit, he finally gave in with a defeated sigh. "Ah.. can''t be helped.. I''ll try selling some of my leftover limited time items and cosmetics online."


    He decided.


    Putting on his headset, he activated the cord attached to a device implanted in his spinal cord. The device activated all at once, plunging them into the world of Yggdrasil.


    Shion soon regained his senses as he was faced with the new world around them. Long grassy plains generated as the sky soon gained their respective color to the accordance of the time of day. Sound resounded all around them as the noise of simulated birds and creatures that came into existence. Trees and clouds were generated afterwards, revealing the world of Yggdrasil in it''s full glory.


    Opening her eyes, he stretched out her body, going with the standard protocol of making sure every bodily functions work as intended.


    And of course.. next was testing the function of body parts that weren''t there before. Something swayed from behind them, left to right, sweeping up the air as it unfurled.


    It was a tail.


    A very fluffy tail.


    In fact there were nine of them.


    All of these were connected to the spinal tail of the in-game avatar.


    The wind blew across her face as the fur in Shion''s hair twitched.


    Soon those patches of fur perked upwards, revealing a set of animal ears as Shion excitedly inhaled the air.


    Shion did a 360¡ã spin to make sure everything was in order. Her clothes flew along the movement, revealing that her clothes was that of a shrine priest. Her eyes was green with envy as her skin was bright and delicate as snow. Her hair was glowing with a pristine gold shade of color as her large fluffy tails flowed about. Shion exhaled a sigh of enjoyment as he finished doing so, letting the feeling of breathable air, flowing against her skin. Unfurling the fur of her ears and tails that no one could hope to have in reality. The exhilaration of it was unlike any other.


    Sometimes during a game session, players forget that you they are in the virtual world. Yggdrasil was so naturalistic that it gave a sense of real life. However these impulses quickly vanished as Shion remembered her goal in-game.


    Yggdrasil hosted races of many different kinds during character customization. Among these races were the three categories that divided them: Humaniod Races, Demi-Human Races, and Heteromorphic races.


    Humanoid races include human, elves, dwarves, etc, and is considered to be the most common out of all the races. Known to be weakest in basic status and the inability to have racial levels.


    Instead, they''re able to learn more classes which provides high status or powerful skills more easily, giving them high potential.


    Demi-Human Races include orcs, ogres, lizardmen, etc, and is the second most popular race, as it includes beastmen, which Shion resided in. They usually had more basic status and racial levels to choose from. Because of this, demi-Human races are similar to the average between Human races and Heteromorphic races.


    Heteromorphic Races include slimes, vampires, devils, etc. They own the most powerful basic status, which can be even more strengthened by increasing theur racial levels, and having the biggest capacity for ability points as monsters, making them the most powerful out of the three races. However, they were penalized in other ways as the racial level comes at a cost where it limits the amount of job levels one can learn and it offers no penalty to players that PK them, granting them the title of the most unpopular race to choose from.


    Shion considered these choices immensely back when he first started out the game. Yggdrasil only allowed players to have 1 avatar, making it an excruciating choice to choose by one''s self. What he ended up with was a beastman that aligned with the demi-human roster, which is the reason why their avatar had a tails and ears in the first place.


    For Shion was roleplaying as a Kitsune Queen. A mighty youkai that''s well known throughout the culture of Japan. Demi-Humans were naturally ugly by trade, so Shion spent most of their time gambling for cosmetics to make themself look the part. This choice soon led to a series of events that made him absolutely obsessed with cosmetics and limited time items unavailable to others. In other words, Shion was a loot hoarder in every sense of the word, especially in limited time-events like these.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Speaking of which, Shion proceeded to pull up her navigation console to check her inventory to market in-game. The kitsune then marked some of her inventory to later sell them on-hand.


    The kitsune then pulled up another console and started to cast a spell.


    Runes and magic circles swirled around them as all kinds of geometric shapes formed and glowed in response. ¡ºSummon High Tier Minions: Kitsune Pack¡» Drawing from her massive MP pool, shion summoned a couple small figures, all of them appearing out of thin air, ready to be given instructions. These NPCs were all kitsunes like her, however she had only a few tails fewer than Shion''s avatar. Tails typically represented the amount of power that a kitsune had, Shion being the strongest.


    However the purpose for these NPCs weren''t for power.


    It was for extra inventory.


    Every Player in Yggdrasil had a limited inventory space where they could place all their items in, however they could always be comprised by Players with special skills and abilities related to stealing valuable items. These NPCs also had separate inventory spaces, although smaller, their items were unable to be stolen from, especially when the summoner unsummons them. In the Kitsune Queen''s eyes, they were nothing more than luggage for them. They were quite literally a kitsune "pack".


    That didn''t mean they were totally weak and defenseless though. As summoned NPCs, they were as powerful relative to the user. And in this case, it''s user was a level 100, the highest level achievable. Shion then managed all her inventory to set up trade in the nearby guild in a non-PvP city. She gave the command for her kitsunes to follow, and the pack animals did, nodding and following behind them as told.


    At the end of the day in-game, Shion managed to sell approximately enough''s worth to supply him for the next event. As you would expect, limited time items were hard to acquire once the event ended, making it so that the people selling them held a huge advantage in price adjustments. Shion was one of those people, and she abused the hell out of it. The Kistune Queen was confident she had the biggest inventory space in the game, in terms of access of NPCs. Countless of years of farming and grinding for special items, and of course the draining her wallet due to limited-time gacha items.


    Due to the game''s expansiveness, it held an impossibly huge number of items in the game. Throughout the almost 10 years of Yggdrasil''s lifetime, players only managed to map 30% of the game. It wasn''t an exaggeration that this game was expansive. Information within the game was priceless because of it, as no one would freely give out information on the forums or wikis. Everybody was on their own in this world.


    Of course there were some that payed gold for information in-game, and Shion knew that very well. Selling an endless stock of limited-time items, selling priceless bits of information, and collecting every cosmetic and cash-shop items for retail among free-to-plays. Shion learned countless ways to make profit off of others, with the determination to at least own 1 of every item in the game.


    All Shion''s skills and stats revolved around information gathering, defensive spells against thieves and PKers, experience grinding, and item farming, and NPC summons for space. And of course those cosmetics in her inventory weren''t all for show... well it was, but most of all, Shion was a huge roleplayer within the Yggdrasil community as well as being an informant seller and exclusive items merchant. Choosing all kinds of skills and spells that fit within her character profile.


    At her core, she was a spiritual-based magic caster with other skills involved. Most of Shion''s skillpoints were invested in average skills that perfectly fit within her character lore, despite it not being the most effective spells within the game''s build meta. Other skillpoints were either invested in skills that helped grinding items and extra NPCs for inventory space, or simply completely "useless" skills that no one dared to bother with such as the cooking skill.


    Food was generally used to gain temporary buffs and stats for an edge in battle. Fatigue didn''t exist in the game so there was no need for such skill. There was also the fact that taste and smell didn''t exist in the world, so there was virtually no benefit to wasting previous skillpoints on cooking, since Players only get to have 100 skillpoints total relative to their job level.


    But Shion did it anyways.


    Because fuck them.


    Her character was completely envisioned all by themself, and she thought cooking was of the utmost importance to a waifu that could support others and themself.


    Being self-reliant was one thing, but most of all Shion actually liked cooking in real life. However there weren''t many times where he could cook for anyone else, considering he already moved from his parents and no one bothered to visit others in the outside world.


    "Hey! Hitomu-san!" A man called out from the crowds. A werewolf beastman wearing a complete set of legendary-class gear. His blood red armor followed by his dark silver grey fur and white pure canines.


    "Ah. Saito-san, I haven''t seen you since the Everglade Festival." The kistune responded. Her attention then shifted to another individual tagging along with him. "Ah, Saito-san, who''s this? Your boyfriend?"


    Saito bursted out in laughter as his friend obviously responded uncomfortably with the assumption. The guy wore equipment of lesser quality compared to the wolf man. His perky ears and bow were a noticable feature, stereotypical even. "Hitomu-san, you really shouldn''t joke that like you know." The elf expressed his discontempt.


    At the near end of the Saito''s laughter, he started to pat his elven friend''s back, quite harshly one could add. "Huahaha! Don''t worry about her Naka-san. It''s a simple jest after all, right Hito-san?"


    "Yes, obviously so. And please don''t call me Hito-san. You''re both customers aren''t you?" Shion replied with sudden professionalism.


    "Eh? What? So we can''t call you Hito-san yet you can call us gay just fine? What hypocrisy is this? Unfair I say!" The elfman boisterously refuted.


    "Yeah yeah, so are you buying anything or what?" The Kitsune Queen shrugged it off.


    "Aww you''re no fun Hitomu-san." The beastman teasingly replied. "Anyways about that, the armor you gave me really rocks! I''ve been getting a lot more criticals than usual thanks to this. How about I take you somewhere as thanks?"


    "S-Seriously? Saito-san. You know she''s a dude right? Y-You aren''t actually gay are you?!" Naka-san exclaimed in surprise.


    "Heh, what does it matter? It''s a game after all." The beastman responded.


    "Oi. You didn''t answer my question." The elf rejected his friends attempts of changing the subject.


    "Guys, if you aren''t going to buy anything, then could you please leave? There''s a line now." Shion proceeded to point behind the two, revealing a massive amount of people awaiting to purchase limited time items.


    "A-ah.. sorry. Then I''ll take some of those [Angel Idols]. I have a tournament coming up." The beastman brought forth an answer.


    "And I''ll take some [Frost Wyrm Bolts]. I''ve been running out and I''ve been needing to resupply. Drops like those don''t spawn until winter." The elf ranger added on top of the order.


    Soon enough, the two players went on their way and so did multiple other customers as well. Hours has passed and soon the day ended with traders logging at the closing night, Shion decided it was time to close up shop. It has been a whole day in-game, but it was only a few hours outside of Yggdrasil due to the technology the devs had. It was about time to log out as well, as Shion had another day of tireless work to do in the morning. Endless paperwork and computer management stayed undone as she continued to work as a businessman with an endless amount of assignments due the following day.


    The Kitsune Queen looked upon the dark sky once more before bringing up her console to go to bed. She had made a large amount of cash today, and it would be needed for the upcoming event. However, once the screen pulled up, she could see that the button to exit out the game seemed a bit off. It was static, erratic, emitting a buzzing noise as her finger drew closer to the button. Shion hesitated for a moment before pressing the button.


    A sudden pain jolted through the queen''s finger, as it erupted on all sides of them.


    "AAAHHG!"


    It hurt.


    "Fuck!"


    It hurt like hell.


    "Shiit... ah.."


    Her consciousness faded before he could notice what events followed afterwards, fading into a haze of darkness.

 A Fwuffy Beginning - Outdated

    Darkness was the thing mostly comprised in this small room. Only having one screen illuminating the background with a person in front of it. The room was filled to the brim of random selections of merchandise and posters of anime characters, collecting dust as all the windows were sealed shut. The individual idly sat in their seat as the sounds of clicking from the computer emmited and the computer''s motors hummed silently across the apartment building.


    A large device rested next to them, with one wire that was directly hooked to the back of their neck. This device was a virtual reality headset of the highest level, offering the user a brief escape from the reality around them by showing them a new reality far more appealing.


    In the year 2126, a Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or DMMORPG called YGGDRASIL was released. It stands out among all other DMMORPG''s due to its unusually high ability for the player to interact with the game.According to the developers'' website, YGGDRASIL was a game of exploration, and so many things were mysteries left unknown forplayersto discover on their own or in groups.


    It was a game where all you were told was the controls before being thrown into the deep end. In other words, the special thing about YGGDRASIL was the incredible amount of freedom given to players, compared to any other DMMO-RPGs out there.


    Necessarily, YGGDRASIL needs an exclusive console to play, which records logs for a week. Though the game is a full virtual reality one, in accordance to physical laws, it does not provide a sense of taste and smell, and has a limited sense of touch.


    Further, the most distinctive feature of YGGDRASIL is its flexible system to let player make choices freely. Players can select numerous races and jobs and various tools allowing for customization in the game.


    If a player were to use creator tools that were sold separately, one can freely alter the appearances of weapons and armor, interior data, character visuals, and advanced settings of their in-game residences or home. Some may even further their customization by buying lottery tickets to acquire exclusive cosmetic items or cash-shop items. It seems that the customization system is really far-reaching and broad, even extending to basic programming.


    As it can be guessed from the title, YGGDRASIL mainly refers to Norse mythology, and has nine separate worlds based on it, and they were estimated to be two to three times the size of Tokyo.


    Due to this, this ambitious project served to be one of the most successful businesses in the world.


    Of course that wasn''t the only reason, the reality of the world around them was far from perfect, allowing for players to enjoy the escapism the game offered.


    The person in the seat was one of those players. A salaryman working for one of the huge black companies that overwork their employees to death. Death to fatigue was common in today''s society. Not many people had the time to go out, and nor do they want to. The outside was almost entirely covered by smog and unbreathable carbon in the atmosphere. Everyone stayed within the confines of their home, not making it hard to find other ways of entertainment online.


    Overwork and horrible working conditions became a part of it. The outside world was a harsh place for those in the business world, specifically those at the bottom of it, entirely at the mercy of CEO''s and people with power. Laws couldn''t even make a dent in these shady businesses that plagued every continent.


    The sounds of typing resounded in almost a rhythmic fasion as the person typed in their password on their old fashioned keyboard. The speakers from the monitors notified them. "Welcome, Hitomu Shion" and the screen accepted, bringing them to the home page of Yggdrasil. Shion started to read the notice on the board, and released a large sigh. "Another event? There goes my wallet." They laid in their chair with a palm on their forehead.


    The Devs have been really active lately, pushing out events upon events ever since a few months ago. "If this keeps up, my job won''t be able to support my addiction.." Of course work already strained him enough as it is. Having two jobs would inevitably kill them. Like with many others that he used to know online. "Damn it.. shitty Devs.. making us work more." Shion cursed under their breath. After pausing a bit, they finally gave in with a defeated sigh. "Ah.. can''t be helped.. I''ll try selling some of my leftover limited time items and cosmetics online."


    They decided.


    Putting on their headset, they activated the cord attached to a device implanted in their spinal cord. The device activated all at once, plunging them into the world of Yggdrasil.


    Shion soon regained their senses as they were faced with the new world around them. Long grassy plains generated as the sky soon gained their respective color to the accordance of the time of day. Sound resounded all around them as the noise of simulated birds and creatures that came into existence. Trees and clouds were generated afterwards, revealing the world of Yggdrasil in it''s full glory.


    Opening their eyes, they stretched out their body, going with the standard protocol of making sure every bodily functions work as intended.


    And of course.. next was testing the function of body parts that weren''t there before. Something swayed from behind them, left to right, sweeping up the air as it unfurled.


    It was a tail.


    A very fluffy tail.


    In fact there were nine of them.


    All of these were connected to the spinal tail of the in-game avatar.


    The wind blew across their face as the fur in Shion''s hair twitched.


    Soon those patches of fur perked upwards, revealing a set of animal ears as Shion excitedly inhaled the air.


    Shion did a 360¡ã spin to make sure everything was in order. Their clothes flew along the movement, revealing that her clothes were that of a shrine priest. Their eyes were green with envy as their skin was bright and delicate as snow.


    Their hair was glowing with a pristine gold shade of color as their large fluffy tails flowed about. Shion exhaled a sigh of enjoyment as they finished doing so, letting the feeling of breathable air, flowing against their skin. Unfurling the fur of their ears and tails that no one could hope to have in reality. The exhilaration of it was unlike any other.


    Sometimes during a game session, players forget that you they are in the virtual world. Yggdrasil was so naturalistic that it gave a sense of real life. However these impulses quickly vanished as Shion remembered their goal in-game.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Yggdrasil hosted races of many different kinds during character customization. Among these races were the three categories that divided them: Humaniod Races, Demi-Human Races, and Heteromorphic races.


    Humanoid races include human, elves, dwarves, etc, and is considered to be the most common out of all the races. Known to be weakest in basic status and the inability to have racial levels.


    Instead, they''re able to learn more classes which provides high status or powerful skills more easily, giving them high potential.


    Demi-Human Racesinclude orcs, ogres, lizardmen, etc, and is the second most popular race, as it includes beastmen, which Shion resided in. They usually had more basic status and racial levels to choose from. Because of this, demi-Human races are similar to the average between Human races and Heteromorphic races.


    Heteromorphic Racesinclude slimes, vampires, devils, etc. They own the most powerful basic status, which can be even more strengthened by increasing their racial levels, and having the biggest capacity for ability points as monsters, making them the most powerful out of the three races. However, they were penalized in other ways as the racial level comes at a cost where it limits the amount of job levels one can learn and it offers no penalty to players that PK them, granting them the title of the most unpopular race to choose from.


    Shion considered these choices immensely back when they first started out the game. Yggdrasil only allowed players to have 1 avatar, making it an excruciating choice to choose by one''s self. What they ended up with was a beastman that aligned with the demi-human roster, which is the reason why their avatar had a tails and ears in the first place.


    For Shion was roleplaying as a Kitsune Queen. A mighty youkai that''s well known throughout the culture of Japan. Demi-Humans were naturally ugly by trade, so Shion spent most of their time gambling for cosmetics to make themself look the part. This choice soon led to a series of events that made him absolutely obsessed with cosmetics and limited time items unavailable to others. In other words, Shion was a loot hoarder in every sense of the word, especially in limited time-events like these.


    Speaking of which, Shion proceeded to pull up their navigation console to check their inventory to market in-game. The kitsune then marked some of their inventory to later sell them on-hand.


    The kitsune then pulled up another console and started to cast a spell.


    Runes and magic circles swirled around them as all kinds of geometric shapes formed and glowed in response.¡ºSummon High Tier Minions: Kitsune Pack¡»Drawing from their massive MP pool, shion summoned a couple small figures, all of them appearing out of thin air, ready to be given instructions. These NPCs were all kitsunes like her, however they had only a few tails fewer than Shion''s avatar. Tails typically represented the amount of power that a kitsune had, Shion being the strongest.


    However the purpose for these NPCs weren''t for power.


    It was for extra inventory.


    Every Player in Yggdrasil had a limited inventory space where they could place all their items in, however they could always be comprised by Players with special skills and abilities related to stealing valuable items. These NPCs also had separate inventory spaces, although smaller, their items were unable to be stolen from, especially when the summoner unsummons them. In the Kitsune Queen''s eyes, they were nothing more than luggage for them. They were quite literally a kitsune "pack".


    That didn''t mean they were totally weak and defenseless though. As summoned NPCs, they were as powerful relative to the user. And in this case, it''s user was a level 100, the highest level achievable. Shion then managed all their inventory to set up trade in the nearby guild in a non-PvP city. They gave the command for their kitsunes to follow, and the pack animals did, nodding and following behind them as told.


    At the end of the day in-game, Shion managed to sell approximately enough''s worth to supply him for the next event. As you would expect, limited time items were hard to acquire once the event ended, making it so that the people selling them held a huge advantage in price adjustments. Shion was one of those people, and they abused the hell out of it. The Kistune Queen was confident they had the biggest inventory space in the game, in terms of access of NPCs. Countless of years of farming and grinding for special items, and of course the draining their wallet due to limited-time gacha items.


    Due to the game''s expansiveness, it held an impossibly huge number of items in the game. Throughout the almost 10 years of Yggdrasil''s lifetime, players only managed to map 30% of the game. It wasn''t an exaggeration that this game was expansive. Information within the game was priceless because of it, as no one would freely give out information on the forums or wikis. Everybody was on their own in this world.


    Of course there were some that payed gold for information in-game, and Shion knew that very well. Selling an endless stock of limited-time items, selling priceless bits of information, and collecting every cosmetic and cash-shop items for retail among free-to-plays. Shion learned countless ways to make profit off of others, with the determination to at least own 1 of every item in the game.


    All Shion''s skills and stats revolved around information gathering, defensive spells against thieves and PKers, experience grinding, and item farming, and NPC summons for space. And of course those cosmetics in their inventory weren''t all for show... well it was, but most of all, Shion was a huge roleplayer within the Yggdrasil community as well as being an informant seller and exclusive items merchant. Choosing all kinds of skills and spells that fit within their character profile.


    At their core, they were a spiritual-based magic caster with other skills involved.


    Most of Shion''s skillpoints were invested in average skills that perfectly fit within her character lore, despite it not being the most effective spells within the game''s build meta. Other skillpoints were either invested in skills that helped grinding items and extra NPCs for inventory space, or simply completely "useless" skills that no one dared to bother with such as the cooking skill.


    Food was generally used to gain temporary buffs and stats for an edge in battle. Fatigue didn''t exist in the game so there was no need for such skill. There was also the fact that taste and smell didn''t exist in the world, so there was virtually no benefit to wasting previous skillpoints on cooking, since Players only get to have 100 skillpoints total relative to their job level.


    But Shion did it anyways.


    Because fuck them.


    Their character was completely envisioned all by themself, and they thought cooking was of the utmost importance to a waifu that could support others and themself.


    Being self-reliant was one thing, but most of all Shion actually liked cooking in real life. However there weren''t many times where they could cook for anyone else, considering they already moved from their parents and no one bothered to visit others in the outside world.


    After multiple customers and traders logged out due to the closing night, Shion decided it was time to close up shop.


    It has been a whole day in-game, but it was only a few hours outside of Yggdrasil due to the technology they had. It was about time to log out as well, as Shion had another day of tireless work to do in the morning. Endless paperwork and computer management as they continued to work as a businessman with an endless amount of assignments due the following day.


    The Kitsune Queen looked upon the dark sky once more before bringing up their console to go to bed. But once the screen pulled up, they could see that the button to exit out the game seemed a bit off. It was static, erratic, emitting a buzzing noise as their finger drew closer to the button. Shion hesitated for a moment before pressing the button.


    A sudden pain jolted through the queen''s finger, as it erupted on all sides of them.


    "AAAHHG!"


    It hurt.


    "Fuck!"


    It hurt like hell.


    "Shiit... ah.."


    Their consciousness faded before they could notice what events followed afterwards, fading into a haze of darkness.

 A First Fwuff

    "Mistress! Mistress wake up!" A shout could be heard reverberating thorough my ears.


    "Hnng... urhg... ow.."


    I felt my body being aprubtly shaken upon waking up. Not because of the pain, although that was a part of it, but because someone else shook their body.


    The sudden movement enabled even more pain to course throughout my body.


    "Ow.. ow.!"


    "A-apoligies Mistress, but are you alright?"


    I opened my eye-lids to find the burning light of the ceiling above me.


    No wait- that was the sky.


    My brain started to cast into gear as I slowly became more aware of my surroundings.


    "I''m.. fine.. I think.." is all I could reply to the mysterious figure. Upon closer inspection, I find myself to be outside in the outdoors.


    In a... forest? No.. trees aren''t actually that green, are they?


    However that soon became the least of my concerns as I turned my head towards the person that sat beside me.


    "Eh?.... EEEHHHH?" Was all I could muster at the sight. Next to me was a girl. Well, actually there were 9 of them. One sitting next to me while all the others stood hiding behind the other.


    "Huh? Mistress what''s wrong?"


    My mind kicked into overdrive to process what was happening right in front of me.


    Her mouth is moving... but that shouldn''t!-


    Wait.. let''s step back a moment.


    I''m in a forest. Outside.


    With 9 cute girls sitting next to me.


    Wait a minute..


    These people look familiar..


    These 9 girls that stood beside me all had shrine-like outfits, but all distinctly different. Yet I can remember them clearly. Also.. tails?


    "Ah! The Kitsune Backpack!" I shouted aloud the moment it clicked for me. I was bewildered that I was able to even interact with these summons of mine.


    But wait... that shouldn''t be possible!


    "Y-yes.. we are the Kitsune Pack you summoned mistress.. I''m glad you remembered.." one of the girls in front of me replied in a pained smile. The other girls weren''t exactly as pleased to hear from the look at their expressions. However that was the reason I was so bewildered in the first place.


    Expressions!?


    No, no that shouldn''t be possible..


    Unless..


    I tried pulling up the console to determine the reason for this phenomenon.


    This is part of the event right? It has to be a game update or something, and they forgot to log everyone out right?


    Raising my arm up at the air, I felt nothing responding to my command.


    ".... Eh?"


    The console isn''t working!?


    I tried waving my arm in all different directions, but all with the same result.


    The other kitsunes started to stare at me with eyes of concern and confusion.


    "Mistress.. are you sure you''re alright?"


    The first kitsune asked me in a polite tone.


    ". . . The console isn''t working. ."


    This was bad. Now I don''t have a way to confirm any of these theories I had in mind. My head turned back to the girl that asked me in concern.


    "-I mean, I''m perfectly fine! Well.. not really, but.. there was a problem with.. wait- ah!"


    My mind steamed up upon the realization that I''m even having this conversation. With an NPC. Yggdrasil, despite it being a popular game internationally, it deliberately didn''t add a few features to help players distinguish the virtual world from reality. One of these things consisted the lack of facial expressions and mouth movement among players and NPCs. However, these girls had exactly that.


    Are missing features being implemented now?


    How? And why now of all times?!


    I mentally screamed inside my head. Turning my head to face the kitsune pack once more, I spoke my first command.


    "You 8, go scout the perimeter and report back to me when done. Tell me anything about where we are currently and if there are any threats I should know about. Avoid confrontation if at all possible."


    "Yes mistress!" The other girls behind the first said in unison. Afterwards they all dashed off in different directions from our location, dissapearing from site.


    I breathed a sigh of relief. I was still able to issue commands upon my NPCs. Turning my head to the first girl that woke me up, I spoke.


    "You, stand here."


    "Huh? Uh. Erm.. right away Mistress!" the first girl drew to me hesitantly upon being given a command so suddenly. I pulled her body closer and turned her around to face the other side.


    This.. this is just to test my theory. I have to know if taste and smell is also present in-game. It''s not like I have any ulterior motives to this or anything.


    I nod at myself as I accepted the excuse I created for myself. Drawing my hands closer, I touched her tail.


    "AaAhH! M-M-Mistress! W-what are you- Ahn~!" The kitsune let out. Meanwhile I was helping myself to her fluffy tail. All 8 of them. Each and every one fluffy as the last, but that wasn''t what I pulled her for. Driving my head in, I buried my face into her fluff. "M-mistress! W-wait! Ah~" she stuttered as I continued to massage her tails, all while sniffing it.


    It smells like fried tofu..Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    I pulled my face back from her fluff as I now confirmed that the sense of smell was present in this world. Now.. for taste..


    Releasing her tails, I draw my arms around her shoulders, holding her in place with my face behind her neck. "Mistress.. hold on-"


    Lick.


    "AHH~!" She screamed, right before elbowing me right in the gut. I stumbled back a bit, reeling from the minor attack just now.


    "Eh? M-MISTRESS!? I-I''m Sorry!" The kitsune soon lowered her head in shame upon taking in the events that followed right after.


    I stood there stunned.. mostly because I''ve learned two things from this experiment. One interesting confirmation was that there was definitely a sense of taste within this world. The second, more terrifying fact, was that these NPCs could rebel. I examined myself for a bit, but I determined I didn''t take damage of any sort. However, that just now was an attack. An attack from my own NPCs.


    So.... friendly fire is also enabled now.. how troublesome..


    I continued standing in place with a hand to my perplexed chin. As the little kitsune in front of me apologized as much as she could.


    This is too real.. this is way too much of a bump in AI interaction to be possible. The console isn''t working either and I can''t get out. Could this be..?


    Then the very same voice apologizing broke into my train of thought. "I''m sorry. What?" I asked the kitsune girl right beside me.


    "... Mistress.. what on Yggdrasil was that all about?" She replied condescendingly, almost as if she was re-evaluating her view on me entirely. Fidgiting in her spot.


    "Wait. There was a perfectly reasonable explanation for that." I rebutted, attempting to save any sort of grace I had previously.


    "Ahuh.. and what is that reason?" Her eyes overturned like daggers, judging me from afar. Her arms crossed above her chest, as if protecting it from me.


    "Well.. it''s only a gesture of affection!" I replied coolly. Unerved by her eyes of contempt.


    "Eeeeh?" Her monotone voice called out to me as she shifted in place. The girl''s eyes completely unconvinced.


    "You know. Like how mothers show affection for their children.. they lick them affectionately as if to protect them from potential harm or danger." I completely bullshitted.


    "Hahhh? Is that it?" Her eyes continued to judge me as she continued to stare into mine.


    ¡ºPassive Trade Skill: Poker Face¡»


    A skill automatically activated, boosting my charisma to an ungodly amount. I continued to stare back with a straight expression, in hopes my bluff would work against the eyes of extreme judgement and skepticism.


    "Well.. if Mistress says so then it must be true.." the fox girl decided before letting me off the hook. The stood normally, almost relieved, before walking up to me and standing in place. "What else would you have me do then mistress?" She lowered her head.


    "Oh.. well. Could you turn around for a moment?" I asked.


    "A-again!?" She shouted wide-eyed as she inched away at me in cowardice as her tail shivered in response.


    "No no, I''m not going to do anything this time. Stand over there and face away from me for a moment." I clarified. The kitsune relaxed once more before doing as she was ordered. I sighed a huge breath of relief once she left.


    Holy fuck. I managed to get through that.


    Ahhh, my head. It hurts. AHHHHH!


    I screamed internally to process the events that just happened.. again.


    Okay.. calm down. There''s just one thing left to confirm..


    I looked down upon my body. Two small mounds appeared within my view as it stood there unamused with it''s current predicament. Yggdrasil prohibited R-18 actions in-game of any sort, and if someone attempted doing so they would immediately get logged out of the server with a small time penalty. It was also a last resort for Shion. Closing their eyes, they proceeded with their experiment.


    Grope.


    Instead of opening their eyes to see a black screen with a pop-up notifying them that they were kicked out for 3 hours, they instead felt the pressure of their fingers grabbing their avatar''s small mounds in place.


    "Hah.. wait shit." I released my chest that was in captivity and stopped once I started to hear more sounds within the woods around me. First off, lewd. Second off, this wasn''t a game anymore. This was reality and Shion was forced to confront that fact as the other kitsune pack members returned with news.


    "Mistress." One of the members wearing assassin-like clothing called out. "We''ve all determined that there is miles of forest all around us, and that there isn''t any creature over level 30 around our location. It''s completely secure."


    Before I could express of relief and gratitude, I had yet to come to terms with this new reality. If these girls were able to have emotions, no, they do have emotions. That means that they''re able to rebel against me. I faced the assassin and her group with eyes of seriousness, as my passive was still active. I have to be careful with them, I must choose my next words carefully. If things go as badly as the first foxgirl, this could end in a disaster. "Good work. All of you. However I have one more job for all of you." I instructed with a tone of superiority.


    They all stood straight, including the first kitsune that joined them as soon as they returned. They all awaited my next command. "What is your view of me? What do you think of me and why do you all follow me?" I asked in a serious manner.


    They all looked upon me quizzically, as if they were given a puzzle, or sentence with special meaning. Soon the girls would group together to talk amongst each other. After a couple of minutes, the assassin foxgirl turned to me and replied. "We all are no more than mistress''s tools. We live to serve you no matter what. That is our purpose." She answered, determined that was the right answer as all the others nodded in agreement.


    This is bad. I can''t continue treating them as objects like I did before.


    I remember using them in more ways in one. Some days I use them as inventory space, and other days as sacrificial pawns for engaging raid bosses, and distractions against PKers. They were essentially simply tools as they said, as I can summon them a multiple number of times without consequence. I didn''t really bother to look at their stats or abilities, as long as they worked. Hell I still don''t even know their names.


    Ah. So it comes to this. I have to find a way for them to introduce themselves without suspecting me to be that terrible of a person.


    Bringing my hand to my chin once again, I tried thinking of a way to confirm their names.


    I think I remember giving them names when I summoned the kitsune pack for the first time, but without the console I can''t even check their stats...


    "Alright. Is this what everyone believes to be so?" I asked, interrogating them in the same voice of superiority. They all nodded. "Yes, I managed to discuss it with everyone, and everyone agrees." The assassin replying, with everyone else nodding afterwards. "I see..." was the only two words I could reply with. If there was any some sort of disagreement, they would call out eachother''s names to provide that information. However that didn''t happen as I hoped it would.


    Ahhh! What now!? I can''t just ask them their names. They already think bad of me enough as it is. I''m a good person, I promise!


    In the amis of Shion''s thoughts, they soon realized that all the kitsune pack have been referring them as ''Mistress'' this whole time. What if.. "Hey, do any of you know my real name?"


    The other girls fidgeted in place, with one girl coming out to say. "...I believe your name was ''TouchFluffyTail'' mistress.." That girl soon hid herself away within the group hiding the red in her cheeks at the moment she said it. "Ah.. I-I see.."


    My username was ''TouchFluffyTail'' as a reference to a game called ''Monster Maiden Adventure''. It was actually the game I based my avatar off of, as it was one of my favorite games that got me into kitsunes in the first place. However this was obviously an awkward problem in itself.


    Looks like I have no choice...


    "Well.. if anyone of you is uncomfortable with that, then you all are permitted to just call me Hitomu-san or Hitomu-sama. TouchFluffyTail was just my merchant name, Hitomu is my real last name." I declared. The other kitsune grown extra relieved afterwards, all sighing simultaneously as if I was releasing a huge weight off their shoulders.


    "Then let Ni-san thank you for this opportunity." The assassin bowed infront of where I stood.


    "Nee-san? S-sister?" I exclaimed out loud. The assassin fox soon flushed furiously afterwards as, bowing even lower to hide her face from my view.


    "Eh? No no, Ni-san. I am Number 2, you mustn''t tease me like this mistress. Er- I mean, Hitomu-sama." She said clarifying, fully believing I was just teasing her to get a reaction out of her.


    "Is that so?" I hid my mouth to hide my surprise. My pokerface skill was still active once again, and the other foxgirls just assumed I was hiding a smirk under my mouth, thinking I''m playful by nature.


    That means.. That''s right, I remember now! I named them all after numbers because I couldn''t be bothered to make names for all 9 of them myself. Ahh! I''m an idiot!


    I mentally facepalmed myself for lacking this amount of foresight with my NPCs.


    How could I name them all numbers!? That''s horrible! No.. that was because I thought of them as objects before. It can''t be helped. I''ll have to rename them later, but for now.


    "Alright, so. How far have you all scouted? And is there anywhere we could stay the night Number 2?..." I asked.


    Now it sounds like I''m calling her literal shit.


    "Ah! Well we found an abandoned church 8 miles away from here. We can make camp out of there." Ni-san pointed in the general direction of the mentioned building. I nodded and agreed before ordering everyone once again.


    "Alright, everyone get into cargo formation and surround me. We''ll head to the place Ni-San pointed out and make that our temporary base for now." I declared. The kitsune pack nodded and proceeded to do just as they were told, escorting me to the specified place.


    As we walked, I was already determined to find a place to sleep in order for me to take this all in and process it, but most of all, it was to eventually prepare myself to come to terms with the terrifying fact that kitsunes taste like tofu.

 A Fwuffy Re-evaluation

    The dust engrained doors slid inwards as two kitsunes pushed them forward to let us through. Entering the abandoned chapel, I could see the immense erosion of certain parts of the building. From within, I could tell that this place used to be a large area, statues painted in gold aligned against both sides of the church, ceilings that reached high above with painted decorations etched on it. Rows of wooden seats all aligned symmetrically from the red carpet at the center, until it eventually led to a large shrine of some sort.


    However this was all what I imagined used to be. The statues are now instead eroded with rust and missing pieces, the ceiling art now already faded into an uncomprehending mess with a large hole accompanying it, taking about one-fourth of the roof away. The carpet tainted and chairs filled with dust, moss, and dirt. Strangely enough, the shrine itself was still intact, although the broken stained windows behind it doesn''t nearly compare to the image I had imagined.


    "Well, at least it''s something." I replied at the sight of it. Striding in, making sure no muck or guck got ahold of my clothes or tails. The other kitsunes followed behind in unison as we examined the place ourselves, most of us unenthusiastic at the pitiful sight.


    "It''s certainly... something.." the first kitsune said. I turned my head slightly to glance at her. The girl I recognized was the same one that woke me up in this world, and the same one I fluffed for my selfish experiment. Upon walking along with them, I''ve learned that this kitsune''s name was coincidentally ''Number 1'' or Ichi-San. From her appearance, she seems to be some sort of shrine maiden, or miko from the getup she wore. A simple wear of red hakama trousers, accompanied by a simple robe on top, and of course, 8 tails. I already asked the pack for their names beforehand as I traveled the forest towards here. At this point however, I could only guess what they were capable of.


    I took mental note to later ask them all the skills that were available to them. If my memory is correct, they should all specialize in different types of jobs. I never really paid any attention to them beforehand, so I don''t recall exactly what they could do. Jobs in-game were different than what people were used to in real life. Back in Yggdrasil, jobs were essentially a class you could choose from in order to learn certain skills related to that profession.


    This was a difficult situation, I couldn''t just ask them what their jobs were. They probably already think less of me after asking for their individual names back in that forest.


    Wait.. didn''t I already asked them what they all thought of me? Right..? Ni-san already confirmed that they saw themselves as tools...


    Hold on.. that didn''t answer my question at all!


    I turned around to glance behind me, only to see the very same group all standing idle before me, staring at me with their ears perked as if they''re expecting new orders to appear any second. I could only stare back, unsure of what to do next. I felt my tail swish side to side as I pondered about my next decision.


    "Uh.. erm.." I coughed to clear out my throat then gave the new set of instructions for the pack of kitsunes to follow. "For now, 4 of you guard the perimeter and the other 5 will stay here and tidy up the place to be more suitable for encampment." I declared with full authority.


    They all nodded and faced towards each other. All of them huddled together, discussing how to divide themselves until they continued to carry out my orders. The shinobi assassin-looking kitsune left in a flash, along with a few others I didn''t entirely know yet. The only few remained was the first kitsune, Ichi-san, and 4 more kitsunes I have yet to be acquainted with.


    Before they all left to resume their duties in clearing the place, I called out to the kitsune I am most familiar with. "Ichi-san, could you come here for a moment?" I asked in a delightful tone. That girl turned around with her ears perked to meet me once more. She lowered her head upon walking up to me, tail shifting from side to side like I did before. "Yes mistress? What do you have in mind?"


    "What items do you have in your inventory?" I instructed. Out of all the things I know about the kitsune pack, the one I have definitely familiarized myself before with is their expansive inventory I''ve used almost exclusively. It was to the point where I committed everything to pure memorization. Every item, cosmetic, consumable, I knew them all. All of their different inventories held different categories of items, organized by yours truly. Their characters should all represent each of them. For this kitsune specifically, I believe her inventory consisted of consumable scrolls and spells.


    "Oh! I have a large number of talismans, scrolls, and other consumable abilities in the form of items mistress. You have assigned me to protecting these items with my very life." Ichi-san confirmed, lowering her head once more.


    As I suspected, Ichi-san did have that category of items. That also should mean her skills and jobs are spell related. A spellcaster, with a supply of paper talismans. She''s definitely a miko priestess. Her abilities should be very similar to mine in some aspects, although she should specialize more in purification spells and holy attacks if my memory serves me right. However I could only assume.


    "That''s good to hear Ischi-san. I''m glad. That is all I have for now, you may go back to cleaning with the others." I spoke with my roleplaying attitude. Being in character of my avatar was always a hobby of mine, but I never thought that this practice would be essential to keeping appearances among my NPCs. In fact I might be a little TOO good. Not once have I felt uncomfortable in my avatar''s, or having to use feminine voice rather than my normal voice.


    Although I had already practiced doing so back in Yggdrasil, this was now my real body. It was very strange in perspective. I was perfectly in tune with my movements, even though these proportions were drastically different than my original body. I felt lighter, much stronger, and a lot calmer than I would have expected myself. The more I thought about it, the less sense I could make of it. Pondering for a moment longer, I determined that it was simply because of me being a natural at it after so many years I spent roleplaying.


    Long ago when I first played this game, I attempted to pretend to be one of those many famous female players in Yggdrasil. However many called me out on it, saying I was just a useless NEET pretending to be a girl to gain attention. And I was, to an extent. However that all changed when I started training my vocal cords to go to a higher pitch.


    It took approximately 6 months to achieve. After lots of water to drown my sore throat in and continuous hard practice, I had done it. Joining voicechat, I had fooled so many players. There was no other word to describe it except for the pure euphoria of fooling others. My closest friends however would simply call me the gender-nuetral term "they" to address me whenever I pretended to be as such. The term "they" was what I stook with ever since. It wasn''t because I was insecure about my gender like how many other people were in real life, but it was simply because I was able to enjoy my hobby to it''s fullest.


    This was probably the reason why I adapted to this body much sooner than I expected myself to. As soon as I finished reminiscing my Yggdrasil days and stopped to cease pondering about pointless things. I soon realized that Ichi-san had already resumed cleaning with the other fox girls, as expected. They were making steady progress on cleaning the church. Very excellent progress in fact, most of the dirt and grime was already wiped away, leaving only the broken furniture, glass, and missing ceiling to remain in place of it. It was impressive to say the least.


    Many of the foxgirls were removing rubble outside of the building. Placing any foreign rocks or broken decor outside for the wilderness to deal with. It was actually kinda bizzare to see so many small girls lifting things much larger than they are. Out of curiosity, I drew in for a closer look.


    Looking upon a closer inspection, the leader of the cleanup-crew this time was a different foxgirl. A maid to be precise. She was a regular unassuming kitsune, sporting a normal black and white maid outfit along with a bamboo-oriented broom in hand. The kitsune was sweeping the area with full efficiency and effort, traversing around the area with no wasted movements. The one thing that stood out however, was her dumb-looking smile on her face. She was enjoying it, perhaps one could even say she seeks pleasure in it. Making sure no tiny speck would interfere with the interior''s decor.


    Eventually she stopped to clean out a persistent splotch that stained the floor. Even after attempting to use the cleaning chemicals she had at her disposal, it simply wouldn''t come off. Then she would fixate her eyes on the stain before raising her palm in the direction of the stain shouting "¡ºClean¡»"! A bright radiant light emmited from her palm before flowing into the stain, removing any traces of the annoying spot left. Satisfied, she continued onwards to clean the rest of the building.


    Ah.. that reminds me. Am I still able to cast spells in this world? I must be able, my NPCs seem to be using them just fine. Ah, but the console''s broken..


    Usually I would simply pull up a selection of spells with simple hotkeys and quickswitching, having each spell binded to each number key and scrolling between the hundred spells I''ve pre-settled accordingly. Now things weren''t that simple... or was it?


    Deciding I must confirm this, I reached out the palm of my own hand and I started to copy the kitsune maid in what she was doing. Only this time with a different spell in mind.


    ¡ºMessage¡»


    "Hello?" I called out, once activating the spell in mind. I wasn''t sure if this spell had to be communicated out loud or if I could have done it telepathically, so I took my chances with both.


    "Yes Hitomu-sama. I can hear you." Was the response. From the sound of it, the spell worked as I hoped it would. Upon thinking of a person in mind and activating the spell, it connected me to Ni-san''s mind accordingly.


    "Hm.. I see." I confirmed with her. It appeared that ¡ºMessage¡»was telepathic entirely, and that I had to remain in concentration for it to work.


    "Well I wanted to confirm how things are outside. No unexpected visitors I hope?" I mentally replied.


    "None at all Mistress. We''ve even scouted a second time to make sure nothing severe could occur." The assassin spoke back.


    "Hm.. well all of you may return now. I''m going to place a barrier around here soon. I have many things I want to discuss with you all." I continued issuing instructions to the kitsune.


    "Right away Mistress." Was the response I heard, canceling the spell, and leaving me to return to whatever I was doing previously.


    Right, so I have confirmed that I can cast spells without needing the console. That only leaves me with the problem of remembering everything that I have learned.


    This soon dawned at me at the realization. Usually a player was able to learn 3 spells per level in a magic-related job. The maximum of spells a player could have was 300 if one had 100 levels in caster jobs, and that''s without cash-shop items or special abilities. I recall having at least 70 levels in caster job levels, meaning that I had 210 spells to choose from, yet I could only remember a handful of them.


    This turned out to be a severe problem for someone like me, as I usually considered myself a non-combatant, always avoiding fights with illusions magic and other evasion skills I had. I wasn''t able to recall every spell in my disposal. Most if not all of memory was mostly taken up by Yggdrasil''s item names and descriptions they had for us. I couldn''t possibly fathom how anyone could be able to memorize all the spells in the game, as there were over 6000 spells in the game by itself.


    Then again.. I managed to memorize 800 items and their uses.


    I was left in a hard rut. Fortunately I can recall the more important spells in my arsenal. One of them were greater barriers that had the effect to seal a specified space for a limited period of time. It would prevent any unauthorized beings from entering as they were useful for trading priceless items and information with other players. There were many uses for barriers, that is if they could hold for long enough. All barriers had a damage limit before they could break after all.


    The rest of the kitsunes regrouped once their orders were completed. Looking back, most, if not all, of the church was completely spotless. Minus all the broken furniture and clearly missing features this church should previously have. I stood up from my spot to address their work. "You all have done well. I am pleased with your hard work." I praised them. All of them simply lowered their heads with their tails swishing in unison, as if mutually accepting my praise.


    "We were only doing our jobs Mistress. A simple task like this couldn''t be hardly considered hard work for us." The assassin replied amongst the group. All of them nodded at her response.


    Taking another good look at the kitsune, she wore a completely black outfit surrounding her skin close to entirely. A single black tail was wrapped around her neck and mouth as the only thing left open was her head from top to nose. Her hair was a silky silver-ish grey as her ears sported a charcoal color along with her outfit and plates that were tied securely on her arms and legs. Unlike the rest of the kitsunes, this was was entirely tanned, making her stick out of the group just a bit. However the thing that stood out the most was her eyes. Silver, filled with unrelenting diligence and dexterity.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    After examining her for a bit, I''ve room time to notice that Ni-san tends to act as the general leader of the pack when formed together or separated into other groups. As for the other half, they seem to switch leaders accordingly to the job they are given. Clever, leaving the job to the person most suitable. Reconnaissance was mostly led by the assassin and her knowledge of movement abilities would prove valuable there. As for cleanup, that was left for the maid I''ve examined from before. This group seemed to be well versed and organized when it comes to completing their tasks efficiently.


    "Right, well I guess it''s about time I started." I proceeded. Walking past them, I headed outside to see if I could place a high-tier barrier accordingly. Walking around, I determined the distance and width of the broken church and attempted to visualize it in my head before chanting my second spell.


    ¡ºFive Elements: Greater Barrier¡»


    I commanded. I felt something stir within me, then flowing out of me. It swirled outside of my body as it formulated a series of circles around me like before. Glowing shapes and constructs of magic emulated as it revolved, bending reality to it''s will. Soon enough, space was altered as an invisible dome widened around the building. I could feel a little fatigue from casting it, as it consumed a large chunk of mana out of me. From another''s perspective, it would totally be hidden from all 5 senses. This barrier would resist all natural elements to an extent, and it would also reflect the light around it to appear see-through. It was a perfect barrier. A 10th tier spell, an illusion magic of the highest tier. It was granted to me from the nature of my Miko Maiden job levels and my racial levels of a kitsune. It was very effective to say the least.


    Heading back in, I could see that the others waited exactly in the same spot as they did before. Their ears perked up upon the sounds of me closing in with my wooden sandals, also called Geta. "Yon-san." I called out to the maid. This one was named with the number 4.


    The maid rose and stepped forth instantly, ready to do whatever ordered. "Your inventory should have all the food consumables right?" I asked with my arms crossed.


    "Y-yes mistress... I am the only kitsune out of my sisters to have a stasis inventory space due to my cooking job levels." She stated before me.


    That''s right, out of all the sisters.. wait sisters!? Nani? They''re all related!? None of them look similar at all!


    ¡ºPassive Trade Skill: Poker Face¡»


    Another skill automatically activated without me knowing. This skill allowed my expression to remain calm and certain, on the outside. However on the inside I still expressed my surprise in full throttle. Looking back and forth between them, I could tell that they all definitely looked different. For one, some of them held different variations of color. And for the other, many sported drastically different outfits. One of them wore a maid dress, others wore miko outfits, shinobi outfits, China dresses, and most out of place, a school sailor uniform. It was definitely unprecedented that they hardly could be called related. Perhaps it wasn''t by blood, and more like a bond of sorts? I could only guess.


    "Ahem.. right. Anyways I''m feeling a little fatigued. Do you have any suitable dinner sets with you?" I slowly regained my composure. The maid nodded "Right away mistress." Before taking out a small table and putting her hand into a small void of black space infront of me. She soon brought out a silver tray of food and placed it upon the table, lifting the pot over it to reveal a freshly steamed collection of hams and other side dishes to accompany it. I instinctively started to help myself to her food and thanked her.


    Yon-san bowed at the thanks and I continued to clean the plate presented to me. The plate done after I finished eating. I didn''t realize I was this hungry after getting a taste of it. It was a drastic difference in quality than the multiple ramen packs I had back home..


    I stood there with a stiff expression.


    Home... not once have I even thought of that after I was transferred here.. am I even able to go back there? I already sold some of my items, and I didn''t even get a chance to see what other items that event had in store..


    This left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not the food, that was delicious, but as for the circumstances I was in, this was very unfavorable. As I''m given absolutely no reason how I even got here. If this was an isekai novel where a hero gets transported into a new world I would understand. There would typically be a king that summons a hero and orders him to slay a demon king or something. However now I was still in my in-game avatar with no reason of any sort.


    "Mistress? Is something wrong?" A voice abruptly ended that train of thought. "Was the food bad? I could get you a new set of your unsatisfied with that choosing." Yon-san informed me, ready to correct her mistake.


    "Ah no. Nothings wrong.. the food just reminded me of home.. that''s all.." I relied.


    Well it wasn''t a lie exactly, I did ponder upon my old home after eating, although the taste had nothing to do with it. It wasn''t exactly homesickness, I could hardly think of anything to miss over there. No one besides my job wanted me. And everything I prized my life around was back in Yggdrasil.


    "Tsk.. anyways you girls must all be hungry as well right? You should all eat." I removed my thoughts in place of what''s happening now. All the girls stood stiff as they all surprisingly objected to my offer.


    "No no, we couldn''t possibly take advantage of your hard earned items mistress. You worked for every single one after all. I remember you spending days, if not weeks collecting materials for each ans every item we all hold. We couldn''t possibly fathom taking them from you mistress." Ichi-san outright said.


    I was at first surprised at this response, surely they would want something at the price of working for me. But as I thought about it, it soon made more sense in their perspective. I spent many in-game days, months, and even years spending my time grinding for exclusive items and selling them off the market for a high price. The amount of inventory I had was shocking to others, especially after I filled them with these types of items. Essentially I was a grinder, gaining massive amounts of loot each day for profit. It must have left an impression on my NPCs.


    "But all of you surely must be hungry right? All living things require food after all." I counter offered.


    "But mistress, even if we starve to death you can simply resummon us all and we''ll be fine!" They all exclaimed in semi-unison.


    Just what part of that is fine!?


    I yelled internally with my passive skill still active. After my inner outburst, I tired to calm down to assess the situation presented to me.


    "I-I see.."


    Well... they aren''t wrong, but what value could I have that they would even die at my own convenience? It couldn''t be items, they already have them in their own inventory.. Argh... their loyalty is strangely off-putting and I can''t pinpoint why.


    I glanced back at the kitsune pack, all of them haven''t moved an inch from their spot.


    No, they haven''t even moved a single millimeter it seems! Are they that determined to follow my every whim?! Phwah... calm down.... If they''re truly the tools as they say they are, then they wouldn''t mind me asking a few questions right?


    Right... it''s best to say that I should start over with them it seems.


    "All of you." I started. The 9 kitsunes all weren''t phased by the order, taking care to listen to every syllable I speak out of. "I didn''t get the answer I was looking for when I first asked you all previously, so I shall be more specific this time." I declared. "What do you all think of me? Individually. I want to know how far is your loyalty from your own perspectives. State your name, class, and your thoughts about me." I clarified. I already knew their inventory, but everything else was crucial for communications in the future.


    All the kitsunes shifted in their own place. They all took a moment to ponder the thought carefully and thoroughly, as if their very existence depended on it. They all went in line and one stepped out to introduce themselves and their opinions.


    "I am Ichi-san, Hitomu-sama. Or otherwise number 1." She lowered her head respectfully. "I am a Miko Priest, specializing in seals and barriers. However my barriers can''t compare to your glorious example surrounding this very building." She stated in awe. Her eyes commented with mine, showing them in pure admiration. "You are the highest peak of what a miko could achieve and I could only hope to eventually reach it." The fox miko said humbly before returning to her previous position. I nodded in satisfaction.


    This one was a miko, as I expected. And it appears she holds me in high regard.. I''m relieved. I was afraid she would be unforgiving of my.. actions from before, but now I don''t have to apologize for that.


    She then moved on to the next kitsune. This one was the assassin from before. Kneeling down before me, unlike the others. "I am Ni-san. Representing the number 2. My skills consists of evasion tactics and assassination. You are my master and I can''t think of anything else that could compare to you Hitomu-sama." She informed me of her thoughts. I nod again, leaving her to step away to allow the others to take their turn.


    This one is an interesting one. So the tool analogy was all her. Can''t say I''m surprised. I would expect this from an assassin type person.


    The 3rd one came along. It appears they''re doing it in chronological order. The third came to introduce herself. She wore a red Chinese-like dress. Her hair and tails were all embedded with a reddish hue with black tips at the ends of their fur. Black ears were perking from the edges of her head. She didn''t appear to be wearing armor of the sort, only white wraps around her arms and legs. She had a spikey ponytail accompanied with a white mask with red linings that covered only her eyes and nose. The slits in the masked revealed a pair of golden eyes with flames of passion, only to reveal the utmost respect for me once she bowed with both hands clasped together in a martial stance.


    "San-san, a martial artist, Hitomu-sama." She introduced herself.


    That... sounds a tad bit odd. I really didn''t think naming them through, did I?


    The red kitsune continued with her introduction "You are strong, much stronger than me. I hope to eventually achieve that strength and stand by you till the end." The red kitsune declared outright.


    A battle maniac huh? Well.. I can''t say that I didn''t expect that.


    I nodded in equal respect as she left for the next in line.


    The forth was the maid I saw before. She lowered her courteously and introduced her brief thoughts. "Yon-san. I am the mistress'' maid. You are the mistress I serve, and I hope to match your expectations and give you the comfort a queen should have." The maid said simply before stepping back.


    Queen? Oh. Right.. my occupation is a Kitsune Queen.... Strange hearing that word.. I never really considered myself a member of royalty, although I had the fortune to become one multiple times over. This maid seemed to see me as such and simply wants to serve me it seems. Well that''ll have to do for now. At least so far none of them are rebellious.


    I nodded with again for what seemed like the 10th time before having the 5th kitsune walk forth. This one was a simple blonde kitsune that''s slightly taller than the others. She had a lab coat around her shoulders, wearing casual dark clothing with blue jeans. Her hair was a little bit unkempt, but it was held together by a pair of safety goggles above her forehead, with ears sticking out behind it.


    "Go-san. An alchemist in the scientist subclasses. I view you as the keeper of all knowledge. I seek the truth in the world, or in this case, worlds. I hold the upmost respect and interest in the secrets you hold that could benefit the progress the very foundations of science itself!" She shouted with a crazed look in her eyes. It caught me a little off guard at first.


    A mad scientist? Well that''s certainly unexpected.. but it makes sense. I had this one carry all the rare potions I collected and made sure to have her be able to reproduce them on a massive scale. To think she''d be this.. eccentric over it, well ambition isn''t bad. It''s definitely fine to have ambition in this world.


    I smiled back at the woman, confirming her identify and ambition for knowledge. Giddy, she left to join the others with small haste. The other kitsunes seemed to take notice of my highly pleased expression and all of them took mental note to reflect Go-san''s behavior.


    The 6th one came along, this one carried a long sheath on her back. She gripped the handle of the blade sticking out of it, only to pull it, swiping the blade in a vehicle flash in front of me. It shocked me for a moment, making me reel back in a moment''s fright. What was revealed was an ¨­dachi. Or a long sword originating from Japan. She had demonstrated a basic attack to show off her skill with the blade. "Roku-san, Blades Master. I am the mistress''s sword. With the purpose of cutting down whatever is in her path." She declared in pure fighter''s fury.


    My heartbeat was way above the normal rate at this point where I almost had a heart attack. I had gripped my tail instinctively upon the attack, very tightly so. "Erm.. very good.. y-you can go now." I replied with a strained calm expression. Even my passive skill had trouble keeping my heart contained.


    What was that!? I swore I lost a couple years of my life at that moment. I could have seriously been injured there!


    I stopped for a moment to assess it a bit more.


    ....Okay, I know if that blade had connected, it would have only been able to deal a small amount of damage to me, but that was scary as heck!


    The Blades Master stepped away confidently exchanging glances with the others. She nodded to them and they nodded back approvingly while others glanced back as if determined to do better.


    D-don''t encourage them!


    What is this? A competition?!


    I was unerved at this predicament unfolding. The 7th one stepped forth to reveal a brown kitsune wearing what appears to be the same outfit as Ichi-san. A miko outfit. However this time she had a lot of ornaments on her and she was equipped with a small bamboo staff. "Nana-san, Element Shaman" she then planted her staff into the ground, sparking a couple of electrical charges into the air. My tail unfurled extremely uncomfortably in response to the sudden sparks.


    ...Stop. How far is this going to go.


    "You are the mistress that can guide the very nature of the spirits. You are nature''s informant and my most wise master." She kneeled along with her staff. Then the brown kitsune tapped her staff to emit a large burst of shocks and zaps in the air once more, shooting thunderous fireworks indoors. Spiraling out into the air infront of her other sisters.


    And they clapped.


    I... I don''t think I can last any longer.


    Next in line to drain my sanity was the 8th kitsune, wearing a brown shirt with laces tied around her body, paired with more linen wraps around her arms. Attached to her belt was a leather whip and other keepsakes I didn''t know where from. Other equipment she had was just a pair of simple shorts, gloves and brown boots to literally boot. This one appeared a tad bit tom-boyish as she had neatly kept back short black hair, along with red crimson eyes. "Hachi-san, Tamer." She lowered her head in respect. "You are the queen of kitsunes, and I the tamer of beasts. I''m utmostly pleased to be in your care." She responded before stepping back to her previous spot among the others.


    O-oh.. thank God.


    I expected something ridiculous to happen, but it turned out that the tamer didn''t really have any beasts to show off her abilities. I was glad since it gave me a small breather to recover from these past events. And now.. finally.


    A young small foxgirl stepped forth. Her hair was long and fluffy, yet also short and unkempt. Suiting a dark-green sailor schoolgirl''s outfit, she was equipped with a handgun along her small thigh and other necessities such as a combat knife on her waist.


    Hold on.. I remember giving her all the long-ranged weapons in my inventory. Why did I do that again?


    Her eyes seemed devoid of any expression, and she spoke aloud. "Ky¨±-san, School Shooter."


    That''s it.


    That''s enough social interaction for today. My mental fortitude could only last so long with these ridiculous acts. After this I''m going take a loooooong well deserved nap.


    "Alright that''s enough, all of you did well and are officially dismissed." I then proceeded to see if I could cancel the summoning by unsummoming the kitsunes.


    "Wait. That was a joke. I''m actually a sharpshoote-"


    ¡ºGreater Rejection¡»


    I declared out loud. As I had hoped, it had sent all the kitsunes to God knows where, leaving me with only myself to collapse on to the floor and drift into a long mental recovery.

 Not a chapter - Shions Stats (Subject to change)

    Racial Level (34)


    Zenko Kitsune (lvl9 ¨C 99%) ¨C Good Kitsune, levels increase shapeshifting capability and shift Alignment in the good direction. Increases max mana by 10% per level after 2. Enhances Summoning abilities.


    Yako Kitsune (lvl10 ¨C 100%) ¨C Chaotic Kitsune, levels increase illusion and charming magic capabilities, and shifts alignment towards chaotic with the desire for power, but not true evil. Increases max mana by 10% per level after 2. Enhances Illusionist abilities.


    A Kitsune can only level one of either Zenko or Yako Kitsune to lvl10.


    Kitsune Queen (lv5 - 100%) - Goddess of Kitsunes, levels increase leadership capabilities, and drastically increases power relative to the number of minions the user controls. Increases resistance and special by 10% per level.


    Others (10)Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Tails ¨C (9) - Gets another tail every 7 magic levels for a maximum of 9 tails. Unlocks next tier of magic and boosts magical power and isn''t restricted to the number of tails you can have.


    Job Levels (66)


    Trader[Genius] (lv10 - 100%) - Gives user an advantage when trading or negotiating between other players and NPCs, such as increase in selling, lower prices from sellers, and increase drop rates on items. Also grants user access to bartering skills and charisma based skills. Genius title added due to the natural affinity for negotiations, increases total efficiency by 10%.


    Spirit Shaman (lv10 - 100%) - Spiritual Shaman, specializes in wielding the spirits to aid one''s battles. Grants user spirital based spells. Boosts efficiency of summons and spirital based spells by 7% per level.


    Miko Maiden (lv10 - 100%) - Spiritual Priest, grants user access to talisman based abilities, restorative spells, and defensive and offensive buffs. Physical capabilities are increased by 7% per level.


    Cooking (lv1 - 99%) - Grant''s user access to cooking related skills. Boosts efficiency of food production and buff benefits by 5% per level. Also grants user a minor resistance to poison.


    Others (35)

 A Fwuffy Demise

    An audible banging rang throughout Hitomu''s inner conciousness. Stirring, he slowly lifted himself off the ground to take in his surroundings and recollect the events that had happened the night before.


    "Ah fuck.. my back.."


    Granted, sleeping on the floor and waking up in an abandoned church wasn''t the best places to start recalling explicit events. Dazed and discomfited, the kitsune rubbed his shoulders in an attempt to massage the pain away. More than that, he had to resort sleeping on his side, thanks to the expansive mass the 9 tails painsakenly provided. These misevents were, at most, inconvenient for the kitsune queen to say the least.


    However his thoughts that followed his discomfort was soon disturbed by the resounding banging at the front entrance. Shion''s alert shot up. It was a deliberate effort of the mind, like a notification entering his inner conciousness. The instinctual message told him that an enemy was trying to enter the barrier he placed earlier.


    Raising himself from the still floor, the kitsune stepped fourth as his tails extended into life, fluffing out all undesired grit and dirt that was in it. Taking a better look at around him, he noticed that he still had wooden sandals with socks on, along with a perfectly clean miko dress tied up together by a large red-orange ribbon wrapped around the waist. All other aesthetics and cosmetics consisted of small inaudible silver bells hanging from her waistline. A strange set of red-violet tattoos printed were along the skin of his outer rim collarbone. Nails painted with a dark red, while his fluffy ears glown in a radiant golden hue along with each of his equally fluffy tails.


    All of these presented a body of a beautiful maiden envisioned perfectly in Shion''s mind. However if he had one complaint, it''s that he wished he didn''t make his avatar as short as he did. Having short legs was inconvenient when it came to taking long walks in the woods, even if one had unlimited stamina.


    Hold on.. couldn''t I just-


    Another loud notification of alarm echoed throughout his thoughts. It got increasingly annoying by the second. Deciding he should finally do something about it, the Kitsune Queen traversed towards the grand entrance and creaked the door ever so slightly open. It wasn''t as bright as he had originally thought it would. The barrier placed had the effect of denying a percentage of sunlight that radiated through it, acting as giant dome of shade for Shion.


    A group of skeletal undead surrounded the magical force-field. Their eyes flared a hatred that directed itself towards the living. It just so happened that the closest living being resided underneath an unbreakable barrier covering a broken down chapel. They all piled themselves upon the invisible wall, pointlessly scraping the dome with their rusted bloodied swords and shields. Their flesh was already ripped away, revealing only literal bones of their former selves.


    Shion became disgusted to see how realistic these undead were, but strangely enough, he felt no fear. Mostly due to them making utter fools of themselves when they tripped over each other when climbing towards the dome. This only confirmed two things to the kitsune. One, it was that undead was a definite existence in this world and two, it''s that the sense of smell was definitely still in effect as they smelled horrid beyond belief.


    "Uuahhgg! Hawck!"


    He clenched his nostrils in a moment''s agony for a some time before he continued to inspect the undead horde more closely. All of them lunged at the barrier uncoordinated with no special undead in sight.


    So far it doesn''t seem that they have any sort of intelligence working among them.. and none of them look powerful enough to be a leader..


    This train of thought was suddenly interrupted as more undead erupted from the trees and ferns that surrounded the clearing, grouping up together as they all attempted to attack the barrier in a messily fashion.


    Ah.. this is... interesting..


    Normally undead only appeared in places where death was a common sight, like a graveyard or a crypt. However this was a lively forest of animals and life of all kinds, which directly contrasts to the group of skeletons that kept banging the barrier.


    This meant that these undead were coming from somewhere..


    After some time pondering, he declared "Alright, that''s enough waiting.." and continued to proceed with the next obvious course of action.


    Lifting his hand, Shion pictured the group of undead being engulfed with flames, burning into a sea of ashes and forever removed from his sight. The Kitsune Queenel envisioned the natural energies that was stored within him previously and voiced the spell out loud.


    ¡ºFireblast¡»!


    .....


    But nothing happened.


    Eh?


    The undead was still pointlessly attempting to get through the dome. The only thing that changed at this moment was that he stood in a position with his palm in the air, effectively doing nothing as more undead continued to erupt from the trees.


    ....Was that not the right command?


    He rose his hand once again and attempted to retry it, but with a different take on it.


    ¡ºSummon: Flames¡»!


    .....nothing.


    ¡ºCinderblast¡»!


    ....still nothing.


    ¡ºBurn¡»!


    ¡ºScorching Erruption¡»!


    ¡ºHeatblast¡»!


    ¡ºFUCK¡»!


    ...still no result..


    He could only scratch his head with a single hand in great disappointment that he couldn''t even remember something so simple. Shion incredibly utterly dissatisfied that even though he was level 100 player, he couldn''t even cast a simple 3rd tier spell, something that was considered the most basic in Yggdrasil. It took a moment to calm his mind as most undead noisily banged on the magical barrier in deathly moans and incoherent screams.


    "God damn it! What''s so hard about casting a ball of fire?-"


    Then it hit him. The answer was so obvious. Looking back at the group of flesh and bones, he lifted his palms once more, with a serious gaze within his narrowed eyes.


    ¡ºFireball¡»!


    Suddenly a mass of energy collected around the tip of his finger, as it all compiled together and discharged upon absorbing the right amount of mana. It manifested into a sphere of flames as it shot out into the group of undead, causing the entire group to erupt in a consuming light of heat and smoke. The smell became way worse than what he had anticipated.


    The kitsune coughed and wafted the smell away from his sensitive nose. Opening his eyes once again through the dispersing smoke, all that remains was a field of scorched grounds and a pile of ash that scattered off within the forest winds. Leaving behind only a mass of discarded broken burnt equipment and swords that laid upon the dirt.


    "Well at least it worked!" Shion spoke to herself in a delightful tone before entering another coughing fit from the ashes and black air.


    As soon as the it finally cleared, he headed past the protection of the barrier, greeting the luscious green forest as it thanked him with breathable air. Nothing else in the forest stirred except for the queen. Glancing downwards at his feet, he could see the same worthless scattered equipment laying on the dirt. He kneeled down to clench the nearby blade to examine whatever quality it had, but when he tried wielding it, it suddenly fell out of his grasp.


    Huh? What..?


    Confusion was soon replaced by curiosity as Shion bent down to pick up the sword once more. The same result happened as he ended up dropping the blade upon swinging, having the blade dig underneath the ground upon impact.


    "....."


    There was only two conclusions that the kitsune could provide. It was that either he apperently suck at wielding swords... or that he couldn''t. Shion recalled the job levels he had. Most of which was really for spellcasting, and it so happened that none of which allowed access to combat with wielding a sword. At most all he could only do simple hand-to-hand combat and a series simple of spells. That was when Shion realized another law of this new world. It was that this world still held game restrictions...


    Wait...wasn''t this real life?


    More questions continued to pop up in the kitsune''s head as he continued to ponder more deep in thought. He couldn''t answer any of his questions as of now due to the lack of information he had access to. Realizing it''s pointless to think about this any longer, the queen left the useless blade abandoned in the burnt ground. Before he left, he also used ¡ºAppraisal Magic Item¡»to make sure of it''s lowly value. This spell allowed anyone to identify the item the spell was casted on. Shion liked using this spell frequently during his trading days, so the informant was at least familiar with his own trading skills and anything else related to it, such as identification spells.


    "Eh.. can''t be helped." He shrugged as he instinctively pushed his hand into a pocket of dark space. He reeled his arm back out of the void to reveal a map from his inventory. It was a 4-inch diameter glass sphere that had a fully functional screen-like hologram that was projected above it. This item was ''The Seer''s All-Seeing Eye'', a magic item of the high-class category. It allowed a user to automatically map areas they have been to previously, along with pinpoints and coordinates to where the player was. Terrain information was priceless among players. Usually players had to map out areas manually or use a special skill to produce an idea of where they were in Yggdrasil. It was easy to get lost in the multiple worlds, and there were also many secret areas and dungeons yet to he discovered in each of said worlds.


    Terrain information like this was criminally scarce among other players since information like this wasnt widely available. This made maps like these insanely valuable to have in possession. Some PKer parties would ambush other worldly groups just to acquire them. When Shion first discovered the item, he could only be disappointed that this was a quest item that could only be completed once. As a result, it couldn''t be repeatedly farmed and exploited by mass selling them on the market for real in-game currency. Of course that didn''t mean he couldn''t profit off of it. The meer information that such a quest existed could cost a hefty price for others. The informant business was risky, yet undeniably profitable when presented with the right circumstances.


    However this map Shion had in possession was more valuable in terms of progression. He had previously used a strategy to equip this in a shared inventory system among his NPCs so he could scour the world and record a good portion of the terrain Yggdrasil provided. It could also be said that such exploit allowed him to have the most completed map in the game among other players. However the map had showed no such thing. It was blank, completely devoid of any travelling progress he had previously, aside from the path and church he woke up from. The kitsune attempted to zoom out of the map, similar to how people would zoom out on the console. It certainly made the terrain view smaller, but it showed no familiar places as no other areas from the 9 worlds of Yggdrasil revealed themselves.


    ...So it really is another world...


    This was the only conclusion Shion could think of. All his wavering thoughts of whether it was reality ceased upon confirmation. Previously the queen wasn''t sure whether or not this world was simply an expansion to Yggdrasil before he was transported. Like a sudden 10th world or something, but the fact that Yggdrasil doesn''t even show on the world map confirms that this wasn''t even Yggdrasil anymore. What truly mattered in this case was that this place still held certain restrictions on his new body. Magic was still in effect, along with two new senses, and mobs were also an occurence just like in Yggdrasil.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Even if this is a new world, it''s just as unpredictable and dangerous as the next.


    It took Shion a couple moments to comprehend all this and ingest the facts. He knew couldn''t simply deny the facts that stood right before him. Choosing to walk in a random direction, he fiddled away with his theories in private. What proved to be the most troubling for the kitsune was that if the undead existed in this world, the living existed as well. Whether or not these "living" beings are a threat has yet to be determined.


    Swat.


    Those girls said that everything in the forest was no higher than level 30.. so it should be safe to wander around right? No it''s already been a day, should I summon them again?


    Swat.


    Then the traumatized queen recalled the events that unfolded right before he slept. All the stress that built up ever since he came into this world, and the newly intake of knowledge that presented itself all strained on him. Right along with the ridiculous events that was committed by said girls.


    Swat.


    ...Yeah..let''s not.


    He decided in full certainty.


    Swat.


    Continuing to dwindle along a path that he followed unconsciously, Shion realized that the path he followed had the stench of death surrounding it. Glancing behind himself, his eyes revealed a trail of crushed skulls and undead corpses that laid upon the trudged dirt along the kitsune''s recent footsteps.


    Wait.. those weren''t flies?


    It was just then the queen realized that these so called bugs were in fact, undead, and that they were incredibly weak. They only had barely even registered as a threat to his inner subconscious. Unknowingly, he swatted them away with his hands and tails with pure strength alone. The fact that his attacks were also registered as bludgeoning attacks makes it''s effectiveness even more absurdly so.


    "So weak!" He couldn''t hide his inner surprise at the information learned from this. In the past, Shion would avoid confrontation with any mob if at all possible, since mobs could easily spell death to those that traveled alone. But this... this was a joke compared to the enemies in Yggdrasil.


    Slowly pulling himself back together, Shion determined that the level cap for the creatures here was to be safely assumed to be nothing of a threat to him. He initially thought it wouldn''t hurt to have additional protection by trying out a couple defensive spells to see if it worked.


    ". . . Maybe it wasn''t necessary after all. . ."


    He began to have second thoughts. After all, if he could kill creatures like these with a single tap in this area, then perhaps using magic was a little overkill and uneeded. The kitsune turned back to view the trail Shion was initially following, only to see an ominous cave that lured infront across from him. Bones, pickaxes, and helmets were scattered throughout the cave shaft. The stench of death wafted towards me in the form of a small fog that surrounded it. All signs obviously pointed to more undead.


    So this was where they all came from...


    His theory soon proved to be correct as more undead spawned. As soon as he drew close within proximity of the entrance of the mines, the entrance erupted with enemies of flesh and bone. Multiple eyes of red hatred for the living locked on with the Kitsune Queen''s glowing green eyes. Her fingers parted away from themselves as her palms extended. Her succulent lips parted to silently mutter the words that would spell death''s utter end.


    ¡ºMaximize Magic: Fireball¡»


    A small bit of fatigue gripped the beauty''s consiousness as she felt something being consumed within her, a mass of energy forming a physical shape between her palms. Grasping it, the energy gathered at her fingertips swirled into a ball of fire to shine brilliantly. Both flames flickered intensely as it radiated from blue, to red, then to a blinding white light of obscure heat that spelt utter complete vaporization.


    "I might as well use this chance to practice." Her voice resounded across the igniting atmosphere. A delightful smile creeped between her cheeks, stretching from side to side. A smile that even the horde of undead could waver upon such sight.


    Thus the undead mine would soon later be found to be the world''s first 10,340 degree oven.


    <hr>


    ¡ºShield Wall¡»!


    A feminine voice casted, reinforcing a barrier placed within the entrance of a dead end in the mines. It was a magic caster that prevented any hostiles from entering. The smell of sweat and fear wafted from her as the groans of undead kept pounding against the magical force field. Their spastic sounds of banging kept shooting within her ears as she concentrated solely on her survival.


    "Shit! How''s that tunnel going Marcus?" Another voice called out. It was a male of an adventurer. This one wore the typical leather lightweight armor along with a shortsword attached to his belt.


    "Not so good Alex.. these rusty pick axes can''t even leave a dent in these walls." Someone else responded. It was another adventurer of the same party. A mace was placed along the back of his belt as he continued hacking away at a nearby stone wall. His muscles strained in painstaking agony as he desperately abused it in attempts of pure self-preservation.


    "Shit! First our cleric is down, and now we have hordes of undead up our asses! Shit! Shit!" Alex cursed under his breath. This group of adventurers was sent to investigate a recent problems in the mines. The requested minerals weren''t showing up on schedule and therefore the Adventurer''s Guild had sent them to question the miners at the site. What they didn''t know, was that the mines already belonged to the undead.


    Needless to say, they were in an unfavorable situation. Backed against one of the underground labyrinth''s dead ends, they had to barricade themselves off from the entrance to prevent the hundreds of undead that ruled these mines. "Lucy! How many mana potions do we have left!"


    The magic caster was a cryomancer, and as a result she wasn''t entirely confident in her abilities in barrier-type magic. This effort to maintain the barrier that could very well mean life and death required a considerable amount of concentration and mana. "Boss.. I don''t think I can''t hold it any longer..."


    "What!? We ran out!?" Alex shouted in horror. He knew that his party would be overwhelmed by the incoming horde. Undead were known to be weak against bludgeoning attacks, fire, and holy magic. However their cleric was soon met with her end upon first entering the hell hole this mine was. Rapidly it went downhill from there, both literally and figuratively as the party ended up at the very bottom levels of the endless maze of death.


    Considering that their hired wizard only specialized in ice magic and their holy caster was dead, Alex could only determine that if that barrier broke they were throughly and absolutely fucked beyond compare. Sure they had a mace-user, but that was an abysmally undermined by the endless undead that streamed across the tunnels.


    "No! We still have 7 more mana potions left." The wizard shouted back to the leader of the party. It gave him a slight glimmer of hope that could give him a chance to get out of this mess. "What are you waiting for!? Drink it!" He exasperated outloud.


    "I can''t!"


    "What do you mean you can''t!?"


    "I already drank 4, I think this is my limit..."


    "Oh for fucks sakes!"


    Of course there was the problem of hyponatremia upon consuming liters of the stuff. Normally when magic casters or anyone else consumed more potions than they should have, they would have horrible experiences regarding it. It led them unable to drink anymore fluids until a specified amount of time has passed.


    However Alex didn''t care. Running up to Lucy, grabbing the satchel of priceless potions off the ground, he uncapped one of them and forced the bottle between her lips as she choked down on the blue liquid. The magic caster struggled as she attempted to push Alex away to save herself from asphyxiation, but Alex persisted. He continued to empty the bottle down her throat until the magical fluids overflowed from her mouth.


    "Fuck! Swallow God damn it!"


    He released her as she started to vomiting out an excess amount of blueish-brown fluids splattering across the ground. Marcus could only stare in turmoil as he watched his friend continue to empty the other bottles of suffering down Lucy''s esophagus and stomach. She continued to hurl back up the disgusting liquids through the same hole she was forced to drank it with. Marcus wanted this to stop.


    "Alex! This isn''t going to work!"


    "For fucks sakes Mark! If we don''t do this we''re all going to die with rusted blades up out asses! And I''m not going to let it happen!" He retored in full blazing desperation. The undead would soon be able to break through the ethereal wall. Cracks started to disperse across the magic shell as the undead grew eager to have their blood-rusted blades taste flesh once more.


    The magic caster continued coughing up whatever Alex continued downing down her throat. Both the fear of drowning and the fear of being gutted by rotten corpses could only help one''s grip on life.


    "Please.. sto-"


    Of course her painful pleas would be interrupted by the continued emptying of more bottles and stomach with whatever liquids her intestines had.


    "Alex!"


    "WHAT MARK!?"


    "The barrier''s gone!"


    "Wha- Aww shit!"


    Alex discontinued torturing the girl as he left her to collapse on the ground, leaving her to lay in the liquidy mess and lose her conciousness. He gritted his teeth as he unseathed his shortsword and stood at the ready, expecting waves of death to charge right at him.


    But the corridor was empty..


    "...W-What?!"


    But then he could feel it. The earth above him was vibrating ever so slightly at random intervals, only to increase in intensity as time went on. More earth and rubble would shake as the undead fog slowly turned into a crisper black smoke. The atmosphere shifted both literally and figuratively. The smell of rotting corpses wafted towards the ceiling as footsteps drew closer at the entrance.


    Someone''s there..


    Something..huge..


    His instincts practically screamed as shadow soon loomed overhead through the passing black smog of burnt corpses. A small figure with 9 tentacle-like shadows emerged from the smoke. The pressure was intense unlike any other experience. Even the undead wasn''t as unsettling as this.


    A beastman. A being that was known to have the strength of 30 men. A creature that could devour a human whole like it was an afternoon snack. A race that considered human babies as simple delicacy. It was a fearsome creature that could wipe an entire village by itself. A monster that held terrifying animalistic traits, claws that could shred iron armor like paper, teeth that could crush a child''s head like a small grape, a pelt that were as thick as enchanted iron. A terrifying monster that could only see humans as food, with little to no regard for human life.


    However this being in front of him almost had none of those distinct features. This maiden wore a beautiful foreign dress, entrancing him with her stunning green eyes. Her skin didn''t have a patch of fur anywhere, just the glow of her pure delicate skin. Her lips seemed pink and soft, unlike any other human he had met. Yet this girl was a beastman. Two tufts of gorgeous glowing hair pointed directly outwards, as 9 impossibly stunning tails wringed out behind her. An impossibly beautiful existence that trumps any human in a contest of stunning perfection. A beastman that made any other human girl seem pale in comparison. A maiden that could move the hearts of both males and females all together.


    This maiden was a beastman, an unknown existence that could only frighten him further.


    "Ara? A couple humans? This is suprising."


    It could talk.


    This fucking thing could talk.


    "W-Who the hell are you?"


    Alex could only steady his blade infront of him, making sure his eyes were locked on hers. He knew he had no chance at winning, but perhaps negotiations could take effect. Granted, past human negotiations with other beastmen ended up getting the messenger gruesomely mauled and devoured mercilessly, but even he could tell this beastman wasn''t like another ''other'' beastmen.


    "Were you the one that dealt with those undead?"


    The maiden looked at me strangely, like she had been asked something highly unusual. Her eyes looked as if she''s attempting to pierce me with her gaze. Examining me.


    "Alex! What do we do now?"


    "Just! Shut up!" Alex snapped at his friend Marcus. "Just leave the talking to me alright?" He stated calmly. The adventurer couldn''t lose his cool now. It was life or death here. It always has been. The mace-wielder could only stay silent as he could see the party''s leader slowly straining himself.


    The foxgirl came out of her thoughts as she spoke once more. "So you all can speak the same language as me.. or maybe that''s just the law of this world.. I''m learning a lot from this encounter."


    "What?" Alex could only state in confusion. It was common sense this world automatically translates all of the languages, including the nuance and details. It was also a fact that mouth movements of a speaker may not match with the sound that the listener hears.


    But, how could this girl only know that now? Unless...


    "Is this your first time meeting a human?" He dared to ask.


    The beastman starred at me with a cold expression. Her piercing gaze turned ice.


    Shit.


    The adventurer had overextended himself. He nearly forgot he wasn''t in a position to ask such ridiculous questions. He only had one priority. To get out of there alive, and the chances of that significantly decreased because of his mistake.


    "I''ve met your kind before.. it''s just that I didn''t expect you to be capable of talking, but in hindsight I should have expected that."


    This bitch! She really was underestimating humans. She really is a beastman... Only thinking us as livestock and nothing else.


    Alex hardened his gaze as he continued to stare into the girl''s eyes.


    Those eyes..


    It was like how a butcher analyse an animal to determine the best way to start cutting up a slab of meat. This confirms it. This beastman was dangerous, and there''s no chance for negotiations.


    The adventurer stepped forward as he desperately gripped his blade before going for a charge. The shortsword''s weight maneuvered within the swing of his arm, pulling the force required to draw blood within his grasp.


    She''s full of openings.


    Alex didn''t have the luxury or time to worry about such things. He needed to kill her now, or run when he had the chance. Swinging the sword from his side, he directed the blade towards the beastman''s neck. He was ready to shift his body into a faint if she attempted to deflect it. However it didn''t happen.


    "Gotcha!"


    ¡ºMindblast¡»


    A pile of bricks impacted the leader''s mind. His mental strain and desperate efforts only managed to make this pain be inflicted tenfold.


    It hurt.


    It was like being slammed with an iron sledgehammer directly in the forehead. His weak mental fortitude succumbed to the spell. His body collapsed on the ground, like a puppet who has it''s strings cut. He continued to twitch on the ground as his saliva drooled on the following dirt.


    "Ah.. so fragile.. are all humans like this?"


    The horrid fluffy existence smiled at the sight. Marcus could only shout the name of his friend in vain. "ALLEEXX!" He abandoned his rusty pickaxe to fall to the ground and unbuckled his mace at his waist. Blinded with fury, he rushed in to save his friend, only to succumb to the same fate.


    He felt his steel mace impacting the enemy, but rather than inflicting a massive force, it halted completely. Marcus couldn''t believe his eyes when he saw the girl simply holding the end of the weapon with a single arm. Her smile still lingered as she continued playing with the warrior as a toy.


    ¡ºBreak Item¡»


    The mace shattered. Marcus couldn''t comprehend what was happening to him. This was a monster. This was a monster in every sense of the word. He could only let out a wailed scream as the beatman''s many tails extended to him. Her tails wrapped around him like iron, squeezing like how a snake would constrict it''s prey. What horrified him the most was how fluffy it was. It was irresistible. He couldn''t fight against it. His mind was sent into an irreversable euphoria as his body continued to get crushed by the kitsune. She smiled as the man pitifully screamed in pleasure and agony.


    "What an interesting face you have there.. here.. allow me to grant you a passage to heaven~" the kitsune grinned sadistically as she continued to break him.


    The man''s screams echoes throughout the caverns, and now no one would ever know that the band of adventuerers met their fluffy end.

 A Fwuffy Assessment

    A man''s corpse laid disfigured upon the ground. Blood leaked out of his mouth and nostrils as his bones sticked out in places they shouldn''t stick, limbs bending in ways they shouldn''t bend. His armor has been stripped away, but discarded on the floor like trash long with the metal fragments of what his mace used to be.


    He had been already physically broken long ago, the only sounds that emitted from the caverns were incomprehensible gibberish that came from the other side of the room. The man that used to be called Alex was spouting out utterings that seemed to be even below primal standards. The reason in question was the Kitsune Queen that stretched her arms and tails midway through her experiments.


    "Ahhhh~ That felt great!"


    Shion couldn''t have expressed her relief any other way. These past few days of overwhelming stress and extraordinary experiences has really did a number on her mind. A place where she could exercise her frustrations on the world was just what she needed. It was also a good way to experiment the different types of spells that she knew and didn''t knew. Most of the caverns were desecrated at this point. What she did earlier was to spout out random names of spells until one worked. Sure it depleted her mana reserves, but it was for the sake of gathering information.


    As for the humans... Shion never intended to kill them at first. It was when she attempted to defend herself with a simple tier 2 spell called [Mindblast]. The spell was able to deal moderate instantaneous damage with a small chance to inflict the ''Panick" status alignment, allowing them to be vulnerable to even more attacks. Instantaneous attacks were useful in a way that players couldn''t dodge them how they normally would, making it extremely useful unless one had a special skill to counter it. However it seemed that a spell like that ended up being too much for the human.


    The kitsune was at first surprised, but she determined it was only natural for an area with a low level cap such as this. For someone with such weak will, a mind-effecting spell would prove to be highly effective. Usually a spell like this was intended to either stop enemy incantations and attacks, or follow it up with another spell upon hitting the rare chance of inflicting the Panick status alignment.


    Shion''s favorite combo to follow it up with was [Mind Break]. This particular spell destroys the willpower of the target and makes them unable to resist mind-affecting spells, leaving for even more devastating combos for the kitsune to abuse.


    However such a thing wasn''t at all needed.


    The human, she thought she heard his name was ''Alex'', collapsed on the ground completely brain dead. The spell surprisingly didn''t straight up kill him though. However, she assumed that these humans here weren''t anything special and moved her attention to the 2nd human that laid crippled on the ground.


    Their power wasn''t even comparable to a level 10.


    Shion mentally sneered as she recalled that this ''Mark'' guy charged in with a stick that he called a weapon. It was pitiful really. Shion had used [Break Item] as another conduct for experimentation. As she hoped, it worked as expected and crumbled the weapon into a small pile of iron-like sand.


    This has been truly a productive day.


    Not only that she was able to determine what spells she could remember, but she also confirmed that the residents of this world was able to speak the same language. This was another huge relief to Shion to further abandon her stress she had previously accumulated. If this world spoke in a completely different language than her, then it would surely become an inconvenience for the kitsune.


    It was then she also recalled the human expressing a face of pure horror upon losing his only method of self-defense. It was an interesting face. A face that brought a smile on Shion''s face, she couldn''t explain why. Eventually she realized she wanted to see even more expressions out of this man. All sense of apathy and familiarity with her former race was lost. Her mild interest slowly transformed into morbid curiosity. All that mattered then was that she wanted to see that man squirm and shrivel in ways not thought possible. She enjoyed it. The face of that human twisted in ways she wanted to see. The man''s expression as he writhed with mixed agony and pleasure brought an unexpected joy within Shion.


    It was like something from within her had shifted dramatically to seek out more expressions such as this. The Shion she knew inside would say that this was cruel, but she couldn''t care. She literally couldn''t care any less. This was because of a racial skill called [Yako''s Desire].


    There were usually two types of Kitsunes. The Zenko Kitsunes, who were known for their shapeshifting capacity and tended shift their alignment in a good direction; and the Yako Kitsunes, who were known for their illusion and charming capacity and aligning with a chaotic desire for power, but was not truly evil.


    [Yako''s Desire] was such a skill that belonged to the Yako Kitsunes. Upon realizing a sudden desire, the chances of success for that desire increased dramatically. Powerful Yako Kitsunes were known to bend reality at a whim, so much so that the world itself would be tricked due to powerful illusion magic, making it a reality. [Yako''s Desire] was a special racial skill that was only accessible to those with 10 Racial Levels in the Yako race. However a Kitsune can only level one of either Zenko or Yako Kitsune to level 10. Shion acquired this skill because she believed that it would boost item drop rates, which it did, along with many other things. Essentially, it was an enormous boost in luck, nothing else.


    But now it was being used an entirely different manner. A switch was flipped. She craved for more. Devilish inhuman desires swelled up from within. This caused her to do something horrible. This act of cruelty continued for a long while, until the man eventually stopped moving. Shion immediately snapped out of it afterwards, but with little to no regret for what she had done. She struggled to find a reason to how she acted such a way, and even unsettled that she felt no sympathy or regret for her actions. This led to a mild concern within her mind.


    Why, did I do that? And, why don''t I feel bad about it? No, it even felt.. good. I felt, pleasure. I enjoyed it.


    Her concerns slowly led to a number of speculations with her current mental state. Most of which were quickly discarded and improved upon until she eventually reached a hypothesis.


    Was... I truly human anymore? Had this new body of mine also changed the way I thought about humans, now that I''m a demi-human? Strange. I feel nothing for these people. Is it because they are so weak compared to me. Why was that?


    Morality was not a thing to take in to account when playing a game such as Yaggdrasil. All the NPCs were expressionless, fake, and easily to distinguish from reality. The only people that you do have to care about are other players. Yet this wasn''t Yaggdrasil. Shion was entirely apathetic towards these humans, despite it being another world. She questioned whether or not the delusions of reality and in-game are currently conflicting within her, causing her to do such horrid things so easily.


    It was like killing an insect.


    The kitsune was left with questions she couldn''t quite answer. Eventually, Shion also recognized that having an existential crisis over it wasn''t exactly the best next course of action to take. Instead, she choosen to disregard it temporarily and turned to face the brain dead adventurer right beside her.


    The undead were immune to any mind-altering spells, so having a live subject was a perfect chance to use such magic to see whether or not it worked the way she intended. Shion sat down and organized her inner thoughts as she waited. After a couple hours of resting, a good portion of her mana replenished itself.


    In Yggdrasil, it was common knowledge that all magic casters had to wait for their mana to regenerate naturally. There was no such spells or items to suddenly boost the capacity for spells you can bombard your enemies with. The game devs decided that adding such systems to replenish your mana instantly would break the game as they preferred having players strategize with the limited amount of spells they could use.


    Once recovering, the kitsune queen headed back to the pained stirring human that laid on the ground, slowly recovering. The effects of [Mindblast] wasn''t indefinite. Most players even had countermeasures to such things, as interrupting their spells and spamming a barrage of stun-locking attacks was basically cheating. This ''Alex'' guy however, recovered sooner than she thought, but it didn''t matter much. Shion had a test subject to experiment with.


    After a couple more hours, Shion had already compiled a list of spells she could use by writing in a memo-pad she pulled from her inventory. The vegetable that used to be known as ''Alex'' was now essentially a sack of meat that only knew how to inhale and exhale. The kitsune learned a lot after practicing her mind-altering spells on the unfortunate human vegetable.


    The first thing that she had learned, was that it drained a lot of mana from her reserves. So much so that she wasn''t able to experiment for long.


    Second, is that using [Control Amnesia] allows her to poke in one''s memories. However upon using this on the human, she messed up midway through her experiment. Unfortunately, the adventurer''s mind jumbled up into something completely unusable.


    It was like trying to look through a computer''s lines of code and editing it without any memory backup to recover from. All forms of memory manipulation cannot be undone. It was a tricky feeling to get used to, but Shion determined if she had more test dummies to work with, then mastering it could be accomplished with enough practice. Sadly that wasn''t the case as the other human was dead. Shion then tried to look at the bright side of things and recognized that the spell could potentially be used simply as a way to make a human into a vegetable. Both utilities are equality useful to the Kitsune.


    Regretting that she wasn''t able to learn anything more, Shion started to move her attention elsewhere. It was then her eyes led to a satchel lying on the ground, right next to a girl she definitely haven''t noticed before. Quickly losing her interest with her previous experiment, she chose to finish the job and casted a lethal dose of [Mindbreak] on the human potato, killing the soon to be forgotten male adventure. The kitsune queen then drew closer to the seemingly unconscious girl and casted [Appraisal Magic Item] on the satchel beside her. Soon, a wave of unprecedented information impeded into her mind, causing Shion to be taken aback in surprise.


    "M-Mana Potions!?"


    This was a development that far exceeded her expectations. For such a thing to exist in this world meant another two things for Shion.


    "This means... there are items even I don''t know of that exist in this world."


    Her collector''s blood boiled. Back in Yggdrasil, trading and mass marketing rare items was her expertise. Naturally her first instinct was to discover these never seen before items and hoard them all as her own to amass a sizable profit. Then the Kitsune Queen quickly dismissed the thought away soon after and took a step back to re-evaluate the situation.


    "This isn''t good... there also might be players like me in this world.. and if they also know the existence of these potions, or even have them on their person, I would be at a major disadvantage.." she muttered to herself. Death was something she wasn''t sure of in this world. Usually it was like a negative status effect back in Yggdrasil, where you could cure it with a revival item or simply respawn somewhere after a period of time being immobile. However death in this world might be a different thing all together, and Shion wasn''t exactly suicidal enough to test it out herself.


    Shion therefore quickly prioritized getting her hands on these mana potions, lest she learned about death the hard way. Having these in battle would be a gamebreaking advantage over others. Having the increased capacity to spam more spells than your opponent is essentially broken beyond belief. Unfortunately these said potions now in her possession were of the lesser category, only of being able to replenish a small fraction of her mana.


    The first thing that she considered it giving them to Go-san, that mad alchemist kitsune. Shion was confident she would be able to make these potions more potent, however what she lacked was the knowledge on how to make more of these foreign potions. Usually potions were made through the use of Yggdrasil coins, an all-use currency that could be used to synthesize potions, along with a plethora of other uses. However these "Mana" potions never existed in Yggdrasil, and without the console, she would have a hard time actually producing these mana-refilling vials. The kitsune would have quickly regretted that fact if it weren''t for the girl that laid on the ground, unconsciously groaning in her filth.


    Eh? Where did she come from? Was she left there by those guys? Well.. in any case, I could use her.. Should I use [Control Amnesia] again?


    Again, the spell itself took a significant amount of her precious mana, and the lesser mana potions she had were basically useless as of now. The spell itself also came with a risk of basically killing the girl if she messed up, which was what the kitsune didn''t want to do a second time. She exhaled a deep sigh as she decided to extract information the old fashioned way.


    "Hahh... it can''t be helped. [Cleanse]!"


    A small white light surrounded the girl as she continued to rest on the ground unmoving. After a few seconds the aura faded, leaving no change.


    "...Eh? Did I run out of mana? No, it definitely worked. Unless... that the spell cured negative status effects. Tsk.. Let''s try..uhm.. how about [Clean]!"


    This time the girl was quickly scrubbed off of any sort of dirt and grime that stuck to her, fully cleaning her clothes and equipment. Shion nodded satisfied as she picked up the girl wrapped in her multiple soft luscious tails. She then grabbed the ever so important satchel and tossed it into her pocket space. "Guess it''s about time to leave." She told herself, not expecting any answer. The mines were quickly navigated and Shion made sure the undead wouldn''t come back anytime soon. Leaving, all the remained of the caves was a flaming earthly pile of rubble. The only sounds that were uttered was the soft murmurs of a certain magic caster shifting awake.


    <hr>


    I stirred listlessly on the ground. My mind was slowly brought forth into reality as I shifted to feel my arms and legs. My eyelids parted, but only to notice I was facing upwards with a shadow looming overhead of me. Small foreign rays of light illuminated the room ever so slightly as I tried to adjust my eyes to see clearly within the dimly lit darkness.


    The roof of the ceiling to give some sort of visibility, or rather lack of a ceiling. I could definitely tell this was a building. Taking a glance around me, it looked to be the inside of the abandoned church I passed by on our trip to that cave. My eyes were eventually stolen away from me as I saw her. What I clearly above me was a warm smile. A smile that was plastered on a face with a pair of golden eyes. Her cheeks were comparable to a beautiful small doll. A girl leaned above me as I laid upon the ground with my head on her lap, my mouth agape.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    She was cute. No, cute wasn''t even a word to begin to describe it. It was a girl with skin as light as the sunlit meadows. She hosted a seemingly small figure that wore an equally small outfit I could barely distinguish it to be of southern origin. It was a formal dress overall, but she also wore an apron in front of it. A red belt-like ribbon was tied along her tiny waist wrapped around the apron as if it was to fasten it tight. A small red lotus-pin was attached to her short-golden hair that reached to her upper neck, fluffing outwards to emphasize her inner cuteness. Everything else about her all screamed ''maid''.


    Her smile pulled the strings of adoration along with many other emotions as she radiated in a petite beauty. It was enough to send my heart pounding, a member of the opposite sex. However, it was when I also noticed other intriguing features about her. Even though imperfect teeth were usually looked down upon, her snaggletooth could only enhance her cuteness even further than I would think possible. One thing that stood out the most overall, was the tufts on her hair... Small dark streaks aligned at the tips of them, with even smaller white tufts peaked out at the front. The girl tilted her head in confusion as the said tufts in her hair also suddenly shifted in direction. It flickered as I examined them thoroughly.


    No wait, those aren''t tufts... are those.. ears?!


    This sight even further astounded me as one of her tails writhed about behind her, and soon the rest of her tails shifted within in my view. This was a beastman, but she looked and sounded nothing like any of the descriptions I''ve read. This beautiful girl looked too human to be a beastman. However her ears and tails only proved that to be the case.


    "Ara? You''re finally awake! Mistress will be happy now that you''ve fully recovered."


    Her tails seemed to shift about, no that wasn''t it. Her tails seemed to be moving in a graceful slithering-like motion in the air, showing unheeded excitement. It was like how a dog would wag their tail, only that this was far more elegant than a simple swing back and forth. I quickly stopped my eyes from being distracted and forced myself to bring the conversation to the point.


    "Excuse me, but who are you and where am I?" I managed to mutter the typical question out of my throat. It was a bold move to demand answers with a beastman, but even I could see this wasn''t any ordinary beastman.


    She peered down at me while I still rested my head against her lap and smiled. "You may call me Yon-san, and I am Mistress''s maid. You''ve been brought here by Mistress after she found you unconscious in that cave."


    Naturally, speaking directly to me in such a polite tone befuddled me. Her voice sounded way too kind to have any malicious intentions like I expected a beastman would have. It was a voice that lacked any trace of haughtiness that nobles had, or an aura of superiority and danger that any criminal or enemy would have. It was instead, a cute voice that she could easily adore and admire. It was a voice of a little girl, as simple as that.


    My general image of all beastmen suddenly shattered. Previously I had been told that these monsters had many bestial properties like fur, claws, snouts, and other appendages. Some demi-human cultures also revolved around cannibalism and using the remains of their enemies as trophies. Proof of strength were made in the form of human-ear necklaces and thrones made out of bones.


    "Im..possible.." My mind tried to deny what was standing there. I was a scholar during my early life within the Draconic Kingdom, but none of the books revealed anything about beastmen with multiple tails, or any beastmen as beautiful as this one. Such an existence could only leave me with this newfound reality that presented itself with. It was also then I recalled the words that this unfathomable being of a beastman told me.


    "Wait, cave?" Recent horrifying experiences invaded my mind as I recalled the traumatic events that had unfolded. The feeling of having that bitter liquid forced down my throat. The pain of the beaker lid being drove deep into my esophagus, forcefully drowning the solution into my overflowing stomach until I coughed back up that bile over and over again. It was the short definition of hell on earth.


    A face flashed within the edges of my mind. It was that guy who hired me on a whim. Spouting out decorated words of how great I was. How they would love to have me in their party, giving me a false sense of belonging. Both my fists clasped profoundly as I indulged in my sudden bitter rage.


    Alex... Marcus...


    I recalled the horrible blurish memory. While Alex was drowning me, Marcus just stood there as he did nothing. He didn''t even try to help as his friend brought me to unconsciousness. Both of them left me there on the dirt to die. I tasted the sour bitterness of it all, for allowing myself to be a victim of such a horrible thing. I wanted to vomit my innards all over again, but most importantly..


    I wanted to kill them.


    After some time mentally swearing of my recent predicament, I soon realized that having a recollection of past traumatic experiences, and lamenting the people that brought me near death was probably not the most important of things to do when using a fox girl as lap pillow.


    This beastman, no, Yon-san is looking at me with a confused expression. That''s bad. I probably made an unsightly face infront of her. Ah I have to apologize now.


    I attempted to pull myself out of my traumatic episode by scratching my head apologetically. "Um.. sorry about that, but may I ask a few questions related to my.. recent rescuing?"


    Yon-san nodded to me as she smiled once more, then proceeded to explain. "Mistress told me to answer any of your questions to best of my ability, and don''t worry, you''re safe here. I managed to heal all your wounds and most importantly the stomach acid that scorched your throat. It should be good as new now!"


    "W-wait." I lifted myself off of her lap and instinctively reached for my throat and confirmed that there were no obnormalies. Infact, my throat felt clearer than I felt ever before in my entire life.


    But most importantly..


    I grabbed the foxgirl''s hands and clasped my fingers around hers, unable to hide my joyus frantic discovery. "You can use Tier Magic!?"


    My thirst for knowledge was ever so avid. The fact that this beastman knows how to use the magic I''ve been searching for changes everything. "Please tell me everything!" I could barely hold in my expression of insatiable desire for it. All common sense was thrown out the window and burned into an irreversable pile of metaphorical ash.


    The development here I could tell wasn''t what the beastma- Yon-san was expecting. She could only stare at me wide-eyed with my sudden declaration for knowledge. The foxgirl had to go into deep thought before replying, as if she was totally unprepared for the event that unfolded.


    "Um.. What I meant to say is that I would answer any questions related to your.. ''recent rescuing'', as you''ve put it. I don''t think I can answer your other question, at least not for right now. I don''t think Mistress would allow it." She calmly addressed to me.


    I couldn''t hide my disappointment. However I had to admit the girl was right in that aspect. This wasn''t the time or place to be asking for the forbidden fruits of knowledge when more relative problems were at work. "A-Ah.. I''m really sorry! Ahum.. I am Lucia Cromwell of the Draconic High Nobels, well.. former High Nobel." She dejectedly admitted.


    I started to regain my composure, sitting up straight with my knees to the ground just like she did in front of me. This was me attempting to salvage what dignity I had left to gain her favor. "So um.. Yon-san right?" I called out the name in question. I regained a bit of my confidence as she nodded in confirmation. "Uh, right. So where exactly.. is your Mistress''?"


    "Right behind you."


    I panicked and let out a small cry in surprise before falling out of my spot and landing into Yon-san''s chest, or rather, lack of a chest face-first. Pushing myself away from the foxgirl and quickly rotated my view to gaze upon another foxgirl, wearing yet another set of foreign attire I don''t recognize. Her beauty was comparable, no, perhaps even superior to Yon-san, and that simply went without saying as there were no other words in the human language to describe such glorious perfection.


    Naturally, the initial shock of meeting Yon-san had me a bit more prepared for such a sudden encounter. What stood up leaning towards me now was a simple fox-like beastman wearing a smug-like expression on her face. She clearly expressed an aura of mischievousness I recognized upon first glance. This foxgirl also had 9 tails apart from Yon-san''s 6, yet another foriegn concept I wasn''t familiar of with beastmen. She continued her smile smugly as she started to burst in laughter. I would have been a little ticked off if this were occurring under normal circumstances, yet these events were far from normal. I retained my composure soon after and interrupted her laughter. "Are you really Yon-san''s mistress?" I outright questioned her authority, albeit with minor skepticism involved. "Actually, just who are you?" I declared.


    She then fixated her gaze upon me with her narrowed eyes, and sudden chills surrounded the skin around me. She unfurled her tails as she swished them back and forth, as if deciding carefully what to say next. "It''s been a while since I gave my name to someone. There was a time when I used to be well known throughout the world. A time where every mortal carved my very name into their very minds, however that was a long time ago. For now, you may call me as simply ''Hitomu-san''" she smiled. However, that wasn''t the same warm smile that Yon-san had. This was a smile of someone seeing a tasty dish presented to them. It was a smile of a predator that was eager to indulge in their cornered prey. Cold shivers were sent throughout my spine as she locked her eyes with mine, licking her own luscious lips. I wasn''t sure if that was meant to be done seductively, or threateningly. Both possibilities only proved to further instil a fear of her within me.


    I instinctively drew myself closer to the closest thing that I could tug onto for comfort, which led to the pitiful sight of me hiding behind the Yon-san as I gripped her shoulder in justifiable foreboding. Hitomu laughed pleasingly as I continued to stare at her in obvious discomfort. All senses of self-preservation screamed at me, gripping my mind in a state of confusion and inner turmoil due to the potential risk to both my life and/or chastity. "Relax, I''m not going to hurt you Lucia Cromwell of the Draconic High Nobels." She stifled a grin by placing her hands on her mouth. "Or should I call you Lucia-san? Formalities are a pain after all. Regardless, how should I put this.. I simply wish you no harm." She calmly addressed to me. "In fact, I would like to return something of yours" she grinned.


    Skepticism was the only thing I could show upon seeing this. I couldn''t explain why I was so unsettled by this beastman. Yon-san wasn''t as nearly as terrifying as I imagined a beastman would be, but this woman was on a whole different level of terror I couldn''t possibly prepare for. "S-something of mine?" My voice shook audibly for her to hear. Thankfully, her smile softened a bit before shifting to reach into her white jacket. The gesture to reach into her clothes rose my concerns, but beyond my expectations, she was able to pull a large item out of her clothes. Before I could be confounded by the physically impossible movement, I glanced at the item in question and I quickly abandoned all my previous concerns.


    It was a crystalized blue frozen branch that inhibited a small chilly fog out of it''s material. This material was able to absorb a large amount of heat from the atmosphere, allowing it''s chilly atmosphere to surface around it. It was a magical item that I knew very well. She handed me the staff into the hands of it''s rightful owner. The handle of my staff fit comfortably within my palms. It was handcrafted by my own hard found rare materials. This staff represented the very peak of my magical knowledge. It was the [Frost Spewer].


    This staff acted as a catalyst for my magic, allowing me to utilize spells up to the 2nd tier. It was a realm of magic that only those with talent, numbering 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000, can use. I wasn''t fortunate enough to be born with magical talent, but with this staff, I was able to surpass many''s expectations despite that. It could even be said that this crystalline staff was my life''s work, and this beastman was in fact returning this to me. Relief, confusion, and confidence stirred within me. Staff in hands, I gave Hitomu a look that consisted of all these conflicting feelings.


    What was her angle?


    That staff was the most valuable thing in my possession, probably even more valuable than myself. The fact that the fox woman returned it to me left me to be skeptical of her motivations. Beneath that smug smile, I wasn''t able to determine just what she was aiming for. "Just.. what is is that you want from me?" I outright asked the fox woman.


    Hitomu simply continued to look at me with that damn smile, but the she started to cast her voice in a teasing tone. "Ara? So that''s first thing that you say when someone saves you from near death and returns your belongings? My, your people surely lack proper manners don''t they?"


    Her tails swished back and forth as she spoke as if she was offended, but her smile quite said the opposite. The way she said it really rubbed me the wrong way, especially hearing this coming out of a beastman. It was mutually understood that beastmen are probably the most uncivilized race out there, but the fact that she expressed such a refined human emotion of teasing and wore a better set of clothing than myself, it made me feel personality attacked from a human perspective.


    I managed to fake a cough and attempted to apologize to her, only for her to raise her hand to stop me. "Relax, it was a simple jest. I''m more than glad to get to the proper point, but I''m more concerned about your well being. After all, you did vomit all your insides. Aren''t you at least a little hungry?" Hitomu started to act concerned. I truly wasn''t sure if that was out of campassion or hidden motive, and that kinda reeked me. However it was also when I realized that she was right, I was starving. Excruciatingly so. I gripped my lower stomach in a pang of tormenting painful hunger. My mind didn''t realize it because I was so absorbed in my current situation, but my stomach was probably eating itself apart.


    Hitomu noticed my inner agony and clapped her hands twice in the air. "Yon-san. Provide Lucia-san the most cheape- I mean.. the most proper of meals." she ordered, heavingly emphasizing the word ''proper''. However I was in too much pain to hardly notice what was going on around me. Not a second later, the fox maid presented a tray with a silver platter in front of me. She lifted the plate to reveal a heavenly-looking brown soup with an uplifting steam to steal my sense of smell. I immediately indulged into it without thinking and gulped down it''s contents.


    "My.. that''s.. quite something." I could faintly hear Hitomu a few feet away from me, but I hardly cared. Soon enough the bowl was emptied and all that was left was a messy platter and some soup contents leftover on my mouth and cheek. Yon-san moved forth and wiped my mouth with a napkin by hand, having me fully realize how much of an embarrassment I''ve been. To allow a cute girl to wipe away my face like a mother does to their unkempt children, it brought me a great amount of shame as I blushed furiously in self-dissapointment. More than that, the dish was delicious. It''s as delicious as the food I''ve been served back in my royal life. The richness of the meat in the soup and the nutrients flowing back into my body, it was just what I needed to halt the agonizing pain in my body. "S-sorry.. um.. what did I just ate?" I asked to derail their opinions of me.


    Yon-san''s face brightened up upon hearing those words, and she started to recite the said dish. "What you ate was a simple mudcrab soup. I''ve made sure to limit it''s volume so it could be easier on your stomach. You should be feeling better now that your belly is full." Her smile gleamed in satisfaction. That smile itself erased all my concerns away, leaving me with a sense of peace and fulfillness, contrasting to the unnervingly carnal smile Hitomu-san had.


    "T-thank you." I felt myself being flustered by her presence. However the other fox girl stepped forth and greeted me with a more casual smile than normal, much to my relief.


    "Well.. now that has been done with, let''s get back onto the main topic. You have something I want, and you want something I have." She addressed to me, in a suddenly more mature and formal tone than I was initially introduced with. It jarred me somewhat to suddenly be put in a serious mood, but I complied and stood up straight to meet with her hardened gaze.


    "You.. want something from me?" I asked mostly to myself. My mind started to churn to provide any sort of answer she was talking about. Everything I owned was lost in that cave. By looking into her eyes, I could see the same kind of lust I faced earlier. A tantalizing desire of something. Something ''I'' had.


    I gripped both sides of my shoulders as I turned slightly and clasped both my legs together "Could it be.. that you desire.. my body?"


    Her next expression was what I haven''t yet seen before. It was the face of solid confusion and dumbfoundedment, just for a split second, before returning to her same smug-like expression. "Pfftthahaha!... If I wanted to eat you, I would have done so already." She answered me easily. I wasn''t sure whether to be relieved that she never intended to kill me, or to be relieved that my chastity wasn''t at sake. She did put a large emphasis on the word ''eat'', leaving me to be further confused by the situation by the moment. I quickly discarded that train of thought as I didn''t really want to know which route she intended on me being eaten or being ''eaten''.


    "Anyways.. pfft.." She stifled a final small laughter before returning to normal. "I''m afraid that''s not what I want. What I want is these." She then reached into her clothes once again to pull out a familiar satchel of potions before tossing it towards me.


    "My.. potions?"


    "Precisely. For you see, these vials here are very valuable." She lifted a single mana potion out of the bag, carefully examining it on her own. "...Especially to someone of my expertise. I want to know where you got them and how to acquire more of them." She led on before bringing her gaze back to me. "Now.. I also happen to know what you also desire. You desire to know the fundamentals of Tier Magic, is that correct?" She hit the bulls eye.


    "You know Tier Magic!" I exclaimed.


    "Asking is free, but answers cost money." She refused my question. "However.. not everything can be paid with money. Some valuables don''t have a price to them, priceless if you will." She tossed the potion back to me as she continued onwards. "Now what happens when two people have something eachother wants?"


    I steeled myself as I realized what she was proposing. "You want me to trade mana potions in exchange for the study of magical arts." I concluded.


    "Yes, precisely. Now what do you say Lucia-san?" She extended her hand forward, expecting me to accept it and the deal she presented.


    And I did so without hesitation.

 A Fluffy Communion

    Exiting the building, Shion shut the two church doors behind her, standing outside within the protective barrier that surrounded her and the chapel. Her smile on her face was the result of another moment of her passive skill, [Pokerface]. It didn''t matter how the effect was done as a straight face wasn''t always required to accomplish the feat. The point of the passive skill was that it would have made it difficult for others to discern her motivations and thoughts, and so that was why that smile was plastered on there. However there was no more need for that smile for negotiations, and so Shion unveiled her true face and squatted down in sheer shock and befuddlement. All the while gripping both her legs and mentally screaming at the events that unfolded before her.


    AHHHHHHHH!


    What on earth was all that!?


    Why the hell did I do all that?!


    A flood of embarrassment reveled inside her as her face blushed with a reddish hue. Both of her ears naturally flattened down to emphasize her feelings in the truest sense, and her tails furling in discontempt.


    Why did I tease her like that?


    That wasn''t me! What the hell happened?!


    Of course the source of her discord was because of her actions discerning the negotiations with the cyromancer. Originally she planned a normal and formal confrontation to interview her and request her help. It was supposed to be smooth sailing from there as she would ask the price to her service and elaborate on the details of such mutual agreement in a serviceable suffice payment to commend her for it. However, once she had settled her inside the church, she had a small urge to tease her as she would inevitably awoke. That urge then soon manifested into an uncontrollable desire to make her only source of information squeal in fear and in an array of other entertaining reactions.


    Is... is it because of this body? Does having a new body somehow affect the mind somewhat? Did this body belong to someone else and I just happened to usurp some control of it? Did I kill her by replacing her conciousness? No wait that can''t be right, I made this character. Did this character even have a soul in the first place? Unless... the reason why I acted like that is because my actions was determined by my character bio I created back in Yggdrasil?! No wait, personal bois weren''t possible back in the game. This is making less and less sense the futher I think about it.. Ahhh!


    Thoughts like these popped up into Shion''s mind left to right, yet she couldn''t prove or test any of these theories. All Shion could do was to panick mentally when in truth, it was due to the passive skill [Yako''s Desire]. Shion however, had no way of knowing that due to the lack of knowledge of such things, leaving yet another glaring sense of helplessness for not having a console she relied so much on before. Exhaling a sigh of defeat, Shion gave up worrying about things she couldn''t do anything about.


    Well.. I at least managed to salvage the situation. I found out what the cyromancer desires the most, and that happened to be Tier Magic. If it wasn''t for that, I wouldn''t think she would consider even agreeing with my demands in the first place.


    From the moment both parties accepted the deal, the cyromancer barraged the kitsune queen with a stream of questions. She started on a tangent about the discoveries of Magic Theory and whatnot, then foundations of Tier Magic, and the such. Eventually she continued on to spout out questions in which, naturally Shion had no idea how to answer that. So she decided the best course of action was to dump the responsibility to someone who''s more qualified, leaving the cyromancer and fox maid behind to flesh out the details and answer questions she didn''t particularly didn''t particularly feel like answering herself.


    I''m sorry Yon-san.


    Although in retrospect, having a maid explain magic to her wasn''t exactly the best course of action either. I''ll deal with it later.


    The next few moments led her to leave the chapel and decide what''s the best thing to do. Before the initial deal she had created, the kitsune queen had used [All Appraisal Magic Item] on Lucia''s staff before she woke up. As this spell did not only identify the target item, it would even identify the item¡¯s creator and manufacturer as well. Based on this information, Shion determined that the item was absolutely worthless. The magic staff, [Frost Spewer], was ultimately an item that allows it''s user to expend limited uses of 2nd Tier Frost spells. While the item itself looked aesthetically pleasing, she didn''t want to bother keeping such a pointless item in her inventory. What she truly wanted was the other important details gained from it.


    [A magic artifact owned and manufactured by a Cyromancer by the name of Lucia Cromwell, belonging to the Draconic Kingdom. Crafted with the skull of a Forst Serpent and the branch of a Tundra Treant, it allows the user to cast Tier 2 Frost Spells twice a day and an immunity to the negative status Chill.]


    Shion''s first reaction to this was "Eh? Who would make that kind of trash?" Of course, she determined afterwards that the manufacturer probably didn''t have enough good quality materials to make a good enough weapon. Trashy materials made trashy items after all.


    The title "Draconic Kingdom" interested Shion the most. While she did not know what or where that was, it allowed her to establish that there was a nation of some sort, and that Lucia belonged to it. A passing thought also later came to mind and instead triggered a blowing revelation to her as she realized this. Tier Magic existed in this world, proven by the magic staff she first dismissed. This outcome had both merits and demerits as the kitsune queen assessed this.


    One merit of this discovery was that it allowed Shion to have a bargaining chip against Lucia to come into in terms with her demand to acquire more mana potions. However, the demerits were she would have to be more wary of the world around her as hidden dangers could very well present itself. In the worse case scenario, a player would try to PK her. Shion knew first hand how easily it was to kill a person, so she didn''t doubt that the other beings like her wouldn''t hesitate to the humanity they once had.


    The fox queen stood up from her contemplative state and instead returned her attention to more important matters by taking a step to cross the barrier. Once outside she sent a [Message] to one of her fox girls.


    [Ni-san.]


    God that''s still too awkward. Like calling her my sister.


    [Yes? Hitomu-sama..]


    [Report.]


    [Yes.. we have completed our assignment, Hitomu-sama..]


    [Good, now come to where I am now. I''m in front of the church. Make it quick if you can.]


    [Immediately Hitomu-sama..]


    Shion ended the spell to await for her girls to come. Soon enough, a number of identical looking Ni''s emerged from the forest around her, all lining up to meet with their mistress. One separated from the rest of the group to stand infront of her mistress. She kneeled with her head lowered upon seeing her mistress, still clothed in the same black attire she wore yesterday. Shion gave rise to her hand, allowing Ni to stand up to report her findings.


    "Well done Ni-san. Have you or your clones encountered anything to note?"


    "None so far mistress.. this one reports that tere''s tens of thousands of forest around us, and only mountains around that.. I''m afraid that''s all this one can manage."


    "That''s fine. It seems we''ve arrived in a rather secluded spot haven''t we? Although I have no idea what a church and a mineshaft is doing in the middle of nowhere."


    Ni-san stared at the kitsune queen for a moment before recalling something. "Ah.. There was also a blighted village near the mineshaft you mentioned earlier."


    Shion could only stare back as she just mentioned something glaringly important. "Eh? Did you just happened to remember that now or something?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Ni-san paused momentarily, before formulating a proper response to her mistress. "..No, this one just didn''t think it was worth mentioning it to mistress.." She lowered her head as she spoke.


    "Ehh...?" The fox queen rose an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes at the response. "And why did you think that?"


    Ni-san simply stood there as she struggled to provide her reasons for doing so. "B-because.. the undead there aren''t enough of a threat compared to you Hitomu-sama. All of them were around level 8 and below."


    Ah.. I see.. She didn''t see them as a threat worth mentioning is what she meant. But still..


    "Just because they were low level, does not mean that they should be ignored. I know that I said to perform reconnaissance on the area, but taking note of the terrain and where we are should not be looked over. Especially now that we are in unfamiliar territory." Shion lectured the fluffy assassin.


    The queen managed to glance a look on her subordinate as she could see her shrinking in disappointment. "This.. this one is ashamed my it''s actions. Apologies.."


    Ah.. was I too hard on her?


    "Ah, but it''s good that you checked their level at least. We can''t miss any details, no matter how small they may be." She finished, attempting to allow her to learn from her mistakes. "You will learn from this right?"


    "Ah.. but.." Ni shifted in her place, quite uncomfortably from her position. Clearly she wasn''t used to being put on the spot like this. "This one is a tool for mistress. A blade isn''t supposed to think, only used." Ni responded firmly.


    "Fool. The mind is mightier than the sword. If one doesn''t think without it''s owner, then it will inevitably become useless when it does." Shion curtly instilled into her subordinate.


    "Useless...without mistress?" Ni repeated with full weariness in her voice. The idea of being without of use could only strike her within her very being.


    "Exactly, now do your best to learn from this, so you can better serve without my guidance." Shion concluded as she crossed her arms.


    Of course, I''m just making this shit up as I go. However I needed to do something about that lack of thinking. This so happens to work in my favor. Wait, wasn''t that quote from a book or something?


    "Ah.. this one will try her best Hitomu-sama. This one does not.. wish to be useless to mistress." Ni responded with a confirming nod. She accepted Shions words endearingly, searing it into her mind with complete faith in her master''s advice.


    Well that''s good.


    Shion nodded and pulled a ring from her inventory. This ring was a cash shop item called the [Ring of Proposal]. It''s initial purpose was to announce your wedding proposal to another player and show off your wealth at the same time with a notification popping up towards every player on the server region. One usually costed thousands of dollars to buy, so not many would actually purchase such a useless and expensive item.


    However, there was a time where Shion remembered where the item first came out. The item itself was able to have it''s name changed, and it allowed itself to be subjectified to jokes across the server, such as "Japan has just accepted Neo Nazism from Crippling Debt." It was a very expensive joke at the time sure, but it would notoriously notify thousands of players if executed at the right time, with endless of possibilities and dirty jokes to come by. The item was infamous before the devs had made it''s name unchangeable, leading to the decline of it''s use.


    Shion was one of those people who managed to get the item through Gachapon, a gambling feature in Yggdrasil. It was through this that she found out the infamous item also had an additional feature that no one mentioned before -It allowed 2 players to share a separate small amount of additional inventory space. She proceeded to hand this item to Ni with a completely different set of intentions than it''s initial purpose. "Here, can you hold on to this?"


    "T-that''s!"


    "Yes, it''s the [Ring of Proposal]. I need you to hold on to it, it''s very crucial to what I''m about to do."


    "A-about to do?!"


    "Yes, and it''s also very expensive. Please take care of it."


    "Yes, mistresses! I''ll protect this item with my life!" Ni bowed gratefully as she held onto the item in dear life.


    Well, that goes without saying.


    "I also have something else for you."


    "Another item?!"


    She really likes repeating what I say, doesn''t she?


    Shion pulled out an identical ring and placed it on one of her fingers. It''s phosphoric glow illuminated momentarily before it faded into it''s original shine. Then she pulled out one of her recent items, the [Seer''s All-Seeing Eye].


    This item also had an additional feature, other than being a quest-only reward. The glass orb only revealed players of what ''they'' explored and them only, meaning that no one else could use their map to take advantage of their explorations. If a skilled player happened to steal one, they would only have a fresh empty map to complete rather than have a partially completed map from the previous owner. Because of this, it ensured that no player would desire to steal said item from each other. The only maps that were valuable enough to steal were the custom maps all players had to make when traversing the many worlds of Yggdrasil at the start of the game.


    It just so happens that Shion managed to find a way to bypass this restriction, with the help of the [Engagement Ring]. Within her mind, allowing the assassin Kitsune to share ownership of [Seer''s All-Seeing Eye] and having the Ni-san use [Shadow Reflection] would allow her to produce a number of clones with the same inventory as the ring. With all these pieces in place, it allowed Shion to easily complete a large area of the map in meer moments. It was an exploit she had used back in Yggdrasil, and it payed off immensely in the past in the search of Ultra-Rare items she wanted, and now this tactic was being reused for the sake of reconnaissance.


    "Take this as well, and re-explore the areas you have looked over. Also make sure to put that ring on as well and have the [Seer''s All-Seeing Eye] active inside of it."


    Ni immediately acknowledged my order with a "Right away!" before timidly equipping said item nervously around her ring finger. All her clones soon became equipped with it as well upon this change. "We''ll be back mistress!" She uncharistically, replied energetically before eagerly leaving to complete her assignment.


    The Kitsune Queen smiled satisfactorily as the orb inside her ring projected a hologram of the area around them, with much of it completed under a small span of time. [Seer''s All-Seeing Eye] revealed that the terrain around them was a large forest, surrounded by a large mountain range with nothing else in sight.


    "So it''s just as she said. Hmm.. although this still isn''t very helpful in the grand scheme of things." Shion admitted. She regretted not having any scrying spells as her disposal. Or perhaps she maybe did, but was unable to remember the names of such spells. It''s been so long since she bothered to expand her map to the far reaches of the unknown, and as a result she neglected to memorize any of the names she so desperately needed.


    "Hah... this is really much more trouble than it''s worth.." Shion complained, more so to demise her current situation rather than having second thoughts about her actions thus far. "I guess I will need to rely on her for the time being.." she muttered. Of course she was referring to the cyromancer. "But first.."


    Shion mentally activated the map to lock onto the coordinates Ni mentioned. The projection revealed an abondoded isolated village, as she said there was. Enhancing it, she adjusted the projection just above ground, taking a good look around the area. Completely desolate. Houses were worn down and rotten. The ground was deprived of any life whatsoever. The only thing that stirred was the occasional red glint inside the buildings. The fox queen recognized those burning red eyes from the day before.


    It was undead.


    This only managed to puzzle her somewhat. Sure the mines were infested by them, but the nearby towns as well? Shion could only conclude that a higher tier undead spawned that could cause such a thing to happen. Although, based on Ni''s reports they were nothing to be afraid of. The Fox Queen then recalled the events that unfolded right after the mine''s collapse. The reason as to why she closed the mines was because it held no value whatsoever. All it''s minerals were at adamantium or below, which was at trash-tier at best. Plugging the hole of annoying low-tier undead seemed like the most obvious of choices.


    After the events of retrieving the cyromancer, she summoned Yon-san and Ni-san individually to escort her. While summoning the whole crew of kitsunes would be the best next course of action, the Kitsune Queen REALLY didn''t feel like dealing with all of them at the same time. This, and the New World allowed Shion to do things differently when it came to initiating spells, as she discovered. She announced [Summon: Yon-san] by name on a whim and it worked, much to her surprise. The same was done for Ni-san and it worked as well, for both spells summoned both of them respectively. It saved her a considerable amount of magic points than what she would have used if she summoned all 9 of them.


    One interesting outcome was that the fox girls already knew what to do before Shion even gave orders to them. She inquired as to why, and they explained that summoned creatures were granted a portion of their summoners¡¯ thoughts and knowledge, so they could immediately take action according to their master¡¯s will right after being summoned. They could tell friend from foe, of course. This was terribly convenient for Shion, yet also quite awkward to think about at the same time. This kinda explained why summons automatically performed their tasks without actually needing to be explained to back in Yggdrasil, but Shion never knew that was the case. Perhaps it was a new thing in this New World. She wouldn''t know for sure.


    Bringing her thoughts back to the current time, she pondered what to do with that undead village. It wasn''t of any threat for sure, but having something like that so close to her base is kinda.. Shion couldn''t quite explain it. If one had to put it into words, they would say that what the Fox Queen was feeling territorial over her area, even if she didn''t quite own it. This led her to the notion of eliminating said trash, just like the mines. She quickly forwarded a [Message] Yon-san to state her intentions.


    [Yon-san?]


    [Ah! Hitomu-sama! Could you please come here to take care of her? Lucia-san keeps asking about Arcane-based knowledge and I know almost nothing about it! I''m a Faith-based caster, not an Elementalist. Hitomu-sama!]


    [Ah.. sorry, but I''m a Spiritual-based caster. I can''t help you there.]


    [But you know how to do elemental spells!]


    [W-well that''s only for fire and earth! I''ll have Nana-san to help you with that later, but I have to go visit an undead town near the cave in. Relay this message to Ni-san will you?]


    [But wait, Hitomu-sama! Don''t leave me here with her. I can''t hand-]


    I''m so sorry Yon-san.

 A Fluffy Fatigue

    Fatigue wasn''t a feature in Yggdrasil, and so many players simply could continue on adventuring and whatnot without taking any breaks whatsoever. Although one could say that playing hours nonstop in a virtual world was unhealthy, time flowed differently in-game than in real life, making that claim somewhat reputable. In Yggdrasil, an entire day in-game could mean an entire hour or so outside in real life. Surprisingly enough it was a feature totally discovered by accident by the game devs, and as a result it enabled lots of play time for their playerbase to commit to their franchise. Yet another reason Yggdrasil became so popular and successful.


    However, this New World wasn''t Yggdrasil. Shion was walking along a route she chose among the sea of trees and the lingering smell of rotten flesh. The kitsune queen just noticed this now, but her senses were a lot keener than what she had in her old life. Scents of pines and water drifted into her sense of smell, along with the sounds of multiple animals chirping about from miles away. She figured it might be due to the physical capabilities of her newfound race. It was terribly inconvienent for her though, to her dismay. Her sharp senses tended to distract her from her objective, mostly interrupting her inner thoughts from time to time. This caused her to try to block out all those senses all together, but the smell.. The smell of decaying corpses smelled horrid, terrible even due to the sensitivity of her keen nose. Shion absolutely hated it, and was motivated to do something about it.


    Although, the smell wasn''t quite as bad as the burning corpses from that cave-in earlier. Speaking of which, I really regret not putting a [Teleportation Rune] there at the entrance. I had marked one back at the chapel earlier, but if I knew I was going back here in this spot, I would have probably done it to save a lot of time doing so.


    As of now, Shion was busy traversing the wilderness around her and pondering about such things as regret and lack of insight. She held up her ring to project the very same map the [Seer''s All-Seeing Eye] had. From the looks of it she was very close, and the map kept expanding outwards as Ni kept completing reconnisence for her, a very fortunate outcome. Still, she continued mentally complaining about her choice not to install a [Teleportation Rune] beforehand.


    Unlike other players, Shion preferred instantaneous methods of transportation. [Teleportation Runes] was a spell in Yggdrasil that the queen had used often, almost exclusively even. For starters, the spell had to be placed in an area beforehand before one could teleport to it and the rune itself would cost an amount of mana cast. One major flaw with the spell was that it only had limited uses before it expired, causing it to be vastly undermined by the "superior" [Gate] spell with only the requirement of having been to the said place before before teleporting. Another flaw was that the rune could he easily removed by other players if they happened to find one, leaving the spell was so heavily looked down upon and with good reason. Shion could remember back when she first acquired that spell. Her accomplaces would always mock her for it whenever they had a chance.


    However Shion believed that the pros of such spell out weighted the cons. The one advantage the spell had was that the rune casted didn''t require any mana or cast time on each use after, and it would ignore all of anti-spacial effects such as [Dimensional Lock]. The meer fact of this helped Shion more times than she could count back in Yggdrasil. One benefit was that she was able to bypass her own Anti-Spacial Barriers without disabling it, saving her a significant amount of MP.


    Another benefit she could recall was when the days where she was being ganked by PKers. As she was being chased by groups of players, she would run to these runes to escape instaneously, all the while luring said Players into an instant death trap if they so decide to follow her through it. This method allowed her to escape even at deplenished MP and amass loot from the bodies of her pursuers, as they would not expect or know how to counter such a ''useless'' spell.


    Yet, there was another reason for choosing such an underrated spell...


    Shion continued on organizing her inner thoughts as she leisurely walked amongst the grassy terrain, and before she knew it she had arrived at her destination. Pausing in her tracks, she took a moment to re-examine her surroundings. It was the same clearing of pine trees that hosted the undead mine, which was now and still is, a pile of rubble and lava. The undead wasn''t spawning anymore, which was a good thing according to Shion''s delicate nose. However this wasn''t the location she was ultimately looking for, but it was a good start she eventually accepted.


    Casting another [Teleportation Rune], she glanced back at her map to navigate to the city that Ni mentioned. Yet despite it all, Shion still couldn''t wrap her head as to why in the hell a small human population like this existed in the middle of literal nowhere. She could probably find the answer by asking Lucia, but Shion only could hesitate at such a resolution. The kitsune queen could almost hear the endless array of questions now.


    That mage.. just what is her group doing all the way out here? It''s all just undead and useless minerals from what I could tell. Wait.. just what was her relationship with those two men? Would she be mad if she knew I killed them? Probably. Well I just have to make sure she never finds out in the first place then.... Although just what was she doing lying on the ground half-drowned? I''m going to need a long talk with that woman later... but I really don''t want to..


    Shion could only recall another flashback to Yon''s panicked voice earlier. Shaking her head, she erased that from her mind to spare herself from the feeling of guilt. As the fox queen did so, she felt a little prick touch upon her skin from behind.


    Eueh?


    Eeeeeeh!?!


    The kistune turned in mild surprise as dozens of undead soldiers surrounded her from all directions, eyes burning with hatred and the decay of flesh clearly visible for her to see. They all seemed to have gathered around Shion when she didn''t notice and kept on swinging at her, but they hardly did any damage at all, and as a result she didn''t acknowledge it. Sure she felt it, even the smallest of things could deal a single point of damage to her. However the amount of health she recovered per second vastly outweighed their damage output, making their efforts seem only in vain. But the undead couldn''t possibly know that and simply continued poking her with their rusty blood-crusted iron blades.


    "Erg.. knock it off!" Shion grunted as she swung her fist in a swaying motion. The sheer blunt damage received turned the brittle undead into little less than bonemeal. Waves of flying corpses flew about, impacting the trees and ferns as she swatted them away like how one would smack a mosquito in the air. At most it annoyed Shion. She could feel their attacks, and it was comparable to the tingling feeling you of an ant climbing on your arm for the past 5 seconds, and as ants should, they were to be squashed on sight.


    Soon enough the grass was littered in piles of bones and decaying rot, giving off an even more unpleasant smell. Shion held her nose to avoid most of the puke-enducing effects and pushed on forwards, knowing she was close to where she should be.


    Urg.. I really need to pay attentions to my surroundings more. Who knew that having heightened senses leads you to be even less aware of what''s going on around you. Ironic.


    And as such, Shion had to deal with her predicament by adjusting to such senses. A few moments later, she arrived at the abandoned town after killing a good sum of undead. The place completely deserted, with only isolate lifeless ground and rotting buildings to decorate the area. Such an area as this would typically spawn low-tier undead, along with some status alignments related to illness, weakening, and life drain. It also buffed undead by a small margin of strength. This status on the land was typically called Blight, a deathly curse upon the land, usually caused by a mass of dead bodies left behind to rot, along with dark energies to feed on.


    Fortunately due to being a Kitsune Queen, she had the racial perk of everlasting youth, rendering most environmental negative effects useless. Such perks and resistances were gladly welcomed by Shion as she walked around the silent town. All around her was no short of gloomy and desolate. Only the red glints of eyes wandered about inside of the following buildings as Shion wandered the plaza.


    "[Undead Burial]!"


    Just then a number of dead limbs bursted out of the desolate earth, wrapping themselves around Shion''s legs, pulling her into the surging earth beneath her. What came after was a mildly amused Kitsune Queen, as her entire body was buried up to neck-level.


    "Who dares enter the domain of Vhiczaur!? What fool would actually dares to attempt to step into the land of death?!" A hoarse voice cried out. What entered next was another kind of undead by the looks of it. A pale shriveled body was floating about, wearing a number of ragged cloaks and black tapestries around it. Floating red ribbons entailed the outer rims of it''s hood as crimson flames of hatred burned it''s irises. It was a lich, a ruler of undead.


    The creature had amassed a couple followers behind him, all wearing the same dark garments, but without said red ribbons the first one had. However the only thought that came to mind to Shion was that this group had just foiled a perfectly good outfit. She didn''t snap at them though, as for the sake of gathering information she decided to humor them. Undead were immune to mind-based spells after all, and she couldn''t exactly extract information from them through mind control at any rate.


    "Ah.. oh noe.. I''m stuck in the ground. Woes me." Shion replied in mock horror as the group all gathered around her. One of the leaders stepped forth to impose on the fox queen.


    "So!.. It was you who''s been slaying my thralls has it? You will pay dearly for what you have costed me.. and I''m willing bet it was you who also blew up the mines as well!" He cursed.


    "Hoh? And how did you figure that out? Surely you wouldn''t be able to follow me around without me knowing this entire time." Shion haughtily taunted.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "...Your smell."


    "What?"


    "The stench of death surrounds us both. My dead can easily follow your tracks through the scent that emits from you. Your stench is of fresh mortal blood. It is a simple matter for beings like us."


    "Undead can smell?!"


    "Fool... Of course we can smell. The scent of blood and agony you mortals seem to relish in attracts us dead to interviene into your pitiful mortal coils. I''ve been sending out my remaining thralls to deal with you, but instead led you here right into my grasp." Vhiczaur gestured his shriveled hands towards the Fox Queen as he smiles in anticipation.


    "And now, I''ve seen what you are truly capable of. In exchange for your intolerable existence, you''ll repay me by being a wonderful addition to my army of undead. After I slay you here, you''ll become reborn as a champion of undeath!" The apostle of death grinned widely, even though his rotten flesh were far from malleable. However, he wasn''t the only one to grin at this unprecedented outcome.


    A chilling laughter echoed out across the unholy grounds as the cultist members behind Vhiczaur instinctively retreated two steps back. Due to being immune to fear, the lich had no idea that something far more sinister was at play here. "Phauahahaha! You''ve- you''ve seen what I''m capable of? What a joke!" The kitsune queen''s hysteria emitted across the desolate town as the sides of her grin fizzured from side to side into eerie smile. "Just what exactly did you see that made you conclude that?"


    "...Fool, you cannot feign ignorance here! I saw how you wiped out my dead flawlessly. Your impervious defense. Those blurry movements.. and the sheer blunt force of it all. Combined with the natural strength of a beastman.. those attacks were monk skills were they not?"


    "...Monk Skills. Pfft, Monk Skills!? Phahahaha!" Shion continued her hysteric laughter as everything unfolded. "Oh man, you must be delusional if you think you can even stand against me, even after seeing me pulverizing your undead into bonemeal with nothing but my fists."


    "..Insolence, do you still not realize the position you''re in? You''re immobile, vulnerable, and completely at my mercy. If I wanted to, I could bury you alive until you draw your last bated breath."


    "Hah.. even when faced with the truth you still stay so ignorant.. I suppose all that undead are good for is fertilizer after all.."


    "Silence! Enough of your lies! I shall use you to unearth that mine to re-accumulate my army you destroyed. Consider it as compensation for the troubles you caused! And once I do, I shall sow unending death among the living! The world will finally know to fear the name of Zurrernor-"


    "Urgh.. I had enough of this."


    The fox queen unearthed herself out of the ground effortlessly with an annoyed look on her face, leaving the cult and Vhiczaur bewildered. "W-what! HOW! My spell should have restrained you under the earth indefinitely. Did you use another skill? No, a martial art!"


    Earth and pieces of rubble slid off of Shion''s outfit as she proceeded to dust the dirt off in increasing annoyance. "This is really starting to get old, really fast. I knew undead didn''t have brains, but I didn''t think they''d be this dumb. How dissapointing..."


    "You dare look down on me?.. Very well, let''s see you try to utter that once more once your flesh is melted from your bones, [Acid Javelin]!" The apostle of death extended his rotten hand as he chanted. A green mist to emitted from the tip of the necromancer''s boney finger before accumulating in the air until eventually a liquidy collection of caustic acid is formed. The volatile liquid darted forwards in the shape of a green liquidy bolt before came into contact with the Kitsune Queen.


    "[Mirror Wall]" A blueish, transparent wall suddenly phased into reality as it formed into a panel-like structure in front of the queen. The Acid Javelin impacted the magical surface and reflected back in the other direction at the same initial velocity. A startled "What!?" was winded as the lich proceeded to incase himself in a [Sheild Wall], taking full impact of the blow as it splattered onto the decaying ground, sizzling the earth. "Master!" The other members of the cult followed pursuit, as they unleashed their own volley of spells.


    "[Fireball]! [Ice Lance]! [Lightning]! [Magic Arrow]! [Thunderlance]! [Firelance]!" All of which were launched in a rapid succession, directly at their target. The magical bolts emerged to destination as they all discharged and impacted Shion. A large explosion of smoke and rubble expanded violently as it dispersed, leaving the remains of burnt flesh and scattered clothes in a crater upon deathly grounds.


    Or at least that''s what''s supposed to happen.


    "[Widen Magic: Mirror Wall]!"


    An even larger panel expanded into existence as it reflected all the hazardous projectiles back at the cult behind the lich. Screams of pain and shock resonated across the battlefield, with many of the hooded followers dropping in searing pain and agony. Many of them have already fallen, and others continued on launching even more magical projectiles. Vhiczaur recovered from his disdain as more of his followers continued dying. "Halt you fools! Cease your impudence! That insufferable beast is a magic caster!"


    "You just realized that now?" Shion proceeded to mock the undead group. However her legs started to feel weak and wobbly, most of her mana reserves were suddenly deplenished. "What! No, wait. Don''t tell me..."


    In the past, [Mirror Wall] used to be a controversial spell in the early days of Yggdrasil. When it first came out for arcane-based casters, everyone had it. It was a 7th tier spell that was able to reflect any physical or magical projectile. Players used this spell almost exclusively in combat, as it could even reflect projectile spells up to the 10th tier. It was a spell that would fully negate another player''s spell and also count as an attack. In short, it was a severely broken spell that would almost always turn any small confrontation or as massive as a guild war into a massive deadly game of ping pong, flinging and reflecting spells back and forth.


    By the time the devs finally came along, they nerfed it by restricting it to 7th tier spells and below only, but that only encouraged players to PK weaker players. Then the spell was nerfed again in a later patch to deduct players a mana reduction penalty whenever it successfully reflected a projectile, meaning that weak projectiles of the 3rd tier was able to fully exhaust a maxed player''s mp bar. It was unfortunate for the kitsune, especially right now.


    "The spell is still nerfed!?" This revelation was overall dissapointing and ridiculous to Shion, as her second favorite spell was still completely unusable in any scenario. "...Shitty devs, they still plague me even when I''m in another world." She cursed.


    By the end of the exchange, almost all of Vhiczaur''s numbers were extinguished due to the said spell. The lich could only curse as well under his breath as he quickly retrieved a mysterious dark orb under his robes. "Tsk, I''ve been accumulating my magic for the past year, but you have forced my hand. [Create Undead]!" A ray of negative dark energy shown through the orb as it impacted his deceased members. Using the corpses of his dead followers, they would soon become undead.


    Reanimating and unyielding, all their flesh and bones accumulated into a being of undeath. A gigantic undead surged into life, with the appearance of a burly shaped muscled body and pustules all over. "Insolent beast.. for you to have pushed me this far, for you to have hidden your powers, foiled my plans, and for slaying my followers, you shall suffer in ways you cannot imagine! Regret your foolishness as you suffer in endless agony and inevitable death.. Go forth, Corpse Walker!"


    This is bad, I carelessly used all my mana.. and I can''t use any weapons.. this sucks..


    Shion could only sigh in discontempt as her spell backfired tremendously. "Guess it''s back to my fists." She hesitantly told herself as she casually neared the recent summoned undead. The reason for that was that she didn''t wat to get hands on with a rotten, vile-smelling bag of meat, but Shion didn''t have any other choice in the matter. Just as Vhiczaur commanded the Corpse Walker to strangle her, the fox queen stepped with an incomparable speed to before, reaching her target as she unleashed a fearsome battlecry. "Hitomu Punch!"


    The queen instantly delivered a sharp impact to the giant corpse''s gut as it exploded in cold guts and splattered fresh mortal blood. The tangable magic that held it together unraveled as the summon fell apart into a heap of rotten decaying flesh. What remained was a dark bloody beastman with a very annoyed expression on her face.


    "GAH! But how!? My legendary creation!"


    "Legendary? That''s not even laughable at this point. This is pathetic, not even enjoyable in the slightest, beating someone so weak. A huge waste of my time." The kitsune plainly relied in a monotone-like expression.


    "F-For you to still- Argh! [Bone Lanc-]" But his spell was cut short.


    "It''s so simple. Want to stop magic casters from chanting annoying spells? Just rip their throats out for good."


    Vhiczaur staggered before falling upon the ground at the mercy of Shion. The undead lich eyed her in unwavering hatred as he held his throat, or rather, a lack of a throat, Only managing to barely mutter "C-cur-se.. Y-Yo-u..", leaving him utterly helpless to resist.


    A thought occured within Shion. A sinister thought, that soon manifested into an idea. A smile crept upon her face to replace her dull expression, retrieving an item from her person. A red vial appeared in her hand, a [Minor Healing Potion].


    "T-Tha-t''s...! Go-d-s B-loo-d..! W-wha-t ar-e y-ou.. N-o..." Vhiczaur recoiled upon recognizing the potion. According to the ancient legends, the original healing potion was made from the blood of the gods. The potion is able to immediately heal wounds in a matter of seconds by whoever drinks it. It was considered by many to be the perfect potion.


    But for one to be pulled out infront of an undead, that is greatly vulnerable to such healing effects, Vhiczaur felt an emotion that he has never felt before in his entire unlife. For once, he had felt a need for self preservation. A need to survive, but only denied by the monster standing above him. He felt cold, but in a different sense. The lich wanted this cold to go away, and the source came from the very person that denied his freedom.


    For the first time, he felt fear.


    "You mentioned before that undead can smell, but now I''m curious if they can feel pain as well. Now what was it that you previously said before? Oh, right. ''Regret your foolishness as you suffer in endless agony and inevitable death.''" Shion ruthless smile imprinted upon Vhiczaur mind, as his experience would be his last. Only the inhuman screams resounded among the expansive forest around them, but none would be heard by any.


    <hr>


    The entire village was churning within unending flames as Shion was stood a few meters from it, watching it for a while before getting a notification through message.


    [Hitomu-sama...]


    [Ah. Ni-san? What is it?]


    [I''ve been completing reconnisence as you instructed me, but we''ve ran into something you should know about..]


    [Eh? What is it then. Did you encounter anything powerful? Another player?]


    [No... we''ve captured some humans. They were all riding a number of Wyverns. Their leader is a level 30. I interrogated a couple of them and they refused to cooperate. Should I torture them to make them speak? Kill one off to make an example of them?...]


    [Huh? Wait, hold on. I''ll be right there. Don''t do anything yet, but keep them restrained until I get there. And make sure you don''t attract the attention of any others.]


    [Acknowledged...]


    A rune was placed upon the ground before the Kistune Queen faded from existence. The blightened earth was being purged by the fires of her merciless wrath.


    Time has passed.


    The buildings were all but charcoal and broken down to something unrecognizable to past visitors. Bodies were incinerated as the remains of an undead lich was scattered with grey ash with only a black shriveled skull remaining. Yet one item was forgotten. A plain black pearl remained as it pulses with an eerie purple-reddish light before fading in hue, absorbing the energies of the deceased dead before being picked up by an unknown individual.


    "Vhiczaur... you were born as an undead and ended up underestimate the living. Your were ignorant, and so were your followers, blindly seeking power when among them was a great weakness. Eventually that weakness was your undoing. You bring shame among the members of Zurrernorn." And Vhiczaur''s skull was crushed without resistance from the boot of the individual, before leaving indefinitely into the Forgotten Forest.

 Not a chapter - Ni-San Digital Art

    Sorry that I''ve been dead for over a month. Busy with real life stuff lately and knowing that this series is dead-ish fills me with guilt. So here''s some art I made on my phone using ibisPaint X. All with my fingers. Hope you enjoy! New chapter is coming soon btw, so cheers!


    Spoiler:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

 A Fluffy Exchange

    A hundred meters off the ground, an array of shadows zoomed past over the sea of endless trees and monsters hidden within. The sun glistened as it hung high in the sky way past noon, revealing a fleet of Riders flying towards the Draconic Captial.


    The brigade were aligned in an V formation, with numbers existing around exactly 7. A small squadron of elites all flew proudly with plated iron armor, geared with a few pairs of javelins, spears, and throwing axes. How they managed to take flight was their mounts. Legendary beasts known as Wyverns, giant scaled flying lizards with skin as thick as iron and jaws as tough as steel. They were all bred for battle, claded in iron plated armor; their riders much the same.


    A sigil was etched onto each chestplate, all belonging to an individual tribe of Wyvern Riders, famously known as the Ironclads. There were many other tribes that rode wyverns such as them, but they were the most known for defending the kingdom''s lands. Their role was to protect the mountains that they inhibit, near the canyon cliffside. However the purpose of this specific fleet was assigned a much different task than simply looking out for beasts that might invade the mountains.


    A lean-built man with a sharp expression rode with confidence as his dark purple armor glistened against the blue clear skies. Equipped with a purple enchanted spear, he had short azure hair and a stubble on his chin. Scars were shown though his body, known only to be gained through combat and training.


    Beside him was a bulkier-man plated with only his head revealing from his armaments. The purple rider then turned to report, "Flight-Captian, we''re rapidly approaching the town of Whiteridge."


    "Whiteridge? That small miner''s town? So we are. What about it Lazarus?" The man who inquired was the captain of the Wyvern Riders. Unlike the rest of his men, he had a sturdier build, was incased with a custom set of enchanted armor, and a legendary magic spear strapped to his back and armor painted in blue. This man was known famously among his men as Irwin Flintblood, and to Lazarus, a respectable leader who''s fought on the front for a very long time. He owed him his life multiple times over, an impossible debt he had hoped to repay throughout the course of his life.


    "Sir! There''s smoke emitting from town of Whiteridge. It seems to be engulfed in flames."


    "What!? A town so close to the mines?"


    The Ironclad Tribe relied heavily on metal imports delivered by the Draconic Kingdom. In exchange they would guard the natural barrier of the Draconic Mountains to keep the countries of beastmen out. Recently however, they stopped getting such imports, hence why the tribe leader had sent a small political force to discover what had happened. That said force was this fleet: flight-captain Irwin, vice-captian Lazarus, and 5 other renowned men who fought bravely among the Ironclads.


    "Perhaps it''s a raid? Maybe that''s the reason why we weren''t getting any imports." the vice-captain presumed.


    "No, if that was the reason then this town would have been burned weeks ago. There''s something definitely going on."


    "Then, should we land near the trees to investigate?"


    Irwin stayed silent to contemplate the incoming thought. It was a reasonable form of action, but there are too many disadvantages to this method. Finding a spot to land amongst the trees was more than difficult considering how dense it was. Wyvern riders are only really effective on their mounts. On the ground they were meer combat soldiers. "No, it could be a trap. If it really were bandits, then they could have known about our Wyverns and used the fire to lure us. Landing in the trees, would be at a major disadvantage, especially if we were to land without our Wyverns to protect us."


    "Then-!"


    "Which is why we need to perform a direct confrontation with the village."


    "Flight-captain, but the fire."


    "We will handle it. Whoever had done this, we will stop them, and kill them if necessary."


    "I won''t let you."


    Irwin replied in a sudden "What?" in response to the unfamiliar female voice that was whispered within earshot. He turned to see a black nightmare of tendrils escalating about from the forest below. His men were screaming as they were being plucked out of the sky one by one, descending into the darkness below.


    "What the hell!?"


    The vice-captain turned to one of his men to order a scatter, however he was only met with the sight of them falling to the abyss as well. Overwhelmed by this event, he rushed to tell his commander to flee, but the shadowy tentacles had already reached the Flight-Captain before plummeting downwards. Only his screams were resounded back to his eardrums. "Irwinnnn!!!"


    "Lazarus!"


    Seeing his most trusted Flight-captain being plucked out of the sky without any warning instilled a feeling of despair and helplessness, but soon replaced with unbearing anger and retribution in his heart. "Damn you!" Irwin unsheathed his spear behind him.


    "Huaaahhhhhhh!!!!"


    Lazarus unleashed a fearsome warcry as more shadowy tendrils reached out for the vice-captain and his wyvern. The wyvern rider maneuvered to the left, barely dodging the shadowy ropes with the scrape of his skin. Pulling the reins, he darted from side to side in order to shake off the incoming assault of tendrils. Each incoming dodge only led the shadowy tentacles to get closer and closer to Iwrin, causing the vice-captain to make a split decision. Pulling the reins once again, he swerved around to suddenly guide his wyvern downwards, bomb diving towards the shadowy horrors to dispatch the source. His trusted spear in hand, recklessly diving towards the abyss, he had to slay whatever was the cause of this. Just as he drew nearer, multiple tendrils came into view as it all arced forwards like a bolt launched with immense speed. Grasping both hands on the handle of his spear, the tip glowed brightly in a blinding green brilliance as he plummeted towards the earth.


    "[Fatal Pierce]!"


    It was Lazarus'' trademark attack, a martial art that, by pouring energy into their blade, it allows the user to unleash an intense piercing attack. Of course it also had the side effect of draining a lot of mental and physical energy out of the rider, but he didn''t see a choice when up against the creature that effortlessly downed his flight-captain. However his valiant effort proved to be made in vain.


    A tendril shot right past him missing it''s mark completely. His momentum suddenly came to a halt as Lazarus was knocked off his flying mount. His wyvern released an ear-piercing screech as a couple shadow tendrils managed to wrap around it''s wings and tail, plunging yet another wyvern down to the incoming depths below leaving his rider meters in the air above it. "Tch! Damn it!" Spear still in hand, he braced for impact.


    "[Ability Boost]! [Body Strengthening] [Dull Pain]!"


    His body illuminated in a small glow of red then green and green again as he unleashed 3 of damage negating Martial Arts. His body plummeted past the incoming trees and branches as they lessened his fall. Body bruised and scraped by the ferns, he eventually impacted the ground with a large-


    THUD!


    Before everything went black


    <hr>


    "You killed him!?!"


    "But Hitomu-sama, they were going to intercept you at that town... I didn''t want them to bother you..."


    My head was still pounding from the impact, my body heating up with an extreme sense of pain. Even with Dull Pain activated, I could tell that I had endured a few fractures in my body. However I was alive. My ears rung with a mix of shouting and noise as my senses slowly adjusted themselves as I endured the pain. Opening my eyes I could see myself bound in chain-like shadows. Struggling, I couldn''t seem to break free out of them. I looked around to see my 5 other men also in this dire situation.


    Wyvern riders and wyverns, some confused, and all bound in the same chains I had, but most of them were cursing aloud, with chains restraining every movement they could muster. What they could though was to unleash every slur their vocabulary as they could imagine. The reason for this was the body of the flight-captain laying upon the ground with a less than fortunate state than the rest of us.


    "I-Iwrin-dono!"


    I shouted, but I realized it was too late. My captian who I sworn to protect, is dead. Something dark started to etch into my soul as I shivered in despair, then hatred. In fact, many of the other soldiers followed the same pursuit as I did. All of them shouting the words alike-


    "W-What the hell is a beastman doing across our border!?!"


    "Is this an invasion!?"


    "You won''t get away with this!"


    "You will pay for killing Iwrin-dono! I swear it!"


    An array of offenses were splurged out of the captured knights as the target of their hate seemed to be directed at the 2 conversing voices near me. I looked out at to find two enormous beings infront of me.


    No, that''s not it. That''s only their tails.


    Peering across, I could finally see that the two individuals were beastmen. Two beautiful beastmen with features that contrasted what an actual beastman was like. Instead of their usual snouts, fur, and claws, it was more like a human with long fluffy ears and multiple equally fluffy tails. One had the appearance of a maiden and 9 tails, power emitting from her very being. It easily squanched all aggressive thoughts I had and triggered my sense of self preservation. The other was a mysterious beastman covered in black armored attire and tails wrapping around her shoulders. Both appearances were was jarring to behold.


    "W-Who are you and what do you want from us?!" I mustered out of my throat, but my voice was drowned out by the screaming verbal abuse my soldiers. It only seemed to get on the 9-tailed beast''s words.


    "Ah, could you make them shut up first?" She spoke to her subordinate, in obvious disdain for the noise my men were spouting.


    "Right away mistress..." the darker one responded by pulling out a dark ethereal dagger out of her sheath, buckled behind her waist.


    "What?! No no no, don''t kill them. Just silence them with magic, a skill, or something. Even a gag will do." The other quickly clarified.


    "Ah...[Mass Silence]..."


    The noise ceased all together. Confused looks were plastered on the brigade''s faces as all attempts to speak turned vain as no sounds could be uttered from their lips. Even the surrounding noise of wildlife fell silent. After the amiss of confusion, they soon returned fierce glares at both fox girls, struggling about even more so. The queen ignored it and enjoyed the silence.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    I could almost curse my men for their idiocy, as they pretty much effectively shut down all possible negotiations with them. We were at their mercy, and his men''s thirst for revenge wasn''t helping. Of course he couldn''t blame them entirely, but there was a time and place for everything. This isn''t one of those.


    "That''s better..." the 9-tailed expressed her relief through a large sigh. "Anyways, couldn''t you have just captured him like the rest of them?"


    "...I tried, but I came off a little too strong than intended. He was a level 30, so I thought he could take it. I was mistaken, my apologies Hitomu-sama." The 7-tailed bowed apologetically in response.


    The older, apperently named Hitomu, could only express a smaller sigh as she pressed her hands to her sides, nodding her head from side to side before eventually giving out. "All right, I understand Ni-san. You were only looking out for me, correct? However you should tell me next time when I''m available, perhaps even through one of your duplicate selves. Surely that would have been a lot more effective and convenient."


    Wait.. that''s her sister? They look nothing alike. Unless they''re not related by blood that is.


    Just as her superior''s words were registered, the 9-tailed was met with another bow of acknowledgement and the reponse: "Understood..". The fox queen then turned to the dead flight-captain and spoke "Let''s see what we have here then..." the queen reached out to examine the legendary obsidian spear that was dropped from the wyvern rider. However once she had done so, she felt daggers being pierced from the other warrior''s gazes, filled with intense hatred and inborn resentment, and it made the kitsune queen a little more than uncomfortable. She paid no heed however and continued to pick it up.


    "[All Appraisal Magic Item]...!?! Erk.."


    The fox queen wobbled a little in place as her vision became hazy before returning back to normal. "Hitomu-sama..!" Ni mildly exclaimed as she stepped forth to help.


    "I-It''s alright. I just overextended my mana, that''s all.., no, my MP is completely depleted." The kitune queen informed her subordinate as she regained her balance.


    "....But how could that be? Was there... a really powerful enemy... that even I overlooked?..."


    "No no, I just made a simple blunder I made in that fight, that''s all.."


    "...A blunder.. that depleted all your mana.." Ni repeated the queen''s words as she simply stared back with blank, vacant eyes.


    "...Look it was purely experimental. It wasn''t as if I was in serious danger. A spell simply backfired on me, that is it."


    A spell? So she''s a magic user. A beastman that could cast magic. Very dangerous indeed. No wait, the other could cast magic too! She silenced all my men with a simple spell. I''ve never heard of such spells before. Dangerous, they''re very dangerous.


    "...I understand Hitomu-sama.." Ni replied with the same expression as before.


    Just then, a lightbulb appeared above Shion''s head as she fixated her gaze in a relaxing and calming smile. "Ni-san, everyone makes mistakes. While I mistakenly used up all my MP, you also mistakenly killed this human by accident? Is this not true?" She gestured the dead flight-captain with her arm.


    "..Ah!" The fox assassin silently exclaimed as she finally understood the meaning of her mistress'' words. What followed as another bow as she ingested the words of her immediately. "That is very true Hitomu-sama.. I shall engrave them into my heart."


    What words of loyalty.. I- I never heard of such beastmen with that amount of respect and loyalty amongst their own kind. To them, their hierarchy was all about strength, but it seems these individuals value knowledge as well. Just what the hell are these creatures?!


    "Hm.. I am glad that you understand." Spear still in hand, she contemplated on something, but she decided against it. Dropping the spear on the ground, she decided it was not worth aggravating the binded group of soldiers. This eased the company of wyvern riders, even if it''s just a little bit. I could also sigh a breath of relief if it weren''t for this [Silence] placed on me. The kitsune queen was also silently relieved she wouldn''t have to bear the stares of eyes with pure hatred any longer than she had to.


    She continued pondering for a while on what to do with us. Beads of sweat dripped from my head as she continued dissecting us with her eyes, analyzing us like how one would examine food from a butcher''s shop. It filled me with fear, but the rest of my men couldn''t sense that and continued to stare back with pure kindled rage, further increasing my sense of survival.


    Deciding to put on a show for the beyond aggravated men, she waved the wand around murmuring ancient incantations that I have only to witness unfold.


    "Blessed, humble hand of God,


    life and breath of Mother Earth,


    I pray thee come before me,


    show your great compassion to this person and deliver them back to us!


    [Revival]!"


    But nothing happened.


    Silence filled the forest as [Mass Silence] was still in effect. Even without the spell, many could tell that everyone would be silent regardless if it was still in effect. A couple beads of sweat appeared on Hitomu''s face as suddenly her face fixed into a different expression. A face that lacked sense of embarrassment as she continued on waving her wand.


    "Huah.... [Revive]!"


    But the corpse still laid still upon the ground.


    "........."


    Somehow, the clearing of trees became even more noiseless than before. Complete utter inaudibility as everyone remained still within their places. Her expression changed into something dead and desolate. Needless to say, most of the soldiers there, including Ni, had equal expressions of confusion and faces pity. However, another lightbulb appeared above her head as the 9-tailed then continued, her face was replaced with unbridled determination as she shouted out loud.


    "[Resurrection]!"


    The wand emitted a sacred aura that appeared and flowed out of it''s user''s wand. Upon closer examination, the item itself was an extremely beautiful wand made out of ivory, with the front end coated in gold and the handle inscribed with runes that slowly hummed in an increasing radiance as the item''s magic accumulated into the sacred spell.


    Suddenly the dead man opened his eyes and gasped for breath as the light faded from her wand. Sounds of astonishment and disbelief emitted among the ranks of soldiers as they witnessed the miracle before them.


    "Flight-Captain-Dono!", "You''re alive!" and other cheers alike soon followed after.


    "Ah.. the spell had worn off.." the assassin had said, before attempting to recast [Mass Silence] once again, but with a wave of an arm Shion stopped her. Ni wordlessly understood this as a sign that seemingly said "Stop. Let''s wait and see what happens."


    However unlike the rest of the men, I was unbridled with with fear.


    This beastman has the power to bring back the dead! She cannot exist! Something like this can''t possible exist! A magic casting beastman was dangerous enough, but this is impossible!


    The power to bring back the dead was only spoken in legends. How only large countries with large ancient rituals would perform on their greatest fallen heroes. It was a spell beyond human imagination. A spell that was used by the 13 heroes 100 years in the past against the Evil Dieties.


    Wait.. it can''t be.. SHE''S A LEGENDARY HERO!?


    Most people are told that the 13 Heroes were all human, however I knew that was only what we wanted to believe. I''ve always speculated that the 13 Heroes had demi-humans amongst their ranks as the legend was still fresh amongst mankind. My mother had told me this fact back when she lived during the pre-peace era.


    I was speechless.


    "Ngn......"


    Slowly regaining full consciousness, the flight-captain slowly drew up his body as his eyes adjusted to the ground floor around him. Only for his sight to reach the obsidian javelin he held so dearly, then towards his men binded up in shadowy restraints along with their wyvern mounts in similar bindings, and finally his gaze met the reason for his predicament.


    Upon instinct, he lept forwards with his spear in pure reflex as all his senses told him of the danger, but wavered as he staggered in eerie exhaustion. Legends has it that after resurrection, the body would be completely devoid of any stamina and required an amount of time to recover. Due to this, Iwrin didn''t have full of his motor functions and paid the ultimate price for trying to do so. Mid lunge, he tripped and fell towards the ground, he landed face-first into a jagged rock, causing a loud audible-


    CRACK!


    Blood poured out of the flight-captain''s head as he remained motionless upon the ground once again. His skull was barely intact, limbs lifelessly fell upon the ground as his spear fell out of his hands and on to the bloodied grass get again.


    The clearing was silent as the men witnessed the fall of their leader once again. Hitomu stood there along with everyone else as a witness to the death of someone, and for once, one that she wasn''t the cause of. Crouching down by the re-dead solider, she proceeded poke him to test for any sign of reaction.


    It was at that moment, we knew, he fucked up.


    "......................." Shion glanced at the man that asked for a few seconds before nodding. They both exchanged darkened glances as the forest winds blew in across the open clearing, leaves flowing about aimlessly and indifferent to the plights of beastmen and men before them.


    Another moment of inaudible noise invaded the clearing as the group of soldiers didn''t really know how to respond to such a thing. The fox queen couldn''t blame them as she herself was also entirely speechless at the outcome. The silent fox assassin was no different even beforehand, but now the eerie silence was even more further defined to levels not even conceived possible.


    The kitsune queen decidedly chose that she had enough of this shit and turned to leave to take another long and well deserved nap.


    Wait, she''s just leaving!?


    Ni wordlessly followed pursuit and canceled the effects of [Shadow Binding], freeing the men before following behind her mistress. Others were pulling themselves back up together in the mass of the confusion and utter lack of speech.


    Instantly, I ran towards the leaving queen. "No wait!" I called out.


    "Eh? What is it?" The queen turned around with an unamused look. For once, the I didn''t feel any bitterness for this beastman since the situation was beyond ridiculous. It was a rare moment in time where racial barriers were completely neglected by both parties, due to the sheer offset of insanity the past few minutes provided. In the amiss of the incoming events, the I introduced himself and bowed my head. "Sorry for disturbing you, but I am known as Lazarus, vice-captain of the Wyvern Riders" and before Shion could return the gesture, he requested something that could only be described as madness.


    "Could you, perhaps perform your miracle again?" I pleaded in hopes that negotiations could come through. Unfortunately for me, I was met with the expression of what would a madman met with.


    "Eh?! Why in the hell would I do that?"


    "W-Well, you did it before... and-"


    "And what? Your captain just off an attacked me. Without a moment to speak nonetheless. He also killed himself for it because of his foolishness."


    "-but it could just be a misunderstanding! None of ever heard of a beastman with magic that was able to bring the dead back to life. It was a shock to all of us! Surely you must understand it''s almost unheard of!"


    "So? The first time he died was because of my subordinate. Hence that responsibility goes to me, and I decided to revive him for my own sake. This time, he died by himself. Now I have no obligation to help him. His death was his own."


    "Well that may be true, but-"


    "It is true! Haven''t you seen it with your own eyes?!"


    "-But even so.. could you please resurrect him?" This time I was bowing with my face resting on the ground, "I beg you, on behalf of the Wyvern Tribe he is our most prized warrior. I sworn my life to protect him no matter the cost."


    "...And what will you offer me in return?"


    "The Ironclads will offer you our utmost loyalty and absolute goodwill in return!" Lazarus continued pledging, but he was met with a quickly covered up sneer at the response.


    Shion shook her head and clarified: "Sorry, I must have misspoke. I meant material goods, something which can actually be of use to me." with major emphasis on the word ''material''. "I am not the kind of person that goes giving away charity out of goodwill, and most certainly not the power of life over death." The queen rubbed the wand in her hand to show the particular artifact in question.


    "I-I." I struggled to think of a response. Everything the fox queen said made sense. I couldn''t promise the loyalty of the Wyvern Tribe, as they have fought off beastmen for generations from the mountains. Their prejudice and hatred for beastman would surely get in the way of such promises. In truth, I had nothing to offer. Except for..


    "My life."


    "I''m sorry, what?"


    "I can offer life to you. No, not just that, even my soul if needs to be! Just please resurrect Irwin-dono! For Tribe and my own sake! I beg you." I performed a dogeza pose, the most powerful bow of respect and submission. I couldn''t look up to see her expression, but she was grinning maddeningly as she has gained a new toy to play with, before reverting to her usual expression.


    "Alright, deal. A life for a life isn''t it? A worthy exchange for something so pitiful as this." She concluded. My hopes heightened as she started walking back towards the twice deceased corpse. Casting her wand again, she successfully revived the Flight-captain effortlessly, before her wand broke after use.


    Amazement of the other men followed as their captain rose from the ground once again. "Laz..." I could hear the vice-captain calling out something. "Lazz-zurouss-ss.." Irwin struggled to get his words out. His body was weaker than before, he didn''t have his strength anymore. However I was glad that he was alive. "Captian!" I saluted, the other men also standing with me and some carrying him by the shoulder. "Whaz- happened to me?" The flight-captain muttered.


    "You''re alive again captain. You''ve been resurrected because of me." I simply informed him.


    "Resurrected? You mean, back from the dead?" Iwrin inquired, slowly getting back to his own feet as his speech slowly returned, fatigue ebbing away from his body with renewed vigor. Hitomu, confirming the resurrection was successful, turned to leave with her subordinate following by the shadows.


    "Yes. You''ve been resurrected due to me."


    "Y-you!?"


    "But, I have to go now. Sorry captain." I turned to leave my former company behind with great pain in my heart.


    "Hold on, slow down for a moment here. Could you explain to me what you just did." The man questioned me amongst the confusion.


    "The other men could explain for you. I really have to go now... it''s been nice working under you captain. And for once, I saved your life instead of the other away around."


    "Lazarus wait!"


    I couldn''t wait. I sold my soul to a beastman to save him. He wouldn''t understand even if I did explain. Once the men informed him what''s happened, he would scorn me for aligning with the enemy. I couldn''t stay behind, for I had a new captian to protect.

 Forged Terms

    As Lazarus caught up to Shion, a small chuckle could be heard as the kitsune queen stifled a small laugh. "What the heck was that? That was so painfully dramatic." Shion teased. "It''s like you were in love with him or something." She said while hiding a smirk under a cupped hand.


    "N-no! That man.. Irwin-dono saved me on multiple occasions. I owe him my life." He announced as he straightened his posture in front of her new commander.


    "Hmm.. well you work for me now, so you better forget about him as soon as possible. We''re going back to our base to relay and compile the information we''ve gathered." Shion turned towards the temple. "In the meantime, why don''t you ask me about myself?" The fox queen suggested.


    "Huh?" Her frankness caught Lazarus off-guard as formalities between the superior and underling differed in respects of authority. "...May I ask the reason for this?" An eyebrow was raised.


    "Why it''s simple really. An effective relationship between partners can only come to fruition if they have a healthy understanding of one another. If a human and a fox''s thoughts collide as master and servant, that would cause more trouble than it''s worth."


    Her words brought clarity to Lazarus'' mind. He knew full well between the cultural differences between two races, especially when races are natural enemies. Miscommunications could very easily turn into conflict, in which the kitsune queen wanted to avoid.


    "Of course capt-" the former vice-captain then stopped mid-sentence. "Uhm.. how should I address you as now?" He idly waited as he walked closer along with Shion, Ni following behind in silent strides.


    "Ah, sorry I haven''t introduced myself properly have I? I am Hitomu Shion, the Kitsune Queen, but you may call me Hitomu-sama from now on."


    "A queen!?" The man exclaimed.


    "Yes. Exactly that."


    "B-but I''ve never heard of such things among beastmen. To think they would have a queen just like ours..."


    "Yours?"


    "Ah! Y-Yes. The Draconic Queen. The one that rules over the kingdom to the east. She commands the highest authority even amongst the Wyvern Riders."


    "Huh... interesting..." Shion brought her hand to her chin, pondering the new info gathered. "And how would you say the relationships between you humans and all of beastkind?"


    "Pardon?"


    "You see.. your fellow men seemed very afraid of my presence since I first appeared. If it was my powers I would have understood, but they were scorning me as if I was the devil itself."


    "Well.. you did capture all of us. As for the captain-"


    "Well yes I can understand that part, but it''s not just that. Other humans we''ve encountered have brought fear at our very presence, even if we had done nothing. Are beastmen considered enemies among humans?"


    Lazarus was silent. This answer was obvious, even common sense. He debated whether or not it was a trick question before answering. "That is common knowledge, yes."


    Shion was silent for a moment as she continued to walk. Demi-humans and humanoids being enemies weren''t all that strange to see in Yggdrasil, however for it to be the same in this world it brought the fox queen to turn her gears. "I see.. so it is the same here as well."


    "W-What do you mean by that cap- Hitomu-sama?" Lazarus asked.


    "Hmm?" Shion stopped, facing back at the wyvern rider with discerning eyes.


    "Well, anno... how do I explain it....?" She cupped her chin, grasping at what little lore she knew of kitsunes and how they fit into Yggdrasil''s. "Beastmen.. is usually a general term to describe demi-humans with animal-like features. Is that correct?"


    "Y-Yes!"


    "Then I have you know that where I''m from, some beastmen managed to coexist with you humans."


    "!!!"


    "As for my race, we are known as kitsunes."


    "Kit-sunes?"


    "Yes, we are all foxes that have reached enlightenment. We have transcended onto a higher plane of existence of power and wisdom than what a simple beastman could know. We are a species of youkai, spirits if you will."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Youka- Spirits!? Please don''t jest Hitomu-sama."


    "Then explain my multiple tails and human attributes more than the typical beastmen would have. Not to mention the magic I wield." Shion countered, tails unfurling with increased volume and fluff.


    Lazarus was silent again. All the oddities that didn''t align with his perspective on beastmen made all the more sense. But a spirit? That was an anomaly hardly any human ever came across. However after the events today, Lazarus had no choice but to accept the shift of view presented to him. "My apologies for doubting your words."


    "It''s fine." She replied.


    "Anyways, as I was saying... Kitsunes are a sort of spiritual guardians if you will."


    "Wait, you mean your kind are allied to humans?"


    "Well only a handful of them are. They are known as Zenko Kitsunes. Sometimes said kitsune would devote their eternal lifespan to protect a specific family and provide service to the head of that family."


    "And why would they do that?"


    Another pause lingered for a while before Shion answered. "Love."


    "Love?!"


    "Is it not obvious?" Shion sighed, really racking her brain for more lore surrounding kitsunes. That last bit was made up, and so she would have to bullshit the rest of the way through. "Let''s say a kitsune loved a human very much, so much so that they would be bonded forever in marriage. What would happen if a kitsune had offspring and outlasted that human''s lifespan?"


    "She would be a grandma right?"


    A chuckle stiffened from Shion was she held in her laughter. "Well yes, but she would also protect her offspring within all her power, from the first generation to the next."


    "Hold on, to the next generation? Just how long are you saying can kitsunes live?" Lazarus spoke. He simply passed ''eternal'' in eternal lifespan as an exaggeration, for believing it was too much for his mind to bear.


    "Anno..." Shion delved deep into her thoughts.


    Just how long did kitsunes live? I know that Yggdrasil was 10 years old at the time, but I can''t say that I''m 10. If I go towards the thousands, I could be digging my grave as I obviously don''t have multiple decades of knowledge in my head.


    "Hey, Ni-san," Shion asked towards the back.


    "Eh?" A small mutter was resounded back as the fox assassin stood up straight, hardly expecting a reaction from her mistress as she observed the area for hostiles.


    "Do you remember when and where were you born?" Her mistress questioned, expecting some answer that she could ride on.


    "...Can''t say... It''s all hazy... Only memories are fighting monsters and other hostiles that threatened your existence." She bowed apologetically.


    "I see..." Shion signaled her to resume her constant scouting, before walking again.


    So I can''t rely on them to remember much. Disappointing, but fuck it.


    "Well, there''s your answer. We''ve existed for so long that we cannot even remember when our place of birth, but I have never met another kitsune that have died permanently as long as I''ve known. Let''s just say that we kitsunes by themselves cannot perish permanently under only natural causes. Have you ever met a spirit that died before Lazarus-san?"


    Lazarus took a sudden step back in awe and slight mental shock. However, from the events that occurred only a few moments ago, the mental impact was much less than he would have thought it would have been. It was actually quite concerning to the wyvern rider in terms of his mental state.


    Ah, that''s right. These foxes are spirits. Just what ludicrosity have I willingly stepped into?


    "Ah... no, I have not. Sorry for asking such a silly question. Does that mean that your kind isn''t exactly mortal?" The wyvern rider spoke fearfully. If he were to suddenly realize that he''s in the company of beings almost on par with immortal gods, he would lose it.


    "Well, it''s not like we can''t die. Ni-san has died plenty of times, and so have I. You''ve seen it happen to your friend back there haven''t you?"


    "Ah!" Lazarus'' mind then came into clarity once again at the mention of his former captain.


    Of course! With a wand like that, anyone can overcome death like nothing more than a mild cough. Hold on, didn''t that wand break?


    "H-Hitomu-sama! Didn''t that wand break? If you happened to use the last two charges on flight captain Irwi-"


    "Don''t worry about that. I only used that artifact it because I have run out of MP- er, magical energy. You know of magic casters in your world do you?"


    "Ah.. yes."


    Amazing... So she could resurrect others like no problem, even without that item.


    "Anyways that''s not my main point." Shion interrupted Lazarus'' thoughts of amazement and awe. "Not all kitsunes are good. Some of them can just as well be bad."


    "You mean..."


    "Yes." The queen fixated her eyes upon Lazarus, the shift in her tone lowering to something more serious in nature. "The Yako Kitsunes, evil fox spirits, whatever you would like to call them. At best they only prank humans and disguise themselves among them to cause misfortune."


    "Well, that doesn''t sound that ba-"


    "At worse, they devour humans that come across their path."


    "O-Oh..."


    "Yako can just be bad as beastmen, or even worse. Imagine one with my powers that decided to become enemies with your kingdom."


    "Dear Gods..." The feeble soldier stopped at the thought of such a thing occurring. If an evil kitsune queen were to appear, then only a short of a catastrophe would happen. A being that was able to bring back their dead and spread discord through magic and illusions, the mere thought shook the very bones in his flesh. "T-Then are you-"


    "I''m neither." Shion cut him off.


    "...W-What?"


    "I am nor evil or good. I do not care for the state of humanity, only for my own kind and well being. You should do your best to do the same, as you already accepted to be under my rule."


    Lazarus was speechless. Being told to discard his humanity, it was ridiculous- no even insane. However, he couldn''t say anything when the woman in front of her locked eyes with him so severely.


    "I''ll repeat it again. I am Hitomu Shion, the Kitsune Queen. Your will is already my own, for you have accepted the price for bringing back your fellow man. Now best remember that for it is the last time I will say it." Her words scorched into his ears as she turned to leave.


    "Now go get your wyvern." Shion finished.


    Lazarus was suddenly forced back into the reality of his situation and was met with a direct order from the being that he sold his very soul to. Standing up straight, he could only reply "Yes mistress!" Before running off in the forest behind him.

 Not a chapter - Go-San Digital Art

    I drew this on my phone. Next chapter I have it already planned somewhat in my head. Spoilers, there will be fluffing involved. Enjoy!


    Spoiler: <input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

 Extra Chapter

    "Is she gonna meet momonga"s friends after 100 years and steal his harem with fwuff?"


    - Sirlolisalot


    <hr>


    In an alternate universe somewhere...


    [Shalltear has betrayed us.]


    Eh!?


    Ainz was still in his room under the Shining Golden Pavilion, all by himself as he managed his income and expenses for Nazarick. However, upon picking up Solution''s emergency call via [Message], and confirmation from Albedo, his fears came to worsen as his automatic calming trait triggered, enveloping him in a green light before having it fade. Ainz didn''t enjoy it. Despite being calm, he was still stressed beyond what he could have said he was.


    .....Shalltear betraying us? That should be imposs- no it''s at most unlikely. It would make sense if she decided to do that under unsuited working conditions. I can''t automatically assume that however, I need more information.


    [Solution, please notify Albedo that I''ll be returning shortly.]


    [Yes.]


    "Sigh... how could have this have happened?" Ainz muttered to himself moodily, but he knew there was no use sulking around. He had to take action immediately as he was the one in charge of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. "[Gate]!" A dark portal opened to envelop the embodiment of death out of existence.


    The doors to the throne room opened as all the homonculus maids bowed in unison, Albedo standing across near Ainz''s seat. "Welcome Ainz-sama. We hope we didn''t disturb you with this news."


    "No, it is fine. It''s a superior''s job to take care of the affairs below. It''s a responsibility I don''t mind doing." Ainz responded.


    "Ah, of course, Ainz-sama. Your generosity towards us knows no bounds." Albedo fluttered her pitch black wings in excitement upon hearing her fiancee''s powerful words. The maids also similarly shared awe upon his arrival.


    "Er... yes. Well onto the main matter. Report."


    "Yes!" Albedo then proceeded to pull out sheets of paper with information compiled tied to the events that are the most concern to the state of Nazarick. In a venomous tone, Albedo stated: "Shalltear has betrayed us."


    "Yes, I knew that. Have Shalltear showed any signs of wavering commitments before she did so? And were there any others as well?"


    "No, Sebas have already stated that she showed no signs of rebellion following capturing the disgusting humans."


    "Disgusting?"


    "Ah, the human bandits. Solution and Sebas were undercover during the time it happened. It was to expand our knowledge of politics and the world around us, then eventually to engrain our influence over the kingdoms."


    "Umu, I knew that. So no one else had these thoughts of rebellion? What about those serving under Shalltear?"


    "No, She was only assigned her vampire brides upon this mission. They were both found to be destroyed upon investigation."


    ¡°...Is that so? But mooks like that¡­ no, that means something happened which destroyed them. Then, I¡¯ll summarize what happened on my end.¡±


    Ainz had almost finished his report by the time they reached the stairs to the throne. However, he had not gotten to the events of the tomb yet, so he continued speaking.


    After it was all finished, Albedo ¡ª who had been listening attentively and silently ¡ª nodded in acknowledgment.


    Ainz wanted to ask if he had handled the situation well, but there was something more important that he wished to know.


    He looked to the throne and recited the designated password.


    ¡°Master Source ¡ª Open.¡±


    A translucent window appeared before his eyes. It looked like the console but was completely different from it. The window had multiple pages within it, each covered in densely-packed characters.


    This was the administration system for the Great Tomb of Nazarick.


    It recorded the daily maintenance costs, the numbers and types of vassals present, all sorts of magical traps, gimmicks, and other such things. One could exert large-scale control over them all from here. While they had still been in YGGDRASIL, one could access this system from anywhere, but after some experimentation, Ainz found that in this world, the system could only be operated from the heart of the dungeon, the Throne Room.


    Although it¡¯s troublesome to have to come here every time¡­ at least I have the ring to teleport me¡­ so it¡¯s not such a big deal.


    With practiced movements, Ainz brought up and enlarged the NPC status page.


    This page recorded the names of all the NPCs made by the guild members. After changing the sorting method from alphabetical (katakana) order to level order, from highest to lowest, Ainz¡¯s eyes traveled down the list ¡ª and then his eyes halted on a single spot. Then, he silently turned his gaze to Albedo¡¯s face.


    ¡°Yes, it has become like this.¡±


    Amidst a sea of names written in white, only Shalltear Bloodfallen¡¯s name was shown in black.


    Ainz knew what this change meant, but¡ª


    He looked over it twice, three times, and after realizing that his eyes had not been mistaken, he screamed Impossible! within his heart. If his skeletal face could display an expression, it would be one of shock.


    ¡°...Is she dead?¡±


    Ainz continued questioning Albedo. In his heart of hearts, he hoped that something had happened to the system when they had been brought to this world. However, the truth Albedo spoke was unbearably cruel.


    ¡°If she were dead, her name would have vanished and left a blank space. In all likelihood, this represents betrayal.¡±


    ¡°Well... that¡¯s right.¡±


    As Ainz replied thusly to Albedo, he recalled the meaning of this change when he had last seen it in YGGDRASIL.


    Albedo called it betrayal, but that was slightly different from what the system was displaying. Indeed, broadly speaking it was similar to betrayal, but this color change occurred when a third party used mind control to temporarily make an NPC take hostile actions.


    Impossible.


    Ainz voiced that denial in his heart once more. Shalltear and Ainz were both undead, which meant that they were of races that were immune to all sorts of mind-affecting effects. How had Shalltear been mind controlled, then?


    <hr>


    ¡ªShalltear shivered.


    This was the first time which Shalltear ¡ª as a Guardian, one of the highest-ranking entities in the Great Tomb of Nazarick ¡ª had ever shivered. It was a subtle observation, or one could call it a warning from a sixth sense.


    Shalltear¡¯s eyes turned, intending to seize the old lady her instincts were warning her about.


    That beastman had to die at all costs.


    A kitsune was wearing a bastard''s smile as she walked forth in front of Shalltear. Her presence was very abnormal from any other entities she had noticed before.


    [Silence Magic: Mana Essenc-


    "O-Ow!!" Blood leaked out of Shalltears eyes as the kitsune stopped in place, her devilish smile still plastered on her delicate face.


    "Don''t you know it''s impolite to see a woman''s stats?" The nine-tailed figure taunted. She stifled a laugh as she enjoyed watching the vampire''s suffering from the counterspell.


    A deep crimson rage emitted from Shalltear as her blood boiled with frenzy. "You bitch!" She screamed as she donned her Valkyrie Armor. She was encased in large red plate mail as she equipped her Spuit Lance, a divine class item granted to her by her creator.


    The Kitsune Queen''s smile faded, as she analyzed the quick-equip made by her opponent. "Finally getting serious now? It''s been a long long time since I''ve seen such expensive divine items like those. How wonderful would it be to add it to my collection..." Shion smiled once again in a sickening glare.


    "You... you''ll pay for disrespecting the creations of the Supreme Beings!" The vampire venomously spat as she thrust herself at a blinding speed.


    Shalltear batted her aside with all her might. However, when subjected to a strike that would pulverize a weak beastman, the woman was simply knocked back and did not perish on the spot. In addition, her will to fight was still intact despite being blown away.


    Shalltear cast a spell centered on the kitsune.


    ¡°[Purifying Javelin]!¡±


    A large brilliant ray of light was held in her one hand. It radiated in pure holy energy. She wanted to use her skills that didn''t count as a spell that used up MP. Her opponent was probably someone that had high magic resistance, and therefore a skill could bypass that. However, for one opponent as powerful as this to appear in this world, one could say Ainz''s paranoia didn''t come without reason.


    As she thought that, Shalltear suddenly found that she couldn''t move. Unable to launch her attack, she examined herself to see a number of restricting binds, no they were tails, all wrapped around her legs and arms. All of these tails seemed to have emerged from the ground below her. "W-What the hell is this!?"


    Shalltear looked forwards to see the kitsune standing there in the exact same place, or rather she couldn''t move from that place. Her tails were all tunneling towards the earth behind her, shifting dirt and rocks as if only a simple matter. "Ergh... that armor is annoying. How am I supposed to fluff you with that on?"


    Shalltear couldn''t comprehend what was happening, but based on the look of her opponent''s deadly gaze, she had to counter whatever she was planning.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "[Negative Impact Sheild]!" A red glow expanded from the vampire as all the queen''s Fluffy bindings unraveled in sharp pain and significant damage. The kitsune grunted in mild dissatisfaction as she reeled her tails back into the ground.


    "[Earth Surge]!" The beastman shouted, as the earth around them all rumbled in violent forces and soon dragging whatever stood upon it to the ground. Shalltear quickly reacted as she used her wings to fly into the air, only to trigger massive explosions across the sky, inflicting massive damage as she plummeted downwards with an unsightly yelp of pain.


    "Tsk." Soon Shalltear decelerated her fall, flying in place as all the blood on her armor retracted back into her body. She was confused but ultimately pissed at her for making her emit such a disgraceful sound. "Bitch! When the hell did you cast those traps!"


    "Hmm? Did you really think I would enter battle unprepared?" Her opponent smiled as the earth turned around her, ceasing to a stop as her tails retracted from the dirt and writhing behind her.


    "You- There''s no way you could have cast those traps beforehand!" She shouted in anger.


    "Ara? Maybe you didn''t see me do it?"


    "Impossible, I have countermagic to [Time Stop]. I would have noticed if you did!"


    The fox smirked. "Maybe I had magic that bypassed your sense for time manipulation." She shrugged mockingly.


    "You-" Shalltear couldn''t understand what the hell was happening, but this magic caster obviously had large area effects and had the advantage in both airspace and on land. However, she couldn''t leave without winning. She refused to bring Nazarick to shame because of this beastman. The only way for her to win was to go on the offensive.


    She bomb-dived towards the kitsune, at intense acceleration. The queen prepared herself by unleashing another spell "[Mountain Wall]".


    A large mass of potent stone and earth forced up, blocking the vampire''s Spuit Lance. Raising her arm, the vampire unleashed another skill: "[Force Explosion]!" causing an unseen shockwave across the construct and reducing it to rubble. However upon seeing what laid beyond it was an empty spot where the kitsune once was. "Where-" she turned her head around the battlefield to see no one there. "...[Life Essense]!" Shalltear''s eyes glowed green as he scanned the area. The skies and land were empty, "Wait, below!"


    A pair of hands emerged from the ground as they latched on to both Shalltear''s legs and armor. Magic stirred as the vampire kicked off her enemy''s attempt of restraining her, flying once again half-way towards the sky, making sure not to half-hazardly trigger any floating drifting mines.


    The queen dug herself up from the earth as she wore a nasty smug aura off of her. "Just what the hell are you planning?!" The vampire cried out. All her attempts of attacks were to restrain her and limit her movement.


    Did she want to capture me? A creation of the Supreme Beings? What is her aim?


    Suddenly the kitsune obliged to answer. "[Greater Seal Release]!" The vampire engulfed into holy flames as her screams resounded across the battlefield. She continued burning in agony for a few more moments, it didn''t seem to stop. Shalltear panicked as she kept on sustaining damage, she was rapidly losing health.


    The queen laughed as the vampire cursed out She kept on screaming pure unbridled hatred upon her opponent as she proceeded to use all her recovery spells and skills like [Time Reverse], but she still burned in place. She didn''t understand. Her skill was supposed to negate any attacks afterward, but she was still engulfed in holy energy. "What did you do!!!!"


    "Hoh? What did I do I wonder?"


    "DON''T BULLSHIT ME!!!"


    "Heh. Well if you''re so insistent on yelling so much" the queen sadistically smiled, "as long as you wear that armor you''ll eventually burn into a holy crisp. I placed a permanent seal on you."


    A moment of clarity reached Shalltear as she remembered the times the vixen tried coming into direct contact with her. She wanted to curse out at herself for allowing her to be fooled like this, and wasting her precious skills needlessly. However, the vampire had to address the immediate problem and de-equip her armor as it plummeted towards the earth.


    The queen happily tunneled her tails into the earth again, quickly acquiring the item that fell and dispelling the holy flames before tossing it into her inventory.


    "You... you shall pay for this..."


    "Ara? And how will you do that?"


    "I''ll- I''ll KILL YOU!" She then gathered her MP together, unleashing another attack. "[Vermilion Nova]!"


    "A 9th level spell!? Oh God fuc-" a massive column of fire came down from the heavens as it engulfed the fox in flames. It sent the fox reeling in pain as her clothes became tattered in scorch marks.


    "So, I finally managed to hit you! How does it feel to experience the same pain as I have!?" The vampire taunted, relishing the pain that she inflicted back while laughing excessively in frenzied joy.


    However, her laughter came short as the fox queen cut her off with the laughter of her own. The column of fire ended with the player resting on the ground with both her arms upon the dirt. She got up in an amused laugh as she cackled madly towards the sky. "So this is what pain feels like!?" The queen excitedly exclaimed. "I haven''t felt it in a long time! Hahahahahahahahaha!"


    "Eh? What are you a masochist?" Shalltear rebuked. She wasn''t really in a position to talk since she was also a masochist herself, but she wasn''t going to say that out loud.


    "Hah! No of course not, but thank you for giving me the experience to feel alive! Now let me return the favor! [Teleport: Item]"


    A large wave of blue dark liquid formed above Shalltear as it splashed onto her clothes and skin. "W-What the hell is this!?" The liquid then seeped into her skin as it slowly drained her all her MP away. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?"


    "How do you like my unique brand of Mana Poison? I even added the artificial flavor of blueberry into it. So? How does it taste?"


    Something like this was impossible to convince. Items that manipulated how much MP you had were non-existent in Yggdrasil. Having her mana points depleted was the worst possible scenario. "YOU BASTARD!"


    "Oh? But I''m not finished yet." The queen then silently cast the spell [Message] and informed her subordinates to take action.


    [Do it now!]


    [Immediately Hitomu-sama.]


    Unbeknownst to Shalltear, a large 700ft radius magical barrier erupted into existence, preventing all types of skills and abilities for an extended amount of time. The vampire suddenly felt her abilities being locked away, she found that she wasn''t able to use her skills either.


    "What!?"


    She was stripped away from not just her armor, but spells and skills as well. This was a devastating blow to Shalltear as she realized what was her plan all along. All she had left was her Spuit Lance, and she had to use it.


    "YOU BIIIIIIITTTTCCCCHHHH!" She bomb-dived with all she had. If she were to die here then she would have to at least kill her for she was a threat to all of Nazarick.


    I have to kill her. She cannot be allowed to live.


    Her undead heart raced as she plunged towards her target, like a bullet streaming straight from its pistol. She felt her lance plunge straight through the kitsune, slowly activating the lance in an electrical pink as it restored the vampire''s HP. Her eyes opened to see a bloodied kitsune smiling with red pouring from her mouth. She coughed up blood as she continued wearing that bastard grin.


    "What?! Why aren''t you dead!?"


    The queen coughed again as she lifted a silver statue of an angel in her hand before it crumbled into dust. "Gachapon Item. 1HP bitch."


    The queen tails enveloped around Shalltear as she was forced to let go of her lance. Her fluffy tails wrapped all around her with inhuman earthly strength. Her fluff consumed the vampire as each of its hairs brushed against her cold skin. Shalltear could feel an unexpected ecstasy as she could feel her body going limp. Her body responded in surrender as waves of fluff sent her into a state of ravenous pleasure.


    It felt as though part of her thought processes were gone because she could not comprehend what was happening. And then, when she realized what had happened, Shalltear was shaken to the core, fear filling her undead heart.


    This was fluff was a form of mind control.


    As an undead being, she should have had complete immunity to mind-controlling effects, yet her will was still being dominated. She desperately tried to engrave hatred and anger on her gradually-whitening consciousness, and as her mind pondered countless variations of the worst-case scenario¡ª


    ¡°Giiiiiiiiih¡ª!¡±


    ¡ªShe wailed, weeping tears of blood as she struggled to fight back against the dominating force which was corrupting her, a Guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.


    However, despite Shalltear¡¯s frantic resistance, her will was steadily bleached away. Nor could she use teleportation magic. This was because her mind would be completely overshadowed if she allowed herself to be distracted by such matters.


    As she marshaled her utmost opposition, Shalltear glared at the user of the technique, the woman who was planning to defile her. She held onto that hatred with all she had.


    As her mind went white.


    The last thing Shalltear knew was that she gained a new fetish


    <hr>


    Ainz stared at his ring.


    Ainz hoped that he would be given a choice to negate all effects on a given target. He had also thought of several other alternatives, but that was the most direct option which came to mind.


    Very few people would pick that wish since it would also negate all positive effects. Thus, Ainz laughed at himself for thinking of it.


    ¡°Then, hear me, oh ring. I WISH!¡±


    Of course, he did not need to speak those words to activate the item. However, he was driven by his desire to be granted the most optimal choice from over 200 available options, hence his cry. It was like how one might shout during a tense moment in a game or over a throw of the dice.


    Since the magic of this world seemed to operate along the same lines as YGGDRASIL, the ring should be able to remove Shalltear¡¯s mind control. Or rather, that was what Ainz hoped would be the case.


    The scenario Ainz most feared ¡ª that the spell did not work ¡ª did not come to pass. The ring released the magic stored within it into this world¡­ and then the red points of light within Ainz¡¯s eye sockets shrank.


    ¡°What¡­ is this¡­¡±


    It felt as though new information was being entered into his mind ¡ª something along the lines of displeasure. At the same time, he felt like he had been connected to something vast ¡ª something like joy, perhaps. Many of the emotions Ainz had felt while he was still human washed over him.


    Once the ripples of emotion faded away, Ainz realized that ¡¸Wish Upon A Star¡¹ worked differently here than it did in YGGDRASIL.


    When Ainz had first learned of Nfirea¡¯s talent, he had idly wondered if he could steal it with ¡¸Wish Upon A Star¡¹. Now, he realized that he could have done it. In this world, ¡¸Wish Upon a Star¡¹ was a spell that would grant its caster¡¯s wishes. Although it would still expend XP, ¡¸Wish Upon A Star¡¹ was now a spell that could make the impossible possible. In addition, by sacrificing five levels ¡ª five hundred percent of his XP bar ¡ª one could one could make even greater wishes come true.


    With that in mind, Ainz felt certain that he could dispel the magical effects on Shalltear. As triumph surged through him, Ainz shouted:


    ¡°Dispel all effects on Shalltear!¡±


    A beat later, the lights in Ainz¡¯s eyes grew steadily larger.


    ¡°¡ªWhat, what is this?¡±


    Albedo realized that something had changed when she saw Ainz¡¯s agitated reaction. She uneasily asked:


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ainz-sama?¡±


    Ainz had no time to answer. He was recalling the news he had absorbed from various walkthrough sites, his own long experience with YGGDRASIL, then combining them with what he had learned ever since coming to this world. The most important parts of that were the information concerning the use of ¡¸Wish Upon A Star¡¹, the spell which had completely overturned Ainz¡¯s accumulated knowledge.


    Anxiety and anger filled Ainz as he came to a conclusion. However, he could feel something else even though the emotion suppression that should have kept him calm ¡ª fear.


    Ainz shouted pathetically:


    ¡°We, we¡¯re falling back! Albedo, over here! We¡¯re retreating now!¡±


    ¡°Y-Yes!¡±


    Ainz cast his teleportation spell, and in the next moment, a berm of earth filled his eyes. Though he was now safe at home, Ainz ordered in a panic:


    ¡°Albedo! Watch out for anyone who might have teleported after us!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Albedo drew her weapon and stood by Ainz¡¯s side. Ainz raised both his hands, taking a stance to deal with anything which might come.


    As time passed, Ainz allowed himself to slowly relax. Albedo too stood down from her ready stance, back into her normal posture.


    ¡°Dammit!¡±


    After he calmed down, he was filled with furious anger. His emotional peaks were automatically cut out after becoming undead, but even though they were suppressed, the anger welled up inside him once more.


    ¡°Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!¡±


    Ainz kicked at the ground over and over again.


    Since Ainz¡¯s physical strength was far greater than normal, each kick sent forth a massive quantity of soil. If it had not rained just a few days ago, the surrounding area might have been engulfed in a huge cloud of dust. Even so, it could not quench Ainz¡¯s anger.


    ¡°Ainz, Ainz-sama, please, be at peace¡­¡±


    Ainz noticed the undercurrent of fear in Albedo¡¯s voice, and he finally realized that his behavior was not fitting of an absolute ruler. He swiftly calmed himself down, forcefully exhaling the breath he did not possess. It felt as though he was expelling the fiery wrath consuming him through that breath.


    ¡°...Forgive me. I seem to have lost my senses for a moment. Pay that unsightly scene no heed.¡±


    ¡°Please do not say that. However, I am grateful that you took my suggestion to heart, Ainz-sama. If it is your wish that I forget ever seeing that, then I shall remove it from my mind. However ¡ª what happened? Did I displease you, Ainz-sama? If you are willing to tell me, I shall strive not to let it happen again.¡±


    ¡°...My anger was not directed at you, Albedo. It was because I learned that my wish did not come true, even after activating the power of the ring.¡±


    Seeing how Albedo remained silent, Ainz knew that his explanation was insufficient, so he continued:


    ¡°...There is only one thing which can trump the power of the super tier spell ¡¸Wish Upon A Star¡¹.¡±


    Perhaps earlier, he might have thought it was interference from something in this world, but Ainz was confident that it was not the case. This was because he had sensed it as he activated the ring.


    ¡°It, it can¡¯t be¡­ that would be¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, Albedo. There is only one thing which can do that¡­ the power of World Class Items.¡±


    "Actually it wasn''t."


    "Eh?"


    Albedo was already in a defensive stance upon the unexpected voice that appeared behind them. Ainz didn''t feel any of his Teleportation counter-measures trigger at all and it left him speechless, even more so when turning his gaze towards the being that said it. It was a kitsune.


    "It was actually my fluffy tails that mind controlled her."


    "EH!?"

 The Fluffening

    "Hitomu-sama, my received important information from my clones..." Ni informed Shion right after Lazarus'' departure. "We have a couple hostiles... should I dispatch my clones to eliminate them all?"


    "Huh? W-Wait hold on. Who are these hostiles, and since when did you take notice of them?" The queen inquired.


    "Most of them are low leveled humans...They pose no threat, but they''re investigating the village you burned."


    Shion absorbed this information in her own silence. "Huh... Are they adventurers? The same kind that I met in that undead mine?"


    "...I can''t say for sure, but based on their conversations... it seems like they were hired... to investigate the area."


    Shion kept this in mind, before briefly instructing Ni to "Keep an eye on them, but don''t engage them in any way. They mustn''t know of our existence, not yet anyway." before heading back to towards the church. "Go show Lazarus-san the way back to our base as well. I have some business to attend to."


    "Affirmative..." Ni bowed before disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving the queen off by her lonesome.


    A large sigh was emitted from Shion as she stretched, her weariness increasing as time went on. "Uyaaaann... that was tiresome... I just want to go to sleep already..."


    Fatigue was slowly building up on the kitsune queen. The complete expense of her mana had done a number on her stamina, something that she didn''t take in mind beforehand. "Ahhh~ Yon-san should still be with that girl, right? Lucia Cromwell, I believe her name was. There''s also the matter with those potions, but let''s put that on the backburner for now." The queen decided. Talking to herself was something she considered to be normal and she believed it would help stress if she did. "...No one can hear me right? No, Ni-San already made sure I was covered. I think." She couldn''t really be sure anymore.


    Shion looked around the trees surrounding her. Her heightened senses were slowly being adjusted her level of comfort. So far the only living (or unliving) things stirring was the bugs and wildlife that remained hidden in their nests and burrows. Not even a breeze was flowing through the winds. "Alright, perfect. Now then..."


    The queen furled with excitement as she motioned the tuffs of her tails. Her magnificent fluffy tendrils wrapped around between her arms as she started to bury herself in them. "Ahh~ Fluff- Ack! Oh God, the smell!"


    Shion immediately was repulsed by the disgusting smell of rot and dried blood. She then realized that her fluff was covered in leftover corpse meat, probably from all the undead she swatted earlier today. While a normal human would consider this to be revolting, a kitsune with a sensitive smell would consider this to be hell. The queen forced herself to swallow down her urge to regurgitate everything in her stomach. "Oh. God. Ahgn..." a hand was on her mouth and nose in an attempt to prevent the incoming weariness.


    She succeeded... barely.


    "That''s disgusting... how come I didn''t know of that smell sooner?" Shion struggled to say as she recovered. Her senses were confusing her, it didn''t make any sense. She could see, hear, and smell further. Even those senses were much better than a human''s, yet she could even sense this? "Urgh... this is annoying."


    Then she faced her gaze at her 9 large tails. "So dirty... [Clea- wait, no mana." Another sigh of exhaustion emitted from her as she groaned in vain. "I can''t fluff myself damn it!" She stomped the ground beneath her, only making a small crack in the earth as the trees and ferns shifted slightly at the impact. "........"


    Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a mana potion. The blue liquid was then swirled around in its vial as Shion examined it. She gripped it in her hand as it shook in much of her own restraint.


    "...........I''m I really considering drinking a one-of-a-kind potion to fluff myself?"


    The idea grew all the more ridiculous as Shion considered this. She used her other hand to stop herself. "No, that''s stupid. But-" she examined her tails. The pointless dilemma consumed her mind as she shouted "Damn it!" before shoving back in her inventory.


    Why am I so frustrated?


    The queen couldn''t make any sense of it, but she was very much in need of something sustainable. A burning desire engulfed her mind as her attention turned towards the chapel. "...Yon-san..." her eyes glinted green as her body broke into a run.


    Sooner than she''d expected, she had phased through the barrier and blasted the double doors open, startling those inside. Dust was blasted across the room as Shion stood there at the entrance, breathing heavily.


    "AH! H-Hitomu-sama!" Yon-san exclaimed as her conversation with Lucia was interrupted. "Welcome back! I was just ready to inf- WAA!" Like a flash in the water, the queen launched herself on top of the fox maiden thoroughly surprising her and the cyromancer.


    "H-Hitomu-sama...? The maiden quietly asked as she was being pressed onto the ground with both her superior''s hands locking her arms into place upon the church tiles. "W-What''s wrong?"


    "T???s..."


    "...I''m sorry, what was that?"


    "Tails. I need the tails. I''m sorry."


    "W-Wawawawa!"


    Soon enough, Yon''s six tails were being taken by Shion. Her fluffy tuffs rubbed against her cheeks as she brushed against its softness. "H-Hitomu-sama... Hitomu-saaammaaaaa...!" The fox maiden couldn''t contain her reactions as Shion fluffed her. The feeling was complete bliss. A desire was being thoroughly filled within Shion as he nerves were being stimulated by the heavenly tuffs of ecstasy. The Queen''s fatigue was slowly fading as escaped sounds echoed throughout the church.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Shion''s nerves soon came to appeasement as she comes to realize that she felt re-energized. Each sniff and brush granted her a feeling of a restness she hasn''t felt before. Her body was being rejuvenated by each fluff. The queen decided to do it more. Confused mutterings were heard as Shion saw Lucia dumbstruck by her actions. She couldn''t care less, she was too busy being in fluffy heaven.


    At the end of the exchange, Shion gave a sigh of relief as Yon-San laid upon the tiled floor, exhausted and unmoving. Stretching herself, the queen couldn''t have felt any better. However, something felt different. She looked at herself and found that she was covered in an ethereal hue. Her body was absorbing this seemingly abnormal energy. Her sights returned to what she thought was that cause, Yon''s tails. The maiden''s fluffy tendrils were considerably messy and less fluffy than before and with a lack of spiritual residue that Shion could see. The kitsune queen looked at her palms, slowly coming to a revelation of what this was.


    "[Clean]"


    Soon the residue transformed into a circle of light as Shion was engulfed in it, slowly cleansing every dirt and grime away from her body and most importantly, her tails.


    She pulled one of her own tails to examine it, then back at Yon again. "This... is MP. Oh, of course, mana is stored in the tails! I heard something like that before with kitsune!"


    "Ano..." Shion turned towards the mage which muttered that saying. Lucia was still standing in the same place Shion saw her previously. Notes were scattered on the ground as her expression showed signs of great "What was th-"


    "Don''t worry about it. It''s a kitsune thing. Mortals like yourself shouldn''t concern yourself with such matters." Shion countered before returning to her thoughts.


    It seems I''m able to absorb mana from other kitsune by fluffing their tails. This wasn''t a mechanic back in Yggdrasil, but lore-wise it makes sense. How... useful.


    Glancing a look back at Yon, Shion felt a tinge of regret. The maiden was totally unconscious due to the immense fluffing she endured. She was completely drained of her MP. A victim of circumstance.


    I suppose that also explains why I was so infatuated with tails. I was craving for mana. Yes, that''s it. There''s absolutely no other underlying motive whatsoever, I promise.


    "Anyways, we have adventurers investigating us." I turned to Cromwell. "One of my own are investigating them right now, but at this rate, our base will soon be discovered."


    "Ah... right. Other adventurers. I forgot about them." The girl spoke, mostly to herself.


    "Wait, you knew about them?"


    "Ah! S-Sorry! I forgot to mention, but when an adventurers group doesn''t return under a specific amount of time, the Adventurer''s Guild usually sends out a second group more capable than the last to make sure everything is alright. We''re just a scouting party after all."


    "Hah? So there are Adventurer''s Guilds? What next, a demon lord?" Shion gave a little chuckle to herself as she thought this. There were many stereotypes like that in the varied isekai novels she read. A Demon Lord. A fearsome being currently putting the world into peril. Typically be a group of adventurers from another world would be sent to defeat it. They would go on a long journey and discover new oddities. Then they would either return to their own world or start a new life in the world they''d fought for. That was how it usually went.


    "...You mean the Evil Deities?"


    Huh? Wait, those exist?!


    Quickly Shion retracted her statement and bowed a little. "Ahah, that was a joke. A tasteless one surely. My apologies. A disaster like that should never be joked upon." Shion replied.


    "Ah! Not really!" The mage reacted to the Queen''s apology with great squander. "I mean, they aren''t really here anymore, not for at least a century. Not since the 13 heroes defeated them all."


    Hah? This is news to me. Wait, a century? You mean I was late a hundred years to return home!?


    Shion was dumbstruck by the thought, being unable to return home because she was only a century late to the story. She then decided to ignore the matter entirely to reserve all thoughts of sanity. "...Right, anyways back to the matter at hand. Those adventurers, I need to convince them that everything here is fine and resolved. It would be more than troublesome to find out that a Kingdom is investigating us." Shion concluded.


    "How are you going to do that- uh... mistress?" Lucia inquired, obviously new to addressing her as such.


    "Just call me Hitomu-sama."


    "Right! How are you going to do that hitomu-sama?"


    "Ah..." the Queen''s ears flattened to her sides as she remained still. A hand was latched onto her chin as she thought.


    A disguise could work, but do I have any?


    Troubled thinking continued until she reached a conclusion.


    Oh right, kitsunes can transform! Kinda like doppelgangers. Although...


    There was another problem. While Shion had used this feature before, it wasn''t really all that useful in Yaggdrasil when players had multiple ways of uncovering your true form. Scrying spells, Truesight, and even certain magical weapons had the feature to revert you into your old form. How a player would accomplish a transformation was by selecting or pre-selecting a base form from a list of creatures they''ve encountered. Sometimes players made their own creations to transform into, the more complex it was, the more MP it cost. In the past, Yggdrasil was filled with all sorts of abominations players managed to brew when the feature was first released through the new doppelganger race. Limbs were extended for reach, multiple heads were added for more view, even bone structures and hitboxes were implemented horribly into the game''s main functions. The outcome was less than favorable, to say the least since all the forms they made were grotesque and terrifying, and some even were able to morph into copyrighted models which rose problems for the Yggdrasil''s developers. Ever since then they''ve added a limit to the number of changes to can make to the base form. It was a weird period. However...


    All of this was was done through a menu.


    Damn it.


    Shion knew she couldn''t just go out there in her normal form. If she did then it would probably end up the same gruesome way the first encounter happened. "Sigh... so troublesome. Hey Yon-san, could you explain-" the queen stopped speaking at the sight of her incapacitated body. "O-Oh... I-I''ll just call Ni-san then." She awkwardly averted her gaze, before raising 2 fingers to one of her ears.


    "[Message]"


    [Ah... mistress, you called?]


    "Yes, I need you to explain to me how you do transformations."


    [Ah... did something happen...?]


    "No, well... yes. You see, this world''s laws of morphing are much different than the world I''m used to. As a result, I am unable to figure out how to make do with disguises and transforming into a suitable form."


    [Oh... You just focus your MP and imagine the form you want to take...]


    "It''s that easy!?"


    [I... think so...]


    "Ah... right, thanks then."


    [Anytime mistress.]


    The call ended, allowing Shion to give her millionth sigh.


    "Is it really that easy?" The queen said to herself. She couldn''t say for sure, mostly because she hadn''t even tried transforming yet. Turning towards the cyromancer she instructed "Lucia-san. Wait outside for me. A teleportation rune is just outside since you cannot cross the barrier around this place.


    "T-Teleportation?!" The cyromancer''s eyes glinted in great interest as Shion mentioned this. "Can I examine the ley lines inscribed on it-"


    "Yes yes, go nuts. Just give me a moment to concentrate by myself."


    "R-Right!" Lucia fled the room, slamming the double doors behind her in great enthusiasm and glee.

 Im running out of titles

    The room became stilled. Dust settled as the sunlight peeked through the open shaft of the roof. Only Shion was there as moss still grappled onto the ruined walls of the church. She sighed. "Alright, let''s do this."


    Looking around, she could see, or rather, couldn''t see any mirrors or reflections around her. Only broken stained glass lined up against the side columns as the sounds of teleportation could be heard faintly outdoors. "Hmph, no mirrors. Let''s see if I have any..." Shion then started to dig around in her inventory. Rummaging for a bit, eventually, she pulled out what seemed to be a fairly sized golden crested mirror. Its reflection seemed almost too blurry, just a blue haze across the front reflection. Looking at it closer, she tried to examine what this object was. Then, a blinding flash gleamed from it, imprinting the dazzling lights into Shion''s retinas. "AH!" The kitsune rubbed her eyes. "The hell?"


    Looking at the device closer, she could almost remember its name. She then decided to raise her palm to cast "[Apprasial Magic Item]".


    [Pandora''s Mirror]: (Unique Relic, Quest Item) A mirror used by an emperor long ago. It''s use enabled centuries of rule and years of technological advancement of an empire before it''s inevitable downfall. It had the ability to put a curse on the capital that reversed left and right, ideas and ideologies for the entire city. This was how the old dynasty maintained it''s power by reversing the people''s thoughts of rebellion into thoughts of support.


    "AH!" Shion stepped back wildly, for she forgot how dangerous this item was. The mirror landed on the ground, facing downwards on the tiles below. Shion removed a bead of sweat from her face. The item in question was something she almost has forgotten about. It was a quest item. only used to complete a specific task before it was removed from the player''s inventory. Quests items like these were unable to be activated by normal circumstances on their own and had no other outside purpose rather than being a key item. The kitsune had forgotten about the quest and left it largely incompleted since. However...


    "That thing just activated... What the hell did it do?" Shion started to regret. Moments later she started to recall the lore given to her. "To reverse ideologies...? Was that like, reversing someone''s alignment?"


    The queen checked herself and her own train of thought. Nothing didn''t seem immediately out of place. "If my assumption is true, then I''m safe. I''m completely neutral in alignment after all. Whew, that was close..." A feeling of relief soothed her as she proceeded to pick up the mirror. It wasn''t damaged, not even a scratch. "...Well, it''s a magic item after all. Not the one I was looking for, however." She shrugged placed the item away, only to rummage through her inventory again. "...So much junk, ah! There it is."


    Slowly she pulled out a full mirror the size of her. It was a magic item she knew very well. "[Perfect Mirror]" It wasn''t just any mirror. The lore states that inside it is actually a perfect parallel dimension, and any force that would impact it would cancel out completely. In a sense, it was a perfect reflection that would never be broken. The large stand stood upright as a reflection revealed all of Shion, her body in full view. "Wah~ I''m so cute! And a lot shorter than I thought. Was my model always like this?"Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    She poked then pulled her cheeks to confirm. "Ow, it''s so real! Not even Yggdrasil had this much level of texture in their player models. It''s a little unsettling though..." Shion concluded to herself. Like much in many other games, there was a certain appeal for 2D styled characters and even 3D cartoonish models that realistic models simply couldn''t replicate. "It''s just as I thought, 2D is just better than real life people." A sigh resounded from her disappointment. "At least there''s this though!" Shion pulled one of her fluffy tails. "I doubt even the highest of Japan''s technological potential could replicate this level of fluff!" A fervor ignited in the kitsune as she proceeded to brush her tails, running her fingers through each tuff.


    "Haha... So fluffy~ Clean and luxuriously soft tails, all to myself. Still smells of tofu though... Ah! Right! My disguise!" She slapped both her cheeks, leaving a slight red imprint on them. "I can''t be distracted by such trivial matters. I am a queen, not a child!" Shion sterned herself. Glancing a look at Yon, the maiden was still unconscious. "Good, she didn''t see that. Now..." Placing her fingertips on the mirror, she closed her eyes, imagining herself in humanoid form. ".....Wait a minute, couldn''t I just transform into myself?" Shion asked herself. Of course, she was talking about her human self, HIS real life self.


    More beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as she thought about this. Then she started to laugh. "Pfft hahaha! Why the hell would I do that?! Go back to that feeble and weak form? How can I even consider that as an option?" The Queen concluded, bellowing another laugh before eventually having it fade into an inaudible silence. ".....I really should stop talking to myself."


    Then with a flick of her wrist, focusing on her MP, before she knew it her form was reduced to a simple girl. The same girl, without the ears and multiple tails. A tang of regret pierced Shion as she saw this. "M-My fluff... No! This is for a disguise! Contain yourself Shion!" The queen gave herself another stern saying as this continued. Looking back at the mirror, she could see herself with a dead expression on her face.


    "Why am I having so much trouble with this?"


    The entire day was filled with dilemmas and events. An encounter with a lich, then a tribe of wyvern riders, and now an adventurer group. This was already a long day for the kitsune queen. Suddenly a growl rumbled through her stomach, an etching pain she knew all too well of. "Urg... hungry. Yon-san, would you please- oh right uh. I keep forgetting." She deadpanned. With another sigh, Shion pulled another item in her inventory: [Ring of Sustenence]


    It was a common item for players to go out without food or drink for several days. However, Shion was the kind of person who was hesitant to use this due to her love of food and her single level in cooking. While Yggdrasil didn''t have the sense of taste, Shion really wanted to imagine tasting all the foods the game had to offer. She really believed at some point someone would allow making taste possible, by either through a World Class Item or simply a change in the federal laws that prevented this. In a sense, coming to this world was a blessing, but also a curse.


    "Urg... This will do then." She hesitantly equipped the ring on her ring finger. While the feeling of hunger still lingered, the pain was no more. "This... will suck ass," Shion stated. She was a woman of good food, and this was considered an unbearable torture she was putting herself though. Draining Yon of all her stamina had filled her with much regret. "Maybe those adventurers will have food." She could only hope. As Shion was about to leave, she glanced again back at Yon''s pitiful state and decided to pull a mattress out of her inventory. Placing the girl on the soft bedding, she left a little less guilty about the whole situation.