Fox Sister

The tavern was filled with the rich aroma of braised pork, subtly teasing our noses.

For some reason, my younger sister had eaten more than usual, yet she still didn’t seem full and ordered more.

Though we weren’t short on money,

I noticed something off about her behavior and glanced at her sideways; our eyes met.

An inexplicable chill ran down my spine.

It was a gaze akin to a starving beast eyeing its prey.

But that eerie feeling lasted only an instant.

She soon broke into a bright smile, acting as if nothing happened, clinging onto my arm.

“Big sis, Big sis.”

With a coquettish tone, she whispered softly.

The fleeting unease vanished like a dream,

and there stood my dear, familiar younger sister once again.

Still, a vague sense of anxiety seeped into the depths of my heart.

Yet her warm body temperature and familiar scent wrapped around me, easing the discomfort.

“Why are you like this?”

I asked while gently stroking her hair.

Her eyes were so calm and clear that I began questioning if I had imagined things.

She leaned closer, smiling brightly.

The soft strands brushing against my cheek and her sweet fragrance tickled my heart.

“No reason, big sis. It’s just that I love you so much.”

Her clear gaze fixed on me,

and I relaxed, responding with a smile.

Just as we were about to leave the tavern, the innkeeper worriedly said,

“Will the two of you be alright? There have been frequent sightings of bandits around here lately.”

Though I felt his genuine concern,

we were in a hurry, and a few bandits weren’t much to worry about.

I smiled lightly and replied,

“We’ll be fine.”

Holding my sister’s hand, we stepped out.

Despite the warm sunlight of midday, a cold aura lingered somewhere.

My sister chattered cheerfully, holding my hand.

“Bandits or whatever, don’t worry. I’ll protect you, sis.”

Her words made me chuckle,

but her gaze felt slightly colder, hinting at something else.

“Great, little sis! You’re dependable!”

I answered in my brightest voice, gripping her hand as we walked.

Her hand was warm and soft, calming my heart once again.

As we entered the forest path, the dense trees blocked out the sunlight.

The trail grew darker, and shadowy figures flitted by vaguely.

A chill ran down my spine.

Suddenly, rough footsteps shattered the silence.

Fierce-looking men blocked our way, wielding swords and clubs.

Their sharp weapons gleamed menacingly.

“The leader bellowed in a gruff voice, ‘Hand over anything valuable, and we’ll spare your lives!'”

One of them snickered, examining us closely.

“Lookin’ pretty good. Can I have some fun, boss?”

The leader frowned sternly.

“We may be bandits, but we haven’t lost our humanity.

Ladies, just leave anything valuable and go before things get ugly.”

Though his voice was intimidating,

there was an effort to remain somewhat gentle.

I tightened my grip on my sister’s hand.

Her warmth remained, but I sensed an eagerness to pounce.

I recalled Master’s teachings.

“Injustice should be met calmly, yet firmly.”

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself.

Wanting to avoid unnecessary conflict, I spoke clearly.

“You call yourselves bandits, yet you steal from others. Aren’t you ashamed?”

With composed eyes, I scanned each one.

They remained hostile, showing no signs of backing down.

Just as I pondered avoiding a fight, something unbelievable happened.

The apparent leader suddenly collapsed after being stabbed by one of his own men.

The blade pierced deeply into his back, blood spurting out.

“Always pretending to be righteous is the problem.

That’s why you talk down to us like that.

If you’re gonna be a bandit, act like one. Pathetic.”

The knife-wielding man sneered.

The other bandits initially looked confused,

but soon began murmuring in agreement.

The armed man slowly approached us.

His eyes were sharp and greedy, like a famished beast.

“If you don’t want trouble, just come quietly.

Unlike the old man, I’m not kind.”

I realized talking wouldn’t work.

But before I could move, my sister acted first.

With lightning speed, she twisted his arm and threw him to the ground.

“Sis, can I eat them now?”

She asked with the same predatory gaze from when she devoured animal entrails.

I hesitated briefly.

I had strayed from Master’s teachings,

yet I didn’t believe they were wrong.

“To benefit all beings widely,”

so I wanted to help and benefit humans as much as possible.

But were these truly human?

Betraying their own comrades,

driven by greed, if they survived, they would surely harm others.

Perhaps even this thought was self-justification.

Trying to save them felt increasingly hypocritical.

So I asked her,

“Are you hungry?”

She nodded innocently like a child.

“Let them run, but feel free otherwise.”

At my words, she beamed.

In the next moment, the forest echoed with the bandits’ screams.

I decided my minimal penance was to witness this scene without fleeing.

In an instant, my sister tore through the attacking bandits.

Those who heeded my words and fled were spared,

but those who attacked didn’t survive.

Blood splattered everywhere.

The forest was filled with horrifying cries.

No trace of humanity remained.

The bandits became mere prey for my sister, devouring them with satisfaction.

I watched calmly.

Amidst the blood-soaked scene, she seemed like an innocent child.

Though I felt some pity for the bandits,

she appeared more like a beloved younger sister than a monster eating people.

Something inside me began breaking.

Suddenly, a clear bell-like sound rang through the forest.

At first, I thought it was an auditory hallucination,

but the sound resonated clearly.

Simultaneously, the bracelet given by the Mountain Lord on my wrist began vibrating faintly.

Instinctively sensing an unusual presence approaching,

soon, a massive figure emerged between the trees.

It was a tiger.

But this was no ordinary tiger.

Its size and presence were extraordinary,

emitting a powerful aura strong enough to perceive even without opening my spirit eyes.

The tiger slowly approached, emitting a voice like a woman’s.

“A monster eating humans, huh?

I can’t allow such existence to run rampant in my territory.

And yet, traveling with a priestess… quite intriguing.”

In an instant, the giant tiger disappeared,

and a woman stood before us.

She had snow-white hair and golden eyes,

which carried an indescribable majesty.

The woman took a step forward and suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Her touch was firm yet gentle, but strangely heavy.

“This… it’s one of my tail hairs…”

She muttered, staring at the bracelet I wore.

The peculiar pressure from her hand made my arm feel stiff as wood.

Her golden eyes pierced through me,

as if seeing through my inner thoughts, past, and every secret.

Paralyzed under her overwhelming gaze,

my sister lunged forward like a wild beast,

but froze solid the moment their eyes met.

The woman slowly released my wrist and curiously examined my sister.

Her gaze was sharp and investigative, like studying a fascinating object,

attempting to pierce through my sister’s very essence.

Confused yet maintaining composure, I stared back at the woman.

Her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful.

But the power emanating from her transcended simple strength,

feeling like the authority of nature itself.

“Who are you?”

I asked respectfully.

She smiled slightly and calmly replied,

“I am Horyeon, the lord of this mountain.

That bracelet you wear is made from my tail hair.

Thanks to it, I was able to detect this monster’s presence.

Transforming into human form is bothersome, though.”

Holding her arms across her chest,

she alternated her gaze between me and my sister, wearing a meaningful smile.

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