novelRain and the Fox (1)
| ← Ch.088 | Ch.090 → |
When the gate was connected, it meant that Jormungand's main troops could hit Earth at any time. Fortunately, the gate appeared to be on the African continent. Kang Shin-hyuk wanted to ask what the connection was between that and Shin Eunah's hairpin vibrating, but Eunah nodded as if she understood everything.
"It's dangerous, definitely."
"Well, I want to proceed with a massive search right now... if I exercised a huge force outside the gate, it would have a bad effect on this world."
Tsukuyo wondered for a moment, then smiled brightly and approached Kang Shin-hyuk.
"If the gate opens, you will know, so until then, is it okay to borrow your shoulders?"
"My shoulder?"
"Yes."
The moment Tsukuyo breathed out, something that looked like a small dog appeared where she was and landed on his shoulder. No, if one were to look closely, it looked like a little fox. No, it really was a fox! Tsukuyo spoke up.
[It's annoying to keep my spiritual power invisible to others. If the quest can't be solved right away, it is better for me to stay in this form until an important moment arrives. ]
A human voice came out of the animal's mouth, causing him to flinch, but that voice probably couldn't be heard by anyone she didn't want.
"Like that..."
"Wow..."
Shin Eunah tried to regain her cool as she felt confused by Tsukuyo's actions. At this critical point, she knew better than anyone that there was nothing good about quarreling with her allies. However, she couldn't take it and ended up responding.
"Do you think it's different?"
Kang Shin-hyuk tilted his head, but the fox replied as she rubbed her face on his cheek.
[That's why you're a kid. Rather, from now on... ]
"What... ?"
[Would you like to hear more?]
"..."
He could see Shin Eunah's ears twitch. Kang Shin-hyuk sensed the energy mounting up and closed the fox's mouth.
"Don't say anything weird."
[Ooh, oooh. ]
Tsukuyo was happy to be in contact with Kang Shin-hyuk. Shin Eunah approached them, seeing Tsukuyo in that state.
"Junior, that fox and I, for a minute."
"No."
"Ooh..."
"Let's focus on the quest rather than that. Perhaps... it seems that Zeus and the executives of Jormungand are working together."
"... Huh."
Shin Eunah stiffened at the word quest. At that point, Tsukuyo escaped his hand and opened her mouth.
[Neither of you has to be too nervous. It's my job to deal with them. That's what dimensional quests are. It's difficult to solve with the power of the world alone, so a helper is called. ]
Kang Shin-hyuk had become very strong over the past year, and Shin Eunah's ability went without saying, but how strong was Tsukuyo, who treated their power so casually? He wanted to ask, but he remained patient. Shin Eunah was of the same mind... no, she just wanted to challenge Tsukuyo, but she endured it.
[So, until the gate opens, listen to me and enjoy refreshments in a quiet place, Anvil. ]
"No, I can't."
"Refreshment?... Not my grandma."
[I beg your pardon?!]
-Fox... 5HP bonus to the lightning fox!
"If it's something you like, give them more points."
That day in the lost continent began with an unexpected but strong reinforcement.
***
As long as their enemies realized that Kang Shin-hyuk was eavesdropping, it was right to discard all the information he had collected. Perhaps they had spilled the information of the plan in two days to trick them. Now that it was impossible to hide Onyx, Kang Shin-hyuk built a system to acquire information indirectly by spreading the sound collectors through the entire base camp instead. The sound collectors were equipped with a function to send the location information to Kang Shin-hyuk the moment it was destroyed.
[Anvil, you're also good with tricks. ]
"Is it alright for you to be here? Won't the enemy notice?"
[The moment the enemy detects me, I will also notice them. So you don't have to worry about it. ]
"... That's reassuring."
[Right? I'm so glad it's helpful to you. ]
Since then, he was faithful to his mission, to the point it seemed like he had completely forgotten about the conspiracies lurking under the surface. He diligently searched, handled the gates that could be dealt with, and fought against crowds of monsters in the evening. Tsukuyo was sitting still on his shoulder the entire time. As a result, it took little time to notice her presence.
"Hey, what is that little fox?"
"It was tamed."
"Wow, are you a tamer now? Cute!"
Most of the reactions to Tsukuyo were similar to that of Bridget Poulsen. However, since everyone knew how terrifying the Hell Spike Wyvern he had tamed was, they knew this fox wasn't ordinary.
"Does it breathe fire?"
"Keep working."
"Can it transform? Ouch!"
"Work."
In response to Bridget's needlessly pointed questions, Kang Shin-hyuk flicked her forehead. While most opinions of her were slightly inclined in a negative direction since she rarely fought, she was completely treated as an ally by the Korean superhumans now. Even Shin Eunah was forced to admit that she was helpful.
"Did I do well? Can we hold hands for a little bit?"
"Huh."
"Ah, I know that? Tsundere?"
"No."
"Oh, I can't stand this cold reply... ouch!"
It was also a great thing to be able to elicit such reactions from Shin Eunah, who had no real friends except for Claire and Kang Shin-hyuk for most of her life. Of course, he felt a little complicated about it, but he hoped the two could become good friends.
"You defeated an SS+ gate with the EU today?"
"It was an erosion type. It seemed there was no change in the surrounding environment."
"It seems that the UK has been slacking today."
"Brexit..."
"I'll cry."
"Ugh..."
Meanwhile, Eleanor, who was the core of their air force along with Hell, seemed interested in hearing about the British forces. She was deliberately trying to not pay attention to them after looking into their camp once before, but Kang Shin-hyuk understood her feelings.
"R, can we talk?"
"Huh?! Of course!"
Originally, this was the evening that Zeus would enact their plan. Kang Shin-hyuk waved for Eleanor to join him on the wall.
"You're in charge of the vigilance mission?"
"I applied since I've been active for the last few days."
The first day, there hadn't even been enough time for the blood on the ground to dry, but now everything felt neatly arranged. The number of those guarding the walls in the evening was reduced to a minimum, and the rest strove to explore the continent. As Kang Shin-hyuk patted the seat on the wall next to him, Eleanor approached and sat down with a faint smile. Tsukuyo groaned as if they were funny, but Eleanor wasn't aware of her.
"It looks clear."
"Now, all 3333 monsters around here have been cleaned up. How about from the air?"
"It's still far away."
"Sure..."
The territory that they had cleared was only a few kilometers in length, though each inch they took had been heavily contested by the monsters here. Moreover, the level of monsters appearing was now in the SS-rank, and sometimes the SS+ rank. That was still only a taste of what Africa had to offer, too. The problem was that despite most countries being aware of that, they were ignoring it.
"Eunah insists that we should focus on reducing the number of monsters rather than attacking the mainland. I think that's right too."
"..."
"I think Britain has a different idea."
Eleanor sighed and nodded.
"Because of Gibraltar... everyone is desperate."
"Is your family on this expedition... Is the royal family participating?"
"Mhm."
Eleanor nodded.
"There are a few more, but big brother and sister are the representatives. Both are high rankers."
"How old are they?"
"My brother is in his 30's, and my eldest sister is in her late 20's."
"Indeed."
"The person with the highest-ranking from Britain is Boyd Taylor, the current No. 11. Thanks to his ability, he married into royalty and was made a member of the family. He is also participating in this expedition."
Kang Shin-hyuk sighed as he learned more of the royal family's circumstances. He knew about Boyd Taylor, his name had popped up as the last top ranker selection, but he was too weak compared to the other competitors. Additionally, because of his age, his potential was low.
"Is that your big sister's fiancée?"
"My big sister has her eyes up high. She can't meet any man because she's competing for the throne with my big brother. And Boyd Taylor is too old."
No matter how high their ranking, you wouldn't want to marry a middle-aged person. However, for that reason, Kang Shin-hyuk started to worry a little that she would die old as a virgin.
"Woah, you're also a candidate."
Eleanor spoke quietly to Kang Shin-hyuk, who tilted his head.
"A candidate?"
"As my big sister's fiancée."
"???"
It was the first he heard of it. Tsukuyo's soft-looking fox tail wagged as she seemed interested as well.
"You're young, but a top ranker. More than anything else, you're dating a western woman similar to her in age."
"Are you comparing Claire to her simply because of that? It's a little unpleasant."
"Not me, but the royal family."
She explained further with her lips pouted.
"For the UK, who wants to attract a strong superhuman to the royal family, you are a coveted talent."
"They haven't even contacted me once, but they want that..."
"So, sooner or later..."
Eleanor hesitated briefly.
"They might contact you."
"Ah... Is that what you wanted to look into?"
"Yes."
Eleanor nodded nervously. However, he was confused. Why did the British royal family arrive at the point they might take him in as a son-in-law?
"I've no intention of responding to them."
"Really? Sister is pretty. She looks like me."
"Claire is prettier."
"..."
Eleanor seemed to be hit pretty hard by that. Eleanor had brought it up, but he felt considerably responsible.
"Eli is also pretty. You'll win Miss Shinyoung this year, for sure."
"Too late."
Contrary to what she said, she seemed to feel better. But it was then. Outside the wall, he saw something flying with a saddle. A woman with bright blonde hair that exuded a noble dignity. Eleanor cleared her throat.
"Little sister... ?"
"What? No way..."
-Kwooooong
A dull vibration resounded out, quieting him.
[It started. ]
Tsukuyo, who had been quiet until now, stretched herself out on his shoulder.
"It's a countercurrent! It's coming! Put the royal family in the middle!"
Eleanor stood up as people began to shout, and Kang Shin-hyuk quickly joined her.
The real trials of Africa were starting.
| ← Ch. 088 | Ch. 090 → |