The fox’s fur begins to burn. Her white fur scatters like ash as she screams in pain.

*Keekk!*

She had lost her advantage.

With a yelping sound, the fox hopped around, struggling to charge her mana into her tail, desperately trying to release her power.

*Heh... heh heh...*

The accumulated magic flowed and spread. Saliva dripped from her mouth as she panted heavily.

*Thud.*

*Hoo hoo hoo...*

The young dragon grinned in a devilish way, while the fox, who had been panting and shivering, growled.

*Th... this is real...!!*

Her cheeks flushed red as she wiped away the tears that had accumulated.

With great effort, the fox pushed her fallen body upright and began to shake off the remaining residue.

She bared her fangs, glaring down at the young dragon beneath her.

Her claws extended, and her eyes glowed with a vicious light, her pupils split into two. Her nine tails began to lash out, releasing magic. The power wasn’t quite like true magic, but it wasn’t weak enough to dismiss as a trick.

Her true form emerged as she revealed her full strength.

*How dare you... how dare you play with a nine-tailed fox like this?!*

Her cold, biting words cut through the air, filling it with a heavy tension.

The fox had originally intended to mock the dragon, but seeing the dragon’s defiance, she saw no reason to hold back anymore.

*You wanted to play nice, but now you're asking for the end, huh?*

The fox continued to taunt, her words filled with venom.

She didn’t mean to degrade him, just to draw the line of power between them.

*Heh heh. Let's see who's the dominant one here. You, little lizard.*

*...So be it.*

The dragon’s voice was cold and unnatural, but the tone made the fox falter.

While jealousy still burned in her chest, the dragon wasn’t backing down.

The dragon loved her father more than a fox ever could. There was no reason to retreat.

*Clash—!*

The beasts’ claws scraped the floor as they bared their teeth, driven by pure instinct to tear each other apart.

The fox’s poisoned gaze bore into the dragon, while the dragon opened its mouth to attack.

A rivalry like no other—these two beasts had no equal in their enmity.

*...Ha.*

It was a sight that the Gold Dragon could hardly bear to witness, yet she couldn't help but grin bitterly.

*Clap clap.*

In the distance, an elf, who had been cutting through monsters, applauded loudly.

The brisk wind that followed echoed through the dungeon, causing the two beasts to pause. The fox lowered her tail and glared, while the dragon took a step back, retracting its aggression.

*That’s enough, okay? We’re still in the dungeon. It’s fine to determine the hierarchy, but you two can settle that later when we’re outside, right?*

The elf’s voice cut through the tension, her calm demeanor clearing the air.

*And...*

The absolute law.

For a few seconds, the sound of the elf’s voice permeated the air, signaling her authority.

The elf’s words carried the weight of command.

*Master... no, the guild leader has issued a command. Fights between guild members are prohibited. If you want to settle your ranks, do it outside in private.*

Her words left no room for argument. The beasts, though strong, could not defy the command.

The elf had invoked the highest authority—the command was unassailable.

*...You were sent up here to prevent this from happening, weren’t you?*

---

***

The dragon had headed to the dungeon's lowest floor. A section filled only with weak monsters.

It was cramped for a lair.

The cave was too spacious to be a simple cavern.

*Whoosh—!!*

*Grahh!*

Looking up at the stone pillars, the muffled sounds of something crashing filled the area.

*Whoosh—!!*

Looking down, the golden flames of the monsters illuminated the darkness, glowing in hues of amber.

The ground, where scattered jewels shimmered, was bathed in a pale glow.

*Take this, you pests!*

*Keheee!*

Laughter rang out, blending with the cries of pain.

The fox, crossing her fingers, made the ground shake and collapse beneath them.

*Fox Flame.*

It wasn’t ordinary fire.

It was pure magic.

*Fire can’t cause this level of destruction...*

Even with advanced magic, regular flames couldn't create such a spectacle.

This was not mana—it was magic incarnate.

When the spirits of the sky were stirred, the winds would carry it, and a gust of force would slam down.

The fox, flicking her tail, created a magical flame that consumed everything in its path.

What would the dragon do?

Would it flap its wings gracefully, breathing fire into the sky?

No.

*Haa... haa...*

It was only concerned with stopping the fleeing minions, blocking them from escaping.

Even this, the dragon was struggling with.

The dragon exhaled a steady breath, limping and healing its wounds as it applied pressure to its bleeding leg.

Closing its eyes, it began chanting an incantation, imagining the formation of a spring and envisioning a water hole.

The small puddle, which the dragon had carefully visualized, began to grow roots that spread outward, bearing fruit.

Nature itself began to replenish the dragon’s vitality.

The wound healed, and the bleeding stopped as energy surged back into its body.

*Huh? Hah... hah... What am I doing?*

The dragon exhaled a sigh of relief.

*Puff. Puff...*

Meanwhile, in the distance, the fox was still laughing.

With a smug grin, the fox wiped away the injuries it had received, watching as fresh skin formed.

The fox disappeared into the air, vanishing from sight.

*Boom—!*

The explosion of golden smoke revealed the fox’s return.

*Heh...*

*Heh... heh?*

*Heh... ha ha!!*

The fox taunted the dragon loudly, mocking its pain.

The dragon, startled, clenched its fists in anger.

*I knew you were weak... but now I see you're nothing more than a third-rate creature...!!!*

The fox’s slender white tail wrapped around the dragon, lifting it into the air, holding it aloft.

*...*

*Ah, so you pretended to be all noble and proud, but now you’re calling the guild leader 'father,' huh? What kind of confidence did you have to challenge me like that?*

The fox laughed bitterly as her tails danced around, mocking the dragon.

*Heh!*

One of the tails wrapped around the dragon, pulling it through the dungeon, destroying the walls of the labyrinth and shifting the dungeon’s structure.

Eventually, the lowest floor transformed into a middle floor.

*What... What are you doing?!*

The dragon’s eyes narrowed, still recovering from the shock.

*We’ll finish this outside. There’s a limit to how far this game goes.*

The fox quickly darted toward a portal, laughing as she went.

Behind her, the elf followed, her movements graceful.

The dragon, caught in the chaos of the situation, shook its head in confusion.

---

***

The three heroes emerged from the chaotic lower dungeon to greet the guild leader.

*Hehe! We’re here!*

*We’ve arrived, Master.*

*...*

Unlike the two clean women, the small dragon, covered in dust and clinging to the fox’s side, appeared disheveled. 

The dragon, once so proud when entering the dungeon, now looked defeated.

Keyal's expression soured, and he turned his gaze away.

*Huh...? Why are you looking at me like that?*

*...You’re the most suspicious one.*

*Eh~ Suspicious? I didn’t do anything.*

The fox shot a sharp look at Keyal as she waved off the accusations.

*Then... why is Rivera here?*

*...I just took this little one out. We couldn’t let the dungeon break down, right?*

Keyal pointed to the defeated dragon, who had lost all confidence. The fox shrugged, as if it was none of her concern.

*You don’t trust me?*

The fox puffed out her cheeks, grinning mischievously.

*Heh! I personally saved your precious daughter and brought her back. If I hadn’t stepped in, she would’ve gone up to the 20th floor!*

*You should thank me! Thank me!*

The fox pounded her chest proudly.

*...Ha.*

Keyal sighed deeply and opened his arms. The fox immediately rushed to hug him.

...This little fox.

*Hehehe!! I did well, didn’t I?*

*...No.*

Keyal’s gaze shifted to Rivera, who was lying helplessly nearby.

*Give me Rivera. I want to take her with me.*

*What? That’s what this is about?*

The fox clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes.

The dragon shook itself off and stood up.

*Eleanor, could you bring me something to drink?*

Eleanor nodded silently and left her seat.

The fox, still fuming, stormed off toward the door.

*Hmm... now it’s just the two of us.*

A small, awkward space was created between Keyal and Rivera.

*...*

Keyal leaned back, trying to relax in his chair.

It was a posture that looked uncultured, but Rivera didn’t seem to mind. 

*What happened

?*

*...Nothing happened.*

Keyal smiled faintly as he asked Rivera, but she responded indifferently, offering no further explanation.

*...*

*...*

A brief silence hung between them.

Finally, Rivera spoke up.

*Dad... I did well, didn’t I?*

For the first time, she asked, seeking approval for her efforts.

*...*

She had worked hard for this moment, wanting to be acknowledged.

*I... I can be stronger than that fox, can’t I?*

Her voice was barely audible, filled with doubt and insecurity.

Rivera, who had been rejected for so long, finally asked the father who had given her the only place to stand.

*...Yes. Rivera will grow stronger.*

The response, filled with confidence, was enough to soothe the wounded heart of the young dragon.