"Geeeek... Geeeeeek..."

The might of a divine beast is no joke.

I crouched in the corner, wiping my tears.

“…Don’t take it too seriously, that old hag was just checking if she played a trick on you.”

"Gek?"

Baek Rang came over with a pitiful look on his face.

Well, it was you who seemed most excited.

Still, I decided to listen to what he had to say.

“Even a fox that’s trained for a hundred years can use all kinds of spells, so imagine what that old hag, who’s lived ten times that long, could do. She could have ensnared you with her charm without you even realizing it.”

At first, I thought she was just messing with me, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Since I met Tianhu, it made sense that she might have checked my condition just to be sure.

After all, if Tianhu cast a spell of seduction, I wouldn’t have known about it on my own.

"Gekgek."

Yeah.

I, being the lenient one, would let it slide just this once.

I gathered up the scattered Yonglin (Dragon Scale).

“…And it’s your fault, too. How could you stay there for so long without saying anything? Do you know how worried I was? If the Shin-nyeo hadn’t told me, I would’ve charged into the snowy mountain right away.”

Baek Rang’s tail swayed slowly.

When I stared at him, he realized something was wrong and quickly corrected himself.

“W-well… Chillang! Chillang was about to charge into the snowy mountain, but me, I don’t care if you come or not…”

Baek Rang turned his head sharply.

“Awwng?”

Chillang just tilted his head, muttering nonsense.

“…The Shin-nyeo knows exactly what you’re up to. Seems like she’s not just some random Shin-nyeo.”

Baek Rang quickly changed the subject.

I could easily pick apart his words for leverage, but I’m not the same person I used to be.

“Cough, cough! What I wanted to say is... I also saw the Fox Bead hidden in your fur.”

Wooowww.

The Fox Bead trembled lightly.

Yeah.

It’s likely that Baek Rang knows a lot about the Fox Bead.

After all, calling Tianhu an “old hag” means they must have some prior acquaintance.

And since they’re both from the same species, he’d probably have relevant knowledge.

“…You know, you really have a face that’s thinking something disrespectful.”

"Gek!"

“I know a bit. The Fox Bead is a type of artifact that’s formed when a fox trains for a long time.”

I already knew that much.

“It’s not just an ordinary artifact. In some ways, you could even say it’s the fox itself. After it becomes a spirit beast, it grows alongside the fox.”

The fox itself?

“Even if the fox dies… its soul is said to inhabit the Fox Bead. I’ve heard this myself, and that’s probably why that old hag is trying to take the Fox Bead of a fox that’s lost its master.”

Wooowww.

So, does this mean the Fox Bead isn’t just an artifact but is actually the fox itself?

“Basically, don’t treat it like just an artifact. Take good care of it. Who knows? It might come back later as a nine-tailed fox.”

"Gekgek!"

I didn’t particularly hope for that, but it wouldn’t hurt to treat it well.

I wouldn’t treat it badly just because it’s an artifact, though.

“If such a spirit beast comes, it’ll be quite a force… Why are you grinning?”

When did I?

Smack!

Baek Rang lightly slapped me with his front paw.

“Ugh, even though it’s been a while, you’re still the same. But still, it wouldn’t be much of a force right now. The power itself is artifact-level, but it seems exhausted. Even if it gathers strength, it can only do so for a short time.”

So it’s got good potential, but its energy is low?

Got it.

“…You understand, right?”

"Gekgek."

Of course.

“Hmmm... Well, I’m still a bit unsure, but let’s move on. Now, I’ll tell you what happened while you were gone.”

Chzzzzz.

The ground where Baek Rang’s paw touched instantly froze.

“My cold aura has strengthened. It’s probably thanks to you conquering the snowy mountain. Thanks.”

I could definitely feel that Baek Rang’s power had increased.

With this level of power, he could probably land a solid hit on the Red Dragon.

It might not be as strong as taking the Bingjo's inner core, but the increase wasn’t insignificant.

“Also, the other guys are responding to the cold.”

Religion?

Isn’t that just an experience-storing method?

I briefly thought about it.

…Actually, even just storing experience is impressive, but now it seems like Baek Rang is properly tapping into the power of his faith.

The fact that my followers are responding to the cold is an enormous benefit.

Of course, Tus and Pus wouldn’t be immediately shooting ice or anything, but the potential is there.

They could evolve into high-level spirit beasts that control ice.

I looked over at Tus and Pus.

They were playing with Tang So-Yeong near my tail.

“Can they really control ice? What does that even mean?”

Tang So-Yeong was talking to the spiders as naturally as ever.

Honestly, if I had to pick the most unusual of my followers, it would probably be her.

Though she’s human, she’s never had any rejection toward spirit beasts and can communicate well with them.

At first, I thought she was just another person interested in the industry, unlike the rest of us, but it seems like there’s more to her.

Although she was raised in Dang-ga, her abilities were a bit beyond basic understanding.

What kind of human could touch my body and peer into my thoughts?

“Kilorororo!”

“Kishishishishi!”

What are they doing?

I raised my tail to check on what Tus and Pus were up to.

Tang So-Yeong had become ice-cold.

Why is she frozen?

“…Kiooong?”

Tus and Pus seemed to realize something was wrong.

They moved their short arms, and frost formed around them.

“Kiooong!”

“Gek!”

Baek Rang, do you see this?

My followers are using cold powers!

“…No, they’re frozen.”

"Gek."

It’s fine.

Once the Red Dragon comes back, he’ll melt them...

...Wait, he hasn’t come back yet?

What’s taking him so long?

Did he find a lava spring or something?

I don’t feel like it, but I guess I’ll have to tolerate this Tang thing for now.

*

“Oh my… What is going on here?”

There was an unsettling energy surrounding the volcano.

Liza Moohun, a dragonkin with power rivaling that of the sect leader of the volcano, stood nearby.

Around her, several swordsmen were stationed.

They hadn’t drawn their blades yet, but they were ready to respond to her at any moment.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Swallow.

At her words, everyone swallowed nervously.

The dragonkin standing in front of them was someone who was as strong as the leader of the Volcano Sect.

If she unleashed her full power, it was clear that this area would turn to ashes, regardless of the outcome.

“Red Dragon. No matter how free-spirited you are as a spirit beast, I trust you haven’t forgotten your purpose.”

The Red Dragon’s brows twitched.

The man who walked over.

Just by walking, one could feel the overwhelming energy emanating from him.

His long black hair had no gray strands.

Though his middle-aged wrinkles were visible, that was about it.

His gaze was no different from a young man in his prime, yet it held depths that were anything but shallow.

The Volcano Sect leader, Akbulhwi.

“…Explain the situation. Quickly.”

“Don’t you understand that my letting you roam freely, without being tied to rules, is my consideration for you?”

“Consideration? Ha, I know well enough.”

The Red Dragon laughed, as if it were absurd.

“You want to use my power. Isn’t that the bare minimum condition you’ve offered me?”

The Red Dragon was strong.

Moreover, he possessed the strength of a mid-level dragonkin.

“How arrogant. You want to use my power, huh? Your mere existence has certainly been a form of deterrence, without a doubt.”

A dragonkin who freely wielded flames entered the Volcano Sect.

Her power was nearly on par with the sect leader.

Putting aside the truth, the ripple effect of such a story was immense.

“I’ve allowed you to use the Volcano Sect’s treasures as you please, and acted according to your whims without listening to my commands. I tolerated everything.”

Though the Red Dragon had caused some damage, the benefits she had brought far outweighed them.

“I had planned to carry this all the way through, but to think such an existence would betray the Volcano Sect and side with the Demon Sect.”

Akbulhwi said calmly.

“What?”

“Red Dragon, Liza Moohun. I’ve received intelligence that you are in league with the Demon Sect.”

In league with the Demon Sect.

As soon as the Red Dragon heard those words, he understood how this situation had been set up.

It was a trap by Akbulhwi.

It was true that she had unofficially visited Shibmandae Mountain, and it was also true that she had met Baek Yeon-yeong.

The circumstances seemed to support her betrayal, but the sect leader knew the truth.

Even so, saying such words pointed to only one thing.

Betrayal.

“…So, this is how it is?”

Fwoosh.

Chwaang!

As she conjured flames, the swordsmen drew their blades.

Though the sect leader was beside them, the unease in their eyes didn’t disappear.

“So… What exactly do you intend to do with me now?”

With the sect leader’s presence, their victory seemed almost certain.

But how many would have to sacrifice? No one could guess.

Her power was fire, the flames capable of burning everything to ashes.

“Akbulhwi. Is this your choice? Is this all you’ve done to try and capture me?”

“How dare you speak to the Sect Leader like that!”

One of the swordsmen shouted with a trembling voice.

The Red Dragon didn’t even look at him.

“I don’t understand. What’s the benefit of doing this? What did you gain from all of this?”

Logically, it didn’t make sense.

To covet the inner core of the Bingjo? That was just too unnatural.

There had to have been another way. Why do it like this? It seemed like a protest, if anything.

Or maybe a warning.

“Give me the information on Shibmandae Mountain, and the location of the ancient death with a tail.”

“What?”

“I don’t need to kill you. There’s value in keeping you alive. If you want to live, then cooperate in killing Gomodo.”

The Red Dragon’s mind spun rapidly.

Why was the name Gomodo coming up here?

“We will kill Gomodo and destroy the Demon Sect.”

“Shut up before I tear your mouth apart.”

The Red Dragon’s flames flared up.

Akbulhwi placed his hand on his sword, wordlessly.

It was a situation on the brink of explosion.

Then, a voice, strangely nonchalant and almost mocking, rang out.

“Oh my, the atmosphere is already heating up, isn’t it?”

Akbulhwi sighed, and the Red Dragon turned to look at the man who entered.

“…Nam Gungyeon.”

An enigmatic human whose true identity was unknown.

If it were any other person, the Red Dragon would have swept them away in an instant.

But this man was an exception.

He wasn’t someone who would come here without a purpose, nor was he the type to throw his life away on such thin ice.

It was clear that he had prepared some sort of plan.

“Red Dragon, how long has it been? Did you receive the letter I sent?”

Nam Gungyeon gave a slight smile.

The Red Dragon realized who had orchestrated this.

The one who had sent him the letter and led him to Shibmandae Mountain.

And someone who was connected to Akbulhwi.

“You…”

“Oh dear, such a scared look on your face.”

Nam Gungyeon chuckled while smiling.

“So from the start, he was the one behind this. You led me to Shibmandae Mountain to cause this confrontation.”

“Think what you like.”

The Red Dragon let out a long sigh.

“…So, is that it?”

His eyes blazed with fire.

“How dare you…”

The intensity of the flame reached its peak.

“Irihwa.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the Red Dragon’s gathered energy began to unravel.

“The Dangga asked me for a favor and gave me something precious. What was it called again? Oh right, Go (蠱).”

Whether or not those words were true, he didn’t know.

“I don’t understand why those people make us do things twice, but… I was compensated well, so I shouldn’t complain. Our Red Dragon here hasn’t said a word, though.”

But one thing was clear: the life and death of Irihwa were now in their hands.

Before meeting Gomodo, Irihwa had been his only family and friend.

She alone understood him.

He had been naive.

No, her judgment had been entirely natural.

She never intended to betray the Volcano Sect, and she hadn’t expected them to act like this.

If there was a mistake on the Red Dragon’s part, it was that he didn’t anticipate Nam Gungyeon’s involvement.

“Do you happen to know about Dangga? Unlike the Go from the legend who controls puppets, I can make poison that can explode whenever I want.”

Nam Gungyeon smiled insidiously.

“The pain of your intestines tearing and your skin burning will torment her for what feels like an eternity. She’ll beg for death.”

He exaggerated with hand gestures, listing the tortures Irihwa would suffer.

“Can you believe I got this rare poison just for killing a second-rate warrior? They say she’s a talent who will one day reach divine loyalty… I don’t understand why you’re killing such a valuable talent.”

He chuckled, saying absurd things.

“I’ve said enough. Now, make your choice.”

The Red Dragon wanted to burn Nam Gungyeon alive right now.

Crunch.

He bit down on his lips so hard that blood began to flow.

But she, in her current state, couldn’t do anything.

“Will you betray him, or let your sister die?”

The cruel, cowardly choice was all that remained.