Chapter 3The Blessed Womb System

The fox did not die.

"Why did the Master bring someone back? Whoa, it's a fox fey!"

Honestly, death might have been preferable.

This was utterly humiliating.

Out of sheer terror, my fox ears and tail had popped out, and now I couldn't get them to go away. My hundred years of suave composure—gone. Wasted. Oh, why did I ever steal those stupid berries?

"What did he do to get caught by the Master himself?"

"Well, he is a fox fey. Look how handsome he is..."

"Shh... don't gossip about the Master. But yeah, he's really handsome."

My face was a mask of utter despair, but Pip was celebrating like it was New Year's.

"Host, seize this chance! This man is prime quality, top-tier! I never lie."

Thanks a lot. All I want is to live.

I trailed behind Kaelan, my feet dragging, until we arrived at... somewhere. He stopped, and I huddled in a corner like a frightened quail.

At this point, my fear was starting to subside. If you really thought about it, I was the one who got the short end of the stick here. Not that I'd ever dare say that out loud.

He let out a soft sigh, choosing his words carefully. "You don't need to be afraid. I just..."

Suddenly, his expression shifted.

A palpable wave of mana, laced with icy cold, pulsed from him, and the temperature in the room dropped several degrees. His brow furrowed as if he were fighting some immense pain.

Strangely, that same bizarre heat I'd felt in the frozen pool began to stir within me again.

I found myself pinned against the wall by Kaelan, his eyes clouded and unfocused.

Mine were too, apparently.

For some reason, his pale lips suddenly looked ridiculously inviting.

...

When I came to my senses again, I was tangled up with Kaelan, completely naked, my tail wrapped possessively around his waist as if it never wanted to let go.

Damn my weakness for beautiful men!

I gritted my teeth and tried to inch away. And then Kaelan woke up.

He must have been startled, because he jerked away instantly. I heard a sound escape my lips that I couldn't possibly describe.

For a moment, both of us were frozen in a state of mutual, flustered panic.

Finally, Kaelan hastily threw on his clothes and fled outside.

I let out a long, shaky breath and curled up on the bed, wishing the ground would swallow me whole. We hadn't even had a proper conversation, and we'd already explored each other... inside and out.

What kind of cursed fate was this?

Enough. Stop thinking about it.

After dressing, I cautiously stepped outside.

A sword shot out, its tip hovering inches from my throat.

I shrieked in terror. "Ah, don't kill me!"

The blade trembled. Then its owner grasped the sharp edge and pushed the hilt into my hands.

"I apologize," Kaelan said, his voice strained. "I was the one who wronged you. You can kill me or punish me as you see fit."

I just stared at him, dumbfounded.

Huh. Well, I guess that's the kind of integrity you'd expect from someone who forged a Sword Heart. He was certainly... fair.

But there was no way I was going to kill him. If I did, the entire world of mages would be after my hide. My life was more important. And besides, it's not like I didn't get anything out of it...

I lowered the sword and cleared my throat dramatically.

"Ahem. Well, I am a magnanimous fox. We'll just call it even."

"I'll be going now."

Time to run. Run fast.

"Wait," Kaelan said.