Chapter 69

“How many times do I have to tell you that shape-shifting is the most basic skill for a true fox yokai!”

“I don’t know anything about that! I like things the way they are now!”

“It’s not about whether you like it or not!”

“I don’t know! I don’t know! I’d rather die than do it! Aaaah—”

Rin clasped her hands over her ears, covering her head as she squeezed her eyes shut, swaying back and forth and making noises to drown out Yuhwa’s voice.

“Master! The old hag keeps telling Rin to transform! Do you want to see that?”

“Maybe I do?”

“Then I’ll do it!”

Rin, who seemed ready to defy death rather than agree, immediately changed her mind at Karamir’s offhand comment.

Yuhwa closed her eyes and tilted her head back, as if holding back a spike in blood pressure.

“Master, why is the old hag so mad?”

“As people age, they tend to become sensitive over little things.”

Rin clicked her tongue, pitying Yuhwa.

“Master, Rin won’t turn out like that when she grows up.”

“Enough chatter. Focus!”

“Understood.”

Such insolence.

Yuhwa’s frustration boiled over; she wanted to thump Rin on the head, but the contract prevented even that small satisfaction.

Today’s lesson was shape-shifting, akin to the Polymorph spell in magic.

It’s a skill essential for a fox yokai to charm others into willingly offering everything they have, not just for fox yokai but for any attractive yokai.

“Like how I can appear this young.”

Yuhwa transformed, returning to the youthful appearance she had when she first met Karamir.

“This is a form of shape-shifting.”

“Woah?”

“No matter how Rin grows, if she wishes, she can maintain her current appearance.”

It’s a blessing anyone would covet—a beauty that lasts an eternity despite living a lifespan that feels endless.

To do that, however, one must progress step by step.

“May I ask a question?”

Karamir, who had been sipping tea alone while the two foxes trained, raised his hand.

“Go ahead.”

“Why does your way of speaking change?”

Yuhwa nodded. She had been waiting for this question and started her answer without hesitation, since it was all expected.

“Unity of mind and body. When one’s appearance changes, their demeanor should also adapt accordingly. If not, the effectiveness of the shape-shifting is greatly diminished.”

“It’s not a hobby, is it?”

“No.”

“Ah, so it’s just part of the concept. Got it.”

Karamir nodded as if he understood on his own. Yuhwa ignored him, knowing he wouldn’t listen anyway.

As for the shape-shifting Yuhwa was teaching Rin, transforming completely into something different from one’s original form was incredibly difficult. The closer the transformed form was to the caster’s soul and body, the higher the success rate.

The fox yokai are half-fox, half-human. Thus, the form easiest for Rin to transform into is that of a fox.

With a swish, Yuhwa somersaulted and transformed into a white fox midair. She exuded a mystical aura that would draw anyone in if they encountered her in the mountains.

“Now, give it a try. Imagine the form you want within the fox marble.”

Rin nodded, clutching her fox marble and concentrating. Her yokai energy flowed into the marble, which began to glow and envelop her.

When the light faded, Rin’s outline looked no different from before, except her hands and feet were now covered in pink fur.

“Ah! Rin’s become a furball!”

After a few attempts, Rin managed to learn shape-shifting, though not without some trial and error.

Now, a cute baby fox, Rin nestled into my clothes, wiggling until she poked her head out.

“Master, it’s really warm in here.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah. And it smells like you. Hehehe.”

Rin clearly didn’t intend to leave anytime soon. She was so content that it felt impossible to chase her away. I decided to consider it her reward for a job well done.

“Shall we stop by the cat café on the way?”

“Rin doesn’t like it there. Rin doesn’t like the cats.”

“Why?”

“Those cats keep clinging to you, rubbing their scent on you. Rin doesn’t like that.”

Foxes are territorial creatures too, I suppose. Maybe that’s why she’s wary of other animals’ scents. I wouldn’t be surprised if her habit of rubbing against me was her way of marking her territory.

While the cat café brings in a decent profit, it’s ultimately secondary. If Rin dislikes it, I can afford to tone it down.

“Understood. Then let’s skip it today and buy some meat on the way. We’ll get Seyra’s favorite skewers too.”

“Good!”

We stopped by the market to pick up dinner.

On the way back home, Rin, tired, fell asleep nestled inside my clothes, while I strolled quietly through the alley.

Seyra’s house is on the outskirts of the city. The area is sparsely populated, the facilities are rundown, and the safety isn’t great.

Seyra can handle herself just fine, but it’s not a place I’d recommend to anyone else.

I bring this up because anyone could become a target at any time.

“Well, look who it is. Isn’t it the famous cat café owner?”

A strange voice echoed through the empty alleyway.

Blocking my path was a one-eyed hyena, hunched over with hands in his pockets, swaggering as he approached.

I sensed movement behind me and turned to see several more hyenas had crept up, laughing and blocking my way.

Seyra had warned me about the hyenas, saying they were troublemakers who roamed the city and caused chaos like street cats. They were known as Scavengers.

She had often advised me to be cautious of Scavengers, as a human like me made an easy target.

“Well, what brings you to such a rundown place, Mr. Café Owner, carrying all these tasty treats?”

“A human, and with a red fox no less. It must be hard to find a place to stay. No wonder you ended up in a remote area like this.”

“That’s right, I forgot about that.” The one-eyed hyena, referred to as the leader, clapped his hands and chuckled as if he’d just realized something.

The laughter that had filled the alley gradually subsided. The hyena’s gaze stayed fixed on me, but it no longer felt friendly.

“So, how’s business been?”

“Not too bad, all things considered.”

“Wow, must be nice. I was starting to think all my cat friends had died from eating poison, but then I found out they’re working at your café. I was shocked!”

“They’re all working hard. I’m grateful for their effort.”

The hyena continued talking as if we were old friends.

“So, any chance you’d hire us Scavengers?”

“Unfortunately, I’m fully staffed.”

“Who said anything about working as employees? Everyone has a role they’re suited for.”

The hyena finally dropped the pretense. His intentions were as clear as day.

“Let’s cut to the chase. What do you want?”@@novelbin@@

“Now that’s what I like about you, Mr. Café Owner. Straight to the point. How about this? We’ll protect your café. I hear there’s trouble with the dog clan lately? We’ll chase them all away. We don’t like them either.”

Hyenas may look like this, but they’re actually more closely related to cats than dogs. They’re more like big cats than anything else.

It all sounds good in theory.

“What’s the price?”

“Just give us half the profits. It’s a fair deal, right? Don’t you agree, boys?”

The hyenas cackled amongst themselves.

Half of my profits? Ridiculous.

“For that price, I could hire trained security guards. Why would I need Scavengers?”

“Hmph, I’m trying to be nice here. A merchant’s most valuable trait is his intuition, but it seems you’re lacking in that department. Don’t you want to stay in business around here?”

The hyena licked his claws, a clear signal to get the hint.

“Understood. I may have missed the mark.”

“See? Good thing you came to your senses.”

“There’s actually a role that fits hyenas perfectly. I must have forgotten.”

Suddenly, I knew exactly what task suited hyenas.

“You’d be perfect for handling food waste. Since it’ll cover your meals, I won’t need to pay you anything.”

“What did you just say?”

The hyena’s forced smile twisted into a scowl.

He was trying to be threatening, but it wasn’t very intimidating. Though he looked tough, his body was scrawny compared to his frame.

His ribs showed, and all I felt was pity.

“Unfortunately, I don’t enslave males. Are there any female hyenas available? I’d be willing to pay a finder’s fee if you can recommend one to handle food waste at my café.”

The hyena’s shoulders trembled with rage, steam practically rising from his head.

“You must be out of your mind. You think just because you’ve made some money, you’re untouchable? You think the city guards will protect you in a place like this?”

The hyena glanced around.

“Looks like you didn’t bring your red fox today. I didn’t want to deal with the bad luck, but today’s my lucky day.”

Seeing no trace of the red fox, the hyena’s grin widened. His rotten fangs bared as he advanced on me, threateningly.

At the brink of confrontation, Rin poked her head out.

“Master, there’s a stinky smell here.”

“A—a red fox?”

“Master, who are these speckled people?”

“They’re trying to steal your dinner.”

“What?! Who dares take Rin’s food!”

Rin leaped from my embrace, landing in a hero pose.

“Not even Master is allowed to steal Rin’s food!”

She charged at the Scavengers, who scrambled in panic.

The alley echoed with their anguished cries.

After easily dealing with the Scavengers, we returned home safely.

While Seyra prepared dinner, I sat Rin on my lap, now back in her human form.

“This is the perfect time.”

I’d been mulling over this ever since I learned that freeing a slave is practically unheard of.

One day, I would have to free Rin and leave Bestia. But I feared a future where setting her free would somehow hold me back.

“Rin, slavery is a bad thing.”

“Slavery?”

So I decided to educate her. Well, that sounds misleading. Let’s call it instilling proper values.

I wanted to teach Rin that slavery is bad and freedom is good. She’s still young and hasn’t fully formed a sense of right and wrong.

It’s important for me to guide her towards normal values so she doesn’t end up like those weird beastfolk.

“For now, you’re my slave, right? Slaves are seen as lowly beings, mistreated and looked down upon by others.”

“But you’re not like that.”

“Well, that’s because I’m a kind slave trader. Not everyone is like me. Remember the hyenas from earlier.”

Using the hyenas as an example, Rin seemed to understand and nodded.

“On the other hand, freedom is the ability to be free from all that. It’s a wonderful thing.”

“Hm?”

“My goal is to free you, to let you be free. Freedom isn’t abandonment. It’s liberation. Do you understand?”

“I completely understand!”

That’s what she says whenever she doesn’t understand.

But that’s fine. If I keep telling her, the idea that freedom is a good thing will take root in her mind.

“So when the time comes, you won’t hold a grudge against me, right?”