85 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

**Chapter 85: Obsession of the Freed Slaves** As one travels eastward through White Cloud Valley, vast plains stretch out, shrouded by a canopy of black clouds that blur the boundary between day and night. This region of unyielding darkness is known as the Plains of Despair, a place where yokai of all kinds roam the earth in hordes. Designated a high-risk zone off-limits by the nation of Bestia, even these yokai are hesitant to approach its center—a solitary, crumbling fortress. Once a proud city of the ancient Kingdom of Bestia, this place became a wasteland when overrun by yokai, now serving as a meeting ground for a few powerful yokai. Inside the fortress’s vast hall, an eternal flame flickers. Click-click-clack. A creature with a hundred legs, each moving as if possessing its own will, occupies a seat at the round table. Its inscrutable eyes half-closed, a black fedora atop its head, wearing a tuxedo, and holding a cane with appendages resembling hands—it is the centipede yokai, known as the Hundred-Legged Gentleman. “Well, it seems I’m a bit late. My apologies. It took a while to put on my shoes, you see.” Typically, yokai with a certain level of power retreat to their territories and rarely venture out. The Hundred-Legged Gentleman was no exception. Dwelling in an underground burrow and disinclined to surface, today marked an exception, summoned by whispers of the Nine-tale fox’s return. “Never did I dream the Nine-tale fox would awaken now. Isn’t that so?” “She must have been freed from her seal for some time now. It’s just that she’s recovered enough strength for us to sense her presence.” The one exchanging words with the Hundred-Legged Gentleman was a female yokai, her form that of a horse—a member of the Twelve Yokai, Wu. “Hohohoho, indeed! It’s only natural! If it’s the Nine-tale fox, then it should be so!” The robust, muscular figure, struggling even to cross his arms, bellowed heartily. A dokkaebi known as the King of Dokkaebi, Duoksini. Thrilled by the prospect of testing his strength against a powerful foe, Duoksini welcomed the return of the Nine-tale fox. “Where is the Nine-tale fox now? I must go meet her immediately!” Eager and excited like a child promised a trip to an amusement park, Duoksini beamed at Heukbi, awaiting an answer. Despite wearing an eye patch, Heukbi easily sensed Duoksini’s gaze, yet paid it no mind, savoring tea with a gentle sway of her black tail. “She’s in no shape to meet your expectations. In her current state, she’s no more than a Six-tale fox.” One of the three great foxes. The Thousand-Tale Fox, the Nine-tale fox, and the Dark Fox, Heukbi. The fox who reverses destinies. She could drag an emperor of an empire to ruin or elevate a beggar to the emperor's throne. A dangerous entity capable of flipping the fate of a prince and a pauper as if turning a hand. Once, as a twin pillar alongside the Nine-tale fox in the clan of foxes, Heukbi was also the clan’s infamous traitor, forsaking her kin. She sided with the skies, aiding in the hunt of the Nine-tale fox. Were it not for her, the world might already lie beneath the paws of the foxes. “Moreover, there’s no room to play with the Nine-tale fox. The mandate from the heavens is to eliminate her before she fully reclaims her power.” “Hmm.” The yokai’s reactions were mixed. Being yokai, they usually listen to no commands, following only their instincts. To follow orders runs contrary to their nature. Tasked with capturing a yokai like a comrade in the Nine-tale fox, it’s understandable there's hesitation. Wu of the Twelve Yokai inquired. “Isn't capturing the Nine-tale fox the role of the Thousand-Tale Fox? Why are heavenly commands delivered to yokai like us?” “That much I cannot say. Perhaps the Thousand-Tale Fox has forsaken the heavens.” “Hmm...” “Refusal is not an option. Should you defy, you’ll face the same punishment from the heavens as the Nine-tale fox.” Even yokai living as they pleased feared heavenly punishment. In that light, capturing the Nine-tale fox seemed the lesser evil. “Oh Dark Fox, might I undertake the task of removing the Nine-tale fox?” Stepping forward as the yokai hesitated was an old man with a staff. Though he wore a human guise, he too was a yokai—an apostate monk, a corrupted priest who devoured his fellows out of fear of death. “It’s beyond your ability. Even weakened, she remains the Nine-tale fox.” “I have a plan, so please...” “Hmm.” The apostate monk persistently pleaded, refusing to give up easily. The current Nine-tale fox is like a precarious little boat adrift on a vast sea. Without intervention, she’ll likely self-destruct from within, making waves unnecessary. In such strategic aspects, the apostate monk had proven talents; hence, it was a fitting choice. Heukbi pondered because she discerned the monk’s true intentions. An opportunity to deal with the notorious Nine-tale fox. His aim was to eliminate the weakened Nine-tale fox and monopolize her mystical power. After a momentary pause, Heukbi spoke. “Very well. I entrust this task to you.” The Nine-tale fox’s current state remained undisclosed. Sending the apostate monk as the advance party to gauge her strength seemed a viable approach. The apostate monk retreated with gratification. “I shall ensure no disappointment befalls you.” *** It was a night cloaked in deep darkness. The faint glow of magic stone streetlights illuminated the streets, and aside from a few nocturnal beastfolk beginning their activities, Bestia was serene. Tap. Tap. The staff tapped rhythmically on the ground. The apostate monk, successful in infiltrating the city, walked through its deserted streets. The Nine-tale fox was somewhere in this city. Why she mingles with humans remains a mystery. From what the apostate monk knew of her, she should have already been rampaging, devouring humans. If she were alone, finding her wouldn’t be straightforward, especially in a city where causing chaos would inevitably involve the beastfolk. ‘Perhaps I should deal with Bestia in the process.’ Thus, he considered that restricting the actions of the beastfolk would suffice. Eliminating the Nine-tale fox, dealing with the bothersome beastfolk—using wide-ranging curses recklessly would surely leave a trace. Instead, he would act quietly, nibbling away at the unseen cracks like a rat, so that by the time anyone noticed, it would be far too late. Fortunately, the apostate monk had just the right curse. He targeted a lone, unsuspecting rat beastfolk passing through a deserted alley and cast his spell. --- “Whew, I’m so drunk…” Vaylen, the deer beastfolk, wobbled unsteadily as he walked, swaying this way and that—he'd had way too much to drink. Yet, he couldn’t help it. No male could refuse drinks offered by the bunny girls of the Rabbit in the Moon, the finest tavern in Bestia. Anyone who could must surely not be a man or perhaps suffer from premature anxiety worse than a rabbit. “Ugh, I need to pee.” Facing a wall, Vaylen fumbled with his pants, soon followed by the sound of a vigorous stream. Relieving himself unabashedly. The release from his bladder was so refreshing that Vaylen couldn’t help but hum a little tune. “Pee it out, shake the snake~ Pee it out, shake the snake~” Finished with his business, Vaylen composed himself and was about to stagger off in the direction of his home. “Huh?” From across the narrow alley, a shadow was blocking his path. With round ears, it appeared to be a rat beastfolk. “Hey. Why’re you just standing there blocking the way? Move aside and let me through.” “…….” “Can’t you hear me?” No response. She merely stared blankly into space. Maybe she drank too? Or was she on something? What a way to ruin a good mood. Feeling annoyed, Vaylen deliberately shoved past the rat beastfolk’s shoulder as he walked by. --- The next day, in broad daylight. Vaylen trudged slowly forward, shoulders slumped. Despite the warm sunlight overhead, Vaylen’s steps were heavy, as if burdened, feeling like he might collapse with the slightest breeze. His complexion was ghostly pale as if he’d weathered a long illness, losing its natural color; dark circles ringed his eyes. Sweat dripped coldly down his cheeks, while his breath was ragged like a broken music box. It hardly looked like he was walking anymore; rather, his body seemed to be tipping forward by sheer inertia. His once-proud antlers seemed particularly lackluster today, and his gaunt appearance gave an impression of someone at death’s door. Passersby looked at him strangely, keeping their distance. “Hey, Vaylen. You okay? You don’t look good.” A beastfolk recognized him and approached with concern, but Vaylen showed no reaction. Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. He continued walking aimlessly. Then Vaylen’s body swayed dangerously. Thud. He finally collapsed to the ground. “Vaylen? Hey, Vaylen!” A man flipped Vaylen onto his back. His eyes had rolled back, and black veins stood out starkly beneath his skin. “What’s happening? Is he going to be okay? He’s not dead, is he?” “A doctor! Stop gawking and get a doctor now!” Amidst the chaos in the heart of the street, a crowd gathered around the scene. Thus began the outbreak.