86 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

**Chapter 86: An Obsession with Freed Slaves** An unknown infectious disease, with neither name nor clear cause, had swept through Bestia. Those afflicted by this malady suffered from intense fevers and their skin turned a ghastly black. The speed of its spread was rapid, and its mortality rate high. Some succumbed merely a day after symptoms emerged. Crow-faced doctors, donning masks, could often be seen flitting in and out of houses, but their efforts were fruitless. Without a diagnosis, how could there be a cure? If there was any silver lining, it was that magical healing and priestly blessings could suppress the illness. However, that too only slowed the disease's progression, a complete cure was impossible. An edict declared that everyone should minimize outdoor activities until a solution was found. People locked themselves indoors, and not a soul dared step outside. The city came to a standstill almost overnight. The streets, devoid of life, felt eerie, akin to a ghost town. Most shops had closed their doors, including the beloved cat cafe. Even Nero had fallen ill, hanging between life and death. The owner longed to rush in and check on him personally, but... "Do you want to catch it too? Absolutely not," Seira insisted vehemently, leaving him no choice. He was confined at home, unable to move. “Master, could this be because of Rin?” “Well...” It was true. This was one of the major episodes that unfolded once Rin had become a Six-tailed fox. The epidemic, originating from rat-folk, had the streets teeming with crow-faced doctors akin to plague doctors of old. To the untrained eye, this resembled a medieval plague event, but in truth, it was anything but. This wasn't a disease. “It’s the Monk of Renunciation’s curse, a kind of hex.” Indeed. This was no plague; it was a curse caused by a hex. Far to the east, in the plains of despair, stood a solitary fortress, where five entities stood in opposition to Rin's liberation. Their leader was constant, while the remaining four were randomly selected three from three powerful youkai and one from the Zodiac guardians per trial. In other words, the emergence of this plague-like event signified the appearance of the Monk of Renunciation. He must have infiltrated Bestia and cursed the rat-folk with his sorcery. “He’s probably hiding somewhere in the city. Capture him, and this entire charade will vanish.” Finding the Monk to stop any further harm was the way to clear this trial. “But how am I supposed to find him?” “That’s your problem to solve, isn’t it?” “Hmph. If that’s how it is, let’s ask the Elder for help, Master.” Indeed. With Yuhwa’s clairvoyant abilities, locating him would be easy enough. But... “No, we won’t ask for help.” After all, this was Rin’s ordeal to overcome. Anything less would drastically diminish her contribution to overcoming it, especially if relying on Yuhwa’s heavenly sight. “So how do we find him?” “Rin will have to locate him.” “Rin? But she doesn’t even know where to start.” True enough. A fox’s hearing, smell, and sight may be extraordinary, but aimlessly searching a bustling metropolis hardly guaranteed success. Although Rin refused the Nine-tailed fox’s assistance, in this case, it was absolutely vital. “Might I ask for your cooperation, great Rin?” “Surely you don’t mean me, do you...?” “Yes, I do.” “Looks like you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m a Nine-tailed fox, not your servant.” “He’s right, Master. Rin's name belongs to Rin. Don’t just place it on someone else. It feels wrong.” Fifteen tails thrashed back and forth in disagreement from both the Nine-tailed fox and the apprentice Nine-tailed fox. Witnessing it all makes one’s head spin. Yet what's not possible, isn’t. “Regardless, the fact that you’re within Rin’s body means you’re under my binding influence, doesn’t it? Hence, you’re under my command.” “What kind of nonsensical logic is that...?” “Cooperate willingly before I summon an exorcist to expel you. Either leave or comply.” The great Rin seemed struck dumb by this blunt dismissal, her mouth agape. The shock of being dismissed as a mere imp was monumental for such a revered fox deity and king of spirits. Rest assured, I treat all my servants well. I’ll grant you your freedom too, so let’s just cooperate, shall we? The great Rin folded her arms and turned her head with a huff. “Even if I wanted to cooperate, I’m merely an embodiment of thought right now, incapable of exercising any power. Don’t expect too much.” “Of course, there’s no need to worry about that. All I ask is that you play the role of Rin’s mentor.” “I thought the Ten-tailed fox was supposed to handle that. Why would you need me?” “You’re fully aware that's not the case.” Yuhwa teaches Rin the fundamentals of fox magic, but not the skills optimal for a Nine-tailed fox. In simple terms, I want her to impart Nine-tailed fox exclusive techniques to Rin. Specifically, what I seek from the great Rin is this: “Teach Rin how to use those eyes.” Not sorcery, but the technique involving her eyes. The golden pupils’ Sunshadow Eyes. The blue pupils’ Moonshadow Eyes. If the Ten-tailed fox possesses clairvoyance, the Nine-tailed fox's Sunshadow and Moonshadow eyes are a power equally critical for bending fate. She recently glimpsed a fragment of this power in White Cloud Valley. While locating the Monk of Renunciation, it would also be pivotal to teach her fox techniques. While the younger Rin tilted her head in confusion, the great Rin's expression darkened. “How do you know about that?” “The Ten-tailed fox mentioned it,” I replied. “The Ten-tailed fox only barely grasps my eyes’ potential; only I know them vividly. But you seem alarmingly informed, as if you know everything, don’t you?” “You misunderstand. I’ve never encountered a Nine-tailed fox. I merely know there’s a power to bend fate.” “...” The great Rin gazed at me skeptically, hesitant to drop her suspicion. I wondered if perhaps I had been too direct; however, there wasn’t another opportune moment. From the Monk of Renunciation onward, spirits under the commands of the entities would converge, and, should we repel them all, Heaven would intervene directly. Time was pressing. Rin needed to acquire new skills without delay. “Wouldn’t it benefit you too if Rin matured into a proper Nine-tailed fox?” “That’s true, but...” Why such hesitation? You too have something you desire, don’t you? "I know what you're aiming for." "Well, if you're truly against it, then there's nothing more to be done. You'll just have to suffer divine punishment and get sealed again..." "Fine, I'll teach her! Happy now? But please, don't use that name, Rin, for me." "Fair enough. I should not force someone if they truly object." That's right. I'm a kind master. I never force my servants. Never. --- The Nine-tailed fox finally agreed to teach Rin how to use her fox techniques. Though he put up a front with Karami, he'd intended to teach her from the start. As Rin grew stronger and closer to becoming a full Nine-tailed fox, it brought him closer to his own objectives. Karami’s forwardness merely caught him off guard, causing the momentary hesitation. "Show me your fox orb." Rin took out her orb. Its once pink shade now had new hues, spreading like watercolor paint. Half of the orb glowed with a warm golden light. "You've absorbed the Sunshadow Eye power, which enhances your right eye. Have you used these eyes before?" "Other than when I’m asleep, I’m using them all the time." "Seems you’re not aware of their true potential. Let me explain what each eye is for." The Nine-tailed fox gestured toward Karami. "I'll start with the Sunshadow Eye's primary ability. Close your left eye and focus on your master." Rin winked, closing the eye that mirrored the evening sky, and focused on Karami. As Karami waved, Rin smiled back and waved in return. "Leave the playing aside, concentrate, and channel your yokai energies into your right eye." Channeling yokai energy was no longer a challenge for Rin. As she harnessed the energy stored in her wielder’s core, it coursed through her optical nerves and into her eye. A burning sensation flared in her right eye, and her vision brightened. Like sunlight piercing through darkness, the Sunshadow Eye began revealing elements usually hidden. "What do you see?" "...I'm not sure how to describe it. There are fragments floating around." It was as if she was looking into a kaleidoscope, with fragments each casting their unique colors revolving around Karami. "Those are fragments of destiny you're seeing. You can glimpse possible fates for that individual. Quite numerous, aren’t they? Normally there's only a few." "Is it because of Rin's presence?" "Exactly. The distortion of fate increases the possibilities exponentially, making it unpredictable which future will prevail." Being in the company of a Nine-tailed fox results in numerous mishaps and chaotic energies bending fate itself. Karami, being intricately connected with the Nine-tailed fox, had hundreds of these fragments, their colors as diverse as the spectrum. Some fragments are monochrome, while others are multicolored like a palette of paints. Most are of the latter variety. "Doesn't that make it pointless?" With so many possible futures, the significance of seeing destiny wanes. It’s more like a diluted version of clairvoyance. "You're right. For now, it holds little value. The Sunshadow and Moonshadow Eyes are a set; both are needed to fully harness their potential, and you only have the Sunshadow Eye." "Where’s the Moonshadow Eye then?" "Amho." "Rin is the most beautiful in the world?" "Not Rin, the Nine-tailed fox. These aren't idle words, but the keywords of a fox sage—trust me, little one." Rin was oblivious to who Amho might be or her significance. Yet, merely uttering her name, the Nine-tailed fox's emotions seeped in, tinged with a growing resentment even Rin, unaware, could sense. At that moment, Karami, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t hold back his curiosity and chimed in. "So you're not denying you're the most beautiful?" Both foxes blinked in surprise and glanced at Karami. Their heads tilted slightly, as if perplexed by the question's simplicity. "Of course the Nine-tailed fox is the most beautiful in the world." "Of course the Nine-tailed fox is the most beautiful in the world." Karami decided it'd be best to stay silent for now. Rin, feeling the strain on her eyes from continuously observing fate's fragments, released her technique. She rubbed her tired eyes and blinked away the fatigue. "But how do we find the Monk of Renunciation with this?" The Nine-tailed fox shrugged. "It's simple. You spy on the threads of fate and backtrack the hex."