TGHD Ch 1

It was a night when torrential rain lashed sharply.

Cheon Ryubeom wiped his face with his arm as he walked through the mountain, where he couldn’t see an inch ahead. However, his clothes were already soaked through, making the action meaningless.

The rain pouring down on the boundary between winter and spring was terribly cold.

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“How am I supposed to find anything in a place like this…?”

His muttering was drowned out by the thunder that rumbled just in time. Now there’s even thunder, Ryubeom thought with frustration, looking up at the sky before lowering his head again, beaten by the fierce rain.

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His movements were sluggish. His thick hoodie was drenched, making his body feel heavy, and his feet sank deeply into the muddy path. Struggling up the mountain, Ryubeom looked around.

In the pitch-black night devoid of moonlight, a faint golden hue flickered in his eyes. Though the eyes of a beast allowed him to see in the dark, it was impossible to see clearly through the pouring rain.

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He desperately wanted to return home, but there was a loud voice ringing in his ears. A voice louder and more lingering than the thunder crashing down now.

“Hunt down those insolent foxes!”

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The mountain Ryubeom was climbing was Gwanak Mountain. Not just any path, but Yeonggok Peak, a path that ordinary humans did not tread. The peak with a sacred valley. Here, there was a waterfall that replenished the spiritual energy of the beast-people, and on the trees near the valley, fruits with healing properties grew.

The master of Yeonggok Peak was a tiger.

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The tiger clan had generously allowed other species of beast-people to ascend Yeonggok Peak. During the day, various beast-people came to replenish their spiritual energy, and after sunset, the tigers managed the peak. For a long time, other clans gladly followed this rule and were grateful for the tiger clan’s generosity.

However, a problem had recently arisen in this once peaceful place. The fox clan had begun to frequent Yeonggok Peak even at night. The fewer people there are in the mountains, the purer the spiritual energy becomes, and the fox clan coveted the water and fruits that were more potent at night than during the day.

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Naturally, the tiger clan was furious. Despite their broad-mindedness and patience for a few days, the foxes eventually targeted the sacred flowers of Yeonggok Peak, which were personally nurtured by the tiger clan.

The Eongyahwa. The Eongyahwa, which bloomed once every three months, was a mystical flower visible only at night, filled with spiritual and healing energy. The elders, having discovered that the foxes had invaded the flowerbed meticulously tended by the clan, finally issued the order to ‘hunt down the foxes.’

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And that moment was now, during the torrential rain. The reasoning was that the foxes would act even more recklessly, believing that the tigers wouldn’t come out in such severe weather.

Rumble, boom!

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His vision flashed white and then returned to a chilling darkness. In the fierce and violent weather, Ryubeom glanced down the path but quickly shook his head vigorously.

“…If I fail at this too, I might really be expelled.”

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Today, Ryubeom had failed the clan’s regular test. While all his other cousins passed, Ryubeom received the lowest score and failed.

The cold stares of the elders and the sneers of his cousins were still vivid in his mind.

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His hand stung from the wounds he received during the test. Unable to treat them, he had come straight here, and the rain-soaked wounds throbbed, but Ryubeom paid no mind and reached out to push through the underbrush. The heavily rain-soaked foliage pushed back sluggishly.

All his cousins had come here together. He had to find the foxes before them to earn the adults’ recognition. This was his first time hunting, so it felt unfamiliar…

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‘Do you really think you can catch a fox?’

A sudden memory of a taunt came to mind. A voice full of mockery, eyes looking down on him with disdain. At the time, Ryubeom thought the remark was a caution about the foxes’ agility in escaping, but that wasn’t the intended meaning.

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‘You might end up being hunted by a fox instead.’

‘You’re the disgrace of the tiger clan.’

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Another cousin’s mocking laughter echoed in his ears. Ryubeom bit his lip hard. The reason his body was trembling was simply because he had been drenched by the rain for too long. That was all.

The elders had said that if the foxes resisted, it was acceptable to bring them back half-dead. Even though this was his first hunt, there was no way a fox could match a tiger. Moreover, since there was no condition to bring them back unharmed, there was even less to worry about.

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I have to find them first, no matter what.

Resolving this inwardly, Ryubeom quickened his pace. Amid the sound of the rain, he could clearly hear his other cousins running around. This realization made him even more anxious. Ryubeom focused his hearing and sight more intently.

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Foxes have small bodies, so they might use narrow paths. Also, since they are sensitive to signs, they might have noticed the tigers’ approach and hidden somewhere.

If the foxes were aiming for the mountain’s Eongyahwa today, it would be wise to check the escape route from that location. Since there are few places to hide near where the Eongyahwa blooms, it would be better to check a bit lower down. Animals instinctively seek dark and narrow places when they sense danger…

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Ryubeom moved, following his own reasoning. The tiger clan and the fox clan had a notoriously bad relationship, and talking about foxes was almost taboo, but he knew a few things about them.

However, finding a fox was not as easy as Ryubeom had hoped. The rain made it impossible to track footprints, and it was difficult to catch the foxes’ scent.

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He sniffed the air, but all he could smell was the rain.

“This isn’t good…”

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Ryubeom, anxiously running around, slipped in the muddy ground. Rolling down, thud! He barely managed to grab the ground to avoid falling off the cliff, but he couldn’t help but groan in pain.

The wound on his hand had reopened.

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Covered in mud and in a mess, the pain was just as severe. Ryubeom kneeled on the ground, staring blankly at his hand.

He needed to clean his hand and keep moving, but the rain was relentless. His body kept feeling heavier.

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“…”

He shook his head, trying to shake off the cold, sticky thoughts creeping in like mud. Then, just as Ryubeom sighed and tried to get up.

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“Hic.”

A terrified sound came from somewhere.

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Ryubeom’s eyes instantly sharpened. His human-like eyes transformed into tiger-like pupils, and his amber eyes took on a faint golden hue. With the eyes of a predator, Ryubeom scanned his surroundings. His heart pounded fiercely. Expectation, excitement, exhilaration.

And perhaps a hint of anxiety.

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Whack!

Ryubeom pushed aside the underbrush and froze in place. When a predator hears the sound of its prey, locating the source is not a difficult task. Especially not for a tiger longing for a hunt.

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“Ah!”

“Eeek…”

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“No, don’t…!”

Three small children with fox ears and tails emerged, startled. They seemed instinctively cowed by the sharp aura of the tiger that had spread in an instant.

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They looked to be about six or seven years old. Their pale cheeks were smeared with dirt, and their hair was a tangled mess. The three clung to each other tightly, trembling.

And then, hugging those three little ones, there was an adult looking up at him.

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“….”

The adult had jet-black hair that hung limply, soaked by the rain. There were scratches on their pale face, and their dark red eyes trembled. Their hands were covered in small cuts, likely from tree branches, and the sleeves of their black robe were torn and tattered.

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Despite this condition, the adult looked at him warily, or perhaps fearfully, as they shielded the children in their arms.

Rumble, boom!

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Lightning struck behind them at that moment. It was so close that his ears rang. The scene from a moment ago lingered like an afterimage on his temporarily white-washed vision.

His heartbeat echoed like a drum.

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Thump, thump, thump, thump…

Cheon Ryubeom’s breathing slowed. Despite the noisy surroundings, the moment felt eerily silent. Ryubeom’s hand tightened on the underbrush he had pushed aside.

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Four foxes. Three little foxes and one adult fox.

With this, he could return to the clan proudly…

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“Where the hell are those fox brats hiding?”

At that moment, he heard his cousin’s shout nearby. Feeling them approaching, Ryubeom moved his hand. He needed to handle this before his cousin arrived.

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Finally, Cheon Ryubeom spoke.

“Get into the cave behind you and hide immediately.”

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His hand gripping the underbrush no longer trembled. He pointed his chin in the direction of the cave, urging them to move quickly. When the foxes only blinked, frozen in place, he lightly stomped the ground. Even this small gesture startled the little foxes, making their ears twitch.

“If my brothers find you, I won’t be able to help. So hurry, now.”

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He whispered urgently. The little ones still seemed to not understand, just looking at each other. As Ryubeom grew frustrated, a hand suddenly grabbed his.

With utmost care and gentleness, the adult fox held his hand and spoke.

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“I will repay this kindness.”

For a moment, Ryubeom doubted his ears. The soft voice was so pleasant that his heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t dismiss it as mere surprise, for the fox’s charm had crossed his mind, leaving no room for excuses.

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He realized the fox’s gender through the delicate yet low voice. The prominent Adam’s apple confirmed it.

A male.

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While Ryubeom stared at him, the fox picked up a leaf from the ground and wrapped it tightly in his hand. A faint red light spread around his hand, and then he handed the leaf to Ryubeom.

However, before Ryubeom could examine it, a sound came from behind. He hurriedly stuffed the object into his pants pocket and released his grip on the underbrush.

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While the foxes moved, Ryubeom stomped on the ground to erase their tracks.

“What the… Cheon Ryubeom, you were here?”

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Soon, his cousin approached. It was Cheon Yeongdo, the oldest among the cousins. His movements were swift and stealthy, befitting a tiger renowned even within the clan. Ryubeom suppressed his surprise and awkwardly bowed in greeting.

But Yeongdo didn’t even look at him, sniffing around as he scanned the area.

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“I sense fox energy nearby. I think I can smell them too.”

“It seems they’ve been deliberately spreading their scent around.”

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“Cunning creatures. They commit crimes and then have a knack for escaping.”

Yeongdo twisted his lips into a sneer. Then, noticing Ryubeom’s condition, his expression instantly soured. His hoodie was smeared with mud, and his pants were torn at the hem.

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“What the hell happened to you?”

“Uh, I slipped on the wet ground…”

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“A tiger slipping on the mountain. You bring shame to the clan.”

“…I’m sorry.”

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“You don’t plan to return to the main house looking like that, do you? Either catch a fox or don’t even think about coming back tonight. Tsk.”

Yeongdo clicked his tongue and turned away.

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“How did such a useless one get in?”

Though it seemed like a mutter to himself, he didn’t lower his voice, and Ryubeom heard it clearly. Ryubeom didn’t react, just stared at the ground with a face that showed he was all too familiar with such comments.

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The rain continued to drizzle, soaking the ground and falling on the fox tracks he hadn’t completely erased. Ryubeom subtly moved his foot to cover them.

Soon, Cheon Yeongdo left the area. He muttered about how unlucky it was to be around Ryubeom and decided not to waste any more time there, moving on to another path.

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Ryubeom glanced towards the cave behind him. It was too dark and obscured by underbrush to see inside, but its silence reassured him.

“….”

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The vivid memory of the fox’s eyes lingered in his mind.

The cold rain continued to beat against his body.

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Clang!

A sharp sound pierced his ears. Cheon Ryubeom kept his head bowed, merely gazing at the fragments of pottery rolling beside him. A fierce rebuke thundered from above.

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“You disgrace! Returning to the family in such a state, aren’t you ashamed?”

“Not even able to hunt a single fox, tsk tsk.”

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These harsh words were hurled at him as soon as he stepped into the large tiled house. Unluckily, he encountered the elders while heading straight to his room after entering through the back gate.

The elders of the Tiger Clan were extremely strict and demanding. They also viewed Ryubeom with great disapproval. Their faces immediately twisted with displeasure upon seeing his disheveled appearance, clicking their tongues in disapproval.

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Judging by their reprimands, it seemed they had already heard the news from Cheon Yeongdo. Ryubeom stood silently with his head bowed. At dawn, his cousins had left for the mansion without him, so he had to come separately. He had cleaned the dirt off at a stream, but there was nothing he could do about his torn clothes.

“Just imagine how much those fox bastards must have laughed at this sight. They are very cunning, so they surely watched you stumble around pathetically from their hiding spots.”

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The criticism continued unrelentingly. Ryubeom was accustomed to letting it go in one ear and out the other. When one hears too many words, there comes a point where they stop registering them. It was more like an unconscious blocking than ignoring.

He knew well the difference between whether the action was truly such a grave mistake or if they were using it as an excuse to criticize him.

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Cousins passing through the hallway cast disgusted glances upon noticing the commotion. Eyes that seemed to say, “I knew it,” and irritated looks that blamed him for today’s uproar in the mansion. Their murmuring reached his ears.

However, the torrent of reproaches suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

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“What is this ruckus so early in the morning?”

The presence that had silently approached uttered this single phrase, bringing about a sudden silence. The atmosphere shifted instantly, and all attention focused on him.

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Clad in a deep red robe, his hair was snowy white, and his face was full of wrinkles. However, his white eyes, nestled within his deeply lined face, were sharp and intense, showing no signs of age.

The figure exuded a sharp and noble aura, like an old pine tree standing on a sheer cliff. This was Cheon Gun, the head of the Tiger Clan. A guardian who had protected and elevated the clan’s prestige for centuries. A being close to a divine beast.

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“L-Lord…”

Everyone gathered in the hallway respectfully greeted the clan leader. Ryubeom also bowed deeply, but he could keenly feel the cold gaze piercing him. It was almost painful.

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Tsk, a short click of the tongue followed.

“Pathetic.”

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…Despite being infinitely shorter than the elders’ previous scoldings, this single word pierced Cheon Ryubeom’s heart deeply. He bowed his head even lower.

Soon, the clan leader lost interest in Ryubeom and moved on. The tigers in the hallway followed him in a natural flow.

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The clan leader rolled up his sleeve and massaged his right arm. A long, ugly scar ran down it, as if it had been forcibly reattached after being severed.

“Maybe it’s because of the rain, but my right arm aches. I must catch that wretched Maegu bastard this time for the pain to stop.”

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“Yes. Everything will be as you wish, Father.”

“How goes the tracking? Still wandering overseas?”

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“We are still…”

Their voices gradually faded as they headed towards the opposite corridor. Ryubeom only lifted his head once he was sure everyone had left. His neck was stiff from keeping it bowed since entering the mansion.

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He hurried towards the attic.

The mansion used by the Tiger Clan was a sprawling tiled house with 600 years of history. Renovations over the years had added several two-story annexes. Ryubeom used the attic room in the furthest annex from the main house.

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Though it was no better than a storage room, Ryubeom liked it here. Being detached from the main house meant he rarely encountered other family members if he stayed in his room. Although he had to attend family meals and traverse the long distance every time, the rarity of having a private space outweighed this inconvenience.

Upon entering the narrow attic, Ryubeom immediately began washing himself. He scrubbed meticulously for a long time, as if to wash away all the words and gazes he had endured over the past two days.

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When he finally emerged, feeling much refreshed, he was about to flop onto his bed when he noticed something fall from the pants draped over the chair.

A leaf.

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Slowly, Ryubeom’s mouth fell open. He had completely forgotten about it. The leaf he had received from the fox last night, he had hastily stuffed it into his pocket in the midst of the urgent situation and blacked it out of his memory. He still couldn’t understand why the fox had given him the leaf in the first place.

There were holes scattered all over the leaf he vaguely remembered seeing from afar. Carefully, he took it out, wondering if it had been torn while in his pocket. What… “…A phone number?”

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Confusion clouded Ryubeom’s eyes. Beyond just a simple string of numbers, the addition of hyphens seemed to confirm that it was indeed a phone number.

Engraving a phone number on a leaf and giving it to someone. It was a fusion of tradition and modernity. Ryubeom felt unfamiliar yet couldn’t tear his gaze away from the leaf. The droplet of water falling from his hair landed on the leaf, bursting like an illusion, vividly recalling the moment from last night.

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It had been a thoroughly impulsive act. If he had hunted down those foxes then, no, even if he hadn’t harmed them but had brought them here… He wouldn’t have heard the same harsh words just now, nor faced the same disdain.

Even in that moment, he was well aware of this fact. The consequences were clear to him if he didn’t bring those foxes. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to reach out to them.

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The trembling baby fox, the fragile appearance of a child. The reaction of cowering in fear, unable to hide its ears and tail, and the adult fox guarding them while cautiously eyeing him.

In that moment, a memory from some point flashed in his mind. “Mom, Dad…” Ryubeom shut his eyes tightly, forcibly cutting off the sentiment. A bitter laugh escaped him. They had been saved, yet he hadn’t.

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It seemed like an inappropriate act of mercy. Did he want the admiring gaze of those weaker than him? They must have seen him being ignored as well, found his appearance ridiculous… His mind continued to follow cynical thoughts out of habit, trying to kill off the confused emotions. Once again, Ryubeom lowered his head.

He had just finished washing up, and he didn’t want to sink back into that mood. Even though he had failed the regular exam yesterday and hadn’t properly followed the order to hunt down the fox, receiving pitiful glances for tumbling down a mountain.

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“…I won’t be kicked out of the clan just yet.”

Since Lord had said nothing, Ryubeom thought everything would be fine, so he flopped onto his bed. He still held the leaf in his hand.

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To carve a number like this, one must have quite delicate control over their energy… If he could handle energy to this extent, it wouldn’t have been difficult to escape from the mountain. Was it because of his injuries, coupled with carrying the little foxes, that made it hard? His injuries must have been quite severe. It was too dark to properly assess his condition.

“Oh, I keep thinking about it.”

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Ryubeom lifted his head. The elders’ words about nothing good coming from being involved with the fox echoed in his ears. He needed to quickly get rid of the leaf before anyone else saw it.

But as he tried to set it down on the side table, the leaf tore apart.

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“…!”

It didn’t just tear, it shattered completely. Startled, Ryubeom didn’t try to piece it back together. Instead, reflexively, he entered the number engraved on the leaf into his phone. It was an action born out of the thought that he should record it before forgetting.

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Staring at the list of numbers on the screen, Ryubeom blinked blankly.

The Tiger Clan and the Fox Clan had a terrible relationship. Tigers were the top predators reigning over all animals in the ecosystem, but the Fox Clan often instigated fights. The elders despised them, claiming they dared challenge those who knew nothing of their domain.

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Even Lord had warned against getting involved with foxes. The injury on his arm was from the leader of the Fox Clan.

So he should delete this number immediately, but Ryubeom couldn’t bring himself to move his hand. The baby foxes he had seen last night flashed before his eyes.

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Should he send a text, at least? When he found them, their guardian was injured, so it wouldn’t hurt to check if they made it safely until the end. He knew none of his cousins who went to Mount Gwanak for fox hunting were successful, but he was curious if they were unharmed.

Ryubeom moved his hand. His thumb, which had been heading towards the message button, impulsively shifted towards the call button. The reason was quite absurd.

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“I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”

The voice he heard yesterday, it sounded oddly pleasant.

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As the dial tone continued, Ryubeom’s tension grew. His heart raced with a strange mix of guilt, as if he were about to commit a grave mistake, and anticipation. Even the absurd thought crossed his mind that if they were safe, he might be able to brush off today’s scolding.

The call connected.

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Ryubeom unconsciously held his breath. The time displayed on the screen seemed to pass slowly, but there was no sound from the other end. There wasn’t even the usual “hello,” so Ryubeom hesitated before speaking.

But just before he could say anything, the voice of the other person came through.

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“Hello? Who’s this?”

It was a very bright voice. Just from the voice alone, Ryubeom could tell the person was a child. Startled, Ryubeom blinked, then managed to ask.

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Usually at times like this, you would ask for the caller’s name to confirm who was on the line, but unfortunately, he didn’t know the person’s name.

“Is… this your phone?”

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“Huh? Mine’s broken.”

“Huh? This voice! You’re the tiger from yesterday!”

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“Yeah, that’s right! The nice tiger who helped us!”

The voices of the three children came through eagerly. Ryubeom breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, confirming that they were the little foxes he had rescued yesterday. Thankfully, all three of them were fine.

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“Yes, I’m that tiger from yesterday. Where’s the owner of this phone?”

“Hiya’s hurt right now.”

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“…Hiya?”

“Yeah, Yeohi.”

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Was the fox’s name Yeohi? Though the child’s pronunciation seemed a bit off, Ryubeom nodded in response.

“Is he in a lot of pain?”

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“Yeah, that’s why he went to the heaven.”

“…What?”

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Ryubeom was momentarily surprised, but since the child’s tone was cheerful, it didn’t seem like a serious situation. Perhaps they meant Yeohi went out for a bit? Of course, going to the sky would be a big deal, but Ryubeom decided to ask another question.

“Are you guys okay right now? Are there any other adults around?”

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“No, we’re not hurt, and right now it’s just us at home.”

“…Really?”

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“There’s nothing around… it’s a bit cold. We don’t have any clothes, and we’re hungry…”

“Gumo, I told you not to complain. I’ll go pick some fruits quickly!”

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“Waaah, don’t leave us alone!”

Ryubeom’s eyes trembled as he suddenly heard the three children’s earnest and serious story. He began to worry deeply about the injured children being alone in an empty space without any adults. Moreover, they were cold, without clothes, and hungry?

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Ryubeom was weak when it came to children. Understandably so, his concern was especially high for children without a guardian. His heart pounded anxiously as he imagined their situation.

The little foxes said they weren’t hurt, but they had been drenched by last night’s rain. And just a few hours ago, they experienced the tension of a predator hunting them, which must have caused them significant mental stress.

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The situation of ‘Yeohi’ leaving the children was puzzling, but perhaps he was very sick and had stepped out momentarily to avoid worrying them.

Ryubeom nervously fiddled with his nails and finally asked, “Can you tell me where you are?”

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* * *

It wasn’t easy to get the location from the little foxes. They didn’t know the exact address and were unfamiliar with smartphones, so Ryubeom had to explain the functions step by step to get the location via text. As soon as he confirmed the address, Ryubeom sneaked out of the tile-roofed house. He also grabbed some emergency money to buy medicine, ointment, and simple food on the way.

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When Ryubeom finally arrived at the address given by the children, he was quite surprised by the state of the house.

A shabby villa. It was eerily quiet, with few residents, and it felt desolate, like a place where ghosts wouldn’t be out of place.

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Given that they were from a fox family, he naturally assumed they would be living in a tile-roofed house. He realized that having never visited another beast-person’s home, his assumption was rather narrow-minded.

Among the beast-people, the species commonly known to humans often had a long history and lived in traditional tile-roofed houses. However, if they weren’t part of the main family, they were likely to reside in ordinary homes. Although the fox clan was relatively large, it was said that direct descendants of the head of the family were rare. Judging by the state of the house, these children did not seem to be direct descendants.

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Ryubeom cautiously climbed the stairs. The house was located on the third floor, at the far left end. Following the children’s description, Ryubeom walked up and knocked on the door.

“It’s me, kids.”

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It dawned on him that he hadn’t properly introduced himself to the children. He thought about telling them his name once he got inside. Just then, the door opened.

Ryubeom, wearing an awkward smile, looked down and saw someone’s long legs, then slowly raised his head.

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Dark hair, almost black, contrasted sharply with a pale white face. The sharp, fox-like eyes looked rather cold, but as soon as their eyes met, a spreading smile softened his impression infinitely. His appearance was nothing short of beautiful, with a striking red hue over his dark pupils, reminiscent of a sunset.

“Oh, it’s my benefactor.”

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The pleasant voice tickled Ryubeom’s ears. He blinked, realizing immediately that the man standing before him was the adult fox he had met the previous day. It was surprising enough that someone who was said to have passed away due to illness was here, but even more surprising was…

‘He’s taller than me…?’

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Not just taller, but also broader in build, which was quite shocking. The white shirt clung tightly to his broad shoulders and chest, revealing the size of his ribcage, and his waist was slim, accentuated by a brown apron. Ryubeom’s eyes were drawn to the forearms exposed under the rolled-up sleeves, suggesting he had been preparing to cook.

He distinctly remembered the man appearing smaller yesterday. But then, he had been crouching, making it impossible to gauge his height. Moreover, it had been the middle of the night, raining heavily, obscuring his vision. The man had also been wearing traditional Korean clothing, further concealing his true build.

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Yesterday, he seemed rather frail. Had Ryubeom misjudged due to the circumstances? While Ryubeom was lost in confusion, recalling the events, the man naturally stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

“Please come in. I hurried to tidy up when I heard you were coming, but the house is still a bit messy, I’m afraid.”

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“Oh, I heard you were sick. They said you had… went to the heaven.”

“Heaven?”

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He tilted his head, then burst into laughter as if he finally understood what Ryubeom meant. It was a small laugh, but it completely captured his attention.

“I mentioned going to the ‘Heaven Pharmacy,’ but it seems the kids misunderstood.”

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“Oh.”

Ryubeom then remembered passing by a store named ‘Heaven Pharmacy’ on his way. He had taken it seriously, but it turned out to be something quite different. Feeling both baffled and embarrassed, Ryubeom opened and closed his mouth without saying anything. The man invited him in again, his attitude warm and welcoming. Ryubeom awkwardly stepped inside, finding such hospitality very unfamiliar.

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“Wow! You really came!”

The three children rushed out from inside. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming, like hunters spotting prey, and Ryubeom hesitated, being careful not to accidentally hurt the young beast-children.

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The children had already been treated, each with a few bandages on their cheeks, which were likely applied by each other given their crooked placement. The bandages with puppy designs were quite cute.

“Wow, what’s this? Snacks!”

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“And sausages, too!”

Their eyes sparkled as they tore into the bag, each now holding snacks, bread, and sausages.

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“Say thank you first.”

The children, who had been about to dig in, froze. At the man’s words, they hurriedly placed their hands on their bellies and bowed to Ryubeom in unison.

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“Thank you.”

“Thank you for the food.”

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“Thank you for taking care of us….”

Ryubeom thought he heard something strange in the middle, but he was too taken by their synchronized gesture to care. He smiled softly. The man then introduced the children’s names.

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“Seo Gumo, Seo Euno, Seo Dongo. They’re triplets.”

As he said, the children looked identical, making it hard to distinguish them by face alone, but the colors of the small earrings they wore were different: gold, silver, and bronze. Noticing this, Ryubeom tried to smile kindly and bowed slightly.

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“Gumo is the eldest?”

“Assuming Gumo is the eldest based on the order of gold, silver, and bronze is a misconception. I am the eldest.”

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Ryubeom was taken aback by Dongo’s comment. The child’s voice was quite solemn, making it clear that he was the one who had mentioned “daily bread” earlier.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to be biased….”

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“General knowledge isn’t necessarily a bias. Don’t tease our benefactor. You’re making him uncomfortable.”

The man calmly reprimanded the child. Dongo bowed even deeper than before and apologized, “I’m sorry.” Whether he was truly obedient or just playing a prank, Ryubeom couldn’t tell, but he waved it off, saying it was okay.

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What concerned him more was the man’s face, which had turned cold.

“What’s your name?” Ryubeom quickly asked to change the subject. Despite his awkward tone, the man’s face lit up with a smile as if the question made him genuinely happy.

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“Yeowhi. I don’t have a surname, so just call me Yeowhi.”

Ah, it wasn’t Yeohi but Yeowhi. Ryubeom mentally corrected the name he had heard from the little fox and sighed softly. It suited him well. Especially the pronunciation of ‘whi,’ which sounded like a passing breeze, seemed to complement him perfectly.

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Even last night, Yeowhi had made a strong, beautiful impression at first sight, yet there was an elusive, almost ephemeral quality to him, like a mirage. Whether it was due to his otherworldly appearance or the unique aura that fox beast-people were said to possess, Ryubeom wasn’t sure.

In fact, Ryubeom had very few experiences conversing with other beast-people, making this situation quite fascinating for him. Despite his family’s disdain for foxes, or perhaps because of it, his curiosity about the forbidden was powerful enough to bring him here.

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As Ryubeom watched the triplets enjoy their food with a contented expression, he looked around the house. However, the shabby house contained only minimal furniture, with hardly any belongings. The empty space left Ryubeom feeling somewhat unsettled.

Do other beast-people live like this…?

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The tiger family, to which Ryubeom belonged, was known for its wealth among the beast-people. Although Ryubeom lived in an attic-like storage room, he was used to the grandeur of the main house. This sparse space surprised him.

Worried that his feelings might show on his face, he tried to manage his expression. Sensing Ryubeom’s curiosity, Yeowhi lightly explained, his tone tinged with a faint smile.

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“Furniture and other belongings will be coming in soon. We just moved here.”

“Oh, so you haven’t been here long.”

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“Yes. We moved because it’s almost time for the kids to start school.”

“School… Are you related to them?”

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“Hmm. We’re from the same clan, so we’re like family, but the triplets’ parents passed away early on. So, I’m taking care of them.”

Ryubeom nodded, his expression darkening slightly at Yeowhi’s explanation. He felt relieved once again that he hadn’t hunted them the previous night. Losing their parents and just about to start school—it made his stomach churn with guilt, and he clenched his fist tightly.

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While Ryubeom was lost in these thoughts, Yeowhi spoke with a hint of regret in his voice.

“When I heard you were coming, I was so surprised. I wish we could have met in a better place.”

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Sensing Yeowhi’s genuine distress, Ryubeom shook his head. He was not only taken aback by Yeowhi’s continued humility but also found one particular title Yeowhi used quite unfamiliar.

“You don’t need to call me ‘benefactor’…”

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“How else should I address you, if not as a benefactor?”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. My name is Cheon Ryubeom, so just call me Ryubeom…”

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“Then, Master Ryubeom?”

Ryubeom’s shoulders shivered. For a moment, shock overcame awkwardness on his face. The term was outdated and felt distant to him. Although the tiger clan, to which Ryubeom belonged, tended to adhere strictly to tradition and often used such classical honorifics, it had never been directed at him personally.

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Ryubeom’s shoulders shivered again as he replied.

“You can just call me by my name.”

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“How could I commit such a disrespectful act?”