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Living with the Dangerous Beast-Chapter 50: Foxes Can’t Be Trusted
Chapter 50: Foxes Can’t Be Trusted
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“ARGHHHHH!!”
Dohwi stomped on Daebum’s back, scowling fiercely.
“Quiet. I said be quiet.”
The man’s weak body felt like his spine would snap at any moment if Dohwi applied any more pressure. As Dohwi pressed down harder, Daebum whimpered and shook his head in terror.
“P-Please, spare me! Spare me!”
“Shut up. Who said I was going to kill you?”
“Oh, sir... Please. I’m training to become a nine-tailed fox, following in the footsteps of my shaman aunt.”
As Daebum pleaded, rubbing his hands together, Dohwi looked down thoughtfully at his prone back.
“I have no interest in that beautiful lady... I’m dedicating myself to becoming a monk....”
This fox instantly realized from Dohwi’s fleeting glances that he deeply cherished Sohwa. Of course, the thick scent of Dohwi on her also played a part.
“I know you two are already together, and I, I would never...!”
“You should have left this mountain if you knew that.”
“ACK!!!”
“What kind of fool would tolerate another male hanging around his mate who is about to enter her heat?”
“P-Please, just spare me... I beg of you... I have an errand to complete....”
“An errand?”
“Yes... The head monk of Mount Taeryong, my mentor, has asked me to manage the hermitage on Mount Yeehwang for a season because the monk there is about to enter hibernation.”
Dohwi knew the head monk of Mount Taeryong. More than just knowing him, he owed him a debt.
A cruel smile spread across Dohwi’s lips.
“Please, show mercy! I swear I won’t go near her! I’ll finish the task my mentor gave me and then leave for another mountain....”
As Daebum kept mentioning the head monk, Dohwi’s foot on his back loosened.
This fox was certainly cunning. Hiding in a tree, transforming into a human, and appealing for mercy as soon as he faced Dohwi in its tiger form—all of which showed his craftiness and quick-witted nature.
Most half-beasts would transform into their animal form when faced with danger, thinking it would be better for fleeing. However, they usually do not realize it may only trigger the hunting instinct of their predator.
No one but a fool would dare covet Sohwa under Dohwi’s watch. Moreover, if this fox was dedicating himself to the hermitage on Mount Yeehwang, he wouldn’t be a threat.
“Did you smell the scent of my mate’s heat?”
Dohwi had returned empty-handed after visiting Cheesan the Sage for Sohwa’s sake. He thought it might be better to ask another fox about it, so he sought out Daebum.
“I’m asking because we’ve been living together for over 20 years, but this year feels different.”
By now, Sohwa should have entered her heat, but strangely, there were no signs. Though they had spent every night together, those ‘pleasant’ nights alone were not enough for Dohwi.
“Well, I’m a fox, not a tiger... I can’t exactly detect a tigress’s scent in heat.”
“My mate is a fox.” fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
“What?”
Daebum was shocked. He had never heard of a tiger and a fox being together. But it wasn’t entirely surprising, as different half-beasts often spent mating seasons together in their human forms.
What truly surprised Daebum was that Sohwa, who had been pretending to be a great tigress in front of him, was actually a red fox like himself.
“No way! No wonder they say you can’t trust a single fox in the wor- OWWW!”
As Daebum muttered, Dohwi pressed his back down again, telling him to answer only when asked.
“Well, foxes are sensitive creatures. Our heat can come and go depending on the conditions around us. Sometimes our cycle passes so quickly that you wouldn’t even notice.”
Dohwi also knew that foxes’ heat cycles were short.
“I only smelled your scent on her... I didn’t catch any scent suggesting she was in heat.”
What could be the reason? While pondering, Dohwi released Daebum. The fox quickly got up and hastily searched his pocket.
“Here, perhaps... this might help.”
He held out a small vial. Dohwi looked at it curiously, but did not take it.
“It’s catnip. To a fox, it’s like a mild hallucinogen.”
“You’re telling me to drug my mate?”
“No, sir! It’s like how humans use a pipe when they’re lonely. It just makes them feel good. Even just having it around can lift their spirits and make them feel more affectionate.”
He explained that it wouldn’t be harmful to her health.
“It’s especially effective for foxes who are feeling down or have a poor appetite. It’s also used to boost stamina.”
“Is it something you eat?”
“No, just open the cap and close it again.”
It was an intriguing substance. Curious about its smell, Dohwi took the vial and opened the cap.
“With this, any fox would instantly... YOWEEE!”
Daebum suddenly lunged at Dohwi’s hand holding the vial.
“Good... So GOOD!!! I LOVE CATNIP!”
With glazed eyes, Daebum started rubbing his face and neck against Dohwi’s hand like an animal. As the vial got closer to his nose, Daebum involuntarily transformed into a fox.