Kai and Amber visited Fushimi Inari Shrine once again.
The shrine wasn't crowded this time, and only a few people visited it to pray. It was natural as the festival in the shrine was over yesterday.
When they arrived, they were greeted by two small Spirit Foxes waiting for them at the entrance. It made Kai feel more welcome, and he was happy about it.
"Kun!" One of the foxes cried and raised its head when it saw Kai. One ran toward him, and the other one toward Amber, rubbing their heads against their feet.
"Hahaha, look at them!" Kai chuckled happily as he bent his body, reaching out to the fox around his legs and raising it. "It looks cute."
"You're right," Amber replied with a small smile. She crouched and petted the Spirit Fox, making it purr happily. "That's why we need to protect them, no? We can't let the troublemakers kidnap them and sell them to Black Market where they will be treated like slaves or get killed to skin them bare."
"… Yeah." His voice turned low as he looked at the fox in his hand. It licked his palm and cried cutely.
How could humans have the heart to hunt these Supernatural Beasts who just lived in peace and protected their home? It was ridiculous.
But this should be something normal in the Supernatural World. That was why Amber told him that his view toward the peaceful Supernatural World would change tonight. He needed to keep his mind open and proceed with caution.
Even though he was here to have some fun at the Oni Festival, the danger was everywhere in the Supernatural World. One wrong move, and he would be done… maybe. He wasn't sure himself.
"Don't worry, little one. I will make sure that the majority of you are safe." Kai said with a small smile.
There was a reason why he didn't say that he would make sure everyone was safe. Because he knew that empty promises would just bring them false comfort, he would also be blamed if even one of the foxes got killed or injured.
So he would never make that promise unless he was 100% sure he could protect all of them.
Apparently, the fox also had the same idea as him as it raised its paw and cried.
"Kun!"
***
"Thank you for coming, Traveler Kai and Mighty Phoenix."
Kai and his contracted Phoenix went to the temple inside the barrier by following the foxes that greeted them. They went through the same path as yesterday and arrived at the temple shortly after.
Once they arrived, Rena greeted them in her human form, a young girl with a pair of fox ears and 3 tails moving behind her back. She bowed deeply toward them with a worried air around her.
He somehow could feel it. The three-tailed fox's mood wasn't at its best today.
"Thanks for welcoming us, Rena." At first, he replied casually, trying to ignore it. "I appreciate sending these kids to welcome us." He smiled and pointed at the foxes that moved beside Rena when they arrived.
"It's only natural, Traveler Kai." Rena raised her head and smiled softly. "It is the least I can do to welcome the people who are willing to send us aid to protect my siblings. I know now your capability from the rumors about you flying around too."
"Hahaha… That's a bit embarrassing. Rather, a rumor has already spread?" He laughed dryly as he scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
He had never thought that Rena would already hear the rumor. Without being told anything, he knew it was about him defeating Ranga, the strongest Oni among the young generation, at Oni Village.
"Yes." The three-tailed fox nodded. "I think everyone in Kyoto already heard about the rumors. I also heard that the Slayer organization in Kyoto tried to find your identity. Although they mean no harm, please be careful when you move in the future. You don't know who else tried to find you."
"I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your warning, Rena."
pαпdα-ňᴏνêι·сóМ It seemed like his good nature had paid off already. Giving him a warning about the danger that could've happened to him was a sign that Rena began to trust him and felt indebted to him. Maybe it just came from her good nature, but Kai was glad he decided to help them.
This should be the perfect time to ask that question that had been bugging his mind since earlier.
"So, why do you look so gloomy even though you've heard about my capability as a fighter?" He asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"I've been caught, huh?" Rena chuckled slightly. "I thought that I hid it quite well, my worries."
"Not to brag, but I am good at reading someone's emotions and mood." He shrugged his shoulders.
Indeed. That was Kai's only weapon that he had since he was a young boy. Rather, that was the reason why he trusted people rather easily and went along with their whim. For example, Amber and Ranga, then Rena.
It has been like that since he lost his parents. He could somehow feel the change in the world; it felt sad. That was the trigger for him to try to find Supernatural World.
Then at the time, he met Amber. He knew the Phoenix girl was sincere with her words and wishes. If she lied, he would feel a tug in the back of his mind.
At the time Ranga asked to fight him, he felt a burning fighting desire from the red Oni. It also made him want to fight Ranga, so he accepted even though Amber staged it.
Then, Rena's honest feeling of wanting to warn him also made him know that the three-tailed fox meant it. It made him want to help the poor little fox.
Right now, that honest feeling was replaced by a gloomy one filled with worry. It was as if she hid something important.
"Don't worry, and tell us. We won't run or anything." He added to reassure the fox. Amber also nodded to the side, making Rena look at them alternatively.
"That's… Yes." The humanoid three-tailed fox nodded slightly with a bitter smile. "I am sorry. I was actually worried you would change your mind if I told you about this. I guess that's an unfounded worry."
"As I said. If I want to help, I will help. This is due to my kindness. I don't want to live in a world where kindness is seen as a weakness. I am also a man who will hold my promise. I promised to help you, and I will do that even if you don't want it."
Rena seemed to be convinced by Kai's confidence. She laughed wryly at her foolishness. The man in front of her was different from a normal person. He was someone accompanied by a Phoenix. There was no way his promise and conviction would be broken by mere information.
"I am sorry." Once again, she apologized. But, this time, her expression was steeled and free of worry. "To be honest, I have the full authority of Fushimi Inari Shrine. As a Spirit Fox, I can talk with every animal, including insects, and they are happy to tell me about something new."
"Hoo, that's amazing." Kai voiced his amazement while his eyes widened a little. That was a really useful ability to have.
"Indeed. And just this evening, a small animal warned me. It saw two suspicious individuals lurking around the shrine. I suppose…" Rena's voice trailed, but it was enough for Kai.
He connected the dot himself and turned serious.
"They are the ones who want to attack you girls." He said, to which the humanoid fox replied with a small nod.
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