“We’ve lived in the Crystal Caves for a millenia, but just yesterday a group of goblins forced us out,” the Fox Matriarch said.

Pern had marched Rick back to the Morning Lark Inn, where a leash of foxgirls had taken over.

Fox Elders clustered around the tables. They played riichi mahjong, drank mulled wine, ate fresh-cut apples and talked to one another in soft tones. Meanwhile, fox kits raced about the lobby in circles; when they weren’t chasing each other, they were chasing their own white-tipped tails.

The Kitsune Clan was a powerful and ancient race that had long dwelled in the Crystal Caverns north of Mazevale. However, their warriors were more ceremonial than effective, and whenever an outside force threatened their community they always chose to flee.

If their armies were so impotent, one might wonder why they were so feared. Their true power lay in their wily diplomacy and network of connections that they had fostered over the course of 1000 years.

For example, if they were kicked out of their caves, they could run to the Adventurer’s Guild and raise an army in revenge. Or if not an army, then a group of elites that would possess the same ability.

For example: elites like Pern, Constance, Isaac, and Matthew—er, Rick.

“The South Goblin Tribe is very large,” continued Alia, the Fox Matriarch. “And you will need to travel some time before you reach the mountains. Are you sure that just the four of you can handle this?”

“One hundred percent!” Pern said. “Or… ninety-nine point eight percent, at the least.”

The Fox Matriarch glanced at them. “I understand that there’s only ten S-Rank Adventurers and 100 A Ranks in the Guild, so you represent the best of the best. However, that man, Rick… is merely one amongst 100,000.”

“Rick might be an E-Rank Adventurer, but he’s a highly motivated hero!” Pern pulled him over and tugged his lips upwards. “Just look at that smile!”

A static shock sparked into him, and his mouth twitched—Rick grumbled as he rubbed his face.

“It’s true,” Rick said. “As long as I finish this quest Pern’s promised never to drag me into her adventures ever again.”

“Atta boy. That’s my mentee.””

“The ways of man hold many mysteries,” Alia murmured.

Pern, Constance, and the Fox Matriarch retired to a back table to discuss further details. Constance took notes on a parchment while the Fox Matriarch drew a map with a fur ink brush. Isaac, silent as always, receded into the wall. No one spoke to him.

On the other hand, Rick found himself unexpectedly preoccupied.

A youthful two-tailed kitsune was practically nuzzling Rick. It was as if she had picked him for her mate.

“You’re an E-Rank? With two A-Ranks and an S-Rank? How’d that happen? Tell me how, tell me how!”

“Things just kind of fell into place. That warrior there, Pern”—the kit perked up as soon as she heard Rick say the name—“you could call her my mentor, I suppose. She doesn’t care that I’m an E at all.”

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The kitsune looked at him thoughtfully, nose twitching.

“The kitsune have their own ranking system of sorts too. The more power a kitsune has, the more tails that they grow. I’m a two-tailed kit, so I’m on the bottom too.”

She climbed up Rick’s shoulders, and he stumbled under her weight.

“Woah, hold up there kit…”

“Mom’s a three-tailed vixen. Auntie’s got five thumpers. And the Matriarch has a whole seven tails…

…and when I was a kit,” she huffed. “she even let me touch them, but not now that I’ve grown. And big sis… well, big sis… she has…” The foxgirl slumped and frowned. “I’ve got only two, and that’s almost not enough to be cared for, really.”

The Morning Lark was a place that cared for its guests, at the very least. It had provided all refugees with a classic Andrestrian breakfast. Pastries, doughnuts, croissants—they were working hard to repair the reputation that Rick had salvaged for them earlier. The kitsune favored the apples and left everything else to the others, and Rick attempted an uncommon bagel.

‘That’s sad, little kit.”

Rick tried to chew. Unfortunately, it’s a well-known fact that it’s impossible to eat a bagel and talk at the same time— or to eat one while being used as a cat tree. A fox tree? A girl tree?

“What’s your name?”

“Emory.”

“Emory, it might take longer than everyone else, but your other tails will come in. It’s not a race even if they make you feel like it. Besides, you’re a sweet energetic girl and I’m sure someone your own age will ‘ppreciate that too,” Rick emphasized.

“Mr. Rick, I’m not sure if I believe you… but, but, but! I love your attitude!”

Her two tails wrapped around Rick’s legs and his bagel rolled onto the floor.

“Adventurer. If you meet another E-Rank, you’d allow them to join you, right? Right?” asked Em.

Rick gave her a confused, wild look that she must have understood as a “yes.” Emory breathed in deep.

“I knew it! I love you! I love you Mr. Rick! I—oomph!”

Rick shook her off his arm and tossed her to the room’s other side, near a warm plate of chocolate croissants. Emory landed on all fours, more like a cat than a fox, and brushed her short hair away from a pair for bright yellow eyes.

“Did I come on too strong? I’m sorry! I’m sorry! But I won’t apologize for true love!”

The Fox Matriarch picked up the keening cub by the scruff of her neck. Besides her was Constance, who had tucked a finished map under her arm, and Pern, who seemed rather amused.

“That’s enough, Em. Run along and play with the other cubs.”

“I appreciate how you handled that.” The Fox Matriarch continued. “A 200-year-old clanmate coming on to a man of not even twenty years? That age gap is disgusting. I’ll give that two-tail a stern talking to.”

“Yeah, that’s right. That’s definitely why I wasn’t into her.”

The final quest details had been hammered out. The party would travel two days to the Figarfi Mountains, and find a way to kill or clear the goblins from the Crystal Caves. The Adventurers’ Guild would grant them 1,000 silver marks and four D-Rank Skill Stones as compensation, and even without Matthew this would be a straightforwards mission with a ninety percent chance of success.

The four Adventurers gathered their packs, and Pern grinned at Rick.

“You can catcall all you want, but when you get fox-called you can’t handle it at all,” Pern said. “I see, I see. For someone with lots of resistance, you really don’t have any defense, do you? ”

“Shut it,” said Rick. Pern remained in a good mood all walk.