One Week Later

Nyx finally had the chance to venture into another dungeon, this time near the Peacock’s territory. She had spent the last few days resting, much to her dismay. Though she loved the thrill of battle and dungeon raiding, the others insisted that she take time to enjoy her childhood.

“All work and no fun turns even the sharpest sword into a rusty blade. Balance is the magic that keeps us strong!” they reminded her with a teasing smile.

But that still doesn’t stop her from being ambitious. She’s growing, though she’s still the same height she was when she was six. Not that anyone’s judging.

Nyx often rolled her eyes, mouthing the words along with them. She understood what they meant, but deep down, her growing ambition made it hard to fully relax. She wanted to be a skilled and successful hunter, and every day she wasn’t in a dungeon felt like a missed opportunity.

Still, she couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed playing with Len and the Aetherlings, and spending time with the constellations. They’d taught her more about the outside world, and she couldn’t wait to see it for herself.

As the days go by, she continues counting down until she can finally return to a dungeon. Nyx loves raiding them, discovering treasures at the end. There’s a feeling of invincibility she gets when she’s in a dungeon—an exhilarating sense of fulfillment, even if she doesn’t fully understand why just yet. But one day, she’s certain she will.

And today, she was finally going back to a dungeon. Excitement buzzed through her as she made her way toward the dungeon near the Peacock’s domain. Unlike her other visits with the others, she normally goes to the Peacock alone. He had told her from the start to visit him solo, and the others trusted her enough to let her go without escort. After all, with her skills, she could handle anything—and if not, Drac’s wrath would take care of the rest.

The dungeon she entered was a green one, signaling an easier challenge. Inside, Nyx found it was another ant dungeon, similar to ones she had conquered before. She smiled, already feeling confident in her abilities.

“I’ve got this,” she whispered to herself.

With her newfound skills, Nyx moved through the dungeon with precision. She activated Chrono Collapse, slowing the ants around her, then swiftly taking them out with her Claw of Eternal and Lightning Mastery. Each move felt smoother, more refined. She didn’t encounter any hitches, and by the time she reached the boss monster, she knew exactly what to do.

The fight was quick, the ant queen no match for her growing power. After claiming the treasure, Nyx stored it in Airy, feeling a surge of pride. She had cleared the dungeon with ease. She was getting better, faster.

When she teleported to the Peacock’s territory, the sky had begun to shift into afternoon hues. The moment she arrived, the Peacock greeted her, as usual, with an array of snacks and endless questions about whether she was hurt.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Let me see,” he said, inspecting her arms for bruises.

“I’m fine, really,” Nyx insisted, but he wasn’t convinced until he had fussed over her thoroughly.

Finally, he relaxed. “Good. You’re getting stronger, but you must still be careful.”

Nyx sighed, a playful smile on her lips. “I know, I know. You worry too much.”

He offered her more snacks, and as she ate, she felt his eyes on her, a hint of worry clouding his usual charming demeanor. She wanted to ask him what was on his mind, but before she could, he brushed it off and encouraged her to relax.

When she was ready to leave, Nyx decided to walk back to Drac’s cave, hoping to find some new food along the way. As she strolled through the peaceful forest, she felt a sense of accomplishment and contentment. She was growing stronger every day—and she couldn’t wait for her next adventure.

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Nyx took her time enjoying the scenery of Peacock’s territory, truly appreciating the vibrant colors and peaceful atmosphere. As she wandered through the trees, she spotted her favorite fruits growing on a nearby bush. Smiling, she plucked a few Glowsap Berries and popped one into her mouth, enjoying the faint glow they gave off as she munched on them.

But just as she was about to continue her walk, she heard it again—the voice she had forgotten about but knew too well. That same hungry, pleading voice that seemed to always find her when she was alone.

“Help… Please…”

Nyx stopped, the fruit halfway to her lips. She felt her jaw tighten. Not again.

The voice came again, louder this time, desperate. It was unmistakable, the voice of the Nine-Tailed Fox God of Gluttony.

Sighing in frustration, Nyx marched toward the familiar boulder. And there he was, looking just as pitiful as before, his nine tails drooping, his pristine white fur ragged, and his golden eyes filled with hunger.

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“Do you have any food to spare?” he asked, his voice weak, almost pitiful.

But this time, something inside Nyx shifted. She didn’t feel the usual tug of sympathy. Instead, she felt anger rising. Why does he always show up when I’m alone?

“No,” she said firmly, crossing her arms.

The Fox’s eyes widened, clearly shocked by her response. “What? You can’t mean that, surely. Please, I haven’t eaten in so long…”

But Nyx stood her ground. “No. Not this time.”

He stared at her, bewildered, and repeated, “I’m starving. You can’t just leave me like this.”

Her fists clenched at her sides, but she shook her head. “You’re always here when I’m alone, asking for food. It’s like you’re watching me, waiting for the right moment to take advantage of me. I’m not doing this anymore.”

The Fox blinked, momentarily taken aback by her sudden resolve. “But I need your help, Nyx. You wouldn’t want me to starve, would you? Imagine the guilt of knowing you could’ve saved me…”

Nyx’s brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. “No. I don’t believe you anymore. I think you’re just using me.” Her voice was steady, though her heart raced with adrenaline. “This has to stop.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and began to walk away, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never stood up to him like that before, but it felt… right.

Behind her, the Fox God of Gluttony remained in stunned silence, his golden eyes narrowing as he watched her retreating form. His façade cracked, and for a brief moment, his true nature flickered through—the endless hunger that gnawed at his insides.

He had underestimated her.

Nyx didn’t look back as she walked away, her pulse still thrumming with a mix of fear and relief. Why is he always watching me? What does he really want? How did he know her name when she didn’t tell him anything? The questions buzzed in her mind, but she didn’t stop to dwell on them. She needed to get away, and fast.

This time, she didn’t bother walking all the way back. She teleported directly to Drac’s cave.

When she arrived, the familiar warmth of the cave soothed her nerves, but something in the back of her mind still nagged at her. She knew she had to tell Drac. Taking a deep breath, she found him sitting near the entrance, watching the horizon with his usual intense gaze.

“Drac, I need to tell you something,” Nyx began, walking over to him.

He turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. “What is it, little one?”

Nyx hesitated for a moment, then spilled everything about the encounters with the Fox God of Gluttony—how he always appeared when she was alone, asking for food, and how she finally stood up to him today.

Drac listened quietly, his expression unreadable, but the air around him seemed to grow heavier with each word she spoke. When she finished, there was a long, tense silence.

“What does he look like?” Drac asked, his voice low and controlled.

“He has white fur, nine tails, and golden eyes,” Nyx explained, feeling a bit nervous under Drac’s intense gaze.

Drac growled softly, his voice rumbling deep in his chest. “I should’ve known. That gluttonous fox…”

“Did he ever hurt you?” Drac asked, his tone sharp.

Nyx quickly shook her head. “No, he never hurt me. But it felt like he was using me.”

Drac’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the cave seemed to darken with his wrath. “You did the right thing by standing up to him. He’s manipulative and selfish. I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you again.”

Relieved, Nyx nodded. “Thanks, Drac. I just didn’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

Drac’s gaze softened slightly as he looked down at her. “It’s my job to protect you, Nyx. If anyone dares to hurt you, they’ll face my wrath.”

Feeling safe and reassured, Nyx smiled. “Thanks, Drac. I won’t let him take advantage of me again.”

“Good,” Drac said firmly. “Now, go get some rest. You’ve done well today.”

Nyx nodded and went to have her bath, feeling proud of herself for finally standing up to the fox. After dinner, she took out the treasure she’d found in the dungeon and admired it for a while before falling asleep, knowing that, no matter what, she had Drac and the others watching over her.

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Nyx had finally fallen into a deep slumber, her breathing soft and steady, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Drac’s mind. As he watched over her sleeping form, the anger he had been holding back simmered to the surface. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, reflecting the protective fury he felt toward the young girl. She may not have realized the danger, but Drac did.

The Fox God of Gluttony had crossed a line, one that should never have been crossed.

Without a sound, Drac moved toward the entrance of the cave. His massive wings unfurled, and with a powerful leap, he shot into the sky, the cold night air rushing past him as he made his way to the fox’s territory. He didn’t need to search—he could sense the fox’s presence, a faint yet familiar energy lingering near the edge of the forest, exactly where the Fox God had been lurking when Nyx first met him.

Drac landed with a thunderous force, the ground cracking beneath his weight as his wings folded neatly against his back. The Fox God was there, as expected, leaning casually against the same moss-covered boulder. His golden eyes gleamed mischievously in the darkness, but the flicker of amusement faded when he saw Drac’s expression.

“Dragon,” the Fox God greeted, his voice smooth, almost playful, but Drac could see the unease flicker in his eyes. “What brings you here at this hour?”

Drac’s gaze was like molten fire, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. “You know exactly why I’m here, Fox.”

The Fox God straightened, trying to maintain his composure, but there was a nervous flicker in his posture. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I only accepted the food she so kindly offered.”

Drac’s tail lashed the ground, sending a ripple of energy through the forest. His patience was thin, and his tone carried a weight of finality. “You’ve been watching her. Following her. Manipulating her. I warned you once, and I will not repeat myself. She is off-limits.”

The Fox God’s playful smile faltered. “I was merely—”

Drac stepped closer, towering over the fox with a presence that filled the entire clearing. “Enough. You’ve been feeding on her kindness, exploiting her innocence. That ends now.”

The Fox God shifted uncomfortably, his tails curling around him as if they could shield him from Drac’s wrath. He attempted a chuckle, but it came out strained. “Surely you’re not so protective over one child—”

Before he could finish, Drac’s eyes flared with fiery intensity, and the ground beneath him seemed to heat as if the earth itself responded to his anger. “She is more than a child,” Drac growled, his voice echoing through the forest like a low, rolling thunder. “And you are a fool if you think I will allow you to use her again.”

The fox recoiled slightly, his confident demeanor slipping. He tried to recover, his tone softening. “I meant no harm. I didn’t realize it would upset you so much.”

Drac’s gaze narrowed. “Upset? Upset would be the least of your concerns if you ever cross her again. You are lucky I have not already torn your domain apart.”

The Fox God’s tails twitched nervously, the weight of Drac’s words sinking in. “I didn’t mean to anger you. I’ll stay away from her.”

Drac leaned in, his voice a deadly whisper. “If I ever hear you’ve gone near her again, or that you’ve even thought of manipulating her, I will not stop at a warning. Do not test me.”

The Fox God’s golden eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. For all his arrogance, he knew Drac was not one to bluff. He lowered his head in submission, his voice barely audible. “I understand, Dragon. I will stay away from her.”

Drac watched him for a moment, the silence between them thick with unspoken threats. Finally, Drac turned his back on the Fox God, spreading his wings once more. As he lifted into the sky, his parting words echoed in the fox’s ears.

“Remember this well, Fox. Her protection is my wrath.”

With that, Drac disappeared into the night, leaving the Fox God of Gluttony standing alone in the dark, the weight of Drac’s warning heavy on his shoulders.