CHAPTER 981: CHAPTER 149 - THE NINE-TAILED FOX CLAN (4)

I decided to dip in.

The faint sound of water rippling echoed softly as I stepped closer to the edge. The steam rising from the surface curled and danced through the air, wrapping around me like a veil of warmth. Even though she wasn’t facing me, I could tell her ears twitched ever so slightly with every rustle of my clothes coming off. She didn’t turn around, but I knew she was aware. Her sharp senses caught every subtle movement, every quiet breath I took. Still, I didn’t say anything.

After all, I was the one intruding. The least I could do was keep quiet.

She continued washing herself, her hands gliding gracefully across her skin as though she were performing some kind of delicate ritual. I didn’t know why, but even the simple act of her rubbing her shoulder made my chest tighten. Her skin looked so clean it was almost glowing under the dim light, not a single trace of dirt on her—and yet, she washed as if she were purifying herself of something deeper than grime. It was hypnotic. Every small motion, every flick of water off her fingertips—it was all too much.

I could feel the heat rising in me. Not from the bath—but from her.

Then it hit me. That scent. That intoxicating, almost otherworldly fragrance that filled the air and clung to my skin. It wasn’t something she sprayed on... it was natural. It was her. A scent so alluring that my body responded before I even realized it. My pulse quickened, my breath became shallow, and my mind started to haze.

I’d heard about this before—from Titania. The nine-tailed foxes had this natural charm, a pheromone-like aura that drove men insane without even trying. It wasn’t magic or an ability, not something deliberate. It was just their nature. And now, surrounded by the scent of her body and the warmth of the bath, I could feel it in full force.

She was practically drowning me in it.

The air felt thick and heavy. My head felt light, almost dizzy. I could taste her scent at the back of my throat. Her tails fanned out slowly behind her, spreading like blooming flowers under the mist. I knew that gesture—it was a natural method for female nine-tails to attract males.

So yeah... she was seducing me. There was no denying it. Even a clueless idiot could read those signs, and I wasn’t that dense.

"Master Leon," her voice suddenly broke through the silence, calm but soft enough to stir something in me.

"What is it?" I asked, doing my best to sound unaffected, though my tone came out a little rougher than I meant.

"I am... really grateful," she said, her tone quieter now. "That you allowed me to go back and see the Kitsune Clan again."

Her words lingered for a moment, carried by the steam in the air.

"You’re worried about them, right? It’s been a while since you last saw them," I said, my eyes still on the ripples she made in the water.

"Yes," she replied softly. "Ever since I was captured, I thought I’d never see them again. Thanks to you, I was given that chance. I... couldn’t be more grateful."

I shrugged lightly, though deep down, her words struck something in me. "Don’t mention it. I’m just doing what I can."

That was true. I had my reasons for saving her and the others—it wasn’t all out of kindness. But still, hearing her say that made me feel something warm inside, even if I didn’t want to admit it.

We fell silent after that, washing quietly, our backs turned to each other. The sound of splashing water echoed softly through the air, mixing with the faint hum of the lake. Her tails swayed gently behind her, glowing faintly from the heat. It was peaceful... but charged. Like something was waiting to happen, yet neither of us made the first move.

***

The next day...

"This is...?" I muttered, my eyes widening as I took in the sight before me.

What stretched across the forest wasn’t a village on land—but above it. Wooden houses, rope bridges, and winding paths connected massive trees together like a city floating in the canopy. It was breathtaking. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the leaves, scattering golden dust across the platforms. The entire place looked alive.

While I was still admiring the scenery, something sharp whistled through the air.

An arrow.

It was flying straight for my head.

Without even thinking, I caught it midair with one hand. The shaft trembled between my fingers as I raised my gaze toward where it came from.

Standing above me was a man—tall, poised, with nine tails swaying behind him like flames in the wind. His eyes were cold and alert. Clearly, he thought I was an intruder. But then, the moment his gaze met Ayane’s, everything stopped.

"Brother..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"Ayane!" His voice cracked with emotion as his tense expression melted into pure relief.

It was one of those rare moments that just hit you right in the chest. After four long days of searching through dense forests and hostile lands, we had finally found the Kitsune Clan’s settlement.

The man leapt down from the high bridge above. The fall was easily over ten meters, but he landed without a sound. His tails had cushioned his descent, flowing gracefully behind him as he touched the ground.

Ayane ran toward him, her feet barely making a sound on the ground before she threw herself into his arms. They embraced tightly—her head against his chest, his arms wrapped around her shoulders. For a second, it was like looking at two mirrors of the same soul. They had the same eyes, the same sharp yet gentle features—only the difference in height set them apart.

"We’ve been looking for you all this time... I’m so glad you’re safe," her brother said, his voice shaking as he held her. "I’m really glad..."

"I’m sorry, brother," Ayane’s voice cracked as well. "If I hadn’t gone out that day, then..."

"It’s fine," he interrupted gently, resting a hand on her head. "What matters is that you’re here now. You’re safe."

The relief in his voice was almost painful to hear. It was the sound of someone who had been holding on to hope for too long. I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt them. The sight was too genuine and too human.

After a few seconds, her brother turned to me. "I’m sorry for earlier," he said, bowing slightly. "We’ve had a lot of bandit attacks lately, so we’re a little on edge."

"It’s fine," I said, waving it off. "I get it."

"You must be the one who brought my sister back safely," he continued. "Thank you. My name is Eiju Kitsune."

Eiju, huh? Just like Ayane’s name, it had that Japanese ring to it. Maybe their origins were closer to my previous world than I thought. That was possible...

"Leon," I said simply.

He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp, then flicked toward the others standing behind me. "Leon..." he repeated slowly. "You’re... I see. So you’re the man I’ve been hearing about lately."

That made me blink. My name had reached all the way here? Either that was good news or very, very bad news.

"I could be mistaken," Eiju went on, "but considering the company you keep—women of different races, all gathered around you—it’s hard not to assume. You’re the Elf breeder, aren’t you?"

I nearly choked on my own breath.

The what?!

When the hell did I get a nickname like that?!