Ha-neul’s Stroll Through the Inner Realm (Completed)

At the Jiri Mountain Yokai Extermination Office, one hour had passed since Ha-neul and Miho entered the ‘fake Inner Realm’.

The Director fretted, holding his head in his hands.

‘Should I dispatch the combat personnel now…? No, no. If I act rashly…’

Miho had told him she would resolve it, so he should just wait without worrying.

She was a formidable spirit who had saved humanity from grave threats three times already.

It was reasonable to trust and wait for her, yet the lack of contact and the fact that the ‘human’ Ha-neul had entered that fake realm with her left the Director deeply unsettled.

Observing the perturbed Director, Grade 7 officer Kim Myeong-ho presumptuously spoke up:

“Aren’t you worrying too much, Director?”

In the Director’s opinion, the one who should have been most concerned about Miho was this Grade 7 officer – an extreme Miho devotee. Yet Kim displayed not a hint of worry, dutifully carrying out his duties.

“…Why are you so calm?”

“Well, it’s only natural, Director.”

Kim Myeong-ho then continued:

“Miho is a deity and invincible!”

Upon his words:

“Miho is a deity and invincible!”

“Miho is a deity and invincible!”

“Miho is a deity and invincible!”

Chants resembling prayer erupted from all corners of the office, praising Miho.

Witnessing this absurd spectacle, the Director smacked his own forehead.

Entranced, bewitched – the staff of this Yokai Extermination Office seemed to have lost their minds over Miho.

From the moment Miho saved their lives, the officials’ veneration of her became unstoppable, beyond the Director’s ability to control.

He suddenly shuddered, an uneasy thought crossing his mind:

Now that Miho’s existence had been publicly announced, if more people had their lives saved by her, would a new religion called ‘Mihoism’ seriously emerge?

Undoubtedly, the leader of such a cult would be this deranged man – Grade 7 Officer Kim Myeong-ho.

The Director spoke, no, commanded Kim:

“…For now, you are prohibited from approaching Miho.”

---

Unexpectedly, the Lord of the Mountain did not severely reprimand me.

He simply gazed at me intently, yet that small action alone made me deeply ashamed.

I stole a glance at him, wondering if he was angry, but fortunately, that did not seem to be the case.

He regarded the others similarly.

By chance, Depot and Grandfather Pouch also came to have an audience with the Lord.

The Lord slowly examined those present before finally speaking:

[Spirit.]

He looked at me.

[Yokai.]

He looked at Depot and Grandfather Pouch.

[Human.]

Lastly, he looked at Ha-neul, then continued:

[I am but a passive observer.]

[Yet I could not foresee a future where three different races would unite with one heart and mind.]

Then he turned to address me:

[Ahem.]

[This is a new form of destiny you have woven,]

[Uniting your pursuit of benevolence and righteousness,]

[Unprecedented in the past and unseen in the future.]

“Ah… Yes. Well.”

I felt flustered, unsure why he was using such profound words to exalt what I had done.

As if reading my innermost thoughts, he smiled kindly and went on:

[Ahem.]

[It is a proud achievement you have accomplished as a single fox spirit.]

[You may take some pride in it.]

[While arrogance is undesirable, having a degree of self-confidence]

[Will aid you in forging your path ahead.]

[Keep this in mind.]

“Yes, yes. Well. Okay.”

Feeling rather embarrassed, I casually responded to his words.

Depot, who had been silently listening, suddenly poked his head out from my chest pouch to ask the Lord:

“Lord of the Mountain, do we have to fight?”

[…]

“Against the goblins, right? That’s it, isn’t it? Chkchk, I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I?”

[…I cannot deny it.]

It seemed the Lord had been preparing for war against the goblins since long ago.

The very reason he created this Jiri Mountain Inner Realm was to oppose the goblins.

The concentration of powerful yokai in this Inner Realm served that same purpose – to resist the goblins.

In other words, the yokai of the Inner Realm, including Depot and Grandfather Pouch, were means to an end – the Lord’s army against the goblins.

The Lord could not meet Depot and Grandfather Pouch’s eyes, as he felt apologetic towards them.

I worried the other yokai might rebel against the Lord, but my concern was unfounded.

“Hurhurhurhur, this will be entertaining.”

“Finally, I can show Miho my true abilities! Watch closely, Miho!”

The Lord was an undisputed ruler with the yokai’s absolute support.

Moreover, the yokai’s mentality differed from humans’ – they welcomed this instead.

[However, now is not the time. Wait for the proper moment.]

The Lord then instructed Depot and Grandfather Pouch to leave.

Evidently, he had separate words for Ha-neul and me…

[You should also withdraw.]

“…Pardon?”

[I said withdraw.]

“Ah, me too?”

[…]

“Yes, yes.”

I didn’t expect to be dismissed as well.

Glancing at Ha-neul, she wore an expression asking ‘What if you leave me alone?!’

It was understandable – after facing the Lord, Ha-neul seemed overwhelmed by his powerful aura, unable to even raise her head.

If I left as well, her anxiety was only natural.

…But well, there was nothing I could do about it.

Surely the Lord wouldn’t devour her.

---

Chomp.

Chomp.

Munch munch.

Munch munch munch.

I shoved dog food and dog treats into my mouth together.

Eating them combined doubled the flavor, you know?

Messily chewing with my mouth open caused dog food crumbs to scatter downwards.

However, no unpleasant incidents occurred with crumbs falling into my chest and scratching my budding breasts.

Because Depot was residing within my chest pouch.

Bombarded directly by the crumbs, Depot shrieked:

“Chk, chk, chjeeeek! Uurgh, that smell!”

“What is it?”

“It stinks! Miho, how can you eat something so smelly…!”

“It doesn’t stink at all. It’s damn delicious.”

“Disgusting.”

“Then leave if you don’t like it.”

“No way.”

Despite purposely maintaining my seven-tailed form for his benefit, his complaints suggested he had grown complacent.

A full day had passed since our group audience with the Lord.

Yes, not just an hour – a full day.

For an entire day, Ha-neul was unable to leave the Lord’s domain.

Naturally, I had separately contacted the Yokai Extermination Office.

Considering the reason the Lord detained Ha-neul, I could only speculate:

It was probably that, right?

A power-up.

The Lord was a spirit who served under the first Martial Artist, the ‘King of Yurdo’, so he would be well-versed in martial arts as well.

Perhaps he was dedicating this time to enhance Ha-neul’s martial arts abilities.

Or maybe he was reinforcing the goblin wand Ha-neul possessed.

If it was any other yokai of the Inner Realm, I might have agonized worrying about Ha-neul.

But since it was the Lord of the Mountain himself overseeing her, I did not fret.

My casual snacking on dog food and treats while playing with Depot was proof that I was at ease.

In fact, I was looking forward to seeing what changes Ha-neul would undergo within the Lord’s domain.

Maybe she would awaken as a blonde, ultra-powerful Martial Artist.

“I’m back…”

Ah, speak of the devil!

…Of course, it wasn’t the Lord himself visiting my nest in tiger form.

It was Ha-neul who had returned.

With slumped shoulders and a weary gait, she approached me before collapsing onto the bed.

“I almost died…”

So it was hellish training, huh?

I asked her directly:

“Did you get a proper power-up?”

“No…”

“Huuh? So he didn’t impart any martial arts training?”

“No…”

“Ah, did he reinforce your goblin wand then? Am I right?”

“No…”

“Then did he teach you the killer techniques of martial arts he learned from ‘the King of Yurdo’…”

“No, no, no!”

Denying all my questions, Ha-neul finally answered in a voice sounding half-dead:

“I just received 24 hours of spiritual education… No martial arts training or anything…”

“…”

“I couldn’t even understand half of what he said. His speech was too profound! And right after the 24 hours ended, all he said was for me to withdraw, that I must forge my own path from now on or something… Ah, so annoying!”

“…”

I could somewhat understand Ha-neul’s frustration.

The Lord’s enigmatic way of speaking could indeed leave one’s head spinning.

Still, I didn’t think he had detained Ha-neul aimlessly for 24 hours without purpose.

It was hard to believe he did so just to brainwash her.

It must have been a power-up of sorts.

“It was even harder than my extreme fasting training with my master, I swear. I’m starving… Miho, give me something to eat.”

“Sure, here you go.”

I handed her ‘something to eat’.

“…Are you messing with me right now?”

“Why would I?”

“I asked for food, food!”

“I don’t feed anything other than dog treats and dog food.”

“…”

“Try them, they’re quite tasty, really.”

Evidently ravenous, Ha-neul swallowed her saliva at the sight of my dog treats.

Mustering her resolve, she took a bite, only to immediately spit it out:

“Blearghh, it tastes like death!”