Chapter 86

A contagious disease with no known cause or name has spread throughout Vestia.

Those infected all suffered from high fevers and their skin turned dark.

The speed of the disease’s spread is rapid, and the mortality rate is high, with some people dying within a day of symptoms appearing.

It wasn’t uncommon to see crow beastmen doctors wearing masks going in and out of houses, but there was no significant effect.

Without knowing what the disease is, healing was impossible.

If there was any silver lining, it was that magical healing and a priest’s blessing could suppress the disease.

However, even that merely slowed the progression of the illness; complete recovery was impossible. A proclamation was issued urging people to refrain from going outside until a solution was found.

People locked their doors tightly and didn’t step outside. The city had ceased to function as a city overnight.

The streets, which were once bustling, became eerie like a ghost town. Most shops closed, and the cat café was no exception.

Even Nero had caught the disease and was in critical condition. The proprietor wanted to rush over and see how he was doing, but…

“Will going there spread it? Absolutely not.”

Seira vehemently opposed it, leaving no other choice.

They had to stay cooped up at home.

“Master, could this be because of Lin?”

“What….”

It was indeed true. This was one of the major episodes that began after Lin became a Gumiho.

A disease originating from a rat beastman. Crow beastmen, resembling plague doctors, roamed the streets.

Anyone could associate this event with the medieval Black Plague, but the reality is different. This was not a disease.

– It’s the curse of a PaGyeSeung. A type of sorcery.

That’s right.

This is not the Black Plague, but a curse caused by sorcery.

Far in the east, in the Despair Plains, there is a stronghold where five yokai hinder Lin’s liberation.

The password is fixed. The remaining four are randomly assigned among one of the twelve zodiac spirits and three powerful yokai in every trial.

In other words, the occurrence of an event referencing the Black Plague signifies the appearance of a PaGyeSeung. It’s certain that it has entered Vestia and cast a spell on rat beastmen.

– That guy is probably somewhere in the city. If we catch the PaGyeSeung responsible for this disease, it will disappear.

Before more damage occurs, we must find and deal with the hidden PaGyeSeung. That’s the way to clear it.

“But how do we find him?”

– That’s for you all to figure out.

“Hmph. I won’t accept help. Master, let’s go ask the old lady.”

That’s certainly true.

If Yu Hwa has her clairvoyance, she would be able to find him easily. But…

“No. I won’t accept help.”

In the end, it’s Lin’s story.

It’s a trial that Lin must resolve, and if I seek Yu Hwa’s help, her contribution will diminish significantly.

“Then how will we find him?”

“Lin must find him.”

“Lin? But Lin doesn’t know where he is.”

That’s probably true.

Even if a fox has excellent hearing, smell, and sight, to search blindly in a large city is futile.

Lin said she wouldn’t accept help from a Gumiho, but here, her assistance is absolutely necessary.

“Big Lin, please cooperate.”

– You’re not talking about me, are you…?

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

– It seems there’s a serious misunderstanding. I’m a Gumiho, not your slave.

“That’s right, Master. Lin’s name is Lin. Don’t call her that; it’s offensive.”

The Gumiho and the prospective Gumiho, shaking their tails as if they had fifteen tails, protested. Watching them felt overwhelming.

But what’s wrong is wrong.

“Regardless, being inside Lin’s body means you’re under my influence. Therefore, you’re my possession.”

– What kind of absurd reasoning is that…

“It would be better for you to cooperate willingly before I summon a shamans and forcibly exorcise you. Or if you’re unhappy, you can leave.”

Big Lin could not hide her shock, standing there dumbfounded with her mouth open. Treating the great fox goddess and yokai king like a mere spirit was quite an enormous shock.

Don’t worry. I take excellent care of my slaves. I will set you free, so let’s cooperate, okay?

Big Lin crossed her arms and turned her head away.

– Even if you ask for cooperation, I’m just a thought entity right now. I have no power, so don’t expect anything.

“I know, so don’t worry. I’m just requesting you to be Lin’s mentor.”

– I thought the Cheonho would do it. Then my help won’t be necessary.

“You know that’s not true.”

Yu Hwa teaches Lin the basic sorcery of a yokai, but not the optimal sorcery for a Gumiho.

In simpler terms, I want her to teach Lin the dedicated techniques of a Gumiho. Among those, what I specifically wish for Big Lin is…

“Please teach Lin how to use her eyes.”

Not sorcery, but the power of beasts.

The Day Shadow Eye with golden pupils.

The Moon Shadow Eye with blue pupils.

If Cheonho has clairvoyance, it is said that Gumiho has the Day Shadow Eye and the Moon Shadow Eye, which are essential abilities for a Gumiho who alters fate.

Recently, in Baeyun Gorge, I obtained fragments of power. I hope they can teach Lin beast techniques while searching for the PaGyeSeung’s location.

While the child tilted her head in confusion, Big Lin’s expression darkened.

– How do you know that?

“Cheonho told me.”

– My eye’s abilities are known only to me; even Cheonho can only guess vaguely. But you seem to have the impression that you know everything?

“That’s a misunderstanding. How could I know anything about a Gumiho? I only know it has the power to alter fate.”

– ….

Big Lin didn’t easily dispel her suspicion. It seemed I had been too straightforward, but there wouldn’t be a more appropriate time than now.

With the PaGyeSeung beginning, yokai would come under the guidance of the password, and if I thwart all of them, the heavens will intervene themselves.

Time is of the essence. Lin must learn new techniques immediately.

“When Lin becomes a proper Gumiho, it would also be a good thing for Big Lin, right?”

– That may be true, but…

Why are you hesitating?

You have your own ulterior motives.

As if I wouldn’t know your intentions.

“Well, if you really dislike it, then there’s nothing I can do. It will be either punished by heaven or sealed again…”

– Ah, I understand. I will teach! Is that clear? But please, don’t call me Lin.

“I’m sad to say that if you don’t like it, I can’t force you.”

Right. I’m a good master.

I absolutely do not force my slaves.

Force is…

***

The Gumiho decided to teach Lin the usage of beast techniques.

She pretended to be indifferent to Carami at first, but in reality, she had planned to teach her from the beginning. As Lin gains strength and gets closer to becoming a Gumiho, she comes a step closer to her own goal.

It was just that she was flustered because Carami had made the first move and hesitated.

– Take out your fox bead.

Lin took out the bead. The pink bead she had was now infused with new colors, spreading like paint.

Warm golden light filled half of the bead.

– What you absorbed this time is the Day Shadow Eye. The power of your right eye has strengthened. Have you used your eyes before?

“Except when I’m sleeping, I always do.”

– I see, you know nothing at all. First, I have to tell you what each eye’s role is.

The Gumiho pointed to Carami.

– I’ll explain the representative abilities of the Day Shadow Eye. Now, close your left eye. Look at your master.

Lin closed her evening sky-colored eye, trying to focus on Carami. When Carami waved her hand, Lin smiled back and waved her hand too.

– Don’t do anything pointless; concentrate and channel your spirit power into your right eye.

Controlling spirit power was no longer challenging for Lin. As she circulated her spirit power in her dantian, it reached her ocular nerves.

A burning heat was felt in her right eye, and her vision suddenly brightened.

Like sunlight breaking through darkness, the Day Shadow Eye began to reveal things that were usually invisible.

– What do you see?

“…I don’t know how to describe it. Pieces are floating.”

Like looking through a kaleidoscope, pieces of various colors circled around Carami.

– What you’re seeing right now are the fragments of fate. You can see the possible fates that may happen to that person. There are so many, right? Originally, there should be only a few.

“Is it because I’m with Lin?”

– Exactly. The fate is twisting, increasing the number of possibilities drastically, making it unpredictable what future may approach.

Just being with a Gumiho unleashes various misfortunes, twisting fate.

Carami seemed closely connected to the Gumiho, as there were hundreds of pieces, and they were of diverse colors.

Some were monochrome, while others had various colors blended into one piece like palette paint. Most were in that manner.

“But doesn’t it lose meaning then?”

If there are so many possible futures, the significance of seeing fate disappears. It only serves as a subordinate ability to Cheonho’s clairvoyance.

– Right. It’s not very meaningful at the moment. Originally, the Day Shadow Eye and the Moon Shadow Eye come in pairs; you need both to do something, but you only have the power of the Day Shadow Eye.

“Where is the Moon Shadow Eye?”

– It’s with the password.

“Is Lin the prettiest in the world?”

– It’s not Lin, it’s the Gumiho. To begin with, I’m talking about the password, not the yokai, you little rascal.

Lin did not know who the password was or what kind of fox it was.

However, from the moment the password was mentioned, a tinge of the Gumiho’s anger began to seep in. Even Lin, who didn’t know who it was, subconsciously bore thoughts of vengeance.

At that moment, Carami couldn’t contain her curiosity and interjected.

“Are you not denying that you’re the prettiest?”

The two foxes blinked as they looked at Carami, tilting their heads slightly as if they didn’t understand the question.

“Of course, the Gumiho is the prettiest in the world, right?”

– It’s obvious that the Gumiho is the prettiest in the world.

Carami decided to remain silent.

As Lin continued to look at the fragments of fate, her eyes grew tired, and she dispelled her beast technique. She rubbed her dry eyes and blinked.

“But how do we find the PaGyeSeung with this?”

The Gumiho shrugged her shoulders.

– It’s very simple. We will sneak a peek at the trajectory of fate and trace back the sorcery.