Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 4 Foxy

......

“AHHHHH!”

Zerha’s shriek echoed off the walls of the cave, startling nearby bats into flight. Water rippled across the surface of the crystal-clear pool as she stumbled backward, clutching her face with both hands.

“Master! What’s wrong?” Garren cried, alarmed. He spread his wings, scanning the cave for hidden attackers.

Meanwhile, on the side, the nine-tailed fox narrowed her eyes, ears twitching. Master? Why would that dragon call her Master? He’s no ordinary beast, and he’s way stronger than her. Why would he choose to serve her? To top it all off… She's a demon!

Zerha flailed her arms dramatically. “Garren! This is NOT my face!”

Garren blinked. His draconic eyes turned half-lidded, his expression deadpan. “Master, you got reincarnated, remember?”

“Huh? Oh… Y-Yeah… HAHAHA!” Zerha slapped her forehead. How could I forget that I literally died and woke up in a fantasy world?

Garren let out a tiny sigh and gave his Master a long-suffering look. This master of mine… is somewhat stupid, he thought gloomily.

Zerha inched closer to the pool again, gazing into her own reflection. The water shimmered like a flawless mirror. “…I still have a beautiful face!” she declared, striking a pose. Her new appearance stared back at her, long white hair with vivid red highlights, intense red eyes, a small pointed nose, and soft lips of a natural rose hue.

Woah. This face is gorgeous. Though, to be fair, my face back on Earth was pretty, too… she thought proudly, tilting her head this way and that.

Meanwhile, the fox slinked closer to Garren, keeping her voice low. “Hey. Why do you keep calling her Master? There’s no doubt you’re stronger than her. And… reincarnated? What does that even mean?”

“She saved my life,” Garren replied simply, avoiding the part about reincarnation altogether.

“What? She’s a demon! Why would she save you? And how did a demon even get in here?! I’ve been guarding the entrance and I’ve never seen her enter once,” the fox said, confusion clouding her bright eyes.

“She’s different from the others,” Garren said firmly. “And she’s more powerful than I am.”

The fox’s tails bristled. “She’s a demon. You cannot trust her!”

“I know.”

The fox went quiet, though her tails continued twitching behind her. She stared at Zerha, eyes narrowed, suspicion shining bright. Even if Garren trusted this demon girl, the fox wasn’t convinced. Not yet.

Zerha turned away from her reflection, shaking off her shock. “Garren, let’s go! I want to leave this creepy cave. I keep hearing weird noises. It’s giving me the chills.”

“Okay, Master!”

Garren shrank down to his tiny dragon form and flitted over to perch on her shoulder, his tail winding around her neck for balance. They were about to head off when the fox suddenly called out.

“Wait!” she cried. “You want to leave this place? Who’s going to protect it? The other monsters and demons will come to steal your treasures the moment you’re gone!”

Zerha blinked. “Treasures? Garren… all these treasures in the cave… they’re yours?! Why didn’t you say so?! Here!” She swung her backpack off her shoulders and thrust it toward the tiny Garren. “Take it back.”

Garren shook his tiny head vigorously. “It’s all yours, Master. I give all my treasures to you.”

Zerha froze. And then:

“AAAAAAHHHH!!” she screamed, leaping into the air and punching her fists up in victory. “WOOHOO! I’M RICH!!”

Garren’s scales sparkled as he prepared to cast a spell to gather all his scattered treasures from around the cave. But before he could finish the incantation, the fox bounded forward, planting herself firmly in front of him.

“What are you doing?! You’ve guarded these treasures from humans and demons for countless years! Now you’re just going to give them away?!” Her voice trembled, not with greed, but frustration. I’m not mad because I want the valuables. I’m mad because she’s a demon. And the mighty dragon barely knew her. How can he just trust her so easily?!

“Yes,” Garren replied simply. “I also want to leave this place. Do you want to come with us?”

The fox blinked in surprise. “You… want me to come with you…?” She hesitated, a flicker of sadness passing over her elegant features. “As much as I’d love to leave… I can’t. This water is what keeps me alive.”

Zerha’s eyes widened. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Garren tilted his head. “Why do you need the water?”

The fox’s nine tails drooped. “Humans poisoned me. I… don’t know how much longer I have. This water slows the poison, but it doesn’t cleanse it. I’m trapped here.”

Zerha’s chest tightened. “Humans did that to you?”

The fox nodded miserably. Zerha clenched her fists, then turned a determined glare at Garren. “What if Garren heals you? He has healing powers, right?”

“I’m sorry, Master,” Garren said softly. “But I can only heal myself.”

Zerha’s eyes widened in dismay. “Is that so…? Then… let me try!”

The fox recoiled. “I would never trust a demon like you!” she snarled, baring her sharp white teeth.

Zerha flinched. Ouch. Okay… it really hates demons. But look at her fluffy tails… I want to hug them… AHEM. Focus, Zerha. Focus.

“You can trust her,” Garren said firmly. “If you want to live, trust her.”

“Yes! Yes!” Zerha nodded frantically, stars sparkling in her eyes. If I can heal her, maybe she’ll become my pet… my friend. I mean my friend!

The fox stared at Garren, who gave her a solemn nod of encouragement. After a tense pause, the fox stepped closer, still eyeing Zerha with suspicion.

Zerha sucked in a deep breath. “Okay… here goes nothing.” She placed her palms gently on either side of the fox’s furry head. A soft glow enveloped her hands, growing brighter and brighter until it illuminated the entire cave.

Then it faded. Zerha pulled her hands away, panting lightly. “So… how do you feel? Did it work? Is the poison gone?”

The fox froze. Her eyes widened, and she suddenly gagged, then spat something dark and viscous onto the cave floor.

Zerha recoiled, eyes round. “AHH! What is THAT?! Are you okay?!”

Garren’s golden eyes sparkled with delight. “It looks like she spit out the poison. You did it, Master!”

Zerha slumped forward in relief. “Phew… I’m glad I did it. Woah… I can’t believe I’m doing impossible things in this world…”

The fox took several deep breaths, then lifted her head to gaze at Zerha. All traces of hostility had vanished from her eyes. “Please… let me come and protect you from now on. I owe you my life.” she said quietly, lowering her head in a deep bow.

Zerha blinked. “H-HUH?!”

I don’t know why… but I feel something different about her, the fox thought. She can heal… that’s something demons don’t normally do. She must be special. Is this why the dragon chose to follow her?

Zerha found her voice. “Uh… what’s your name?”

“I’ve forgotten my name long ago,” the fox said softly.

“I see. So… Can I name you? Are you male… or female?”

“I’m female.”

“Okay, then… your name will be… FOXY!”

The fox’s fur bristled. “F-Foxy…?”

“You… you don’t like it?” Zerha’s shoulders slumped, a devastated look spreading across her face.

“I like it, Master,” the fox said quickly. “Thank you.” I suppose I can’t complain about names. I’m just grateful to have one again.

“Alright, then! Let’s go!” Zerha shouted, pumping her fist in the air.

“Wait, Master,” Garren said. He cast a glowing spell circle into the air. Instantly, sparkling lights erupted all over the cave as rare treasures, crystals, metals, gems, strange stones, rose up from the cave floor and floated toward them.

“This is all yours, Master.”

Zerha’s jaw dropped. “F**k. Really, Garren?! I hope all of this fits inside my backpack though…” She peered mournfully at her bag. “My poor, overstuffed backpack…”

“I can make you a storage item, Master,” Foxy piped up.

Zerha blinked. “You can?” How will she create something like storage? Will she make a small house and make it a storage room?

“Yes,” Foxy said proudly. “But I’ll need some of those treasures to craft it.”

“Alright,” She rummaged in her bag and handed Foxy several glittering stones and pieces of shimmering metal.

“Some of them aren’t the right items to craft. Will you allow me to choose?”

“Ah, yes ofcourse.”

Foxy gathered the right materials. She then closed her eyes, and magical symbols began swirling around her paws. Materials floated around her like cosmic dust, merging and molding into a small, elegant silver ring. Foxy finally held it out to Zerha.

“It’s done, Master.”

Zerha took it gingerly. “It’s a… ring? How’s THIS gonna hold all my treasures?” Is the fox making jokes? How can I put my treasures inside another treasure?

“Wear it, Master,” Foxy instructed. “I enchanted it with my magic. Whenever you want to collect items, just point your ring at them. It will automatically store them.”

“Try it, Master!” Garren urged.

Zerha slipped the ring onto her finger and dramatically pointed it at the mountain of floating treasures. In an instant, all the glittering items vanished in a rush of sparkling lights.

“This world really IS magical!” Zerha shouted. “This ring is so cool!” She twirled around in a victory dance, waving her newly adorned hand.

Foxy puffed up her chest proudly. “Ha! I’m good at that.”

Zerha blinked. “Wait… but… how do I get my stuff out?”

“Double-tap the diamond on top, Master,” Foxy said.

Zerha stared at the ring. This thing looks like a wedding ring… weird… She double-tapped the tiny diamond, and a floating, transparent screen suddenly popped up in front of her eyes. Zerha shrieked. “What the hell?! It’s like a game interface!” Icons for all her treasures, colorful stones, rare metals, and monster materials, floated in neat rows on the holographic screen.

“Foxy! You’re amazing!” Zerha squealed. “Thank you so much!”

Foxy smiled shyly. “I’m glad you like it.”

“Okay! Now that we’re done here, let’s go!” Zerha declared.

The trio finally exited the cave. As they stepped into daylight, a cool breeze swept over them, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers. Birds soared across a vivid blue sky, and sunlight streamed through towering trees. Zerha inhaled deeply, her eyes sparkling. “Wow… the view is so beautiful. It feels so peaceful.”

Garren and Foxy exchanged glances, sweat drops forming on their heads. Peaceful? This place is the farthest thing from peaceful, they both thought.

“Hm? Is something wrong?” Zerha asked, noticing their expressions.

“A-ha-ha… nothing, Master,” they chorused quickly.

“Where do you want to go now, Master?” Garren asked.

Zerha blinked. Oh… right. I haven’t thought that far ahead… “Hmm… I should probably find a place to stay, now that I’ve been reincarnated here.”

“There are three options,” Garren said. “The Haria Kingdom, the Demon Kingdom, or the Beast Kingdom. Maybe you should choose the Demon Kingdom, Master… since you are a demon.”

“But how about us?” Foxy interjected. “Demons and beasts aren’t exactly on good terms.”

“We also can’t enter the Beast Kingdom because Master is a demon,” Garren said solemnly.

“How about the Haria Kingdom?” Zerha asked. “What kind of kingdom is that?”

“The Kingdom of Haria is where humans live,” Garren explained. “But you can’t go there either, Master. Humans are demon hunters. They possess powerful magic. They could defeat both demons and beasts…But no matter what you choose, don’t worry. Whoever dares harm you, we’ll kill them, Master!”

“Yes! You can count on us, Master!” Foxy added fiercely. Even though she is confused on why Zerha doesn’t know those places.

Zerha buried her face in her hands. I don’t want to cause trouble! And why the hell are all three kingdoms not on good terms?!

“Do you have some ability to–” Zerha began, but she was interrupted by a loud crash.

BOGSHH!

A body flew through the trees, slamming into a trunk with a sickening crunch and slumping to the ground.

“UGH!”

Zerha, Garren, and Foxy all froze, staring at the figure tangled in broken branches. Zerha squinted, pointing. “Is that… an angel?!”

..........