The train ride toward the Shadow Atonement Prison. Kessler spent the entire time gazing out the window.
The scenery outside was always the same, and it was boring. Kessler looked down at his hands. It hadn’t even been that long since he left, yet he already missed the plump little belly of the Baby Arctic Fox that fit so perfectly in his hands.
No matter how deeply he inhaled, all he could smell was the stench of polluted soil. He pressed his lips together, recalling the addictive, toasty scent that used to rise whenever he stroked the fox’s fur and tiny paws. He was already experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Other beings boarded and left the train. Among the young skeletons, there was one who deliberately tried to catch Kessler’s attention.
— Clack, clack?
“What? You want an autograph?”
— Nod, nod.
A piece of paper and a pen were held out in front of Kessler. With a slightly troubled expression, he still uncapped the pen. He didn’t want to disappoint the little skeleton.
But Kessler had never signed anything in his life.
“Do you like animals?”
— Clack.
“Then I’ll draw you my favorite animal. That’s fine, right?”
— Clack, clack, clack.
A large fox was drawn across the entire white paper. Two ears, eyes, a tail… and even the tiny, dangling genitals, marked with a dot without forgetting.
“This is a Baby Arctic Fox. Do you like it?”
— Clack clack!
“Good. Now, go have fun.”
There were still ten hours left before arrival, so Kessler closed his eyes. The exhaustion from tearing through castles in search of the fox had piled up.
A blasphemous yet adorable little creature.
After a deep sleep, they arrived at the destination in no time. A slender, towering structure stood alone in a vast, barren plain, stretching its shadow all the way down to the unseen horizon. It was the Shadow Tower.
A place where those who had broken the law and faced the risk of annihilation gathered to preserve their bodies. Kessler stepped inside.
“Welcome, Sir Kessler. We’ve been expecting you.”
“Don’t wait for me.”
“Allow me to escort you to the Confession Room.”
At the center of the tower was an elevator operated by a pulley system. Kessler rode it all the way to the very top floor.
“Please enjoy your stay.”
A spacious and luxurious space that resembled a hotel, with a soft wolf-fur bed. Having voluntarily confined himself in the highest-quality prison, Kessler spent his time with practiced ease.
Then, on a whim, he pulled out the Golden Hour Hand from his bag. A birthday gift from the fox.
How could this have ended up in the fox’s paw?
Contrary to Yeo Woo-rim’s expectation that Kessler would engage in deep, penetrating reasoning, Kessler’s thoughts remained simple. He probably just picked it up because it was shiny, not knowing how rare it actually is.
“Hehe.”
Kessler found the Baby Arctic Fox, so full of loyalty, endlessly adorable—wanting to bring every pretty thing he found to him.
Getting up from the bed, Kessler approached the wall clock. He tore off the black hour hand attached to the clock face and replaced it with the Golden Hour Hand. At first, the newly installed hour hand wobbled around as if adjusting to the old clock, but soon it settled into place. The brazen attitude it displayed made the minute and second hands try to assert dominance, but there was no way such antics would work against the proud Golden Hour Hand.
Kessler smirked crookedly and commanded,
“Faster.”
The Golden Hour Hand began to drive the minute hand to move.
“Faster.”
Time inside the space, including Kessler’s own, began to flow more quickly.
***
Kessler’s early release from the prison was entirely thanks to the Golden Hour Hand. A week’s worth of time had been compressed into just three days.
Even the ‘Shadow Castle’ officials, who had been overseeing the Quest, hadn’t anticipated Kessler’s early exit. As a result, the quest was invalidated, and a new reward plan had to be drafted.
“So, you’re telling me I have to figure out that guy’s reward by myself? Why should I clean up the mess you made? Shut up. Where’s Snake Rim right now?”
— Clack, clack, clack!
“What? If I don’t agree to the reward, you’re all going to strike by mass annihilation? That’s a bit of a problem. I’ll just toss them an item or something. But seriously, where’s Snake Rim? There was no fox in the room either. Did the two of them go for a walk or something?”
On a day this foggy? Muttering under his breath, Kessler resonated with the surrounding air. Immediately, a faint jingling sound echoed not far away.
Without hesitation, he headed toward it.
“I’m here, Baby Fox.”
But the closer he got to the fox, the more his expression hardened.
The Baby Arctic Fox was in a pitiful state. Its fur, as if left unwashed for five whole days, was matted and dirty. One leg was broken, and its eyes were clouded with pain.
Kessler carefully cradled the struggling little fox in his arms. Without a word, he returned to his room.
The fox’s belly, usually soft and plump, now felt different beneath his fingertips—weak and frail, as if he hadn’t eaten properly for days.
“Eat.”
Squeak.
“You have to eat.”
When the bitter pill slid into the fox’s mouth, it flicked its tail in distress. Kessler’s brow furrowed right along with it.
Next, Kessler took a ‘Top-Grade Bandage’ from the drawer, one that accelerated recovery speed by 120%, and carefully wrapped it around the Baby Arctic Fox’s front paw. The pressure seemed to ease the fox’s pain, and its expression visibly softened.
Purr…
Soon, it drifted off to sleep. Kessler silently watched the sleeping figure.
Around the Baby Arctic Fox’s neck, the ‘Golden Collar’ was still securely fastened. This time, no one had stolen it.
Kessler touched it. Jingle. The small bell chimed.
The collar had been attached as a precaution—an unmistakable signal that the fox’s guardian was someone with great wealth. No matter how cunning a villain might be, if they weren’t a complete fool, they’d know better than to harm the fox, even if they did steal valuables. After all, if left alive, the fox might one day return adorned with even pricier treasures.
But this time, no one had taken the collar—yet the fox had still been grievously wounded.
Kessler’s hand, which had been slowly moving down the fox’s back to its tail, came to a halt.
His original plan—to properly train this fox into a mount for the future—no longer remained anywhere in his mind.
The world was simply too harsh for such a kindhearted, fragile Baby Arctic Fox to survive.
…Then he would just have to make it less harsh.
But first, there was something he needed to take care of.
Kessler summoned the castle’s manager.
“You called for me, Sir Kessler.”
“Snake Rim.”
“…”
“Where the hell is that lizard bastard?”
The manager wrung his hands anxiously before answering,
“He… went off to mate.”
“That braindead little shit. How long has it even been since he molted, and he’s already running back into the mountains?”
“There’s been an influx of lovely lady lizards from the neighboring mountains, apparently…”
“Then tell him to live there forever. Clear out his room completely. As of today, he’s expelled from Shadow Castle.”
“…Pardon? But, Sir Kessler, if a being affiliated with Shadow Castle leaves, their existence will—”
“Not my problem. He disobeyed my orders, didn’t he? He should consider it lucky he’s not ending up stewed into a pot of Snake Tail Soup. I have no reason to keep him around. From now on, that room’s going to be used as a playroom for the Baby Arctic Fox.”
“Understood.”
The manager lowered his head deeply, holding back his anger in his voice.
“And about what you mentioned earlier… The winner of the quest will be coming to receive their reward. Pick out an item and grant it to them.”
“Is he at least somewhat respected among the rabble?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Bring him here now. Let’s get this over with quickly.”
A short while later, Jung Da-hoon entered the Lord’s chamber with an awkwardly polite posture.
Kessler gave him a once-over and immediately felt his trust plummet. This clumsy-looking guy was supposed to be the most competent among them?
“I’m here, Sir Kessler… Truly astonishing. I never imagined you would be the Absolute Lord of this castle. Your humble demeanor is beautiful, and I am overwhelmed by your grace.”
“Shut up and hand over my Mark of Ownership.”
[System]: The item ‘Mark of Ownership’ has returned to its rightful owner.
As soon as he arrived, Jung Da-hoon had the ‘Mark of Ownership’ snatched away. Watching the item leap out of his tightly shut bag all on its own, he could only smack his lips in disappointment.
“Um, you said you would grant me a reward…”
“Pick anything you want and leave. After getting my permission.”
Telling him to pick anything while also demanding permission was a blatant contradiction, but standing before an absolute ruler, he couldn’t afford to nitpick.
“Was it a secret that you were the Lord of the castle, Sir Kessler? I won’t tell anyone else, so please feel free to act without restraint.”
“Do whatever you want.”
“Is that fox… yours, Sir?”
“It’s my fox.”
“I failed to recognize that. How foolish of me.”
“Yeah. Enough babbling—pick something and get out.”
“Yes, understood.”
“…Wait. Did you happen to see anyone bullying the fox?”
Jung Da-hoon clamped his mouth shut, searching for words, when the fox, who had been sleeping peacefully, slowly opened its eyes.
***
Fuck, what the hell is going on?
A confrontation between Kessler and Jung Da-hoon. But calling it that would be a stretch—Jung Da-hoon was far too submissive for it to count.
I tried to growl and bark, to show some token hostility in front of Kessler, but the drugs still hadn’t worn off and my voice wouldn’t come out.
“You’re the most trusted among the husks. That’s the only reason I’m leaving it to you.”
I flailed my legs, but Kessler had a firm grip on my belly, leaving me looking like a fox stretching after just waking up.
“Go find the bastard who had dirty thoughts about the baby Arctic Fox.”
[A quest has been shared with you.]
[Assigned Quest:
Though insignificant and unreliable, the Absolute One considers this individual to be the best among humans. He has been ordered to bring forth the one who broke your leg.
If he succeeds in bringing back the culprit, you will lift your paw to complete the ‘Proof of the Pawprint.’
–Reward: Unknown]
Jung Da-hoon gulped, clearly flustered by the sudden burden of the quest. But with it being a command from the Absolute One, there was no room for refusal.
“Get out.”
“…Yes.”
He composed his face, then left the room with the quest weighing on him.
I had just woken up, so I didn’t understand what was happening. No, even if I’d been fully awake the whole time, I still wouldn’t have had a clue.
…Seriously, what the hell is going on?
