“Yes.”
There was no need to hesitate. I was already doing the “Become a Lizard” quest, so I could just progress with both at once.
As soon as I accepted the quest, holy black light erupted from every strand of my white fur, and a fierce wind swirled around the space, making it hard to even keep my eyes open.
—What’s this, kkadeuri?
Nyang.
To aid the rest of the dead, certain materials are required.
– Dead Tree Firewood 0/1
– Mud Resonance Pill 0/1
– Janggi Board 0/1
(To soothe the loneliness of being alone, a game of janggi is necessary.)
“A Mud Resonance Pill? Seriously… now they’re copying the Shadow Resonance Pill.”
I stretched out my body like I was loosening up, then sent a message in the party chat.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Looking for Jung Da-hoon, the guy who lent me money from the food sales
[Jung Da−hoon]: What’s going on? The money’s with Kessler. He was covering for me at the booth…
I had a hunch when Kessler suddenly started doing the dishes. But for some reason, he wasn’t responding. Even though all the little message checkmarks had disappeared…
[Kessler]: How much do you need?
[Yeo Woo-rim]: I need to buy a janggi board
[Kessler]: Do you need it right away?
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Yeah, why? Don’t have the cash?
[Kessler]: I didn’t take any money for the food
[Jung Da-hoon]: ?
[Jung Da-hoon]: What do you mean?
[Kessler]: Everyone said it tasted bad, so I didn’t take any payment
[Kessler]: I couldn’t charge for food that didn’t taste good
[Jung Da-hoon]: What?? Just because it tasted bad doesn’t mean the ingredients were free!
[Jung Da-hoon]: We still have to pay off the credit at the supply store??
Jung Da-hoon’s legs, standing at the edge of the funeral parlor, visibly wobbled. His face was painted with confusion.
[Jung Da-hoon]: Kessler??
But Kessler didn’t respond.
[Jung Da-hoon]: Kessler!!
[Kessler]: How much do you need?
[Jung Da-hoon]: We bought super expensive tails for the opening promo… we sold the food for way below cost.
When Kessler once again failed to respond, Jung Da-hoon furiously continued typing, his face bright red.
[Jung Da-hoon]: We even poured all of Pro’s capital into this.
He even added a period at the end. Things were escalating fast.
[Jung Da-hoon]: Kessler.
[Kessler]: I’ll talk to the food vendor myself.
[Kessler]: And don’t worry about the Baby Fox’s janggi board. I’ll get it for you.
I wanted to ask, “And how exactly are you going to do that?” But I didn’t press further. Kessler already looked cornered enough.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Don’t worry about the janggi board. I’ll find one myself.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Just focus on dealing with the food vendor, got it?
[KebabGudasaai]: clap clap..
I closed the chat window and rubbed my eyes with my front paw. Then I padded over to Jung Da-hoon, who was sitting there dazed, and gently licked the back of his hand. It meant don’t worry.
After leaving the funeral hall, I headed straight to Snake Rim’s room. It was time to retrieve the Shadow Resonance Pill I had given him.
‘You have entered the ‘Cave of the King.’’
I glanced at the notification window that popped up and vanished, then followed the path deeper inside. Taking a deep breath, I went over what I needed to say.
‘Just tell him times have gotten tough. Be polite. As respectful as possible.’
Nya, nyang.
I cleared my throat and was about to enter when I heard voices from inside—someone was already there.
“Yeah, thanks.”
The voice was Kessler’s. He was just stepping out of the room after finishing up, and when he saw me, he picked me up and hugged me. Then, without a word, he held out a Janggi board.
‘Premium Jewel Janggi Board’
A beautiful janggi board made of gemstones, easy for even a Baby Fox to play with. Crafted solely by artisan Tellasman, it is widely known as the most expensive janggi board in the desert.
– Winning a match on this board increases select stats only upon the first victory.
“Here, your janggi board.”
Kessler held out the ridiculous item with a look like a dad coming home with fried chicken after work.
I was completely thrown off by the unexpected gift. No, stay calm. This is Kessler—two-time champion and the game’s creator. He must’ve gotten it through reasonable, efficient means that don’t defy common sense.
I composed myself and typed out a message in a gentle tone.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Where did you get this?
“You don’t need to worry about things like that.”
The unease I’d sensed earlier began to take clear shape.
“All you have to do is stay happy in my arms, just like now.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Yeah, and that’s why I’m asking where, how, and by what method you got it.
“…”
Kessler stayed silent. Still in his arms, I stretched out both my front paws and practically grabbed him by the collar.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Show me your account history.
This was the same guy who took out a negative-balance account to throw an extravagant wedding.
“…That’s private. No matter how cute a Baby Fox you are—”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Don’t you know married couples should share this kind of stuff?
The moment I brought up marriage, Kessler cracked. Even as he tried to pick which bank account to show me, I suddenly reached out and snatched the one he was trying to hide.
‘Swamp Collateral Account’
A bank account with Kessler’s life pledged as collateral. Until the debt is repaid, Supreme Overlord Snake Rim has full rights to enslave Kessler.
Silence fell between us.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Are you out of your mind? You sold your body? Cancel this immediately—I’m being dead serious right now.
“Can’t you just accept my sincerity?”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Did you forget? I’m the leader. Listen to your leader.
“This contract can’t be canceled.”
I brought my front paws together and clenched the account book in my mouth, trying to tear it up. But it wouldn’t rip.
※This contract can only be annulled by Snake Rim.
Kessler bit his lower lip hard.
“This is humiliating. You’ve exposed my shame.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Shame or not, have you completely lost your mind? We made it this far with the Free Pass and now you’re in debt? Are you just throwing the game away?
“I just wanted to give you the very best. Can’t you just be happy about it?”
I started typing furiously to rebut him, but Kessler grabbed my front paw and gently pressed my muzzle into his mouth. A silencing tactic—he’d trapped me to stop my nagging.
But I couldn’t let it go. To a pro gamer, in-game currency is as serious as real money.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: We’re getting a refund. I’m going to see Snake Rim. Come with me.
“Nope.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: What do you mean ‘nope’? You think this is a joke? You think batting your eyes solves everything?
“Didn’t you say you’re a casual gamer? Why are you mad at me?”
True… But playing casually while giving it my all is how I do have fun.
I barked as I yanked his neck in the direction of Snake Rim’s room, cooling my temper just a little.
[Yeo Woo-rim]: You haven’t repaid Jung Da-hoon yet, right?
“I’ll get the money now.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: How?
“I’ll figure something out.”
[Yeo Woo-rim]: Just don’t do anything reckless. I need to talk to Snake Rim, so put me down.
“Okay.”
I gave him a little kiss on the lips, and he nodded, setting me down.
“Go on.”
Nyang nyang.
“You go first.”
We wasted time arguing over who would walk the other out. Eventually, Kessler picked me up gently and placed me in front of Snake Rim’s door.
Nyang.
“Alright then. Hyung… I’ll be going.”
I stepped inside Snake Rim’s room alone. He was lounging arrogantly, being fanned by a harem of female lizards.
“I’ve arrived, Father.”
“You’re here, Baby Fox.”
Snake Rim looked to be in high spirits. Of course he was—his long-abused servant Kessler was now completely under his heel.
“Regarding the Shadow Resonance Pills I lent you last time… when will I be getting those back? I believe I gave you around 232 of them.”
“…Huh? Oh, I already used those all when I built this place.”
I stared at him.
“You said, ‘Thank you, Baby Fox. I’ll never forget this favor.’ I remember your exact words.”
“Hoho, and that’s exactly why I invited you and your companions here, isn’t it?”
“I thought you summoned me because you were finally in a position to repay what you borrowed from me.”
Uncertainty flickered in Snake Rim’s yellow eyes. He clearly hadn’t expected this kind of pushback.
“Haven’t I treated you well enough? I even let you stay in this magnificent and secure chamber with me…”
“How many years has it been since the day you left, Father?”
Time flowed faster in-game, so a considerable period had passed—especially factoring in construction of the swamp.
“Ten years. It’s been ten years since I left that place.”
“…Didn’t you just host the City’s 100-Year Construction Anniversary last year?”
“Hmmph!”
Playing dumb, but he was sharp and cunning. The way he suddenly downplayed the timeline the moment I mentioned a loan told me he’d already calculated the interest and trimmed the numbers without shame.
I decided not to sugarcoat it.
“It’s not like I’m some loan shark trying to make a quick buck off this, and I have no intention of taking your life as collateral or turning you into a slave. Out of respect for our past, I’ll accept repayment at the standard bank rate—5% interest. For the full 100 years. When can you pay up? I’m in a bit of a financial pinch.”
Snake Rim’s tail began to twitch with visible unease.
“My son…”
“Yes, Father.”
Snake Rim looked at me with teary eyes.
“Would… would you consider letting me pay in installments?”
“Given the volume, I can allow a 12-month installment plan. It’s not that I don’t trust you, Father, but business is business. I need to formally record this for tax purposes, so let’s draw up a proper contract. If you miss a due date, the interest rate will go up accordingly. I expect exact payments—in MudResonance Pills.”
‘How dare you exploit Kessler’s blind devotion to me… and now you want to pull the same trick on me?’
