#28.

“Fufufu.”

Tabby giggled as she swam around me. As she moved, bubbles formed in the air, creating the illusion of being underwater.

“Just as I thought, someone would come if I waited long enough.”

Tabby muttered to herself and lightly touched my cheek.

“I didn’t expect such a bold child to come. And this scent… even the wild beasts would find it hard to resist. It’s a very sweet scent.”

“Zerakiel said I had a sweet scent too.”

“Zerakiel?”

“Yes, the young master of the black lion.”

“Oh dear, of all people, a black lion…”

Tabby’s voice trailed off. I already knew my life had become extremely complicated, so it didn’t affect me much.

More importantly, I needed the power of the relic for my future escape plans. I already knew from the original story that Ella’s unique pheromone had even sparked a war.

“So, I need your power. If I continue like this, I’ll be everyone’s target.”

“Hiding your power won’t solve anything.”

“At least it will buy me some time.”

Just until I could fully understand and master the abilities of my pheromones.

In the original story, many families tried to exploit Ella’s power. Without cultivating my strength, I wouldn’t escape Ella’s tragic ending.

But right now, I didn’t even know the exact nature of my power. As a newly transformed beastman, I was like a delicious prey exposed to danger.

Tabby, who had been observing me, spoke.

“Indeed, the sweeter something is, the more dangerous it tends to be.”

At first, all I wanted was to survive the harsh and bitter winter safely. Faced with the immense reality, I was busy just trying to stay alive.

But that was when I couldn’t transform into a human.

Now, I had to find a direction to move forward. If I remained passive, I might repeat the same mistakes from my previous life.

“Let’s make a contract.”

Tabby floated closer, her expression becoming serious.

“I’ll lend you my power, but you must promise to use it wisely and not let it fall into the wrong hands.”

“I promise. I’ll protect it and myself.”

Tabby nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Very well. From this moment on, our contract is sealed. Use my power to carve your path and stay true to your promise.”

A warm light enveloped me as our contract was formed. I could feel the strength and reassurance of Tabby’s power settling within me.

“Thank you, Tabby.”

Tabby nodded again, then swam back into the mirror, disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.

With newfound resolve, I knew that my journey was only beginning. But now, with the guardian’s power by my side, I felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead.

I needed to find the strength to protect myself.

“I don’t want to live a life where I’m controlled by others anymore.”

When I recalled my past life, there were more painful and sad memories than happy ones.

The things I loved always left me in unwanted ways at my happiest moments. The things I desired seemed to come close only to vanish without a trace in an instant.

It was hard enough to stand on my own, and so many people tried to shake me down.

 

‘You can do this much for me, right? After all I’ve done for you? You only have me as a friend because you always act like that.’

‘They say taking in a child without parents is a bad idea. Look at how she stares at adults with those wide eyes! So rude!’

 

Both the friend who used my need for affection against me and the relatives who coveted my grandmother’s insurance money only sought to unsettle me.

The worst part was my own foolishness for believing they were my friends until the very end and being betrayed.

I won’t live like that anymore.

“I’d rather be the one pulling the strings.”

Anyone who tries to exploit me will get burned first.

Tabby laughed at my fiery declaration.

“Indeed. With the power you possess, you might be able to command even the wild beasts.”

“What power do I have?”

“I can’t tell you yet. It would break the rules.”

Rules.

Guardians could see the past, present, and future all at once. By now, Tabby had probably seen my entire past, present, and future, maybe even my memories from my previous life.

But seeing it didn’t mean they could say everything. There were rules they couldn’t break.

Until the right time came, I couldn’t get future information from the guardian.

“So, you think running away is the best plan?”

“For now.”

“That’s not a good idea, my dear. Running away will only put you in greater danger.”

I couldn’t ignore the words of a guardian. When I blinked, Tabby continued.

“For now, staying in the black lion’s den is the safest option. The young master of the black lion seems quite obsessed with you.”

Tabby tapped my wrist where Zerakiel’s imprint was etched.

I rubbed my wrist absentmindedly. Knowing the significance of this mark from Hiscleif, my thoughts were a jumble.

Having been imprinted, escaping Zerakiel completely would be difficult.

I was a bit scared of ending up like Ella in the original story.

“And what if he devours me?”

In every movie, the person who lets their guard down dies first.

I knew how ruthless the Zerakiel in the original story was. Even if the Zerakiel before me was just a young boy now, I couldn’t let my guard down.

I constantly worried about what would happen if he turned dark one day. Then Tabby gave a straightforward answer.

“Didn’t you say you’d pull the strings? If you can’t handle a black lion, then maybe you deserve to be devoured. What else can you do?”

Such empowering words.

I stuck out my tongue at Tabby’s zero empathy answer. But I had to admit, she was right.

How can I live differently if I act the same as before? I’m the only one who can protect myself anyway.

This place was a literal jungle. In a world full of wild beasts, a weak white ferret like me needed to be resolute.

Yes. I was a white ferret beastman who could chew on a black lion’s paw. If he tries to devour me, I’ll bite first. Attack is the best defense, as they say.

“You’re right. So lend me your strength so I can wield it properly.”

I extended my hand, and Tabby lightly responded.

“Of course.”

With that, Tabby’s entire body glowed with a silvery light, marking the beginning of our contract.

* * *

Shhh—!

From the well that had been dry, a torrent of spring water erupted with a thunderous noise.

Zerakiel stood there, staring blankly at the unbelievable scene until he noticed a familiar figure and burst into laughter.

Chichi, standing on the surging well, riding a wave.

She was balancing comically on a plank, looking like she was surfing. It was hilarious.

‘Anyone would think she was a seal in a past life.’

She was never boring to have around.

Hiscleif was also stunned by Chichi’s unusual entrance.

“Zerakiel?”

Chichi called his name as she slowly stepped out of the well. She was drenched and looked quite pitiful, but even that was cute in its own way.

Zerakiel quickly took off his outer garment and wrapped it around Chichi. He even pulled the hood over her head, wanting to keep those twitching ears to himself, making Chichi look away and mutter an excuse.

“Thanks, I lost my hat…”

“Did you want to go swimming this time?”

“The water tastes good.”

“Oh, is that it?”

Zerakiel couldn’t help but laugh at her unpredictable answers.

The tense atmosphere that had been building up moments ago was completely diffused by Chichi’s dramatic entrance.

“So, is this the end of your escape?”

“Call it an outing.”

“Disappearing without a word is called running away.”

Zerakiel smiled brightly as he playfully scolded her, making Chichi puff out her cheeks and mutter complaints that he couldn’t quite catch.

Zerakiel tilted his head, noticing something was off. The sweet scent he used to sense from Chichi was no longer there. It was as if she had learned to control it herself.

It couldn’t have been due to the imprint alone; her pheromones were exceptionally stabilized.

Zerakiel instinctively glanced at the well. He had heard it dried up hundreds of years ago, so how had she managed to unleash it?

All Chichi did was go in and come out, yet the dried-up well now gushed water abundantly, soaking the area around it.

It seemed like she had undertaken some secret training inside. Whatever it was, it was clear Chichi had done it on her own.

“It wasn’t just a simple escape, was it?”