Demonic Kitsune

The gentle scent of the forest spread like a whispered rumor, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil and foliage. Bubura Gaston moved steadily, guiding the Half-breed Nin, GIMEL, along a path lined with tall, lustrous green trees.

The forest buzzed with the quiet hum of demonic insects and reptiles. Midges and gnats fought over grubs and moss while caterpillars and centipedes moved undisturbed, glinting wary gazes from the shadows at the passing figures. Despite their sinister appearance, these creatures posed no threat as long as they were left alone. Overhead, a partly cloudy sky cast soft shadows that danced with the cool, relaxing breeze.

Bubura Gaston, the base Steward—or Arrancar Pawn—glanced at GIMEL, who walked beside him with calm confidence. He noticed the alloy-steel bracers on her arms and legs—heavier and denser than ordinary iron. They were stronger than his own.

Bubura Gaston knew he was outmatched. Though he was an Arrancar Pawn, his abilities only qualified him to manage the Lumencis base. He was no match for an Arrancar Viking like GIMEL. But there was something more about this Nin. She seemed like she had once been a great and powerful entity, now reincarnated. It was, of course, impossible—such things only happened in fairy tales. Yet, deep down, he felt she could achieve great and unfathomable things. Her rise to the rank of Arrancar Viking and her first-place standing in the Instituto Del Arrancar were no ordinary feats.

She wasn’t just another Half-breed Nin.

Bubura Gaston stopped thinking. A Nin with such potential would someday become central to the Clan, but that was far from his concern, out here in the middle of nowhere. How long had it been since he left all that behind?

As they walked, Bubura Gaston reached into his robes and handed a few walnuts to GIMEL. She accepted them with a nod, her gaze lingering on the rounded, wrinkled nuts in their hard, ridged shells. 

Revitalizing Tortoise Walnut: Αναζωογονητική Καρυδιά Χελώνα.

She recognized it by its scent—one of her favorite fruits from her past life, and even the life before that. Of course, it was impossible to break without a nutcracker, but such acts had been trivial in her first life, though not in her current one.

Clenching her fist tightly—not so much as to turn it to dust, but just enough to split the rough-textured outer shell—she revealed the edible part: two lobes resembling small, folded brains, light brown and slightly oily to the touch. She tasted them, savoring the rich, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness, different from those she had known in her previous lives.

In her past life, the bitterness was deeper, with a lingering sweetness, but the life before that had a more balanced taste. The walnut she tasted now might be considered demonic. Which one would be her favorite in this life? She couldn’t be sure. After all, the nutritional benefits—high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids—remained the same.

At least, that was her assumption. The taste was enough to remind her of her previous lives.

“So, what information do you need?” Bubura Gaston’s words broke the silence, interrupting her thoughts. Feeling the cool breeze tickling her skin and clearing her mind, she replied calmly, “It’s about the ‘Treasure Hunters’.”

“I see,” Bubura Gaston said. “That’s a tough task.”

His expression grew awkward at her words. If he were in charge of this mission, he would have struggled. From the standpoint of the base, these targets were difficult. Despite being only five monsters, the “Treasure Hunters” were all top-tier combatants of at least “two chains.” The leader, the “First Purple Hobbit,” a purplish-hued goblin, was a third-chain combatant who could use “monsterization.” While many monsters could theorize about “monsterization,” few could apply it practically. Only those in the upper echelons of the “Arrancar Viking” rank could fight him.

Compared to GIMEL, the First Purple Hobbit was definitely a step above her, and three steps above Bubura Gaston himself. He glanced sidely at the Nin cautiously. Could she deal with the “First Purple Hobbit”? No, if it were just him alone, the base could handle it. But he wasn’t alone—there were all the “Purples”: First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth. It would be tough for the First Young Arrancar Group to handle them. Some young Arrancars or onlookers would likely die, even in the best-case scenario. Nevertheless, this was a mission from the Clan.

Bubura Gaston smiled bitterly. Was the Clan trying to weed out more young Arrancars?

“I need information because the mission might be more difficult than expected,” GIMEL said, her gaze deep and resolute.

Bubura Gaston felt a chill. Her eyes were cold, determined. Eyes like these only belonged to those with ambition, those who walked their own path without hesitation.

He had seen those eyes before, among Arrancars who had survived the Holy Grail war and had become stronger than anyone else in the Clan. The “Arrancar Knight and General,” the “Grand Rook,” the “Twelve Arrancar Grandmasters”—all were under one entity, the strongest in the Demon Clan.

Now, those same eyes looked back at him from this Half-breed Nin.

‘So, you’re a Nin of that caliber.’

Whatever GIMEL hid behind that gaze—if she succeeded in her mission—it would be wise to keep an eye on her. Plus, she was a beautiful jade that would draw the attention of not only the higher-ups but also male and female alike. She would surely be a big windfall for the Clan. Bubura Gaston made a decision.

“In that case,” he turned toward GIMEL as the chilly wind wafted through the trees, “I’ll give you the information.”

The Clan had issued a kill-on-sight order: eliminate the “Treasure Hunters” without hesitation. The information couldn’t be given away lightly, but GIMEL had passed the unspoken test.

As the wind continued to stir the forest, and the demonic insects went about their usual activities, the two Arrancars discussed the details. After a short while, GIMEL, having received the information, bowed slightly and headed back through the forest. Demonic insects, reptiles, and beasts parted quietly as she passed, heading toward the base’s resting areas.

Bubura Gaston watched her go, the scent of the forest still lingering in the air, mingling with the vibrant life. 

‘...The storm is on the edge.’

— — — — — — 

Time is always of the essence, but when it comes to relaxing, one might as well let it flow at its own pace. Only then can one fully enjoy what life offers, without hurry or haste.

Just go with the damned flow. This holds true for the young Arrancars as they enjoy some downtime in the base’s resting lodgings.

The base itself provides the First Young Arrancar Squad with lavish accommodations and meticulous care. 

For the first time, they were experiencing a rest unlike any they had known before. The food, an array of enticing dishes, was brought by blue-haired maids with single horns, their aprons fluttering as they moved. 

The large round table in the room on the shiro's top floor was laden with these delicacies. The hall itself, with its few but grand cathedral windows, offered a breathtaking view—an expanse of a misty forest, where demonic beasts lurked in the shadows. 

The luxury of the moment was undeniable, a rare pause before they would head into a battle that some might not return from.

The atmosphere was undeniably cozy, almost lulling. The young Arrancars, having finally washed away the grime and exhaustion with warm water, found themselves enveloped in an unfamiliar comfort. Yet, beneath the surface, unease simmered.

“Hmm,” one of them murmured, breaking the silence.

“I simply can’t get used to this,” another young Arrancar admitted, shifting uncomfortably.

“Right, it’s just like after the Seclusion Training,” another added, a note of tension in her voice.

“These dishes… they smell so delicious, that everything feels unsettling about them,” another young Arrancar voice joined in, trailing off.

As they stared at the feast laid out before them in the softly lit considerably large room, the young Arrancars exchanged uneasy glances. The opulence surrounding them felt almost too good to be true, and their faces bore the weight of that suspicion.

Clare arrived after climbing the oddly lengthy stairs. "Why are you all making such interesting faces?"

Zhan Ruyan stared at her, visibly frightened. "I... I think it’s too much."

Clare surveyed the room. Everyone was tense, clearly uncomfortable. She sighed, her bushy tails whispering softly. No matter how much food was given to the young Arrancars, if they couldn’t eat properly, it was pointless. Clare could relate; the atmosphere was anything but relaxed. She exhaled deeply, making a decision. “I’ll ask the maids to leave.”

“But…” The one-horned maid hesitated, opening her mouth to speak but quickly closed it.

“Just leave the food and go. I’ll speak with the Steward about it later.”

Flustered by the words of the fluffy, jade-skinned Half-breed Nin, the maid sighed, bowed her head, and exited the Grand Hall. As soon as they left, the young Arrancars visibly relaxed. Clare noticed this and smirked, though inwardly, she was annoyed at how her looks seemed to fluster others.

She took a seat next to Zhan Ruyan at the round table. “I’ve gathered information about the ‘Purple Hobbits—Treasure Hunters.’”

The mere mention of their mission shifted the squad’s energy. They went from uneasy to focused, their auras crackling like flames, their will-o’-the-wisp eyes sharp as daggers. But Clare closed her eyes briefly, reining them in with her words.

“Relax. We’ll discuss it after the feast.”

She opened her eyes and lifted her spoon with elegance, eating with the poise of royalty. The young Arrancars, still somewhat awkward, followed her lead and began to eat. Soon, the room was filled with the sound of clinking cutlery and the gulping of water. Their lack of basic etiquette as usual was apparent.

But who cared? Certainly not Clare. As long as they ate their fill, it was fine. A faint smile played on her lips as she watched the chaotic scene unfold around the table.

After the meal, the young Arrancars gathered under a familiar greenish tree. It wasn't very tall, with short, fluttering branches, and patches of soft, thick grass grew beneath its twisted trunk. This spot was on a platform in front of the shiro. 

Many other young Arrancars were already assembled there.

Clare sat in lotus form in front of them all, with Zhan Ruyan beside her. They were there to hear the intel brought by their squad leader while enjoying the cool breeze. Clare began to relay the information.

“As you all know, the group mission is about the ‘Treasure Hunters’,” Clare said.

They were, strictly speaking, a group of ‘Purple Hobbits.’ Five purplish-hued goblins had raided the Niphrim Fortress, the "Merchant Bank" of demon commoners, killing demons in the process before fleeing.

“Despite being part of Salamander’s weakest race—Goblins—these five are top-notch chained combatants. To give you an idea, the youngest, ‘Fifth Purple,’ is already at ‘Two chains’ with decent Monsterization mastery.”

With stable control over Monsterization, the Fifth Purple could be a serious threat if not handled with care. His power can grow explosively. Any young Arrancar facing him must stay vigilant. There’s a big difference between someone with raw power and someone with power and experience.

Clare was concerned. The young Arrancars might have reached the “third chains” level, but they lacked experience. Other than her, no one could win a one-on-one melee against a seasoned top-chained combatant.

“Of course, Second, Third, and Fourth aren’t much stronger than Fifth Purple,” she added.

Hearing this, the young Arrancars visibly relaxed, the tension easing in the breeze. Even though four of them had the advantage over Fifth Purple individually, they’d still need to use a “Rotation Striking Formation” and rely on their numbers. That was the initial plan, but Clare had another thought.

“You’ll handle Second Purple, Zhan Ruyan,” she ordered.

Only Zhan Ruyan could face such an opponent. He was the most talented elite from the Institute of Arrancar and had sharpened his skills through personal missions. Six times out of ten, if he persisted, he could win. Clare’s instincts, honed by countless experiences, told her that if Zhan Ruyan adapted as the talented Arrancar he was, he could win. If not, he would lose—and die.

Clare took a deep breath, her bushy tails curling slightly. She had to trust CHETH’s abilities here. Any more planning wouldn’t help. Besides, the remaining Arrancars could handle the Third and Fourth Purples, who weren’t much stronger than the Fifth.

Zhan Ruyan bowed, smiling, eager to take on the challenge and gain more experience.

Clare sighed, feeling confident they could manage four of the Purples. But there was still a bigger issue.

“The problem is First Purple,” she said.

Clare had explained that he was the strongest of the Five Purples, with full mastery of Monsterization. Except for her, no one else could last more than a few moves against him. Even if they tried to overwhelm him with numbers, they’d only end up battered—black, blue, and bloody.

Only one person in the First Young Arrancar Squad could deal with First Purple. That individual spoke up confidently. “Let me handle First Purple.”

The cool breeze rustled the leaves and petals, scattering them gently. With that, the meeting ended.

Clare leaned back against a tree trunk, feeling at ease. She played with the alloy-steel bracers on her arms as the Asura energy within her stirred, unrestrained. Clare smiled, comfortable with the sensation. Her physique had become as sturdy as Mithril through her steady practice of “Mithril Body and Soul Reinforcement” and “Mithril Physique Circulation,” and her soul was brimming with Holy Mana. Compared to before her Seclusion Training, her power had increased in both quantity and quality.

Her Mana of Fossilization had also grown stronger. However, Clare discovered a weakness when she fought Blanche, the ex-Song Saintess. The Unique Mana still required rapid mental fortitude and seemed less reliable against the Frost-yin Holy Mana that Blanche mastered. Clare needed to address this weakness soon. She could either increase her Unique Mana output or find a way to make the Mana of Fossilization effective against all types of energy.

Clare chose the latter. Increasing her mental fortitude and Unique Mana output might help, but the fundamental problem would remain when facing someone with mastery over Frost-yin Mana, like Dimitristsim Von Spaze. To petrify anything, including her opponent’s energy, Clare had to make her Mana of Fossilization universally effective.

As she caressed one of her bushy tails, her mind, and soul in harmony, Clare recalled techniques from her previous life and this current life. Dozens of methods cycled through her vast mental library. Using the “Ancient Text” as a guide, she sorted through them, searching for a solution.

And so, time, always of the essence, began to turn its gears once more, slowly but surely. Days flew by in a flash.

— — — — — 

In these past few days, Clare had been searching for a solution. But that wasn’t her only problem. She had re-played her battle with Blanche, the leader of the FrostAvalanche Clan over and over in her mind. Whether she was in her room, under the usual not-so-tall tree on the platform, or perched in lotus form atop the tall trees in the forest, the fight dominated her thoughts. Even after releasing the alloy-steel bracers from her limbs, she knew she lagged behind her opponent by about twenty-five seconds. She was determined to narrow that gap to five seconds.

However, perfection was elusive. Clare realized that trying to focus on multiple things at once would only slow her down. It was better to concentrate on the task at hand. Her thoughts cleared, like the sky after a storm, leaving only one question:

‘How can I prepare to fight the Five Purple Hobbits?’

The answer came to her immediately: step by step, slowly. Rapid progress or sudden epiphanies weren’t realistic goals. To become a strong and experienced fourth-chained combatant, she needed to prepare methodically, like building a solid foundation brick by brick—cleaning and maintaining it daily to keep it in pristine condition.

This approach would take time, but the result would be a fundamentally strong foundation. Clare wanted to forge a retainer that could withstand storms, hardships, fire, and tribulations—a retainer that didn’t rely on the help of an outsider, like being a Divine Being contractee. Just as she had done in her previous life, she was determined to rebuild herself.

If that was truly her goal, she shouldn’t rush. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day—not even a year, not even in twenty-one years, but in one thousand, one hundred and twenty-nine years.”

In conclusion, slow and steady wins the race. With a sigh, Clare let her drifting consciousness gather back together and sink into the depths of her mind. She pushed her spiritual awareness deep into her sea of consciousness. Her 'Asura energy' and 'Mana of Fossilization' stirred in response, tracing through her energy circuit as faint green energy danced around her.

— — — — 

Some meters away, Zhan Ruyan sat comfortably on the windowsill, watching Clare train. At first, he had believed GIMEL was a half-breed monster beyond comprehension—a genius or prodigy unlucky enough to be given such a pathetic ‘Arrancar name.’ Now he realized their squad leader was indeed a hard-working monster, just unlucky to have been given such a name.

With her monstrous talent and effort, it was only natural for her to defeat those below or equal to her level. GIMEL had started from the bottom—the least talented—and had worked a million times harder than anyone else to reach her current position.

Compared to GIMEL, Zhan Ruyan suddenly felt he had made very little effort. He clenched his fists tightly. This was the real world of Salamander, he realized. Unsure of what threats awaited him, Zhan Ruyan, also known as CHETH, wasn’t confident enough to go around boldly as his 'Arrancar name' implied. It was pathetic and humiliating, and he bit his lower lip hard. But it was the hard truth. GIMEL’s words had been correct back then—“You have no idea how vast Salamander is; you are nothing special...”

In other words, he was just an arrogant frog in a deep well.

It was well known among the young Arrancars that GIMEL’s boldness and maturity stemmed from her foxy bloodline, which was 55% stronger than her demon bloodline. Only Arrancars or those with keen senses, or those who had fought with Arrancars before, could detect the demonic traits in her. If GIMEL showcased her unique demonic energy, only then could one tell she was half demon. Otherwise, it would be difficult to even guess that her other bloodline wasn’t entirely demonic.

In any case, the instructors had been surprised by the nature of her half-breed demonic energy. Even the Senior Instructor, Edgar Le Nigel of the Yulin Platform had been curious—after the “talisman reveal” on GIMEL’s Demonic energy manifestation—leading to rumors spreading throughout all platforms. Many wondered what the hell this half-breed Nin had obtained from the Demonic Treasure Vault.

Naturally, even the Senior Instructors of all Platforms at the Institute of Arrancars were intrigued. Everything GIMEL had accomplished in her years as an Arrancar was shrouded in mystery. Her gazes, behavior, endeavors, movements, and training were all mysterious, with a hint of showing off. Even GIMEL, who had no intention of becoming so enigmatic, was amazed by the rumors.

Zhan Ruyan, CHETH, knew he would soon have to fight against the “Five Purple Hobbits”, relying only on his strength and the little experience he had recently gained. He smashed his gauntlets together and jumped into the room through the window.

GIMEL was really incredible, he thought as he stole another glance at her. Zhan Ruyan decided he must work harder too, to stay as her second-in-command and survive the upcoming mission.

Suddenly, Zhan Ruyan’s horn twitched, and his eyes darted toward the source of a demonic raven’s cry carried by the wind from the forest. He shouted to alert GIMEL, infusing his voice with a hint of demonic energy—not enough to shock her out of her training, but just enough to feel like a gentle tap on the cheek. GIMEL’s triangular ears perked up, her tails tensing in alertness. Her eyes flashed open as if she had already sensed the direction of the Demonic Raven. She reached her arm out to the side.

With a flutter of its dark wings, the Raven landed lightly on her arm, presenting a rectangular box equipped behind its back, tipped with a scroll inside and a tightly closed lid. This was likely a message from the Clan, containing information about the Five Purple Hobbits.

Zhan Ruyan leaped from the highest floor, landing gracefully on the platform below. Meanwhile, Clare dashed toward the tree.

Seeing this, the rest of the young Arrancars quickly understood and notified the others, who had scattered like ants, to gather at the usual meeting place under the not-so-tall tree on the Platform in front of the Shiro. With everyone assembled, Clare finally read the message.

A terrible silence fell over the group, broken only by the whooshing wind fluttering everything in its path and the rustling of leaves.

“Tsk,” Clare clicked her tongue, breaking the silence. All her hopes of a best-case scenario had just gone through the roof.

“...What could it be?” Zhan Ruyan asked. Clare didn’t answer immediately, squeezing the end of the scroll tightly as she slowly scanned through it.

After finishing the letter, she handed it to Zhan Ruyan. Addressing the others, he said, “There’s good news and bad news. I assume you’d all like to hear the bad news first.”

The others nodded.

“The bad news is that the ‘Five Purple Hobbits’ have noticed our existence. A surprise ambush is no longer an option.” Zhan Ruyan’s eyes were icy, his voice tinged with disappointment.