Chapter 536: The Coming Storm
Chapter 536: The Coming Storm
The nine-tailed fox reflected on her brief existence, calmly awaiting absorption.
But after waiting, Tamamo-no-Mae didn’t reclaim her. Instead came a mocking voice: “That martyr’s face—do you see me as your enemy?”
_Everyone I game with becomes my enemy!_
The nine-tailed fox retorted inwardly before blinking open her eyes. “What’s your point?”
Tamamo-no-Mae smiled. “You’ll enjoy more freedom for now.”
This was a trial. Had the fox resisted returning, Tamamo-no-Mae would’ve forced her. Her calm acceptance permitted the next phase.
Though pleased at extended survival, the fox demanded, “What’s the catch?”
_Would she order me to ambush Kanzaki Rin? Better die now than face Fang Cheng’s wrath._
“A mission awaits.”
Tamamo-no-Mae avoided specifics. “The moon fox’s child—Uka Mirai. Why’s she an egg now?”
The nine-tailed fox saw no reason to hide the public fact. “Divine medicine injection caused it.”
Tamamo-no-Mae grew pensive. After long silence, she ordered, “Guard that egg. Whatever happens.”
“Meaning it’s in danger?”
“Follow instructions. Questions come later.”
Staring at her origin, the fox challenged, “Did you alter my memories?”
They should share recollections, yet Tamamo-no-Mae knew more. Past events felt warped—memories showed Tamamo-no-Mae hiding among humans before fleeing Apocalypse Knights.
Meeting her true self now revealed contradictions. Tamamo-no-Mae would’ve ruled humans, not lived humbly. Sixteen years back, they’d been one. Either her memory failed, or it’d been edited.
Noticing her realization, Tamamo-no-Mae chuckled. “Return to me, and learn everything.”
_Pass. You’d hate my mobile games anyway._
The fox glanced at her phone’s unplayed titles.
“Begone then.”
Tamamo-no-Mae dissolved into night winds, her final words echoing: “Protect that egg. Always.”
“Old hag repeating yourself—got dementia?”
The fox snorted at the empty darkness.
Once she confirmed her true form had left, her face fell.
Though Tamamo-no-Mae extended her timeline, the nine-tailed fox felt no joy.
Tamamo-no-Mae’s sudden return now could only mean one thing—the Lord of All Monsters.
The nine-tailed fox knew once the competition ended, Tamamo-no-Mae would reclaim her.
What did more time matter when such a fate loomed?
Sighing, the nine-tailed fox retreated.
After parting ways, Tamamo-no-Mae left the Mechanical City without delay.
She sped through most of Hokkaido, reaching Ibuiki City under cover of deep night and slipping unseen into the Iron Fortress.
Inside, lights blazed as Oni Yuki pulled all-nighters, oblivious to the watcher in the shadows.
Tamamo-no-Mae had been friends with Shōki and knew his three children.
The Shōki reincarnation didn’t count, but between the other two, she’d always believed Oni Yuki held the ability to inherit Shōki’s role.
Years later, the girl matched her expectations.
Yet tangled in mortal duties, Oni Yuki neglected cultivation. Matching Shōki’s power remained distant.
Tamamo-no-Mae left without disturbing her friend’s daughter, ascending Cloud Cliff’s peak.
She breezed past royal-member-only spells near Heavenly Lake, finding Shōki’s grave.
The site’s simplicity wasn’t disrespect—Oni Yuki couldn’t announce the Ghost Lord’s death publicly yet.
Only after securing her rule would she unveil her father’s passing and build a proper cemetery.
Whether Shōki would revive like Shōki remained unknown.
Tamamo-no-Mae gazed at the grave with an unreadable smirk. “Such a proud monster, lying forgotten here. Doesn’t it sting?”
Muttering to herself, she flicked her wrist. The grave split, exposing the coffin within.
…
Korea, Gwangju.
Shōki reappeared in deserted deep mountains after long absence.
Midnight found him perched on treetops, gourd-flask in hand, moonlight painting his stare across the sea toward Area 11—his homeland.
Frequent recent returns had dulled his homesickness.
With the Lord of All Monsters competition nearing, he’d prepared extensively in Area 11, even tracing the Ghost Lord’s entrance pass.
Tonight’s mountain visit sought allies.
After half-flask of quiet drinking, the land shuddered—earthquake-like vibrations shaking the terrain.
Beasts and birds fled as treetops swayed violently.
Shōki turned slowly toward the leftmost peak.
As the vibrations shook the land, a crack split open at the mountain’s base. A massive turtle-like head emerged from the foothills – Ghost Mountain, the most powerful monster of South Korea modeled after the Black Tortoise.
“Shōki!”
A deep voice echoed from the turtle’s mouth like tolling bells. “Why have you come again?”
Shōki smiled. “The competition for Lord of All Monsters approaches. By our promise, I come to invite my ally.”
This time, Ghost Mountain didn’t mock him. He sensed that Shōki’s power had returned to its peak, making him a legendary monster equal to himself. With such restored strength, Shōki qualified for the competition even without an entrance pass.
Yet Ghost Mountain hesitated. While needing allies to share pressure, he also wanted fewer competitors.
Shōki suddenly asked, “After Love Flame Ghost died, did you stop sending monsters to Hokkaido?”
Ghost Mountain admitted freely: “I’ve learned enough about that place.”
The truth was he had no more suitable forces to send to Area 11. South Korea’s monster population remained sparse in both numbers and variety. Love Flame Ghost had been perfect for the task – his loss pained Ghost Mountain deeply.
Rather than expose this, Shōki said, “Hokkaido now swarms with outsider monsters gathering messages for powers greater than ours. Why hesitate? If you fear me as threat, survive the competition first. Would you rather face known rivals or foreign strangers?”
Ghost Mountain’s weak hesitation wavered further. Familiar enemies proved better than unknown ones from distant lands.
“Isn’t it too early to seek me? You still lack the entrance pass.”
Shōki’s lips curled slightly, knowing he’d won. “I’ve located the Ghost Lord’s pass but face minor troubles. Lend me aid.”
Before refusal could come, he added: “Help me obtain it, and I’ll owe you a favor.”
“Empty words!”
“I’ll swear a spell-bound oath.”
Their pact made both content.
The ground quaked again, far more violently than before. Mountainsides crumbled, rivers diverted, countless trees fell. Even Shōki abandoned his treetop perch, tossing his sake gourd skyward to grow enormous. He leapt atop it, gazing downward.
The mountain itself rose hundreds of meters, shedding rocks and vegetation. Deep cracks encircled its base, revealing four pillar-like legs beneath. This mountain was Ghost Mountain’s body, stirring from long slumber to cause earthquakes.
“Haa… Long since I moved.”
Adjusting to standing, the colossal turtle began trudging seaward, head swaying.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each step cratered the land. From above, the giant tortoise moved slowly through now-hill-sized mountains.
Human Rights Coalition satellites detected the commotion, but both they and South Korea’s government dismissed a lone monster in remote wilderness.
Ghost Mountain entered the sea, swimming toward Hokkaido.