The day I first met Vivi was, as usual, a day when the foolish wolf clan was after Ahin’s life. No matter how anxious they were about their barren territory, their recent behavior had gone too far.
As he entered the forest bordering the rabbit territory to make things easier, sure enough, a dozen or so wolf beastfolk rushed at him.
It wasn’t difficult to turn them into corpses in a few moves. Standing in the middle of the pile of bodies, Ahin stretched his stiff shoulders.
‘Everine is….’
A blatant sneer hung on his lips. Everine, who consistently called himself a civil servant, hated fighting as much as his claim suggested. So, the last thing Ahin saw was his dignified back climbing into the carriage as soon as the wolf clan appeared.
‘Master Ahin, I wish you a safe return.’
A subordinate who even bids farewell to his master before fleeing. Sometimes Ahin doubted if Everine had hundreds of lives. Thinking of him, Ahin decided to throw Everine into the middle of the wolf clan next time.
“Anyway…. The higher-ups are so heartless.”
“It’s not surprising, is it?”
While putting away his sword, he heard whispering conversations in his ear. Their presence was noisy and not quiet at all.
The presence of Ash and the black panthers circling around them instinctively became alert. Ahin, who reached out to stop them, leisurely followed at a certain distance.
“Hey, aren’t we too far from the border?”
As he got closer, the conversation became a little clearer.
“We need to take it this deep to avoid any trouble. They commanded that it must die at the hands of the black panthers.”
They crossed the border recklessly and wished for death at the hands of the black panthers. Laughing, Ahin drew his sword from his waist. The sound of metal friction rang out.
“What is that sound?”
The moment the beastfolk who recognized him turned his head, the blade of the sword gleamed in the light.
“Aaaaagh!”
“Ugh!”
The heads of two rabbit beastfolk who couldn’t resist flew off. Ahin’s red eyes, flicking the blood off his sword, landed on the basket they had set down.
It was too small for a creature to fit in. Even a baby black panther couldn’t fit in it.
Kicking it with his foot, Ahin raised his eyebrows at the strange scent he sensed.
‘What is this?’
Lifting the basket with the tip of his sword, there was a rabbit curled up with its front paws on its head.
‘A baby rabbit?’
It was too small even to be a bite for the black panthers inhabiting the forest. Moreover, the rabbit emitted a subtle pheromone he had never encountered before.
“Ash, go away.”
When Ash, who was looking inside, coveted it, Ahin shooed her away with a shushing hand.
His empty red eyes, looking down at the rabbit, turned to the heads of the dead beastfolk. He killed them too hastily to ask what they were trying to dispose of. Regret came too late, and Ahin clicked his tongue shortly.
When he picked it up with his hand holding the sword, it swung its absurdly small front paws earnestly. Despite its bravely swinging paws, it was clearly terrified.
‘Should I kill it,’
‘or not.’
Watching intently, Ahin wore his characteristic dry smile. It seemed quite spirited. The rabbit struggling desperately to escape was amusing.
“Is it crying?”
It seemed to feel a threat to its life, as tears wet its white fur. Somehow feeling an urge to swallow it, Ahin slowly licked his lower lip. Each time it cried, a delicious smell emanated. The more intense its emotions became, the stronger the subtle pheromone grew.
“Cry more.”
Contrary to his demand, the rabbit’s movements stopped. It opened and closed its mouth, then soon went limp, pretending to be dead. It felt like watching a one-man circus.
‘Should I keep it alive for now?’
Since it was abandoned in the forest owned by the Grace family, it was practically his. With the rabbit shoved into his pocket, Ahin’s steps somehow felt satisfied.
* * *
A sharp scent of blood covered the forest. The number of wolf clan members, piled up in layers, finally seemed to be dwindling. As Ahin elegantly swung his sword, he suddenly heard Everine’s shout.
“Ash!”
It had been a long time since Ahin had heard Everine’s scream. Reflexively turning his gaze, he saw the carriage door burst open and a black creature jump out. It was Ash. The knights who dismounted followed Ash, and Everine, with his sword drawn, approached Ahin.
“Everine?”
In the unexpected situation, Ahin momentarily wore a dazed expression. His red eyes persistently followed Ash as she ran off. One of the wolf beastfolk took advantage of the distraction and raised his sword.
“Ugh!”
Twisting his body, Ahin lightly sliced the wolf beastfolk’s neck.
“It’s an emergency. Ash suddenly took the rabbit and jumped out of the carriage.”
Everine, who had approached, explained with a troubled expression. By then, the wolf clan had formed a circular formation around them. Ahin, aiming his sword at them, questioned back.
“Why did Ash do that?”
“I have no idea. An arrow flew in and shattered the window, maybe it startled her…. I will chase after her immediately.”
The window shattered? Repeating Everine’s explanation, Ahin’s expression turned serious. Kicking away a wolf beastfolk who lunged at him, he turned in the direction Ash had disappeared.
“Everine, you handle the rest. I’ll go after Ash.”
“Me, alone? That’s impossible.”
“No, you can do it.”
“Will you come to rescue me if it gets dangerous?”
“Well, depends on how well you do.”
Smiling, Ahin angled his sword. Clearing a path, he sprinted off, his silver hair flying wildly.
After running for a while, he saw the backs of the escort knights who were chasing Ash. They widened their eyes upon seeing Ahin appear from behind.
“Master Ahin!”
“Go assist Everine.”
With a glance, the escort knights understood and turned back towards Everine. Since only a third of the wolf clan remained, they would soon be able to clear them out.
Ahin resumed his pursuit, effortlessly leaping over a rock that blocked his path. The distance turned out to be longer than expected.
Taking a wide look around, Ahin sharpened his sense of smell. A faint scent carried by the wind caught his attention. The pheromone he had embedded in Vivi was leading deep into the thicket.
As he ran in the direction of the pheromone, he bit his lip. The voice of the rabbit beastfolk he had killed in the border forest echoed in his ears.
‘That rabbit is indeed a beastfolk.’
When he first met Vivi, she had a barely noticeable pheromone that one had to pay close attention to detect. Sometimes it would wane or disappear entirely.
‘Already eighteen years old.’
But over time, Vivi’s scent grew stronger and more distinct. Too much for a beastfolk’s pheromone that hadn’t undergone humanization.
‘A total of four times.’
That was the number of incidents Vivi had caused so far.
The first was the day she came back covered in Rune’s pheromone.
The pungent scent of a lion displeased him, so he deeply infused his pheromones. Subsequently, Vivi, who strangely wilted, fell asleep, and so did he.
The second time was at the ball.
Upon encountering the blatant pheromones of a fox beastfolk, Vivi abruptly left the ballroom and disappeared. It was a stark contrast to her usual obedient behavior.
Moreover, Vivi, who would flatten herself at the sight of a predator, swung her paws in defiance every time Rune spoke that day. It was as if she was desperately trying to hide something. This indeed fueled Ahin’s suspicions.
The third time was recently when he bit Vivi’s neck, where her pheromones had become particularly strong.
For some reason, it felt like she excessively rejected his pheromones. To understand why, Ahin suppressed all his pheromones before sleeping, only to be completely overwhelmed by Vivi’s pheromones.
And the strange situation when he woke up. Vivi, who used to struggle at the sight of fangs, was sleeping in Ash’s arms. Moreover, she held a strand of hair from someone unknown in her hand.
‘She’s an odd one who hasn’t undergone humanization even after the coming-of-age ceremony.’
When the path no longer continued, Ahin briefly paused and licked his lower lip. As expected, Ash was heading towards an isolated place.
“…What a bother.”
The fourth time was now. He moved through the dense foliage, cutting it with his sword.
Ash, who ran off with Vivi as soon as the window shattered. The outside air was mixed with pheromones from the battle between him and the wolf beastfolk.
All these incidents were related to pheromones. Specifically, when Vivi inhaled another’s pheromones.
As Ahin passed a massive tree, his brows slightly furrowed. An old, almost collapsing shed stood there.
‘The smell of blood.’
Besides his own pheromones that he had embedded in Vivi, he sensed a strange pheromone. Forming a bad hypothesis, he sped up.
As soon as he threw open the old door, the sound of wetness met his ears as blood soaked his shoes.
Two corpses, with their necks torn and instantly killed, came into view. The bitten parts were in tatters, likely the work of a beast.
Ahin’s red eyes slowly moved to the center of the shed. He momentarily held his breath, tightening his grip on his sword.
‘A woman?’
A strangely dressed woman was sitting on the ground, hugging Ash. Her long white hair barely covered her naked body, making her appearance difficult to describe.
Ahin’s gaze traveled from her bare feet up to her face. Her light purple eyes were visibly trembling.
Sheathing his sword, Ahin checked for outside presences. The bushes swayed with a chilling wind. There were no signs of wolf beastfolk, Everine, or the knights.
After closing the door, he tilted his head slightly to face the woman again. His calm red eyes moved between her pale face, white hair, and moist eyes.
Inside the shed, amidst the tangled pheromones, a distinct scent stood out. The thick pheromone he had embedded in Vivi was coming from the woman.
Without taking his eyes off her, Ahin slowly blinked.
“…Vivi.”
There was no way he couldn’t recognize her.
* * *
A heavy silence settled in. Ahin gazed at me with an unwavering stare, not expecting an answer.
Unable to make a sound, I instinctively touched my body. The feel of split hair and smooth skin was unfamiliar to my fingertips.
In my shaky vision, I saw my disheveled white hair. It was a clear human form. Realizing I had not reverted to a rabbit, suspicion clouded my eyes.
‘How?’
In that brief moment, from recognizing my identity to his indifferent demeanor. Countless questions swirled in my mind.
“How did you….”
As soon as I began to speak, I felt a rough breath and hastily looked down at Ash. Ash, who had buried her head in my arms, was panting heavily.
“Ash!”
What do I do, please. Her labored breathing seemed about to stop at any moment.
‘Please!’
Even as I pressed my hands against the wound, the bleeding showed no sign of stopping. Blood oozed between my fingers.
“Move aside.”
Feeling Ahin’s presence behind me, a large jacket was draped over my back. Warmth and his scent enveloped me.
Ahin, who knelt and sat beside me, ran his hands over Ash’s body. Following his touch, the black fur matted with blood became tangled.
His sleeve brushed against the fur, staining with blood. His slow movements went over the sword wounds on Ash’s leg and the wound that pierced her waist.
“The sword wound is deep. Even if we move her, she won’t make it to a healer.”
“No….”
His calm voice, extinguishing even faint hope, felt surreal. Pain throbbed in my heart, and heat rose to my eyes.
No, Ash, Ash. Unable to continue speaking, I repeatedly stroked Ash’s cheek.
Tears fell, further darkening her black fur.
A deep shadow of death had settled over Ash’s half-open eyes.
There was no sign of life in her slowly blinking eyelids. Facing her, my breath caught, and my vision blurred.
“Huh…. Ash….”
I had never lost someone close to me before. My helpless hand brushed Ash’s eyes and cheeks.
It hadn’t been long, but she had given me unconditional affection and risked her life for me. I wasn’t ready to let her go. It hurt as if a lead weight had fallen on my chest.
Eventually, Ash’s head, cradled in my arms, fell limp.
“No!”
I screamed, burying my face in Ash’s cheek. The warmth remained, but there was no response from Ash, who had closed her eyes.
“Please, Ash, Ash—….”
As my emotions heightened, my breath quickened. My head was so dizzy it felt white inside, perhaps from crying too much.
“Wait.”
Ahin, who held my wrist, tried to calm me down, noticing how overly excited I was.
His hand, as if trying to pull me away from Ash, made me resist and hug Ash’s head tighter, shaking my head as only a choking sound came out.
“Vivi.”
Ahin’s hands grabbed my shoulders again, this time more firmly. As I looked back with a tear-streaked face, I met his deep red eyes.
As he quietly stared, he reached out, causing my body to flinch. His hand soon came close, gently brushing aside the tangled white hair stuck to my face.
“Look closely.”
Without further explanation, Ahin nonchalantly touched Ash’s wounds.
Startled, I grabbed his wrist, trying to stop him. I felt that even if it was a corpse, it should be preserved with dignity, and my vision blurred again.
“The sword wounds are gone.”
“…What?”
Wounds disappearing seemed too far-fetched. In such a tragic situation, Ahin’s seemingly deceptive words made me even more resentful. A flash of unconcealed contempt crossed my eyes.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“See for yourself.”
He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at Ash. As I looked down at the wounds Ahin pointed out, my eyes widened.
“…Huh?”
The bloodstains were still vivid, yet the gaping wounds had vanished without a trace.
“This, this is….”
In a daze, I reached out and ran my hand through Ash’s fur. Not only had the deadly wound that pierced her waist disappeared, but even the sword slash on her leg was gone.
“How did this happen….”
My bewildered gaze alternated between Ahin and Ash. He raised an eyebrow, offering no further explanation.
Tentatively, I placed my hand on Ash’s nose and felt her breath. She was indeed breathing.
‘Unbelievable.’
Faced with this astonishing reality, I bent down and pressed my ear to Ash’s chest. Faint but unmistakable, I could hear the thump, thump of her heartbeat.
‘She’s alive…?’
The shock was so great that even my tears seemed to stop. The wounds had surely been fatal moments ago.
“Ash.”
I sat up abruptly, cradling Ash’s head. Her snoring, a gentle purr, sounded like she was in a deep, peaceful sleep.
“Ash, are you sleeping?”
She had been limp like a corpse just moments before.
In disbelief, I lightly slapped Ash’s cheek. Her tongue flicked out in response, moving in and out of her mouth as if reacting.
Hello, are you really asleep?
“Ash, Ash.” I shook her, but Ash merely mumbled something unintelligible and fell deeper into sleep, even letting out a snore.
‘Are you really sleeping?’
As the tension melted away, exhaustion washed over me. Looking down at the snoring Ash in disbelief, I suddenly noticed my hands.
Since I had transformed into a human, my pheromones were fluctuating all over my body.
Could Ash have fallen asleep because she inhaled the pheromones I unconsciously released?
‘Then what about the wounds?’
If it weren’t for the bloodstains, it would be hard to believe there had been any sword wounds at all.
‘Is this… even possible?’
While examining Ash’s front and hind legs, I glanced at Ahin. My bewildered expression was reflected in his red eyes.
Could it be Ahin’s ability? Hesitating to ask, I spoke in a small voice.
“…Ahin.”
At my soft call, Ahin’s pupils dilated and then returned to normal.
Silence hung over his face, which had shown some emotion. He stared at me with a blank expression before slowly opening his mouth.
“Who are you?”
He spoke as if addressing a complete stranger. The unfamiliar tone brought a rush of confusion. His demeanor was too cold for a joke.
“I asked, what are you?”
His voice, now even lower, resonated. But you called me Vivi just a moment ago. Feeling unjustly treated, I started to speak.
“Vi,”
Cautiously, I moved back a little and said,
“I’m Vivi….”
As soon as I answered, he sharply turned his head away. His shoulders, now facing away, began to shake as if trembling.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
I stared at his strange reaction, my expression slowly hardening.
He must be teasing me. This black panther seemed unable to go a moment without making fun of me.
“You…!”
Wicked beast!
Just as I was about to burst out in anger, Ahin suddenly reached out and grabbed the jacket I was awkwardly wearing. In an instant, he pulled me close, wrapping his arm around my torso.
With the sudden closeness, I instinctively took a deep breath.
“We,”
Ahin’s face broke into a kind smile as he tightly wrapped the navy jacket around me. It was a smile that seemed too gentle for someone who couldn’t hurt a fly.
“Don’t you have a lot to say?”
In stark contrast to my complicated emotions, Ahin’s voice was incredibly relaxed.
As his red eyes curved beautifully, warning signals blared in my mind. He was clearly planning to question me.
‘I need to get away…’
I need to get away from him, for my own safety. Besides, my disheveled appearance, without proper clothing, was also a problem.
Just as I was about to break free from his grip, I felt a dizzying sensation. It was due to my pheromones surging explosively within me.
“Vivi!”
Ahin pulled me close as I started to collapse. Holding me in his arms, he frowned.
He grabbed my chin and forced open my tightly shut lips.
“Breathe, don’t stop.”
I gasped out the breath I had been holding, feeling as if my body was burning from the inside.
Cold sweat beaded on my temples. Unable to articulate my feelings, I panted heavily as a low voice reached my ear.
“Your body can’t handle the uncontrolled pheromones.”
His red eyes wavered in my blurring vision.
“Try to gather them slowly.”
‘Pheromones…’
Clinging to my faint consciousness, I focused on the energy within me. The surging pheromones coursed through my veins, stirring everything up. Even as I tried to concentrate them, they slipped away like water through my fingers.
Seeing no improvement, Ahin, who had been watching quietly, spoke.
“Shall I help?”
‘…It would be nice if you could help.’
It felt like I was dying. In my hazy state, I blinked, feeling a strange, instinctive warning. My fur, no, my hair stood on end. It was an animalistic instinct sending a warning.
I struggled to open my mouth and muttered,
“No, you don’t need to… help.”
Don’t help, I have a bad feeling. With great effort, I lifted my arms and pushed Ahin’s chin away. His head snapped back, and he let out a breathy laugh.
“If I help, it will hurt much less. Otherwise, you might die.”
Ahin’s offer of help didn’t inspire any trust. I tried to push him away again, but his silver hair was already tickling my nose.
His fangs sank into my neck in an instant.
“Ah!”
The chilling sensation gnawed into my neck. At the same time, his pheromones flowed deeply into me, mixing with mine.
The mingling of our pheromones made my body feel as if it were soaked in alcohol.
“Huh….”
“Breathe, I told you to breathe.”
Ahin momentarily lifted his lips from my neck, patting my back soothingly. The moment I exhaled, his warm breath returned to my neck.
I couldn’t shake the anxiety of having my neck bitten by a predator. I tried to twist my body, but his fangs persistently followed.
After some time, as the pheromones stabilized, it became easier to gather them. The nausea that had been rising subsided, and the pain lessened.
Ahin’s pheromones, which had seeped into my body, seemed to forcibly suppress mine.
“Ha….”
A thin breath escaped my lips. Feeling much more comfortable, I regained an even breathing pattern and let my body relax.
Only then did Ahin’s slow gaze leave my neck and turn towards the door. His half-closed eyes showed a hint of displeasure.
‘…Why?’
Barely able to move my eyes, I looked in the same direction. Soon, there was a loud bang, as if someone was about to break down the door.
“Master Ahin, Lord Rabbit!”
The figure, who had been urgently trying to open the door, suddenly stopped.
It was clearly one of the escort knights who had come with us in the carriage. Her eyes, which passed over Ahin and met mine, visibly shook.
“Who, who are you…?”
“Mio, close the door and wait outside.”
Despite Ahin’s calm command, the escort knight remained frozen in place as if nailed there. It wasn’t hard to guess that my presence was the reason.
“…….”
When there was no response, Ahin, slightly frowning, gestured towards the outside.
“Mio.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Finally coming to her senses, the flustered escort knight hurriedly closed the door. Her actions were clumsy and noisy, indicating her great confusion.
Once the uninvited guest left and the room became quiet again, Ahin lightly touched the wound on my neck. Feeling a sharp pain, I flinched and hunched my shoulders.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice close to a whisper. Then, he nonchalantly murmured, “I suppose it stings.” He leaned in slightly to inspect the wound.
I had no time to express the pain. The proximity of his fair face made me uncomfortable, so I fixed my gaze on the innocent air.
“…Mio?”
Just then, a familiar voice came from outside.
Everine. Recognizing the owner of that voice, I narrowed my eyes.
“Ah, you’re here.”
“What’s going on?”
“Uh, Master Ahin instructed us to wait here.”
Having shown my human form to both Ahin and the escort knight, it was only a matter of time before Everine found out. I felt a sense of resignation close to despair.
Sure enough, Everine, not content to leave quietly, knocked on the door.
“Master Ahin, it’s Everine. Are you safe?”
“Perfectly fine.”
“No, not you, sir. I’m asking about Lord Rabbit.”
“Oh, the rabbit.”
Ahin looked down at me, conveying Everine’s question with a silent ‘Are you okay?’
Having nearly suffocated from pheromones moments ago, did I look okay to him?
I didn’t have the strength to argue, so I expressed my displeasure with a fierce glare. Ahin chuckled lightly and answered Everine.
“More or less?”
“More or less? Please provide a detailed explanation.”
“She looks like she wants to bite my head off.”
“Then she must be safe. I was worried.”
“So stop eavesdropping at the door. Stand twenty paces away and wait.”
“As you command.”
Everine must have been eavesdropping with his ear pressed against the door, as the sound of his retreating footsteps was quick.
He’s really something. Despite my grumbling, hearing Everine’s orderly voice reassured me that I was still alive.
‘There’s a first time for everything, even finding that voice comforting.’
The life of a rabbit is full of surprises.
As I relaxed my tense body, I let out a shallow breath. With my pheromones nearly settled, sleepiness began to wash over me like a tidal wave.
Is this also an effect of the pheromones? Blinking slowly, I suddenly remembered Ahin’s presence and tensed up again.
He had become oddly quiet and was staring at my hand on the floor.
‘…Why the hand?’
Was he planning to bite it like he did my neck? It was a plausible theory, and I felt the blood drain from my face.
Trying to escape his grasp, I struggled to move.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
He didn’t allow it, lightly grabbing one of my wrists. His thumb slowly stroked my wrist.
Seeing my hand, still unfamiliar in its human form, lifted into the air, I shook my head to fight off the encroaching drowsiness. Ahin’s gaze remained fixed on my hand.
“It’s not a paw.”
His voice held neither surprise nor admiration. I couldn’t predict the meaning behind his steady stroking of my wrist. I only felt a vague fear that he might snap it if he applied even a little force.
“You.”
His red eyes moved from my hand to me. Lifting my heavy eyelids, I mumbled.
“…Yes?”
“This isn’t your first time transforming into a human, is it?”
Was he guessing, certain, or just testing me? The hazy question lingered in my throat.
Tugging weakly, I grabbed the collar of Ahin’s shirt.
“How much….”
Do you know? My mouth opened and closed several times, but I eventually succumbed to deep sleep.
* * *