Bab 18: Fox Guide

The attendant suddenly jolted for a split second upon hearing what Adrian said. She quickly regained her composure as she thought that it is just a coincidence. She did have doubts about the guests that was previously sleeping though.

"A fox? Have you smelled a fox before?" Dustan asked as the sentence that Adrian said is out of the box.

"It must be the foxes that come from the forest during mornings, dear guest. The mistress is rather fond of them and feeds them the excess food that our guests could not consume during the day. You have a rater sharp sense of smell to even pick up the scent of foxes, dear guest." The attendant stated with a big smile.

"I see…that must be the case. Your mistress seems to value animals for her to even offer them food." Adrian commented to which the attendant just replied with a plastered smile.

After delivering the meal, the attendant quickly stood up and bowed before she left. Adrian did not probe much further because he did not want to suddenly get skinned alive the next time he wakes up. He just reached for the food and devoured his share.

"What do you really mean by that question? I know that your nose does not have a keens sense of smell. Unless you are actually part blood hound." Dustan stated but Adrian just scoffed at the last sentence.

"Did you not see the tails behind her body?" Adrian asked even though he already knows the answer.

"No. All I can see is a refined lady that graciously delivered us food." Dustan replied as he also starts eating. He must recover his strength in case of emergencies. He let Adrian try the food first in case of it being poisoned so that one could save the other just in case.

"That attendant was a six tailed fox. The statement was for her to hear. It seems she immediately found an excuse though. Even the name of this inn is suspicious." Adrian stated but Dustan is somewhat confused.

"You mean to say that the lady that delivered the food is actually an animal in disguise?" Dustan stated as he immediately stopped eating.

"You could say that as animals that gained enlightenment sometimes increases their tails to proudly say that they are different. An evolve species if you will. That also makes them supernatural like spirits or earth deities." Adrian stated.

"If she is a fox then her disguise is so perfect but what has that got to do with your statement earlier?" Dustan asked.

"It is easy because foxes are considered messenger of the gods in some eastern beliefs. You could say they are given the privilege of being hailed as something holy. Her having six tails means that she has succeeded in living for about 600 years." Adrian answered but Dustan could not really process it much because he never believed in this supernatural thing despite his powers.

"What I am getting at is that she might have an idea on how to get to the other side of that door. She must have some idea because she has lived for six centuries. Each tail represents the centuries of hardships that she endured." Adrian explained.

"You are awfully knowledgeable despite being new to this. You might be more helpful in the compound than on the field. How did you know this though?" Dustan asked as he is curious.

"The power of god and anime is on my side." Adrian stated in a comical manner with his hands flailing about.

"You actually get your source from those childish shows?" Dustan stated as he had a hearty laugh. He started to ease up and acknowledged Adrian's effort to make it less awkward between them.

"You know at first, I did not believe like you until I saw them clear as day. There are some truths to the stories passed down by the elders. It is not just some stupid way to make kids eat their food or scare them so that they will not play when it is dark.

Every story has a basis. From my experience, the more bizarre a story is then the more factual it actually is. Truth is stranger than fiction. The only problem now would be for us to ask for their help. You should do it. I am not really a people person." Adrian stated as he lied back down.

"Oh no! You will help me with the conversation. So, you better get up now." Dustan stated as he grabbed Adrian by the arm and tried rising him up from his bed.

"Don't you see I am sick?" Adrian argued but Dustan did not believe him and took the chopsticks.

Dustan then made the chopsticks into two bracelets for Adrian's to arms. He then proceeded to use his skill to carry the lazy Adrian out of bed and into the reception area. Adrian had a look of indignation as he got dragged away.

"You are lucky that I am still rather weak or else." Adrian grumbled but he did not speak out loud.

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"Excuse me?" Dustan stated as he used the chime on the table to call for assistance.

"Yes, how may I help you?"

Call it destiny or fate, the one who answered the call is none other than the attendant that served them food. She is not shocked but rather intrigued by the two guests that arrived. The other one seems to be sitting on the ground with his hands stretched lazily above his head.

"I know this is quite rude of me to ask but can you tell me anything about this place?" Dustan asked the female attendant.

Dustan might not have easily felt it, but a wave of strong killing intent came from the attendant. He still had great reflexes as he unconsciously took a stepped back. Adrian smiled at the reaction because that only solidified that the fox attendant knows something about this place.

"Hello…I believe that we need to hire you as a guide." Adrian stated in a precarious tone while standing upright.