SAFBIAN Ch 117

Chapter 117

Could there, perhaps, be another way?

Judging by how the original story had unfolded so far, no matter how much one tried to avoid it, what was destined to happen would happen. The only sliver of hope was that, while the events themselves remained the same, the circumstances surrounding them were different from the original plot.

Could only one of the two events occur?

For instance, the scene in which “Dori” met Haban in the forest had shifted from midnight to broad daylight. And instead of injuring an ankle with an arrow, it was a snake bite this time.

Even now, Dori had left the imperial palace, yet unlike the original where he had escaped of his own accord, this time it was due to an abduction.

If the novel’s progression merely required certain events to occur—while allowing the process, timing, and circumstances to differ slightly—then there was still a possibility.

Besides, hadn’t the main storyline ended with “Dori’s” death?

Dori had not read the side stories, but since the protagonist had died, the main narrative would not progress further; only side episodes like Haban’s regret were likely to appear. Therefore, beyond the ending, perhaps the original plot could no longer interfere.

In the original ending, “Dori” reunited with Haban only to die immediately after. In other words, the two events occurred almost simultaneously. If things went well, Dori might still reunite with Haban as scheduled—but twist fate so that death did not follow.

The frightening part was having to cling to such an uncertain possibility.

Still… isn’t it better to at least try something?

Being wrongfully killed was even more unbearable.

Resolving himself, Dori rolled onto his other side. He had thought that washing in human form would allow him to dry quickly, but his fur took far longer to dry than expected.

Catching a cold while on the run would be really dangerous.

Dori stretched his neck and surveyed his surroundings.

With his long ears pricked, he remained on constant alert, flinching at every rustle. Fortunately, there were no other presences nearby.

Phew…

How much longer would he have to live as prey? Once he left the mountains, finding food would become even more difficult.

For now, it’s better to head down to the village.

A village eave, no matter how shabby, was safer and warmer at night than the mountain wilderness. If he covered his head and face, blending naturally among people, he likely wouldn’t be discovered easily.

There’s no way I can enter the palace directly right now anyway.

Resting his chin on his forepaws, Dori swished his tail as he searched for solutions.

He briefly recalled the small escape hole Haewon had mentioned, but while he knew its location from inside the palace, he had no idea where it lay from the outside.

More importantly, even reaching it would be difficult. As a white fox, he’d be captured by curious humans long before approaching the palace. In human form, he would first need clothes.

Nothing is ever easy, seriously.

Dori grumbled and rubbed his nose.

Even after basking in the warm sunlight, his body—abused and overworked since being confined in the hut—had not fully recovered.

…Achoo!

His itchy nose finally forced out a sneeze. Had he caught a cold after all?

Dori twitched his snout. Even while worrying that Wonwoo or the man in black might appear, he had still taken the time to dry his fur—yet now this only complicated things.

Ah, how he longed to sleep on a soft cushion instead of this hard ground. To roll around under a fluffy blanket, nibbling on sweet treats.

I wonder if Haban is doing well. Is he not worried about me? That can’t be—then why hasn’t he come looking for me! Always boasting about being the Emperor, and now this?!

He missed Hong and Cheong, too. Was Haewon safe? What about Jipyeong and Geumhu…?

…Ah!

In the midst of unconsciously reminiscing about his warm life in the palace, a brilliant idea struck Dori.

I should go find Geumhu or Jipyeong’s home!

Hong, Cheong, and Haewon—whose lives revolved around the palace—would never leave its walls, but Geumhu and Jipyeong surely lived in the imperial capital. Being close aides to the Emperor, they must have residences there.

If Dori asked around, someone would surely know their whereabouts. Either one had seen his transformed human form before, so they could bring him back to Haban.

In that case, I really need clothes first.

Having come up with a plan to return to the palace, Dori leapt to his feet.

At the foot of most mountains, small settlements usually clustered together. Most villagers would be out working during the day, but someone was bound to be home.

Judging by the fact that neither Wonwoo nor the suspicious man had appeared yet, they must not have pursued him—just like in the original story, where “Dori” had escaped safely.

Good. For now, that’s one relief.

Dori decided to scout the area first, circling once around. It was strange how the hardships he had endured in the past were now proving unexpectedly useful.

His repeated escapes to the mountains from the orphanage, as well as the times he had been bullied and starved by the red foxes after entering the novel world.

After recklessly swallowing a poisonous mushroom out of hunger and nearly dying, Dori had studied mushrooms and medicinal herbs intensely.

Mushrooms thrived anywhere moist and dark—in deciduous forests, coniferous woods, even on dead trees.

Plants that looked like mere weeds often possessed surprising medicinal properties. Thanks to this, he had been able to heal the injuries caused by the stones the red foxes used to pelt him during his time in the village.

Sniff, sniff.

Fully alert, Dori buried his snout at the base of every tree. At any suspicious sound, he darted into the bushes and flattened himself against the ground.

Most of the noises turned out to be wind rustling leaves or small animals scurrying about.

Finally, after digging around moist, shadowy roots, Dori found what he was looking for.

Got it!

And not just one, but several!

Dori glanced briefly at his blunt forepaws—then poof! transformed into human form.

Quick hands, nervously checking the surroundings, hurriedly plucked the short, plump mushrooms.

He decided to take only enough to eat, keeping the extras as potential trade for clothing.

How should I carry these?

After some thought, Dori wrapped the mushrooms in broad leaves, rolled them up, and transformed back into a fox. Holding them carefully in his mouth, he set off—determined not to damage them.

Please, let me never see that place again.

Casting a final glance toward the cave and the path he had fled down, Dori grimaced deeply. Then he bolted downhill toward the foot of the mountain.

His consciousness flickered. In a haze, he felt his body being lifted and carried somewhere.

…Who is this?

Had he finally been captured by that human?

After being stabbed, Wonwoo had hidden himself hurriedly in the bushes and transformed into a fox the moment he escaped the human’s sight. Soon after, a man dressed in black appeared, but paid no mind to the half-hidden red fox and passed straight by.

As soon as the human left, Wonwoo fled again. Since blood still flowed from his wound, lingering in that spot would only arouse suspicion should the human return.

Walking slowly to keep the wound from reopening, the bleeding gradually subsided. Transforming into his true form greatly enhanced his healing compared to when he was human.

At last, having hidden himself in a safe spot, Wonwoo collapsed and fainted. After that, he remembered nothing.

When he finally pried open his heavy eyelids, he saw a swaying head of crimson hair before him.

“You’re awake?”

An all-too-familiar voice, brimming with irritation.

Relief washed over him—he had not fallen into human hands. And yet, almost immediately, sharp pain surged from his abdomen.

“Grrrgh…” Wonwoo writhed, groaning.

“Careful! You’ll fall!”

Bisol, who was carrying the large fox on his back as he descended the mountain, cried out in alarm.

Wonwoo, enormous even among red foxes, was far too heavy to carry in his arms; worse, his unconscious state made it harder to manage his weight.

If only he were in human form, Bisol could have carried him piggyback. But his injuries forced him to remain a fox, and Bisol feared he might slip and tumble down the slope.

“Are you alright?”

What in the world had happened to him?

Bisol had been meeting Wonwoo every other day at a designated spot—to deliver food, update him on the merchant caravan’s activities, and relay news of the imperial palace’s search for the white fox.

But yesterday, upon arriving at the spot, Bisol had found him collapsed.

The white fur of Wonwoo’s abdomen had been caked with dark, dried blood. For a moment, Bisol thought he was dead. The shock had been so great that Bisol had nearly collapsed on the spot himself.

“Let’s get you treated quickly. I’ve already done some first aid.”

Upon realizing Wonwoo was still breathing faintly, Bisol had hurriedly gathered medicinal herbs. In a village deep in the mountains, even the red foxes possessed basic knowledge of herbs.

He had crushed the herbs with stones, applied them to the wound, and wrapped the abdomen tightly with torn strips of cloth. Yet it was insufficient. Wonwoo’s body burned with fever; he needed proper treatment as soon as possible.

“…Grrr…”

“Dori? I don’t know. You’re the only one I found.”

“Grrrk!”

When the wounded Wonwoo struggled to search for Dori, Bisol flared in anger.

“Shut up! Why do you even care about that bastard? You’re like this, which means he’s either dead or abandoned you!”

How could anyone treat their own kind this way? And Wonwoo, of all foxes! Had some human found him instead of Bisol, Wonwoo would have been hunted down.

Panting, Bisol staggered under the weight as sweat dripped from his chin. Carrying the massive fox in human form down the steep path was exhausting. Wonwoo, who had been writhing in pain moments ago, had since fallen silent—likely fainted again.

Truly, the old sayings were never wrong! Never take in a white-furred one—they’ll only bring misfortune! Risked my neck to save him from the humans, and now look at this ingrate!

Wonwoo had braved great danger to infiltrate the palace and rescue the white fox raised like livestock by the human emperor. And yet, for reasons unknown, that very white fox had abandoned Wonwoo and fled.

I have to inform the Elder.

After finally making it down the mountain, Bisol resolved to report everything to the red fox village.

Wonwoo would protest, of course—but he was practically the next in line to become an elder. And given that Dori, of all foxes, had been taken from the human emperor, their village could face grave repercussions if this were exposed.

Even if Wonwoo raged upon learning of it later, Bisol had no other choice.