Ficky yanked the blanket away, and Aya let out a startled shriek.
"GYAA! FICKY!"
She instinctively recoiled, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her face away. Ficky had inadvertently seen what she had been trying so hard to hide.
Aya's transformed state—her fox ears and tails—were plain as day. Dr. Gano watched the exchange in silence, letting out a long sigh at Ficky's sudden lack of manners. Realizing he was no longer needed, he quietly stepped out of the room.
"So, you really are a fox, aren't you?" Ficky muttered.
"Ficky! What are you doing?! That was so rude! Hey!" Aya fumed.
"My bad."
"MY BAD?! You think a simple 'my bad' fixes that?!"
Aya's scream was so loud that Ficky had to squeeze his eyes shut and cover his ears tightly.
"Fine, whatever," Aya said, her voice suddenly dropping into an eerie calm. "I've already been seen like this anyway."
Her sudden shift in mood caught him off guard.
"Besides, you already know who I am," Ficky said. "Shouldn't I have the right to know exactly who the master I'm serving is?"
Aya nodded slowly. "Yes, Ficky. And... thank you. You've protected me so many times. I'm starting to feel... indebted to you."
Ficky tossed the blanket back to her, turned around, and sat down with his back against the foot of the bed.
"Why feel indebted? I'm your bodyguard now. Not just some stranger—at least for the time being."
"I know." Her reply was brief, but Ficky could tell she hadn't said everything she wanted to.
"Look, I'm your guard. I'm not asking you to trust me the way you trust other people," Ficky continued. "But if something dangerous is about to happen to you, it's my job to stop it."
"So, you're asking me to trust you?"
"Something like that."
"I trusted you from the start," Aya revealed as she climbed out of bed. "It's just your personality I don't trust."
She stared at him intensely. Ficky met her gaze with a sharp look of his own, but Aya understood him better now—that sharpness wasn't dislike. Ficky wasn't the type to show much expression, which was why people often misunderstood him.
"You want to know why I feel indebted? Because I don't want to be a burden when there's someone else in your heart."
Ficky adjusted his sunglasses, glancing at her cynically before turning his gaze away.
"You're not answering. Does that mean I'm right?" Aya pressed. "I just hope you can meet that person again. I know this is my fault—completely my fault for dragging you here."
Ficky said nothing. Aya walked out of the room, still in her fox form. She couldn't control the transformation yet, and she noticed she now had two tails instead of one.
"Dr. Gano?"
Aya found the doctor a moment later. "Can you help me? I need glasses for my nearsightedness. Is that possible?"
Dr. Gano nodded and led her away. Ficky, meanwhile, followed closely behind.
What is she thinking? Ficky wondered. I'm just her guard. And the 'person' she's talking about is in the past—they don't matter to me now.
Frustrated by Aya's sudden wave of guilt, Ficky finally caught up and grabbed her hand.
"Look, woman! I don't know what you're talking about, but remember: I'm your guard. It's my job to keep you safe."
"I just feel bad about—"
"What? You think I have 'someone else' on my mind? Even if I did, they've been dead for a long time. Are you jealous or something?"
Aya froze. She was speechless. Deep down she tried to deny it, but there was a feeling she couldn't quite name or hide.
"No! I just feel guilty because so many people are hunting me, and it's dragging you into it," Aya snapped, pulling her hand away.
"My, my. Is this what they call an unrequited romance?" Dr. Gano chimed in.
"Dr. Gano, I'd like those glasses as soon as possible," Aya said, turning her back on Ficky.
"Of course."
"Hey! We're leaving after this!" Ficky shouted. "I don't care what you say! Feel indebted or don't, but you're still my master and my slave! Remember that!"
Aya marched toward the exit, her anger bubbling over. She gnashed her teeth and muttered things under her breath that were certainly not polite.
When she opened the door, Ficky was standing there waiting. He looked like a true bodyguard now, even in his simple commoner's clothes.
"Miss, it's time to go."
Aya gave him a weak, half-hearted punch. "Don't call me 'Miss.' Who even are you? Stop acting so polite, it's creepy!"
"I thought you'd like to be treated with respect."
"Too late!"
There is someone else in his eyes, Aya thought. Even if that person was gone from his world, that feeling was clearly interfering with his work. The worry and anxiety she saw in him every day wasn't for her—it was for someone in his past.
Regardless, they continued their journey to find the gold coins. They were a team now, a partnership of convenience, though Aya felt like she was the one pulling him down. She felt like a heavy burden for the wolf to carry.
They left the City of Slaves in a three-wheeled vehicle unique to the region, eventually hopping off at the border between two cities. Before them lay a narrow stone path with a vast, endless ocean stretching out on both sides.
"Ficky, do you know this road?" Aya asked, pointing at the path, which didn't even have a railing.
"We were dropped off here because of this path. I wonder if there are sea monsters around here?"
"You sound like you're hoping for it. Your eyes are sparkling," Aya teased.
"How can you even tell?" Ficky quickly adjusted his glasses.
There was no other way forward. Ficky checked the water; it wasn't a shallow lake, but a deep, dark sea.
"I'm worried your wish is going to come true, Ficky."
Sure enough, a sea creature emerged moments later. It had a long body and a vibrant blue fin. It swam at an incredible speed, heading straight for Aya.
"Eh?!"
"Hey! Get back from there! I told you not to get close to the edge!" Ficky yelled.
Aya gasped. As the creature got closer, she saw it had a human face, though its skin was a deep, translucent blue that matched its tail. The man had large, round eyes and a wide smile as he watched Aya retreat.
Up close, with his blue skin and long, sleek tail, he looked almost like an eel. A sea serpent in human form.
Encountering a sea serpent was dangerous enough, but for Aya, seeing one with a human face was the breaking point. The sheer shock caused her to faint on the spot.
"Hey, you ugly girl!"
Ficky rushed to her side, his eyes locked on the creature. He couldn't afford a single mistake; his long claws were already unsheathed, glinting in the sun.
"Quite the cautious one, aren't you?" the sea serpent mused. "Wolves are powerful creatures on land, but in the water? They're weak—unless they're master swimmers, which is a different story."
The creature's voice was melodic, almost as if he were singing. The soft, low resonance nearly caused Ficky's guard to drop for a split second.
"Why is a sea dweller like you out of your nest? Get lost," Ficky spat. "You're just after her, aren't you? A fox's fur and tail fetch a high price on the market."
"Khe, khe!" The sea serpent chuckled. The guess was so accurate he couldn't help but admit it. "And if I am, what of it?"
"I'm just making sure you know," Ficky said firmly. "I won't let history repeat itself today."
Aya finally stirred, awakened by the loud confrontation. She blinked, her vision clearing. "A... human-headed animal? For real?"
"You must be shocked, but I'm a good sea serpent. Relax," the creature said, smiling as he slapped his tail against the water's surface.
"Good? You just admitted you wanted to sell her tails!" Ficky barked.
"Idiot! You weren't supposed to tell her!"
Splash!The serpent flicked a wave of water at Ficky, annoyed that his true intentions had been leaked.
"The water isn't salty, but it's still annoying," Ficky muttered, stepping back.
"Wait a minute," Aya intervened. "You won't actually hurt us, will you? We just want to pass through. Or... do you need something?"
The sea serpent looked surprised. He glanced at Aya, then submerged half of his face back into the depths.
"Wait, I'm talking to you. Please, say something."
As the creature began to vanish beneath the waves, Aya rushed toward the edge of the water, searching for him. "Where did he go?"
A moment later, he resurfaced right next to her. "It seems I've met the wrong fox. Or rather... is it foolish to place hope in two people who look so weak?"
Aya felt a sting of insult. "What? Fine, whatever. I am weak. But if fulfilling a wish helps me too, then it's a win-win," she said, trying to keep her cool.
"Don't listen to him! Let's move!" Ficky shouted from the path.
Aya felt her anger toward Ficky vanish the moment he called out to her. She realized that if the serpent had a wish, it likely involved the ocean or his underwater home.
"But why?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a merchant carrying a heavy load on his shoulders. Intrigued, Aya hurried back to the dry path.
"Miss, Sir, would you like to try my snacks?"
"Wow, I didn't expect a normal merchant out here," Aya marveled, leaning in to inspect the goods.
"Hey, don't get too close to strangers," Ficky snapped, grabbing the back of Aya's collar and pulling her upright. "We don't know what this old man is planning."
"You're way too paranoid," Aya sighed, crossing her arms. "Listen, Mr. Bodyguard—constant suspicion will just make you lonely."
"And you're too reckless. Don't you remember you almost died? That's why I'm on edge."
"There's no point in worrying that much. Besides, I survived, which means you'll get your reward, right? I mean... the money." Aya nodded knowingly.
"Yeah, that's true. But I also worry about people weaker than me. Just call it 'bodyguard anxiety,'" Ficky grumbled.
"Sir? Miss?" The merchant, who seemed to be selling various types of adventuring bread, looked confused. He was trapped behind Ficky's large frame, unsure of whether to stay or go.
"By the way, Ficky... are we out of the money from the Aurora Kingdom?"
"It's all gone because of you," Ficky replied.
"Wait, are you blaming me?!"
"Medical bills!"
Aya flinched. She realized he was right. She felt bad, but Ficky's abrasive attitude made it hard to stay sympathetic. He was a puzzle she couldn't solve—one moment angry, the next caring, sometimes terrifying, and always unpredictable.
"Whatever. But what about the sea serpent's wish?"
"Think about it," Ficky argued. "If his wish requires us to go underwater, how are we supposed to survive? We can't hold our breath forever."
He had a point. They couldn't even follow him, let alone grant a wish.
"You want to see the sea serpent? He's right behind you," the merchant chimed in.
"And if you have business in the deep, there might be a way to breathe underwater."
Granting wishes in exchange for coins was proving to be the most difficult part of their journey, especially as they ventured further into this strange world.
"Fine. We'll ask him. But the reward better include some local currency," Ficky said.
"Land dwellers can't breathe in the sea," he added, looking at Aya.
"I know that."
"But this is a different world. Everything from the fairy tales is real here."
"You have a point. This world is weird, but so are we. Wolves, foxes, people who look like animals... it's all here."
"Don't overthink it," Ficky said. "Just focus on the goal."
Aya knelt by the water, dipping her hands in as she waited. After a few moments, the sea serpent reappeared. Without warning, he reached out and cupped Aya's face with both hands.
"You want to know how to breathe in the ocean?"
Aya's body leaned precariously forward. She was on the verge of falling in, drawn by the serpent's pull. His gaze was hypnotic, and she felt herself being lured into the depths, unaware of the danger.
Aya's body leaned dangerously far forward. Ficky lunged to pull her back to safety, but the momentum dragged him down with her, and they both plunged into the ocean.
The sea serpent vanished into the blue, and a powerful current surged from the depths. Through the hazy water, Aya caught glimpses of the coral reefs below, releasing rhythmic bubbles of air.
Small fish darted through seagrass that swayed over the dimly lit seabed. At first, Aya watched in awe, but the wonder was cut short as her lungs began to burn—she couldn't breathe.
She tried to swim upward, but her limbs felt like lead. Her strength failed her before she could reach the surface, and she began to sink toward the bottom.
She thought she was going to die a pathetic death in a place like this, but to her surprise, life didn't leave her. Slowly, she found she could actually draw breath beneath the waves.
Beside her, Ficky looked equally stunned, unable to believe the miracle they were experiencing.
After a few moments on the seabed, their bodies began to rise as if lifted by an invisible force. They didn't reach the surface; instead, they remained suspended, floating within the deep blue.
"You must be startled. But I couldn't bring you inside until you had adjusted to the water."
The sea serpent offered a playful smile from a distance, seemingly enjoying the panic he had caused.
"Are you trying to kill us?" Ficky glared, his suspicion reaching a boiling point.
"What I did was create a pocket of space around you and blow air into it, allowing you to breathe in my domain."
"So that's how it's done," Ficky muttered. "I never thought such a thing was actually possible."
The ocean was a treacherous place, yet from below, the scenery was more beautiful than any land they had seen. The image of the sun's rays piercing through the water stayed with Aya, haunting her mind with its ethereal glow.
"It's beautiful, isn't it, Ficky?"
"What is?"
"The view under the sea. Even though I never expected to find myself in the middle of an ocean," Aya said with a smile, watching her own reflection shimmer in the water.
However, the magic allowing them to breathe wasn't a simple gift. Every spell has its price or side effect—even low-tier magic carries a burden, and this was far more advanced.
"Hey, sea serpent! Tell us now—what is it you want?" Ficky demanded.
"I cannot say until you are truly accustomed to the sea. I apologize, but I need you to eventually reach the Underwater Palace."
The physics of this water were different from their world, and both Ficky and Aya were starting to realize the gravity of the task ahead.
The sea serpent smiled, satisfied with the two people he had "recruited," even though he knew the wolf didn't trust him for a second.
Suddenly, the creature darted through the water toward Aya. He moved with the terrifying speed of a silent predator. Before Aya could react, he was right in front of her face. It was the third time he had startled her, and she was far from getting used to it.
She thought he was just playing a prank, but he suddenly seized her and dragged her downward. Ficky's sharp instincts screamed that this was no game; he dove after them immediately.
What is he doing to me?! Aya thought, unable to resist as the serpent's tail coiled around her body like a boa constrictor.
She was dragged down so fast that the world became a blur. She struggled to break free while Ficky reached out, desperate to grab her hand.
The serpent suddenly released Aya and redirected his assault toward Ficky. His long tail whipped through the water like a spear, aiming to impale the werewolf.
Ficky suddenly realized he couldn't breathe anymore—the air pocket was gone. It was a trap. He had been waiting for the serpent to make a move, but it happened when Aya was at her most vulnerable and optimistic.
"You two really are inseparable, but I won't let that continue!" the serpent hissed.
A sudden blast of pressurized water from below slammed into both of them. The water felt as heavy as a stone wall, and the impact sent a jolt of pain through their bodies.
Damn it, I can't hold my breath much longer. To hell with this snake! Ficky cursed inwardly.
Things weren't going well, even though Ficky had managed to slash the serpent's fin with his claws. The creature ignored the wound and lunged again.
The serpent swam past Ficky, who turned just in time to see a horrifying sight: the creature was condensing the surrounding water into a pressurized sphere in his hands.
He's going to throw it!
Ficky dove deeper, grabbing the nearly unconscious Aya and narrowly dodging the water projectile.
"Tch, the werewolf is a better swimmer than I thought," the sea serpent grumbled.
He surged forward again, his tail extending to an unnatural length, coiling around Ficky's torso and squeezing the air out of him. Ficky writhed in pain, struggling against the constriction as the serpent's body began to envelop him.
Aya fought to keep her consciousness, holding her breath and reaching out to grab Ficky's hand as it slipped from the serpent's grasp.
Seeing her intervention, the serpent struck Aya as well, using a burst of underwater pressure to launch her toward the very bottom of the sea. She hit the seabed hard, nearly losing her remaining air as she fought to keep her eyes open.
The crushing pressure of the deep sea began to fade her senses. As her eyes flickered, she gripped a piece of coral and heard a strange sound: the ocean was singing.
The currents pressed against her, yet paradoxically made her feel lighter. On the brink of passing out, she looked up at Ficky, who was still struggling in the middle of the water.
Ficky... hold on... Aya wanted to scream, but she knew her limits. She couldn't tell him to stay strong when she was dying herself.
The sea seemed to sing joyfully, the water flowing around her in a way that made Aya feel as if the ocean itself was part of her own body.
She forced her eyes open one last time. She saw the sea serpent darting back and forth, waiting for something to happen. Ficky was now drifting, losing consciousness just like her.
I heard that some sunken stones on the seabed hold pockets of air... but can I really reach one in time to breathe for even a few seconds?
The echoes of the sea's "song" grew louder. Aya gritted her teeth inwardly, annoyed by the sound that felt like it was mocking their struggle. She was furious—at the serpent for betraying them and at her own helplessness.
It's a good thing I learned how to survive a river current back home, Aya screamed in her mind. Just you wait, you scaleless snake!