My arm was gone—my right arm. The pain was unbearable. It burned, and the cold only made it worse, yet I kept my composure, clenching my jaw through the agony.
There was no time to focus on a wound—not when the thing that caused it was still right behind me.
I quickly turned around, and my eyes locked onto a black humanoid figure with glowing violet eyes and a reptilian tail, slick with blood.
My eyes widened in terror. This was the type of monsters the voice warned me about. My body trembled—not just from the blood loss, but from the sheer fear that overtook me. I slowly stepped back, but before my foot could meet the ground—
A swift wind slashed across my vision.
Then, suddenly, the monster was cut in half.
No—my eyes were cut.
"Arghh!!"
Blood poured from my sockets. I saw nothing but darkness. The pain was blinding, burning through my face—and yet, even that was drowned out as a sharp object pierced my chest. I coughed up blood, my voice died in my throat, and my legs gave out beneath me.
I collapsed into the darkness as the monster's footsteps drew near. Thoughts surged through my mind.
Am I going to die? Just like this? Why? Was I too weak...?
Anger, frustration, and hatred welled up inside me. If I'm going to die anyway, I'll at least take that bastard with me!
My thoughts raced, desperate to think of anything—anything—that could kill the thing that stole my new life. My mind spun faster and faster, until words slipped from my mouth without my consent.
In a hoarse, trembling voice, I muttered,
"{Fox Summoning: Red}"
I felt something leave my body—an energy, wild and raw—and a gust of wind circled around me. A small smile formed on my lips as I drifted toward death.
At least I wouldn't go alone.
***
Beneath the moonlight, a majestic creature appeared. A giant, snow-white fox with piercing red eyes and soft fur sat proudly on all fours. Its five long tails wrapped protectively around a boy—bloodied and barely clinging to life.
This was no ordinary fox. Its number of tails marked it as a high-ranking spirit. It glanced at the boy, a deep frown forming on its face, before turning its eyes toward the enemy that stood before it.
A dragon—or half of one.
A youngling, still undergoing polymorph into human form.
The fox's expression darkened, hatred burning in its crimson gaze. How dare this lowly creature harm my master!
Its tails curled tighter around the girl.
The dragon stepped forward, arrogance in its voice.
"And who are you to take my prey? Leave the human, and I may allow you to serve me. What do you sa—"
That was its final mistake.
Its head soared through the air before landing with a dull thud. The rest of its body followed.
The fox stared at the corpse with contempt.
"I didn't want to use this filth to heal Master... but I have no choice. Be grateful your pathetic self will serve a purpose."
With two of its tails, the fox lifted the dragon's body and severed head. Then, as a dense fog enveloped the battlefield, it vanished into the mist.
***
I slowly opened my eyes.
A cave?
The walls were rough stone, barely lit by the flicker of a few candles. I sat up, blinking, and immediately noticed a small snow-white fox curled up on my lap. A fluffy tail twitched behind it, and its bright eyes sparkled with joy.
It leapt onto my chest and licked my cheek.
I blinked in surprise. I knew this fox. This was Red—the fox I summoned.
Looking at her, one thought echoed in my mind:
Did this tiny cutie really kill that monster? Well... I'm grateful.
I reached out to pet her, and that's when I noticed something shocking.
My arm was back.
It moved, my fingers flexed—it felt completely normal. Except... it was pitch black.
And then another realization hit me.
"My eyes... I shouldn't be able to see. How can I see?"
A voice answered.
"I replaced your arm and eyes with that of the young dragon."
I quickly looked around.
"Who's there?!"
"Master, look down."
I looked at Red. She gazed up at me with innocent eyes before opening her mouth, her voice filled with excitement.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Red, and I hold the rank of number five—"
I barely processed her words. A talking fox?
I blinked a few times. This world had already thrown reincarnation and monsters at me... so why not mix in a talking fox.
Red continued speaking, though my mind was still foggy.
"...my siblings also wished to meet Master, but unfortunately, due to Master—"
Before she could finish, I picked her up. She squeaked in surprise.
"So, Red. Did you kill that monster?"
She beamed.
"Yes, Master! That foolish thing dared to harm you—of course I killed it."
She looked smug. A little too smug.
So I pinched her nose. She let out a tiny squeal.
"How did I survive? I had a hole in my chest, and my eyes and arm were gone."
Her expression grew serious.
"Master, I... used one of your tails to reconstruct your missing parts using the dragon's remains. Please forgive me...!"
Tails? That wasn't important right now.
"Why are you apologizing for saving me?"
"But Master... your precious tail—"
"It's fine."
I was born without a tail. What difference does one missing make?
Her eyes widened, surprise washing over her.
"Master, just to clarify... you do know that our tails are a reflection of our magical power, status, and rank, right?"
What?
"So you're saying... I lost power?"
I forced a confident tone. "Of course I knew. Who do you think I am? But... how many tails do I have now?"
She hesitated.
"...Eleven."
Eleven?! I expected a lot, because, well... I'm me—but eleven?!
"I see..."
I rubbed my chin with my new arm. A few questions lingered in my mind.
How did a five-tailed fox defeat what I—a twelve-tailed one—couldn't?
Why am I in human form? When my status said I was a fox.
And this arm… she mentioned a dragon.
So I asked, "Red, tell me more about that dragon."
She answered, her voice proud.
"Dragons are among the strongest races in this world. The one that attacked you was a youngling in the middle of its polymorph stage—transforming into a human to increase its power."
"But why attack me?"
Red smirked.
"Because your magical energy hasn't awakened. It wanted to absorb master to gain that dormant power."
So that's why...
Ever since I came to this world, something had felt off. Like a part of me was missing—unformed.
"Then how do I awaken my magical energy?"
Red glanced at the corpse in the corner, disgust etched on her face.
"Master simply needs to eat a piece of that fool's flesh. Your magical energy will devour his and awaken from its slumber."
"...Eat that?"
She nodded solemnly.
"Dragons carry an immense amount of magical energy. It is the best—and fastest—way."
I swallowed hard.
So... I have to eat a dragon. Fantastic.
At least I'd like to cook it first.
Funny, really.
He tried to eat me.
Now I'll eat him.
I just hope he tastes as good as he thought I would.