Epilogue (The Legendary Nine-Tailed Fox/One)

Once upon a time, legend tells a tale of celestial grace unfolding. A being of ethereal beauty, the Nine-Tailed One, has graced our realm with their benevolent presence, forever guarding the fragile balance between man and nature.

Upon the earth, a calamity was born, a monstrous force that threatened to engulf the world in chaos and despair. The dark tendrils of this malevolence crept through the shadows, preying upon the innocent and the weak, leaving a trail of sorrow and destruction in its wake.

Amidst the turmoil, the Nine-Tailed One appeared, their heart ablaze with determination. With a poet's soul, individuals also crafted tales of ancient wisdom and courage, encouraging others to stand firm against the encroaching darkness. Their voice, like the delicate rustling of leaves, permeated through the wind, a beacon of hope for the lost and weary.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, with its mystical powers, took on the monstrous horde. Its nine tails blazed with the fury of a thousand suns as it danced amidst the stars. Its silhouette became a testament to the beauty and power of nature, vanquishing the darkness and restoring balance to the world.

As the calamity subsided, the people turned their gaze skyward, grateful for the celestial guardian who had saved them from the brink of despair. In their hearts, they knew that the Nine-Tailed One would return one day, when humanity once again faced the abyss.

It is also said that when the nine-tailed fox returns, you will hear the sound of a bell, a sign that the nine-tailed one has heard your prayer.

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"Breaking news!!! A dungeon has appeared at Bongeunsa Temple in Samseong-dong at 11:22 am. Hunters are on their way to rescue the civilians currently situated in that place."

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Outside Bongeunsa Temple in Samseong-dong, people are running frantically, trying to save their lives as different monsters emerge from the dungeon, chasing them.

A woman, clutching her 5-year-old child tightly, races through the chaotic scene with desperation etched on her face. Panic fills her every step as she navigates through the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest.

In the midst of her frantic sprint, a sudden collision sends her sprawling to the ground. A random passerby, equally caught up in the frenzy, unintentionally crashes into her, causing her to lose her balance. The impact is jarring, and she crumples to her knees, the sharp pain shooting through her body.

As she falls, her grip on her child slips, and in a heart-wrenching moment, the child is inadvertently released from her grasp. The little one is momentarily disoriented, bewildered by the sudden separation from their mother. The child stands there, eyes wide with fear, as the bustling scene continues to unfold around them.

The child's cries fill the air as he scrambles to his feet, his focus solely on reuniting with his mother. Unbeknownst to them, a manticore, somewhat B-class in appearance, descends onto the side of the street. Its predatory instincts kick in as it catches sight of the child, and with a thunderous roar, it lunges forward, driven by a primal urge.

Oblivious to the imminent danger, the child continues to move towards his mother, tears streaming down his face. His sole focus is the safety of their reunion, his surroundings fading into insignificance. Meanwhile, the mother, struggling to rise from her fall, finds herself immobilized by the pain radiating from her injured knees.

In a state of sheer desperation, the mother's voice cracks as she cries out to her child, her pleas filled with anguish and helplessness. Tears mingle with her words as she implores, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.

"No, no, no, Ji-Hoon, don't!!!!"

"Please, someone save my child... please!!!"

But the people around, who are also running frantically to save their lives, ignore them. There are some people who want to help, but when they see the monster in that direction, they guiltily turn their heads and continue running, ignoring the woman's pleas.

The woman feels as if her world is already shattering, as people ignore her and her child...

She cried hysterically, saying, "Please, please, if there is any god or even a demon who can hear me... I'm begging you to save my child," she sobbed.

Her cries echo through the chaotic scene, a desperate plea for someone, anyone, to intervene and save her beloved child from the impending danger. In that moment of vulnerability, she clings to the hope that a guardian will emerge, a savior to shield her child from harm's way.

The air hangs heavy with tension as time seems to stand still. The mother's heart pounds in her chest, her eyes fixed on her child, praying for a miracle. In the midst of the chaos, the fate of her child hangs in the balance, and she can only hope that help arrives swiftly, sparing her from the unthinkable tragedy that looms before them.

Then she suddenly hears the sound of a bell, and a white fog appears, slowly revealing a boy with striking beauty and porcelain-white skin. His soft, chestnut-colored hair falls in a stylish, short cut, reflecting his playful nature. His fair, rosy skin, reminiscent of porcelain, gives him an ethereal and delicate quality. His feline eye shape and jewel-like black eyes draw attention and evoke a sense of innocence and wonder.

Like an innocent, cute little harmless cat, his ethereal appearance is further accentuated by his delicate features, giving him an otherworldly allure. He has a smooth and flawless complexion that rivals porcelain, and his symmetrical facial features, including a small nose, a soft jawline, and well-defined cheekbones, contribute to his doll-like charm. His plump lips, adorned with a rosy red color, add to his youthful and charming appearance.

The boy is also wearing a necklace with a bell pendant.

The woman seems to forget to breathe for a moment when she sees the boy, awed by his appearance.

Unbeknownst to her, the boy has already killed the manticore in a flash and is now walking towards her, carrying her child. He squats down, gives the child back to her, and in a second, he heals the injury on her knees.

The boy stands up and smiles at them, particularly at the child who has already stopped crying. The child's eyes shine as he looks at the boy and starts talking to him, saying, "Brother, are you an angel?"

The boy's eyes widen, and he chuckles. Ah, even his voice is beautiful, reminiscent of the enchanting sounds of sirens in myths, luring fishermen slowly into the abyss with their voices.

"The young man playfully ruffles the child's hair and then he taps his beautiful rosy lip. He smiles and responds in a teasing tone, "Hmm... Maybe."

The child's eyes light up even more. He looks at his mother, who is now able to stand up, and the mother looks back at her child. They exchange words and bows.

"Then... Brother angel, thank you," the child says.

"Thank you... Ahm... Young man... If it weren't for you... My child and I... We—"

The boy squints his eyes while smiling, cutting the mother off with a pshh gesture. "Shh, don't continue saying such unlucky words... ma'am."

The boy then turns his back and slowly walks towards the newly opened dungeon. He speaks again, gesturing goodbye, "Well, I'm going now. Stay safe."

The mother and child bow and thank the young man once again.

As they lift their heads, they notice that the surroundings have become noticeably quiet, with no more monsters appearing in the area.

The woman realizes something and tries to ask, "By the way, what's your—"

She then realizes that the young man is nowhere to be found.

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