Slowly, Inari regains his consciousness. Looking around, he finds he’s still in his avatar appearance, but he seems to be floating in some shadowy mist.

Where is this? How did I get here? Let’s see, the last thing I remember is punishing that orc for harming Yuna. I had my arms crossed with my head tilted to one side as I thought. Hmm… Wait! I remember something! There were some messages popping up when I was trying to save Yuna. What were they again? Um… Something about not having enough power I think… Wait if I didn’t have enough power to take that form, how did I do it then?

“So you have awaken,” says a voice that seems to come from all directions. I yelp in surprise and begin looking from left to right, trying to identify the source of the voice. “You are here as you have borrowed my power for your own wishes. I care not for what you have done with it, but you must now accomplish a task for me. Should you refuse or betray my, know that I will destroy you.” That last statement was quite scary you know. I guess this answers where that power came from… what did I get myself into…

“What task would you have me do.” I ask, sounding surprisingly calm despite the fact that I’m likely in quite a bit of danger here. Answering me the voice said, ”There is one that depends upon me to find them a new home. There are many dangers that seek them. You must protect them with all you have as repayment.” Eh… So the price for protecting Yuna is that I have more to protect? Does this have something to due with the law of economics? The more power I have to protect with, the more I have to protect? Regardless of facing dangers, I doubt that I’d lose out with this level of strength.

Suddenly I feel a strange flow happening. I notice that the tails that were formed behind me are reduced to one. I don’t get to keep the power up! “Don’t I need that power to protect the person you’re sending to me?” I ask, my voice cracking this time. “I lent power on to you, I did not grant it to you! Do not presume that MY power is at your beck and call!” The voice angrily shouts at me. Welp, guess I got this power mad at me… At least I still have the task I was given as a safeguard against death for now…

“May I know more about who I will be guarding?” Inari asks, “I wouldn’t want to mistake them for someone that has ill intent for my dungeon.” To this, the power responded, “I will handle that! And you best heed my warning, I will not be forgiving if you try making excuses like that!” Why is this guy so stingy with information? I mean, couldn’t I better receive this person it’s sending me if I know more about them? Jeez.

Well, despite how I’m being treated, this power did assist me, I should thank them for it. “Thank you for lending me your power at that time, without it I would have lost someone very important to me. I am very grateful.” I try and work in the best bow I can while floating in space. “Hmph, do not try and trick me, a Dungeon like you cares very little for anything other than your own power.” That irritated me. That really irritated me. That really irritates me! I begin clenching my fists. I know that my next action is really stupid, but I know I couldn’t face Yuna if I just let this go. “Hey! My names not Dungeon, I am Inari! And My kitsune are worth fighting for! I won’t just let you insult Yuna like that!” I shout out with all my might. Surprisingly, the shadowy mist that was surrounding me retreated, being replaced by a familiar green glow. I realize that this place isn’t some strange space I’ve been brought to, but this is my inner self! Just how easily I could have been destroyed sinks in… Instinctively I know, death here is the destruction of my own soul!

“How surprising, a dungeon that cares for its monsters,” before the voice continues to speak, I interrupt with, “Kitsune are not monsters!” Each time I rebuke the voice, the shadow is pushed a little further away, not by its own choice, but from my force of will. “How can a mere dungeon’s ego hold so much strength?” wonders the voice. It’s clear that I may be outside the norm here, but that seems to be to my advantage though, so I won’t mind it.

How can a mere dungeon hold strong willpower? It makes no sense. Dungeons grow more powerful and use that power to create powerful pawns to protect itself. Then it will eventually desire more power and begin hunting outside its own limited territory flowing with their mana. Such evil desires taint their creations, causing them to rebel the moment they have grown even the littlest bit stronger. What makes this dungeon think that it’s so special as to be exempt from this truth! How could its ego even be so developed? This dungeon’s power before it gained my power clearly showed that it couldn’t be more than a month old, yet it shows mental fortitude of similar strength to that corrupter. This isn’t what I had planned at all!

Things should have gone according to my plan to turn this dungeon into her safe haven. It wouldn’t even recognize itself due to my presence! Yet this dungeon overturned that! This Inari did! Why does this dungeon even have a name? Only dungeons pledged to a god may have a name, and yet this dungeon has one! If only I had more choices! Her time is running out and I gave my promise to her! This place may even be a danger in itself now, yet it’s the only available option. I am forced to withdraw here but I can not show that I am desperate. Even a strange dungeon is still a dungeon, so I’ll have to carefully watch over her to ensure my promise is properly held, or if I need to shatter that dungeon!

Surprisingly, the power left without much of a fuss. Of course it didn’t leave without adding a few more threats to my life, but it’s not like I have any misgivings towards the task it gave to me anyways. Well, since it’s like this, I’m sure things will work out. I just hope that whoever I have to protect won’t be too difficult. Ah, I’ll have to tell Yuna about this as well. Overcome one hurdle and the next is right before you, huh. I still have to create more kitsune and some plans on what to do in case of emergencies. Why do I have so much work! Well I’d best just tackle this one step at a time.

Name Inari Rank e Health 500 Health recovery 10 Mana 500 Mana recovery 50 Titles Creater of Kitsune, Molder of souls