THE scene started inside a dark cave. But despite that, they could see everything inside the cave clearly. It's probably because they were seeing it in the perspective of the black dragon. There were gold coins and different treasures piled up like a small mountain inside the cave. It was almost similar to the cave at the Silent Marsh where the black dragon was sleeping. 

This cave was no doubt his lair.

The dragon heard footsteps coming from outside. Every steps coincided with the sound of a bell. It sounded like someone walking towards the mouth of the cave. But the dragon paid it no mind. As if he already knew who this visitor might be.

Soon, an enchanting woman came into view. She had long black hair flowing behind her back and a pair of sapphire blue eyes. She was wearing a black kimono with a red sash belt. The upper part of the kimono was loosed and reached up to her shoulders. Showing her milky white skin and upper part of her chest. Her lips were very red as if the reddest of paint was splashed on it. And right now, a playful smile crossed those red lips.

On top of her head was a pair of fox ears and behind her, nine black tails could be seen. A dark blue gem was embedded on her forehead. Adding a sense of mystery. And on her ankles, a pair of bells were tied. These bells were the obvious source of the bell sound the dragon heard earlier.

The female kitsune looked very charming, her every move full of unabashed seduction. Anyone who would lay their eyes on her would definitely be captivated. But the same thing could probably not be said for the dragon.

He just scoffed when he saw the female kitsune. "Why are you trespassing here again, Kagetsuki?"

"What 'again'? I believe the last time I came here was almost a hundred years ago," the female kitsune – Kagetsuki said. Then she looked around the cave. "Apparently, you're still living like a recluse. You really don't plan to take over as the king of the dragons?"

"If you plan to talk about things I have no interest in, then it's better if you just leave," the dragon said in a bored tone, no longer looking at the female kitsune.

Kagetsuki only shook her head. "Is that a way to talk to an old friend?"

"Just state your business."

"Fine, you sourpuss. I'm here to invite you to our tribe."

"Why the hell would I go to your tribe?" the dragon asked in a bewildered manner.

"It's because I'm getting married. There would be a festive celebration. After all, it's the long-awaited marriage of the demon fox tribe's leader. So, you, as my long-time friend should attend."

"You actually fooled someone into marrying you?" this time, the dragon's tone was even more bewildered.

Kagetsuki appeared angry as if she could vomit blood at any second. But she quickly calmed down. "You- even though I only look like a stick figure in your eyes, I'm still very desirable," she said indignantly. "Ha, you're still an expert at making others mad. Anyway, just attend my wedding, okay?"

"Again, why should I?"

"Because there's another thing to celebrate that day." Kagetsuki put her hand on her abdomen. She looked down, her eyes full of gentleness and love. "The arrival of an heir to the demon fox tribe." She raised her head and smiled at the dragon. "I'm going to cash in on that favor you owe me a long time ago. Be the godfather of my child."

=====

Then, the scene once again changed.

This time, it was no longer inside the cave. Instead, it was a sea of fire. There were people, no, kitsunes lying on the ground. Most were dead and others were heavily injured. There were cries of death all around. It's like a blood bath. As if a massacre just occurred. 

"Kagetsuki!" the dragon called. This time, his voice was not like a beast's rumble. Instead, it was deep and baritone. Obviously, he was now in his humanoid form. "Kagetsuki!"

It could be seen from his hurried pace how panicked and worried he was. It was the complete opposite from his uninterested attitude in the cave. Which showed that he really cared for the female kitsune. 

"Kagetsuki!"

Then, on a slightly elevated slope, he saw two figures lying on the ground. He immediately recognized one of them. With trembling legs, he ran towards the slope and he finally saw the state of the two figures. 

One was a male kitsune with eight white tails behind him. There were not many injuries on his body, even the white kimono he was wearing still remained pristine. But one wound was quite obvious. There was a hole on his chest. As if someone had dug out his heart. And the one who did it, did it so cleanly that there was barely any blood that splattered on his clothes. 

His hand was trying to reach to the figure beside her. But it seemed that, before he could, his life force was already exhausted. Despair and unwillingness filling his eyes. 

The dragon seemed to not care too much about this male kitsune. Because he immediately knelt down beside the other figure. It was a female kitsune wearing a black kimono. Her nine tails surrounding her as if trying to give her comfort. He looked at her all over but didn't find any obvious wounds. The blue gem on her forehead – a sign of her being the leader of the demon fox tribe – was surprisingly gone.

Her face was almost bloodless. Her red lips were even slowly turning blue. And most of all, he could feel that her life force was dwindling at a fast rate. 

The dragon held the kitsune's hand. He barely felt relieved when he felt her faint pulse beating. ��Kagetsuki, hold on, I—"

Before he could continue what he was saying, Kagetsuki opened her eyes and then slowly smiled at him. "Y-you're l-late…"

"Yes, it's my fault. I'm going to input my Mana in you. So, try to hold on."

"N-no. I-it's already t-too late." She glanced at male kitsune lying on the side, a drop of tear fell from her eyes. "T-too late." She then looked back at the dragon. She put her hand on her abdomen and it slowly gathered black light.

The dragon immediately understood what she was trying to do. "Stop, Kagetsuki! You will really die if you continue this!"

Kagetsuki only smiled. "I- I know."

Then, as the black light dispersed, a white egg emerged from her abdomen. She looked at the white egg lovingly. As if she couldn't wait to imprint it into her mind.

She glanced at the dragon. "T-this is your g-godchild. Pr-promise me, promise me that you would protect them. P-please…"

The dragon held the egg in his arms and said in a determined voice, "I promise."

=====

That was the end of the memory. Before Luo Yan could react, the familiar voice of the Gamekeeper suddenly sounded.

[Congratulations! You just triggered a side quest for the task 'Awakening Dragon'! Please, help the child of Kagetsuki reclaim their inheritance.]

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