Chapter 94

It seems that the third volume of the janitor's story is on sale at some bookstores.

If you would be so kind as to pick it up, I would be very grateful <(_ _)>

"―No way."

The cold rejection and the black attack came simultaneously.

Despite not having consciously labeled the customer as "unpleasant," the fact that a single word could so easily touch a sore spot reveals the janitor's usual lack of caution.

The janitor was unfamiliar with the etiquette of high-class stores and how to handle women skillfully, and his words were meant to fill the gap.

Even as he asked if it was okay to touch, he extended his arm, a habitual action like petting a white snow, not because he saw the other as an animal, but because he lacked consideration for the tail, a feature unique to the species, due to his usual lack of caution.

Well, if it's the tail, it can't be helped.

He had almost changed to the ears at the last moment, but touching the tail is as good as asking a stranger to touch your ears, and it's obvious that he would be treated as a pervert without even thinking about it, so it was still a lack of caution.

The black shadow that attacked the janitor, the black sun of the Black Heaven Thousand-Tailed Fox, looked like a black crescent moon.

The janitor, bracing for a collision with Snow White, concentrated his magic power on a physical barrier of life essence magic in an instant. If Snow White put a little more force, she could shatter the physical barrier of autonomous magic with one blow and almost penetrate the physical barrier deployed just before the skin.

He certainly wouldn't unleash a fatal blow against a customer, but he was prepared for something close to it.

The Black Heaven Thousand-Tailed Fox is a unique species native to the southeastern continent and a powerful high-level magic beast. The number of tails increases with age, and in the past, a Black Heaven Thousand-Tailed Fox with countless tails was seen fighting a dragon, which is how it got its name. It is also famous for its control of black flames and illusions.

However, the janitor's worries turned out to be groundless.

A noisy sound like a sledgehammer hitting a sandbag resounded, and the impact made the janitor's hair sway.

In front of the janitor was a reliable white back.

Black Sun and Snow White had collided, their foreheads pressed together, and they glared at each other from close range.

Despite meeting for the second time, they glared at each other as if they were mortal enemies. Black Sun's copper-red eyes and Snow White's ash-gold eyes refused to yield. It was tacitly understood that the one who averted their gaze first would lose.

Meanwhile, the janitor, who was right behind Snow White, was relieved that he hadn't collided with Black Sun, but his arm wouldn't move.

Even Xiao'er, who glared at the janitor with a stern look, showed a bit of confusion.

Snow White's tail was firmly wrapped around the janitor's outstretched arm.

While restraining Black Sun, Snow White had also stopped the janitor's arm, which was about to reach Xiao'er's tail.

It wasn't jealousy.

Snow White had instantly sensed the intense rejection from Xiao'er and Black Sun and read the expressions of Mei'er and Da Xing, who were nearby, saying, "No, that's not good."

Yes, it wasn't jealousy.

It was definitely not jealousy. How could he be jealous of those black foxes?

Such black, awkward tails were just embarrassing.

What's so great about being a bit shiny and fluffy?

―Creak

The janitor's elbow and wrist made a sound like an old, creaky chair.

The janitor groaned briefly, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, and the pressure from Snow White's silent presence made the sweat on his back instantly cold.

Though not broken, the ligaments were in a delicate state.

It was a masterful joint lock, using the precise strength of the tail to control the wrist and elbow, a technique worthy of a master and disciple.

The janitor, being an unpleasant customer, couldn't let his expression falter and be seen as a good person by Xiao'er, so he couldn't easily apologize to Snow White.

How could he convey his reflection and apology to Snow White?

While the janitor was frantically thinking about this and observing Snow White, Snow White ignored him and casually released his arm.

Then she started to think about what to do with the arrogant black fox in front of her.

Black Sun also seemed to be thinking about the same thing, and a strange silence filled the tense atmosphere.

Snow White and Black Sun had an unspoken rule.

They couldn't hurt each other and draw blood.

Black Sun had been sternly warned by Mei'er and Xiao'er, and for Snow White, this was the crux of the current mission.

So what to do?

Snow White and Black Sun glared at each other, exchanging several possible ways to kill each other with their eyes, but all of them would result in bloodshed. Of course, it's natural for a fight to the death.

But neither of them wanted to back down first.

The one who averted their gaze first would lose.

After a while of silently restraining each other, both of them moved.

A heavy, low-pitched sound, like blunt weapons filled with sand in a large cloth bag, echoed.

The black and white tails collided.

Snow White's long tail tried to slap Black Sun's cheek with its speed, but Black Sun deftly blocked it with two fluffy, large tails and aimed for Snow White's cheek in return.

Snow White blocked it with the middle part of her tail and defended against another tail with the tip.

Snow White, excelling in speed and flexibility, and Black Sun, excelling in the number of tails, neither of them backed down, their foreheads still pressed together.

Black Sun growled.

―Kueen (Translation: Can you not interfere? I must teach this impolite monkey manners. Or do you think a girl from some unknown village has no manners?)

―Gururu (Translation: You damned fox. It's laughable that you try to teach manners to another male without guiding your partner. You're as high and mighty, petty, and hysterical as some stupid woman. There's no saving you.)

―Koon (Translation: It's a wonder you can even say that, not being able to teach manners to an impolite monkey. I'll teach it for you. Be grateful.)

―Goon (Translation: I'll teach my partner later. Now, it's about this female. ...Ah, I see. That female is so foolish that she can't be taught, and you lack the ability to guide her. And you don't even realize it. ...Pitiful.)

The tails danced wildly, and intentions incomprehensible to humans flew back and forth.

It was a fierce battle to determine the victor.

Behind them, the janitor, who had moved the round table to avoid the conflict, observed Xiao'er, who exuded a sense of rejection.

While he didn't understand how impolite touching tails and ears could be, Xiao'er and Black Sun's reactions were stubborn and intense. Although teaching manners wasn't part of the janitor's job, this was a difficult task.

Seeing the defensive battle between Snow White and Black Sun, Xiao'er, who seemed to have sensed something, spoke up.

"…Are you the helper Mei'er mentioned?"

Mei'er referred to Mei'er, and in the world of courtesans, senior courtesans were called "Mei'er."

"What nonsense. I only came because the deer girl and the former nomad insisted."

The janitor smiled thinly.

It wasn't a lie, so his words had a ring of truth to them.

After consulting with Da Xing and Mei'er, it was said that if he said this, Xiao'er would draw her own conclusions, and indeed, Xiao'er seemed to have sensed something.

"…You, a foreigner…"

Xiao'er's eyes became even sharper, but the janitor continued to provoke her.

"Are courtesans so high and mighty that they choose their customers based on race and nationality? If that's the case, I'd rather enjoy the company of a courtesan or even a prostitute from around here. How about it, you entertain me?"

The janitor glanced at Mei'er, who was standing nearby.

As if suggesting that Mei'er was a courtesan or a prostitute.

Xiao'er's presence became even more menacing.

"Xiao'er, we have a guest. Behave yourself. —Guest, I deeply apologize. Please forgive us."

Mei'er scolded the janitor and apologized, and Xiao'er tightly pressed her lips together, restraining herself.

The janitor, as usual, observed Xiao'er closely.

Why was this woman so stubborn, and what was her background? His interest was piqued.

Xiao'er's discomfort increased due to the unpleasant look the janitor gave her, as pointed out by the elf Letisha in Maranova, but the janitor didn't notice.

A strange silence fell between the janitor and Xiao'er.

Da Xing, who had been watching the interaction between the janitor and Xiao'er, was sweating coldly.

The janitor was doing a good job.

On one hand, Da Xing thought so, but on the other hand, he was starting to wonder if he had acted too hastily.

First, the compatibility between Black Sun and Snow White was the worst.

It seemed like they were fighting gently with their soft tails, but they were exchanging such intense killing intent that even a clumsy dragon would run away barefoot.

If they started a serious fight, it would be impossible to stop them, and only a half-dragon prince or a master-level martial artist could do so. The thought of stopping them made Da Xing's hands sweat.

Then, the janitor and Xiao'er.

They were perfectly in sync.

In the worst possible way.

Xiao'er, trying to be a proper courtesan, and the janitor, acting as an unpleasant customer and being naturally incautous, were a match made in heaven.

There was probably a physiological incompatibility, but more than that, they were similar.

And because they were similar, their roles as a courtesan and an unpleasant customer clashed perfectly.

It was good for teaching manners and discipline, but watching it made Da Xing feel like his stomach was being torn apart.