Reborn as a Monster with the Multiplier System

Chapter 7 — The Fox's Conditions

Soft laughter drifted through the air, as light as pollen carried by the afternoon breeze.

"Ufufu... so you really are interested in me?"

The tip of the fox's bushy tail swayed gently, brushing against the wild grass beneath her.

Her beautifully arched eyes locked onto the tiny figure in front of her, harboring an unpredictable, mischievous glint.

At the blatant teasing, the round ears atop the white tiger cub's head twitched stiffly.

"I'm sorry," he squeaked softly.

"Hahaha!" The fox's laughter broke again, this time more uninhibited and crisp. "No need to apologize. I'm all too used to running into guys like you."

The white tiger cub, Ren, gave a small start. His head, which had been bowed, snapped up. 'Wait... used to?'

"Huh? Could it be—"

*Thump!*

A soft, furry paw backed by surprising force landed squarely on the crown of Ren's head.

It wasn't hard enough to hurt, but it was firm enough to send his tiny body stumbling backward until his rear hit the mossy ground.

"Ow!" Ren rubbed his head with both front paws.

"How rude." The fox looked away. Her nose wrinkled slightly, and her tail shot up stiffly. "I'll have you know I've never been with any man." Her tone was steeped in a pout, as if her pride had just been bruised.

Realizing his blunder, Ren's shoulders slumped. "Ah, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it like that." He bowed his little head deeply.

His white tail, banded with faint stripes, curled tightly around his front paws, radiating an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Seeing the sheer vulnerability and innocence of the tiger cub before her, a soft sigh escaped the fox's snout.

Her initial plan to launch into a long lecture vanished without a trace.

"Listen here," the fox's voice softened, returning to its relaxed cadence. "Believe it or not, I'm actually very picky about my partners."

"Huh?" Ren stopped rubbing his head. He looked up, his big, round eyes meeting the fox's gaze.

The fox's lips curved into a faint, captivating smile.

"I have two main criteria for any man who wants to stand by my side," she said slowly, letting each word steep in the air. "First, he must be my equal, or leagues stronger than I am."

'Stronger...' Ren gulped. He reflexively compared the aura radiating from his own body to the invisible, crushing pressure enveloping the fox.

The gap between them was like a bottomless abyss. Right now, his strength wasn't even fit to be the dust beneath her paws.

Still, Ren's claws dug into the earth. 'I might be weak now. But I have the Multiplier System. Sooner or later, I'll tear that gap wide open.'

With newly ignited conviction, Ren lifted his chin, meeting the fox's gaze without a shred of hesitation.

"Second," the fox continued, her voice dropping an octave, slipping directly into his mind like a siren's whisper. "He has to be handsome and reliable." She paused, letting the silence take over for a beat before adding, "And it'd be a bonus... if he's a little bit of a pervert, just like me."

Goosebumps erupted across Ren's skin. The seductive tone in that last sentence wasn't masked in the slightest; it was deliberately unleashed to bait a reaction.

"Ufufu~" The fox chuckled again at Ren's stiff posture. "But isn't it a little too early for you to be thinking about this, Little Tiger?"

Reality smacked Ren in the face. He looked down at his own tiny body, which wouldn't even reach a grown human's knee. "Ah, yeah, that's true."

The fox shifted her gaze, looking past the leafy canopy toward the reddening sky.

Under the wash of the golden twilight, her fur seemed to emit a magical glow. Sitting atop that mossy rock, she looked ethereal, pure, and utterly out of reach.

Mesmerized by the sight, Ren unconsciously took a step forward. "By the way, what's your name, Big Sister?"

The fox looked down, meeting Ren's eyes with a newfound gentleness. "Ah, I completely forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sakura. It's a pleasure to meet you, Little Tiger."

"Ren Arka."

"Hm?" Sakura's long ears twitched.

The white tiger cub stood tall, straightening his entire body. His eyes sharpened, shooting a look of dead-serious resolve.

"My name is Ren Arka! I'm going to become stronger than you, and when I do... I'm going to propose to you, Sister Sakura!"

Silence instantly seized the forest. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Sakura gasped. For the first time, her mask of composure cracked. She was entirely at a loss for words.

Her gaze was locked on the small, adorable face of the spiritual tiger cub in front of her.

Beneath the innocence of his form, Sakura saw a blazing determination harder than any material she had ever encountered in the universe.

Initially, this whole exchange had just been light entertainment to pass the time. But now, pinned under Ren's piercing stare, Sakura's thoughts took a sharp turn.

A faint, challenging smirk graced Sakura's lips. "Interesting. In that case, you'd better prove it, and make it quick. Just so you know, there are plenty of men out there who meet both criteria... and they're all fighting to win my heart."

Ren's fur stood on end. "Ehh?! Then I'll just have to work a thousand times harder!"

Sakura's laughter erupted, echoing beautifully through the trees. "Hahaha! How about this? If you can break through to the Ninth Tier within a year, I'll put my search for a partner on hold. I'll give you more time to chase me. Deal?"

"Are you sure, Sister Sakura?" Ren took a step forward, making sure he hadn't misheard.

An intoxicatingly sweet smile bloomed on Sakura's face, sealing the pact beneath the watchful eyes of the twilight sky.

To be continued...