A visit to a “friend”

"How delicious… Yum, yum," even while eating, Raikishi did not break her mental connection with Anon.

Anon heard all her cheers and wondered how an old monster like her could enjoy ordinary human food like she'd never tasted anything like it before.

Raikishi was in no hurry to finish her meal. At first, she couldn't resist and ate half of it so quickly that she didn't even notice it. But then, chewing carefully, she enjoyed the rest.

After reaching rank 7, Raikishi stopped needing daily meals. Everyone who reaches level 7 and rank 7 loses their mortal shell. For people like her, food becomes just a source of pleasure.

From rank 7, Raikishi began to consume rare ingredients and resources that improved her strength. These resources had a wide variety of tastes, from tasteless to disgusting. But because of their usefulness, she had to take them.

Even when she visited the Itia continent, she didn't find the time to taste the food prepared by mere mortals. In the years since Raikishi reached the sixth rank and above, the food culture has changed a lot.

After a late dinner, Anon, as usual, quickly washed up, but did not take a bath. Then, at Raikisha's insistence, he went to bed. The bed was a single bed, but it wasn't difficult for him to move a little so that Susu could sit next to him. If he hadn't given her a seat, she would have prevented him from getting a good night's sleep with her whims.

Raikishi found a free space on the bed and snuggled down there. Due to her size, she could find a place where she wanted.

Tired, Anon, closing his eyes and hugging Susu, quickly fell asleep. Susu also fell asleep, listening to his calm breathing and heartbeat, snuggled in his arms.

In the dead of night, a small shadow flew out of the room, leaving the man and his companion beast alone. The shadow moved silently and stealthily, quickly leaving the inn and heading towards the center of the city of beasts.

Every city on the Itia continent has its own ruler, who embodies power and responsibility for this settlement. In cities where humans live, the rulers are called Alcaldes, and in cities where beasts rule, they are called Lords.

As in all cities, the residence of the Alcalde or Lord is located in the center of the capital. This place is considered the safest, but at the same time the most dangerous, because the most powerful creatures live here.

The shadow quickly reached the center of the city and stopped in front of the most luxurious and majestic building. Even though this city belonged to the beasts and was ruled by the beast lord, the Lord lived in a building built by humans specifically for him.

The logic of all the Lords was simple: As the ruler of the city, they should live in the most luxurious and best buildings, surpassing the dwellings of ordinary residents. This is proof of their greatness and power. That was why no building could be built in the city of beasts that would outshine the Lord's house in appearance and luxury.

Officially, the Lord and Alcalde of the city are rank 6 beast lords or beast tamers of the same level. However, in reality, the true rulers were hiding behind the backs of these officials: there were rank 7 overlords in the central cities of beasts, and rank 7 tamers in the central cities of humans.

A Rank 6 Night Wolf was appointed as the Lord of the city of the beast sub-region of Region No.07. But the true ruler at that time was a Rank 7 shadow wolf. Not only was Night Wolf a subordinate of Shadow Wolf, but he was also a direct descendant of Shadow Wolf.

A small shadow swiftly entered the city Lord's building without encountering any resistance from the guards and defense mechanisms. She confidently walked towards the very heart of the building, where the true ruler of the city, the seventh rank beast lord, Shadow Wolf, was located.

When the shadow reached its destination, it stopped and looked at the black wolf lying on the cozy carpet. All his companions were sleeping peacefully around him—the strongest and most capable awakened female wolves that made up his pack.

The shadow, seeing this picture, wrinkled its little nose and said in a loud and ringing voice:

— Wake up, little wolf!

The Shadow Wolf, who was not sleeping at that time, but only lay with his eyes closed surrounded by his companions, suddenly opened his eyes when he heard a familiar voice. In front of him, on the ground, sat a small white fox with purple tips of paws, tail and ear. This painting almost gave the wolf a heart attack. In a panic, he uncontrollably released his seventh-rank beast lord power, which woke up and alarmed his companions.

All of his companions, with the exception of one, were wolves below the sixth rank. Under the influence of the power released by their alpha, they jumped up and also noticed the little fox. Even the sixth-ranked she-wolf froze in place like a stone, forgetting even how to breathe. They also recognized this little fox, and their bodies began to tremble.

But the worst part was Shadow Wolf's condition. Even he, the strongest being in this city, was trembling like an autumn leaf.

He knew this little fox too well—no, it was a small disaster.

He first met her about three years ago, when she suddenly appeared in front of him, just like now. At that time, he still did not realize what a calamity was hanging over him. As a seventh-rank beast lord, he considered himself the strongest being and tried to subdue her. But, to his surprise, he failed. He remembered this day for the rest of his life. Since then, the fear of the fox race had settled in his heart.

"Well, well, calm down, little wolf," Raikishi said melodiously, noticing the fear in the Shadow Wolf's eyes.

"Wh... why did you come again?" he asked, still nervous and afraid.

"I was just passing by and decided to visit a friend," Raikishi replied playfully and casually. While the Shadow Wolf was drenched in cold sweat, his fur began to stick to his body.

"As if I would believe that!" he exclaimed.

"Huh? What? Do you think I'm lying?" — Raikishi's manner of speech abruptly changed, becoming stern.

"..."

The Shadow Wolf understood that this old fox with cunning was deliberately turning him on. He didn't know what to say to her because he was so afraid.

"Okay, let's get down to business," Raikishi said, and her voice changed again, becoming simpler and more relaxed. The wolf and the she-wolves continued to remain silent, staring at her in horror.

"I see you're still afraid of me? Am I that scary?" asked Raikishi, licking her little paws. If other people saw her in this state, they would probably be delighted with her cuteness. But for the Shadow Wolf and the she—wolves, this fox was a real disaster and a harbinger of chaos-anything but cute.

The she-wolfs, afraid to even squeak, did not dare to breathe loudly and looked at their alpha with excitement, waiting for what he would say in response.