Monster Taming Broadcast - Chapter 53

Chapter 53. Melody Fox

The fox kept waving its tail, but it didn’t come out of Passage No. 1, only sticking its rear out.

Why was it acting like that?

I found it odd, but I didn’t approach carelessly.

This might have been a trap to lure me, and there could be a hidden danger waiting.

【Pururu】─Look at that fox seducing you.

【Yumi】─Its plump little butt is so cute.

【Pururu】─Why does it have so many tails? Is it a nine-tailed fox?

【Mysticism】─😠

I ignored the fox.

I focused solely on grilling the Pig King’s meat without paying it any attention.

Of course, I did sneak a few glances.

You never know when it might attack, so I stayed on guard.

As I pretended not to care,

[Kkyuu?]

The fox, seemingly flustered, slowly emerged from Passage No. 1.

Now fully revealed, it kept wagging its tail.

‘I’ll just keep ignoring it for now.’

When I continued to act indifferent, the fox let out a sad sound and began to slowly approach me.

[Kkyuu… ]

It waddled toward me, not facing me directly, but rather showing its back while walking backward, wagging its tail.

【Yumi】─The butt of temptation!

【Pururu】─But why is it walking like that?

【Mysticism】─🤔

At that moment.

Centaurides, who had been watching the fox with disapproval, suddenly shouted irritably.

[That… that shameless…! You filthy fox! The Explorer is my mating partner! Don’t you dare covet him!]

【Yumi】─?

【Pururu】─This crazy mating-obsessed centaur is at it again.

[Explorer! We need to chase away this lewd fox immediately… huh?]

Centaurides paused mid-sentence and furrowed her brow, staring intently at the fox.

[…Could that be Melody Fox?]

“You know this monster?”

[Well… I think it might be Melody Fox. It’s such a rare creature that I’ve never actually seen one, but it looks just like what my brother described.]

“It’s not a dangerous monster, right?”

Its nerfed danger rating was B-grade, but its actual danger level was S-grade, as I had already confirmed.

When I asked if it was dangerous, I meant if it was a violent monster.

Understanding my question, Centaurides replied.

[From what I’ve heard, it’s supposed to be a very docile monster, but I can’t be certain since this is my first time seeing one. I also heard that, long ago, my mother briefly encountered one.]

“Ah. Was it one of the monsters your mother tamed?”

[No, it wasn’t. I was told she couldn’t tame it… or rather, didn’t.]

“So, she lived with it without taming it, which means it must be a monster friendly to other creatures, like the Medical Mushroom.”

[Yes, that seems likely.]

I didn’t let my guard down just yet.

The Melody Fox that Centaurides’ mother encountered might have been an exception.

This Melody Fox might not be the same one that was with her mother or under Min Hyeong-seok’s control—it could be a different individual.

Since it looked exactly like what she described, it probably was indeed a monster called ‘Melody Fox.’

Centaurides scratched her head and called to me.

[Explorer.]

“What is it?”

[Earlier, I suggested chasing that fox away… but I think I should retract that. Melody Fox absolutely must be tamed.]

“It has to be tamed?”

[Yes. That fox’s abilities will certainly be of great help to us.]

Centaurides paused from preparing the meal and began explaining the abilities of the Melody Fox.

***

The ability Centaurides described was that Melody Fox could sing with a beautiful voice.

At first, I didn’t see how that would be helpful.

But after hearing a more detailed explanation of its abilities, my opinion changed.

‘…This is a cheat-level ability, isn’t it?’

Melody Fox had an unbelievably overpowered ability.

So strong, in fact, that I still had doubts.

Its ability was a buff.

But not a temporary one—the power of Melody Fox’s songs permanently amplified the strength of those who heard it.

Not only that.

It also helped creatures evolve, and in some cases, it could even transform them into different species based on what they desired.

In short.

It was a monster that could permanently increase strength, promote species transformation, and accelerate natural evolution.

‘I’ve encountered monsters that help with evolution before, but this one is on a whole different level.’

From what I heard, Melody Fox could even assist with the evolution of S-grade monsters.

Its ability to accelerate the evolution of monsters like Demon Kings or Devil Kings was an absolute game-changer that could break the balance of power.

Permanent stat boosts and species transformation were things I had never heard of before.

‘It probably won’t work on SS-grade monsters, though, since Melody Fox is S-grade. But if it evolves into SS-grade, then it might be possible.’

Could I evolve as well?

If so, would I still be human, or would I turn into something else?

I had many questions, but I decided to think about them later.

For now, my priority was to tame this creature as quickly as possible.

It wouldn’t be difficult.

The fox was eyeing us and clearly hungry.

Perhaps all that tail-wagging was a way of asking for food.

[Kkyuu…]

Grrrr.

The fox’s stomach rumbled softly, and even the sound of its hunger was melodic.

I took some Pig King meat and cautiously approached the fox.

“Hey, fox.”

[Kkyuu?]

I placed the meat on the ground.

“You’re hungry, right? Here, eat this.”

[Kkyuu! Kkyuu!]

The fox immediately perked up its tails and dashed toward the meat.

For a brief moment, its eyes opened.

Although they quickly shut again.

[Kkyum, kkyuch kkyuch!]

【Pururu】─Why is it always keeping its eyes closed?

【Yumi】─Yeah, that’s strange.

【Mysticism】─🤔

The fox was ravenous, devouring the meat hungrily.

As I watched the fox with satisfaction, I slowly placed my hand on the red spot located on its tail.

***

Just like with the Medical Mushroom.

The taming of Melody Fox progressed very quickly.

By the time the other exploration teams had returned to the hideout, the taming was complete.


■Melody Fox

─Actual Danger Level: S-grade.

─Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: B-grade.

─Ability: Singing.

I finished adding Melody Fox to the monster index and looked at her.

She lay on the ground with a content expression.

Her belly was exposed to the air.

As Centaurides and I chatted, she glanced at Melody Fox and asked.

[Are you saying that the one who dominated Melody Fox had it under his control?]

“I’m not sure if it’s the same individual, but he did have a fox that looked just like her.”

[Hmm. Even if that person had dominated Melody Fox, they likely didn’t understand its true potential. I heard Melody Fox’s abilities only work on those it genuinely favors.]

Centaurides explained that Melody Fox’s abilities would only be effective on those it truly loved.

In a forced, artificial relationship of domination.

In other words, it wouldn’t help someone who dominated it.

“Is it different for an Assistant?”

[Of course. Taming is not an artificial bond like domination. It’s more akin to manipulating the flow of time.]

“Huh? What do you mean by manipulating the flow of time?”

[When you spend a long time with someone, naturally, trust and affection build. Taming speeds up that process. Even if the bond starts with hostility, spending time together allows that bond to form and eventually leads to taming. Though if no affection grows, taming won’t be possible.]

Centaurides’ explanation made me fully understand why taming hostile monsters took so much time.

“So as long as they’re not sworn enemies, they can eventually be tamed, unless they’ve already been tamed by someone else.”

[That’s right.]

“And the strength of the monster also affects how long taming takes, right?”

[Yes, that’s correct. Probably.]

“Thanks for the explanation. It would’ve been nice if you told me this earlier.”

[I’m sorry. I forgot when we first met, and it just came to mind now…]

【Pururu】─At this point, don’t you think her memory is a bit faulty?

【Yumi】─Better late than never.

In any case, the conclusion was clear.

The more Melody Fox liked someone.

In other words, the higher the trust, the more effectively it could help with its abilities.

“I’m looking forward to what’s to come. I never imagined I’d be able to evolve the monsters I’ve tamed without tickets.”

What a stroke of luck this was.

That Melody Fox, now sprawled out on the ground, was an unexpected fortune.

[To achieve that, we need to earn Melody Fox’s favor. All of us, not just you, Explorer.]

“Of course. You all need to build trust with her so she can properly help you.”

[It doesn’t sit right with me that she’s wagging her tails at you, but… I’ll do my best for now.]

Centaurides said this as she approached Melody Fox, who was resting.

[Hey.]

Poke.

Centaurides nudged Melody Fox with her foot.

The fox, still with her eyes closed, responded.

[Kkyuu?]

[I don’t like you. But I’ll be friendly with you, just this once. Got it?]

[Kkyuu.]

The fox turned her head away.

She clearly wasn’t interested.

It seemed unlikely those two would get along anytime soon.

***

Two days passed, and it was now day 27 in the labyrinth.

Melody Fox generally maintained friendly relationships with the monsters I had already tamed.

A friend of a friend is a friend, after all.

But while she was friendlier than most, none of the monsters had built enough trust with her for her song to have any effect yet.

Ah, there was one exception—a monster that was quickly gaining her trust.

[Kkyuu. Kkyuuu?]

[Siii! Sikkkyuu!]

The Dog Spider.

It seemed to get along particularly well with Melody Fox.

【Pururu】─Those two are getting really close.

【Yumi】─Maybe it’s because they’re both canine species.

【Pururu】─Wait, is the little one part of the canine family too…?

【Yumi】─It looks like a dog, doesn’t it?

【Pururu】─Don’t insult the little one.

【Yumi】─It wasn’t an insult.

【Mysticism】─🤭

At first, the Dog Spider was the one showing all the affection, but after persistently expressing its feelings, it seemed Melody Fox had started to open up as well.

The Dog Spider had even begun mimicking Melody Fox’s sounds lately.

[Sikkyuu! Sikkyuu!]

【Pururu】─That’s so Sikkyute.

Also.

The Dog Spider seemed to find Melody Fox’s habit of walking with her eyes closed elegant, and had started copying it.

But,

Thud!

[Sikkyuu!]

It kept bumping into rocks.

【Yumi】─The Dog Spider used to go around imitating Hedgehog, going “Sidumba!” all the time, and now it’s copying Melody Fox. It doesn’t even dance anymore. Guess its idol has changed.

【Pururu】─The little one’s a copycat.

【Mysticism】─Dog Spider, open your eyes! You’ll get hurt!

【Pururu】─Mishi, just stick to using emojis, okay?

【Mysticism】─You’re the one who told me to chat before.

【Pururu】─Shut up.

【Mysticism】─🤐

The Dog Spider spent all its time clinging to Melody Fox, except when it was out exploring.

That evening, after the day’s explorations were over.

[Kkyuu~ Kkyuuuu~]

Melody Fox’s song echoed through the hideout as usual.

The Dog Spider was, as always, staring at her, fully immersed in the melody.

[Kkyuu~ Kkyuuu~]

[Sikkyuu…]

[Kkyuu~ Kkyuuuu♪]

[Siiiiiiii…]

And then.

【Pururu】─Huh? What’s happening?

【Mysticism】─😮

【Yumi】─Oh my!

【Rizenova】─Hm? It seems something interesting happened while I was away.

Golden threads began to shoot out from the Dog Spider’s body.

The threads, constantly flowing out, quickly wrapped around the Dog Spider, transforming it into a large golden cocoon.

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