He thought it was a curse gained from living among dogkin. He felt guilty for his daughter having an unfulfilled destiny. By now, Vargis firmly believed she would only grow her tails if she moved in with the foxkin, but Kitsara was a stubborn woman who didn’t want to live with them partly because of how they treated her, and partly because of how much she loved her father and her people.
Yet now… before his very eyes, a second tail had emerged.
His beloved little girl—his pride, his joy—had finally advanced.
His grip on his war axe loosened as his gaze traveled onto the man holding her. This man… this outsider… had achieved something Vargis himself could not, not in over three decades of desperate attempts. The realization hurt his pride greatly, but at the same time, another emotion assaulted his heart.
If he had to give his daughter to another man, then who better than the one who helped her progress in a mere few hours of time spent together? Knowing she found such a capable man for herself instead of a useless thug eased some of his earlier concerns regarding the matter.
Kitsara, now bearing two elegant tails, turned her gaze to Quinlan with an expression so full of warmth that it made Vargis’ throat tighten. Slowly, both tails moved with a grace beyond words, one curling around Quinlan’s left hand, the other wrapping around his right.
A silent declaration.
Vargis exhaled shakily. His heart swelled with emotions too vast to contain. His daughter had made her choice. And perhaps… he couldn’t help but have a feeling that it was the right one.
“You didn’t tell me you gained a new tail,” Quinlan said amusedly.
“Hehe! I wanted to surprise the two most important men in my life at the same time!”
“So how exactly did this phenomenon occur? You needed a sweaty tumble to advance?”
“Not in front of my father!” Kitsara yelped while placing both of her hands on his lips, barricading that loud mouth of his from any other details being transmitted to her father. Pink cheeks adorned her delicate face as she did that.
But then, she shook her head. “I don’t know. Perhaps it was being accepted by a man of your caliber that fulfilled the requirement to ‘become worthy,’ or perhaps the rather unique way we consummated our union… Maybe it was simply falling for a man’s charms! You assaulted my maiden heart with quite the storm…”
Then, with a sly smile, Kitsara revealed, “Indeed! I fulfilled the rank-up requirements! I don’t know if ‘becoming worthy’ meant unlocking a second tail or not, but what matters is that I got both a new tail and fulfilled the last requirement. I shot from level 29 all the way to level 33! A lot of my XP has been stored in the past few years. Now go and shake father’s hand or whatever macho stuff you men like to do in these situations.” She then bashfully whispered under her breath, “To complete the transaction…”
Naturally, Vargis’ acute senses honed over many centuries picked up on her words, and so did Quinlan’s primordial senses. The father grimaced while the boyfriend chuckled wryly before turning his attention to Vargis, and with a serious tone, he spoke up. “I have met many men and women in my travels, but I can say with absolute certainty that you have done an extraordinary job as a father, Vargis. Without a wife by your side, you raised a daughter who is not only intelligent and socially adept but also bold enough to chase her desires and embrace new experiences. She carries a purity of spirit that I deeply admire, and I will cherish her with all that I am.”
Kitsara shifted in Quinlan’s arms, making her delicate hands clasp around his neck, anchoring herself to him. Quinlan adjusted his hold on her form so that he secured her with just one arm.
He extended his freed hand toward Vargis.
The dogkin chieftain didn’t replicate his motions. Instead, his golden eyes locked onto Quinlan’s, searching—no, scrutinizing. For long, tense minutes, he stared deep into them, as if peeling back layers, seeking even the faintest hint of deception.
Finally, Vargis exhaled through his nose and reached forward, gripping Quinlan’s forearm with the strength of a man who had shaped his entire life through sheer force of will.
“You seem like a good man,” Vargis rumbled with a low, steady voice that was filled with the weight of a father’s love and a warrior’s warning. “You speak well, and I believe you mean every word you’ve uttered. But I will do my final fatherly duty nonetheless.” His grip tightened as he leaned forward threateningly. “If you ever betray my daughter’s heart… I will find you. No matter where you run, no matter how strong you become, I will hunt you down and feast upon your still-beating heart I ripped free from your chest.”
There was no bluster in his words. No empty threat. Only unwavering conviction.
Quinlan didn’t flinch. Instead, he met the dogkin’s fierce gaze and responded in an even tone. His expression was calm yet resolute.
“If that day ever comes, I will present my heart to you on a silver platter.”
A beat of silence passed between the two men as they continued staring into each other’s eyes.
Then, with mutual understanding, their hands finally met in a firm shake—one of respect and acceptance.
“Yep, exactly the kind of macho stuff I had in mind…” Kitsara squealed with rosy red cheeks. Witnessing this moment made her heart beat with excitement.
“Son-in-law, I’ll warn you ahead of time. Most of the leaders have already arrived, the summit is about to begin. As far as I’m aware, you’re the diplomatic leader of your group, so you should put your mind in the right place. Most of the beastkin leaders are arrogant, especially the apexes. I recommend you don’t anger them needlessly.”
Quinlan shook his head, “I appreciate your warning, Vargis, but I’m not just representing myself, but the ancient and illustrious organization called Vesper Consortium. I could look the other way if they barked insults at my person, but I’m not allowed to do so as long as I represent the syndicate.”
“I see… Well, you will have my support. Daughter, you should get dressed as well… After taking a thorough bath. You stink like a used-up prostitute at the end of her shift.”
“Eww! First of all, how exactly do you know how a prostitute smells, and second, what’s wrong with you? Don’t smell your daughter’s odors right after she’d finished doing the dirty!”
“First, no comment. Second, I’m doing my utmost to refrain from doing so, but you’re not making my job easier…” Vargis said gingerly.
Kitsara was visibly about the hound him for details about the prostitute business, so the father glanced at Quinlan pleadingly, who got the memo and made the wind currents carry him to the ground.
With that, the family drama was averted. Furthermore, the two men developed a mutual respect for each other.
It was time to begin the summit, which would not remain mere peaceful talks for more than a few minutes.
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