[BotB] Chapter 40

Sohwa could not easily regain her consciousness. She had been bedridden for a full ten days, causing Dohwi great anxiety with her delirious ramblings even while asleep. "Ugh... It can't be... I can't live... No... If I die... I can't survive..." 

Who was she talking about dying? Dohwi was curious to know who Sohwa was so worried about that it irritated him. Was it the smelly raccoon offspring? Or the fox he had bitten to death? Or perhaps the dark-hearted Imoogi (a legendary serpent-like creature)? 

It was infuriating enough, but hearing her repeatedly say things like "I can't live" only made Dohwi more anxious. He had doubts about the efficacy of the Yeouiju (a mythical orb believed to grant the power of omnipotence and creation), wondering if the Imoogi had deceived him, or perhaps the Yeouiju of a mere 300-year-old youngster lacked potency. 

The ten days Dohwi spent waiting for Sohwa to open her eyes felt like millennia. During that time, Dohwi's emotions fluctuated as if he were submerged in cold water and then thrown into boiling water. 

By day, he would hold her hand at her side, pleading for her to live, and by night, he would rampage through human villages, driven by rage over what she had endured. The villages were eventually abandoned due to the vicious tiger's attacks, leaving nothing but ominous rumors behind. 

"Dohwi... Dohwi..." Sometimes she would call out his name with such longing that Dohwi wished he could enter her dreams and let her know he was there. He wanted to be with Sohwa forever, even if it meant never waking up. 

"Dohwi..." When she miraculously opened her eyes, Dohwi prayed to the heavens, grateful for her recovery. It was a moment of redemption for the once-arrogant tiger who thought highly of himself. 

"If you're there, please answer me..." Although her vision was blurry, Sohwa recognized the owner of the warm hand she clutched as if she would never let go. 

"I'm here, Sohwa. I've been by your side all along." Dohwi wiped her forehead with a wet towel and brushed aside her damp hair, which prompted her parched, white lips to tremble before parting hesitantly. 

"I cherish you." Dohwi's movements halted. He thought he had misheard and leaned closer to hear her better. 

"Can you say that again?" Just then, Sohwa struggled to open her eyes. Seeing the black head that loomed before her, she lifted her trembling hand. Though not as soft as her own, his hair was gentle to the touch. 

After stroking Dohwi's hair for a while, Sohwa slowly spoke. 

"You are... my precious tiger. It has always been so, and it remains unchanged..." Moved by her fervent confession, Dohwi was choked with emotion. It had been 20 years since Sohwa had favored him. 

He felt ashamed of his past self, who had contemplated devouring this kind, cute, and innocent fox. 

In a repentant manner, Dohwi toyed with her soft hand, trying to hide his overwhelming emotions. 

"What if you get attacked by a hunter, Sohwa? What could you possibly do with that body?" 

"I fought valiantly against seventeen and won... You didn't see that." 

Dohwi had only seen seven or eight hunters. The fox's bravado in such a situation seemed so characteristic and adorable that he let out a quiet laugh. 

"Why did you do that? Didn't you see they had guns?" 

"I did... I was so scared I almost peed myself." 

"You should have run away. You're good at that." 

"They boasted about being tiger hunters, so I was curious to see how great they were..." 

Dohwi caught his breath in surprise. This little fox had dared to confront humans fearlessly. 

"I declared that as long as I live, they wouldn't even lay eyes on a tiger... and I just pounced on them." 

"For me?" 

Dohwi leaned in close enough for their lips to touch, looking down at her with gentle eyes. After a moment of silence, Sohwa nodded slightly, as if having made up her mind. 

"Yes." It was a fight she was prepared to give her life for. 

"For you." Sohwa herself was astonished at the bravery she harbored within. She blinked her round eyes, recounting the events – leaping off a cliff, escaping from a black serpent in the cave, climbing up valleys, and defeating numerous gun-wielding hunters. 

'How did I manage that...' 

She thought no one would believe her tale of heroism. Sohwa, the cowardly fox, brave? It seemed unbelievable, like a dream. 

"You went through all of that for me, which means you must love me very deeply." 

"Me...?" Was it her who left nothing but a letter and disappeared? 

Returning to confront the hunters was simply because he cherished the creature he had lived with for 20 years, feeling affection and longing. No matter how repulsive, attachment forms over time.