The horrific memories of that day 2000 years ago still feel like they're tearing my heart apart.

That night, where it all began, with the smell of fishy blood mixed with the scent of damp earth.

Sigh...

On that day, my identity was discovered by humans, and I was gasping for breath on the threshold of death, my body a complete wreck.

The last thing I saw in my fading consciousness was a pair of tender eyes looking down at me.

That was you.

I bared my teeth out of instinctive wariness, but you showed no sign of fear and took my wound-covered self to your small house.

I clicked my tongue inwardly at the touch of your hands as you wrapped bandages and brought warm water.

What a foolish human... to pick up a gumiho, and a dying one at that.

'Fearless human...'

At first, I thought you were just a stupid, naive human.

But as the time we spent together grew longer, that thought gradually transformed into a different emotion.

Even though I grumbled and was prickly every day, you always smiled as brightly as sunshine.

By the time that smile became familiar to my eyes, I realized.

I had let this foolish, fearless human into my heart.

Two years passed, and I finally decided to confess to you.

My steps as I walked down the mountain, holding an armful of wild flowers that looked like you, were filled with a flutter I had never felt before in my life.

But what unfolded before my eyes was your house engulfed in flames, and you, collapsed on the ground.

The villagers were surrounding your fallen form, pointing fingers and calling you a 'gumiho'.

...What?

'I'm the gumiho, so why are you...'

It was only after listening quietly to the humans' words that I understood everything.

To protect me, you had lied and said you were the gumiho yourself.

—

Before I could think further, seeing the humans frantically throwing stones and kicking you made the string of my reason snap completely.

I dropped the flowers and rushed to eliminate all those hideous humans, but by then, you had already drawn your last breath.

...Fool, you absolute fool of a human.

I held your cold, dead body and screamed until my throat tore.

Why did you do it, why... I could have just said I was the gumiho...

Since that day, I have loathed the very existence of humans.

I visited your small grave every day, regretting countless times, longing for you, and weeping.

That I loved you, that I was sorry, that I was thankful.

The fact that I couldn't convey even one of those words became a lingering sorrow.

And so, 2000 years passed.

One day, while I was forced to continue the life I gained through your sacrifice, I woke up to find myself inside a cramped, completely enclosed iron cage.

The host was introducing me with a booming voice as a 'nine-tailed gumiho'.

A hollow laugh escaped me.

...I really can't do anything without you, can I?

Mocking myself and resigning to everything, I hung my head, leaned my back against the iron bars, and stared blankly into the dark void.