foxinabox

I could have entered this into the new contest as an isekai harem story, but chose not to mainly because with how I want the story to develop, I don't know I would reach the point of being able to start working on the harem aspect before the contest is over in November.

Second point, the Unique abilities are special enough to require their own color even when not quite referred to by name. Fixed that one in yesterday's post. (hint: commonly called cheats in isekai tropes)

Third I will update once per day through saturday, same fox time, same fox channel. . no, not that channel. After that it'll be each saturday, with bonus chapters possible depending on the size of my buffer.

Fourth, and this won't come up often, but all typos are international. <ALL OF THEM>

Chapter One

Birth Day

I wake up floating in . . something, it feels warm and fluid. Oh, still haven't been born yet. This'll get old quick. I can either go through my memories or try to start cultivating now. Didn't those stepping stone characters in the cultivation novels say 'even if you've been cultivating from your mother's womb'? Sounds like a good choice.

. . .

Wish I had a manual. What am I even supposed to be collecting? I should try to sense it first.

. . .

. . .

Is that?

I think so, now how do I get it?

. . .

AAAUGH! (kick)

No wonder actual cultivators are so rare, even in worlds where it's possible.

No. I NEED to calm down. I can't do anything like this.

. . .

There's a bit of energy, come to me.

It's moving, come on, closer. Yes. Got it. Now what do I do with it?

Let's see, from novels, you would store it in a 'dantian' which is placed in one of 3 'apertures'. The first being right around the navel, the second next to the heart. I'll worry about the third when it matters. 'Dantian'. 'Navel'.

. . .

Nothing? What about the heart aperture then.

. . .

Yes, there is . . something. Wasn't there supposed to be a something in the navel first? Well, that applies to humans. Beasts just get a 'core' in their heart aperture. Does that mean 'Devil Boy Blue' reincarnated me as an animal instead of a human? Even so, if a beast cultivates enough it can gain a human form, so it's not a total loss.

. .

Tired. .

"So you're finally here."

'Oh no, not again.'

"No, I'm just communicating with you about my subordinate's blunders."

"First, in cases like yours, he should have consulted with you on what species you'll get. He didn't."

'So can you at least tell me what I'm going to be? And gender?'

"An ordinary red fox, and male. If you want to lodge an official complaint about this. ."

'You think he did this on purpose?'

"Either that or he's totally incompetent."

'And will I be able to gain human form through cultivation?'

"Well. . there's always a chance. . "

'Then give him a present from me, like a good wine bottle or something.'

"O- Wait, what? You're not mad?"

'We're all mad here. You're mad too, or else you wouldn't be here. But no, the best way to mess him up is to thank him for his actions, as if it's what I wanted all along. Moreover it's actually pretty close to what I would've asked for anyway. You see, I had a liking for foxes in my past life. Though I would have preferred being a fox-kin instead. Now you mentioned 'First'?'

". . Right then. To continue, he also should've had you pick a Special. Either a specific type or from a list. He did so on your behalf and then deliberately chose not to tell you about it. That way you wouldn't ever know about or try to use it. It's called [Permeable Barrier]."

'Oh. . oh. . . OH! That's gonna be really useful! But not telling me about it? Hmph! Put some epicac in that wine bottle.'

"Epicac? What's that?"

'A special medicine that makes you squirt from both ends. Cleans you out from being poisoned. VERY MESSY! And arrange for some of his friends to be there with him when he gets it. Better yet send it to his home.'

"Right, good. One last thing, as compensation for the troubles he tried to cause, I'll re-activate any other Specials you've previously had during one of your earlier incarnations for this one. Hmmm. Okay, first is [Blood-Rune Magic]. This requires blood to form. . "

'Can I use any language with that?'

"Um, yes. You just have to write it with blood, though it's more potent with your own."

'Useful, but still limited. Perfect. If it was too easy there wouldn't be any challenge, and that's no fun."

"Then there's [SwordArtist Level 5]."

'Heh, junk bin for now. Though I wonder whether that applies to smithing or swinging.'

"Both. Third one is [Minor Regeneration]."

'That'll synergize well with Blood Magic.'

"Indeed. And the last one is called [Dragon's Eye]."

'So. . super hi-def vision, see magic or equivalent as well as auras, and intimidating stare among other powers? Also I notice it's in the singular, so, what's the word. . heterochromia? At least as a fox, both pupils will be slits, otherwise I'd probably end up skewered and barbecued as soon as I show up in ANY human settlement.'

"Right on all counts, except 'other powers'. Well that's all then, take care."

'Thanks, you too.'

Waking back up. . So continue, gather energy. . enter heart aperture, find 'core'.

. . .

There isn't one. So I'll have to make something GRAAAHHH (kick X2)

(mental sigh)

So how do I make a core from scratch? I don't even have any idea what to make it . . out . .

[PERMEABLE BARRIER]! I can just define it to only block 'beast core materials' inward then shrink it! Easy mode on! But I'll have to start small, don't want to accidentally steal my mom's core while she's still pregnant with me.

. . .

It's a bit small? Again for more material

. . .

. . .

Okay, now to do the same, but with energies. Whatever they happen to call this energy in this world, I've read quite a few versions. But in novels they had to either work to purify it, or had low-quality energy to work with later. So . . also Barrier around the core, to block impurities outwards.

. . .

It's working, W007Z1 That's great, but. . 

Tired. .

Where was I?

Oh yeah, I'm gonna be born as TEH GREETEST FOX-KIT EVAR!!one

So long as I keep up with Barrier-cultivation. Not like the in-utero movie is any good.

-several weeks pass-

Oof. Today's the day then.

I soon felt myself squeezed through a tunnel, then everything went *cold*

(what? did you think I was going to say black? carnivore-order cubbies are all blind for the first week or two)