"It'll be somewhat troublesome for Lord Xiao Xiao to find it."
Little White Fox tilted its head and cast a sidelong glance up at Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao gazed in the direction where Child Ghost had disappeared, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.
"...Not necessarily."
Child Ghost tripped over its own feet and plunged headfirst into the bushes.
The branches and leaves struck its body.
It was a little itchy.
That was still better than the pain of the sunlight falling on its body just now.
Its heart gave a heavy leap.
It was worried that the noise from its fall had been too loud.
After a long while, when it realized that nothing had happened, Child Ghost carefully and slowly climbed to its feet.
It covered its mouth.
Heavy panting escaped through the gaps between its fingers.
It pressed its hand harder over its mouth.
The taste of rust filled its mouth.
It did not care—or rather, it did not notice.
It looked outside through the gaps in the branches and leaves.
That human had not pursued it.
Was it safe?
It did not know.
The sun gradually sank toward the west.
Brilliant red clouds spread across the entire sky.
The heat in the air faded somewhat.
The sky slowly darkened.
Child Ghost knew that it was temporarily safe.
It turned its head and looked around.
More and more humans passed by.
Some hurried along, some chatted and laughed merrily with their companions.
Some lowered their heads to look at something.
The streetlights came on.
A look of disdain appeared on Child Ghost's face.
There were almost no humans to be seen outside anymore.
The fragrance of food drifted through the air.
It crouched down and crawled out of the bushes.
Then it nimbly scurried