Fox's Last Wish

In a world where gods and monsters walk among mortals, Mihwa—a nine-tailed fox spirit, or gumiho—longs to become human. She risks everything, hiding her true nature for a hundred days in hopes of transformation, only to be betrayed by the man she thought she could love. Fleeing for her life, wounded and hunted, Mihwa's wish to belong is shattered. Her story becomes one of exile, regret, and the relentless ache to find a place in a world that fears her. This longing for acceptance and the pain of betrayal will echo through every choice she makes, setting the stage for a journey of vengeance, love, and self-discovery.

Shadows in Las Vegas

Now called Sunny, Mihwa lives in Las Vegas, blending into the chaos of humanity, suppressing her magic to avoid detection by the Shingae—the world of gods. Her carefully constructed anonymity is threatened when Ethan, a figure from her past, finds her. Their reunion is fraught with unresolved feelings and the revelation that Ethan's brother, Ben, has been murdered under mysterious, magical circumstances. Sunny's instincts scream to run, but the pull of old bonds and the need for justice force her to confront the shadows she's spent a lifetime evading.

The Past Hunts Back

Sunny's world is upended as she's attacked by a supernatural assassin, confirming that Ben's death is tied to her own hidden identity. The Jaenanpa, a faction of dark shamans obsessed with stealing magic, have found her. Guilt and fury war within her—Ben died because of her past. Forced to flee with Ethan, Sunny must face the truth: she can no longer outrun the consequences of who she is. The past, with all its violence and sorrow, has come hunting, and this time, it threatens everything she cares about.

Blood and Betrayal

As Sunny and Ethan race toward a sacred cypress in California, seeking answers from the Seonangshin, they are pursued by relentless undead assassins. Each attack leaves Sunny more wounded, both physically and emotionally, and Ethan's presence stirs feelings she's long denied. The Seonangshin reveals that her old nemesis, Daeseong, has returned from death, resurrected by a mass sacrifice and the power of the Amheuk—ancient darkness. The revelation that Ben's murder was a message to her, and that Ethan is now a target, deepens her guilt and resolve. The only way forward is to confront the darkness head-on.

The Mountain's Secret

At the foot of the ancient cypress, Sunny bargains for knowledge. The Seonangshin, god of Mountains, demands a price: she must relive her greatest trauma—the night her mother died protecting her from Daeseong and his mob. The agony of memory nearly breaks her, but she emerges with a mission: to obtain the sacred ashes that might destroy Daeseong. The god's words are riddles, hinting at a power within Sunny—a gift of the Cheon'gwang, the true light. The cost of this knowledge is steep, and the wounds of the past bleed into the present.

A Vow for Vengeance

Sunny and Ethan, battered but unbroken, return to Las Vegas. Their bond deepens as they share grief and longing, but the threat of Daeseong and his assassins looms. Ethan's determination to avenge Ben and protect Sunny is matched only by her own. They gather unlikely allies—Ford, a loyal human friend, and the enigmatic Suhoshin, guardians of the Shingae. As secrets unravel, Sunny is forced to admit her true nature to Ethan, and he, in turn, reveals a resilience and power that hint at a destiny greater than either imagined.

The Assassin's Arrival

The undead assassins escalate their attacks, each more deadly than the last. Sunny is forced to embrace her gumiho form, unleashing the full force of her magic to protect Ethan. In the heat of battle, Ethan wields legendary axes—gifts from the Spirit of Mountains—revealing his own hidden lineage. The cost of victory is high, and the lines between vengeance and justice blur. The fight binds them together, but also exposes the prophecy that threatens to tear them apart.

Hidden Powers Awaken

In the aftermath of battle, Sunny and Ethan confront the truth of their powers and their pasts. Ethan's invulnerability and ability to wield the axes mark him as the prophesied Prince of Mountains, destined for a role he never sought. Sunny, haunted by guilt and the burden of the sacred ashes, must accept that her magic is both a curse and a gift. Their connection deepens into love, but the prophecy of destruction hangs over them. The only hope lies in understanding the true nature of the Yeoiju—the pearl of light—and the role each must play in the coming war.

The Cypress Bargain

To obtain the sacred ashes, Sunny must pay a terrible price: reliving the night she lost her mother and her innocence. The Seonangshin's ritual wounds her soul, but grants her the weapon she needs to face Daeseong. Meanwhile, Ethan's powers fully awaken as he breaks the jade disk—his mother's final gift—unlocking memories and magic bound since childhood. The two are now armed for the final confrontation, but the prophecy's shadow grows longer, and the cost of victory may be more than either can bear.

Into the Shingae

Sunny and Ethan, pursued by enemies and fate, cross into the Realm of Four Kingdoms—the true Shingae. There, they encounter the Suhoshin, the immortal guardians, and the dazzling, perilous politics of the gods. Sunny, an outsider and a fox spirit, faces prejudice and suspicion, while Ethan is revealed as the lost prince, heir to the Kingdom of Mountains. Together, they must navigate ancient rivalries, seek the means to defeat Daeseong, and resist the forces that would use them as pawns in a cosmic game.

The Prince Revealed

Ethan's true identity as the Prince of Mountains is unveiled, and with it, the prophecy that he is destined to kill the one who possesses the Yeoiju—Sunny. Their love becomes both salvation and doom. As the council of the Suhoshin debates her fate, Sunny must prove her worth and fight for a place in a world that sees her as a monster. The forging of the sword of light, the only weapon that can end Daeseong, becomes their shared quest, but the prophecy's threat hangs over every moment of hope.

Monsters and Moonlight

Daeseong, now a vessel of the Amheuk, unleashes nightmare beasts upon the world. Sunny, Ethan, and their allies—Suhoshin, a dragon spirit, and others—stand against the darkness. In the chaos of battle, Sunny's love and sacrifice awaken the Yeoiju within her, unleashing a blinding light that banishes the monsters but nearly destroys her. Ethan, bound by love and destiny, must choose between the crown and the woman he loves. The cost of victory is heartbreak, and the future remains uncertain.

The Sword of Light

With the dragon's scales and the sacred ashes, the sword of light is forged—a weapon of hope against the darkness. But the prophecy remains: the King Foretold must kill the bearer of the Yeoiju. Sunny, now the vessel of the true light, faces a choice between love and survival. Ethan, torn between duty and heart, vows to defy fate. Their allies rally, but the threat of Daeseong and the Amheuk is not yet ended. The sword is both a promise and a warning: the end is not yet written.

The Yeoiju's Burden

Sunny, marked by the Yeoiju, becomes both weapon and target. The Jaenanpa and the remnants of darkness hunt her, and even her friends fear the power she wields. Ethan's love is her anchor, but also her greatest vulnerability. The world of gods is beautiful and cruel, and the price of peace may be her own life. As she struggles to master the Yeoiju's power, Sunny must decide what she is willing to sacrifice—and whether love can survive the weight of destiny.

Prophecy of Endings

The prophecy that has haunted them comes to a head: the King Foretold must kill the bearer of the Yeoiju to save the worlds. Sunny and Ethan, bound by love and fate, face the impossible choice between each other and the greater good. In the end, it is not power, but the willingness to choose hope over despair, love over fear, that shapes their destiny. The story closes on the promise that the future is unwritten, and that even in the face of prophecy, the heart may yet find a way.

Love's Impossible Choice

In the aftermath, Sunny and Ethan are left with scars—physical and emotional. Their love, forged in fire and loss, is both a blessing and a curse. The world of gods remains perilous, and the threat of darkness lingers. But together, they choose to face whatever comes, refusing to let prophecy dictate their hearts. The story ends not with certainty, but with the hope that love, even when impossible, is worth every risk.

The Realm of Four Kingdoms

The Shingae is forever changed by the battle, and so are Sunny and Ethan. As they step into the future—uncertain, dangerous, but full of possibility—they are no longer fugitives or pawns, but heroes who have claimed their own story. The fox and the prince, the light and the mountain, walk together into a world where belonging is not given, but chosen. Their journey is not over, but for the first time, they face it together.

Characters

Sunny (Mihwa)

Sunny, once Mihwa, is a gumiho—a nine-tailed fox spirit—who has spent over a century hiding from her past and her own nature. Haunted by guilt over her mother's death and the massacre that followed, she longs for humanity and a place to belong. Her psyche is a battleground of self-loathing, fierce independence, and a desperate need for connection. Sunny's journey is one of reluctant heroism: she is forced to confront her power, her trauma, and the prophecy that marks her for death. Her love for Ethan is both her salvation and her doom, and her greatest act of courage is choosing to love and be loved, even when fate is against her.

Ethan Lee

Ethan is introduced as a determined, loyal private investigator, but is soon revealed to be the prophesied Prince of Mountains, heir to a kingdom he never knew. Marked by tragedy—the loss of his parents, his brother Ben, and the burden of a destiny he never chose—Ethan is both vulnerable and unbreakable. His love for Sunny is the axis of his transformation: it awakens his powers, his sense of purpose, and his willingness to defy fate. Ethan's struggle is between duty and desire, prophecy and free will. His greatest fear is that loving Sunny will destroy her, but his greatest hope is that together, they can rewrite destiny.

Ben Lee

Ben is Ethan's older brother and Sunny's first true friend in America. A private investigator with a strong moral compass, Ben becomes collateral damage in the war between the Shingae and the Jaenanpa. His murder is the catalyst that draws Sunny and Ethan back together and into the heart of the conflict. Ben's legacy is one of love, loyalty, and sacrifice—he dies protecting Ethan, and his final words unlock the secret of Ethan's powers. His presence lingers as a reminder of what is at stake and what has been lost.

Daeseong

Daeseong is the story's primary antagonist—a once-human mudang whose lust for power led him to betray, murder, and ultimately become a vessel for ancient darkness. His resurrection, fueled by mass sacrifice, unleashes the Amheuk upon the worlds. Daeseong is both a personal and cosmic threat: he is responsible for Sunny's greatest trauma, Ben's death, and the looming apocalypse. He is cunning, cruel, and nearly invincible, but also a tragic figure, consumed by the very darkness he sought to control.

Jihun (Captain Song)

Jihun is a Suhoshin captain—an immortal guardian of the Shingae—who becomes Sunny's reluctant sponsor and eventual friend. He is bound by duty, honor, and a deep sense of justice, but is also capable of compassion and humor. Jihun's role is to guide, protect, and sometimes challenge Sunny, helping her navigate the perilous politics of the gods. His loyalty to Ethan and the greater good is unwavering, and his willingness to risk everything for his friends marks him as a true hero.

Hailey

Hailey is a jeoseungsaja—a being of Underworld—who serves as a Suhoshin and becomes one of Sunny's closest allies. She is practical, witty, and fiercely protective, using her powers to guide souls and fight evil. Hailey's friendship is a lifeline for Sunny, offering acceptance and support in a world that fears her. Her presence underscores the story's theme that family can be chosen, not just inherited.

Jaeseok

Jaeseok is a dokkaebi—a goblin—who brings levity and resourcefulness to the group. His flirtatious banter and irreverent humor mask a deep loyalty and courage. Jaeseok's ability to adapt, his connections in both the mortal and divine worlds, and his willingness to risk himself for his friends make him an indispensable ally.

Minju

Minju is a historian and expert in arcane magic, driven by a relentless quest for knowledge. Her willingness to cross ethical lines in pursuit of answers (even stabbing Sunny to test a theory) makes her both valuable and dangerous. Minju's arc is one of obsession, guilt, and the hope that knowledge can be used for good.

Draco

Draco, the so-called Cheonji Monster, is a dragon spirit with the power to tip the balance in the war against darkness. Sullen, sarcastic, and burdened by loss, Draco is nonetheless brave and loyal. Their presence is a reminder that even the most unlikely creatures can become heroes, and that youth and inexperience do not preclude greatness.

The Seonangshin (Samshin Halmeom)

The Seonangshin appears in many forms—wise elder, stern judge, mischievous grandmother—offering cryptic guidance and demanding steep sacrifices. Their role is to test, challenge, and ultimately empower Sunny, forcing her to confront her past and embrace her destiny. The Seonangshin embodies the story's themes of fate, choice, and the cost of power.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Destiny

The narrative is driven by a prophecy: the King Foretold (Ethan) must kill the bearer of the Yeoiju (Sunny) to save the worlds. This device creates tension, foreshadows tragedy, and forces characters to grapple with questions of free will versus fate. The prophecy is both a curse and a challenge, shaping choices and relationships, but ultimately inviting defiance and hope.

Hidden Identity and Transformation

Both Sunny and Ethan conceal their true natures—she as a gumiho, he as the lost prince. Their journeys are marked by the gradual unveiling of power, memory, and destiny. Transformation—literal and metaphorical—is central: Sunny's acceptance of her gumiho form, Ethan's awakening as prince, and the forging of the sword of light all symbolize the painful, necessary process of becoming.

Sacrifice and the Cost of Power

The story repeatedly emphasizes that magic, knowledge, and victory come at a cost. Sunny must relive her greatest trauma to obtain the sacred ashes; Ethan's powers are bound to a prophecy that may destroy his love. The Seonangshin's bargains, the forging of the sword, and the unleashing of the Yeoiju all require sacrifice, underscoring the theme that true heroism is measured by what one is willing to lose.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The narrative structure weaves together a cast of outcasts, exiles, and orphans who become each other's family. The bonds between Sunny, Ethan, and their allies are forged in adversity and tested by betrayal, but ultimately prove stronger than fate. The found family motif offers hope and belonging in a world that is often hostile and indifferent.

Dual Worlds and Cultural Hybridity

The story moves between the mortal world (Las Vegas, Korea) and the Shingae, blending Korean folklore with contemporary settings. This duality reflects the characters' struggles with identity, belonging, and the negotiation of tradition and change. The use of Korean language, food, and myth grounds the fantasy in a rich cultural context, while the modern world offers both refuge and danger.

Foreshadowing and Circular Structure

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing—prophecies, dreams, and the repetition of motifs (the cypress, the axes, the Yeoiju). The story's structure is circular: it begins and ends with longing, exile, and the hope of belonging. The past is never truly past; it shapes the present and threatens to repeat itself, unless the characters can break the cycle.

Analysis

Nine Tailed is a luminous reimagining of Korean myth, urban fantasy, and romance, exploring the tension between fate and free will, love and sacrifice, belonging and exile. At its heart, the novel is about the cost of power and the courage to choose hope in the face of prophecy. Sunny's journey from self-loathing exile to reluctant hero mirrors the immigrant experience—caught between worlds, longing for acceptance, and forging identity through pain and resilience. Ethan's arc, from lost boy to prophesied king, interrogates the burden of legacy and the possibility of rewriting destiny. The novel's use of prophecy as both threat and invitation challenges the notion that the future is fixed, suggesting instead that love, loyalty, and the willingness to sacrifice can bend even the will of the gods. The found family motif, the blending of myth and modernity, and the unapologetic embrace of Korean culture make Nine Tailed a story of both specificity and universality. Its ultimate message is that belonging is not given, but chosen; that love, even when doomed, is worth every risk; and that the light we carry—however hard-won—can banish even the oldest darkness.

Last updated: November 27, 2025