TCGAD 5

“No, the place where the bridegroom must be is here.”

Here, I muttered under my tongue. The tip of my tongue turned bitter, as if it had been sliced by a blade.

“Until you die.”

With that sharp voice, I was abruptly pulled back into sleep.

☀️

How much time had passed since then? My throat felt like it was burning, and I opened my eyes again.

I was still in the cradle.

“…….”

A faint herbal scent lingered somewhere. Looking down, I saw crushed herbs applied to my ankle. The presence I vaguely felt in my sleep must have been Lemon.

Where did she go? She was nowhere to be seen, but some coarsely ground herbs remained.

“It’ll ease the pain for a bit, but it won’t fully heal.”

I cautiously moved my ankle up and down. The pain had truly vanished, as if washed away. It was just an ordinary-looking weed, yet its effect was astonishing.

“No, the place where the bridegroom must be is here.”

Lemon’s voice echoed through my temples. Her tone had been utterly cold. I was lucky this time, but there was no guarantee she’d treat me again next time.

I had to protect my own body. If only I could keep these leftover herbs…

I searched for something to use as a pouch. My eyes landed on a pillowcase. Not knowing when Lemon might return, I quickly stuffed the herbs into the pillowcase. They were just weeds, and in this heat, they’d surely rot if left out.

“A string…”

I looked around for something to use as a tie. I immediately spotted the laced shoes. Who would’ve thought they’d come in handy here?

I bit the string with my teeth and pulled. Snap! The string broke. My jaw ached. I threaded the string through the pillowcase and tied it tightly. I tugged it a couple of times to check.

“…Ugh.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and stood up. Expecting excruciating pain, I was surprised to find my ankle perfectly fine.

Glancing at the door several times, I approached the window. I hung the bundle outside and secured it with the string. After tugging the string a few times, I closed the window. Seeing a shadow flicker on the glass, I covered it with a curtain.

Returning to the bed, I lay facing the wall when footsteps sounded outside. Soon, crash! The door flew open. Only one person would fling a door like that.

I shut my eyes tightly.

“Yawn.”

The monster stretched out a long yawn. He seemed relieved to be back in his den. The same creature who’d tried to crush my ankle was now acting human, and it was utterly revolting.

I glanced at him sideways when something suddenly flew toward me. A lazy, careless gesture. Thud! A dull sound rang out. Startled, I instinctively j**ked my knee.

“What did he throw?”

Normally, I’d assume it was prey, but… it was too small for that. And this foul smell of blood—what was it? Fear surged within me.

I cracked my eyes open slightly. Something lay sprawled on the floor. Bright red blood dripped from pale flesh. At first, I thought it was a chunk of meat.

…But.

“……!”

Curled inward like an unbloomed bud, with five nails at the end… it was clearly a human hand.

I had to struggle not to scream. I shoved my fist into my mouth.

Those pointed, white nails… they felt oddly familiar. Where had I seen them? I frantically racked my brain.

Then, I pulled out a memory. A hand had groped my ankle. That hand had long nails just like these.

“…….”

Did this monster really kill the prophet? A terrifying thought made me clutch the sheet tightly. My nails dug deep into my palm.

“…Hup!”

A sudden chill ran through my leg. My eyes snapped open. The monster had yanked the sheet off. The white fabric fluttered, revealing his eerie eyes. He glared at my ankle as if to pierce it.

“…….”

“…….”

Our gazes locked like a tight noose. It lasted only a few seconds, but the air around me felt as heavy as lead.

“Scared eyes.”

The predator chuckled, his chest quivering.

“Why?”

He asked why I was scared. Was that even a question? A cold ache stabbed my chest.

“Did you really… the prophet…”

The monster’s face turned blank. An expression devoid of emotion. A tearing sound echoed in my gut.

“Why did you do it?”

I glanced at the floor again. The pale flesh caught the edge of my vision. My body trembled like a quaking aspen.

The prophet was here just hours ago. The fear that someone alive moments before might now be dead gripped me.

Why, for what reason, did he commit such a horrific act?

“Because it’s thrilling, makes my head tingle and my heart race!”

I was utterly speechless. My throat felt hollow.

“What?”

“It’s fun! Because it’s fun!”

The monster blinked innocently. I felt a duality. It was like the pure evil of a child tearing butterfly wings or the hunting game of a predator.

“Why shouldn’t I?”

The common thread… both stemmed from primal instincts.

“I am the great Bulkan.”

He saw me as less than a worm. In a world ruled by strength, he reigned supreme. To him, I must be an irritating existence.

The only reason he tolerated me was because he wanted something from me… an heir.

But what if, what if I couldn’t give him what he wanted? What would happen to me then?

“There’s nothing I shouldn’t do on this earth. I decide what’s right and wrong.”

A white crack split across the monster’s face. Thunder roared. A piercing scream followed. A chilling unease surged within me.

“What’s this now…”

Startled, I turned toward the window. Clouds moved swiftly like a herd. Lightning burst through them, one after another. Trees in the forest swayed as if they’d be uprooted.

Just moments ago, it had been peaceful. Now, an ominous aura roiled, as if the world was about to end.

“Great Lord Bulkan, it’s Lemon.”

The cave door opened, and Lemon appeared. Her face was cold, the mask-like smile gone.

“Goddess Hecate is wailing.”

The monster giggled. His barrel-like chest quivered.

“Hahaha, I’ve been caught!”

His voice was gleeful, like a child caught in hide-and-seek. Lemon, unfazed, responded as if used to it.

“She’s looking for the prophet’s hand. If you don’t return it now, you won’t escape her wrath.”

I tried to process it. The prophet served the temple. It seemed the goddess was enraged because her servant was harmed. Shouldn’t he be terrified in such a situation?

“The prophet coveted my bride.”

But the monster was calm. He picked up the hand from the floor. Drip, drip, blood fell. I felt nauseated just looking at it, but he pressed his nose into the palm.

“So I bit it off with my teeth. The palm smelled of my bride.”

He rubbed his face against it, as if sniffing. Closing his eyes, puffing out his chest, he shivered as if savoring the scent.

Boom! Thunder shook the cave again. His eyelids flicked open, and he stared at me.

“Remember this moment forever.”

With that, he l**ked the palm and strode out of the cave.

I stared blankly at his retreating back.

Days passed, and Bulkan visited the cave. I scratched a mark on the wall with a glass shard. Another line completed a set of five. It had been a month since I’d arrived here.

“…….”

My hand fell limply. My pale wrist looked emaciated even to me.

My muscles had wasted away. No wonder. I ate far less, had no exercise, and barely saw sunlight.

In a world without culture, unable to go out, I had little to do. I just curled up in the empty cradle, escaping into sleep. When my stomach growled, I hastily filled it. Lemon occasionally dragged me to the bath.

“…….”

I stared at my wrist with dead eyes. Suddenly, my vision flashed white. Looking at the window, lightning struck again. The weather had been bad for days.

Gazing at the white lightning bolts that looked like the sky was purging, a sharp animalistic cry rang out.

“Kaaah!”

The eerie wail had persisted for days. It was so anguished it sounded horrific, like something struck by lightning.

The wind howled fiercely. Worried the herbs hanging by the window might blow away, I approached to retie the knot when—

Crash! Boom!

A massive explosion shook the entire cave. I staggered and fell. What was that? It felt like something enormous had crashed onto the cave.

Before I could process, thud, crash! The vibrations grew fiercer. It was as if something huge was getting closer.

“…!”

The open door spat out a massive dog. It slammed its head into the table and collapsed in the corner with a thud.

“What’s this…”

I was horrified. The beast was a mangled mess, its body covered in whip-like scars, a muzzle on its jaws.

I covered my mouth with my hand. Blood pooled everywhere the creature had rolled. It bashed its head against the cave wall, thrashing in agony.

“…Krr… grr…”

It was too gruesome to watch. Who did this, why, and for what reason? Who had beaten it to a pulp like this?

“Kuh!”

Something else was strange. His wounds used to heal instantly, but now they didn’t. My head felt numb. If left like this, he might really die…

“…Lemon.”

I bolted for the door. A slight pain twinged in my ankle, but that didn’t matter now.

“Lemon! Lemon!”

I pounded the door with my fist. A burning sensation spread through my hand. The door opened, and Lemon appeared.

“Yes, your lovely Lemon is here?”

I froze mid-motion, fist raised.

“Lemon, it’s Lord Bulkan.”

I pointed to the creature behind me, urging her to check his condition.

“Yes, Lord Bulkan?”

I expected her to be as shocked as I was, but she just smiled brightly, defying all expectations.

She was much taller than me; there was no way she couldn’t see the beast collapsed in the corner. Yet she acted as if she saw nothing.

“His wounds used to heal on their own.”

I bit my thumb, chewing nervously.

“But he keeps bleeding. I’m worried something bad will happen…”

How could I resolve this? A thought cut through my tangled mind.

“Is there a doctor in the village? If it’s too far, maybe some herbs…”

As I spoke, Lemon’s face hardened. Unease crept over me. She sighed.

“This is a wound from the gods, bridegroom.”

I froze, mouth agape. As I feared, it was indeed the goddess’s doing.

“And?”

“Any doctor helping Lord Bulkan will incur her wrath. They could be struck by lightning.”

How could a goddess be so cruel? Beating him to a pulp and preventing healing.

“Why would she do this?”

When people think of a goddess, they imagine beauty, grace, and mercy. That was my bias about goddesses until now…

But she beats a disobedient dog, and a strange goddess appeared in the bath, preaching about choices. How many more times would I be betrayed by my trust? I shook off my skepticism and waved my hand.

“No, forget that. If we leave him like this, he might really die.”

I shook my head, rambling. Lemon remained calm.

“He’s not one to die so easily. He’s survived countless wars unscathed.”

She ended coldly. My last lifeline was slipping away. I couldn’t give up like this. If not Lemon, no one here would help me.

“But leaving him like this…”

I grabbed the edge of her sleeve.

“Just tell me where the herbs are, and I’ll get them.”

I pleaded again. Lemon gave me a strange look.

“You, bridegroom?”

It was a puzzled expression, as if asking why I cared about the monster.

I was stunned, like I’d been doused with cold water. My hand limply released her sleeve. It felt like my head had been bitten.

“I’ll leave your meal here.”

As I fell silent, Lemon smiled. She placed a tray on the table and left the room cheerfully.

“Have a pleasant time!”

“Wait!”

I reached out, but the door shut coldly. Thud, a heavy sound echoed. My heart sank into a swamp.

“…….”

My hand fell limply. I wasn’t clueless about why Lemon reacted that way. It was absurd. I never met his eyes during meals, hated his touch, and now I was begging for help after acting like that…

I turned to stare at the monster.

“Grr, ugh…!”

Bloodshot eyes, a body packed with solid muscle, countless wounds slicing through thick skin. Seeing him now, something came to mind.

“…….”

He looked like a fighting dog. A fighting dog injected with pig aphrodisiacs.

During a match, its eyes glow red, lunging to tear at its opponent’s neck. But when it’s over, both winner and loser bear such wounds.

“D**n it, really…”

I glanced at the window. My only helper was gone, but there was still a way. The herbs. I still had the herbs.

“Idiot b**t**d.”

Lemon said he wouldn’t die from this. If I could, I’d turn away. Honestly, if he ended up with lasting damage, it’d be better for me.

But still. Despite all that.

“I’m such a pathetic, dumb b**t**d.”

I stood and approached the window. Pulling out the pillowcase, I reached inside, and the herbal scent hit me.

There wasn’t much; it’d run out quickly on that huge monster. Why did I even hide this in the first place? What a foolish thing to do.

My grandmother’s words echoed in my head.

“Hate the sin, not the sinner.”

I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t regret helping him. If my ankle started hurting again, I’d dwell on this moment forever.

“He’s not human, he’s a monster.”

But still. Truly, despite everything. I feared the monster, but this was a separate matter.

Even if it was a dog that chased me to bite, seeing it dying from a car accident was different. I’d still call for help.

Even though this monster left my ankle untreated, I… I couldn’t act the same way. Guilt burned like a brand, and I couldn’t ignore it. It was all because I was a pathetic fool.

I approached the monster sprawled in the corner. Sensing me, he whipped his head around and growled fiercely.

“…Look, I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“Grr, bark!”

He arched his back, bristling. His terrifying fangs sent chills through me. He looked ready to lunge and tear my neck. Without the muzzle, I wouldn’t have dared approach.

“I’m powerless anyway. Just a human, a human… you can see that, right?”

I held out both palms. However, the wounded monster was extremely sensitive. It seemed to have no understanding of my words at all.

“It hurts, doesn’t it? If you apply this, it’ll feel a bit better.”

No matter how much I explained, it just couldn’t comprehend. It was truly in a state no different from a wild dog. A wild dog untouched by human hands, completely uncivilized.

Deep in the mountains. What should I do about this situation? Feeling flustered, I looked around the room and spotted something.

A tray left by Ms. Lemon. On it was a large bone with meat still attached. I backed away slowly while facing the dog.

“I won’t do anything, I swear, I’m, uh, powerless.”

I managed to grab the bone with my hand behind my back. Then, I carefully rolled it toward the dog.

“Bone, a bone…”

It snatched the bone with its front paw. Its eyes still glared fiercely at me. Those black predator’s eyes. Like a trapped animal, I couldn’t move an inch.

A brief moment passed. Maybe this wasn’t the right approach… I felt a sense of self-loathing, but then the monster started sniffing the bone with its nose.

…Astonishingly, the bone worked.

The monster kept trying to open its jaws wide. Clank, clank! The muzzle kept shifting. It wanted to bite the bone, but the muzzle made it far from easy.

“…Urgh!”

In a fit of frustration, it shook its head violently. It repeatedly slammed the bone with its front paw, venting its irritation.

…Now’s my chance! I cautiously took a step, watching its reaction. The next moment, its massive head whipped toward me!

“Grrowl.”

The monster was on high alert. It scratched the ground with its sharp claws, threatening me.

“No, I’m not interested in the bone. You can have it, please…”

To prove my point, I popped an herb into my mouth. A bitter taste spread across my tongue. My face crumpled like a piece of tissue.

“…Ugh.”

I carefully spat out what I had been holding in my mouth onto my palm. Feeling a bit embarrassed about the green juice-like substance, I muttered.

“It’s a bit gross, but it’s better than the pain.”

To make the juice, I needed something to grind the herbs, but there was no way I’d find such a thing in this cave. I had no choice but to chew the herbs myself.

“If you like that… here’s another one.”

I picked up another bone from the tray. The beast’s eyes twitched beneath. It pressed down on the bone it already had with its paw and focused all its attention on this new one. Its chest was taut, like a bowstring pulled tight, ready to pounce and snatch it.

“If you just stay still for a moment, I’ll give it to you right away. Don’t bite me.”

I lay flat on the ground. Then, like a turtle, I crawled slowly. Others might laugh at the sight, but… I couldn’t possibly approach that massive beast with a clear mind. Plus, I didn’t want to seem threatening. The predator’s eyes watched me like it was tracking prey.

“Ugh…”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry with tension. For a moment, I wondered what on earth I was doing, feeling a thick wave of doubt, but I steeled myself again.

“Just a moment, really, just stay still for a bit…”

I slowly raised my upper body. I carefully moved my clenched fist toward the wound. Tension hung in the air, and finally, my fingertips touched the wound. With a roar, the monster thrashed!

“Ack!”

In an instant, the monster lunged at me. Its angry teeth clacked right in front of my nose. Its hot, ragged breath blasted my face.

“Huff, hah…”

I let out the breath I’d been holding. Just now, I really, truly thought I was going to die. If it weren’t for that muzzle, I would’ve been torn apart long ago.

Maybe I should just give up… The urge to abandon everything was overwhelming, but the monster’s condition was far more serious.

“…….”

It had countless large and small wounds. The scar on its abdomen was particularly severe. Left untreated, it would likely fester and burst.

Moreover, an intense heat radiated from its body. It was like its entire body was a fireball.

“…You’re in a lot of pain, aren’t you…”

It wasn’t the usual arrogant, ignorant predator. There was only a four-legged beast here, its nerves frayed to the extreme.

It was a natural instinct. In this world of survival of the fittest, nothing was more vulnerable than an injured beast. It must be desperately trying to hide its wounds.

“…I told you, I’m giving you this.”

I held up the bone again, and the monster narrowed its eyes.

“Look at this.”

I tore off a bit of meat from the bone. Then I brought it near the muzzle. My fingers trembled uncontrollably. It was like eating mustard while crying.

…Snap! The beast quickly snatched the meat. Afraid it might bite my fingers, I yanked my hand back.

“Pretty good, right? You liked this stuff.”

In my nervousness, I blurted out whatever came to mind.

“I just want to get out of here.”

You’re really freaking scary… I tore off more meat and handed it to the monster. This time, too, it swallowed it in one gulp. Then it stared at me intensely. It didn’t seem satisfied in the least.

“Uh, yeah. You really like this stuff, huh…”

My tongue felt bitter for no reason.

“If you stay still for a bit, I’ll cut you some more.”

I reached for the wound again. As my hand touched it, the monster’s jaw trembled.

“Ugh.”

It looked like it was in immense pain. Before it could get irritated, I quickly tore off some meat and shoved it into its mouth. Smack, smack, the beast eagerly ate it. While it was distracted, I hurriedly applied the herb.

“There, done.”

After a few repetitions, I succeeded in applying the herb to the wound.

“Just a moment.”

I cautiously backed away. I didn’t forget to limp on one leg. Even in its beastly state, I couldn’t let my guard down. I grabbed a bottle of water from the table. I pulled a chair over and poured the water from above.

“…….”

Below, the beast drank the water. Gulp, gulp. Its large tongue lapped it up. It must’ve been incredibly thirsty, as I had to pour three bottles.

I soaked a pillowcase with the remaining water. I wiped the beast’s body with the damp cloth. I had to do this to bring down its fever.

I worked diligently. I was actually quite used to caregiving. I had taken care of my grandmother when she was alone… and because of a somewhat depressing school life, I often had to treat myself.

Plus, I had briefly looked after a fighting dog.

I met it when I went to a dogfighting ring with my father. Its massive size, the fierce glare it shot at me, the growling maw… Its spirit was so extraordinary that, as a kid, I genuinely thought it was a tiger.

Even in a dogfighting ring where only the biggest were chosen, that one stood out. It was so ferocious it was kept separate from the others. The image of it buried alone in the darkness stayed in my young mind.

After that, I waited for school to end so I could visit it. I brought medicine from the infirmary to treat it and shared leftover food with it.

Then one day, it vanished without a word. It was my only friend, and it left without even saying goodbye. I can’t describe how heartbroken I was at that young age.

“Phew, ha…”

Even with my practiced hands, I was sweating buckets. The monster’s body was so massive it was like hard labor.

“Grrowl.”

The monster purred, sounding pleased. Then, suddenly, its huge body slumped. Its heavy head landed on my thigh with a thud, leaving me unable to move.

“D**n it, you d**ned monster…”

How could something so terrifying make me feel unwarranted guilt?

“If you were human, I would’ve felt less guilty.”

If it had stayed in human form, I would’ve fled in fear, but because it looked like a dog, I felt sympathy. I was always told that only trash would torment speechless animals.

“You didn’t even fix my ankle. Am I really crazy…”

Self-loathing wrapped around me like an old blanket. Regret surged like a tidal wave. Like a defeated soldier, I slumped my shoulders.

The hunger I’d forgotten gnawed at my empty stomach. Grumble, it growled. I ate some of the fruit left over from what I gave the beast.

“…….”

The room gradually brightened. The dawn light was faintly rising. I hadn’t realized time had passed while I was engrossed in treating the monster.

Feeling my back damp with sweat, I gave a weak chuckle. The irony was oddly amusing. Since coming to this cave, I’d been living like a corpse. But because of the monster, I moved my body and sweated a bit.

‘I’m sleepy.’

I closed my eyes and rested my face against the wall. I was starving for sleep.

“…!”

I felt a gaze for a moment. Startled, I opened my eyes to find black pupils filling my vision.

…Thick, crushed eyebrows, eyes so black they seemed to absorb light, and a sharp nose that gave an arrogant air.

The monster had turned back into a human. N**ed as the day he was born. The muzzle that had covered his mouth was rolling on the ground.

“Human.”

The monster circled around me. Round and round. Like a predator herding prey, he circled me slowly. His thighs, supporting him on the ground, looked thicker than my waist.

I felt a heavy presence between his legs, but I tried my hardest not to look that way.

Whether beast or human… it was like a body carved from stone with skin stretched over it. It instilled considerable intimidation in anyone who saw it.

“You’d better spill everything.”

The large hole in his abdomen had already healed. Truly remarkable recovery. An ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to stand.

“Why did you treat me?”

Suspicious eyes bore into me. It was a gaze so intense it seemed to pierce my skin.

“You looked like you were in too much pain.”

The monster growled near my neck.

“…In too much pain?”

“You looked like you were in agony, like you might die.”

Distrust flickered like flames in his dark eyes. It was like saving someone from a well only for them to demand my belongings.

I couldn’t blame him for not understanding. Like Ms. Lemon, he must be suspicious. After desperately wanting to escape this place, why would I treat his wounds? It wouldn’t make sense to him. Honestly, I don’t even understand myself right now.

“Then where did these herbs come from?”

I trailed off. Well, you see… If I told the truth, it might get Ms. Lemon, who fixed my ankle, in trouble.

“I asked Ms. Lemon to get them because Mr. Bulkan was in pain.”

Fearing my lie would be caught, I clutched my ankle with my hand.

“My ankle was hurting… so I asked Ms. Lemon if she could get some herbs.”

The beast’s eyes remained fixed on my face like they were nailed there. A strange light shimmered in his pupils.

“If I were you, I would’ve stabbed your eyes and run.”

He smirked.

“But then I would’ve caught you in no time.”

This crazy b**t**d. I swallowed the curse stuck in my throat.

“Do you know what happened to the prophet?”

“No, uh…”

I struggled to get the words out.

“I thought he was dead.”

My voice cracked at the end, and I had to clear my throat.

“He’s begging to be killed.”

I averted my gaze at the horrific words. I pressed my tongue hard with my upper teeth. But he grabbed my chin with his hand. As I slowly moved my eyes, he was staring straight at me.

Silence followed. A strange tension passed between the monster and me. What was this feeling?

…The situation in the room, the stifling air, the overwhelming presence he exuded. It felt like if I breathed wrong, he’d pounce on me, just like before.

But why did it feel strangely different now?

“…….”

“…….”

Before, I felt like mere prey. Now, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was oddly… probing me.

Yes, probing. The word that flashed in my mind like a lightbulb felt accurate. …Of course, I kept that thought to myself.

He scanned me up and down, as if measuring my height. His large, hot hand brushed my neck. It slowly slid down my spine, groping my waist. I shivered and hunched my shoulders.

“Like a deer.”

His words came out of nowhere.

“I should have a white deer.”

“…Why all of a sudden?”

I couldn’t help but ask at the abrupt statement. I wanted to cover my mouth, but it was too late. I usually avoided speaking in front of the monster. I kept my thoughts to myself. Most were negative, and I didn’t want to share breath with him.

“Because I want it.”

But that was too random. Why would he suddenly want that?

“If I want something, I take it. This is my land, so I can have anything.”

He recited insane sentences without blinking.

Looking at him, I suddenly thought of my grandmother. My grandmother, who sat at the alley’s edge, staring into space and muttering nonsense. The neighbors pointed fingers and called her crazy, but I knew deep down they feared her.

At least my grandmother was powerless, but this guy… If he’s going to be unhinged, he shouldn’t have such terrifying strength.

Feeling a bit intimidated, I looked away.

☀️

The next morning when I opened my eyes, Mr. Bulkan was already gone. But his trace was boldly left at the room’s entrance. A hunted animal.

“Oh my, it’s a pregnant white deer!”

Ms. Lemon, who spotted it first, exclaimed like she was singing and clapped her hands.

“This is very rare! It’s great for pregnancy.”

I couldn’t say anything, just covering my mouth with my hand. He said he’d hunt a deer yesterday, and he actually went and did it.

“It looks like Mr. Bulkan brought it for you, sir. Since it’s a female deer, he might be hoping for a daughter.”

Bright red blood gushed from the white deer’s slender neck. It seemed to have been bitten by sharp teeth. The deer, blinking as its life faded, looked terribly pitiful.

Its belly, swollen with life, heaved. Even as it died, it tried to l**k its belly with its tongue, and my heart sank coldly.

“Oh, pretty thing.”

Seeing Ms. Lemon call the dying deer pretty sent chills down my spine. At the same time, I roughly understood how she maintained her mental strength in such a grim place.

“Um, since it’s pregnant… can’t we save the baby?”

Ms. Lemon blinked. Her golden eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.

“Oh, are you going to raise it?”

“No, it’s not that… It’d be too sad if it just died.”

A life dying without seeing the light of the world. That’s just too much.

“All living things, except immortals, have life and death. And you’ve been eating meat just fine so far, haven’t you?”

Ms. Lemon looked a bit puzzled. Her words, pointing out my hypocrisy, left me speechless.

“It’s really hard to catch. It’s not just fast—it’s a rare deer I’ve only seen a few times. It’s sold for a high price.”

“Still… we’re not going to eat it right away.”

A sigh escaped.

“Alright then.”

Ms. Lemon said she’d take care of delivering the baby and started moving busily.

“I’ll need something to cut open the belly.”

She left the room. I was left alone with the dying white deer. Its wide-open eyes gradually lost their spark. Its panting, pregnant belly slowed. Soon, its neck slumped lifelessly.

“…It’s dead.”

Its eyes were still wide open. It looked full of lingering attachment to life. Did it die with its eyes open because of the baby in its belly? I carefully placed my hand over its eyelids to close them.

Suddenly, I felt a chilling sensation. It was like bugs crawling on my neck. Looking up, I saw the door slightly ajar.

‘…What’s that?’

…Then I met a single black pupil. The monster was secretly watching me through the crack in the door. His intense gaze was quite terrifying.

That guy, he definitely said I resembled a white deer yesterday. And then today, he hunted a deer and placed it at the room’s entrance. With its neck bitten by his teeth, no less.

What does this mean? How am I supposed to interpret this situation?

The fastest way to resolve my curiosity would be to ask him directly. But I didn’t ask anything.

No, I couldn’t ask. The eyes watching me in the silence had tied my tongue.

Soon, the cave door closed. The surroundings fell into stillness. Yet, for a while, I didn’t hear footsteps moving away. Was he just standing there? Why? Question marks kept popping up in my mind.

As the auditory stimulation faded, my other senses sharpened. It was intuition. A terrifying premonition began to grip me.