The Black-Haired Girl's Arrival
Yurina ran like a madwoman. Branches scraped her skin, drawing blood, but she paid them no mind. The hunters behind her mocked her relentlessly.
"She gonna get herself killed like that?"
"Let her. She's volunteering to be bait."
"Heh heh."
The hunters who had taken the children stood waiting, each gripping their vicious weapons. The Vermira, a monstrous beast, had a habit of toying slowly with its prey before killing it. So the hunters didn't rush. They waited patiently. All of them were seasoned veterans. They knew exactly how to handle terrified children in the dark woods and how to intimidate those chosen as bait. They anticipated the screams that would soon echo through the trees.
The leader had asked the hunters to keep Yurina from entering the habitat. But they didn't stop her when she came charging after the kids. Why refuse free bait that threw itself in?
Yet they had no idea what Yurina would unleash.
"Hah, hah."
From the moment her feet touched the monster's lair, an ominous aura enveloped Yurina. Her heart pounded wildly. It felt like someone—or something—was watching her obsessively. The gaze was so sticky and repulsive that she wanted to turn and flee right then.
But she couldn't. She wouldn't run.
Yurina swallowed her disgust and pressed deeper inside. The hunters never dreamed she was a shrine maiden who wielded divine power. A monster's weakness was none other than holy energy.
Flash!
A brilliant light exploded from within the forest—a pure white radiance slicing through the darkness. As the monster approached, Yurina instinctively raised her hands and unleashed her holy power. The purifying force could kill evil, but these monsters had physical bodies. To finish them off completely, one needed a sharp blade. That was why holy knights, who wielded both divine power and swords, were monsters' natural predators.
If Yurina could wield a sword even a little, she might have stood a chance.
"Ugh, please... please…!"
Yurina thrust both hands forward, bursting with holy energy.
"Kieeeek!"
The monster, struck head-on by the power melting its flesh, couldn't advance. Yurina had only ever used her gift to heal people—this was her first time wielding it like a weapon. Divine power filled the air around her and the children, as if the gods themselves were shielding them.
"Ugh…!"
But she was reaching her limit. Holy power weakened monsters but couldn't eradicate them. And she couldn't keep pouring it out forever.
"Please, oh God…!"
Yurina's frail voice echoed pitifully. Her slender arms trembled; cold sweat poured like rain. She knew her power alone couldn't save them. The monster bared its fangs viciously, ready to pounce. Thorns lined its gaping maw, writhing threateningly.
Is this it? The end?
Yurina realized she'd given up. She couldn't muster any more holy power. Her strength ebbed away, the light fading. Soon the monster would tear her and the children to shreds.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Over there!"
Not the children's sobs, but a voice like a dream pierced the air. Then came the sound of an explosion slamming into her ears.
Boom!
"Kieeeek!"
The massive monster crumpled in half in an instant. Yurina stared blankly from the ground.
"Ah…."
"……."
Someone stepped on the monster's corpse, looking down at her. Indifferent red eyes met hers. Shockingly, it was a girl about Yurina's age, wielding a sword in a black uniform. Black hair peeked from her robe, fluttering in the wind.
For a different reason now, Yurina's heart raced. The beautiful girl scanned the surroundings with a haughty expression.
"You okay?"
"…Y-Yes?"
Startled, Yurina responded late. Realizing the girl was addressing her, she stammered, "I-I'm fine."
"The kids…."
Like she was searching for someone, the girl eyed the shivering children around Yurina. But distinguishing them in the huddle was tricky; she frowned prettily.
Watching the girl check on the children, a sudden realization hit Yurina. More people had gone deeper into the habitat—including the last kids she'd tended to.
Her face grew urgent. "There are more people deeper inside!"
"What?"
The girl's frown deepened as she sensed another monster's presence, her expression hardening. She whirled and shouted behind her.
"Pel! Guard this place!"
[Understood.]
Only now did Yurina notice the massive wolf behind the girl. It took a protective stance over her and the children.
"Put this on at least. I'll be right back."
"Ah."
Noticing Yurina's bare feet and torn clothes from her frantic run, the girl handed over her robe. Yurina took it dazedly, watching the girl vanish like a shot into the depths.
* * *
Noah trembled as he clutched Seri tight. When the massive monster approached, his mind went blank—no thoughts at all.
It circled the huddled, terrified group like toys in play, moving leisurely. Someone's scream from paralysis broke the silence.
"Aaaah!"
"Oppa!"
"Seri!"
Noah spun and hugged Seri, refusing to let go amid the chaos and screams. He turned from the grotesque beast and shut his eyes tight. Those sharp teeth would rip into them any second.
"Aaaah! Save me, please!"
Painful screams filled the woods. The monster shook a man's arm in its jaws. Blood-scent frenzied it; gleaming eyes swept the others with chilling greed.
Noah, Seri, and the few left—about five—were the number needed to hold one monster. With screams echoing, the hunters would move soon. But could they survive that long?
Even in utmost tension and horror, a strange calm settled in Noah's heart. Then it hit him: No one's coming to save us. We've been abandoned.
His father's betrayal left an indelible scar.
"Oppa…."
A small, whimpering voice. Noah looked down, meeting Seri's eyes.
"……."
If God exists, why won't He save this poor child? Noah didn't care about himself—he just wanted his sister saved. Calmly, he spoke.
"Seri, run. Now."
"What about oppa?"
"I…."
He couldn't finish. Lips moved silently. Escaping together offered slim odds for both. Better if he drew the attack, giving her a chance.
She might live that way. He hoped she wouldn't guess his plan.
But as twins, Seri always sensed his dark thoughts uncanny-like.
"…No."
"Seri."
"Don't. I hate that."
Tears plopped from Seri's eyes. She knew his intent. But it was impossible. They'd been together since birth—so they'd die together. Her teary gaze hardened.
"I won't go alone."
"Seri, listen—"
"No!"
Seri shoved his hand away, yelling. Neither expected the monster to react.
Its gleaming gaze locked on the bickering twins. Eyes narrowing, it slithered toward them slowly. Grass crunched under it.
Noah realized too late. The monster loomed over him, jaws agape.
"……!"
"Oppa!"
With his last strength, Noah shoved Seri. She tumbled, staring in shock. The maw descending on him seemed slow-motion.
Then—
"Gr, grrrk?"
The monster's eyes widened in disbelief. It saw the tiny human head it meant to devour. But it couldn't move. Lowering its gaze, it spotted the long blade buried under its jaws. The silent blade gleamed ethereally in the moonlight.
"The hell are you opening your filthy mouth for, you piece of shit."
An irritated voice pierced Noah's dazed ears. Then, with a grotesque crack, the monster split perfectly in two.
"…Kek!"
A short screech, and it burst. Monster ichor splattered Noah's face and body right in front of him. Yet he couldn't move, staring entranced at the revealed figure.
The girl who'd slain it in a blink looked down at him with her signature sullen expression. In an arrogantly haughty tone, she asked:
"You okay?"
"…Ah."
Noah snapped to, flinching at her red eyes. Pitch-black hair, crimson gaze. The legendary dream-being had come to save him.
Guardian of the North. Heir of the Dragon. Praises abounded. No Northerner could be ignorant.
"L-Lady Duchess?"
The Carpoem House's sole lady. Noah didn't know she'd been named heir. The words slipped out seeing a girl his age with scarlet eyes.
Her lips curved in satisfaction.
"You're Noah, right?"
"Y-You know me?"
"Of course."
Stepping casually over the corpse, she approached and knelt to his level.
"You've been through hell."
Her hand gently stroked his head. Noah's eyes widened in shock that she knew his name.
"Now let's get you back to your big sis."
"Big sis…."
Now he understood why she was here. It was as good as his sister saving them—she hadn't forgotten. The twins weren't abandoned.
Tears burst from Noah uncontrollably.
"Big sis…!"
"There, there."
Her hand patted his back. Noah sobbed, thinking of the sister he'd missed so dearly.