The Little Companion Of The Beast

Episode 3.

“Hey, say that again.”

Haska flicked the intruder’s arm with his forepaw.

“Groom? This is funny. Who would let you get married on your own?”

I touched her arm again, but the intruder fell down without moving an inch after saying the strange words, ‘I am your bride.’

Sniff sniff, it was a human. A human who was still a little immature. All sorts of things lived in the area he ruled, but humans were the only exception.

“Should I just step on it?”

The small creature was so fragile that it seemed as if even a slight press of a foot would suffocate it.

The easiest way would have been to just get rid of it, but Haska hesitated.

It was because he recognized the necklace that the unconscious child was holding tightly in his hand.

The cone-shaped pendant hanging from the leather strap was his claw, albeit trimmed.

As I searched my memory, a human male came to mind.

About 120 years ago?

It was a time when the father who ruled the forest died and the leader changed frequently. Gulas returned to the strict law of the survival of the fittest where those who won the fight ruled and those who lost obeyed. It was a world where even the old would kneel before the young and even parents would bow down before their children if they were defeated.

However, there was an implicit agreement not to touch the immature form before awakening, but this did not apply to him. Because his father and mother were strong, he was also strong. Even though he did not have an adult form.

The race that had become the leader felt a sense of crisis. They all tried to trample on him as if they had made a promise. All means and methods were mobilized: quarrels, conspiracies, traps, surprise attacks…

It was a time of great suffering. No matter how blessed I was with genes, I had no ability to withstand the constant intrusion.

He was seriously injured and escaped into a cave inside the waterfall.

At that moment, a human man appeared. He seemed to have taken a wrong turn while out gathering herbs.

‘I guess I wanted to come here for some reason. I guess I wanted to see you. I may look like a stone-thrower, but I’m actually quite skilled, so trust me.’

The boy I met in a deserted place, not knowing what was suspicious, applied medicine to me and bandaged me up. He took care of me with great passion and sincerity, even though I didn’t ask for permission. Thanks to that, I quickly got up.

‘I am D’Kala Daimon Haska, who will soon rule this forest. I cannot owe you anything to a mere human, so accept it.’

He gave her a token and promised to grant her one wish if she came back later.

Except that I asked for my life.

If I had known that a human descendant would come to me asking for marriage, I would never have made the promise, and I was regretting my pointless action.

I felt an unpleasant aura.

“What the hell are these bastards?”

The group that had stepped onto the forest edge were neither living nor dead. Haska, who was very sensitive to smells, gave an extremely unpleasant expression and ordered.

“Get out.”

“I’m going to deal with the child… … If you interfere, you’ll be killed.”

Instead of just lying down, they were talking nonsense like that, so I guess they must have left their cowards at home. It was so ridiculous that I couldn’t even laugh.

“Get rid of it.”

You want to destroy yourself? I used to hear that often, but I haven’t heard it since I became the ruler of the forest. I should say something to commemorate the memory.

“Fight with all means, whether it be deadly or dirty. There are no fouls in real combat.”

“Get rid of it.”

“They taught me how to survive, even if it was dramatic. Well, it’s hopeless anyway. Just pray.”

Haska glanced at Staria and grumbled in annoyance.

“Human, I’m not saving you. I don’t want those things to defile my territory, and I’m only stepping in because their actions are presumptuous. Don’t misunderstand. Do you understand?”

“… … .”

“Go over there.”

Haska bit Staria’s nape and threw her across the radius, then turned his body towards the rabble.

“Come all at once.”

A storm of blood swept through the peaceful and tranquil Gulas Forest.

***

“It still hasn’t blown.”

Joshua, the escort of the 4th Prince Borhard, stuck out his tongue as if he was fed up.

“Yes, she doesn’t say a word. I’ve never seen such a vicious woman in my life.”

About half a day ago, the signal was lost from Raven, who had been chasing the two fugitives from the village.

Who is Raven? He was the prince’s hidden secret weapon, created by extracting the souls of excellent knights through sorcery. They would carry out orders until the end, unless they split their ribs and cut out their hearts.

They do not feel pain, so they do not hesitate or retreat. They are the ones who do not let go of their weapons even if their legs or arms are cut off. Such Ravens were completely destroyed.

They caught the mother of the runaway girl, tortured her, and questioned her, but she remained silent.

Joshua, who had a dull side, scratched his head and asked.

“They are lumps of blood. One of them was swept away in the river with a sword stuck in it, so he is as good as dead, and the other one is so young that he can only cry. I don’t understand why Your Highness is so concerned. It doesn’t seem like it will affect the uprising at all… .”

“They say that things like entourage shouldn’t exist.”

“Did Nancy say that?”

“Yes, they said that everyone in that town knows how to read the trends and rate them. They teach it unconditionally once you become an adult. A treasure is valuable only when you have it alone. If there are identical ones, their rarity decreases.”

“That’s a valid point, but what I missed wasn’t even close to adulthood.”

The fourth prince, Borhard, responded in a dry voice.

“That was her condition. Erase the village, every single one of them. She wanted a fresh start, so we had to grant her that. Don’t you think?”

“Just give the order. I will lead the army and come back immediately.”

It was Mulgin who stopped Joshua, who put his body first in everything.

“I think it would be better not to rush in.”

A talented person who was unable to make it in the world simply because he was born out of wedlock. Mulgin was the 4th prince’s chief aide and the only close associate whom the prince did not ignore.

Borhard’s gaze shifted to Mulgin.

“Why?”

“I remember reading about Gulas Forest. If I remember correctly, he was the ruler of the Wurang tribe.”

“It feels strange.”

“It is only known as a legend. I didn’t know it actually existed. It is said that it has human form and then acquires another body when it becomes an adult, and its physical abilities are unparalleled.”

“Are you both human and animal?”

“Yes.”

“All the things that live there?”

“Yes, we all live together. We only have children within our own clan, so we are a closed group.”

Borhard, who was naturally inclined to have what he desired, showed interest in the race.

“That’s right… …. How can I put you under me?”

“Beasts are inherently untamable. Neither power, nor gold, nor common sense, nor force are of any use.”

“You know, I despise uncertain variables.”

Mulgin saw Borhard’s brow furrow and added hastily.

“Fortunately, the species itself does not interfere with the affairs of the outside world. The forest will not welcome humans, so if you politely ask for the girl back, they will give it to you. Please let me go.”

If you touch it for no reason and it backfires, the plan you’ve been preparing for will be disrupted. It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing you can do. In order to advance, you have to know how to retreat, so Borhard decided to do as Mulgin said.

“Just in case, bring some bait with you.”

“I will do as you command.”

***

On days when she woke up from a scary dream, Staria would run to her mother with a pillow. Her mother would hold her whining daughter and tell her a story.

I didn’t want to wake up when I was listening to the funny story. It was warm like the sun and cozy like a cloud.

I used to burrow into my mother’s arms, whining that I wanted to sleep just a little longer, just a little longer…

This morning was strange.

My mother’s breasts, which used to be soft and gentle, were as hard as iron and, above all, were covered in hair.

“What are you touching, something as small as a rat’s bell?”

Staria slowly opened her eyes to the unfamiliar voice falling over her karma, but quickly closed them.

It was only a momentary eye contact, but my heart started pounding at the sight of those cold, glaring eyes.