Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

In nature, nothing exists alone. Everything is connected to everything else.

I found myself deep within a vast, dense forest-one I had unintentionally wandered into.

"This place is thick with trees," I muttered, brushing a branch out of my way. "I really hope I don't have to fight any wild animals..."

Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady my nerves. But then, something caught my attention.

"Hm..? Wait a minute... didn't I pass this spot earlier?" I scanned my surroundings. The place looked eerily familiar.

"I'm completely lost now..." I groaned, frustration creeping in.

Despite not knowing where I was headed, I kept moving, muttering to myself as I trudged forward.

"I'll try this way..."

Before I realized it, I had ventured deeper into the forest.

Hours of walking had worn me down, so I decided to sit for a moment and catch my breath.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a water bottle and took a long sip.

"At this rate, I'll run out of water before I get out of here..." I sighed, glancing at the dwindling supply.

"And I've run out of food, too..." Another deep breath escaped me as I tried to think of my next move.

Just then, a rabbit hopped into view, its small, furry body moving cautiously across the forest floor.

My stomach growled. An idea sparked. Without hesitation, I drew my dagger and threw it with precision, watching as it hit the rabbit before it could react.

I stood over my catch, the weight of the blade still in my hand, and noticed that the sky had begun to darken.

"Alright... I'll need to set up a campfire now." I started gathering small twigs and dry leaves scattered on the ground.

Thankfully, this forest was full of dry wood, making my job a bit easier.

With a small pile of kindling ready, I crouched beside it, pulling out two small stones I'd kept.

I positioned them over the pile and began striking them together quickly.

The friction strained my hands, but I kept at it. After a few tries, a small spark appeared.

Just a flicker, but enough to spark some hope. Leaning closer, I blew gently on the spark, coaxing the dry leaves to catch.

A tiny flame took hold and soon spread to the surrounding twigs.

Carefully, I added a few larger sticks to keep the fire from sputtering out.

Within minutes, the fire grew, its warmth pushing back the cold that had settled around me.

I lifted the thin slices of rabbit meat I'd prepared and skewered them onto a long stick, holding it over the fire.

The heat slowly roasted the meat, and the savory aroma began to rise, awakening the hunger I'd been ignoring for hours.

"Gotta be patient, it's not quite cooked yet," I muttered, half talking to myself, half hoping someone—or maybe something-in the dark forest might hear.

I turned the meat over, watching it gradually change color, turning golden brown and juicy.

A few drops of fat sizzled as they hit the flames, making a satisfying crackling sound.

I couldn't help but grin, proud of my survival skills.

"I really am a master chef of the wild, huh?" I chuckled to myself, though there was no one there to laugh along.

"Bon appétit!" I declared before finally taking a small bite of the now perfectly cooked meat.

As the savory flavor filled my mouth, I nodded, satisfied.

"Ah, perfect! When else do you get gourmet dining in the middle of the woods?"

I continued to eat, savoring the warmth of the fire, which seemed to turn this quiet forest into a welcoming place, even if just for a while.

After finishing my meal, I lay back on the forest floor, gazing up at the sky partially veiled by leaves.

The quiet of the woods settled around me, a rare, almost serene silence.

Then, a rustling sound broke the stillness, coming from the bushes nearby.

I jolted upright, senses alert, and turned toward the noise.

"Who's there?" I called out, gripping my dagger tightly.

Through the dense foliage, a figure emerged—a woman with chestnut-brown hair and striking green eyes that seemed to capture every flicker of light around them.

She looked almost as startled as I was. "Huh...?"

For a second, I could only stare. She was stunning, her figure graceful and her face gentle yet sharp.

"A... Lady of the Forest?" I stammered, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

The title seemed fitting for such a mysterious appearance.

She frowned slightly, as if processing my words. "What? No," she said, stepping closer, "I'm not some Lady of the Forest."

"Then what brings someone as elegant and beautiful as you to a place like this?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She blinked, a bit taken aback by my boldness, but quickly regained her composure.

"I was looking for herbs," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

"The village chief asked if I could find a certain fungus for medicinal purposes."

"Village chief...? Wait, there's a village in this forest?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

A hint of amusement flickered in her gaze. "You didn't know? It's barely a mile down the path," she said, pointing to a faint trail behind her.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I cleared my throat and put away my dagger.

"Well then," I said, attempting some dignity, "I am Arche, the Sin Redeemer—a wanderer who, uh... appears to have lost his way."

A playful smile tugged at her lips as she studied me. "Is that so? My name's Lavinia, and somehow, I expected a wanderer to have a better sense of direction."

A smirk found its way to my face.

"Or maybe I just got lost in your smile. I think I've finally found my way... to your heart."

Lavinia gave me a look-a mix of amusement and mild disbelief.

Her smile turned wry as she replied, "Hmmm, that's exactly the kind of line a man hopelessly lost in the woods would try."

I chuckled, catching her gaze. "So, would you be so kind as to lead me to your village?"

Lavinia gave a light laugh. "Sure, follow me," she replied, stepping confidently through the thick underbrush.

I fell in line behind her, navigating the twisting path she seemed to know so well—or so I thought.

After a while, I asked, "So, are you originally from outside the forest, too? Somehow, I can't picture you being born in a place like this."

Lavinia gave a soft smile, nodding. "You're right. I ended up here the same way you did—lost and wandering."

"The village head found me injured and alone. They took me in and... well, now this place is home."

"So, you're a fellow 'lost soul' too, huh?" I teased, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lavinia laughed. "Honestly, I am! I have a terrible sense of direction, which is why I rarely leave the village."

I raised an eyebrow. "So, does that mean you stumbled upon me because... you were lost, too?"

She chuckled, glancing over her shoulder. "Alright, you caught me. Maybe that had something to do with it."

"But I did have a reason—I was out gathering medicinal herbs. I'd call it a win-win."

I gave a dramatic sigh. "I'm starting to think I should reconsider following you."

Lavinia smirked, brushing off a leaf from her shoulder. "Relax, I'll get you to the village. I promise I won't accidentally lead you off a cliff."

We walked on in companionable silence until we reached a fork in the road, with paths stretching out to the left and right.

Lavinia came to an abrupt stop, staring at the two options.

"Uh... so, which way?" I asked, watching her expression.

She frowned, clearly puzzled. "Now... let me think... which way was it again?"

I tried not to laugh as she looked back at me, finally admitting, "To be honest, I can't remember."

I grinned. "Are we lost?" I leaned closer, lowering my voice in a teasing tone.

"Because, honestly, no matter where we are, I feel like I'm exactly where I need to be—with you."

Lavinia shot me a playful look, clearly fighting a smile. "Flirting in a situation like this? You truly are hopeless."

I shrugged. "Hopelessly charmed, maybe. So, which path shall we take, oh fearless guide?"

She looked back and forth between the paths, finally pointing to the left.

"Let's try this way... I think."

I took a deep breath, falling in step behind her. "You know, I get the feeling we'll be calling this forest home soon."

Lavinia chuckled, shaking her head.

"Oh, stop. Let's be optimistic! We'll find our way, and you'll get to see that village I promised."

Suddenly, from the bushes, two wolves emerged. Their eyes glinted, their teeth were sharp and lined up, and I readied my crutch.

"Oh? Are you two on a date? Sorry to interrupt," I said with a sly smile, slightly challenging. "Lavinia, you should hide behind that tree!"

Lavinia was stunned to see the wolves.

"Huh?!" She looked scared, but still nodded and hiding behind the nearest tree.

They growled, their bodies poised to strike at any moment. I held my breath, ready to attack.

The first wolf lunged, and I deftly sidestepped, darting to the side and plunging my dagger into its side.

Blood sprayed, but the wolf only staggered back for a moment, not appearing too fazed.

"Oh? Are you circus wolves?"

I quipped, half in jest.

The second wolf darted at me, faster than the first. I jumped backward.

The first wolf attacked again, this time with more ferocity. I met it with a swift strike, my dagger aiming for its side, but I misjudged the position-my blade only made a shallow wound.

"Ouch, I think I'll need more than just this little weapon to take you down," I said with a thin smile.

In a quick motion, I leapt to the side and finally took down the first wolf with a well-placed thrust.

The second wolf seemed more cautious now, perhaps realizing I wasn't just any ordinary opponent.

"Only you left."

In the blink of an eye, it shot toward Lavinia, moving fast with a growl that shook the air.

I wouldn't let that happen. I ran with all my might and stopped right in front of Lavinia.

It sank its teeth into the lower part of my leg, biting down hard, sending a sharp pain coursing through my body.

I bit back a groan but forced myself to stay steady.

Lavinia was shocked, but I could see her start to back away, moving away from the danger.

"Get back, Lavinia!" I shouted, lifting my dagger, trying to stay focused despite the blood streaming from my leg wound.

The wolf kept biting, shaking its head, trying to throw me off, but I had no other choice.

I gritted my teeth and pushed the dagger with all the strength I had left.

"That's enough! This has gone on long enough!" I drove the dagger deep into the wolf's chest.

It howled in pain, and its body finally collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.

The pain in my leg intensified, but I didn't care. The wolf was dead, and Lavinia, now safely behind the tree, looked on with wide eyes.

I tried to smile, despite the blood still pouring from my wound.

"Are you alright, Lavinia?" I managed, propping myself up, though a sharp, burning pain radiated from my leg.

Lavinia stood there, frozen, her wide eyes filled with worry. At my words, she snapped back into focus and hurried over to me.

"You're seriously asking if I'm okay when you're bleeding all over the place?!" she exclaimed, kneeling down to examine my leg, her hands trembling slightly.

"Huh? It's... it's not that bad," I said, trying to shrug it off. I didn't want to worry her any more than she already was.

But Lavinia shot me a look that was both concerned and slightly exasperated.

"Of course it is! You have a massive bite wound, and it's still bleeding," she said, her tone firm, almost scolding.

For a moment, I found myself taken aback by her intensity.

There was a fierce protectiveness in her expression, like a mother looking after a child.

I reached into my bag, pulling out a roll of bandages, but before I could start, Lavinia gently took it from my hands.

"Let me handle it," she murmured, her voice softening as she began wrapping my leg with care.

As she finished tying the bandage securely, I looked up at her, feeling a strange warmth at the simple act.

"Thank you," I murmured.

She gave me a gentle nod, a soft smile gracing her lips.

"You're welcome. But don't pretend you're fine when you're clearly not," she said, her voice a mix of affection and mild irritation.

"We need to get you to the village for proper treatment."

"Yes, Mommy," I teased with a slight smirk.

Lavinia froze, blinking in surprise, her cheeks flushing. "D-don't call me that," she mumbled, clearly flustered.

We continued along the path, her hand hovering nearby as if ready to steady me at any moment.

We talked along the way, our laughter mingling with the sound of the forest until, at last, voices drifted through the trees.

As we drew closer, we saw houses nestled within a small clearing, with villagers gathered and talking.

"We made it," I sighed in relief, grinning. "Thanks for getting me here, Mommy."

Lavinia, who was a few steps ahead, stopped abruptly, turning back to glare at me, though her cheeks were tinged pink.

"I told you to stop calling me that," she muttered, half-embarrassed, half-frustrated.

As we entered the village, a ripple of recognition passed through the crowd. One villager called out, "Ah! It's Lavinia!"

People began to gather, murmuring in surprise and excitement.

"How are you alive?!" "We thought you were lost forever!" "It's a miracle!"

I couldn't help but grin as the crowd closed in around her. It was clear Lavinia was well-known here.

"Yes, yes, I'm back! And I'm not alone," Lavinia announced, taking a step back to reveal me standing by her side.

"Hello, everyone. Just a visitor passing through," I greeted, trying to sound friendly.

But my words seemed to have the opposite effect; the villagers stared in shock, murmurs breaking out among them as they exchanged wary glances.

Lavinia noticed their reaction and held up her hands, her voice warm and reassuring. "It's alright, everyone. He's with me."

At her words, all eyes shifted to her, then back to me, the stranger.

From the crowd, a figure slowly emerged-a man with gray hair, leaning heavily on a carved wooden cane.

Whispers of "village chief" rippled through the gathering as he approached.

Ah, so this is the village chief. He must be at least sixty, with a wise but cautious gaze that seemed to measure my every move.

"Welcome to our village, young man," he said, his voice surprisingly strong.

I nodded, bowing slightly. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate your welcome."

Suddenly, a young voice broke through the crowd. "Mom!" A teenage boy dashed forward, his eyes wide with relief as he flung his arms around Lavinia.

"Mom! I was so worried—I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

For a second, I just blinked, too stunned to process what I was hearing.

Lavinia... is a mother?! My mind reeled. Had I been flirting with someone's wife this whole time?

She held her son close, running a soothing hand over his head as she murmured softly, "I'm here now, sweetheart. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Her voice held a gentle warmth I hadn't seen before—a softness that transformed her face entirely.

I could only watch, unable to speak, still piecing together this new revelation.

She's a mother... and such a young one at that.

The village chief, noticing my reaction, let out a small chuckle.

"Ah, surprised, are you?" He gave me a knowing smile. "Yes, Lavinia has a son. She's been raising him on her own."

I nodded, still a bit dazed.

"I... I thought she was around my age." I managed a small laugh, still trying to absorb the shock.

The chief chuckled, clearly amused.

"She does look young, doesn't she? But she's been through much more than you might guess. A remarkable woman, no doubt."

I looked over at Lavinia, who was smiling down at her son, her eyes full of love and relief.

Seeing her in that light, I felt a strange, unexpected pang-a mix of admiration and something else I couldn't quite name. She's been through so much... and she's done it all alone.

Just then, her son glanced up at me, his eyes curious as they studied me.

Luca's eyes narrowed with curiosity as he looked me over, his expression one of confusion.

"Who is he, Mom? I don't think I've seen him around before."

Lavinia chuckled softly, realizing the moment had come for introductions.

"Ah, yes, I haven't properly introduced you yet." She turned to me with an encouraging smile.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This wasn't the easiest of introductions. "My name is Arche, the Sin Redeemer,"

I said, speaking clearly.

"And I'm a wanderer."

Luca's gaze remained fixed on me, a furrow forming on his brow.

"Sin Redeemer? What does that even mean?" He asked, his voice holding a curious innocence.

I blinked. The boy couldn't be more than fifteen, but it seemed like he didn't quite grasp what I'd said. Maybe it's just the way I phrased it.

"Well," I began slowly, "a Sin Redeemer is someone who tries to right the wrongs they've done in the past. To be a better person… to make amends."

"But everyone tries to be good, don't they?" Luca pressed, still not fully comprehending the weight of the term. "So what makes you different from them?"

I glanced around the village, the simplicity of it striking me.

There were no buildings like schools or libraries, just houses, and the warmth of the community surrounding us.

I felt a pang of uncertainty on how to explain something so personal in such an unfamiliar setting.

Turning to Lavinia for help, I gave her a subtle glance, hoping she would pick up on my unspoken question.

She caught it instantly, bending down to Luca's level with a patient smile.

"You see, honey," she began, her voice soft but full of wisdom, "everyone tries to be good, yes. But sometimes, people make mistakes… and those mistakes are called sins."

Luca nodded, taking in the explanation, but still unsure. Lavinia continued, "A Sin Redeemer is someone who, like a priest, tries to make up for those mistakes. To seek redemption."

I chimed in with a self-deprecating smile. "Though, I wouldn't call myself a priest," I added, rubbing the back of my neck. "But you could say it's something like that."

Luca appeared to understand a little better now. He straightened up, his posture more relaxed.

"Ah, I get it now." He hesitated before extending a hand toward me, his earlier tension replaced by a soft, shy grin.

"I'm Luca."

I shook his hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Luca."

Just as I was about to say more, the village chief, ever the lively presence, clapped his hands together, interrupting the moment.

"Well then, let's have a celebration!"

he boomed, his voice carrying over the small crowd that had gathered.

"A party to welcome our guests from the outside world!"

"Party?" I blinked in surprise as I was suddenly swept up by the villagers, who were eager to celebrate.

"Wait—could someone hold my bag?" I asked, half-amused, half-baffled.

Lavinia, who had noticed the commotion, quickly retrieved my bag that had been dropped in the rush.

She gave me a small, knowing smile as I was led toward the center of the village.

The village square was lively, filled with tables set up under the trees, lanterns hanging above us, casting a warm glow on the gathering.

Residents, young and old, bustled around, preparing food and drinks, welcoming me into their midst with open arms.

They gestured for me to sit at one of the tables, and I did so, still processing the whirlwind of events.

As if on cue, someone placed a steaming plate of grilled meat in front of me, the savory aroma filling the air.

"You can eat now, Arche," one of the villagers said, a wide grin on their face.

I stared at the piece of grilled meat in front of me. The aroma wafted up, strange yet inviting.

My stomach grumbled, and who could say no to grilled meat in a village so far from civilization?

But the moment I touched it, a strange feeling crept over me.

The texture... something was off. It was too soft, a bit rubbery, not like any animal meat I'd had before.

I tried to push the thought away, convincing myself it was just my imagination.

I brought the meat closer to my nose and inhaled. There was something... odd, a faint scent that felt disturbingly familiar, though I couldn't place it.

I glanced around, catching the eager gazes of the villagers, each watching me intently, as though waiting for my reaction.

Their eyes were a bit too fixed, their smiles a bit too wide. All of them were silent, unnervingly so, even holding their breath.

The air grew thick, an unspoken warning pressing down on me:

Don't eat it.

"Sorry, but I'm a vegetarian," I said apologetically, watching as the expressions of the villagers around me turned from hopeful to stunned, then deflated.

It was as if I'd just announced I could no longer breathe.

"But... you almost ate it," the village chief said, his tone carrying a note of disappointment, a wrinkled frown on his face.

I didn't respond, only watched as they brought me a fresh plate.

This time, it was a salad, the greens looking a little too vibrant for my taste.

I frowned inwardly. At least they didn't put broccoli in it.

I started eating slowly, trying to force the vegetables down while Lavinia settled into the seat beside me, her gaze lingering on me with mild amusement.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," I said, trying to sound nonchalant as I chewed. "The important thing is that I can eat." Although, honestly, it wouldn't fill me up in the slightest.

Lavinia chuckled softly, the corners of her lips curving into a playful smile. "You're quite the picky eater, aren't you?"

I looked over at her plate. She was eating the same meat I had turned down earlier. "If you eat too much meat, you'll get fat, you know."

She didn't miss a beat. "Well... you've lived in this village for days now, and your body still looks like you're twenty."

"I guess you don't need to worry about that." She flashed me a teasing smile. "I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's nice to know you think I'm that young."

Her comment left me momentarily speechless. Wait. Did she just say... what I think she said?

I grinned, unable to hold back. "I'm not teasing, I'm just stating the truth."

She looked a little taken aback by my words, her cheeks flushing slightly. Lavinia, ever the graceful one, cleared her throat and tried to dismiss it with a half-hearted chuckle.

"You… you can't just say things like that out of the blue."

I leaned in slightly, voice lowering just enough to feel like a private tease.

"So, if I call you 'Mommy,' it's not a problem, right? After all, you are a mother."

Lavinia's face went from pink to crimson in the blink of an eye, her irritation rising.

She glared at me, though it was the kind of glare that only made her more endearing.

"Seriously, stop calling me that." Her voice wavered as she tried to maintain her composure. "I'm not that old, you know. I'm thirty-five."

"Thirty-five? You don't look a day over twenty-five," I said with a grin.

I could hear the sound of someone clearing their throat behind me.

I turned, only to see Luca standing there, his expression a mix of annoyance and suspicion.

His eyes flicked between me and his mother, his disapproval evident. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"What's going on here?" he muttered, clearly not happy with the scene unfolding before him.

I raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to join us. "Oh? Luca, why don't you come sit with us? We're having a lovely conversation."

Luca hesitated, his eyes narrowing before he finally sat down between Lavinia and me.

He kept glancing at me with an air of distrust, his disapproval palpable in the air.

I smiled, doing my best to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to steal someone's wife," I said with a wink. Then, lowering my voice so only Lavinia could hear, I added, "Not now, at least."

Lavinia's head snapped toward me, her eyes wide with shock.

Her cheeks flushed all over again, turning an even darker shade of red.

She looked like she was about to explode, but somehow kept her calm.

"You're really pushing your luck," she muttered, her voice dripping with a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation.

I could see her gripping the edge of the table, trying to restrain herself from saying more in front of her son.

I was just kidding, though—honestly, I like Elaina anyway. "Oh? You heard it?" I feigned surprise, barely holding back a grin.

"Of course I heard it!" Lavinia snapped, her cheeks still flushed a deep red from the earlier teasing.

Her voice wavered slightly with embarrassment.

"Sorry, it slipped out," I said innocently, trying to sound as though I hadn't meant it.

Lavinia glared at me, clearly not buying it. "That was no accident. You said it on purpose!" Her tone was a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place—maybe amusement?

"So, do you want me to steal your heart? I'm good at stealing, you know." I leaned in slightly, my voice playful, but there was an underlying challenge in my words.

Even if she said yes, I'd never take her up on it. It was just for the fun of it.

Lavinia's eyes widened in shock, her face turning a deeper shade of red, if that was even possible.

Her mouth parted, but she was too stunned to respond immediately. "What…?"

Before I could say anything more, Luca, who had been sitting silently until now, suddenly shouted, "I won't give you my blessing! I won't hand over my mother to you! You jerk!"

I blinked, taken aback by the outburst. Well, that escalated quickly. It seemed I had teased Lavinia a little too much.

Lavinia was also surprised, her eyes wide as she turned to Luca.

She quickly tried to calm him down, her tone soft and maternal.

"Luca, sweetie, calm down..."

I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt for pushing it too far. "Don't worry," I said, trying to ease the tension.

"I already like another woman, and she's more my type than your mother."

I turned away slightly, pretending to drink my beer, but I could still feel Lavinia's gaze on me, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Uh-oh.

"Another woman...?" she echoed, her voice laced with curiosity, though it seemed a little... hurt? Or maybe just surprised.

Luca, still glaring at me, seemed to be processing my words in his own way.

He leaned forward slightly, his confusion apparent.

"If you're not interested in Mom, then why are you so... flirty with her?"

I took a bite of my salad, pausing as I considered the question. Good question, Luca.

I leaned back in my chair, grinning. "You'll understand when you grow up, Luca." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"It's just how I am with women."

He muttered under his breath, "Adults are weird..." His expression softened just a little, the irritation fading into something more like curiosity.

The conversation quieted for a moment as the food kept coming.

The villagers were celebrating around us, the mood lightening a bit, though there was still that subtle tension hanging in the air—especially from Luca, who had clearly been rattled by the whole exchange.

I made a mental note to ease up on the teasing. For now, though, I was content to enjoy the feast without touching any of the meat they offered.

My plate of salad was enough—barely.

After the party ended, Lavinia insisted that I stay at her house for the night, saying she had a spare room.

"Actually, this is Luca's room," she explained, gesturing to a door, "but you can use it. He sleeps with me anyway."

Lavinia's words lingered in the air for a second, and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Luca, who sleeps with you? I'm disappointed," I said, feigning offense.

She shot me an exasperated look. "Oh, shut up," she snapped, clearly unamused by my teasing.

I chuckled, waving off her irritation before stepping into the room she had pointed to.

It was small but cozy, with a simple bed covered in a faded blue quilt.

I dropped my bag on the floor and flopped onto the bed. Not bad, I thought, staring up at the ceiling.

I lay there for a moment, the sounds of the village filtering through the walls.

The warmth of the room lulled me into a sense of calm, and before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

Hours later, I woke up with a start. My heart pounded in my chest, a sharp sense of danger making my skin prickle.

"Huh...?" My gaze snapped to the shadowy figure looming above me, a knife raised high, ready to strike.

The moonlight from the window cast an eerie glow, and I could barely make out the wooden mask covering the intruder's face.

Without thinking, I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade as it plunged down into the spot where I had been.

I quickly pushed myself up into a crouch, eyes narrowed as I assessed the masked figure.

"Next time," I said, my voice laced with mock irritation, "if you want to give me a surprise, don't do it like this, okay?"

He advanced, his knife moving swiftly toward me, but I darted to the side, deflecting the strike with the palm of my hand before quickly countering with an elbow to his arm.

The knife's blade rang as it glanced off, but he regained his footing quickly, his movements growing wilder, more desperate.

I slipped behind him, driving my knee into his back. Every move calculated to neutralize his threat as quickly as possible, leaving him no time to think.

A hard punch to his solar plexus sent him stumbling back, his steps faltering.

His breathing became heavier, but he still held his ground.

As I delivered the final blow, he was cornered, his back against the cold wall.

His gaze wavered, and for the first time, I could sense the fear hidden beneath the wooden mask he wore.

The masked figure, in a final desperate attempt, tossed some kind of bomb into the room.

Instantly, a foul stench filled the air, thick and nauseating.

"Ah! What the hell is this?! It smells so bad..." I shouted, quickly covering my nose.

"Did he keep his farts in that bomb?" I groaned, squinting through the pungent fog.

I scrambled to shut the door, locking it firmly this time. It was my mistake not to lock it earlier.

I also closed the window to keep whatever was left of the stench from lingering too much.

The adrenaline was wearing off, but I was too tired to stay awake. Almost died, I thought, shaking my head at the absurdity. But I'll be fine.

I lay back down and pulled the blanket over me. Despite the near-death experience, sleep claimed me quickly.

When I finally woke up, the early light of morning poured through the window.

I stretched, yawning, and moved to open the window, hoping the fresh air would clear out the remnants of the night's chaos.

As I stepped out of the room, I saw Lavinia emerging from her own room.

"Good morning," I said, grinning as I gave her a once-over.

"You're still beautiful, even though you just woke up, huh?" I teased.

She shot me a sleepy but annoyed glance. "Stop with the flattery," she replied, her voice thick and hoarse from just waking up.

At that moment, Luca brushed past us, mumbling something under his breath.

"You're annoying..." he muttered, clearly irritated.

I watched him for a moment, a suspicion creeping into my mind. His build—the shape of his body—was eerily similar to the person who had tried to stab me last night.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

I turned back to Lavinia. "So, what's the plan for today, Lavinia?" I asked, trying to push the troubling thoughts aside.

She sighed and rubbed her eyes, clearly still tired. "Today? Same as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary," she replied.

"There's always work to be done in the village, and I'll be doing my part."

I nodded, about to ask another question, but I stopped myself. Focus, Arche, I thought.

"Where's the bathroom?" I asked instead, needing a quick break from the tension.

She pointed down the hall. "The bathroom is down that way," she said, gesturing to the left. "It's the last door."

"Thanks." I gave her a brief smile and headed down the hall to freshen up.

I splashed cold water on my face, letting the coolness wake me up fully.

The strange encounter from the night before was still fresh in my mind, and I needed to gather my thoughts.

I had to find out who tried to kill me. And more importantly—why.

After washing up, I stepped back outside and took in the village.

It was quieter than I expected, with mostly women around. It felt strange.

Too strange. Where were all the men?

As I wandered further into the village, I couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh.

"Huff... I was hoping to be trapped in a village filled only with women..."

But there was no time for daydreams. My instincts were on high alert.

The man—or whoever—who attacked me last night was still out there, and I wasn't going to leave without answers.

As I wandered through the village, my thoughts kept circling back to the night's events.

The figure who had tried to attack me was young—no more than a teenager, if I was to guess.

His body wasn't muscular, but his movements were agile, fast enough to almost catch me off guard.

He seemed capable of slipping in and out of houses with ease... but then again, he could have just been entering his own home.

The question gnawed at me: Why had he tried to kill me? I barely even knew this place, having only arrived here last night.

I had no enemies here, so what was the motivation? Was it just a random attack? Or something more?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

And then, it hit me—there's something else wrong here.

"Eh?" I blinked, suddenly realizing the oddness of the village's surroundings. There were no livestock anywhere in sight.

Last night, they had served meat at the party, plenty of it, but where had it all come from?

I furrowed my brow, scanning the area.

Suddenly, a group of about twenty villagers came into view, all armed with sharp weapons, their expressions focused.

They were heading toward the forest. They hunt every day? I thought, incredulously. That's a lot of people for one hunting party.

As I processed this new information, I spotted Lavinia nearby, carrying several heavy-looking boxes, her arms loaded with supplies.

I jogged over to her, my curiosity piqued. "Need help?"

She paused for a moment to catch her breath, looking at the weighty boxes in her arms.

"Ah, Arche," she said, her voice a bit strained. "Actually, yes. I could use some help."

Without hesitation, I took almost all of the boxes from her, leaving her with just one.

She raised an eyebrow, surprised that I'd taken most of the load.

"Hmm? This box is quite heavy," she remarked.

I glanced at the box in my hands. Heavy? This is nothing. But I didn't say that out loud. Instead, I asked, "What's in all these boxes?"

Lavinia gave a tired but pleased smile. "Oh, just the bones from the animals we ate last night." She paused for a moment, her tone shifting to excitement.

"They caught seventeen animals! Amazing, right?"

"Seventeen?!" I nearly dropped one of the boxes in surprise.

Seventeen animals? That was a lot of meat, no wonder they'd had such a lavish feast last night.

I let out a low whistle.

"That's impressive."

As we walked toward the village center, I turned back to Lavinia, something else on my mind.

"By the way, has anyone else from outside the forest ever come through here?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She grinned, the playful spark in her eyes returning. "Of course, you're not the only one who gets lost," she said, teasing.

"People wander into this forest all the time, and I always welcome them."

Her tone shifted slightly, a hint of annoyance creeping in.

"Though, I was a little upset that some of them managed to leave the forest without me saying goodbye."

I raised an eyebrow at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

"So, would you be upset if I left the forest before you had a chance to say goodbye?"

Lavinia hummed, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile.

She was quiet for a moment, clearly considering the question.

"Hmm... a little." Her voice softened as a faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she looked away, trying to hide the flush in her face.

That's cute, I thought, watching her with a smirk that I couldn't hide.

"Okay... before I leave this forest, I'll make sure you say goodbye to me," I said, my tone light but sincere.

I gave her a teasing smile. "By the way, where are you taking that box?"

Lavinia paused, a slight frown on her face as if she had momentarily forgotten about the task at hand.

She blinked, refocusing as though the question had pulled her from her thoughts.

"This box... we're taking it to the storage house," she explained, gesturing toward a large building near the center of the village.

"There, the other hunters store their tools and some of their supplies."

We walked together to the storage house, where we carefully placed the box in the designated area.

As we turned to head back to the house, I noticed the subtle slump of her shoulders, the exhaustion that had begun to weigh her down.

It wasn't just physical fatigue—it was the kind of weariness that seemed to sink deep into her soul.

"Thank you for your help," she said softly, her voice tired but grateful.

A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "It makes things much easier with another pair of hands."

"Glad to help," I replied, though I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her weariness than she was letting on.

"So..." Lavinia began, her voice curious but careful, as though weighing her words. "Are you planning to leave the forest soon?"

I hesitated, watching her carefully. Her eyes were filled with an unspoken question—one that I knew she was afraid to ask directly.

She wanted to know if I was just passing through, or if my presence meant something more.

"Hmm... maybe not," I said with a teasing smirk, though the truth was, I had my own reasons for staying.

"I'll accompany you here for a while."

Lavinia blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. Her cheeks flushed, and she stuttered, "H-Huh?"

Her reaction caught me off guard. I'd expected a simple laugh or perhaps a joke, but there was something deeper in her response—something vulnerable.

I saw it in the way she fidgeted, the way her gaze darted away for a moment, as if she wasn't sure how to handle what I'd just said.

"You... you're not rushing to leave?" Her voice was soft, almost uncertain.

Her expression shifted between confusion and an unexpected pleasure, as if the idea of me staying had caught her off guard in the best possible way.

"What's the rush?" I replied, my tone light and teasing. "There's a beautiful woman here."

The moment the words left my mouth, Lavinia's face turned a deep shade of red, and she looked down, shyly adjusting the box she carried.

Her fingers nervously twirled around the edge of the box, avoiding eye contact as her flustered smile bloomed.

"You... you're very forward, aren't you?" she said, her voice trembling slightly.

She tried to act cool, but it was clear from the way her cheeks glowed with embarrassment that my words had hit their mark.

"You know," she said after a beat, her voice becoming softer, more wistful, "usually my husband helps me carry the boxes." She hesitated, as if the mention of him brought a weight she wasn't ready to carry.

I watched her closely, my heart giving a tug at the sudden shift in her demeanor. "Your husband...? If I may ask, what happened to him?"

Her face fell, the warmth in her eyes dimming as if a shadow passed over her. Her gaze wandered for a moment, lost in something far away.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and filled with unspoken memories.

"He died a long time ago..." Lavinia's voice was barely a whisper, soft and filled with a quiet sorrow that made my chest ache.

"There was an accident while hunting... and he never came back."

The weight of her words settled over me, and I felt an unexpected surge of sympathy for her.

I didn't know how to respond to such pain, such loss. All I could offer was a simple, heartfelt apology.

"I'm so sorry," I said, my voice gentle. I didn't want to say the wrong thing, but I also wanted her to know that I understood—at least in some small way.

Lavinia gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"It's fine. It's been a long time now." Her voice faltered for just a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

Still, I could see the way her shoulders seemed to sag, as if the memory of her husband's death still held her in its grasp.

She turned to look at me then, her eyes heavy with something I couldn't quite read.

"You know... Luca entertained me by cooking me grilled meat."

At the mention of Luca, I couldn't help but smile, despite the somber tone that had taken over.

"Luca is a child who really loves his mother, huh? How sweet."

Lavinia's lips curled into a soft, bittersweet smile, and her eyes softened as if she was thinking of the little boy who had been her source of comfort.

"Yes... he's a good boy. He always tries to make me smile, even when things are tough."

I nodded, understanding more than she knew. She's strong, I thought to myself. So much more than she lets on.

I took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

I began to speak, my voice low and steady. "Once upon a time, there was a kind and caring girl who liked a cold boy."

I paused, my gaze distant. "Then... the girl died in the lap of the boy, who was crying because he heard that she truly liked him."

As I finished the tale, Lavinia's face softened, her expression reflecting the sorrow that hung in the air.

Her voice was quiet, filled with the echo of the sadness I'd just shared.

"That's... very sad..."

She didn't say anything else for a moment, but I could see the way her eyes shifted, a mixture of curiosity and something deeper—an understanding, perhaps—growing within them.

Her eyes met mine, soft and searching.

"Then recently, the boy met a woman who reminded him of that girl," I continued, my words taking on a more wistful tone, as if the story was no longer just a tale, but something more personal, more real.

"And the boy fell in love with the woman."

Lavinia blinked, clearly taken aback, her brow furrowing as she processed what I was saying.

Her voice was cautious, but laced with curiosity.

"So you—I mean, the boy fell in love with her because she reminded him of that girl?"

I didn't hesitate. My answer came as naturally as the air I breathed, my gaze steady and sincere.

"No," I said softly. "I don't love someone just because they are similar to the person who liked me before."

I let the silence stretch for a heartbeat, as if the weight of what I was about to say needed to sink in before the next words came.

"I love that woman because she is who she is," I continued, my voice gentle but unwavering. "Not because she's a reflection of someone from my past."

Lavinia's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting as if my words had struck her in a place she wasn't expecting.

Her expression softened, her voice shaky, vulnerable. "You... you love her for who she is?"

She searched my face, as if looking for something—validation, perhaps, or an answer to a question she hadn't known she needed to ask.

"Not just because she reminds you of someone else?"

I nodded slowly, locking eyes with her.

"Yes, Lavinia. I love her for exactly who she is—not for any shadow of the past or resemblance to anyone else."

The words hung between us, a quiet truth that I didn't realize I needed to say out loud until that moment.

"It's her spirit, her kindness, her strength… those are what make her so important to me."

I paused, taking a deep breath, letting the moment linger before continuing.

"True love means embracing someone in all their unique ways, not projecting our past onto them."

Lavinia's eyes widened at my words, her breath catching for a moment.

She was silent for a beat, clearly grappling with the impact of my words. Then, her voice, almost a whisper, broke the stillness.

"That's... that's really beautiful..."

I gave a half-smile, trying to ease the sudden shift in atmosphere. "Yeah, maybe I should consider becoming a poet."

Lavinia's lips curved into a soft smile, her expression tender yet amused. "Maybe you should," she replied, her voice warm and sincere.

The air between us felt lighter after that, and we carried on with the day, the tension that had briefly filled the space between us beginning to dissipate.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, I found myself in the kitchen, an apple in hand, its crispness a simple comfort.

"I still can't eat meat..." I muttered to myself, almost as if trying to reassure my own uneasy stomach.

After finishing the apple, I knew it was time. The day was slipping away, and my plan for the night had begun to form, quiet and determined in the back of my mind.

The sky had turned dark when I stepped outside, the cool night air filling my lungs as I opened the door.

But then, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned, surprised to see Lavinia standing there.

"You're still up?" I asked, my voice betraying a hint of surprise at her presence.

"I'll go out for a bit," I said, a vague explanation that still carried the weight of my intent.

I didn't want her to know what was really going on—not yet.

Lavinia raised an eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and concern clouding her expression.

"At this hour?" Her voice had a quiet edge to it, as if she could sense there was more to my sudden departure than I was letting on.

"Yeah." I gave a small, reassuring nod. "See you later!"

Her gaze softened, and I saw the faint flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Yet, she said nothing to stop me.

"Be careful," she called out, I glanced back at her one last time before disappearing into the night.

The plan was simple—I knew the killer would try again tonight, and I was going to make sure he came for me.

It wasn't bravery, really. More like an inevitability.

As I made my way through the village, I noticed three hunters I had seen earlier in the day.

They were carrying heavy sacks that looked weighed down by something solid.

I approached them casually, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"That looks heavy," I remarked, keeping my tone light.

One of the hunters grunted in acknowledgment. "Yeah, this contains the meat we hunted."

That caught my attention. Meat? Didn't they already have a feast earlier?

I didn't press the issue, but something didn't sit right with me.

Only three of them were out here. Where were the others?

The group of hunters entered a house, followed closely by the village chief.

I stopped, watching them disappear into the building. My brow furrowed slightly. Hmm… 

Glancing around to make sure no one noticed me, I carefully climbed up to the window above, prying it open just a bit before slipping inside.

I had to move without leaving a trace.

As my feet were nearly touching the floor, I suddenly heard heavy footsteps approaching.

One of the hunters appeared, pacing down the hall as if he was looking for something.

Holding my breath, I slid behind a stack of cloth in the corner.

The hunter paused, glancing in my direction for a second, but then turned away.

Once he moved off, I crept closer, positioning myself by the slightly ajar wooden door.

Their voices were muffled, but I could still make out the words, so I pressed myself against the wall, leaning in closer to listen.

"So, you guys are the ones who survived, huh?" the village head asked, his tone casual, almost bored.

"Yes, sir, we are the three lucky ones," one of the hunters replied.

Survived? The word echoed in my mind, a chill running down my spine.

The rest died? The hunters weren't just speaking of an accident or a tragedy—they were talking about survival, as if it was normal.

And the village head… he didn't seem shocked at all. If anything, he sounded almost indifferent.

I narrowed my eyes. So many people have died here? And he doesn't even seem to care… Is this normal to him? Or is he just callous?

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something, a piece of the puzzle that might explain all this death.

"What about that person from outside?" One of the hunters' voices rose slightly, clear enough for me to understand. The words, though, were aimed at me.

"Luca failed to kill him," the village head responded.

Hearing my name slip from his lips made my stomach tighten. Failed? Luca, that kid—he was sent to kill me?

"He said Arche is very dangerous, his blows are deadly." The village head's voice didn't change, as if he was talking about the weather.

I'm dangerous, huh? A strange warmth spread through me at the praise, but it was short-lived.

There were more pressing things to consider.

"I told him to bring more people if things got tough," the village head continued, his voice smooth, "but he refused. He wanted to kill that guy named Arche himself."

So the village chief had ordered Luca to kill me, then. But why? What was I to him, or to this village? A threat? A scapegoat?

"No one has managed to escape Luca before. That guy is one to watch out for," the village head said, a hint of admiration—or perhaps caution—lingering in his voice.

I could feel a smile tug at the corner of my mouth. Well, well. Seems I've made an impression. They're scared of me.

But that wasn't the important part. The real question is—why does he want me dead?

The words from the hunters echoed in my mind, each one more chilling than the last.

"Okay, how about we just charge at him? Even if he can dodge Luca's attacks, there's no way he can hold off dozens of people, right?" One of the hunters suggested, his voice full of confidence.

But the village head, ever so calm, countered, "Well, but won't it be too noisy? Lavinia and the others might wake up, you know? Lavinia... she seems interested in Arche."

That made my blood run cold. Interested in me? The words felt like they were meant to mock me, like they were baiting me into some kind of trap.

"Agh... you're right... that whore..."

One of the hunters muttered bitterly. "Don't worry about her! If she challenges, just kill her!"

My breath caught in my throat. What?

The words continued to spiral, each one more disgusting than the last.

"Are you stupid? There are only a few women in this village, and all the men here know that... They are just reproductive tools."

My stomach churned as I heard the vile words, as the true horrors of this village slowly unfolded.

The women—Lavinia included—were treated like nothing more than cattle, their worth reduced to their ability to bear children.

The conversation didn't stop there. "Besides, that whore changes her heart very easily."

"She was sad about her husband's death, but now she's interested in someone else."

My heart pounded in my chest, anger building with each word.

"Well, sooner or later, that guy will die at Luca's hands too."

"Luca loves his mother so much, he doesn't want to share her love," another hunter remarked. "Until he killed his own father..."

What? My mind couldn't quite process what I had just heard.

Luca had killed his own father? These people—these monsters—were beyond saving.

But before I could take in more of their words, I made a fatal mistake.

A flower pot tipped over, the noise cutting through the tense air like a knife.

"Who is there?!" one of the hunters shouted, his voice sharp with alarm.

I cursed under my breath, panic flooding through me. I've been caught.

Without thinking, I turned and bolted, my feet carrying me toward the nearest window.

I launched myself out of it, landing softly on the ground, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

I didn't stop to look back, only running toward the storage building that Lavinia and I had visited earlier.

I burst through the door and locked it behind me, pressing my back against the wood, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Once I steadied myself, I looked around the dimly lit room.

My eyes fell on the boxes that Lavinia had mentioned. The bones...

With shaking hands, I pulled one of the boxes open, expecting the bones of animals, as she'd said. But as the lid came off, my stomach twisted into a knot.

A human skull stared up at me.

I recoiled in horror, but the grim reality hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn't stop there.

I forced myself to open another box, and then another, until the air around me felt suffocating with the weight of what I had discovered.

Hundreds... No, it's more than that...

The boxes weren't filled with the bones of animals as I had been told—they were filled with the bones of humans.

Dozens, maybe hundreds of skulls and limbs, some of them partially decomposed.

The puzzle pieces fell into place, each one more horrifying than the last.

The twenty hunters who went into the forest... they didn't just hunt animals. They hunted each other, until only a few remained. They ate their own kind.

I could feel bile rise in my throat as the realization hit me hard.

The meat they had been eating—the meat from the feast. It wasn't from animals. It was from their own people.

The door to the storage room suddenly crashed open, and a voice rang out, "Hey! Bastard!"

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest, already knowing that this nightmare was far from over.

I took a deep breath trying to calm down.

heir weapons were ready, their bodies coiled like wolves ready to pounce on their prey.

I smirked, stepping forward. "Three against one? You guys are such cowards, aren't you?," I said, shrugging nonchalantly.

They only sneered, offering no reply. One of them, the largest with a bulging frame, moved first, swinging a massive axe in my direction.

I dodged swiftly, bending low and sliding to the side, letting his axe crash down on an old crate nearby. The wood splintered on impact, adding to the thrill of the moment.

Before the brute could pull his axe free, I spun and delivered a sharp kick to the side of his face, sending him stumbling back.

The other two closed in quickly, trying to flank me-one armed with a long knife, the other with a chain.

I sidestepped nimbly, evading both their strikes. "Too slow. Have you guys ever actually practiced?" I sneered, feeling the rush as I read their every move.

The chain swung again, faster this time. I seized the opportunity, grabbing the chain in midair and yanking hard, forcing the wielder forward.

With one swift move, I tossed the chain back, wrapping it around his arm and locking it in place.

He struggled, but I only chuckled, tightening my hold.

"Game over," I muttered coldly, before slamming my elbow into the back of his head, dropping him to the ground.

The other two froze. The knife wielder lunged at me in a frenzy, losing his cool, attacking wildly.

I dodged effortlessly, letting him overextend, and swept his legs out from under him.

He crashed down hard, his knife skidding across the floor. I sent the blade flying out of reach with a quick kick.

The big guy, who was somehow back on his feet with his axe, looked enraged. He charged at me from the side.

I moved in close, using his own momentum to spin him around, throwing him off balance and sending him crashing into the storage room wall.

I stood in the center of the now-silent storage room, looking down at the three hunters sprawled out on the ground.

"Next time, pick a target that's more your level," I murmured, turning and stepping out of the room as they lay there, defeated.

I ran through the darkened streets, my pulse racing in my ears. The chilling realization of what I had just overheard—the grotesque truth about Luca and his village—consumed my thoughts.

This isn't just a village… it's a cannibal village.

Lavinia. I had to get her out of here. I could still hear the hunter's words echoing in my mind.

Luca killed his own father because he didn't want to share his mother's love with anyone else.

A surge of nausea gripped me. And then... then he ate him. He made his father into food.

The weight of that revelation hit me like a hammer. I had to save Lavinia. She couldn't stay in this nightmare.

I reached Lavinia's house, breathing heavily as I pushed open the door, my heart hammering in my chest.

Inside, the house was eerily quiet, except for the faint sounds of someone chewing.

I froze in the doorway, my stomach turning.

There, in the dim light, I saw Luca. His face was smeared with blood, his eyes glinting with something dark, something unnatural.

His teeth sank into a piece of meat, the sounds of his chewing loud in the silence.

And then I saw Lavinia.

Her body was splayed out on the floor, her arm grotesquely severed from her body, the stump soaked in blood.

I felt my chest tighten, the horror of the scene washing over me like a cold wave.

The room spun as my mind tried to process what I was seeing. No, this can't be real. It can't be.

Luca looked up slowly, his gaze meeting mine with a sickening calmness, his bloodied lips curling into a twisted grin.

"You're late…" His voice was chillingly calm, as if he was discussing something trivial.

I stepped back, my heart racing. What the hell is he saying?

Luca stood up, the piece of meat still in his hand. "I won't give her to you," he muttered, his smile widening. "I'm the only one she can love, not you."

I felt a knot tighten in my throat as his words sank in. His voice was cold, unhinged.

"I'll protect her…" he continued, his eyes darkening. "After I heard that my mother was used as a reproductive tool... I was angry. So angry…"

The words hung in the air like a death sentence, and I could feel my hands shake. This monster—he doesn't just want Lavinia's love. He wants control. Power.

His eyes locked onto me with a burning intensity, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of something almost human.

But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the madness that had taken root in him.

"Because my mother's sacred body should never be defiled by them..." he murmured, as if trying to justify his madness.

His grip tightened around the meat in his hand, as if it were a symbol of his twisted version of love.

I stumbled backward, my mind racing. Lavinia…

The girl I had thought I understood. The woman I had hoped to protect. She was tangled up in this nightmare.

I haven't even said goodbye to her yet..

I have no other choice..

I ran down the hallway, breathing heavily. Damn it, Luca was out of his mind.

The look in his eyes told me he wouldn't stop until I was down on the floor.

The walls seemed to close in, pressing my every step faster.

At the end of the hall, I spotted my bedroom door, wide open. Without a second thought, I dashed inside and locked it.

Seconds ticked by as I yanked open the drawer and grabbed my dagger.

The cool handle in my palm was a slight comfort—I wouldn't go down without a fight.

Then, the door shuddered. Luca was right outside. Moments later, it burst open, and he lunged straight for me.

I had no choice; I swung the dagger, managing to slash his arm, leaving a small cut, but it wouldn't hold him back.

In a split-second decision, my eyes darted to the window in the corner. There was no time to think twice.

I threw myself at it, tumbling out. I hit the ground hard but safe, as soon as I landed outside, I was met with a chilling sight.

The villagers-eyes hollow, faces twisted in unsettling smiles-stood in a line, weapons in hand.

Spears, swords... they were advancing, slowly but with intent. The air was thick with the scent of hostility.

"Dinner, huh?" I muttered, half-mocking, though my heart was pounding. They were dead serious.

One of them swung a spear at me, and I quickly deflected it with my dagger. The clash of metal rang out in the dead of night.

I stepped back, but they kept closing in, like they'd hunted something more than just humans before.

Another one slashed at me with a sword, nearly grazing my shoulder.

I retaliated, my dagger slicing into his arm as he fell back with a groan.

I kept trying to create distance, but the others were closing in fast, weapons raised with ruthless intent.

I struck back slowly, one by one, searching for any opening to escape.

My dagger moved swiftly, parrying and countering, though every swing felt like a gamble between life and death.

"If they think I'll be easy prey," I thought, gritting my teeth, "they're dead wrong." I braced myself.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck my back. I stumbled forward, nearly losing my balance.

I knew right away who was behind this-Luca. He'd crept up like a shadow, silent and deadly.

I spun around, barely managing to block his knife with my dagger.

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and the madness in his gaze sent a chill down my spine.

His knife pressed against my blade, inching closer, threatening to overpower me.

"Not so easy, is it?" I muttered, forcing a strained grin.

I held his knife back with all my strength, feeling the tremor in both our hands as we wrestled for control.

The wound on my back burned, but I couldn't afford to falter now. Even a slight misstep could end everything.

Luca's pressure grew stronger, and I struggled to push back, shifting my weight little by little, trying to throw him off balance.

"You really are... persistent," I said, gritting my teeth as I held his stare.

In one swift move, I angled my dagger to break free of his grip, hoping to put some distance between us before he launched another attack.

The moment the other villagers noticed the struggle between me and Luca, they raised their weapons and moved in.

With no other choice, I leaped to the side, narrowly dodging several spears and swords that nearly grazed my skin.

The wound on my back throbbed, but I couldn't pay it any mind.

Worse yet, Luca was still coming, relentless, sprinting toward me with the speed of a predator.

Once again, I blocked his knife with my dagger, metal clashing between us. But this time, he got closer, his eyes cold yet burning with... something strange.

"Hey.. is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?"

I tried to calm myself down by joking.

Suddenly, he started ranting, his voice bitter. "My mother... she's been paying attention to you, and I know it's because of you she's distracted."

"I won't allow it! Mother's love belongs to me alone, not to someone like you!"

I held back his knife, staring at him in irritation due to excessive affection. Before I could fully process it, though, a quiet cracking sound broke through the tension.

I looked down to see my dagger suddenly snap under the pressure. I stared at the broken pieces in my hand, stunned, as Luca's expression twisted into a smug grin.

In an instant, I realized how dangerous my position had become.

No proper weapon, wounded, and surrounded-fighting back seemed nearly impossible.

I took a few steps back, trying to keep some distance, knowing my chances of escape were growing slimmer by the second.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Focus. If I wanted to get out of here alive, I had to stop playing around.

With a quick move, I dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding Luca's strike aimed at my shoulder.

As I sped past, I knocked one of the villagers to the ground, snatching a spear from their hand before they even realized what was happening.

The shaft of the spear felt firm in my grasp, and without hesitation, I attacked the next villager who tried to close in.

They stumbled back, clearly not expecting me to fight back so fiercely. More villagers came from the sides, but I was ready.

One by one, they fell before me, and each time, I grabbed a weapon that seemed useful—short swords, small knives, even a simple shield.

I could feel the fighting spirit rising within me. The spear swung through the air with speed, parrying their blows and responding with attacks that made my assailants hesitate.

I glanced at Luca amidst the chaos, noticing him grow increasingly restless. Maybe he was finally realizing that I wasn't an easy prey to be taken down.

With the spear in my hand, I tried to match Luca's attacks, but the spear felt heavy in my grip, unlike the sword or dagger I was used to.

I lunged first, hoping to push him back, but Luca quickly dodged, his knife flashing through the air as it cut through the space between us.

I focused harder, attacking again, this time more aggressively.

My spear aimed for his body, but Luca swiftly maneuvered around, avoiding my strike with ease, forcing me to miss.

A knife attack grazed my arm, the pain making me lose focus for just a moment, and Luca seized the opportunity.

Strike after strike came faster and faster. I felt like I was chasing a shadow-my spear often missing its mark because I wasn't skilled enough with it.

Meanwhile, Luca's knife attacks were hitting their targets, some of them cutting into my skin, leaving small but painful wounds that began to bleed.

But I wasn't backing down. I kept pressing, trying to be sharper, faster.

I knew that one small mistake from him could turn the tide of the fight.

I managed to push him into a corner, his body growing more desperate with each step.

"Still standing, huh?" I muttered, swinging my spear again, trying to force him into a tighter corner.

My spear moved with more direction and force, and this time, Luca couldn't dodge as quickly.

I managed to knock the knife from his hand, sending it flying to the side.

Without wasting a moment, I lunged forward and caught the knife mid-air, my grip tightening around the handle.

In one swift motion, I struck at Luca, aiming with deadly precision. This time, he couldn't avoid it.

Luca staggered back, breathless, his exhaustion and confusion evident.

Blood began to drip from several wounds on his body, and I could see defeat slowly creeping across his face.

I pressed forward, not giving him any space to think or retreat.

I looked around, seeing the bodies of the villagers I had managed to defeat scattered on the ground.

As I let my guard down, Luca attacked, moving so swiftly that I didn't have time to react.

Reflexively, I responded-the knife still in my hand, I thrust it deep into Luca's chest with full force.

Our eyes met, and for a brief second, I saw the shock in his face before he collapsed to the ground.

I stood there, frozen, as time seemed to slow. I could feel the weight of the moment-the blood flowing from him, and in that fleeting glance, I knew-this wasn't just any wound. The knife had pierced deep, reaching his heart.

Luca lay motionless, his body cold and still. I stood there, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

I... I had killed someone. Again.

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. I had tried so hard not to kill, to hold on to that principle, but now... now I had done it again.

There was no pride, no victory in me. Just a hollow emptiness.

I don't know how long I stayed there, paralyzed in my disbelief.

The whole fight, the chaos, the fear-it all blurred, like a thick fog clouding my mind.

I fell to my knees, the cold ground beneath me, trying to calm myself.

Suddenly, a spear hurtled toward me. I caught it just before its tip could strike my head. I turned to see where the attack had come from.

There stood the village chief, trembling. His eyes were filled with fear, as if he couldn't comprehend how I had managed to fend off all the villagers and, more than that, kill Luca.

Around him, a few other villagers hid behind walls and fences, peeking out with anxious expressions.

Their fear was palpable, different from hatred or anger-it was the fear of someone who knew they were facing a force they couldn't defeat.

To them, I wasn't just a person anymore; I was a threat, something they couldn't control.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts within me. Only minutes ago, I had been fighting to survive.

But now, here I was, surrounded by people who looked at me with terror—afraid of me.

I walked toward the village chief, watching him tremble as I approached. In a calm voice, I asked, "Where is the way out of this forest?"

With a shaking voice, he pointed north, indicating a narrow path hidden among the dense trees.

I gave him a short nod and turned to leave, intending to gather my belongings.

But just as I started to walk away, I paused. Something made me turn back to face him again.

I took a deep breath, then spoke in a quiet but firm tone, "Take care of Luca's body. Make sure he has a proper burial."

The village chief nodded quickly, not daring to argue. I knew they hated me, and maybe they would never forgive or forget what happened, but at the very least, they should honor the dead.

Without looking back, I walked away, leaving behind the village now cloaked in silence, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.

As I finally made my way out of the forest, I took a moment to put up a sign, a simple but necessary warning—No Entry.

I continued my journey, each step pulling me further from that nightmare.

But as I walked, my mind couldn't shake the memory of a story my friend once told me, a tale of a cannibal village hidden deep in the woods.

The villagers, starved for outside contact, would turn on each other when no one came from beyond the trees.

They'd eat their own until only one was left. And when that final person remained... they would eat themselves.

In the midst of fear and vengeance, I learned that true strength isn't just about survival or victory in battle.

True strength is in saying farewell, honoring the fallen, and walking away with the weight you alone choose to carry.