After what felt like an eternity, her gaze finally settled on me...
With every step her took, I felt my heart sink, ignoring the burning in my chest as I nervously inhaled the poisonous, mana-filled air...
His black irises gleamed with childish superiority as he tore the top of the bush away.
... She looked at me for a second before raising her claw, piercing my leg. I let out a shriek as I was dragged out of the bush...
I didn't try to fight back. It was useless...
This went on for a few minutes, until we reached a clearing, where she looked at me again.
Her gaze took on a curious tone as I didn't show the expected reaction of prey.
It seemed like the first time she'd seen such a reaction...
Her gaze dropped to meet my frightened yet unyielding face on the ground. It was a strange sensation to be observed that way.
So close. So intimate.
It was as if she had discovered something entirely new.
A mutual sense of intrigue blossomed in the air.
This situation turned out to be something new for both of us.
I thought that when this moment came, I would simply accept death—money had always been the problem, after all—and my family wouldn't have to worry about it anymore, given the compensation they would receive for my death, but…
So is this what it feels like to cling to life? The earth between my fingers told me it was.
Of course I didn't want to die. Who does? But I didn't think I'd cling to my life so much when the time came.
I always thought getting out alive was a bonus. So why am I looking for a way out?
Come on...
Just give up.
.
.
.
The creature kept poking me with its beak, curious.
But soon it placed its claws on my stomach, digging in!
I spat out a little blood, tasting the metallic flavor, finally focusing on it to its satisfaction.
It was getting impatient and irritated with the situation...
It seemed to want to tear something out of me, but without success. Its perverse intelligence at work, twisting its claws into my stomach—but it was useless...
... Yeah. I get you, creature...
Because...
Why haven't I given up yet?
I couldn't understand where I was getting this false hope from...
Scanning the surroundings for anything...
Even when its claws ripped through my stomach, that damned false hope didn't die!
No one will come...
Just when I was about to truly give up, something ignited that hope even more...
[The constellation Mal Sádico smiles at you.]
[The constellation likes your lucidity. It says you'd make an excellent toy.]
[You suffer well. It says]
[The constellation bestows upon you — Rite of Flesh and Blood.]
I could barely pay attention to the content of the messages before me. My eyes rolled back as a flood of information was forced into my mind!
I lost consciousness... Perhaps for a few seconds, waking up to feel a void on my face...
My fingers sank into the soft, pulsing flesh. A warm, wet sensation...
I looked up as I processed the pain...
I understood.
The creature simply looked down at me, my eye between its beak. Clearly amused, before swallowing it...
Its next target, my gaping stomach...
But that wasn't what caught my attention amid the pain; it was its gaze... It had lost any trace of childishness, shining with a mischievous and cruel gleam...
It was as if it were eager to test something...
[The constellation smiles maliciously.]
[Amuse me.]
... Are you friend or foe? I guess neither...
Heh.
I think I'm going crazy. Laughing in this situation?
Well... It's all I've got left, right?
My mind strangely cleared even further, despite the situation. Ignoring everything around me, I focused solely on the creature pecking at my stomach.
... Gray. The world took on shades of gray.
My perception slowed as I ignored every unnecessary noise and thought.
It was pointless to think about the rest. I'd probably die anyway, but I'd take her with me if it came to that.
And one more thing.
Pray for your father... Mom... I don't know, ah, fuck that too. Just hope there's a way to heal me, my friend...
So... let's see who suffers better?
With that in mind, I lunged at the creature, the pain blurring my vision. My movements were abnormally weak, yet despite that, I clung to it desperately, catching it by surprise!
A loud screech echoed through the forest, making everything sway in response.
... A raw, wet sensation ran down my throat, while the creature looked at me momentarily startled after throwing me to the ground.
Part of its cheek was missing. Blood dripped as I stared at it, spitting out a bloodstained white feather in disgust.
My smile was bloody as I looked down at my wounds.
Half of my insides were hanging out of my body now. A rather disturbing sight...
The blood running down my face... Dripping slowly, blurring my vision.
So this was what a stomach felt like? Red. Hot. Wet...
And yet...
I looked at that twisted, slimy mass of flesh with a strange fondness—I grabbed a handful with my hand and squeezed it tightly...
Immediately, the creature advancing toward me in rage stumbled and fell, squawking in pain!
Its beak dripping blood and its tearful, confused gaze turned toward me as it got back up, advancing again, but hesitantly this time...
Damn it...
I smiled as I looked at my hand for a moment before squeezing my injured ribs, this time making it stagger and grunt in pain...
It was frightened. Its black irises gleaming with fear and confusion; despite that, a gentle breeze swept past us both, calming its gaze...
Finally.
There she was...
Her black and white plumage. A beautiful pattern. Majestic...
Black claws gleaming with a metallic sheen.
... Her height is truly worthy of the crown of feathers on her head, making the other creature... Seem small.
Weak.
And her gaze...