In a forest that surrounded a large city, Renkai creatures roamed the area, searching for their main source of food: humans.
One of those demonic creatures was devouring the corpse of a man who hadn't had the best of luck. It was unsettling to think that this very same Renkai creature had once been human.
But suddenly, that same being was attacked by a... girl? This wasn't exactly strange, but what, after all, was that girl?
Her body was covered in fur, like an animal's. Her nudity was easily concealed by that black fur. She was also a demon, yet strangely human and self-aware.
She ran through the forest, eliminating and consuming all the other demonic creatures around. Then, holding the paw of one of the demons she had previously killed between her teeth, her orange eyes gleamed as she saw a... library? Isolated? Well, that girl seemed to recognize the structure from afar.
She passed through the library's open doors. At the front desk sat a man.
He had long dark hair, one eye covered by some sort of eyepatch, and the other silver in color. One of his arms was a bionic prototype (writing something in a small notebook) while his other, human hand supported his chin.
He wore a black coat, a dark red shirt, and black pants. Judging by appearance, he looked to be around 20 to 25 years old.
Sensing the girl's presence, he raised his head, looking at her without emotion, stopping his writing and asking in a neutral tone:
"Shaphira, did you finish your hunt?"
The girl, recognized as Shaphira, sat down and placed the demon's paw on the floor as if offering a gift.
"Yes, master. I have already trained and completed my hunt!"
Her tail swayed; she seemed cheerful in the man's presence. It was strange enough that this Renkai creature looked human, but it was even more peculiar that she was so obedient and submissive.
The man, however, didn't seem to mind. He stood up and walked toward Shaphira, who looked about eighteen.
"Congratulations. You've brought meat for us and also fed yourself. You deserve a bath."
He placed his hand on her head, gently caressing her. Despite his emotionless expression, there was great affection in that gesture, even if the man himself might not understand it.
"Hmmm... Can you give me a bath today?"
She rubbed her face against his mechanical hand. He didn't oppose the idea, as if it were something normal.
"No problem."
Shaphira was delighted, her tail wagging excitedly. She began to follow the man as he left the library. They approached a nearby river, and he started to undress. Shaphira watched him without shame or malice.
"Master, don't you need me to bathe you too?"
"That won't be necessary."
When he removed his clothes, his toned body was revealed, covered in scars that traced across his frame.
He entered the river, and Shaphira sat beside him, resting her head against his chest, completely comfortable.
"This feels so good..."
"..."
The man simply closed his eyes and began to stroke her head with almost paternal tenderness, like a father caring for his daughter.
The demon girl purred against his chest, her tail coiling around his mechanical hand as if to maintain contact.
"I didn't know how much I needed this..."
Her ears brushed lightly against his face as she nearly fell asleep in that intimate yet familiar moment for both of them.
After a few minutes of bathing, the man stepped out of the river, bathed in sunlight and already dressed. Shaphira followed, standing beside him, shaking the moisture off her fur.
"It's much better to bathe in the river than in the library, isn't it, master?"
"I prefer inside the library... it's warmer."
"Right... you have a point."
She replied, crossing her arms. The man said nothing more, just nodded, wanting to enjoy the brief peace.
They stayed silent for a few minutes until Shaphira looked at him sleepily.
"I trained so much today, master. Can I sleep?"
"Have a good rest."
He placed his hand on the demon girl's head, stroking her fluffy ears. She closed her eyes, enjoying the affection.
"I'll return to my true form and rest for a bit."
She moved away from him, her body beginning to change shape, as if manipulating her own Renkai Energy... A fox? Still covered in black fur and with orange eyes, she appeared larger, stronger, and more lethal than an ordinary fox.
She turned toward the library, her tail swiping across the man's face, making him let out a quiet sneeze before following her. Inside, Shaphira carefully climbed the stairs leading to the second floor, then to a room where they both usually slept.
The place was simple: a bed big enough for two or more people, some books, and a few objects Shaphira never dared to touch. She lay down on the bed, curling up into a ball, covering her eyes with her tail, finally able to rest.
Now alone, the man picked a book from the shelves, sat at the desk, and began to read and take notes.
Hours passed. Night approached and rain began to fall. At that moment, the man closed both the book and the small notebook, took an umbrella, and cast one last look toward the room, watching Shaphira from afar.
He opened the library door, feeling the wind and cold raindrops hit his face and hair. Then he closed the door and began walking through the forest under the rain, as if it brought him peace... for now.
Suddenly, a portal opened right before him, causing him to stumble and fall into an unknown dimension.