After what seemed like an eternity, his gaze finally focused on where I was...
With each step he took, I felt my heart sink, ignoring the burning in my chest as I nervously inhaled the poisonous, mana-filled air...
His black iris gleamed with childish superiority as he tore off the top of the bush.
She looked at me for a second before raising her claw and piercing my leg. I let out a sharp scream as I was dragged out of the bush...
This continued for a few minutes until we reached a clearing, where she looked at me again.
Her gaze took on a tone of curiosity as I did not show the expected reaction of prey.
It seemed like the first time she had seen such a reaction...
Her gaze lowered to my frightened but unyielding face on the ground. It was a strange feeling to be observed in this way.
So close. So intimate.
It was as if she had discovered something totally 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 that 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 this is what it's like to be clinging to life? The earth between my fingers said it was.
Of course I didn't want to die. Who does? But I didn't think I would 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 continued to poke me with its beak, curious.
But soon it placed its claws on my stomach, digging in!
I spat out a little blood, 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. It perverse intelligence at work, twisting its claws into my stomach—but it was useless...
Yeah. I understand you, creature...
Because...
Why haven't I given up yet?
I couldn't understand where I was getting this false hope from...
Looking around for anything...
Even when her claws tore into my stomach, that damn false hope didn't die!
No one will come...
When I was about to really give up, something ignited that hope even more...
[The Sadistic Evil constellation smiles at you.]
[The constellation likes your lucidity. It says you would make an excellent toy.]
[You suffer well. It says]
[The constellation presents you with — Rite of Flesh and Blood.]
I could barely pay attention to the content of the messages before me. My eyes rolled back with the flood of information forced into my mind!
I lost consciousness... Maybe for a few seconds, waking up feeling a void in my face...
My fingers sank into the soft, pulsating flesh. A warm, moist sensation...
I looked up as I absorbed the pain... I understood.
The creature simply looked down at me with my eye between its beak. Clearly amused, before swallowing it...
Its next target, my open stomach...
But it wasn't that which caught my attention amid the pain, but rather its gaze... It had lost any trace of childishness, shining with a mischievous and cruel gleam...
It was as if it was eager to test something...
[The constellation smiles maliciously.]
[Entertain me.]
Shit. Are you friend or foe? I guess neither...
Heh.
I think I'm going crazy. Laughing in this situation?
Well... It's all I have left, right?
My mind strangely cleared even more, despite the situation. Ignoring everything around me, focused only 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 useless to think about the rest. I would probably die anyway, but I would take him with me if it came to that.
And one more thing.
Root for your father... Mother... I don't know, have a way to heal me, my friend...
Let's see who suffers better?
Thinking about it, I advanced on the creature, the pain clouding my vision. My movements were abnormally weak, but despite that, I clung to it desperately, taking it by surprise!
A loud squeal spread through the forest, making everything shake in response to the cry of pain.
A raw, wet sensation ran down my throat as 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 at my injuries.
Half of my entrails were hanging out of my body now. A rather disturbing sight...
Blood dripped slowly from my face, accentuating the sight.
So this was what a stomach looked like? Red. Warm. Wet...
However...
I looked with strange affection at that mass of twisted, slimy flesh, grabbing a handful with my hand and squeezing it tightly...
Immediately, the creature that was advancing toward me with rage stumbled and fell, squawking in pain!
Its beak dripping blood and its tearful, confused gaze turned on me as it got up, advancing again, but hesitantly this time...
Damn... 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 scared. Its black irises shone with fear and confusion, despite this, a calm wind passed between us, soothing its gaze...
Finally. Here it was...
Its black and white plumage. A beautiful pattern. Majestic...
Black claws with a metallic sheen.
Its height is truly worthy of the crown of feathers on its head, making the creature... Seem small.
Weak.
And its gaze...