The sky turned dark around me; the seasons were already changing, I was beginning to shiver. My legs were tired, one foot was in so much pain. It felt like I made no progress, I could only just see the grass stretching further.
Fortunately, there were no monsters that attacked me. Furthermore, I was able to thank my skill, palm of flames, for keeping me warm. With my new skill, mana efficiency, its uptime expanded to an hour.
"It's honestly scary, yet again…"
I mumbled to myself, I had no one to be my companion this time. Everyone kept me calm and sane, through getting used to being a girl, at least slightly. To go to dangerous places.
Moreover, it wasn't just the cold that made me shiver. My hands were shaking despite the heat from them. They will look for me.
I know it. If I'm going in the right direction, I will find them.
I laid on the soft grass, curling myself into a ball. The air was frigid, it kept piercing into my flesh.
"Ignore it… ******, ignore it…"
Many times, I repeated this to myself. Till I subconsciously closed my eyes.
*******
"What shall we do with you~"
"Please…. Please…. Stop it hurts-! PLEASE- NO!"
Huh?
Did I get- That can't possibly be it. I woke up, standing., I was in a cave system. Things were lit up shallowly, torches were barely being lit.
They threatened to fizzle out, they were on their last step. Did I grow?
"Ple-Please-"
"Oh~ Hearing your pleas for help is so vitalizing~ Let me hear you scream!"
What the fuck is that? That girl's voice sounds familiar, they're just over there - It doesn't sound good!
But… I can't-I need to move! Why can't- I- I'm in my-
I'm in my own body…
"Help… Help me…. Please… Someone…."
I can't… I can't move-
"Ah~ That was delightful~"
A man walked around the corner. He had a sadistic fucking grin, his hands were completely bloody – In one hand…
"Is-"
He was holding multiple pairs of ears, they were smaller, but they looked familiar.
"What a strong girl~ I wonder how much longer she can last~"
Despite being transparent, my body shivered. He ignored my existence, I was like a ghost- No… I was a ghost…
"Is that - Is - Ah…"
My legs finally moved, I was allowed to control my ghostly appearance. My legs were shaking, but I couldn't let my curiosity go.
"Someone…. Please…. PLease. Please please please…"
The girl's wails loudened, growing desperate by the second.
"Please…."
There was a little girl, she was small. She was skinny, the thin cloth that covered her body exposed her ribs. She looks… Really familiar.
"Please…"
"Hey…"
My voiceless mouth opened, she kept clutching her ears. Blood caked her hands, there was this crimson liquid… Everywhere, it splattered on the walls.
"Someone…"
"Hey…"
I tried once again… Even bending down, my hand stretched to touch her. As… mMy hand rested against her back, she looked up.
Help…
"Me…"
"AGH!!"
My head's splitting… I can't see anything… My head hurts… Help… It hurts, hurts… hurts… hurts, hurts…
My head's going to explode – It won't stop, I can't stop it – Someone… Help, please… someone… Please…
No one's going to help you. Bear with the agony.
"FF-"
Pain… Searing, bristling… Blinding… Can't think… Hurts…
Oh… So sweet…. You're bearing with it…~ So strong, so, so, so, so, so… Such a sweet grimace…
"Let me… Let me go… Please…"
No one~ I mean, no one will save you my dear… Yukina…
"Please-"
Suddenly, the pain above my head was gone… My hands were free of blood blood free.
Oh~ This will be my final gift…
I felt warmth spreadgo over my head, but memories were drilling into my skull.
Who…
My vision went back into that cave, the same creepy as shit guy was standing above me. What were my ears dripping from his hand; he had a sadistic grin… But that's all I could make of his face.
This, will be my gift… Your ears, ever so fluffy, so soft, and cute to touch.
I couldn't move, my body was seized in fear. His hands slowly reached to my ears, just… At a prick, I jolted upwards.
The cave I was in, it was gone. My ears felt staticy… Similar to slamming my elbow onto a desk.
So frustrating… Can it stop?
"What the fuck… Was that?"
It felt dreamy, I can still see it in my hand. There was so much pain, my body could feel it. My body ached, my ears were shooting in pain.
I don't know how long, I just… I couldn't stand… Something kept me frozen, despite my heart thumping against my chest.
That was… Yukina…. These memories, her ears… Her tail was chopped off. They…
…
They kept…
"Urk-!"
It was so sickening… They just… Kept cutting her ears off. Over, and over, and over….
Each time… The pain got worse, worsened…. Just… Worsened….
She… She begged, constantly. Repeatedly, they didn't give her mercy.
At most, they did it almost a hundred times. Ninety-six… To be exact. They force fed her a drug, it kept her awake.
With tears, she begged. Screaming, crying. Her enslavers never stopped, even when she nearly died. They just…
Kept chopping, chopping away.
More, and more she survived. She never died of shock, never bled out. Words of praises were sung into her ears.
"What a special girl, not even adults can withstand this."
So… Sickening… I keep hearing their voices. They kept dancing in my head, the unbearable pain singing along…
"Make it stop…"
It's too much, my head's going to explode. It felt like forever, my head started to ease. The memories were still pulsating, but I can finally move myself.
"Was… That a memory of her…? Did-"
I still… It still is a mystery in my head… But… I believe it was Yukina. The one whose body I'm in. It's settled in my mind.
I was put in this body after her death.
How… And why…? How am I in her body…? Why was I put in this…?
I had no leads… To how I was reincarnated… There must be a reason why… There has to be, was it that blue being? Did that thing do that?
Despite how shaky, how terrified I was… I balled my hands. My head was pounding, I couldn't focus, my vision was blurry.
There was a reason, there must be one. Even if there wasn't one… no. There has to be a reason. I don't give a rat's ass if there are leads to nowhere.
Pull yourself together. You can be afraid later, I have to get out of here. Even if I have to sob into the night, even if I can't sleep.
I have to get back.
I wanted to fall back to the ground. The moon was still lit in the sky…
I don't think I can sleep.
Hours have passed, I just… I just kept going. I'm so lost, my feet are in agony. The only thing new ? Wwere the trees not far from me, it was another forest.
Most likely due to its medieeival culture, and deforestation beingwas non- existent… It's been only forest after every damn forest this entire year.
If I stood still, I would be monster food. Wait, what… Oh, no, no, no…
Those grunts and small little steps coming from inside, they were coming towards me! Goblins, they were goblins. I didn't even need to see them.
Their creepy little pattering of the dirt, they were running. I have to stand my ground, I couldcan run as fast as possible. I can, Howeverhowever, it wouldn't have mattered!
It had to be goblins of all things, of course…. It just had to be! My damn luck!
Their pitter patter stopped, quickly turning into heavy thuds. In the tree line, long green ears poked out. Six, six pairs of ears. There were six goblins.
Great.
I backed up as they showed themselves one by one.
Calm down, you need to calm down.This isn't like your first encounter, you can do this.
There were two dagger wielding goblins. Additionally, they wore armor to protect their skin. Next up, two bow bastards, salivating like a dogs.
Are they wearing robes?
The last two had some sort of cloak hiding their faces. Where the sun illuminated their skin, it was green; that is how I knew they were goblins other than their stature.
"Come at me." I said, holding my knife in a reverse grip. I have to take them out quickly.
The first goblin rushed at me; it swung its weapon mindlessly. Just a few steps later, I set off a flaming orb.
It orbited for a brief second, exploding into the goblin.
As it fell to the ground, its partner came in the same manner.
I raised my left hand, preparing a second spell.
Oh sh…
My body recoiled, something hit my arm back.
…
I tumbled to the left. The goblin in front of me tried to follow. Promptly falling with a slap to the ground.