Diego had been saved by Layla, and now they were on their way to a forest called the Schwarzwald.
Diego: "Say… Layla…"
Layla: "Hmm?"
Diego: "Normally people ride horses, right?"
Layla: "Yes."
Diego: "So why are we riding in a wagon pulled by bears?"
Layla: "Does it really matter?"
She sat with arms folded, legs crossed.
Layla: "You know my name, but I'll introduce myself again… Layla Smirnow, 16 years old. Born in a region called Slavik."
Diego: "Slavik? Isn't that the cold region?"
Layla: "Exactly. That's where I was born. The world of Grimm is vast—only about 40 percent of it has been explored so far, even though many have tried."
Diego: "What exactly were the creatures that attacked us?"
Layla fell quiet for a moment, then her expression turned serious.
Diego: "Hmm?"
Layla: "Vinka."
Diego: "Huh?"
Layla: "That's what they're called. They belong to the evil monsters and beasts of the world of Grimm."
Diego: "I see."
He looked out the window. Suddenly a tree moved.
Diego: "Whoa… it moved."
Layla: "That's just a tree monster. They're peaceful—don't worry, as long as you don't hurt them."
Layla took a bottle of water and drank.
Layla: "Ahhh… listen. I want to tell you something… Pa… rzival, right?"
Diego: "Yeah, Diego Salvatore."
Layla: "Listen, Diego… this job—are you sure you want it? I did say you should come along, but I have to warn you. Being a Vinka hunter is anything but peaceful."
Diego: "What else should I do? I mean… you said I could do it."
Layla: "Well… you saved me, so I figured it was better than doing nothing. But seriously… for someone who lived in that village so long, you recovered quickly from learning they were actually monsters."
Diego: "Hmm."
He fell silent for a moment and said nothing.
Diego: "Well… of course it got to me. I mean… I lived with my grandpa near that village… so I thought I was one of them."
Layla: "Your grandpa, huh…"
Diego: "Mhm."
They were still moving through the forest.
Diego: "So… Layla… I can call you that, right?"
Layla: "Hmm… sure."
Diego: "Do you not like smiling?"
Layla: "Mhm… not my thing."
Diego: "…that… thing… it called you Andiegosia."
Diego looked at Layla. The more he looked, the more he noticed she was a pretty girl. Her hair reached her shoulders, a beauty mark beneath her lip, star-dark eyes. She wore a camisole and a shoulder-baring jacket. A beauty mark on her neck, one at her navel, a small cut on her nose, and another beauty mark beside her eye.
Layla: "Hmph… get ready, my friend. We're almost there."
Diego: "Huh?"
Layla: "Look behind you—you'll see it!"
He turned. A small building stood there, with the smiling head of a hare mounted above the center.
Layla: "The Fairy-Tale Guild."
Diego: "Ugh…"
They arrived shortly after.
Layla: "Come on. What are you waiting for?"
She opened the door. Inside were about five people—three women and two boys.
Layla: "Is Master Isolde here?"
"Hmmm… Layla… who'd you drag in with you?"
Diego: "Uh."
Layla: "His name is Pa… Pa something."
Diego: "Diego!"
Layla: "Doesn't matter. Where's the Master? She was right about that village."
"So they really were monsters? Creepy."
Layla: "And the boy lived among them as a 'human.'"
"Even creepier. The Master is in her room."
Layla: "Good… come on, Diego."
She walked ahead; he followed. Only now did he notice her back was also bare—and an X-shaped scar there.
Layla: "Wait here a moment… I need to talk to her first."
She went in.
Diego: "Mmm."
(Meanwhile)
(Growl!)
(Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!)
(Splatter!) (Splatter!)
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaah… where… is… my daughter… where is my daughter! Give her back, you humans!"
(A few minutes later)
Diego: "Mmm… that took a while."
(Smack!)
Suddenly there was a slap, then a shout. The door flew open.
Layla: "Ghhh… cursed old witch…"
Isolde: "Layla! Be warned—you yourself have been here only two weeks! So stand back."
Layla: "…tsss… once I've wiped out the Vinka… I'll kill you… you blind cow!"
She stormed off—she was no longer wearing the shoulder-baring outfit, by the way.
Isolde: "…oh? Now then—you must be the new one, yes?"
Diego: "Yes."
She reached out her hand.
Isolde: "Come closer, please, my boy. I'm sorry—I can hardly see."
He stepped closer; she cupped his cheek.
Isolde: "Hmm… poor child… I'm sorry, my boy, that Layla brought you here even though you're not a hunter."
Diego: "Wait… does that mean she got in trouble because of me?"
Isolde: "She put you in danger—that's the problem. My boy… what's your name?"
Diego: "Diego."
Isolde: "Diego… then please forgive Layla for her leniency. Unlike us, she was treated very badly by both monsters and humans. Let's talk in private."
She closed the door.
Isolde: "Do you want to know more about Layla?"
Diego: "Mhm."
Isolde: "Layla is the daughter of a witch named Lebrovka. In any case, she was cast aside by her own mother, and the village often hurt her because she was a witch's daughter. Monsters killed her best—and only—friend who understood her. That's why she hates both humans and Vinka."
Diego: "Oh…"
Isolde: "Enough of that, boy. I'm sorry to say it, but I don't think you should be here."
Diego: "…But… I can stay, right?"
Isolde: "Pardon?"
Diego: "I want to become a hunter."
Isolde: "…You do? Well, as you wish… but first, I want to test you, my dear."
Diego: "Test me?"
Isolde: "Exactly. Diego… one question: what is your wish?"
Diego: "…uhm…"
(Tick… tick… tick… ting!)
Diego (thinking): "(Oops… I was too honest last time!)"
Isolde: "Hehe… you're a frank little fellow. Now then, Diego… let me tell you what Vinka are."
Diego: "Okay."
(Snap!)
Isolde: "Sit down."
He sat.
Isolde: "Long ago, the world of Grimm was a very peaceful world. Then the Vinka appeared. They are… mutating animals."
Diego: "Animals…"
Isolde: "You noticed they resemble animals—either larger or with altered features. Be that as it may, the Vinka went out of control. They kill people… eat them. All this traces back to an evil mage named… Gargamel. Gargamel is a dark wizard who also created the Grimoire. Not only that—he founded the wicked group known as the Dark Abyss Wizards, Dark Fairy Tales, as well as the Four Dark Knights. These are, by the way, only legends. Whether they exist or not—I cannot say. The Vinka appeared around 250 years ago. Some parts of the legends are true: the witches of the Forbidden Library are real—and they're evil. Gargamel himself—whether he truly lived is uncertain. Anyway… Vinka have different ranks. Rank E are those that look like normal animals but altered—bigger, with certain traits. Rank D are stronger Vinka with more distinct forms—for example, a werewolf that doesn't quite look like one. Rank C are the Gluttony Vinka: they can take human form but only in the morning. Rank B are Vinka that can transform; they're tied to legends like dragons and others. Rank A are the Vinka summoners. And of course Rank S… well, almost nothing is known about them."
Diego: "I understand."
Isolde: "Diego… do you know how we gain these powers?"
Diego: "No?"
Isolde: "Through a contract with a 'Märchen'—a fairy-tale spirit."
Diego: "Ugh… right… is that why Lilly's nickname is Anastasia?"
Isolde fell silent and said nothing.
Isolde: "Indeed. Our powers are Märchen—usually after well-known fairy-tale figures, but not always. There are also ordinary contract spirits. Märchen are spirits too; everything supernatural is called a Märchen. That means dragons, kraken—everything counts as Märchen. Then there's another kind of 'contract'… no, not a contract—something else that Layla has: curses."
Diego: "Curses?"
Isolde: "Exactly. Curses are risky. They never come willingly; witches create them. Layla was cursed by a witch."
Diego: "I see."
Isolde stood.
Isolde: "Layla is a kind girl, even if she doesn't like to show it. Still, it was a mistake to bring you here. Being a hunter is dangerous. We're called… the Armed Snow White Guild."
Diego (sweating): "…That name isn't very cool."
Isolde: "I agree. Anyway… Diego… I'm sorry, but do you truly want to be a hunter?"
Diego: "Yes!"
Isolde: "Then please place your hands on mine."
Diego: "Ah."
He did so. Her hands were warm and soft.
Isolde: "…Hmm… you'll need to make a contract—that's certain. So we must see… Layla said that on that night you transformed into a wolf. Can you show me the book?"
He handed it to her.
Isolde: "Grimm Tales. Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf."
Suddenly a strange figure appeared—a girl with a smile, pale skin, and pitch-black eyes.
"Hehehe… tell me… your name…"
Diego: "Diego… Diego Salvatore."
"Hehehehe… do you want to make a contract with me?"
He looked at Isolde; she nodded.
Diego: "Yes."
"Hehehe… good. I am Little Red Riding Hood… the Märchen of Red Riding Hood and the Werewolf. Now, Diego… you must give me something in return… as a reward… hmm… hehehe… how about… you pat me on the head?"
Diego: "Huh?"
Little Red Riding Hood: "And promise me you won't eat meals without meat."
(?????)
Isolde: "They say that after her tale ended, Little Red Riding Hood lost her mother and, lonely at ten, took her own life. Her grandmother had died the day before. As for meat—perhaps, because of how she lived, she rarely ate it; now she craves food that always includes meat."
Diego: "I understand."
He patted her head.
Little Red Riding Hood: "Hehehe… good. Now I'll give you your weapon."
An axe emerged from the book—not an ordinary axe. An eye was set into the handle.
Diego: "Oh…"
Little Red Riding Hood: "Hehehehe… here is your weapon."
He looked to Isolde.
Isolde: "That's right. This is how you gain the transformation."
Diego: "I see."
Little Red Riding Hood now clung to his back.
Diego: "Why did you appear back then even though we had no contract?"
Little Red Riding Hood: "Because I wanted to make one with you and didn't want you to die. That's all."
Diego: "Hmm… that makes sense."
Little Red Riding Hood: "All right, my job here is done."
She vanished into the book.
Isolde: "Good. It seems you have one now—take good care of it."
Diego: "Yes."
Isolde: "Now you can—"
(Thud!)
He suddenly collapsed, unconscious.
Isolde: "—rest."
(A few minutes later)
He woke up lying on something warm… Isolde's lap.
Isolde: "You're awake. Good."
Diego: "Ugh…"
Isolde: "It's all right—you're on my lap."
Diego: "Uh…"
She gently stroked his hair.
Isolde: "That must have been tiring for you."
Diego: "…Um… Miss Isolde."
Isolde: "Yes?"
Diego: "I know it's a bit forward, but… you're not that much older than me."
Isolde: "Huh, you think so? Even with my white hair and all these scars? How did you tell?"
Diego: "You look young and… well, very pretty. That's all."
She chuckled.
Isolde: "Sweet—very sweet. I'm 23."
Diego: "Uh…"
Isolde: "Listen, Diego."
Diego: "Yes?"
Isolde: "How about I send you on a mission?"
Diego: "A mission?"
Isolde: "More like a request. It's about a Vinka rat."
Diego: "A Vinka rat?"
Isolde: "Rank E, technically. But the problem is… it spreads the plague."
Diego: "Ugh."
Isolde: "A girl will help you on this mission. Come in, Kisa."
The door opened. A girl entered. Unlike Layla, she had completely white hair and blue eyes, a small scar on her nose, and a brown shoulder-baring outfit with a large hat. She wore two long earrings. She was rather short—maybe 155, even 153 cm. Very cute. She also had several hairbands at the side of her hair.
Kisa: "hello… my name is Kisa … and I'm your partner."
Diego: "Ugh…"
Kisa: "Hmm?"
Diego: "…She's really pretty!"
he blurted out.
(Uwa… uwa uwaaa!)
Isolde: "Oh…"
Kisa: "Uh…"
Diego (thinking): "(Oops… too loud.)"
Kisa: "Pff—hahaha."
She started laughing.
Kisa: "What a funny bird. Hehe."
Suddenly she was right in front of him, leaning close and teasing.
Kisa: "I'll take it as a compliment, not something creepy, okay? Anyway…"
She clasped her hands behind her back.
Kisa: "My name is Kisa Pushkin."
Behind her, a strange eerie figure appeared, patting her head.
Kisa: "And this cute one is my friend, Gretel."
Diego: "She's serious again."
Kisa: "Hehe. All right—let's get going. Diego, right?"
Diego: "Yes…"
Isolde: "Hey, Diego—give her a little scare."
Diego: "Okay…"
He tapped her shoulder; she turned.
Diego: "Boo!"
Kisa: "Aaaaaaaaaaaargh!"
Diego: "Huh!"
She grabbed her head.
Kisa: "Monster… monster…"
Diego (sweating): "Uh…"
Isolde: "Don't worry—she's like that."
Kisa: "Mmm… mmm… mama…"
Diego (sweating): "How did she become a hunter…?"
(Meanwhile)
Layla: "Haah… this is so boring…"