I slowly crawled out of the cave, half expecting Terror to stand right behind me. But he wasn't there. I sighed in relief. The only things I had to worry about for now were the voices and footsteps and gunshots and all the other things that tried to convince me that someone was chasing me.

Now then, let's look for a magical being... as unlikely as it is.

I walked into the forest, slowly. I enhanced my instincts and speed. My increased hearing right now was both a blessing and a curse. For one I was certain that Terror was far away. I could at least hope that I was rid of him for the time being. But on the other hand... the voices were clearer. Sometimes they sounded like they were right in my head. I would often twitch when I heard a gunshot that sounded like it was going off right next to me. A few times I nearly ran into a tree because of that. My breathing was already heavier than usual and I felt my heart pumping. I hated it. Why could these voices not leave me alone? Today they were worse than yesterday, tomorrow they would probably be even worse, the day after worse yet again. It was a cycle, a cycle that would drive me over the edge one day.

Multiple deer ran away as soon as I approached. But the one right in front of me didn't. It just stared at me as I was approaching. Reminded me of the deer that would just stare at the approaching cars instead of running away. And the result wasn't much different. The deer practically exploded into chunks of flesh when I rammed it. I was covered in blood. The smell of the blood-filled my nostrils and I felt [Blood High] activating.

The forest was a little too peaceful for my liking. Not hearing Terror sneak around was worse than hearing him sneak around. I didn't know whether or not he was able to hide his presence with something similar to [Predator's Prowl]. Maybe he was watching me without giving himself away? Or maybe I had hurt him so much that he was staying far away...

What was that form anyway?

Some magical creatures have the ability to evolve themselves, maybe that's what the overgrown cat did.

If Terror is a magical being why don't I ask him for magic?

I chuckled at my own bad joke as I dodged a tree branch that was lower than it seemed from a distance.

Do you really think a maggot like that can grant anyone magic?

Thanks for reminding me that I struggled against a mere maggot.

Don't take it the wrong way, if you had been able to control your anger you might have been able to kill that cat.

Oh, thanks for the encouraging words.

I was now quickly approaching a river. With a single jump, I crossed the, at least, five-metre wide raging river and landed on the other side. At the moment I landed I heard a loud gunshot and laughter in the wind, making me fall to the ground and strangely twist my ankle.

Shit!

I looked up only to see that they had returned. The gang members pointing and laughing at me were back. I felt ashamed. Their laughter got to me. Made me feel pathetic.

Get up! Ira urged me.

Y-Yes... you're right.

I tried to get up but it felt like someone was stomping on my back, not letting me get up. My head was starting to hurt as well as all the voices rained down on me.

"Go die!"

"Die!"

"I'll kill you!"

"Cockroach!"

"Pathetic loser!"

"Slave!"

"Piece of shit!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

They began singing as if they were a choir or something. And they were singing only one word.

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

I held my head with both hands and pressed against it. My body was shaking and I felt tears form in my widened eyes. In some hope that it would make the voices stop I hit my head into the ground.

"Stop!" I yelled. "Please, stop!"

I began kicking and hitting the ground.

Honey...

"Please stop! I've had enough! Just stop!"

At this point, I couldn't even get angry anymore. I felt weak just from listening to the voices. I felt weakened by their insults.

"Piece of shit!"

"Fucker!"

"Cockroach!"

"Rat!"

"Useless slave!"

"Slave!"

Once again they began chanting the same word in unison.

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Slave!"

"Enough!" I yelled.

I heard birds fly away, twittering down at me angrily, or at least that's what it sounded like.

Hone-

Ira's words were interrupted by a new voice.

"Get up," the voice whispered in my ear.

It was the voice of a man, deep, and calming. Somehow the voice reminded me of something...

...

...

...

That's it!

It was the same voice I had heard when I was pinned to the ground by Terror after I first left the village. The voice that said: "Interesting." Then it had been quieter and more... voiceless... but now that I had heard this voice it was clear that it was the same. But who did it belong to? It was a voice that had instantly calmed me down. The other voices had stopped chanting and bombarding me with insults.

My breathing was still heavy and I had a bad taste in my mouth but at least I was now able to get up.

"W-Who are you? Where... where are you?" I asked, looking around.

I got no answer and all I could see were winds blowing in the wind.

Honey, you alright?

Y-Yes, I think so.

I looked down at the ankle I had twisted. I only now noticed that it hurt like hell.

Guess running is out of the question for now... Shit!

I leaned against a tree and lifted myself up by holding onto a branch. I began hobbling from tree to tree. Using them as support. What a shitty situation this was. If I were to run into anything right now... if I were to run into Terror now... I'd die. My only option was to hurry. The whole situation did give me a bad feeling in my stomach. It felt wrong. Why did the voices disappear now? Who told me to get up? Why was I able to when he told me?

I slapped myself.

No use thinking about all that now... I just... just need to find a magical creature that can give me more magic... that's right. I need more magic. I need to kill Terror. Yes, that's right. Just focus on that Alt, just focus on that.

My ankle hurt more and more.

Ignore the pain, focus on the task at hand Alt, yes, yes, good that's right.

I continued onwards. But the bad feeling didn't stop there. It was almost like the forest was a straight path. As if it was trying to lead me somewhere.

Be careful... something has changed.

Right.

Was it the one that talked to me? Who could have changed the entire forest... and why?

I continued hobbling from tree to tree until I heard something. It sounded like wolves and... and there was another sound. I could hear the weak call of a raven or a crow or something like that.