As I run, my small heart is pounding in my chest, and my breath is coming in short, rapid gasps.

I'm scared.

The angry shouts of the villagers echo in my mind, mixing with my own breathless gasps.

I don't dare look back, fearing that if I do, I might see the angry mob chasing after me.

...!

My small, frightened mind is struggling to make sense of what just happened.

They thought I was a thief.

...All because I'm a demi-human.

As I step into the dense forest, the air feels like a dark, heavy blanket pressing down on my shoulders.

It's heavy with the overpowering reek of decomposing plants and the stale smell of decay. The trees here are contorted and misshapen, their branches like twisted hands reaching for the heavens.

Lifeless eyes seem to follow me as I navigate the maze of tangled branches and thorny vines.

"Where am I?"

I shiver, my tail swishing nervously behind me.

An eerie, misty haze clings to the path, its cold tendrils swirling around my ankles.

This place... It's sinister.

It feels… lifeless.

Sensing danger, my kitsune ears perk up, kicking into high alert.

"I have to get out of here,"

There's a sense of dread knotting in my stomach as I pick up speed.

Every part of me wants to turn back, but I take a deep breath and push forward.

I run as fast as my small legs can carry me, trying not to trip over exposed roots and slippery leaves.

I don't know if my parents went this way, but I don't want to turn back in case the villagers are chasing me.

"I… I have to escape from this terrible place," I whisper to myself, my hand clutching at my chest as I try to steady my breath.

That's when I see someone ahead.

"That's..."

It's the girl from the village, the one who stole the bread. She's backed against a tree, her eyes narrowed in calm assessment as she faces a group of small, wiry creatures with green skin and grotesque features.

As I take in the scene, I recognize these creatures from the anime I've watched and the manga I've read. They're goblins—small, green-skinned humanoids with pointed ears and sharp teeth. Known to be cowardly when alone, they rely on numbers when hunting.

But it's not just their hunting habits that make my blood run cold. I remember the stories—the way they take pleasure in tormenting their captives, especially girls. The things they do… the torment, the rape, the unspeakable acts… it's all rushing back to me now, sending a wave of nausea crashing through me.

I can't believe they're real!

‒‒‒‒There's six of them, wielding rusty swords and clubs.

Their yellow eyes glare with an unnatural light, filled with a ravenous hunger.

I'm stunned for a moment, watching the scene unfold in front of me.

The girl's composure is unnerving; she doesn't seem afraid, but rather calculating, as if she's weighing her options against these monstrous foes.

...What should I do?

"No… I can't!"

My fear intensifies as I picture the gruesome fate awaiting me.

If I die again, I'll lose everything!

My parents… My memories… Everything I’ve been through will be lost forever!

‒‒‒‒I must survive!

Besides‒‒‒‒It's her own fault.

Why should I risk my own life to save someone who was willing to steal from others?

No, I'll just keep my distance and get away from here.

"I just need to escape this terrible place…"

Watching the girl face the goblins head on, I hear a faint whisper in my mind.

"A true warrior's power flows not from the blade in their hand, but the boundless resolve within their heart and spirit."

I remember the way grandpa used to say it.

...!

It's a lesson I must never forget...

That's why I defied my mother, Hanae.

Because I didn't want to live under her shadow, I... I wanted to stand on my own two feet.

...!

For a moment, I see my grandpa's words reflected in her resolute expression.

‒‒‒‒I can't just leave her to die.

Whatever her reason was for stealing that bread, I can't just turn a blind eye to her current situation.

She's only a child, much like me, probably around the same age as me.

And therefore▬▬▬▬

...I need to help her.

Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and steel myself to confront the goblins.