MTMLF CH 19

Chapter 19

The Forest Residents

Jaina thought maybe she should accept Rupert’s help.

Even if the forest residents were dangerous, Rupert was a beastman—a very strong one, strong enough to need a Purifier to keep his power in check.

If she met them with him by her side, she might be safe.

‘…I guess I don’t have a choice.’

She didn’t like owing him a favor, but there was no other way. After telling Ella to stay quietly inside the house, Jaina stepped out to the yard.

Just then—bang, bang!—someone knocked loudly at the front gate.

“Who is it?”

Could it be Noah and Felix? But they had just left… what now?

Puzzled, Jaina reached for the gate. But before she could touch it—

“Woof! Grrr!”

“Ah!”

Rupert barked sharply, stopping her. She quickly pulled her hand back. What was she thinking?

Even if she thought it was Noah, she shouldn’t have opened the gate so carelessly.

She turned to Rupert. If he hadn’t warned her, something bad might have happened.

“Thanks, Rupert.”

“Woof.”

He gave her a look, as if calling her foolish. Now that she knew he was a beastman, Jaina could really sense the meaning in his eyes.

‘So he’s been giving me that look all along…’

Feeling awkward, Jaina turned back and called out.

“Who’s there?”

A gentle voice answered from beyond the gate.

“It’s me, Sara.”

“Oh? What brings you here?”

Sara—one of the forest residents. Jaina stiffened.

“I was passing by and saw a monster’s corpse nearby. I came to check if you were alright.”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Jaina nodded. Then the voice asked again:

“Could you open the gate? I also brought you something.”

“Ah… um…”

Jaina hesitated, unsure. Just then she felt Rupert pressing against her leg.

“…”

He stood firmly beside her, making her feel strangely safe.

‘Yes… if Rupert is with me, I’ll be okay.’

Taking a deep breath, Jaina opened the gate.

Creak.

“Hello.”

“Oh, Jaina! I thought something terrible had happened.”

“Ha-ha, no, I’m alright.”

Sara, with her warm smile, scanned Jaina carefully.

Normally, Jaina would have been touched by her concern. But ever since finding that suspicious note, she only felt uneasy.

“Did you see the lake? So many monsters were lying dead there.”

“Oh, really?”

“You wouldn’t know, since you never go that far.”

“Yes…”

Jaina forced herself to play dumb. But her throat tightened, remembering the horrible scene at the lake.

What haunted her most wasn’t almost dying—it was watching Rupert slaughter those monsters so brutally.

Sara’s eyes fell on Rupert, sitting calmly by Jaina’s feet.

“Oh my, a wolf?”

“Ah…”

She startled, noticing him. There were monsters in the forest, but not predators like wolves—so of course she was surprised.

“He was hurt and collapsed near my house. I think he’s from outside the forest. Maybe monsters attacked him.”

“I see…”

But Sara kept staring at Rupert with a displeased look. Sensing it, Rupert let out a low growl.

“Grrr.”

“Ru—no, Alex, don’t.”

Jaina quickly corrected herself. The residents were wary of predators, especially since they lived in the Beastman Empire. Of course they would be cautious.

“Be careful, Jaina. No matter how tame it seems, a predator is still a predator.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Even with a leash, don’t let your guard down.”

Sara looked down at Rupert firmly. He bared his teeth again.

“See? So aggressive.”

“Haha… he’s not usually like this…”

Jaina pretended to scold him but didn’t push him away. Sara’s brown eyes narrowed.

“Remember my words. I’m only saying this for your sake.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Forcing a smile, Jaina nodded. Sara’s expression softened as she held out a basket.

“And this is bread I baked. Fresh and warm.”

“Thank you.”

Steam was still rising through the cloth.

It looked delicious, but Jaina couldn’t shake her unease.

“I’ll enjoy it.”

She smiled politely.

“Then I’ll go. See you next time.”

“Yes, Sara. Take care.”

After sending Sara off, Jaina shut the gate and let out a long breath.

“Whew…”

Her hand trembled slightly as she held the basket.

“Woof!”

“Ah…”

Rupert barked again, pulling her back to reality. Jaina smiled faintly at him.

“Thank you. I wasn’t scared at all because of you.”

“…”

She hadn’t told him about the note she found in the storage room, but somehow Rupert had shown open hostility toward Sara anyway.

Did he sense it instinctively?

‘…I’ll have to be even more careful.’

She decided she couldn’t eat the bread. It wasn’t the bread’s fault, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust it.

“Tonight I’ll give you double—jerky and sausage.”

“Woof!”

Since she hadn’t been able to hunt yesterday, she’d have to use stored food: jerky, cheese, and hard bread. Not ideal, but safer than suspicious bread. She set the basket aside and pulled out other food.

***

That night, Jaina dreamed.

She was walking through the forest. The cold night air filled her lungs. The damp smell of leaves was so vivid it didn’t even feel like a dream.

Her steps wobbled strangely… and suddenly, she opened her eyes.

“Wha—?”

Her hands were tied behind her back with white cloth. Her ankles too.

“W-what… why?”

In just her nightgown, the cold air bit into her skin. She shivered, realizing she was deep in the forest. In front of her, a campfire burned. Something was wrong.

“She’s awake.”

“!”

A heavy voice spoke. She turned—and saw Max, Sara’s husband. His navy hair was slicked back as he walked toward her.

“M-Max? What are you doing?!”

“Stay still. I’ll untie you soon.”

“What?”

His voice was kind, but that only made it creepier. The neighbor she thought was gentle had kidnapped her, tied her up, and yet spoke so calmly.

“Let me go! Rupert! Rupert!!”

Jaina shouted desperately, her voice echoing through the forest. Surely Rupert would notice she was missing. Surely he was looking for her right now.

She believed in him. Yet, he didn’t appear.

“Haha… are you really relying on that beastman?”

“…How do you…?”

Sara had thought Rupert was just a wolf.

She never told Max otherwise. Unless… did they already know the truth?

“Who… who are you people?”

Maybe Sara had known from the start that Rupert wasn’t an ordinary wolf.

Normal people couldn’t just tell a beastman apart.

“Calm down, Jaina. We only want to protect you.”

“Protect me?! You kidnapped me! Let me go!”

Her angry shouts didn’t move him. More residents stepped out of the shadows.

“Should we put her back to sleep?”

“The ritual isn’t ready yet.”

“Don’t say too much. She won’t remember anyway.”

Their strange words made her dizzy. A ritual? Forget everything? What were they talking about?

“T-then… what are you planning to do to me?”

Sara pushed Max aside and leaned close with a sweet smile.

“You’ll never leave this place, Jaina.”

“…”

Her face was the same gentle smile from earlier—but now Jaina felt only overwhelming terror.