Chapter 8
I Became Free
The moment I stepped outside the room, the mansion—usually so quiet—was in an uproar.
I immediately heightened my guard and hid myself.
“Lord Idrish!”
Oh no. That’s Bigus’s voice!
From the way he was shouting loudly and making a fuss, it seemed he had already noticed I was gone.
He must have brought the food in and realized right away that I wasn’t there. I thought he was clueless, but he’s surprisingly quick.
What a shame. If he hadn’t noticed just this once, I could have bought time until dinner.
But wishing for that now was pointless.
I ran at full speed.
The tension made my hands and feet tingle. It felt like blood was rushing wildly through every vein.
“Huff… haah… it’s been a while since I ran on two legs—I’m dying!”
Thankfully, there weren’t many servants in the mansion.
I had to pass by a few people, but since the place was so large, it wasn’t too difficult.
According to plan, I escaped the mansion and safely slipped into the forest.
I was already out of breath. I hid behind a tree for a moment to catch it.
“No, I can’t stop yet. If it’s Idrish, he’ll catch up soon. I’ll keep running even if my lungs burst—until I reach the raccoon territory!”
I pushed myself up again.
I kept running and walking for a long time.
Even when I slowed down, I never truly stopped.
Thanks to that, I safely reached a village.
This place was Nerun Territory, where raccoon beastmen lived.
Calling it a “territory” was an exaggeration—it was closer to a village.
I carefully looked around.
A small stream flowed gently on one side, with houses lined up along it. Since the raccoon beastmen were small, the houses were modest and mostly single-story.
The village was lively.
Women hung laundry outside while chatting endlessly, and children laughed as they splashed in the stream.
It was a peaceful countryside scene.
But the more peaceful it was, the more a stranger stood out.
Staying alert, I headed to the train station.
The station was crowded with people carrying large luggage.
If Idrish came looking for me, this would be the first place he’d check—so the more people, the better for me.
I went straight to the ticket counter.
“I’d like to buy a ticket for the earliest departing train.”
“There’s only one train a day. Tomorrow at 4 PM.”
Damn.
But I had no other choice, so I bought a ticket for tomorrow.
I just had to survive one day.
Since things were going smoothly, I relaxed a little.
As soon as I loosened my stiff shoulders, hunger hit me all at once.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten anything today—and I could smell something delicious nearby.
As if enchanted, I followed the scent.
It led to a small shop attached to the station. People were buying simple food and eating at wooden tables outside. Most seemed to be having a quick meal before boarding the train.
Maybe I should eat something light too?
I couldn’t starve until tomorrow, but I also couldn’t sit properly in a restaurant.
Half hypnotized by the smell, I made my decision.
I bought a chicken roll and sat in a corner, quickly stuffing it into my mouth.
“Cough!”
I’m choking!
I pounded my chest and reached for a drink—but instead of a cup, I grabbed someone’s hand.
The moment I looked up and met his eyes, all the blood drained from my body.
“May I sit at this table?”
It was Idrish—wearing a hood, staring down at me with glowing eyes.
My whole body froze.
The chicken roll I was chewing might as well have turned into a stone—it wouldn’t go down.
Damn it. How did he find me so fast?
No—more importantly, how did he recognize me at a glance?
Yes, that night when I saved him, he said he vaguely saw me…
But he wasn’t even sure if it was a dream.
And back then, I looked completely different—bare, with my hair loose.
Now I looked like a poorly dressed, small raccoon beastman.
My heart pounded wildly—so loud it felt like he could hear it.
No… maybe he’s not certain. Maybe that’s why he’s testing me like this.
If he were sure I was the hedgehog, he’d have skinned me already.
So I had to act calm.
“Since you didn’t answer, I’ll take that as permission.”
Idrish sat down across from me, crossing his legs leisurely.
His movements felt slow—too slow.
Stand up naturally. Calmly. Like nothing’s wrong…
“Y-yes, of course. Please sit. I’m done eating anyway, so I’ll be going…”
“There’s still plenty left.”
He gestured at my chicken roll. I hadn’t even eaten half.
“My stomach suddenly feels bad. Haha… where’s the restroom?”
I forced a smile. I wasn’t even sure it looked like one.
Idrish’s expression didn’t change.
Instead, he spoke slowly.
“You don’t seem to be from around here.”
Damn it. Sweat ran down my back.
“N-no? I am from here.”
“Then you don’t know where the station restroom is?”
Do I really need to know that?
Well… this village is small. It would be strange not to.
“I’m forgetful. Anyway, I really need to go, so I’ll excuse myself before I embarrass myself. Enjoy your meal.”
I stood up quickly—too quickly.
My leg hit the table, making it rattle loudly.
Startled, I froze and glanced at Idrish.
His predator-like eyes were locked onto me, unmoving.
I felt like I was caught in a snare.
Then—
The corner of his lips curled upward in a chilling smile.
At that moment, I knew.
I didn’t know how—but Idrish was certain.
That I was the hedgehog.
Damn it. Run!
Like a compressed spring snapping free, I kicked off the ground.
Idrish stood up instantly and chased after me.
I knocked over tables as I sprinted, bursting through a heavy wooden door without even thinking where I was going.
Before the door could even close, Idrish came out after me.
“Aaaah! Why is he so fast?!”
Of course he is. If a white tiger were slower than a hedgehog, it wouldn’t be a tiger—it’d be a worm.
“Move! Move!”
I weaved through people, running as fast as I could.
When I looked back, Idrish was right behind me.
I knocked things over and threw objects behind me, but he simply leapt over them like obstacles.
His furious face was getting closer in real time.
This… this is what prey feels like being chased by a predator! Damn it!
Then—
A train blasted its horn.
Ahead of me, I saw the tracks—and a train just starting to move, releasing thick white steam.
“Night Chestnut!”
Idrish’s shout sounded right behind me.
No choice!
There was only one way.
I ran straight toward the tracks.
“Ahh! Is that person crazy?!”
“Someone stop her!”
As I jumped onto the tracks, people screamed.
HOOOOONK!
The train blared its horn as it saw me.
In that brief moment, the front of the train grew larger and larger.
If I hesitated even a little, I’d be crushed to pieces.
The recoil knocked my hat off onto the tracks.
No time to pick it up. No time to look back.
My hair scattered wildly, blocking my vision.
I pushed off the ground with everything I had.
Please—please!
That was the only thing in my mind.
My body lifted, carried forward—
Just barely, my toes touched the other side of the tracks.
I lived.
I turned back.
On the other side stood Idrish, staring at me like he would devour me.
My long hair whipped in the wind.
The next moment—
The train roared between us.
Hissss—!
Standing before the long passing train, I finally caught my breath.
“Haa… haa… haa…”
My heart felt like it would explode. My lips were dry, and my pulse pounded louder than the train.
But I couldn’t stop.
I had to get away before the train passed.
Without resting, I turned and ran again.
I kept walking without stopping.
I was completely exhausted.
Losing my hat was especially troublesome.
“Red hair is way too noticeable…”
At this rate, if Idrish asked, “Have you seen a red-haired girl?” everyone would point him straight to me.
But I couldn’t just turn into a hedgehog and hide either.
These clothes weren’t made with my fur or spikes—if I transformed, I might end up naked when I turned back.
“Should I buy a hat? I barely have any money left…”
I had a few gold-trimmed buttons, but I couldn’t afford to exchange them openly here.
“Yeah… I can’t get caught by Idrish. A hat comes first.”
Holding back tears, I entered a hat shop and bought the cheapest one.
It cost 3 bronze coins, but after pleading, I got a discount.
When I left the shop, my hair was hidden—but my pocket was nearly empty.
Grrr…
My stomach growled loudly.
I had only taken a few bites of the chicken roll earlier. Running had made me even hungrier.
“Wasn’t a skewer just 1 bronze? Even one would save me…”
I scanned the ground carefully.
Then—
Something silver glinted in the distance.
M-money!
I ran toward it.
The closer I got, the more certain I became.
That’s a silver coin! Ten skewers!
I could already taste it.
But the moment I reached out—
I crashed straight into someone.
