Chapter 10
“Why Are You Kidnapping Me?”
So the person they said was more dangerous than Rodrio—and absolutely had to be eliminated… was me?
“Take care of the white tiger, and if possible, eliminate Cecilia Erizo as well.”
This is ridiculous!
All I want is to survive! Why am I supposedly more dangerous than Rodrio?!
As I fumed internally, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
…Is that why Idris didn’t kill me before? Because I’m somehow important?
But still—there was never any hedgehog beastman in the novel.
“Start the plan tomorrow. We’ll lure him into the forest.”
As he spoke, Ozar handed over an object wrapped in black cloth.
“Yes.”
After waiting until all sound completely disappeared, I slowly crawled out from the pile of trash.
My whole body smelled like garbage, but that didn’t matter right now.
“So… for some reason, the Serviyan family is trying to kill me too? And they’re going to kill Rodrio right now?”
A hollow sigh escaped me.
I had already run away, so I was relatively safe. Ozar hadn’t even recognized my face earlier.
I planned to take the train, cross the sea, and go to another country.
But Rodrio… had no way out.
I kicked a random stone lying on the ground.
My chest felt heavy.
I kept hearing his voice in my head.
With every step I took, my feet felt heavier.
“No… I still have to leave.”
What can a tiny hedgehog like me even do?
I couldn’t save Rodrio. I couldn’t stop the villains either.
That was his fate… his fate…
A sharp ache spread deep in my chest.
Every time his bright, innocent face came to mind, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Don’t think about it.
He’s just a supporting character in a novel.
That’s all.
—
I spent a restless night.
Miraculously, I didn’t run into Idris again, and before I knew it, it was time for the train.
Clutching my ticket tightly, I started walking.
As planned, I would leave.
Don’t think about anything else…
I hid in a small alley near the station, watching carefully.
There were just as many people as yesterday.
Even if it’s Idris, he’d stand out. There’s no way someone that big could hide.
But strangely… I didn’t see anyone like him.
Hooooo—
The whistle signaling five minutes before departure blew.
I checked that my belongings were safely tucked away, then pulled my hat down low.
I just need to run fast.
If I board the train before anyone notices me, I’ll be fine.
Forget everything here.
Idris… and…
Rodrio.
My heart pounded loudly.
One… two… three!
Run!
…That was the plan.
But for some reason, my body wouldn’t move.
Slowly, I turned around.
At the far end of the alley stood a massive black figure.
And that figure was slowly walking toward me.
Damn it—Idris!
Wearing a black hood and cloak, he looked even larger than usual—almost like a bear.
He walked forward silently.
That alone was enough to crush me with pressure.
It felt like a giant darkness was approaching.
I knew I had to run.
But I couldn’t move.
Before I knew it, he was right in front of me—like a wall.
Then, he casually grabbed the back of my neck and lifted me up.
—
“Tied up tight, tied up tight~”
I hummed a random tune that came to mind.
Of course, Idris gave me a weird look—but so what?
I’m already caught. It’s not like I need to care what he thinks!
“Um, you do realize this is kidnapping, right?”
“So? Are you going to report me?”
“It’s not impossible.”
The corner of Idris’s lips twisted upward.
“Go ahead. If you can escape.”
With that, he tightened the ropes binding me.
Then he dragged me into an unfamiliar building.
“Ahh!”
I was lightly thrown onto a bed.
It looked like an old, run-down inn—just one worn bed and a small bathroom.
Idris locked the wooden door.
“So what are you planning to do after dragging me here?”
No response.
That’s not good…
“Hello? So why exactly did you kidnap me?”
“Still pretending? Chestnut.”
“What even is ‘chestnut’? I just ran away because a huge guy like you was chasing me!”
“It’s late. We’ll stay here tonight and return tomorrow.”
With that, Idris lay down on the bed, resting his head on his arm, and closed his eyes.
Oh wow, you’re really going to ignore me?
Well, it’s not like I expected my excuses to work anyway.
“You’re seriously impossible to talk to…”
As I muttered, I quickly scanned the room.
Second floor.
A window facing the street.
If I could just untie these ropes, I might be able to escape through it.
“By the way, I’m actually a clean person. I can’t sleep unless I wash. I know I look like a mess right now, but that’s all because you chased me. Oh, and I had to buy a new hat because of you—you better pay me back later.”
Idris opened his eyes slightly and glared at me.
“I mean… could you untie me?”
I expected him to ignore me again.
But surprisingly, he sat up.
The old bed creaked loudly under his weight.
He walked toward me.
Even though we were both human right now, he was so tall I had to tilt my head way back to look at him.
He raised his hand.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
But instead of pain—
The ropes binding me loosened.
…He untied me?
That confident, huh?
Idris jerked his chin toward the bathroom.
“Oh—right, I should wash. I feel gross. Thanks for untying me!”
Before he could change his mind, I quickly ran into the bathroom.
Inside the cramped, shabby space, I splashed water onto the floor.
While making noise, I checked for an escape route.
No large window like in the room.
Just a small ventilation window.
But that was enough for me.
Why?
Because I’m a small animal.
Sure, there was a high chance Idris would catch me again—but I didn’t have the luxury of hesitating.
If I was going to end up skinned anyway, I might as well try.
I stacked a bucket under the window.
Then—
I transformed into a hedgehog and climbed up.
Wow… this is terrifying.
I couldn’t even see the ground clearly.
I won’t die, right?
I nudged my clothes—placed earlier—out the window.
Thud.
It didn’t sound too high.
Alright.
Let’s go.
This time, I’m really escaping.
Deep breath.
Then I curled up into a ball—chestnut mode—and threw myself out.
Free fall.
Wind rushed through my spines.
The strange sensation of losing gravity made me sick.
I wanted it to end quickly—
But also didn’t want to hit the ground.
Please… land on the clothes… don’t hurt…
Poof.
…Huh?
Instead of pain, I landed on something soft.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Damn it.
Even in the darkness, Idris’s yellow eyes glowed sharply.
He had my clothes draped over his head.
All strength left my body.
I went limp in his hand.
He tossed me back into the bathroom and threw a large piece of cloth over me.
“It’s made from your spines. Put it on. And don’t try to run again.”
On the verge of tears, I turned back into a human and put on the clothes.
“So you’ve seen my hedgehog form now… I can’t deny it anymore.”
Not that he ever believed me anyway—but having proof was a different level.
“…That escape attempt was way too reckless.”
But it was too late for regrets.
I must’ve panicked earlier.
Why did I jump there…?
Sigh.
What do I do now?
How am I supposed to survive?
While thinking, I tied the ribbon at my waist properly.
The dress fit perfectly, as if tailored for me.
Soft white fabric inside, green silk layered outside—long enough to reach my ankles.
It clearly looked expensive.
“This… has my spines in it?”
That meant I could transform and still keep my clothes.
I tested it—turned into a hedgehog, then back.
Unlike before, I didn’t end up naked.
“Wow… I don’t have to worry about being naked anymore!”
That was a huge advantage.
I could transform while escaping—
…Oh right.
I’m already caught.
My shoulders slumped.
I opened the bathroom door weakly.
Idris was standing, cleaning a sword.
“…So you’ve finally given up running?”
Why are you cleaning a sword all of a sudden…?
You’re not going to use that on me, right?
You didn’t go through all this trouble just to chop my head off… right?
Still… better assume the worst.
I quietly sat on the bed.
My long hair spread over the worn sheets.
“I won’t run anymore.”
“Why?”
“You’ll just catch me anyway.”
Idris smiled.
He sheathed the sword and finished cleaning it.
Then slowly walked toward me.
I swallowed hard and steadied myself.
