TWCT 03

Chapter 3

 Awakening and Introduction
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Morning light streamed through the forest, breaking into gentle beams between the leaves.
The campfire had nearly burned out, leaving only thin white smoke drifting lazily toward the sky.

A girl who had been sleeping with her head resting on my arm stirred faintly.

“…Mmm…”

Her eyes fluttered open—pale gold, softly shimmering in the morning light.

“…Where am I…?”

Takamiya Yuto: “In the forest… Are you alright?”

At my question, the girl slowly tried to sit up.
But she winced almost immediately and, as if collapsing, leaned back against my arm again.

“You’re the one who saved me… right?”

I hesitated for a moment, then pointed toward the wolf sitting quietly beside me.

Takamiya Yuto: “He’s the one who saved you.”

The girl blinked in surprise, then smiled gently.

“…Thank you.”

Even though the words were meant for the wolf, they reached me, leaving a quiet warmth in my chest.

◇

After a brief silence, the girl placed a hand over her heart and smiled faintly.

“My name is… Liene.”

The first time she spoke her name—there was something mysterious in her voice.

“I’d like to say I’m just a simple village girl, but… due to some circumstances, I ended up alone in the forest.”

A shadow passed over her expression.
But she quickly shook her head and smiled again.

“I’m sorry, I can’t explain everything right now. But… I do want to thank you properly.”

◇

At that moment, the wolf gave a low growl.
Liene’s expression turned serious as she looked straight into my eyes.

“I have a request… Please, take me with you.”

Takamiya Yuto: “…Are you sure you want to come with someone like me?”

“Yes. If it’s you.”

Her reply was firm, without hesitation.
I looked down, staring into the faint glow of the dying campfire.

“…Alright. But I don’t even know where I’m going yet.”

Liene’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

“That’s more than enough for me!”

◇

After answering her, silence fell again.
The fire crackled softly, sending thin wisps of smoke curling into the air.

Takamiya Yuto: “Still… being alone in a forest like this is dangerous, you know.”

Liene lowered her gaze and shrugged slightly.

“…I know. But… there wasn’t anywhere else I could go back to.”

She said no more than that.
But on her profile, I could clearly see the shadow of something she carried inside.

◇

By the time the sun had fully risen, Liene and I set out together.
The wolf walked ahead, pushing aside the thick undergrowth to clear a path for us.

“…Amazing. A creature like that obeying you… I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Liene watched the wolf with wonder.
I gave a sheepish smile and replied.

Takamiya Yuto: “Honestly, I don’t really get it myself. One day I just noticed… it was following my orders on its own.”

Liene giggled softly.

“Hehe… Even so, it’s reassuring.”

◇

As we continued walking, I spotted a column of smoke rising in the distance.
Wooden houses scattered across a clearing—signs of human life.

“…A village,” Liene murmured.

At her words, I instinctively straightened my back.

A place I didn’t know, filled with people I’d never met.
What kind of reaction would my strange skill bring this time…?
The answer was already drawing near.

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Afterword

Thank you so much for reading up to this point!
In this third chapter, we saw Liene and Yuto leave the forest together, heading toward their first village.

In the next chapter, through their encounters with the villagers, the true nature—and danger—of Yuto’s ability to “enslave everyone he meets” will finally begin to reveal itself.
Please look forward to it!