Chapter 24: Becoming a Prey
“Cursed… earth spirit?”
Dior nodded once, brushing ash from his sleeve.
“That mark on the forehead suggests a Beast Taming ability.”
“That whole thing was a cursed spirit’s skill?” Ryl gasped.
“Yes,” Dior said, rising to his feet with unsettling calm. “And that means only one thing.”
He glanced into the dark forest, eyes sharp.
“The mark’s owner is nearby.”
“N-near…?” Ryl stammered, instinctively taking a step back. “Then we should leave. Like. Immediately.”
“You’re right,” Aspen said firmly, already turning. “Let’s report this to the guild.”
For once, no one argued.
The guild erupted the moment the words cursed spirit left Aspen’s mouth.
“That’s impossible!”
“In a village this small?”
Fear spread like wildfire through the hall. Chairs scraped. Whispers overlapped.
“We thought it was just wild beasts…” a guild employee swallowed hard. “But a cursed spirit…?”
“We don't have Wielders here since this village is small. We need to ask the neighbouring town for help.
A letter was written in a hurry, sealed with trembling fingers, and tied to a messenger bird. With a sharp cry, it vanished into the darkening sky.
The three stepped out of the guild.
Aspen slowed, gaze lifting to the sky. “I hope help arrives soon.”
The sky was moonless. Clouds drifted lazily, insects chirping as if nothing was wrong—unaware of the danger slithering ever closer.
Aspen and Dior walked ahead.
Ryl trailed behind, hands resting behind his head.
“So,” he said lightly, “What are we having for dinner?”
“How about curry rice?” Aspen replied.
Swish.
Something moved behind them.
Fast. Silent.
“It’s been a long time,” Aspen added, glancing sideways.
“Dior, what do you say?”
“If it can be chewed and swallowed and won’t kill me, I’ll eat it.” Dior muttered.
“Ahaha…” Aspen’s smile twitched.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“And what about you, Ryl?”
No answer.
“…Ryl?”
They turned.
Empty space.
Aspen’s breath hitched. “Ryl?!”
Dior sighed, rubbing his temple. “Of course.”
_ _ _
“Th-this will make my mistress very happy!”
Branches snapped as a massive creature thundered through the forest, earth shaking beneath each step.
A frozen human dangled from its jaws, eyes wide with terror.
“What’s… happening…?” he muttered.
It was obviously… Ryl.
The Redwood Bear surged forward, bark-like fur bristling, a strange symbol glowing faintly on its forehead.
Realisation struck.
“YOU FURRY SACK!!” Ryl screamed, flailing wildly. “LET ME GO!! YOU WON’T EVEN GAIN A MUSCLE EATING ME!!”
“Shut up, human!” the bear snarled.
“I’m not the one who’s going to eat you.”
“HOW IS THAT ANY DIFFERENT?!!!” Ryl shrieked. “THAT STILL MEANS I DIE!!”
He jerked hard—fabric tore—and he tumbled onto the forest floor, rolling painfully.
“Stupid!” the bear growled, looming over him.
“Come quietly, or else.”
“Y-you're thinking l-l-lowly of me!” Ryl lifted his head shakily.
“I—I’m stronger than you think!”
“Huh?”
“I’m stronger than you at shouting!”
“What—”
“HELP MEEEEE!! ANYONE!! THE BEAR IS ASSAULTING ME!!
His scream echoed through the forest.
Then… silence.
The bear smirked. “There’s no one.”
The shadow loomed closer. Ryl’s legs trembled, tears burning his eyes.
“PLEASE SAVE MEEE!!”
KREEEEE—AR!
A gust of wind sliced down. Bolt landed on a nearby rock.
“Bolt!” Ryl cried, wiping his tears with shaking hands. “Tear this beast into shreds!!”
Bolt scoffed. “I won’t.”
Ryl froze. “Why not? I’m your !”
“You barely feed me,” Bolt snapped, turning away. “You’re calling a master.”
The words stabbed deeper than any claw.
“Thirty…” Ryl whispered desperately. “I’ll give you THIRTY sausages if you kill it.”
Bolt’s eyes gleamed.
“You swear?”
Ryl nodded furiously.
“Then prepare yourself, you idiotic beast!” Bolt shouted, diving.
“I shall rip—!”
Flap.
The bear swatted Bolt aside like an insect.
“BOLT!!” Ryl screamed.
“Hmph,” the bear growled, claws gleaming as it stepped closer. “Felt like a feather.”
_ _ _
Aspen stopped abruptly.
“Where’s he?”
Dior didn’t answer immediately. His eyes scanned the forest floor, sharp and calculating.
“Look,” he said at last, pointing.
Deep claw marks gouged the earth, ripping through soil and roots alike, leading deeper into the forest like a trail left behind.
Aspen’s chest tightened. He knelt, fingers brushing over disturbed leaves—then froze.
A dagger lay half-buried in the dirt.
“…This one is Ryl’s.”
His grip clenched so hard his knuckles whitened.
“Let’s follow it,” Dior said coolly, already stepping forward as if the danger only irritated him.
Aspen placed it in his bag and bolted after him.
_ _ _
Ryl stared up at the towering bear.
“…Fine,” he said weakly. “I give up.”
The Redwood Bear’s lips curled into a smug grin.
“But don’t carry me in your mouth,” Ryl added quickly. “It stinks.”
“Stinks…?” The bear paused, offended. It leaned back and sniffed loudly. “I clean my mouth after every meal!!”
“Sure, sure,” Ryl waved him off, standing shakily and dusting his clothes. “Aren’t you in a hurry?”
The bear blinked. “Yes?”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
“Y-yes! I—I can carry you on my back!”
“That’ll be better.”
The bear lowered itself awkwardly. Ryl climbed on, wincing.
“Go slowly,” Ryl muttered. “You know, I’m injured.”
“Yes!” the bear replied, already moving. “…Why am I even listening to him?”
The ground thudded with every heavy step, trees blurring past.
Ryl squinted. “Hey… this is actually nice! You’re a smooth runner!”
“Hmph,” the bear huffed proudly. “That’s my specialty. I’m fast even though I weigh a lot.”
“That’s really cool! And wait—”
Ryl froze.
“HOW CAN A BEAST TALK?!!!”
_ _ _
Time passed…
The forest thinned.
Then—
The mansion loomed ahead.
Ryl’s stomach twisted uneasily.
As they drew closer, he noticed the bear’s body more clearly.
Old scars. Fresh wounds. Marks of punishment—deep, deliberate, cruel.
he thought.
The bear carried him straight inside, up creaking stairs, and into an upper room.
“You’re late,” a calm voice said.
The room was unnervingly clean. Ordered. Almost peaceful.
A woman stood near the window, gazing at the sky. Green hair spilled down her back, tangled with leaves and twigs as if the forest itself clung to her.
“Beautiful…” Ryl whispered before he could stop himself.
The bear collapsed on the ground. “M-mistress! I apologize! But I brought prey!”
“Late… and talkative,” she replied coolly.
She raised a single finger.
Leaves tore free from distant trees, slicing through the room like blades, carving deep into the bear’s body.
“ARRRGH!!”
The beast howled, crashing to the floor, rolling in agony.
“M-Mistress! P-Please forgive me!” it sobbed. “I won’t repeat it—I swear!”
“For now,” she said, still facing the window, “that punishment will suffice.”
Then she turned.
Her irises narrowed into slits. Veins spider-webbed outward. A curved line sliced through each pupil, like a scar etched into her very gaze.
Her body was wrapped in leaves, twigs, and branches—an unnatural crown of nature that made her look less human… and far more dangerous.
Ryl forgot how to breathe.
Her eyes locked onto his.
“It’s… not bad,” she smirked.
Woosh.
In a blink, she was behind him.
Her hand settled on his shoulder.
Cold.
Very cold.
So cold it felt like his blood recoiled.
“You’re the prettiest prey I’ve ever had,” she whispered, gently lifting his chin. “And you even smell pleasant.”
Ryl gulped.
He tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
His throat locked, lungs refusing to obey.
She glided in front of him, movements smooth and effortless.
“And since you’re pretty…” she murmured softly, dangerously, “…I’ll first break you into pieces—then absorb every single cell of yours.”
Ryl’s breath shattered into shallow gasps.
His legs gave way.
He stumbled backward, terror draining the strength from his body as her shadow swallowed him whole.
*****
Chapter 25: Against the Cursed Spirit
