A sharp pain struck me when his claw pierced my leg, dragging me out of the bush. His gaze became increasingly curious as I did not show the expected reaction of prey.
It seemed like it was the first time he had seen such a reaction...
His gaze lowered to my frightened but unyielding face on the ground. It was a strange feeling to be observed in this way.
A mutual sense of intrigue. Honestly, this situation was something new for both of us.
I thought that when that moment came, I would simply accept death. After all, money had always been the problem, and my family would no longer have to worry about that, given the compensation they would receive for my death, but...
So this is what it means to cling to life? Of course, I didn't want to die. Who does? But I didn't think I would cling to my life so much when the time came.
I always thought that getting out alive was a bonus, so why am I looking around so desperately, searching for a way to live?!
Come on... Just give up.
.
.
.
The creature continued to poke me with its beak, curious. Despite this, its claws dug into my stomach!
It was getting impatient and irritated with the situation...
Yeah. I understand you, creature...
Because...
Why haven't I given up yet?
Even when its claws tore my stomach, that damn false hope didn't die!
No one will come... Damn it!
[The Mal Sádico constellation smiles at you.]
[The constellation likes your lucidity. She says you would make an excellent toy.]
[You suffer well. She says]
[The constellation presents you with — Rite of Flesh and Blood.]
I couldn't even pay attention to the messages in front of me. My eyes rolled back with the flood of information forced into my mind!
I lost consciousness... Maybe for a few seconds, waking up with an indescribable pain in my right eye...
My fingers sank into the soft, pulsating flesh. A warm, moist sensation...
The creature simply looked down at me with my eye between its beak. Clearly amused, before swallowing it...
Its next target was my open stomach...
But it wasn't that which caught my attention amid the pain, but rather its gaze... It had lost any trace of childishness, shining with a mischievous and cruel gleam...
[The constellation smiles maliciously.]
[Entertain me.]
Shit. Are you friend or foe? I guess neither... Hehehe.
I think I'm going crazy. Laughing in this situation?
Well... It's all I have left, right?
My mind strangely cleared even more, despite the situation. Ignoring everything around me, I focused solely on the creature pecking at my stomach.
It was useless to think about the rest. I would probably die anyway, but I would take him with me if it came to that.
Ah, root for your father... Mother... I don't know, have a way to heal me, my friend...
Thinking about it, I advanced on the creature, the pain clouding my vision. My movements were abnormally weak, but despite that, I desperately stuck to it, taking it by surprise!
A loud squeal spread through the forest, making everything shake in response to the cry of pain.
A raw, wet sensation ran down my throat as the creature looked at me momentarily startled after throwing me to the ground.
Part of its cheek was missing. Blood dripped as I stared at it, spitting out a bloodstained white feather in disgust.
My injuries worsened with that. Half of my entrails were hanging out of my body. A rather disturbing sight...
So this was what a stomach looked like? Red, warm, and wet...
Yet satisfying too, as I grabbed a handful of that twisted, slimy mass and squeezed it tightly...
Immediately, the creature advancing toward me in anger stumbled and fell, squawking in pain!
His tearful and confused gaze returned to me as he got up, advancing again, but hesitantly this time...
Damn... I smiled as I squeezed my injured ribs, this time making him stagger and grunt in pain...
He was scared. His black irises gleamed with fear and confusion, yet a calm wind passed between us, soothing his gaze...
Finally. Here it was...
His black and white plumage.
Black claws with a metallic sheen.
His height truly worthy of the crown of feathers on his head, making the chick... Look exactly like that. A chick.
And his gaze...