“To become human…”

Red had the same train of thought too, but she never once thought about killing a human and wearing their skin to become them.

She knew what it was like to live as a Corrupted. It was entirely different from the free will that humans possessed. But if these were the ‘Origins’ of the Corrupted, then weren’t these the thoughts of once living things?

Indeed, Red gradually came to understand that the thoughts of the living were the Origins of the Corrupted.

“Trauma. But I can’t see how a tree can talk. Unless it’s a Verdanian? The tree people?” Red scratched her head quizzically. “Aaaaah. I don’t know what to think. It makes sense, I guess. Anids and Healers make up the story of the Still Unmoved, Still Unloved and the Still Unloving.”

Still, a part of her could not help but pity the Corrupted here in the Forest of Everlasting Envy. She understood the agony of being incapable of changing.

“Nex can show me all of that. I wonder if something like that…”

‘Created me’.

Red dismissed this thought immediately and focused on the approaching cave entrance.

She peered in and was greeted by the sight of a resting Mr. Huntsman and a shivering Snow.

“Huh? Wel, what. Do. We. Have. Here~! Hey friends –!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” A distant Rock Bug screamed.

“I mean.” Red readjusted her tone to a whisper as she snuck on her toes. “Hello friends~”

“Red…?” Snow was barely able to speak.

“Ah – Are you hurt?”

“Not… really. It’s just that…”

“Hey, you left your diary here –”

Snow’s eyes widened the moment Red noticed that her diary was wide open. She immediately used the last of her energy to snatch her book and return it into a tear in space; her Dimensional Storage.

“S-Sorry… You’re not allowed… ugh…”

However, Red was at least able to catch a glimpse of it.

???

< ??? >

//////// < WARNING > ////////

< You do not have the relevant Skills or Stats to view this >

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

//////// < EXTREME WARNING > ////////

< Touching this item may result in immediate Ego Death >

Ego Death

< The utter loss of one’s sense of Self. You will become a Shell >

Shell

< Individuals who have lost their ego and sense of self. They exist as husks of their former selves >

It was the first time Red was greeted with an ‘Extreme Warning’ prompt. The fact that Snow was able to handle it was equally as mysterious as the item itself.

“… Snow…” Red softly spoke as she slumped down to the side of her head. “Are you ok?”

“I’m just… tired.” Snow smiled assumingly.

She reached up to caress the face of Red, confirming to herself that this was not a dream.

“I thought... you died. Ahaha… I’m glad you’re still here.”

“There isn’t anyone who can take down the one and only Vengeful Red~”

“No one at all. Hey… Red… You saw it, didn’t you?”

“Urgh…”

Snow knew that Red could see stats and analyze objects.

She was a Blessed, after all. This meant that she would have seen the prompt regarding the anomaly that was her diary. Red didn’t want to admit this. If it was supposed to be a secret, then she didn’t want to ruin her friendship with Snow.

Therefore, Red chose to keep her mouth shut.

But Snow saw right threw her and continued to smile.

“I’m not angry.”

“You are!” Red whispered harshly. Then, she blankly blinked and wore a confused face. “Eh? Wait, you’re not?”

“It was only a matter of time before someone found out. It’s a special book that I’ve had since I was just a little girl. My very own book… my one and only companion. Red. Can you keep it a secret?”

“Easily~” Red’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Hehehe~ It’s our secret now.”

“Geez… I don’t know whether to feel grateful or afraid. Haaaah. Aren’t you going to ask about what my diary is for?”

“For journaling how your day went?”

“Ahaha… Well… it’s something like that. Yeah. It’s just like that.” Snow giggled as softly squeezed Red’s cheek. “Ah… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was hoping you’d come headpat me. Look. I brought food.”

Red pointed back at the dead Rock Bug sitting at the entrance of the cave. Snow’s expression shifted from pain to mild concern. She slowly pushed herself up and clasped onto Red’s shoulders.

“You didn’t eat those, did you…?”

“Huh? Why not? They’re edible, right? Poisonous, but still edible.”

* * *

Suddenly, Snow regained a surge of energy. Fear brimmed in her eyes as her lips trembled.

“Red – please no – not you too!”

She pushed Red down onto the cold floor and began studying her body. First, she peeled her eyelids open, checked her teeth, her neck, and then the color of her fingertips.

“Nothing…? Are you sure you ate it!?”

“I did. I ate a bit though. But I guess I’m immune to the poison. That’s what the voice in my head is saying, right?”

< Indeed >

“They agree too!”

Snow would have chalked Red up to be a nutcase. But the fact that she was still alive and had black blood on her lips confirmed that she was telling the truth.

Despite this – she did not show signs of an infection.

Merely consuming the Envious Brambles could transform one into a Bitter Thorn. Snow only knew this because…

No. I shouldn’t tell her. I don’t know if I can trust her yet. If she knew…

Snow gazed into those crimson eyes and swallowed.

… then will she be able to look at me the same way?

Despite how hard she tried to scrutinize this little red ball of craziness, she could not find it in her heart to doubt her. Not after Red nearly lost her life holding back the monsters to let the villager escape.

Snow was about to pull away, but Red reached up to pat her head.

“I’m sure you have your reasons to doubt me. But it’s ok as long as I still get to be your friend.”

Her sincerity was childlike. But her conviction was beyond any adult Snow had come across. Since she was so close, she couldn’t help but notice that Red had grown a bit compared to the last time she saw her.

Wait. How did she grow this much in such a short amount of time?

Indeed.

The tiny Red who had the appearance of a late adolescent was closer to a young adult now.