How many times is this going to happen?

My mind is a groggy mess once again as I open my eyes. Facing up, I see the dirt ceiling above me. Remembering that I’m in the cramped den, I sit up. Looking around, I notice the small figure sitting next to me. Now that I’m focusing on them, I see that it’s a tiny woman. Her hair is long and tumbles down her shoulders in waves. It’s white, like mine, but her skin is so pale it looks like chalk. I notice that she’s pulling away the black thorns from the Razor Wolf’s body and cringe remembering being embedded in those.

Looking down at myself, I see that all my wounds are healed. The only evidence of my battle were the multiple holes in my robe giving it a worn, tattered appearance.

Thank goodness. I’m getting sick of purple.

It does remind me that I need new clothes as I notice I’m not wearing anything underneath this. It’s a good thing a spike didn’t go for my…

I shiver at the thought.

“Ah! You’re awake!”

The tiny woman turns to me. Her eyes are red. She’s rather pretty in the face besides her small frame. Her ears are longer than mine and droop behind her head. It’s almost adorable if there wasn’t blood smeared on her face. I can tell she’s around my age though as she gives me a warm smile showing her sharp canines. She’s wearing a pale, tattered blouse covered in blood and dirt. Her feet are bare, scratched up, and I notice her nails are as sharp and longer than mine.

“Who are you?” I begin to ask.

“Who are you?” She asks back, her eyes shining with interest.

It’s probably better to introduce myself since I practically risked my life for her. Not only that but I’m sure by sudden entrance that this is her den. I’m just glad we’re not fighting for resources.

“My name is Talen,” I say.

Telling her that I’m the Prince of Trinity sounds unwise so it’s better to keep that fact to myself.

The woman nods, a confident smirk on her face. “Thank you for defending my nest, Talen. My name is Nel.”

“You’re welcome, Nel.” It’s a better introduction than any. I look at the monster beneath her, watching as she absent mindedly pulls out more spikes from its skin. “What are you doing?”

“Dinner,” she announces, giving me the proudest look I’ve ever seen. “Want some?”

I shake my head. “I’m not hungry.”

I don’t think I can eat that foul thing anyway.

“You should at least get a portion. You did kill it after all. Razor Wolves are one of the strongest monsters in these woods. Treat yourself.”

“I’m fine, really.” I smile.

Razor Wolves? Are you telling me that I’m able to kill one of the strongest creatures with two touches alone? How ridiculously scary is that? I’m not just your average monster, am I?

“That’s scary, Talen. Where did you come from? There’s few strong monsters in this area that are able to take down Razor Wolves by themselves. And after you killed it, your wounds healed. That’s an impossible feat. Or rather, I’ve never seen it before.”

I shrug. I don’t have a clue either what I am besides the message saying I was The Devourer. It’s rather ominous thinking about it though.

“Weird. But weird is good! Strong is wonderful! Especially a strong male such as yourself.”

Ding!

Oh no…

[Activation: Allure!]

Don’t you dare!

[Analyzing…]

Don’t you fucking do it.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

[Allure Canceled!]

I let out a sigh of relief, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

Thank goodness for that…

“So, where are you from?” She asks again. “You’re from somewhere strong, aren’t you?”

I shake my head. I’m not sure if Nel knows what being cursed is but it’s worth asking for more information about what’s going on.

“No. I was cursed recently a few days ago. Heard of it?”

Nel nods enthusiastically, blood from her face disgustingly swinging to the ground around her. I hold out my hands at an attempt to shield myself from the assault.

“I’m cursed!” She announces. “I don’t remember how.”

That confirms memory loss is part of the process.

“Do you know what you were cursed with? I still don’t know how all of this works.”

“Curses aren’t just becoming monsters, you know? Most just succumb to illnesses and die within days. People who are cursed into monsters, which is a slim chance given specific circumstances, go into a coma before turning with having amnesia as a result as well. I was cursed with being a monster. I am a Fire Weaver.”

“Fire Weaver? And what specific circumstances?”

Her eyes begin glowing, actually glowing, with excitement. “Oh, I’m glad you asked! Fire Weavers are a type of monster that can produce strings made of heat. It’s very good for trapping things. Some creatures can endure it, unfortunately. Avalon, our leader, revealed it to me. And no one knows about what circumstances that cause transformations, just that it’s sort of related to genetics. Don’t ask me why,” she shrugs.

“You have a leader here?”

“We. We have a leader here. As soon as you step onto monster territory, you’re automatically underneath him. You obey his rules, albeit the hard way. But I can help you stay here. You seem nice.”

I didn’t know monsters had a hierarchy? So does the Razor Wolf have a place in it?

“So, what about the Razor Wolf?”

“Animal-like monsters are mere animals. They were beasts cursed to be more beastly. They are food.”

“I see.”

If monsters live out here and eat animals, why are they considered a threat? They seem to be keeping to themselves out here. Unless humans always found an excuse to kill them. Or is it more than that?

“You need to meet the leader. Avalon needs to know you’re here. It’s better than to wander somewhere where you’re not supposed to. Even if you’re strong, Avalon and others are stronger. He can also tell you what type of monster you are if you need more information. He is a Watcher, after all.”

I nod in understanding. “What are Watchers?”

“Watchers are monsters with the ability to find out their opponent’s weaknesses and strengths. All monsters have one special ability. So for example: if Avalon touches you, he knows exactly what ability you possess and your weakness because that’s his ability as a Watcher.”

“So, when do we go see him?”

“Soon, but first, are you thirsty? I have water.”

The small woman stands up, hopping over to the right corner of the den. She digs into the ground, pulling out a long, clear glass. She walks over to me, shoving it into my hands before prancing back to her meal.

“You can have it! I have more. It’s a gift,” she smiles before digging back into the corpse.

“Thank you.” I lick my dry lips and open the metal cap of the glass. I take a gulp, feeling the cool water run fine down my throat.

Finally.

“You’re welcome, Talen.” Nel chirps.

“So, when do we head out?” I ask again after finishing off the bottle and putting it to the side.

“When it’s night.” She simply replies.

I nod.

Right, I bet it’s around noon by the light shining through the entrance. I can feel the eerie warmth of it from here.

“Can I ask you a few more questions then?”

“Of course! What is it?” I watch in disgust as she slams about her mouthful of black-skinned meat into her mouth.

Well I’m glad that thing arrived when it did.

“What happened to you that made the Razor Wolf come here?”

“Oh.” She gives me a shy grin, pausing her meal. “I wanted to see how strong it was but overestimated it. I’ve been watching the others hunt these things but I never was able to myself. I ate the leftovers but I never tasted a fresh one. I got scared as soon as I drew its attention and led it home out of panic. If you weren’t here, I’d be dead.”

What a coincidence.

Seems like the others can solo that thing as well. I’m not sure if they could kill it in two taps though.

“I have a question for you, Talen. You barely hit it. I watched you touch it but as soon as you did, it toppled over. Having a power like that only invites danger from others. Do you know who cursed you? It’s okay if you don’t.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Some people who curse others with magic tend to stay with their creations if they realize they’re turning into a monster,” she responds. “These are slim chances since most go into a coma later than others after getting ill. That’s why I asked.”

She grabs a piece of the meat and takes a satisfied bite before blinking at me curiously. “I assumed they took some care of you after you woke up. That’s what mine did until he was found.” There’s no sadness in her eyes at the last sentence, just interest.

Does she not have any attachments to whoever cursed her? I would understand if not since life after a coma seems like more trouble than the alternative.

I shake my head. “All I know is that a woman did it. She’s dead though.”

“As these things always go. Well, be careful. I recommend not to use your power unless absolutely necessary. You only invite trouble.”

“I believe you.” I smile. “Thank you for that. Thank you for letting me stay, too.”

“Anything for my savior.” She continues eating, now fully turned to the corpse.

I will only invite danger…

It’s a lucky thing I bumped into her instead of someone else. I wonder what would happen if I wasn't so fortunate though.

I lie back onto the dirt, letting out a tired sigh.

I wonder if the queen and Ivyanne are doing well. I haven’t met them but with King Ravon dead and me being gone, there’s no telling what will happen next. Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t remember them. Maybe memory loss prevents attachments for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, all of this was truly a blessing despite the events.

Would I really have to worry about a kingdom that was swept under potential feet? A kingdom and family I don’t remember and therefore share no bonds with?

I close my eyes, shaking my head subtly.

I’m safe. I’m hydrated. And I have a temporary acquaintance to keep me company and show me the ropes. At least I’m not dead or dying in the sun. At least I killed that thing and have the power to do so. Maybe it’s fate? Or maybe not. I would have more to worry about if I stayed. I would have been cut down on the spot and executed, just as Armen, the doctor, tried to warn. I don’t know what my father tried to achieve by keeping me there and I’m not sure if I’m grateful for him keeping me alive. Especially after finding out he lied to the palace about what happened.

I wonder how he hid it though unless again, the only people allowed in that room was him with a few exceptions that weren’t really exceptions. Why else would he send anyone away who knew about me?

I hope Armen’s doing okay.

Ding!

[Secret Unlocked: Ra’s Blessing!]

Huh?