I was saved again, saved by the same creature I am wary of. Just what part of my judgment is wrong? My past has already taught me a lesson: never trust someone, no matter how long you've known each other. But this lifetime, from time to time, my experiences have proved that being distrustful is wrong. It just makes me feel so guilty. I felt like I'm just trying to take advantage of her kindness.

My consciousness might be fading, but I felt calm. I could hear my own thoughts more vividly than anything. And faintly, I could see lots of fur. Suddenly, I found myself underwater. Blood was leaking out of the holes in my body, slowly closing under the influence of the pond's healing property. I reached for the surface, and when I finally did, I found the manticore walking back and forth, seemingly nervous. When she saw me, her expression changed drastically, from nervous to rage.

"Why did you run away!? Are you stupid?"

"UWA!"

She's definitely angry at what I did, and I know where she's coming from. It's my mistake, and I nearly lost my life because of it.

"Did you ever think that it's too dangerous outside?"

"S..."

I need to make up with her; I need to apologize. But something struck my throat that I can't do it. I don't know; maybe I still think I am right, but I don't know. What should I do? What should I say at a time like this? My hands are shaking badly, and I can't look at her face. I'm full of guilt.

"Show me your butt..."

What? So this is my punishment. She's going to... slap my ass. I know she thinks of herself as my parent, but is it even right for parents to hit their child? I just came from a near-death experience, you know! You should be worried about me.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Your butt... NOW."

I hesitated for a moment. With the strength of the manticore that could destroy a night dragon, she's going to destroy my ass. But I was confident; my ass will survive. I trained and trained, day and night, all for the sake of this fated day. I had twerked to my limits, twerked until I passed out, and now, behold my powerful ass that surpasses the durability of rocks.

Leaning on a rock and exposing my ass, I braced myself for the impact that is about to come. But I didn't worry... My ass was strong- h-hey, what are you doing!? Why is her mouth burning! She's creating a fireball! If I'm hit by that, I will going to die! Just look at those infected normals that got hit by it... they exploded! NOO!

The fireball impacted my ass with force that painted it dark and swollen.

"UWAAA!!! I'M SORRY!"

Tears streamed down from my eyes due to the pain that it caused. Luckily, I didn't die. I thought it was over, until the manticore blew out a second fireball that fried my ass, burnt.

"MY ASS! IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE!"

But somehow... I think... the pain actually feels good. Huh? What am I talking about? There's no way that hitting me in the ass actually felt good. That's hideous and perverted!

Then the third fireball came, slapping my ass.

"YES! MORE- I mean OUCH!"

I had to cover my own mouth to stop my hideous tongue. If this continues... I'm going to get addicted to it ♥. No, there is no way I'm a masochist! NOOO!

I patiently waited, but the fourth fireball never came. Somehow, I felt sad. But as I heard her sobbing, I knew that she's in more pain than my ass.

"Do you hate me?"

She asked me, and when I looked at her, I knew that she's crying... While my ass is burning from intense pain, it's more painful to see her this way. Her face... one look and I know it's something genuine. I hate this, I hate seeing her cry. My body moved on its own and approached her; I silently hugged her leg, burying my face in her fur.

"Sorry. I don't hate you. I won't hate you. Never."

So this is what it feels like to have a mother. I never knew, I never experienced this kind of drama before. And it felt good.