˗ˏˋChoosing The Villainess As My Mother ࿐ྂ
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Althea Melody (POV)
(I can't escape from this monster right now.)
(This kind of monster was never in my sister's novel! )
(So, I don't know how to deal with this scary monster in front of me!)
(If it's a tough goblin or an orc, then maybe I can handle them since I've read comics and fantasy webtoon before.)
(But this one!? I don't even know what type of monster this is! All I know is that since it eats souls, I'll call it a soul eater!)
"You're still not drinking your chocolate drink, does it not suit your taste?" the monster says.
(Well, good thing I slapped my face??)
(I slapped my face on purpose because I wanted to stay awake for a while. But I didn't expect anything like this at all!)
(What the hell am I gonna do now?! The only thing I brought with me is money and some thick clothes against the harsh snow.)
(And some potion to exchange for the snow elves.)
(I don't have any explosion potion or something like that! So I don't know!)
(I should probably start by thinking about the possibilities of meeting monsters!)
(I'm the only reincarnated person who's so stupid.)
"Sorry, I'm not really thinking straight right now. I miss my family a lot."
(Alright, that's good. Stay calm.)
(Dismiss the idea of the monster.)
(Pretend that everything is normal.)
While I was staring at the marble in front of me, suddenly the monster in front of me, its tentacles began to stretch out and inch closer to me.
(Oh my god, the mouth of its disgusting tentacles is wide open! Is it going to eat me!?)
(No! I can't allow that thing to take my soul away!)
"..."
I then reached into my bag with my right hand and grabbed one of the potions inside, though I had no idea what type of potion it was.
(It's now or never!)
(I don't care anymore! This monster's tentacles are opening its mouth! I don't want to be eaten!)
"By the way, are you telling me the truth?" I said, finally summoning the courage to look directly into the monster's eyes.
"Truth about what?" The monster replied.
"About the dragon, the protector of the land and sky?" I said, maintaining my stare.
"It is true that the dragon is nowhere to be found inside the cave at the top of Silver Peak Mountain, but I heard from one of the elders that the master must have gone back to its homeland," the monster explained as I nodded my head and calmed myself.
"And the homeland is inside the Black Lagoon Forest, right?" I asked, and the monster nodded in response.
"Can you tell me why you can't step inside the Black Lagoon Forest and give the snow fruit to the dragon by yourself?" I asked further.
"People like me can't dare to take a few steps forward into the Black Lagoon Forest; it is heavily guarded by the Treants," the monster explained.
"Treants? What are Treants?" I questioned.
"The Treants are like Plant People, resembling humanoid trees," the monster replied.
"And what's the reason why you can't enter the Black Lagoon Forest?" I pressed on.
"The Treants are typically the forest guardians, and they defend the wilderness from intruders like us. Usually, they are always near the border of the Black Lagoon Forest, watching and looking for intruders," the monster elaborated.
"And your reason? You still haven't told me the reason why you can't enter there. You should at least have access to get inside since your master, the dragon, is in there," I persisted.
"Oh no, I can't," the monster replied.
"The Treants have very keen eyes and cannot be fooled by people like us," the monster explained.
(Fooling the guardians of the Black Lagoon Forest?)
(Oh, is it because this monster has the ability to shape-shift into anyone it likes?)
(But they cannot fool the guardians of the Black Lagoon Forest, huh.)
(I need to come up with a plan to escape my situation.)
(Speaking of deception...)
"Can you take me there right away?" I asked.
"Let's wait until tomorrow," the monster replied.
(Tomorrow? Maybe because this creature expects me to perish before dawn.)
(But I refuse to be tricked! How bold of this hideous creature to trap me in its illusions!)
"I must get there quickly, without waiting," I insisted.
"Why the rush?" the monster asked.
"Why? Because I must return home! My father is on the verge of death, and I need the dragon's help urgently," I lied.
(It's a lie! I don't have a father!)
"That's why you'll have to take me there right now. I don't have any time to sit here; we need to go," I urged as the monster got up.
(Are we going now?)
(I'm not sure; it's not saying anything back to me.)
"Is the Black Lagoon Forest pretty far?" I asked as we stepped outside, but the monster remained silent.
(Ah, I'm doomed.)
(Why is it not saying anything?)
(Is it planning to take me down now?)
And after a few minutes of silence, I was relieved when a carriage appeared.
"Oh, someone is here," I exclaimed, waving to get the attention of the carriage.
"Oh young lady, it's so late at night and you're alone?" the man driving the carriage said, while a woman peered out from the window.
"Goodness, what are you doing out here in the middle of the night? This place is very dangerous, child," the woman added.
"Ah, what do you mean? I was with someone... a monster," I replied, scanning my surroundings, but the monster had disappeared.
(It's plotting something, isn't it!?)
"Child, may we know where you're going at this late night?" the man asked, and I hesitated.
(What if they are also monsters?)
(What if this is just an illusion?)
(How do I even tell if this is just an illusion?)
(God, help me.)
(It's now or never, right? I don't care anymore! Let's get away from the monster!)
"Oh, I was planning to go back home right now, but there was no one who could take me back since they said it is so late at night already," I explained, as the man nodded understandingly.
"I see. May we know where you're heading home?" the woman asked.
"Ah, can you take me to the Black Lagoon Forest? I mean, if it's not far?" I asked, surprising both of them.
"The young lady wants to go there? It's a very dangerous place," the man cautioned.
"But may this handsome sir take me there? It's where I want to go home," I requested.
"Home? Your home? You lived inside the Black Lagoon Forest?" the woman exclaimed.
(Not literally, I just want to go there and look for the dragon.)
"Ah, y-yes? Why? Is something wrong?" I stammered
"Goodness, sweetheart, I have never met someone who lives there before," the woman said with a smile on her face.
"Well, I completely understand. Since the young lady wants to go there, we shall give you a ride," the man declared, and I smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, you're very kind. May your family be blessed," I said as the woman opened the door and helped me climb into the carriage.
🦋 - - ✄ - - - - 🦋
After traveling for another three hours, the monster I was with suddenly vanished from my sight. I couldn't understand why it disappeared, but I was relieved nonetheless.
That creature could have easily harmed the kind couple who offered me a ride, but it chose not to. It's a mystery, but I'm grateful not to have to worry about that terrifying monster anymore.
"Alright, we've arrived," the man announced. The woman opened the carriage door and stepped out first, followed by her three little children.
"Hold my hand, dear. You might trip," the woman advised me as I nodded in agreement. Glancing around, I couldn't help but be amused at the eerie darkness of the forest."Well, I see why they call it the Black Lagoon Forest," I thought to myself as we approached the outskirts, the atmosphere growing increasingly eerie and frightening.
"Let's head home now, children. Grandma is probably waiting inside," the woman announced, and I looked at them in complete confusion as they approached the entrance to the Black Lagoon Forest.
(Wait... what?)
"W-Wait!" I exclaimed, halting them in their tracks.
"Yes? Is something wrong, dear?" the woman asked, her smile unwavering.
"D-Didn't you both tell me that this forest is very dangerous? W-Why are you two going there too?" I stuttered, feeling a sense of dread creep over me. Then, both of them smiled, and suddenly, I saw the trees begin to move.
"T-The trees!! I noticed the trees moving behind you! " I exclaimed.
"It's strange that someone familiar with this place like you would still be surprised by the forest guardians," the man observed.
"I don't actually live here," I confessed.
"So you were deceiving us about your residency?" the woman questioned, her human facade melting away to reveal her beastly look.
"Ah!" I gasped, recognizing her as one of the beastly beings I'd seen in a webtoon. But she's a woman, so maybe she's a beast woman?
"I... I'm not from around here," I stammered, trying to smile despite my nervousness.
"I see... so you're an intruder," the man declared, his claws glinting ominously.
"The fact that you're here ruins everything for us," the woman remarked.
"Wait, wait! I didn't come here to cause trouble, I promise!" I exclaimed, noticing their increasing anger.
"That's what outsiders always claim!" the woman replied sharply, her children appearing eager to attack.
"Please wait a moment!" I pleaded, hoping to calm the situation.
"Not everyone here is as bad as you think! Like me! I won't do anything wrong, I promise! Seriously!" I insisted.
"Please... trust me, I'm just here to see the dragon, do you know him? Keilbuss?" I asked, watching as they exchanged glances.
"Why do you seek the mighty guardian?" the man asked.
"I... I can't say," I admitted.
"Is that your reason for being here?" the woman pressed.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"If you're still in your right mind and senses after entering the Forest, we will guide you to him," the woman assured.
"My senses?" I questioned.
"Yes, once you're in the forest, your senses will fade away because you're not from here," the woman explained.
"You'll go blind, lose your ability to speak or smell, become deaf to your surroundings, and the Treants will devour you, seeing you as nothing but an intruder," the man elaborated.
"If you manage to enter unscathed by any of that, then we'll guide you to where the guardian resides," he added.
"So, the dragon really is here!" I realized.
"Alright! I'm up for the challenge! For the sake of my lady's destiny, I'll do whatever it takes!" I declared.
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