episode_0003

As I arrived at the stream to wash off my body drenched in wolf’s blood, I could understand why the children had panicked and fled moments ago.

“It was actually strange not to run away.”

I bitterly smiled as I gazed at the grim scene reflected in the clear stream.

Black hair tinged slightly red from the blood.

The blood that hadn’t yet soaked the strands flowed down from the forehead, creating a grotesque spectacle.

Moreover, the sight of wolf’s blood dripping steadily onto the ground appeared so brutal that it made my stomach churn.

Viewed favorably, one might see a bloodthirsty warrior; viewed unfavorably, she might resemble a fanatic cultist straight out of a novel.

Encountering such a dreadful presence within the secluded area known as the Four Great Mazes, isn’t it odd not to flee?

“Sigh…”

Just thinking about the fleeing children desperately makes me sigh.

In this way, wouldn’t one truly think of her as a wicked and dangerous witch?

In a place teeming with all sorts of magic and different races, even escaping from the heart of the Great Forest would have an extremely low chance of survival.

But if by some miracle they managed to return alive with heaven’s help? What if rumors spread beyond that, stating “A wicked witch resides in the heart of the Great Forest”?

“Even the thought gives me a headache, truly.”

It is a world where witches are persecuted relentlessly.

No matter what you do, never gaze kindly upon them; any hint of suspicious behavior will promptly lead you to the religious tribunal as a witch.

Even accounts of benevolent witches who frequently perform good deeds were written with disapproval; let alone a “wicked witch soaked in blood.”

“I’d be relieved if the Inquisition officials don’t show up in the Great Forest tomorrow.”

Despite being one of the Four Great Mazes, a terrifying place considered suicidal just to enter.

In the face of the foolish beliefs of their fanatical group, there is no room for ‘fear,’ so if rumors spread about “a wicked witch living in the Great Forest,” they would come seeking me, disregarding death.

…When that time comes, what action should I take before them?

As I rinsed the sticky blood off in the chilly stream, pondering briefly, I soon turned my head sideways.

Let’s think about it later. Something else is more important right now.

The likelihood of the Inquisition officials of the Empire visiting the Great Forest is exceedingly slim anyway.

Is it just one of the Four Great Mazes for nothing?

Saying this might make me look like trash, but unfortunately, the chances of those children returning home safely are nearly zero.

The rumors won’t spread, and the Empire won’t realize that a witch lives in the Great Forest.

So, what’s crucial for me now is to quickly grasp the situation regarding ‘Beatrice.’ And survive somehow in this dreadful maze.

Finishing my thoughts, I cautiously gripped the dagger I had brought for self-defense.

As the wolf’s blood washed away in the stream, revealing a glistening blade, what was reflected there was a beautiful woman with black hair and dark eyes.

Truly captivated by her beauty, I suddenly recalled the contents of the novel and furrowed my brows.

“So, this slender and charming witch is that pathetic loser?”

It’s absurd.

Even though there wasn’t an illustration, judging from how the protagonist was embarrassingly subdued, it was undoubtedly Slender.

That’s why the fan art also depicted Slender.

Captured by the protagonist’s large hands, both wrists held tightly, crying in defeat—a portrayal of that pathetic loser witch.

“…I can’t fathom what the author is thinking. Or rather, who can understand the mind of that lunatic?”

He’s a lunatic who throws his readers into the jaws of death after receiving the feedback he desired.

Understanding the thoughts of such a lunatic is only possible for someone of a similar caliber.

Grumbling, I slowly pulled my body out of the spring water.

Seeing that the pinkish water was no longer dripping down, it seemed like all the blood had been washed away.

Feeling somewhat refreshed, I picked up the lunchbox I had left on the ground and began to walk towards home.

“Still, there’s meat on the table for today.”

Anticipating the enjoyable dinner that would follow shortly.

—–

Preparing dinner went quite smoothly.

I didn’t need to prepare much since all the kitchen utensils and dishes were already available at home. I lit the fire to grill the meat using the well-known labor-intensive method.

It was absurd to think about being a witch without being able to use magic myself.

However, knowing that there was a force capable of using magic (physically) eased my anxiety.

…The ‘Beatrice’ I saw clearly was far from being a ‘witch’ with powers, so did the author change the setting in the new writing?

Although I had doubts, it didn’t really matter.

Perhaps thanks to the changed setting, I could leisurely sit down and have a meal like this now.

Sizzle.

Watching the wolf steak sizzling nicely in the frying pan, I quietly salivated.

Indeed, a meaty meal is better than a vegetarian one.

It’s a bit disappointing not to have white rice, but still, it’s a hundred times better than eating tasteless grass clippings.

As the meat turned into a nice brown color, I placed the vegetables that had been rinsed in the spring water onto the frying pan.

Sizzle—

A delicious sound echoed in my ears.

The tantalizing smell wafting from the vegetables made my appetite uncontrollable.

Ohhh—!

Suddenly, the howling of wolves nearby made my previously heightened appetite subside coldly.

Twelve pairs of eyes shining fiercely in the darkness.

Noticing them, I grabbed a torch in one hand and the lunchbox I had stuck a fork into in the other, glaring at them.

At this point, I’m starting to wonder if the genre of this novel is a comedy action-adventure or a survival story.

Did the author just title it “Surviving in the Great Forest” after rewriting the novel?

I wanted to curse the author in every way possible, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury to do so.

The wolf-like beings with fur similar to the wolves I saw during the day had completely surrounded me.

A total of twelve.

They stared at me with a fierce determination to kill.

…What did I do so wrong to deserve this?

Did they meet my gaze filled with injustice? The apparent leader of the pack slowly approached the group and spoke.

“Are you the one?”

“…?”

“We asked if you, the witch, killed our guardian god.”

Even at first listen, the voice sounded infuriated.

Despite wanting to retort, I couldn’t bring myself to answer that question due to the fierce aura emanating from the twelve wolf-like beings, freezing not only my body but also my mouth.

“…”

With no response from me, the leader grimaced and exploded in anger.

“Why aren’t you answering, witch? Answer! Did you really kill our guardian god?”

“…”

“Your silence speaks volumes. It seems likely, doesn’t it? Judging by the strong scent of our guardian god’s blood lingering here, it’s undoubtedly your doing.”

Growling, the leader took a step closer to me, declaring vengeance in a wrathful voice.

“I will avenge our guardian god, witch! Tear you apart, chew you up, and send you to be with our guardian god!”

Then, raising its claws, the leader lunged towards me from the crowd but soon recoiled in horror upon discovering something near me.

“What?!”

Jumping back in an instant, the creature retreated in shock.

Staring at the leader with a puzzled expression, he pointed at something with trembling fingertips.

“This, this wicked woman…!”

“…?”

“Don’t act innocent, witch! Not only did you kill the guardian deity of the Han tribe, but you also desecrated its corpse!!!”

Slowly turning towards where the leader’s finger was pointing, I saw a grotesque sight—a wolf’s head cut in half and fresh meat left untouched.

I sighed inwardly, approaching the wolf’s head stealthily.

As I neared the body of the wolf once revered as a guardian deity, its fading life force became slightly perceptible.

Finally able to speak, I picked up the severed wolf head and muttered under my breath.

“I never thought this would be a guardian deity.”

The growling wolf-humanoids fell silent in unison.

Why?

Isn’t it natural not to know?

How could I remember something that would barely fill a single line in a novel?

With so many monsters in the Southern Forest, how was I supposed to know this wolf was your guardian deity?

Moreover, it was self-defense. It attacked first, and unfortunately ended up split in half by my sword.

Why is this my fault? Your guardian died trespassing on someone else’s land, didn’t it?

Should I just say, “I’m sorry for defending myself”?

Still cradling the massive wolf head dripping blood, I whispered softly into her pointed ear.

“Your guardian deity? Ah… So that’s what this was?”