Chapter 22 - Renna (1/2)

Chapter 22 – Renna

The two didn’t talk until Ashia laid down too. Lying on her back, she tossed and turned a little to find a good position, then stopped moving. They were obviously two people with a good distance between them, but it seemed like they were right next to each other.

She could even hear his heartbeat.

‘No… is it my heart?’

At first, she was only worried about her heartbeat being too loud, but it seemed like even the sound of her breathing was different than normal.

‘Is it alright to breathe like this?’

Everything was awkward and unfamiliar. She almost wanted to faint, if only to fall asleep faster. She closed her eyes tightly, strengthening her resolve to sleep. As she calmed herself down, Kaligo behind her briefly tossed and turned too, then got into position. The time in the quiet tent passed by very slowly.

‘How much time has passed?’

She was definitely tired, but she couldn’t sleep. Her ears reacted more sensitively inside the quiet space. She could hear his labor breathing, as well as the sound of the grasshoppers outside the tent she didn’t even know were outside.

‘This is driving me crazy… If only morning can come sooner…’

Normally, she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Now, though, she was waiting for the sun to rise. It was then that her head was suddenly filled with all sorts of thoughts.

“Keuk!”

A short gasp came from behind her. Ashia’s tightly closed eyes shot open. What was that?

‘Kaligo?’

He sounded pained. Was it a nightmare? Sleep paralysis?

‘…Is he having a seizure?!’

Startled, she jumped up from the bed. “Kaligo?!”

“Keuu!”

“Kaligo!!”

Ashia quickly got up from the bed and climbed onto Kaligo’s body. Instead of him having a seizure, it was a monster with long black tentacles that was gripping his body painfully. A part of the monster managed to slip through the small gap of the tent, and it was wrapping around his limbs and neck, struggling to pull him out.

‘What’s this?!’

She knew for sure that the Fairy Forest was full of animals and plants she had never seen before, and of course, she also noticed the existence of monsters. However, they rarely showed up in front of Ashia, so this was even worse. She initially thought that those monsters that existed but don’t attack were simply docile.

The monster dragging away his body faltered for a moment, but he was dragged again using its strength.

(T/N: The reason the monster stopped dragging away Kaligo’s body for a moment was because Ashia was on top of him, in case you suddenly got confused. ☺☺☺)

‘Tie it up for now.’

Roots began to sprout from the ground starting as she hurriedly hit it. They dug between its tentacles, helping her bind the monster until it let go of Kaligo.

“Haak! Haa… haa.”

“Are you okay?!”

Just then, Kaligo caught his breath violently.

Ashia sighed in relief as she saw his face regain its original color. And soon after, she angrily took out a necklace from her robe as she clenched her molars. “Luke… find the body.”

Then, Luke, who was still quiet, shimmered with colorful lights.

[Yes, Asha-nim~ And?]

‘And? Oh come to think of it, I had kept Luke locked for so long.’

When was the last time she let Luke out of the necklace? This was a good opportunity for Luke who was itching to get out of the necklace from being locked up for so long.

“Do whatever you want… I don’t mind even if you eat it this time,” Ashia said as she raised her eyebrows.

[Wow! Really?! I will do as you command!]

As soon as she granted him permission, the necklace flew into the air. A translucent giant bird enthusiastically came out of the magic stone embedded in the center of the necklace. It was the first time in half a year.

Excited, Luke flew straight out of the tent. The interior became quiet again. Her fluttering hair and robe floated down, and Kaligo’s harsh breathing subsided.

The suppressed monster struggled to break free from the roots that were binding it. Perhaps, it decided that its own life was more important than dragging this intruder away.

“Kaligo? Wake up!” Ashia slapped his cheeks and shoulders as she called his name.

Jjak, jjak, jjak~

She slapped him three to four times on his cheeks. “Kaligo! Kaligo!!”

“S…top….” Kaligo regained consciousness and gently grabbed Ashia’s hand and lowered it.

“Are you awake?”

“…”

“Do you know where this place is? What just happened, and where do you hurt?”

“…”

“Yes?! Kaligo!”