12 CHAPTER 12: ELIAS (8)

"Um... Who are you?" I stepped back, confused at the young boy's sudden entrance.

"Wolf. Wolf hungry." He walked closer to me, still on all fours.

"Your name is Wolf? You're hungry?" I asked him warily.

"Wolf hungry. You smell like food." He walked in circles around me while sniffing me.

Do I smell like smoked beef or something? Is he going to eat me?

At that moment, something clicked in my brain, and I pulled out my paper bag from earlier, with the chicken skewers inside.

"Do you want this?" I waved the paper bag in front of him.

"Wolf wants food." His eyes lit up at the sight of food... Or should I say the smell of food?

"Okay. I'll give wolf food, and wolf be good to me, yeah?" I talked to him slowly, hoping he would understand my offer.

"Yes." He replied with shiny eyes, fixated on the chicken skewer on my hand.

"Good boy," I patted his head and gave him the skewer, which he enjoyed through and through.

While I was looking at him eating, I thought about asking where his parents were, but I chose not to. Instead, I just kept on patting his head.

"Wolf likes food." He said after finishing one chicken skewer.

"Here, have some more," I handed him another skewer, "...Are you alone, Wolf?"

"Wolf alone now. Have family, but no more."

I stared at him. He said such a sad thing, but his expression remained unchanged. Perhaps he had gotten used to being alone.

"...Where do you live?" I asked carefully. He looked around the age of 12-14, and his body looked very thin, as if he hadn't eaten properly in days. His beautiful, fluffy dark brown hair looked messy and dirty, covering his big blue-grey eyes.

"Wolf lives here." He finished his second skewer, and I handed him my last skewer.

What should I do now? Should I escort him to the police? Is there even a police force here? What if he wants to stay here, though?

"How long have you lived here?" I asked another question.

"Wolf always lives here." He answered.

So he grew up here? Did he and his family live in the woods? But his... Behavior and speech kind of made me think that, probably...

"Wolf, did, uh... Did your family... Walk like this?' I got down on all fours and began walking around awkwardly.

"Yes. Wolf's family walk like that. Like me." He finished his skewer and followed my tracks.

Oh my god, this boy was raised by freaking wolves. This sort of thing actually exists. What the hell? No matter how I think about it, that's the only plausible explanation. Who or what else would've raised him like this? A couple of very dedicated furries? Monsters? ...Okay, probably monsters, too, but hey. His name is literally wolf.

"Wolf, who gave you that name?" I stood up again and straightened my shirt.

"Human calls me wolf. I hide in bush. They shout wolf." He leaned on my leg.

...Did people mistook him for a wolf? I mean, I kind of almost did, too. But his story didn't explain how he understood human language. There are still so many mysteries regarding this kid.

I sighed deeply, and made my choice. If he had survived his whole life here, then it probably isn't a good idea to force him to integrate into society. I've been in his shoes before...

I gazed at the little boy who was nuzzling closer into my leg, and can't help but sympathize with him.

"Hey, Wolf. Do you like humans?" I crouched and patted his head once again.

"No. Wolf likes you." He closed his eyes, enjoying the pats.

"...I am a human, though." I poked his soft cheek. His cheek had sunken from lack of nutrition.

"You smell good. Wolf likes." He got up and circled me on all fours.

I smell good? Could it be, perhaps...

[Passive skill: 'Animal's Beloved' is reacting strongly towards the passive skill 'Animal Instinct']

Oh my god, this system is plain rude. Who the hell designed this system? Did it just... Wait, what's this 'animal instinct' skill? Is it this boy's skill?

I tried to open this boy's skill window to take a peek, but the system won't let me.

[Error: unable to access other's skill window]

Figures. It'd be too convenient for me if I can figure out everyone's skill before fighting. But still, I assume this 'animal instinct' thing is probably his passive skill. Thank god the system isn't an asshole who calls people animals.

"Wolf, why don't you like humans?" I asked him while my eyes kept track of his movements.

"Humans kill Wolf family."

I froze. For a second there, I saw my past self in him. I was way too familiar with this hate he felt. Why did so many things remind me of my past here? Could it be because this was also a time of war? But with monsters?

I shook my head, trying to focus on this boy right here.

"Okay. Wolf stay here, okay? I will bring Wolf food tomorrow. Here. Okay?" I stood up and tried my best to explain to him to meet me here again tomorrow.

"Okay." He sat down on the ground.

"Good," I smiled and patted his head, "if Wolf wants to come with me, tell me, okay?"

He said nothing and just nodded.

I was about to take my leave, before...

"Oh, right. Wolf, can you... Smell this for me?" I handed him my shopping bag.

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Finally. I'm back.

I stood in front of Dmitri's house with a tired expression. Thank god Wolf led me back to the marketplace. He smelled the shopping bag, and led me all the way to the entrance of the forest, not far from where the marketplace was. And then all I needed to do was just ask for direction from one of the locals.

I knocked on the door, "Dmitri? I'm back."

The door opened and I was greeted by Anna and Yakov.

"Big sis Cherry! Come in! We've been waiting for you!" Anna jumped in excitement, while Yakov pulled me inside.

"Pardon my intrusion." I bowed to Dmitri's mother and him, and then took off my shoes.

"Welcome back, Chae!" Dmitri greeted me gleefully.

"Have yourself at home." His mother smiled at me. She sat on a sofa in the living room.

"Big sis Cherry, we're hungryyy!" Yakov tugged at my sleeve.

"Okay, okay, big sis will fix you some food, alright?" I smiled at him, "Ma'am, may I borrow the kitchen for a bit?"

"Sure, of course. Dmitri, would you be a dear and help her?" Her mother replied with a gentle smile on her face.

"Alright! Come with me, Chae!" Dmitri stood up.

He led me towards the kitchen, which was located just next to the living room. We began preparing the food while chatting about various things. I mainly do the cooking and he just accompanied me there.

Some time passed as we talked and talked. Suddenly, I was reminded by the boy.

"You know, I encountered someone on my way back." I told him as I rolled the dough into small, round balls.

"Oh yeah? Who was it?" He asked me.

"It was a young boy. I think he's alone," I rolled another one, "Dmitri, can you please skim the soup for me?"

"Sure," he reached for the ladle and started skimming the soup, "where did you meet him?"

"Well... It's kind of complicated," I paused, "you see, I think he was abandoned in the forest a long time ago."

"What!?" Dmitri turned around to face me, shocked at what he just heard.

"I plan to ask Jeanne for help about that... He looked malnourished, dirty, and it seemed like he had picked up wolf-like behavior." I put the last ball of dough on the baking tray and put a pan on the stove.

"Chae, we can't abandon him there! How did he end up like that?" Dmitri panicked.

"I know, Dmitri. I'm also confused. But I fear that he himself doesn't want to be forced to... Interact with humans, you know?" I poured oil on the pan, "I'm not too good with these things, and I'm afraid my actions might harm him in the long run."

I explained to Dmitri about our meeting, and what he said to me regarding his feelings towards humans. And his face saddened.

"I... I want to show him that there are still good humans out there." Dmitri clenched his fist.

I smiled, "then we have the same plan."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I can't just suddenly kidnap him and force him to live with me, right? I don't know how to take care of a child, that'd be child endangerment," I explained, "so I plan to help him in his own comfort zone, the forest. I'm not one of the good humans out there, but that's the least I could do."

Dmitri's expression lit up, "oh! That's not a bad idea!"

"That's why I will have to ask Jeanne to let me go there to bring food and stuff every few days," I sighed, "...I will also need to get a job. Ugh. Food is expensive. Kids are expensive."

"But will he be okay, though? The forest is not exactly safe..." He said.

"I agree, but he had lived there since he could remember. The town might be more dangerous for him, who knows what some people could do." I started frying the doughs.

"...You have a point." He looked sad.

I smiled at him. He really cared about everyone, even strangers like me and that boy, "c'mon, don't be gloomy. He will be fine. Let's focus on spending time with your family, okay?"

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"What is this, big sis Cherry? It's so good!" Yakov exclaimed as he devoured the sweets I made for him.

"Yeah! It's crunchy, but soft inside, and it's sweet!" Anna's eyes twinkled.

"Those are called chapssal donuts, they're filled with sweetened red bean paste. I'm glad you like them." I smiled as I watched them ate.

"Wow, this is good, Chae... How were you able to make this without your memory?" Dmitri asked.

Oh, crap. Right.

"...Maybe it's muscle memory? It felt natural. I think I probably was a chef before I came here. Maybe I was born to cook." I answered with feigned confidence.

"Oh, wow! Really?" Dmitri looked at me with admiration.

I smiled, "yep, really." Nope. I lied.

"This soup is also delicious, Chae! You're amazing!" Dmitri said.

"Yes. Thank you very much for making me this soup, Chaerin. You really didn't have to." His mother smiled.

"Ah, that's a samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup. It's supposed to be good for your stamina, Ma'am. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"You even know the names of these dishes!" Dmitri smiled at me in awe.

How can you be so observant yet so gullible at the same time, Dmitri?

"Eat up, please." I ignored his remark and stuffed his mouth with another donut.

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Having had a fun time visiting his mother's place, we both returned to the Vanguard's place around nighttime and were met with... Pure chaos.

"Hurry! Prepare the horses!"

"When will the supply crate arrive?"

"Polish your weapons! Don't forget to check them for damages!"

People were busy running around, tending to their own needs.

"What happened here?" I asked Dmitri.

"I... I also don't know." He looked around, just as confused as I am.

I spotted Owen standing across the courtyard, and went up to him.

"Owen, what is happening here?" I asked, slightly panicking. Are we being attacked?

"Pack your bags. We leave at noon tomorrow." He answered me while he carefully checked his huge, shiny spear.

"What? Why are we leaving faster than planned?" I asked again.

"He's also targeting the serpent's soul," Owen answered, "we can't let him get away with another one."

"Another one? Did someone manage to steal one before? Who is he, anyway?"

Owen looked at me with a serious expression.

"A man named Elias."