Demons

[You have chosen: 1 - Cry For Help!]

Ah yes, you actually listened to me! I'm kinda surprised, to be honest, but that doesn't matter. Now just wait, the maiden will be saved by the hero, that's always how stories go!

[The maiden, knowing that she wouldn't be able to run away, cried for help, desperately hoping for someone to save her]

Maiden: Someone! Anyone, help me!

[And in the distance, countless footsteps rushed forth, filling the maiden with hope]

Hahaha, it's even better! The hero is rushing over to save her along with a team of knights as well! I thought it would've been a little tough to get the perfect ending with the strange point of view shift, but it turns out that I'm just too smart.

[Once the footsteps drew closer, the maiden was able to see who she had called]

Heh, no need to say that, I already-

[It was a horde of starving wolves. After all, lone wolves are actually quite rare to encounter. Under most circumstances, if there is one wolf, then that means there are more.]

...Wait, what?

Maiden: N-No...

[The maiden was paralyzed in fear, unable to move. Even if she could, it was pointless, as the wolves had already surrounded her long ago. The only thing that the maiden could do was cover her eyes. The starving wolves lunged forth, and tore the maiden to shreds.]

O-Oh no...

Maiden: No, please! I don't want to die!

[Despite the maiden's pleas, she was torn apart by the wolves]

Maiden: Not being torn apart!

Uh... why aren't the wolves moving?

[The maiden was torn apart by the wolves]

Maiden: Uuu... why did I have to die like this?

Er, I don't want to be a buzzkill, but I still think you're alive.

[...]

Maiden: Huh?

Well, all the wolves suddenly collapsed when they rushed over to you. I don't really know what happened, but damn these wolves are skinny. It really looks like they were starved.

[...I shouldn't have made the wolves starving]

Maiden: Eh? What is happening?

[The wolves rushed towards the maiden, about to tear her apart to satiate their hunger. Unfortunately, it turns out that since it had been far too long since their last meal, thus they collapsed before they could reach her... dying of starvation.]

Maiden: Huh? That's strange... but I should've died, right?

Hahaha! I knew it from the start! My decision was correct. I always had faith in that.

Er... though I guess logically speaking, there shouldn't have been a problem with running away, as the wolves were going to die anyway...

Maiden: The voice in my head really is strange, talking about all these nonsensical things.

What? Hey! I was the person that chose the right decision for you, alright? If it wasn't for me, then you would've died!

Maiden: But wasn't I supposed to die because of that decision?

What? Not at-

[Yes. Under normal circumstances, it was quite the stupid decision. After all, you left the village without even telling anybody, going into the middle of the forest. Why would there just be a person randomly there? That kind of thing only happens in fairy tales.]

Maiden: I see... that means I'm quite lucky.

Wait, but isn't this basically a fairy tale though?

Maiden: Oh dear, the voice in my head seems to have a mental illness. The poor thing believes we exist in a fairy tale.

I... You... Nevermind.

[The maiden shook her head, wondering why the strange voice in her head was so foolish]

Wait, are you really not going to question the fact what happened wasn't actually what the system said?

Maiden: Huh? How does that make any sense?

[The system does not make any mistakes]

Maiden: See?

What? But it literally just made a mistake just now! Look at-

[The system was purposely misleading you in order to build up suspense for a stronger contrast once the twist was executed]

Maiden: Haha, it's too bad the system has to explain so much just to explain to the voice in my head.

...Are any of you ever going to believe me about anything?

[The maiden ignored the strange voice's continued chatter, and instead continued on into the forest. After all, being in such a dangerous place means she had no time to loiter.]

But apparently, she doesn't even have to prepa-

[The maiden made her way over large roots that were scattered throughout the forest floor. She ended up tripping over one of them, slamming face down into the dirt.]

Maiden: Ow!

...That was just rude.

[It's to remain realistic]

But it could still be realistic without that.

[Anyways, the maiden continued to traverse through the forest. However, it was cold. With her arms wrapped around herself, she shivered. There may not have been gusts of winds, but it truly was truly concerning whether or not she would be able to survive.]

Maiden: W-What?

Er, maybe you could use the pelts from the wolves?

Maiden: B-But I don't have a hunting knife. There's no way I can cut through their pelts to make anything.

What? Oh, I never knew you needed something like that...

[Despite the cold, the maiden continued pushing on, reasoning that she would simply continue until she reached an area that wasn't so cold. Though it was quite the gamble considering the forest was far larger than she could've imagined.]

Maiden: O-Oh god. Am I going to die?

Er, you should probably turn back now.

Maiden: W-Which way was that?

Oh. Erm. Maybe that way?

Maiden: What the heck is that supposed to mean?

The way I'm pointing!

Maiden: You're just a voice! What do you mean you're pointing?

Oh, right. My bad. It's in the direction of that tree, you see?

Maiden: ...I'm not listening to you anymore.

[The maiden had thoughts of going back, but unfortunately she had forgotten where she came from. And so, she continued into the forest hoping that this wasn't how it was always going to be like.]

Damn. Is there really nothing we can do?

[There is, making choices.]

What? But you haven't given us a choice to do anything about this.

[You have not fulfilled the requirements to get the options of other choices, thus there is only one choice. For simplicity, the story simply goes on.]

...So we basically don't have a choice?

[That is one perspective.]

Tsk.

Maiden: C-Can we continue with the story?

[Alright. The maiden felt frostbite settling in. The tips of her fingers felt like they were hardening, and it gave her pain whenever they touched anything. As for her ears, they had already gone numb.]

Maiden: T-This is kind of scary...

Huh, it seems to be getting a little serious.

[Despite everything, she continued onwards. It could be considered bravery. But in reality, what drove her steps was her fear. Her fear of dying. Granted, it was better than those that would simply remain still and wait for death. However, what drove her forward was cowardice.]

Maiden: ...

Isn't it normal to be afraid of death? How is that cowardly!

[Though, the cold was not the only problem she had on her hands. She had not eaten anything other than a small piece of bread in the morning. Slight pangs of hunger assaulted her, which were not a big deal now. However, it would not take long for it to become greater. If left unattended to, the pain could become a serious burden.]

Is there not anything in the forest that is edible?

Maiden: T-There should be edible plants, but I don't know which they are, it's not really my expertise. But I do know that there are many poisonous ones. If I ate any of those, I probably wouldn't die immediately, but almost all will be very painful, and maybe knock me out.

[Which is basically death, but with extra steps]

...I-I guess that could be a last resort?

Maiden: No! I tried eating a little bit of a plant before when I was really hungry, and it gave me a fever that took three days to recover from. The entire time, I was in so much pain!

Well...

[The maiden was unsure of how long she continued to go, but it was definitely longer than hours. This amount of walking was very tiring to the maiden, who was not used to walking this long. She had been pushing on with the power of adrenaline, but it truly was becoming too much.]

Maiden: Ow... ow... just a little break is fine, right?

[The maiden rested, sitting down and panting. After feeling she recovered some of her stamina, she continued. The longer she continued, the more frequent her breaks became. All this time, the forest was slowly darkening, and soon it became too difficult to traverse forth.]

Hm, it should be night now.

Maiden: Ah... I guess I should... sleep now.

[The maiden wished to sleep somewhere, but unfortunately there was nowhere convenient for her to rest. If she recklessly fell asleep here, then she may not survive. The nocturnal beasts would surely find her, and that was if the cold didn't claim her first.]

Maiden: N-No... but I'm so tired.

Maybe you could climb up a tree?

Maiden: O-Ok?

[The maiden attempted to climb a tree, but the moment her fingertips touched the bark, a strong pain assaulted her. Upon removing her hands, she realized a small scrape had formed, and began bleeding lightly.]

Maiden: Dammit! It hurts so bad, why did I listen to the voice when I said I wouldn't?

What? I'm trying my best here, ok!

[However, not all hope was lost]

Maiden: I-It isn't?

Ah, a choice must be coming up!

[In the distance, there was a light, along with faint sounds. It just so happened to be heading towards the maiden's direction, getting closer and closer.]

Maiden: Ah! Someone else is here, I'm saved!

Che and here you were saying that there was a small chance she would find another person out here.

[As the light and sounds came closer, the maiden was able to tell that it was the light of a lantern and the clamor of voices.]

Maiden: Ah! Over here! Please help me!

Hm... hopefully they will be nice people.

[The maiden rushed over towards the light, calling for help. She got closer, moving past the trees blocking the way, and eventually saw a large group of people.]

Maiden: Please help... help me...

Haha, there's a whole group?... wait...

[The maiden's vision was blurry from her bad condition, thus she couldn't really make out the details. However, the figures were very clearly humanoid, that much she could tell.]

Wait, wait, wait, stop! Stop!

Maiden: I'm over here!

No seriously, stop! Hide somewhere!

Maiden: Shut up, voice in my head! You're trying to sabotage me, aren't you?

[Without listening to the pleas of the strange voice, the maiden continued forth. And when she got closer, she was able to make out what was really in front of her.]

...Oh god.

Maiden: Help m-

[She froze in fear, unable to move. Her eyes widened all the way, as her mind slowly processed just what was in front of her.]

Maiden: N-No...

[While it was uncommon to find people traversing the forest due to its danger and general lack of use, the same did not apply to a certain living being.]

[Demons]