TLBP 18

CHAPTER 18…………………………………………………..

—Th-those claws are really amazing!

Chili Tanuki, Leaf, kept showering praise on the strange beast.

Whether it really had five talents or was lying didn’t matter. Leaf was willing to do anything to get out of immediate danger.

This beast, even though it could speak like Leaf, seemed somewhat lacking and foolish. To be precise, it felt as clumsy as a newly born animal.

“Young ones are usually weak to praise. Keep hyping it up, and when it lets its guard down, make a run for it.”

Though its limbs were tied with vines, Leaf could easily escape such crude bindings using its talent, Handiwork.

If necessary, it could even use a second talent it hadn’t revealed.

Hiding or concealing the effects of one’s talent was such a basic matter that it barely counted as deception.

“Seems like this one doesn’t know that. Of course, that works in my favor.”

That thought accompanied the moment Leaf kept raising the beast’s spirits with continuous praise.

—This is Stealth Maneuver.

—What? I can’t hear your footsteps at all! How… how did you do that?

Leaf was astonished, questioning nonstop. The beast tiptoed so silently that not even the sound of its claws on the earth could be heard.

Such a feat could only be achieved through innate talent or extraordinary skill.

Leaf realized that the claim of having five skills wasn’t just boasting. At least two talents were certain.

“This fluffy little thing…?”

Even having one talent drastically increased survival chances in this forest. Possessing talent meant being blessed by the World Tree, the Mother Tree itself.

—The Courtship Dance is probably just a dance.

The strange beast now moved all its limbs in a dazzling display, shaking its body violently. Leaf’s head spun from trying to comprehend the incomprehensible motions.

Dizziness caused an involuntary frown.

“What a weird one! What on earth is it doing?”

Leaf considered itself among the smart animals in this forest. Its survival without sharp claws or teeth had been due to superior intelligence and supporting talents.

Yet the beast before Leaf clearly defied its understanding. Were all animals from the “city” like this?

—Wh-what are you really? What are you?

Leaf asked the beast after it stopped dancing. Its mind overflowed with curiosity, a typical tanuki trait.

—I don’t know either. I want to know what I am too.

—Huh, I-I see.

Leaf quickly formulated a plan. It came up with a brilliant idea to handle the situation while also uncovering the beast’s identity.

—Let’s go to the witch! The witch will know what you are.

Forest witches were famous for knowing almost everything. Tanuki sometimes sought her help as well.

—Witch?

The strange beast tilted its head.

—Witch?

After the intense movements, my chest, cold as if a sage’s moment had settled, tingled at the mention of those two words.

Immediately, an image came to mind: an old woman wearing a pointed hat, riding a broom.

—There’s still time before sunset, so we can visit the witch. It’s not that far from here!

The tanuki shouted energetically. I couldn’t understand its sudden initiative. Perhaps animals were inherently unpredictable.

—You’re saying this witch knows about me?

—Yes, she knows everything. But…

—But?

—Sometimes she asks for a price for solving problems. But a stone like that should be enough. She likes shiny things.

—Hmm.

I looked at the soft blue crystal emitting a gentle glow.

The noon sun was high in the sky. Despite all that had happened, it was still early. Having started the day at dawn, the day felt quite long.

—So, what kind of being is this witch? Human? Animal?

I asked the tanuki while walking it on a vine leash. It led the way, answering without turning back.

—She doesn’t belong to any category. Best be careful with what you say in front of her.

—I see.

I felt a flutter of anticipation. The forest darkened as mist rolled in, and only a chilling wind blew.

“The sun is high, yet it’s as dark as evening here. Something could jump out at any moment.”

I saw twisted, grotesque trees, thick cobwebs, and lizards and snakes with horn-like growths crawling between them.

“Even the beasts look horrible. They don’t look edible.”

As we continued walking, totems appeared: skulls of unknown beasts, tied with ropes as if hanged.

—Are we really going the right way?

—Yes. I’m not lying, so don’t be so scared. I won’t throw you into any more traps. I’m curious about what you are too.

—Who said I’m scared?

I tried to act tough but couldn’t stop my heart from shrinking a little, recalling childhood memories of entering a haunted house alone.

Faint cries of unknown raptors echoed—hoo-oo, hoo-oo—and multiple red eyes glimmered from deep within the dense forest.

—What is this place? I never imagined such a place existed in this forest.

The tanuki’s words triggered floating text in front of my eyes.

[Foggy Forest: Eve’s Hideout.]

I swiped the text away with my hand. The tanuki stopped and looked at me curiously.

—What are you doing?

—I erased the text.

—Text?

It growled and tilted its head, looking confused, as if it had never heard of such a thing.

Perhaps the text wasn’t visible to it. I decided to remain silent, avoiding a flood of complex questions.

“Seems very curious. Best to stay quiet for now.”

After walking some distance, the tanuki stood on two legs and pointed at a tree.

—We’re here. See that tree?

—Oh.

When it pointed, the fear that had been swelling inside me disappeared.

A huge, thick tree supported a hut-like building, evoking a strange sense of nostalgia.

“I don’t know how they built a hut in the tree, but it has windows and a chimney.”

Outside, a soft red light glowed; white smoke rose from the chimney.

The tanuki stood and looked up at the house.

—She’s in there.

—I have to climb the tree?

—No, if you ring the bell at the base, she’ll lower a basket. The bell’s a human-made tool…

—I know what a bell is.

—Right? And you said you came from the human place.

We approached the tree. A small bell hung from a string. The tanuki shook it with practiced hands; it rang clearly through the Foggy Forest.

A moment passed. The tanuki tilted its head in puzzlement, ringing it again. But still, no basket came. Inside the hut, no sign of life stirred.

—That’s strange. Usually, the basket comes immediately.

—Maybe she’s sleeping.

—I see.

—Forget the basket. I’ll go up directly.

I dug my claws into the bark. The thick, split tree made it easy to climb.

Climbing such a tree was now as easy as pie.

As I ascended, the tanuki shouted from below.

—I-I’ll come up too!

—Hmm? Then you can climb up.

—I can’t climb trees. Can you carry me?

—Damn.

I hoisted the tanuki onto my back and continued up. Its weight was a little heavy, but the warmth of its fur wasn’t unpleasant.

Approaching the hut, I searched for a door. But there wasn’t any obvious “door.”

—What kind of house is this? Do I enter through a tunnel, or a window?

I peered in through the window. A small table with a teapot and cups was visible. On a white plate, small slices of bread or cake were neatly arranged.

“Looks tasty.”

Salivating at the sight of civilization’s food after days of living like a beast, I slid the window open and entered with the tanuki on my back.

—Witch, I’m here. It’s Leaf.

The tanuki looked around for the owner. Steam rose from a teacup on the table.

—The tea is hot, so she probably just left. If we wait, she’ll come.

I sat on a wooden chair like a human. Rough and uncomfortable, but just sitting made me feel uplifted.

The crackling fire, fresh scent of wood, and aroma of tea calmed me.

—Yes, this is it.

I had doubted whether the tanuki would try another trap, but it didn’t matter now.

Looking around, I noticed cups hanging from hooks. I poured tea into them.

“I know it’s impolite, but…”

Even as a human, I hadn’t been one for tea or coffee. But after days rolling around like a beast, performing a human action had real meaning.

“The aroma is nice.”

I sniffed the tea. It reminded me faintly of instant ginger tea I drank when catching a cold.

A sip brought a sharp, spicy sensation. For a Korean tongue, the tingling felt strangely welcome.

Slurping, I noticed the worried gaze of the tanuki.

—Best not to touch things recklessly.

—You mean don’t touch without permission?

—She doesn’t mind, but there are dangerous items, so you might get hurt.

—I see. Drinking tea should be safe enough.

—Really? Then pour me some too. I’ve wanted to try it.

The tanuki laughed and held out its cup across the table. I poured tea carefully. Watching closely, it gasped.

—Good job. You act like the witch herself.

—You mean human-like?

—I mean using tools so naturally.

—Ah, human-like, I see.

The tanuki’s eyes sparkled as it held the cup. Sniffing the aroma like I did, it frowned suddenly.

—Ack! What’s that smell?!

—Guess it’s too early for a foolish animal.

—I’m… foolish?

The tanuki bristled its fur. I shrugged and finished my tea.

—I can drink something like this too.

The tanuki raised the cup, then flinched, dropping it.

—Hot! And my tongue… it’s tingling!

—Don’t spill it all over the floor. Wasteful.

—Ack, ugh… I shouldn’t have touched the witch’s stuff. Dangerous!

—You really are foolish.

The tanuki stuck out its reddened tongue, pouting. I chuckled at its suffering.

Then a large voice echoed in the small hut:

“That voice… it’s Leaf. Leaf, well done. You saved me.”

From the floor where the cup fell, a pale form began wriggling. I rose from the chair and stepped back.

“…What now?”