Blood Moon Rising Over The Plains - Chapter 1: The Invader (5)

With eyes that refused to open, I wandered through the darkness. Something warm and soft enveloped me, brushing my forehead in a ticklish way. It had been so long since I’d slept so soundly. Back in that shack, it was impossible to truly rest. Nights were plagued with discomfort, and proper sleep was a rare luxury.

Chirp, chirp. The annoying sound of birds signaled that the sun had risen, but I wasn’t ready to see it yet.

For once, I’d slept deeply without waking even once, but still, I couldn’t shake off the drowsiness. My eyelids felt heavy, and my entire body seemed weighed down, as if lead weights had been attached to my limbs. Despite my consciousness returning, my sluggishness persisted, leaving my thoughts muddled. I stretched out my arms and legs like a child throwing a tantrum and curled back into myself.

“[I’d like to enjoy that endearing act a bit longer, but unfortunately, we don’t have the time.]”

Even though something forced me to sit up, I didn’t get far. I let out a long yawn, burying my face back into the warm spot nearby and settling back down. Whatever it was, it rose and fell in a slow rhythm, almost like a living creature.

The rocking, steady like a cradle, left me unsure whether the intention was to wake me or lull me back to sleep. Either way, I clung to that warmth, unwilling to part with it.

A dull ache throbbed through me—something I hadn’t noticed while lying down. It felt as though I’d been beaten all over, and a groan escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“[Get up.]”

A deep voice reached my ears. Grimacing, I weakly covered my ears, though my tired arms barely followed through.

“[Tch, just get up already.]”

A hand tapped my forehead, hard. Even though it stung, I couldn’t muster the will to open my eyes. Instead, I let out a small, whiny protest, curling into myself further and shielding my face with an arm.

I was utterly exhausted. What time was it for someone to make such a racket?

“…Noah, what time is it?”

Ding!

―Good morning, Master. The current time is 9:39 A.M. Weather: clear, temperature: minus 12 degrees Celsius. Current location: 37°47′50.8″N, 115°24′06.5″E. Date: unknown. Would you like to upload the data manually?

A hologram projected from the clock shimmered in the air. Date: unknown.

―Body scan results indicate full-body bruising, some abrasions, general muscle pain, dehydration, sleep deprivation, malnutrition, and an imbalanced diet. Adequate rest and dietary adjustments are recommended.

―Safety alerts are currently offline due to a system error. Reactivating… Progress: 62%, 100%. Safety alerts are now active.

My head throbbed with a splitting headache, and my thoughts moved sluggishly. Swollen, puffy eyelids stung, brimming with unbidden tears, while my body ached as though I’d been thoroughly beaten—just as Noah’s diagnosis described.

“[Khan, it seems the imperial forces are beginning to move.]”

The heavy voice from outside brought me to an instinctive crouch. Forcing my swollen eyes open, I scanned my surroundings.

It didn’t take long to spot the large man in the cramped space—just big enough for one person to lie down. He was impossible to miss.

Frantically, I tried to cover the hologram with my hand, though I knew it was pointless. His sharp gaze had already taken in everything there was to see, leaving my effort a mere act of desperation.

“[……]”

I wasn’t supposed to be discovered. This was technology that had no place here, my only means of protection. No, it would be taken from me.

In my panicked scramble, the fur draped over my shoulders slipped to the floor. The morning’s icy air seeped through the gaps in the wooden planks, carried by the wind to graze my bruised skin.

My body trembled uncontrollably. Whether it was from the cold or fear, I couldn’t tell. All I could do was shake, unable to think of what to do. My mind was blank, utterly incapable of processing the situation.

I had been discovered.

Throb—
My head ached.

I had been discovered.

Throb—
My entire body hurt.

I had been discovered.

My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.

“[Shhh—]”

A sharp gasp forced its way into my lungs, sending my body into spasms. A large hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off the sudden influx of air.

Tears trickled down my cheeks, only to sting as they rolled across my wind-chapped skin, already raw from the biting cold.

“[Prepare for departure.]”

Golden eyes, shimmering in the sunlight slipping through the wooden cracks, locked onto me with an intensity that made it feel like those words were directed solely at me. If not for the response from outside, I might have instinctively nodded in agreement.

“[Understood.]”

The hand over my mouth withdrew, moving down to retrieve the fallen fur. It was draped back over my shoulders, and then my limp hand was guided to grasp its edges. Holding the soft fur tight, I sank back onto the floor, clutching it like a lifeline.

My mind felt utterly fried, like a blown fuse.

Who am I?
What did I just witness?

There were too many unknowns to process. Yet the man, without hesitation, turned his back to me and began picking up the clothes scattered haphazardly on the floor.

I didn’t understand. Anything.

What was he planning to do with me?
Why didn’t he ask me anything? Was it because we didn’t speak the same language? Because I didn’t know the words of this place?

They used to say there was a time of witch hunts. If he wanted, he could brand me as a witch. Or he could torture me, steal the watch for his own use.

If he were sharp, he would have realized that the strange phenomena he had witnessed were caused by this watch. After all, the hologram had appeared right before his eyes.

Rustle.

The man, his back still to me, layered on dull gray clothing without a single pattern or adornment. Deep scars crisscrossed his back, briefly visible before being hidden by the fabric.

If only he would press me for answers. If only he would say something—anything.

But his silence pushed me closer to the edge of the abyss.

Why am I here?
Why did I end up in this place, going through this ordeal?
Why me?

What’s going to happen to me now?

My thoughts kept breaking apart, tangled and fragmented. My chest felt suffocated, my head a chaotic mess.

“[Let’s go.]”

What is he even saying?

I was suddenly pulled upright by a strong grip on my arm, as though I had been plucked from the ground. The man, now fully dressed and with a sword strapped to his waist, tugged me close, pressing my back under his arm as if to secure me there.

Stepping outside, I was met with sunlight far brighter than the rays that had pierced into the shack. Squinting, I raised my hand to shield my eyes and looked ahead.

Their horses bustled with activity, laden with bundles of loot. Among the cargo, I noticed bloodstained items and unfamiliar sacks—evidence of plunder from this village.

The silence of the village was unnerving, as if the chaos of last night had been a lie. No voices rang out. Only the clatter of hooves broke the stillness, filling the air with an oppressive quiet.

Ah, I see. These people—

I covered my mouth with my hand, overcome with horror at the vivid memory of the previous night.

Last night, I had willingly approached this man.
I had reached out with my own hands, aligned my breath to his, and let him suffocate me with his overwhelming presence.

Last night, the people of this village had been mercilessly slaughtered.
While I clung to the leader of their murderers.

My stomach churned, but no vomit came up. My vision blurred, as if I might cry at any moment, but no tears fell.

It made sense.
I had survived. It was the choice I had made for myself.

Why had I wanted to live?
Why had I willingly thrown myself into this man’s arms? Was it because I was mesmerized by the heat he exuded? Why had I felt reluctant to let that go? Even if it dispersed into the air, why did it matter to me? Why?

I didn’t understand anymore.

Did I truly want to live? Like this? Is this really what I wanted?