Chapter 3
Apparently, something behind me is threatening me...
I want to run, but... that's impossible, right?
To avoid provoking it, I quietly turn around to see what's there.
It's huge!
Oh, this dog has a black shadow too... Is it okay?
...Is it really a dog?
It has a pretty terrifying face, though.
It doesn't look like a dog. Maybe it's a wolf.
It certainly looks far too fierce for a dog.
Yep, definitely a wolf!
Enough with escaping reality... Now, what should I do?
Fight a wolf... Hahaha, what a reckless plan.
In this situation, I could quietly leave this place, or perhaps try sneaking away.
Or I could just make a run for it.
Ah, no—if I run, it'll attack me. That's what they say on TV... Wait, was that about bears?
Yep, I'm panicking.
When I move my foot to try to get away, its face becomes even more frightening.
It's growling! Is it groaning?
Huh? Is that a little different??
Ahh, scary!
Caught up in this, dropped here, and now a wolf!
This is the worst day ever!
Huh? But now that I look more closely, it seems kind of unsteady.
Its legs don't seem to have any strength, and it's incredibly thin, too.
...Are you okay?
Ah, am I food?
I see, I see... I really should run away from here.
When I move my foot again... its growling gets louder than before.
Is running away really impossible?
Oh... it fell over. There really is something wrong with it.
The moment it falls, the black shadow clinging to its legs begins to cover the wolf's entire body.
...That's disgusting.
It flails its legs and looks like it's suffering terribly.
Ahh... could this be caused by a vengeful spirit?
There are so many black shadows... What kind of forest is this if they're all curses from vengeful spirits?
...Sigh, that isn't the problem right now, is it?
...This isn't good.
I'm really panicking.
This makes no sense.
Let's calm down.
How many times have I said that now... Phew.
First, what I need to do is...
It looks like it's suffering... so I want to help it.
I like animals, by the way. I have three large dogs at home.
They were so cute.
Maybe that's why. Even though it's growling at me... I'm scared, but I want to help it.
I carefully approach the wolf.
It growls incredibly fiercely... It's seriously scary!
But I'm not giving up!
The purification magic worked just fine earlier.
So it'll work this time too... It'll be all right!
I move my hand closer, even though I'm practically recoiling. I don't care!
"Purification!"
The shadow covering the wolf softly turns into light and disappears.
Oh, it worked!
By the way, could it be a vengeful spirit?
Could it be a curse?
...Am I actually managing to stay calm?