Chapter 8

Waking up, I rub my eyes groggily.

Suddenly, I sober up and get to my feet, looking at my immediate environment while assessing my body.

...Feet?

Looking down, I find myself a fleshy body, unlike the black furry one I had gotten used to before.

Then it hits me.

I've transformed successfully!

Human form!

Transformation magic was rarely used. Other than being really weak in a new form, one also must go through unbearable pain to transform.

After all, in essence, it is magic that forcefully alters the body.

But once the initial pain has passed, one can freely switch between forms.

Of course, it comes at the cost of some mana, but sustaining the form doesn't consume any mana.

Feeling some wind pass by, I shiver a bit, reminding me that I am currently a naked young girl in a forest.

Looking closer at my body, I can deduce that I look around 5 or 6.

Of course, I feel like I could defeat a young adult back on Earth.

Looking into the distance, I decide to 'borrow' some cloth from the village.

Plus, who would even notice?

Feeling the wings on my back, I stretch them out.

My wings have grown a bit in my humanoid form. Of course, it's probably due to me being larger as a human.

My ears and tail also feel pretty weird ah.

Touching the side of my head, I don't feel my human ears, as they have been replaced with fluffy ones.

My tail is attached to my tailbone, tails are very sensitive, as they have a lot of nerves in them.

I face the village once more, eyeing a small house on the outer ring of the village.

Most villages were divided into the outer ring, inner ring, and core area.

The Outer ring is mainly for the farmers and their homes. Residents and shops were in the inner ring. The village chief villa was in the core area, it was also where announcements and festivals were held.

After a while of walking, I reach the vicinity of the house. Outside was a clothing line, and hung some clothes.

They were mainly some plain T-shirts and jeans. A lot of them were worn out and only one was new.

Plucking off a white shirt, I quickly run away like a little thief.

Well... not that I am, of course.

I will return them...

Later...

When I go back to the forest, I hastily put on the oversized shirt.

Wearing this, will it attract the suspicion of the villagers?

Looking at the white shirt that reached my knees.

I can just dye it or something ah.

---

Black stained the originally white cloth.

A cute little silver belt was tied around my waist, making the oversized T-shirt look like a simple skirt instead.

Dipping my head in the water, rolling around on the mud for a bit, and creating some thin scratches on my ankles and arms.

Splattering some more mud on my face, I then wipe off the excess, leaving dirty smudges on my face.

I was dirtying myself to disguise myself, a poor appearance but cute looks are crucial to attract pity.

Running around on the forest floor a lot, my feet had started to blister a bit.

After sticking a leaf in my head, I hid my non-human features using transformation magic, which took up 0.2% MP, only for it to fill back up right after.

Heading towards the village, I slow down when I can see two other humans, who were wearing leather armor. They looked pretty tough and can be assumed to be the hunters of the village.

My eyes start to water up, glistening in the refraction of the sunlight.

One of the humans of the hunter pair looked my way, stopping a bit. The other male quickly notices his abnormal behavior and also turns to look my way.

Putting on my best 'scared kitten' act, I turn around and clumsily run in the opposite direction, only to trip on some rocks, and fall flat on the ground.

Feeling the faint vibrations on the earth, I can tell that the villagers were rushing my way.

A devious smirk crawls its way onto my face, only for it to vanish the next second.

Pushing myself up, I look behind me only to see the hunter group approaching me.

"Hey! Little kid! Where are you going?"

One of the hunters, a fierce-looking blonde with black eyes yells from the distance.

Shrinking inwards, I get up shakily and try to run away once more.

"Ah! Sein, you're scaring the poor girl with your scary face!"

This time it was a dark brown-haired male with a soft voice who yelled at the other guy, Sein.

"Don't worry... we won't hurt you..."

Looking up at the amicable male I stare back with a clear look of distrust.

Helpless, he opens his mouth once more.

"We just want to know what a young kid like you is doing on the edge of the forest. Don't you know it's dangerous? And where are your parents? How could they be so irresponsible and leave you out here on your own? I haven't seen you in this village before, where do you come from? Ah! You're injured! You should come with us to help patch that up! Do you want me to carry you? Don't worry we're not bad guys!"

As he opens his mouth a barrage of words spews out his mouth, temporarily stunning me.

The chocolate-haired guy only stops after the other guy catches up to him and interrupts, reprimanding him for scaring me.

"Lang! Give the poor kid a chance to speak!"

He turns to me, extending a hand.

"Do you want to come with us?"

I look up at him with watery eyes, nodding slightly.

"Alright then, can you still walk? Or do you want us to carry you?"

Once more, I nod, extending my hands at the blonde, expressing my intention to be carried to the village.

He picks me up and faces Lang, "We can take her and patch up her wounds first. After that, we can ask her more. Kay?"

Lang nods as they both set off back in the direction of the village carrying me.

A flock of ravens flies above us, as a black feather drifts down and lands on my head.

I take it off and examine it closer, the feather was long and thin. The root was a dark grey with silver patterns.

'Weird...'

I can't help but feel that something ominous was about to happen.