Chapter 2

Soon, the first trial began—choosing a cave to inhabit.

Safiya stepped forward to explain the situation:

"The Alpha Council has recorded some information, and now we're willing to share it with everyone. There are over a hundred caves scattered throughout this rainforest, and each can only hold one trial candidate. The Blood Moon Trials are essentially a role-playing scenario. Each cave is home to... some 'entities.' They were once powerful werewolves, but now they're trapped souls—wolves abandoned by their packs. They'll pretend to be your family, living with you for seven days. Remember, they're lone wolves—mad and dangerous—but at the same time... they desperately crave genuine 'connection.'"

She paused for emphasis: "The location and size of the caves correspond to the rank of the 'lone wolf' that lived there. The lower, more peripheral caves are relatively safer. The entities inside might just be Deltas or ordinary feral wolves. But the higher, more central, deeper caves..."

Tyne took over, his tone grave: "...might be sleeping grounds for former Gamma warriors, or even... ancient Alpha-level spirits. Especially that 'King's Nest' directly beneath the blood moon. It's said to house a terrifying entity with the power of an Alpha King."

With that, Safiya and Tyne immediately sprang into action, each claiming a low-lying cave near the edge of the rainforest.

Their actions were the perfect signpost. The other trial candidates instantly understood the stakes and rushed to snatch up the unassuming low-ranking caves.

Because of my sensory impairment and naturally slow movements, by the time I reacted, the crowd had mostly dispersed.

I could see people fighting over caves, hear the clashes of combat, and occasionally, a scream that tore through the air like claws ripping through flesh.

By the time I made my way to the area where the caves were distributed, nearly all of the entrances had been claimed.

Only one remained, hanging high on a cliff deep in the rainforest, directly beneath the largest, blood-red moon in the sky.

The aura emanating from that place was so suffocatingly oppressive that even someone with my impairment could sense it—a pure, heavy darkness and danger.

Without a doubt, this was the "King's Nest."

I was left with only this final choice.

I took a deep breath and began the difficult climb toward the cliff.

My clumsiness drew more silent taunt:

"She's dead for sure! Actually daring to go to the King's Nest!"

"That's a death nest not even Silvermane Kaelan would dare to choose easily!"

"Don't want to watch this idiot destined for a quick death, switching to Safiya's POV."

"No, I'm staying! Let's see how she gets torn apart by whatever's inside!"

I had no idea about these comments as I struggled upward. Finally, I reached the massive cave entrance. The scent of blood was almost thick enough to touch here, mixed with the smell of sulfur and decay. Deep inside, it seemed as though countless bones were piled up, but I couldn't see the details clearly—only that the ground felt rough under my feet.

I walked to the entrance without hesitation and began pounding on the rough rock, mimicking what I remembered (or imagined) was how family members announce their return.

"Hey! whoever's in there! I'm back! Open up! I'm exhausted and starving!"

In my mind, since this was role-playing as family, coming home should be this natural, even a bit impatient.

Would you be polite and ask permission to enter your own home?

As my knocking ceased, the vine-like obstruction at the cave entrance silently slid open. An icy wind, heavy with the scent of blood, blew out, making me shiver. Strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant. Instead, the coolness seemed to drive away the heat from my climb.

I looked down and saw a small, red figure standing at the entrance.

In my blurry vision, it was a tiny figure with two little braids wearing a small red dress.

She seemed to be looking up at me.

The little one let out a low, threatening whimper and suddenly lunged at me, her cold little hands reaching for my throat.

I bent down and scooped her up, holding her to my chest. My hands came away sticky and wet.

"Good heavens, little one, why is your dress all wet?" I said immediately, completely ignoring the intense, iron-like scent of blood. "You'll get sick like this! Take it off, I'll find you something clean and warm!"

I twitched my nose, catching the ever-present coppery scent, and asked anxiously: "Are you hurt? Does it hurt? First aid kit... uh, are there any healing herbs here? I'll help you take care of it."

Unseen by me, the observers were nearly screaming:

"What is she doing?! The one she's holding is 'Bloodclaw' Lia! A ghostly pup who takes pleasure in tearing apart trial candidates! That dress isn't wet—it's soaked with the blood of the candidates she's killed! That blood smell is coming from her!"

"She's finished. When the real cave master returns, she'll be ground to dust!"

But I knew nothing about it. Holding this Lia close, I made my way deeper into the cave while clumsily trying to get her out of the sticky "red dress." From what I could see vaguely, in a relatively clean corner of the cave (apparently her "little nest"), I found a piece of clean, soft white pelt from some unknown animal and wrapped it around her.

The little hands (paws) that had been around my throat loosened without me noticing.

Sensing her stiffened posture and slight confusion, I used the corner of my shirt (I seemed to still be wearing my old clothes) to dip into some relatively clean water seeping from the cave wall and carefully wiped the dark smudges from her face.

Up close, she seemed like a pale little girl with delicate features. Her eyes were large and vertical, like a beast's.

I smiled and pointed to my cheek. "Family helps each other. But shouldn't you give me a kiss to thank me?"

The wrapped Lia squirmed a bit, then quickly pressed her face to mine, pulled away just as fast. A tiny, slightly aggrieved and confused voice sounded in my ear:

"Thank you... Mommy."

Mommy?

I... I was a mommy now?

A warmth spread through me that I couldn't describe.

In my original pack, because of my weakness and impairment, I was always at the bottom, isolated and bullied.

I had never imagined that a little life would call me Mommy.

This feeling... was amazing!

Because of my defect, the pack healer once told me I'd never be able to have pups. And now I was a mother to such an adorable little wolf.

I gently patted Lia's back and hummed a tuneless song, coaxing her to rest on the "bed" I'd made from dry grass.

Only when she seemed to be asleep did I finally relax.