Chapter 9: Bad Ending — The False Little Red Riding Hood?

“Use the healing potion on Little Gray…”

Nuo Ai’er glanced over. Little Gray was the most injured, so it should be that one, after all.

‘I’ll choose A.’

But just as she took out the potion, Leinata grabbed Nuo Ai’er’s wrist.

“No need. Little Gray isn’t an ordinary wolf—he can heal from this on his own. As for me… it’s just a flesh wound. A little herbal medicine will do, nothing serious.”

She pointed at the wound on her arm, then at Little Gray’s hind leg.

“But…”

Nuo Ai’er looked at the bottle in her hand, feeling conflicted inside.

“Use it first. Don’t worry about us.” Leinata let go.

[Leinata’s Affection +10]

Probably because of Nuo Ai’er’s attitude of wanting to use the potion on Little Gray, Leinata’s affection rose again.

“…Alright.”

Nuo Ai’er gritted her teeth and finally chose B.

She pulled out the cork and poured the cool medicinal liquid onto the wound on her calf.

Instantly, a chill spread through her. The searing pain quickly faded, and the wound healed at a visible rate.

It was done in less than ten seconds.

‘As expected of a magic healing potion, it works great!!’

Nuo Ai’er moved her leg—it was completely fine now.

“Let me help too.”

Seeing that Leinata had prepared some simple herbs, Nuo Ai’er proactively went over to help apply them.

After a bit of work, Little Gray’s herbs were ready.

“Owww~” Little Gray licked Nuo Ai’er’s hand as a sign of friendliness.

With Little Gray taken care of, Nuo Ai’er finally remembered Leinata.

Leinata nodded and didn’t refuse.

Nuo Ai’er carefully prepared to apply the herbs to her arm.

But the next second—

“Haah…”

Leinata suddenly turned pale, clutched her stomach, and collapsed to her knees.

“! What’s wrong with you?”

Nuo Ai’er quickly knelt down.

Then, when she lifted Leinata’s wolfskin cloak, the sight before her made her pupils contract sharply.

“Th-this… Σ( ° △ °|||)︴”

On Leinata’s lower abdomen was a terrifying, bloody hole!

The area was soaked in blood, and dark blood kept seeping from the edges of the wound.

This was nothing like the flesh wound on her arm—it was a genuine penetrating injury!

“Your… your stomach! How did this happen?!” Nuo Ai’er’s voice trembled in shock.

It must have been from the fight with the hunter earlier, but Leinata hadn’t said a word.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I should have used the potion on you!”

Nuo Ai’er frantically raised the potion bottle, only to find it empty.

‘Is the setting that it can only be used on one person…’

“It’s fine.”

Leinata gently pressed Nuo Ai’er’s trembling hand, forcing a weak smile onto her face.

“What do you mean ‘fine’? You’ll die!”

“I won’t die.” Leinata took a deep breath, enduring the intense pain as she spoke. “I have wolf blood in me… my vitality is much stronger than a human’s. Apply some herbs, get through tonight, and tomorrow I can take you to the exit.”

“Don’t talk about that now…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my word—I’ll definitely see you out of the forest.” Leinata covered her wound with some herbs, then pulled her cloak shut.

“By the way, thank you… Nuo Ai’er.” Leinata suddenly said softly.

“Thank me?” Nuo Ai’er pointed at herself, looking confused.

‘…Didn’t Leinata save her? Why is Leinata the one thanking her (ﾟ⊿ﾟ)’

“If you hadn’t pointed out the hunter’s position earlier, we’d be in deep trouble now. Also…”

Leinata tightened her cloak. “Thank you for believing in me.”

[System Prompt: Leinata’s Affection +20. Current Affection: 50 (Trust)]

Nuo Ai’er sniffled, not knowing what to say.

She could only carefully help clean Leinata’s wound, apply herbs, and try to stop the bleeding.

…Leinata hadn’t lied.

Herbs alone wouldn’t be enough, but her wolf bloodline let the wound stop bleeding on its own.

‘Guess that’s to be expected from a “Big Bad Wolf” character—her physical stats are amazing.’

That night was safe.

—

—

The next morning.

Leinata’s wound had miraculously healed. Though her face was still pale and she walked with a slight limp, she insisted on keeping her promise.

Nuo Ai’er: “You don’t have to push yourself…”

Leinata: “I won’t break my word.”

The two of them and the wolf passed through the dense forest. After about two hours of walking, they finally reached an open area.

Not far ahead was the edge of the forest.

But… just before the sunlit area.

“I can only take you this far.”

Leinata stopped, her body hidden in the shade of the trees, afraid to step forward.

“Why?” Nuo Ai’er asked, confused. “The village is just a little further ahead.”

“Because…”

Leinata gave a bitter laugh. She reached out a hand and tentatively touched the sunlit area.

sizzle sizzle—

The moment her fingertips touched the sunlight, the pale skin began to burn, instantly emitting white smoke.

“Ehh ∑(°口°๑)” Nuo Ai’er exclaimed in shock.

‘What the hell is this?!’

Leinata quickly withdrew her hand and pulled her wolfskin cloak tight around herself.

But her cloak, having accidentally touched the sunlight, also started to burn.

Leinata shook it several times before putting out the flames.

“Why does it burn?” Nuo Ai’er asked.

“Because I’m cursed.”

“Cursed?”

“Yeah.”

Leinata lowered her head. “The curse prevents me from touching sunlight. If I’m exposed to it, my body and clothes will burn until I’m reduced to ashes.”

“…” Nuo Ai’er was stunned.

‘There’s a story like that about the Big Bad Wolf in the fairy tale?’

‘That doesn’t seem right.’

“Sorry, I can’t take you any further.”

“It’s okay. This is enough. Thank you, Leinata.” Nuo Ai’er smiled and thanked her.

Leinata looked deeply at Nuo Ai’er, her eyes full of reluctance.

“Nuo Ai’er.”

“What is it?”

“The east… isn’t necessarily safe. Be careful.”

“Huh?”

Nuo Ai’er blinked.

‘Is there a second stage?’

“Goodbye, Nuo Ai’er. Good luck.” With that, Leinata turned and walked into the depths of the shadows.

Watching that lonely figure disappear into the woods, remembering how she had protected and cared for her the day before, Nuo Ai’er’s heart ached.

‘This game’s Big Bad Wolf… is way too nice to Little Red Riding Hood.’

Nuo Ai’er adjusted her red hood, gripped the basket in her hand, and walked forward alone.

—

—

Turns out the danger Leinata mentioned never appeared…

Nuo Ai’er arrived at the village safely, but the sight before her surprised her a little.

This so-called “village” only had one house.

It was a dilapidated wooden cabin, standing alone at the village entrance, with smoke curling from the chimney.

‘It must be Grandma’s house.’

Nuo Ai’er walked to the door and knocked gently.

“Come in, the door’s unlocked.”

A kind, aged voice came from inside, sounding like an elderly woman.

‘Little Red Riding Hood made it to Grandma’s house… hmm, even if it’s not a perfect ending, I guess I’ve achieved a good ending.’

‘Finally cleared it!’

Nuo Ai’er pushed the door open.

The room was dim, the curtains drawn tightly shut.

A large bed sat in the center of the room, with a huge mound of blankets on it. A dim shape of a person could be seen lying inside.

“Is that Little Red Riding Hood? Come here, let Grandma take a look.”

The kind voice spoke again, with a hint of hoarseness.

Nuo Ai’er obediently walked to the bedside, took the remaining sandwich from her basket, and handed it over.

“Grandma, this is a snack Mom asked me to bring you…”

The ending was triggered, and the narration began to play…

[Our protagonist, with the help of the “Big Bad Wolf,” arrived safely at Grandma’s house.]

[The food was also delivered safely.]

[What a beautiful and heartwarming ending.]

—

[…But, is it really?]

The next second, that familiar mechanical voice rang out again.

[Choice Moment]

[Facing Grandma on the bed, choose your dialogue…]

[A. Grandma, why are your ears so big?]

‘Huh? There’s only one option?’

‘Seriously, still going for the ceremony even near the end.’

Nuo Ai’er had no choice but to comply: “Grandma, why are your ears so big?”

“The better to hear you with, my dear child.”

The blanket shifted, revealing a pair of furry, oversized ears.

Nuo Ai’er: ‘…Huh? (O_O)’

[Choice Moment]

[A. Grandma, why are your hands so big?]

“The better to hold you with.”

A large, black-furred hand reached out from under the blanket and grabbed Nuo Ai’er’s wrist.

That hand was ice-cold and terrifyingly strong.

“…!”

Nuo Ai’er’s heart skipped a beat. Her instinct told her to step back, but that force held her tight.

[Choice Moment]

[A. Grandma, why is your mouth so big?]

“That’s…”

The blanket was suddenly thrown off!

What came into view was not a kind grandmother at all, but a hideous, terrifying wolf’s head!

Fangs covered in blood, greedy eyes staring at Nuo Ai’er just inches away.

“The better to eat you whole!!”

“Roar!!”

The Big Bad Wolf opened its massive jaws and bit down on Nuo Ai’er’s head!

A sharp pain hit her, and her vision instantly went dark.

[Death Confirmed.]

[Innate Talent “Time Rewind” has been triggered.]

[Loading save…]

—

—

[Oh my, strange. The “Little Red Riding Hood” already reached Grandma’s house—the conditions are right—so why didn’t she achieve a good ending…]

[It seems you’ve misunderstood something, Player Nuo Ai’er.]

[Whe—n—di—d—I—ev—er—sa—y—that—you—were—Lit—tle—Red—Ri—ding—Hood—?]

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA]

—

—

[Bad Ending: False Little Red Riding Hood]