Inside the tree hollow.
Nuo Ai’er sat on a pile of hay, hugging her knees, her eyes vacant.
She didn’t quite know what to do.
‘What does it mean to have played the game for so long and not even know who the protagonist is (annoyed).’
Moreover, the psychological trauma from being bitten to death by “Wolf Grandmother” was too great. She was in the middle of a brainstorming session when Leinata’s voice pulled her back to reality.
“Nuo Ai’er.”
Leinata was sitting to the side, wiping a small knife. Her jade-green eyes swept over Nuo Ai’er indifferently.
“I know two exits. Which way do you plan to leave the forest? The town to the north, or the village to the east?”
[Choice Time!]
[A. Want to go north (achieve normal ending—escape the forest)]
[B. Want to go east, because Grandma’s house is there.]
It was this choice again.
If it were before, Nuo Ai’er would have unhesitatingly chosen east, risking life and limb for those 30 points.
But now…
The thought of that Big Bad Wolf wearing Grandma’s skin, and that gaping bloody mouth, made Nuo Ai’er’s body tremble uncontrollably.
Going east = suicide.
But what about choosing north?
[Normal ending reward: 10 points.]
10 points… For someone who owed a huge debt of 1000 points, it was like a drop in the bucket.
Taking these points back, even if it allows a slight breather…
But actually, going back was useless. She was still in the palm of Monü Weiran’s hand.
“I… I don’t know…”
Nuo Ai’er buried her head even lower.
She was a bit lost.
It felt like no matter which way she went, it was all darkness…
Leinata was startled.
She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Nuo Ai’er looked like she had just walked out of hell.
Looking at the little one with white hair and red eyes, on the verge of collapse, Leinata recalled something.
She sighed and put down the knife in her hand.
“Since you haven’t decided, don’t be in a rush to leave.”
She stood up, walked to the entrance, looked at the sky outside, and said, “The forest hasn’t been safe lately. Let’s stay here for tonight.”
“Huh? Is that okay?” Nuo Ai’er looked up in surprise.
“But there’s a condition.” Leinata turned back. “If you stay, you have to work. Find your own food.”
“I understand. Thank you…”
Nuo Ai’er nodded.
‘Escape is shameful but useful. For now, don’t touch that choice, let myself calm down first.’
And so, Nuo Ai’er began living together with Leinata in the tree hollow.
Also, this time, apparently because Nuo Ai’er had fainted early, the incident with the Hunter Big Sister attacking did not occur.
‘I should be able to catch my breath for now.’
…
Life in the tree hollow wasn’t that bad. Although Leinata spoke harshly, the tasks assigned to her were just ordinary chores.
Pulling weeds, gathering firewood.
Compared to making life-threatening choices, these days felt like a vacation, um QAQ.
♡♡♡
The next morning.
Little Grey slipped out of the tree hollow early in the morning. It had now completely regarded Nuo Ai’er as a friend. Before leaving, it affectionately rubbed against Nuo Ai’er’s palm, then happily ran into the forest to forage.
Only Nuo Ai’er and Leinata remained in the tree hollow.
The two were sorting the herbs they had gathered last night. In the process, one suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
“Nuo Ai’er.”
“What’s wrong?” Nuo Ai’er was crouched on the ground, helping to sort leaves.
“Why did you come to this forest?”
Leinata asked without looking up. “This place is far from human towns. A weak girl like you shouldn’t be in a place like this.”
Nuo Ai’er’s movements stopped.
‘Why did I come here? That would be “Because I’m an internet troll. I provoked a witch online, and she tracked me through the internet, turned me into a loli, and threw me into this game as a player to earn points”…’
‘How can I say something like that (つд⊂)’
Nuo Ai’er was silent for a long time.
“Because… I did something wrong.”
She said quietly, her voice tinged with guilt. “I said some very harsh things, wanting to get attention, and… and I was punished.”
This was the only “truth” she could say out loud.
‘Indeed, it was because of my own mouth that led to all this. Even though it was joking in nature, I brought it upon myself.’
Leinata stopped her movements.
She turned around, looking at Nuo Ai’er’s lowered little head. A complex emotion flickered in those eyes that were always cold.
“Are you starved for love?”
She asked bluntly.
Nuo Ai’er trembled violently, saying nothing.
It was a tacit admission.
Whether it was her previous life as a lonely otaku, or her current situation as a doll, the essence was a desire for attention, yet not knowing how to express it properly.
Leinata looked at her like that and didn’t press further.
“Actually, I—” Leinata was about to say something.
Just then—
“Bam!!”
A gunshot broke the silence in the forest.
The direction the sound came from was exactly where Little Grey had run to forage!
Leinata’s expression changed instantly.
She stood up abruptly, grabbed the small knife leaning against the wall, and her eyes turned sharp.
“Not good! Little Grey!” Nuo Ai’er also recognized it—that was the familiar sound of a hunter’s gun!
Without a word, Leinata rushed out like lightning.
Nuo Ai’er: “Hey, wait for me Σ( ° △ ° |||)︴”