After Akio, Ken, and Ann spent hours wandering through Darkova, gathering information, they found a small inn and rented a tiny room that barely fit them. The room was cold, the walls made of old wood, and the bed didn't look comfortable at all.
The three stepped out and sat in the hotel's small restaurant around an old wooden table, trying out some local food. Ken sat silently, sipping black tea. Ann was having soup. As for Akio, he took a huge bite of some strange-looking meat and began chewing enthusiastically. But within seconds… the color drained from his face.
Akio (eyes wide with shock): "W-Wait… this tastes weird…"
Ann (raising a brow): "What now?"
Akio (pauses, then screams): "AAAH!! This isn't normal meat!! They're cannibals!!"
He threw the fork from his hand, panting like he'd been poisoned, clutching his stomach dramatically as if he were dying.
Ken raised an eyebrow and glanced at Akio's plate, then spoke calmly:
Ken: "It's just venison. Stop acting like a child."
Akio (pointing at the plate in horror): "What?! Deer?! Since when is deer edible?!"
Ann facepalmed and replied mockingly:
Ann: "You idiot! Deer meat is one of the most popular dishes in Darkova."
Akio (disgusted): "That's gross! I want soufflé instead!!"
Ann (laughing): "Akio's love story with soufflé never ends! But my love story with Ken is something else entirely!"
Ignoring the venison, Akio reached for his drink, not realizing he grabbed the wrong cup—it was Ken's. Inside was black tea. The moment he tasted it, he froze, then his eyes shot wide open—and he spat the tea directly into Ken's face.
Ken stood stunned, realizing his face and clothes were now soaked in the tea Akio had just spit out. For the first time, Ken looked truly angry, his expression comically furious. He punched Akio in the face, knocking him to the floor, then grabbed him by the collar and lifted him.
Akio (nearly in tears): "Wait! Wait! It was an accident! I'm sorry, the tea was disgusting!!!"
Ken (eyes blazing): "An accident?! You spit tea in my face! Do you even know how hot it was?!"
Ann, holding her spoon, watched the scene like it was a comedy show. She tried to cover her mouth but couldn't stop laughing.
Ann: "Oh my god… this is the best thing I've ever seen! Ken-san is angry! I never thought I'd see this!"
Still fuming, Ken lifted Akio higher—then slammed him directly onto the table!
BOOM!!!
Part of the wooden table cracked beneath Akio. Dishes clattered, cups fell, and everyone in the restaurant turned to stare. But Ken wasn't done. He grabbed Akio again—
BOOOOOOM!!!
Another punch—this time straight to the head—sent Akio flying for a second before crashing back to the floor. His face was hilariously swollen.
Akio (with a puffy face): "I-I'm not okay…"
Ann clutched her stomach from laughing so hard, barely able to breathe.
Ann (through laughter): "Akio… I think you just… awakened the sleeping monster inside Ken-san!"
After finishing his beating, Ken pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and walked off, leaving Akio and Ann behind.
Ken (coldly): "I'm going to shower."
Scene shifts to Terrakula's gothic throne room, where she sat on her throne, sipping from a glass full of blood as usual. Her three guards stood before her. Akira leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Nyoro sat on a fancy chair, bored, playing with a dagger. Steve stood silently near the door, arms crossed, eyes watching Terrakula quietly.
Terrakula took a sip from her glass, then looked up with a sly smile and said in a soft but commanding tone:
Terrakula: "Boys… tomorrow night, we're throwing a ball."
Akira, lost in thought, immediately perked up like something had awakened him.
Akira: "A party?! You mean a real one? With music… and ladies?!"
Terrakula smirked, swirling her glass slowly.
Terrakula: "Of course, dear Akira. Nobles from all over Darkova will attend… which means, plenty of beautiful women."
Akira pumped his fist excitedly, as if his soul had returned.
Nyoro (mocking): "Oh sure, the moment women are involved, suddenly Akira's interested in something other than whining."
Akira (placing a hand on his chest dramatically): "Of course! Women are life! How could anyone live without them?"
He closed his eyes, raised his head dramatically:
Akira: "They are the flowers that decorate this cruel world… the stars that light the darkness of our hearts…"
Nyoro burst out laughing, Terrakula smiled with amusement, and Steve remained quiet—until he finally spoke:
Steve: "A party, huh…"
Terrakula: "Yes, Steve. There will be nobles, businessmen, and important people… and I want you there too."
Steve: "If you want me there, I'll be there."
Akira looked at him in disbelief, then smirked mischievously:
Akira: "Steve, man, don't you ever get excited?! Do you even have feelings?!"
Steve (calmly): "I'm not interested in shallow parties, dancing, or pointless conversations with fake people."
Akira froze, stroked his chin, then said:
Akira: "Hmm… so what are you interested in, Mr. Mysterious?"
Steve: "Silence."
Nyoro (laughing and clapping): "Oh man! Steve, you are officially the most boring guy in this castle!"
Akira (laughing): "Come on, at least try to have fun. Maybe you'll find a quiet girl like you, and you can sit in the corner staring at each other… forever!"
Steve didn't respond—he just stared coldly, while Terrakula thoroughly enjoyed the scene. Then she stood and declared cheerfully but firmly:
Terrakula: "Tomorrow night… I want all of you at your best. Don't ruin the party. Don't cause trouble."
Then she looked at Akira with a raised brow:
Terrakula: "And you, Akira… try not to break the furniture chasing after girls."
She left the throne room, heels echoing. Akira turned to Nyoro, clapped excitedly.
Akira: "So… you ready? I'm going to be the king of the party!"
Nyoro (grinning): "Oh, don't worry, Akira. We'll see who steals the spotlight."
Steve sighed quietly and muttered:
Steve: "What a pain…"
Hours later, as everyone was busy preparing for the party, Akira found himself wandering the castle halls aimlessly. Without thinking much, he headed up to the upper floor where the child's cell was. He opened the door with the key.
Inside, the child sat in the corner, wrapped in a thin blanket, shivering. His golden eyes widened in fear when the door opened. What caught Akira's attention most… was the sound of the boy's growling stomach.
Akira: "You're starving, aren't you?"
The child didn't answer, only stared in fear, then placed his hand over his belly as if to quiet the sound. Akira sighed and ran a hand through his black hair.
Akira: "God… even Terrakula didn't think to feed you? Do they want you to die slowly in here?"
The boy stayed silent, listening. Akira looked at him for a moment, then abruptly left the cell, locking the door behind him.
Minutes later, Akira returned with a piece of bread and some dried meat stolen from the castle's kitchen. He opened the door and tossed the food inside.
Akira: "Eat."
The boy stared at the food, then looked up at Akira.
Child: "Is… is this for me?"
Akira (raising a brow, sarcastically): "No, it's for the cell's decoration. Of course it's for you, you little idiot."
The child didn't care about the sarcasm—he grabbed the food quickly and started eating hungrily.
After eating half, Akira asked:
Akira: "What's your name?"
Child (nervously): "M-my name is… Lionel. Thank you, wolf brother!"
Akira froze. He wasn't used to hearing words of gratitude. He turned his head away, trying to act indifferent, but felt something strange in his chest—something he didn't want to admit.
Akira (dryly): "Don't thank me. I'm the one who brought you here…"
Lionel kept looking at him, wide-eyed, as if that meant nothing.
There was something unusual in the child's gaze—not just fear, but something else… something Akira couldn't explain.
Lionel (quietly): "But you didn't hurt me."
Akira scowled, sighing again as he ran his hand through his hair.
Akira: "That doesn't mean I won't later, so don't think I'm some good guy or anything."
Lionel said nothing, just stared. Then, after a moment… he gave a very small smile. It wasn't smug or mocking—just innocent.
Lionel (gently): "But you are a good person."
Akira froze as if he'd never heard such words before.
Akira (grumbling, looking away): "God, are all kids this annoying?!"
He sat in front of the cell, leaning back against the cold stone wall, fidgeting with his claws like he wasn't interested in talking.
Lionel: "Are you a real werewolf?"
Akira (leaning his head back): "Not fully."
Lionel: "What do you mean?"
Akira: "It means I'm not fully human… and not fully wolf. Stuck in between. Like a monster."
Lionel didn't fully understand but nodded like he accepted it.
Akira: "Listen, Lionel, I have to go now."
Lionel (hopefully): "Will you come back tomorrow?"
Akira hesitated. He wasn't ready for that question. He looked at Lionel for a moment, then slowly stood and turned to leave.
But before exiting, he paused and, without turning around, said softly:
Akira: "Yeah… and I promise I'll get you out of here."
He closed the door behind him, leaving Lionel alone—but for the first time since arriving… Lionel didn't feel afraid. For once, he felt like someone might not let him die here.
As Akira walked the castle halls, his breathing grew heavier… the child had started to remind him of himself.
In a dark alley…
A seven-year-old boy sat on the dirty ground, curled up like he wanted to disappear. His clothes were torn, his knees bruised, his face pale, lips cracked from hunger. He couldn't remember when he last ate. Two days? Three?
He was surrounded by older delinquent boys, laughing at him.
"Look who we found today! The freak who's been skipping school!"
"It's Akira the monster! Thinks he'll become human if he studies with us!"
"He's nothing… he doesn't belong anywhere!"
Akira didn't respond. He didn't have the strength. But the tears burned his eyes—not out of fear, but because he knew they were right. He didn't belong anywhere. Humans didn't accept him… and neither did werewolves.
One boy kicked him in the stomach, making his frail body curl in pain.
"Oops! Just wanted to see if he has claws!"
They all laughed. Another grabbed him by the shirt, lifted him slightly, then spat on his face.
"You're pathetic… even if you tried to fight, you'd still lose."
He pushed Akira hard. His face hit the stones. Pain shot through his jaw… but he didn't move.
The scene faded… memories blurred.
Back in the castle, Akira walked the halls with the expression of someone trying to suppress everything inside.
To be continued…