Cold Ice feels better than the heat of the bonfire

How long has it been…?

My tongue is parched, even thinking itself feels… heavy.

The fire keeps licking at my skin, carrying the sickly sweetness of burning flesh…

Am I… nearly … cooked?

Their joyous howls… are fading…

Why… am I still… conscious?

I… can’t endure much longer…

This heat… STOP THIS HEAT!?

BOOOM!

A white-blue explosion burst from Ayato’s body, devouring the massive bonfire in an instant. The air that had once seared his skin turned biting cold, every breath now crystallizing into mist.

The furred creatures froze where they stood. The dancers, the sleepers, the watchers—all were sealed in crystalline ice, their final expressions etched into eternity.

The great fire collapsed into blackened charcoal. Burning wood cracked with a faint whimper, then fell silent.

Ayato’s body slipped from the spit and crashed onto the ground, now glazed with frost. The bonds at his wrists and ankles shattered, brittle as glass.

White steam hissed from fissures across his skin, as if the inferno within still clashed against the cold without.

His chest rose and fell in heavy bursts. Each breath was a blade, yet at least air still filled his lungs. His blood seethed with leftover heat… but at last his fingers twitched, then his arms stirred.

Slowly, he forced himself upright, breath billowing white in the frozen air.

“What… just happened?”

Still weak, Ayato struggled to grasp his condition.

“Forget it… I need to run…”

With what little strength remained, Ayato dragged himself away from the place, praying he would never again cross paths with those terrifying creatures.

Each step grew heavier. His skin peeled, his body breaking apart piece by piece. Yet still he pressed on—until a hidden root caught his foot and sent him sprawling onto his back.

Hurts… it hurts so much!

The sky above… glittered with stars…

Is this the last thing I’ll ever see?

“Hmm. Impressive—you lasted this long.”

A shadow loomed over Ayato’s fading vision before everything collapsed into black.

…

Gasp!

“Ngh… the pain…”

His body screamed as he jolted awake. Yet his scorched skin had been covered with a soothing balm, cool against the burns. Broad leaves were pressed against his wounds, binding them tight.

“These leaves…”

“Heh, so you’re awake.”

Ayato lifted his head toward the voice.

Upon a thick branch stood a tall woman. Long hair the shade of deep green spilled over her shoulders, partly veiling the furred, pointed ears upon her head. Emerald eyes gleamed sharp, wild as the forest itself. Three claw marks cut across her cheek—not diminishing her beauty, but standing as proof of battles survived.

A mantle of beast fur draped across her shoulders. Her leather garb was plain yet bold, exposing toned arms and hardened abs. On her right wrist glowed a bracelet set with a faint green crystal. Arms folded, she radiated the sovereign presence of the forest itself.

“Who are you?”

“Before asking others, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”

“Forgive me. My name is A― I… don’t remember. I’m sorry.”

“Heeh, in that case, I’ll just call you kid.”

“Fine. Then allow me to call you the Forest King—because that’s the presence you carry.”

“Forest King? Hahaha, I don’t mind that! Anyway—kid!”

The Forest King leapt down, landing beside him with effortless grace.

“With your condition, I doubt you’ll survive here alone. But I’ve no intention of babysitting you until you recover.”

Makes sense. After all, why would she bother staying with a stranger like me? But for me—

“I―”

“That’s why, I have a suggestion.”

“A suggestion? What is it?”

“One week.”

“One week?”

“I’ll let you follow me for one full week. Learn what you can—and after that, you’re on your own.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you get it? If you don’t, you’ll die.”

Her voice was serious, and Ayato’s chest tightened. Panic seeped in as he struggled to process her words. His injuries clouded his thoughts, but the weight of the situation forced him to muster every drop of focus.

If I follow her for one week… at least I’ll be safe from monsters. Maybe even find food? Food…?

GROWL.

“Ah―”

“Ah.”

“Hahaha! Alright, for today only I’ll feed you. After this, you’ll find your own.”

The Forest King drew a strip of dried meat from a pouch at her waist.

“Eat―”

Ayato snatched it instantly, devouring it with reckless gusto.

“Oi, eat slower or your stomach will give out. Don’t worry, I’ve got more—you can finish it all.”

“Mmh—this meat is amazing! Gulp! Sorry, I haven’t eaten in so long. And… thank you!”

“No problem. Once I reapply your medicine, you rest. Tomorrow, you’ll follow me every step of the way.”

“Yes! Thanks again!”

“Don’t look so cheerful, kid. Don’t think everything will go your way.”

The Forest King smiled coldly.

“Anyway, just do as I say. Finish eating, then I’ll tend your wounds.”

“Right!”

…

And so Ayato finally understood the meaning behind the Forest King’s cold smirk the day before.

“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! SHE DISAPPEARED AGAIN!”

After tending his wounds and even hunting food for him the previous day, the next morning the Forest King moved nonstop through the forest.

Whenever she hunted, she crafted tools from branches, leaves, and stone.

At first, Ayato hadn’t paid attention to how she did it—but by the end of that day, he regretted it.

The Forest King never handed him tools or bait. She showed him once, then left him to figure it out on his own.

Because of his carelessness, Ayato went hungry that day.

By the time the sky darkened, the Forest King returned with several prey in hand. Ayato could only grit his teeth at her smug grin.

Damn it! So that’s how it is, huh?

If I want to survive, then following her means watching her every move for this one week!

Even if my wounds aren’t healed, I have no excuse not to try.

The Forest King gathered dry leaves and branches, then flicked a small stone toward the pile.

A spark leapt out, igniting the fire.

“W-What was that? What did you just throw?”

“Hmm~”

She tossed him the stone. He caught it reflexively.

“No way! Eh? Nothing happened.”

“That one’s for today only. Starting tomorrow, find your own. And one more thing—since you caught nothing, you don’t get to eat.”

“I-I know. I finally understand what you meant yesterday… what tough luck.”

“Haha, good. But take my advice—think of it as nothing more than luck. Don’t expect fortune to smile on you twice.”

“Yes… I won’t count on it again. Still—”

“Stop. I don’t want to hear more.”

“…Alright. Then maybe I’ll say it when the time is right.”

The night ended quietly, the bonfire crackling while his stomach rumbled in hunger.