In the bustling night market of Dante City, a myriad of mobile stalls lined the streets, offering everything from artistic lanterns and clay figurines to clothing, daily necessities, and, most plentifully, tantalizing food. Each evening, the market teemed with residents drawn by its vibrant allure.
A black-haired girl wandered listlessly along the path, her steps aimless and her spirit dulled.
Aino was starving. In recent days, she had sunk so low as to consider sewer rats as a potential meal.
But those creatures… they were far too revolting and foul to stomach.
Though she couldn’t die of hunger, Aino was perpetually tormented by her innate dragon instincts—a gnawing craving for flesh and blood that left her teetering on the edge of sanity.
Strolling through the night market was a last resort, born of desperation. Perhaps in a crowded place, some vendor might discard unwanted meat? It seemed a faint hope, but Aino had run out of alternatives.
If this continued, she’d have no choice but to flee back to the forest after just a few days in the city.
Lost in her haze of hunger, Aino’s gaze suddenly caught a familiar figure.
It was the adventurer she’d encountered in the forest—the one she’d given a dragon blood flower to—now tending a stall, selling his wares.
A spark of hope ignited in Aino’s eyes. This adventurer, who often roamed far and wide collecting trophies to trade, might have something edible for her, right? Even if he didn’t, as a local human, he’d surely find it easier to procure food than she could—a stranger in an unfamiliar land, no longer even human herself.
She hurried toward him, but as she reached the stall, hesitation gripped her.
What if his kindness in the forest had been a mere ploy to ensure his safety, with no real intent to engage with her? What if he shouted to the crowd that she was a monster?
…I can’t afford to dwell on that now.
“I can’t take it anymore. I hope you won’t make me do something drastic…” she muttered inwardly, her head dipping slightly as a cold, almost frenzied glint flickered in her eyes.
Steeling herself, Aino stepped forward, halting less than a meter from the adventurer.
Carter glanced at the girl, his expression puzzled at first. Then, recognition struck, and his face contorted with alarm.
“You…”
In an instant, Carter retreated a step, his hand darting to his waist, poised to draw a weapon.
Unlike Carter’s wary, almost hostile reaction, Aino remained rooted in place, calmly spreading her hands to show she meant no harm.
Her tranquility left Carter faintly embarrassed.
Seeing that Aino harbored no ill intent and appeared in human form, Carter eased out of his defensive stance and approached her hesitantly.
“Miss, what are you doing here?”
Monsters lurking among humans were a perennial fear—a chilling tale told to scare children, yet one grounded in grim reality. Stories abounded of beasts rampaging through crowded places or masquerading as people, preying on the unsuspecting for years before their true nature was uncovered.
As a seasoned adventurer, Carter had faced such horrors firsthand, battling these cunning and formidable creatures. He just hadn’t anticipated that the humanoid monster from the forest would appear in the city.
Oblivious to the whirlwind of thoughts in Carter’s mind, Aino was fixated on one thing: her hunger. She needed to ask this adventurer—who owed her a small favor—for food.
“Uncle, I’ve been in the city for days, and I’m starving. Do you have any high-quality monster meat? If not, even ordinary livestock will do!”
“Don’t forget, I gave you a dragon blood flower. That herb was pretty valuable, wasn’t it?” she added quickly, fearing he might refuse.
Carter hesitated, but he neither declined nor recoiled.
“I do have some, but it’s not here. It’s hard to sell, so I keep it at home.”
“How about… I go fetch it, and you wait here?”
Carter was clearly reluctant to reveal his home’s location to this not-quite-familiar humanoid monster—especially with his bedridden wife there.
But Aino, lacking in tact, missed his unease. Overjoyed that he had food to offer, she chirped, “No need! It’s getting late anyway. Just finish up your stall as usual, and I’ll come to your house to eat. It’s perfect—I can’t eat in front of others, and it saves you the trip!”
Buoyed by her sudden optimism, Aino plopped down on an empty patch near the stall, grinning at Carter.
Carter mused that if she weren’t using magic to conceal her non-human traits, he’d likely see her wings fluttering or her tail wagging.
Thus, human and dragon passed the rest of the night market in this peculiar, slightly awkward harmony.
Aino observed that the adventurer was a steady, reserved sort. He spoke little while conducting business, his face a mask of neutrality, yet he was honest and dependable.
Carter, in turn, noticed that despite her efforts to chat, the monster was rather introverted—shy, even.
“Surprisingly easy to get along with,” they both thought, a shared relief easing their tension.
—
Carter tapped lightly on the door before pushing it open.
“I’m back, and I brought a guest,” he called toward the bedroom, setting down his belongings and gesturing for Aino to sit.
“I’ll get the food now. See if it suits you. If you need a place to stay, you can spend the night here—though it’s a bit simple.”
“Okay, thank you,” Aino replied with a smile.
Since Aino couldn’t eat in front of others and had no lodging, Carter decided she could sleep on the sofa. He couldn’t bring himself to ignore or antagonize this humanoid monster who had aided him, shown friendliness, and seemed genuinely approachable.
Soon, Carter returned with a bottle of liquid. Aino’s eyes locked onto it with keen interest.
“It’s good—decent quality.”
“Alright. I’ll head to the bedroom then. Rest early.”
Noticing her barely restrained urge to devour the bottle yet holding back due to his presence, Carter stifled a smile and retreated to the bedroom, leaving her in peace.
As he stepped inside, a bitter medicinal scent filled the small room. Seeing his frail wife on the bed, Carter’s mood plummeted.
“Dear,” Molly murmured, her eyes fluttering open weakly as she forced a smile.
Carter settled gently on the bed’s edge, brushing his wife’s forehead with tender care.
“How are you feeling today?” he asked, mustering a smile despite her gaunt appearance.
“…” Molly didn’t reply at first, simply gazing at him with soft affection.
After a pause, she spoke flatly. “Still very uncomfortable. Everything hurts, and I’ve got no strength… I don’t think there’s much hope, Carter.” The green-haired woman pouted like a petulant child.
“I’ll find a way. We have to keep fighting, Molly…” His hand trembled on her head, the thought of losing her unbearable.
This abrupt illness had shattered their lives.
“There’s no way. The great physician said this strange disease is nearly impossible to cure. It’d take a miracle.”
But at her words, Carter’s mind sparked with sudden inspiration. He shot to his feet.
“What is it, Car—”
“I’ve got an idea, Molly. If no human can cure it, maybe we should try someone who isn’t human!”
—
