The starry sea before my eyes gradually faded, signaling the end of the wish and the beginning of its fulfillment.
My body felt distinctly different, though nothing as extreme as last time’s ceiling-scraping face. Just… strange sensations stirring within.
Did my wish come true properly?
I sighed in relief and slowly opened my eyes…
Seventh Ju: …
Seventh Ju: …………
Two curved fang-blades loomed on either side of my head. Beneath two revolting pig nostrils gaped a bottomless, bloodstained maw.
Pressure bit into my lower left abdomen. I looked down. Four horrifying claw marks tore from my left shoulder to my waist, shredding my shirt to tatters.
I saw my collarbone, ribs, even the glistening membrane of my organs. Flaps of peeled skin clung to the claw embedded in my gut.
Time froze.
Disgusting… I’m going to vomit…
Am I… dying…?
No. Wait. The pain wasn’t that intense. My left side barely stung—like scraping against a wall.
Seventh Ju: …?
I focused again. My left chest was merely exposed by torn fabric. Not a scratch on it.
That earlier vision… an illusion?
Right. My camouflage ability.
It even fooled *me*. Was its effect truly indiscriminate?
???: ROOOOAAAR—!
A beastly roar slammed into my face. This was no illusion—a monstrous, snarling predator!
Its lower half was still buried underground. It must’ve tunneled up during my wish.
Its body and head resembled a wild boar, but those clawed limbs were deadlier than hooves.
Trapped near metal pipes, its thrashing head had bent the sound-conduit tubes on either side.
Maybe that’s why it couldn’t fully lunge at me.
But now… at this angle… its jaws could crush my skull in one bite.
Seventh Ju: …………
Fear.
I was terrified of this monster.
Even knowing my Wish Power could save me, my body refused to move.
Just weeks ago, I’d been an ordinary high school graduate. A bookworm who skipped gym class.
This scene belonged in nightmares—not my life. I had no idea how to react.
*Why is this happening? Why me?*
All I could do was silently pray:
"Just… leave me alone."
Darkness swallowed my vision. My face pressed against something rough, slimy, and foul—like a rotten dishrag.
A reeking stench flooded my nose. Crushing pressure locked around my neck.
My head… was in its mouth.
Jaw pressure ground against my neck, then shifted to my jaw and cheek.
It was trying… to bite my head off.
Seventh Ju: Ghh…
Seventh Ju: Aaah…
Seventh Ju: ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH—!
Instinct finally kicked in. My hands flailed wildly.
*SMACK!* One palm slapped the beast’s bristly chest.
???: Grrrooo…
???: ROOOOAAAR—!!!
The pressure vanished. I yanked my head free and scrambled backward, collapsing onto the ground.
Now I saw its full size. If the visible half was this massive… its total length must be nearly four meters!
Its upper body strained against bent metal pipes, thrashing to break free.
*Someone—anyone—come help!*
Its roar and the shattered pipes must’ve drawn attention…
*THWIP—!*
???: Grrrk—!
Seventh Ju: —!
The beast went still.
Something had sprouted from its ear—no, *impaled* it.
Red liquid seeped from the wound. Its massive body slumped sideways, limbs twitching faintly.
The life-draining terror eased just enough for me to realize: it was dying.
Ten meters away, Li Weishe nocked a second arrow, bow drawn taut.
Seventh Ju: …………
Li Weishe: …………
Seventh Ju: Is it… dead?
Li Weishe: Seems so…
Li Weishe lowered his bow, drew a knife, and drove it deep into the beast’s neck. Blood oozed out. His shoulders visibly relaxed.
Li Weishe: Safe… It’s dead.
Li Weishe: No—Xiao Ju! Are you hurt?!
Seventh Ju: I…
Seventh Ju: I think…
Li Weishe: Let me see—
Day High: Xiao Ju—! Xiao Ju—!
Day High stumbled over from another direction.
Day High: HOLY—! Is that a *Molehog*?!
Seventh Ju: It’s… dead. Li Weishe killed it.
Day High: Xiao Ju, are you injured?!
Li Weishe: Doesn’t look like it. Just torn clothes.
Day High: Phew… Thank god.
Day High: Why are you soaked?
Seventh Ju: That’s…
Seventh Ju: Ahaha…
…………
…………
Minutes later, soldiers arrived and secured the area. Our five-person team was ushered into a military tent off-limits to regular laborers. Officer Aiton sat listening to a soldier’s report.
Aiton: Understood.
Aiton: So Ink River isn’t involved?
Ink River: …………
Aiton: Assign Ink River new duties. The rest stay for questioning.
Aiton: Commander Preman is inspecting today. I’ll fetch him.
Watching Aiton leave, unease coiled in my chest.
Seventh Ju: …Is this serious?
Day High: Pioneer Teams never expose laborers to this danger. Threats are cleared or monitored first.
Half Moon Outflow: But those tracks I found… someone *must’ve* noticed.
Li Weishe: Whatever. If it’s not after me, I’ll shoot it dead.
Seventh Ju: …………
Commander Preman entered soon after. Among the dark and brown-haired crowd, his golden hair and sharp features stood out.
Preman: Everyone. Last saw you during the first, fourth, eighth, and final recruitment batches.
Seventh Ju: …………
Day High: …An honor to be remembered, sir.
Preman: Skip the formalities. Seventh Ju—are you unharmed?
Seventh Ju: Yes… thank you.
Preman: Good. I’ve read the report. Answer honestly: Has anyone here seen a Molehog before today?
Silence. Then Half Moon Outflow raised a hand.
Preman: Ah. Explains how you recognized its burrow signs.
Preman: Half Moon Outflow—what does a Molehog eat?
Half Moon Outflow: …Omnivorous. Roots to livestock.
Preman: Meaning it won’t pass up easy prey.
Half Moon Outflow: …I suppose.
Preman: Then why did it target Seventh Ju?
Confused glances flicked toward me.
Li Weishe: I’d make easier prey, honestly.
Seventh Ju: Not the time for jokes…
Preman: Ah—impressive bamboo arrows, Li Weishe. Rival our Pioneer archers and fletchers.
Li Weishe: Only survival skill I’ve got.
Preman: Day High noticed the tilted comms-pipe. Post-inspection confirmed the Molehog bent the other end. Plausible.
Day High: …Yeah.
Preman: —But Seventh Ju remains the puzzle.
Seventh Ju: …………
Preman: Why you, not others? I have theories…
Seventh Ju: …?
Preman: …How did you survive its bite?
Seventh Ju: I…
*I can’t tell him the truth.*
Seventh Ju: It burst from the ground… claws snagged my shirt as I fell back…
Seventh Ju: Then… Li Weishe shot it.
Li Weishe: …………
Day High: …………
Half Moon Outflow: …………
Preman: …………
Their silence screamed disbelief.
Preman: …Seventh Ju.
Commander Preman stepped close, his blue eyes locking onto mine—radiating quiet authority.
Preman: …………
Preman: Dismiss the others. Assign them new posts.
Preman: Bring Seventh Ju back. I’ll speak with him alone.
Seventh Ju: …………
