Queenza ran between the trees while occasionally looking back. Her breath was labored, and she was so thirsty. But she couldn't stop. Those people—or rather creatures—were going to kill her.

No!

It will not happen. Giving up is not an option. It doesn't matter that she is so weak compared to them. It doesn't matter that they can crush her easily. She will continue to fight to save herself until the Angel of Death himself intervenes to take her life.

KRAAAAK.

"Ah!"

Queenza screamed when a large tree branch in front of her broke and almost fell on her. She ran faster, turning towards the denser growing trees.

Slings.

KRAKK.

A strange white light left above her and then hit the tree trunk until it fell. The girl jumped to the side to avoid it, making herself fall by tripping over a tree root. At the same time, the tree hit the ground, making a terrible sound in the dark night.

"Ugh!"

The girl winced when she felt the pain in her arm. The tree roots that made her fall also managed to cut her skin, creating a long wound that began to ooze fresh blood.

"Hmm, what a sweet smell."

Afraid?

Of course, she was afraid. In fact, her body was shaking with fear. But she still wouldn't give up. As fast as Queenza could, she stood up and ran again.

At the place where Queenza had fallen, two large men laughed with amusement at the girl's struggle to protect herself. One of them, with a jet black body, bent down, poked at Queenza's blood that was stuck to the tree roots, then straightened his body again while smelling the scent of blood on his fingertips.

"Hmm, really sweet. I've never smelled blood this delicious." He put his fingertips in his mouth then closed his eyes with a look of pleasure.

His friend, whose eyes were all red like blood, smiled crookedly. "It's time for us to stop playing around. We have to catch her immediately before other creatures do." 

The jet-black man opened his eyes and let out a sigh of pleasure. "Damn, you're right. Even though I still want to enjoy the sensation of hunting for longer."

"Never mind. Let's catch her immediately." Without waiting for his friend, the red-eyed man shot out like an arrow. It was clear he wasn't human. They came from the Ogre race, a non-human creature that likes to eat the flesh of other creatures.

The other man smiled amusedly. He also prepared to chase the red eyes. But his body froze when he felt something. A flow of energy coursed through his body, making him feel more refreshed. Without needing to think, he knew where the energy came from.

Hmm, it turns out the rumors about the girl were true. Her delicious-tasting blood had hidden power. Just by tasting a little, he already felt this kind of energy. Especially if he can suck it until he's full. Maybe he will have great power.

Slowly, a sly smile appeared on the lips of the man with a jet-black body. If that's true, why share? It seemed he was forced to get rid of the red eyes once the sweet-blooded girl was caught.

On the other hand, Queenza was still running. Her body felt increasingly tired, her breathing began to hurt, and her throat became very dry. But she had to survive.

"Just a little more, Queenza. Just a little bit more!" she encouraged himself, even though she didn't know where she would hide in this dark forest.

Suddenly, a white shadow shot in front of Queenza. The seventeen-year-old girl widened her eyes in horror. What other creatures did she encounter this time? The forest's guardian ghost? Or was it another type of creature that was also targeting her? Oh, what sin had Queenza committed to be punished in this situation?

In a state of increasing fear, Queenza still continued to run. And strangely, the white shadow also continued to run several meters in front of her. If you looked closely, the creature was not like a ghost. It had a small body, the size of a cat, and it was covered with white fur that looked very soft, like cotton.

As if feeling noticed, the creature glanced briefly at Queenza without stopping its run. Even though they were quite far away, Queenza felt that the creature was very cute and adorable. It didn't look evil at all like the creatures Queenza had previously encountered. Maybe it was some kind of animal. But what animal? A cat? A dog? A rabbit? Or a combination of all three?

Before she had time to find an answer, the creature suddenly turned to the left and then jumped up and down in place while looking at Queenza. Queenza's steps slowed. Curiosity gripped her heart amidst ragged breaths.

Does this cute animal want Queenza to follow it? But what if this is a trap? Maybe the animal was ordered by someone or something there. It could be that it deliberately wanted to lure her in”

CRACK.

The sound of a branch breaking startled Queenza. Without another thought, she ran again. This time towards the furry animal. Maybe this was a stupid choice. But it was better than her continuing to run without any direction or purpose.

As soon as Queenza headed towards it, the creature began running again. Not even five minutes had left when Queenza screamed reflexively as the ground she was standing on gave way and she fell into a deep ravine.

"KYAAAAA!"

BROKE.

Bugh.

Queenza's body remained motionless as soon as she landed at the bottom of the ravine, but she didn't faint. Her entire body felt incredibly painful because she had been hit several times by sharp rocks on the cliff wall and protruding tree roots.

"I heard her voice around here. Could it be that she fell into the ravine?" 

Hearing the sound, Samar Queenza was convinced that it was the creatures chasing her. In her dire condition with a body full of wounds, Queenza realized she had to move so as not to be seen from the edge of the cliff.

Summoning the last of her strength, Queenza forced herself to sit up and shifted her body so that she was pressed against the wall of the ravine, away from the moonlight. It was then that her gaze fell upon a human skeleton positioned in the middle of a narrow ravine that resembled a well.

Queenza swallowed in horror and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She had fallen directly onto the bones, even staining the mouth of the skull with her own blood flowing from her arm.

Even before believing in the existence of vampire-type creatures, Queenza already believed that ghosts or spirits coexisted with humans. Consequently, she always avoided sacred places and cemeteries, fearful of sudden appearances and disturbances from such entities.

And now, look at her. She was actually trapped in a well with a fully intact human skeleton, even though her own body had been crushed. If the spirit of the person became angered by Queenza's presence, it might follow her and continue to disturb her.

Just a few seconds after Queenza noticed the presence of the bones, her eyes widened as the skeleton suddenly moved. She almost screamed, but quickly covered her mouth with both hands. A single tear escaped her eye, a manifestation of the fear that consumed her.

"She's down there."

"Damn it! This furry animal is blocking my way."

"Just catch it and eat it."

"But he's very agile."

Then, silence. No more sounds came from above. At this moment, Queenza's attention was completely fixated on the terrifying human skeleton. She tried not to move at all, even subconsciously holding her breath to ensure that the spirit, demon, or whatever it was, did not notice her presence.

***

Sweet.

That was the first thing Kingsley thought of as soon as he awoke from his long slumber. Slowly, the darkness that had previously enveloped his vision faded, replaced by the soft moonlight illuminating his surroundings.

Shit! It turns out this is not just a place to lie down. This place is his grave. And look at him now. His hand, raised in front of his face, is just a collection of bones. It looks so disgusting. How long has he been asleep? Ten years? Fifty years? Or perhaps more than a hundred years?

Kingsley rose from his prone position while surveying his entire body. What's left of his flesh? Every part of him has turned into mere bones. Surely the worms and scavengers here are feasting on his body.

A slight movement caught Kingsley's attention. He turned his head and noticed a woman sitting curled up on the far side, shrouded in the darkness untouched by moonlight. The woman's eyes widened in horror, while both hands covered her mouth as if trying to stifle her screams.

Instantly, Kingsley's mouth, now just a skeletal structure, moved as if he were smiling. That woman had awakened him with her blood. And her blood can also restore Kingsley's body. Unfortunately, by sucking her blood, the woman will absorb Kingsley's power. Only one thing can restore his strength: making love. Just like before...

"Queenza."

The woman, whom Kingsley called Queenza, widened her eyes, clearly stunned to hear him speak her name. Kingsley himself was surprised that he could talk in his current condition.

"Why do you look so scared? Not like the last time we met," Kingsley said, his final sentence laced with sarcasm. He vividly remembered Queenza's fiery gaze as she plunged the blood-stained dagger into his back.

Queenza furrowed her brows in disbelief. What was the skull talking about?

Ah, well. It doesn't matter. Queenza doesn't mind. At least the skull didn't immediately try to kill her like the others. It even knew her name. Perhaps it's a magical skull that can aid Queenza, just like in the movies.

Queenza slowly lowered her hand, which had been covering her mouth, attempting to act brave. She stared into the empty eye sockets of the skull, which should have contained eyes.

"Hmm, Mr. Skull. I don't—"

"What are you saying?!" Kingsley's voice rose. "How dare you call this handsome King a mere skeleton."

Queenza leaned her back against the well's wall. Although the appearance of the living skull before her remained the same, anger infused his words, making Queenza afraid. "Handsome?" Queenza muttered to herself. "If he's handsome, then what is ugly?"

"Hey, hey, Queenza. I heard what you said," the bones that comprised Kingsley's hand moved and pointed at Queenza in annoyance.

BRAAKKK.

"Ah!" Queenza exclaimed in surprise when she heard a loud noise coming from above the well.

Kingsley's skull looked up, braving the moonlight shining directly on him. "Sounds like Ogres," Kingsley muttered.

"Are those some kind of vampires?" Queenza couldn't help but ask. There was a sense of security when she was with this skull. It was as if Queenza was certain that the skull could protect her.

Kingsley looked back at Queenza feeling annoyed. "You must be born again."

Again, Queenza's brow furrowed, remembering one of the drama films she had watched. "Do you mean I’m the reincarnation of someone from the past?"

"Not reincarnation because you can't die. But something like that."

"I can't die," Queenza muttered softly, as if trying to grasp the meaning of the sentence.

"Ah, never mind," Kingsley wagged his fingers lazily. This simple but successful movement made Queenza stare in horror because the bones seemed as if they might fall apart when he moved. "Stop looking at me like that or I'll scare you."

"How can you?" Queenza reflexively asked, her gaze directed down to the spot between Kingsley's thighbones.

Kingsley followed Queenza's gaze, then hurriedly stood up to hide his embarrassment. "Of course I can. I'll prove it later. But right now, I have to help Mochi."

"Mochi?"

Without answering Queenza's question, Kingsley looked up at the night sky. A few moments later, a gentle wind blew, swirling around Kingsley's skeletal frame, and lifted him up, out of the well-like abyss.

Queenza watched this in amazement, quietly acknowledging the greatness of the skull. For the first time since learning that mythical creatures actually existed, she felt safe. And that thought made Queenza feel sleepy.

Hmm, how long had it been since she had last had a good night's sleep? Two weeks ago? Three months ago? Or was it one year ago before Queenza encountered a terrifying mythical creature for the first time?

"Looks like it'll be okay if I close my eyes for a moment," Queenza muttered to herself as she lay down on the ground that once served as Kingsley's grave.

No more fear, no more worry. All Queenza felt now was extreme sleepiness and the desire to sleep. Slowly but surely, Queenza allowed the dream world to pull her further and further away.