The rge snake stared down at Adeline without making any further movements, as if waiting for something. Adeline did the same, but she froze due to shock, unsure what to do.

  ‘How do I fight a big snake? Can I even choke it? Maybe I should slowly retreat inside.’

  Adeline took a small step backward carefully, but the snake also slithered forward, mimicking her. She quickly changed her mind and stopped moving forward, and the snake slithered backward.

  ‘Hmm.’

  She moved right and then left, and the snake did the same. She started to make random movements, as if dancing, and the snake did its best to mimic her movements.

  “Master is pying with us! How grateful we are, chwik!”

  The green monster emerged from the cave and promptly began to shower her with compliments.

  “Is this my pet or something?” Adeline asked, feeling relieved.

  “Yes, everything in this small forest belongs to master, chwik. It is your rightful territory, and we all obey master, chwik.”

  The green monster fell to its knees once more and bowed; the snake also tried to do the same in its awkward way.

  “How big is my territory?”

  “It is from the cave to the edges of the forest, about one day’s walk north from here, chwik.”

  “So everything in this area is mine?”

  “Yes, master, but sometimes other beasts infringe, so you have to chase them away, chwik.”

  “How many of your kind and that snake are there?”

  “Just the two of us, chwik.”

  “I see. Okay, you two, with me.”

  Adeline naturally took command as she started to walk through the forest, inspecting every inch while remaining on high alert in case a monster popped out of nowhere. After some time, she stopped at a nearby tree for a break; her companions stood on high alert. She felt very lost and confused, both mentally and emotionally. Questions flooded her mind, but one thing was clear: she had to survive. With a rge sigh, she rested her head on the tree, but something felt odd. She reached up to inspect her head and could feel two small protrusions.

  ‘I have small horns. Does that mean I am a demon?’

  To her, it made sense, since she was akin to one back on Earth.

  ‘Maybe this is hell.’

  She let out another sigh as she got up and patted herself down. She continued her inspection, but it was interrupted by the sound of her stomach.

  “Master is hungry. I will catch an animal, chwik.”

  The green monster spoke as it disappeared into a nearby bush. Some time passed, but it returned with a deer on its back, a noticeable grin on its face.

  “Today I caught a big one.” The green monster announced, full of pride.

  “Okay, let’s bring it back home. Also, grab the nearby branches and dry leaves.”

  “Yes, master, chwik.”

  Thus, they made their way back to the cave. Adeline was very displeased with how dirty it was and started to clean the bones and mummified corpses with the help of the snake, which sometimes ate fully decomposed bodies. She was disgusted at the sight but didn’t question it. She instructed the monster to pce the deer down, along with the sticks, as she looked around for a knife. Most of the weapons were dull and rusted, unable to pierce the skin and unsanitary.

  “Bring me water.”

  Adeline handed the monster a leather pouch, which it promptly accepted and sped outside.

  ‘It’s not too bad. I probably need to name them.’

  Shortly ter, it returned with the pouch overflowing with water. She then cleaned her hands as the two monsters watched her keenly.

  “What is master doing, chwik?”

  “Preparing the food to cook.”

  Adeline used her sharp nails to puncture the tough skin, then started to surgically skin the animal. She was astonished by how sharp and precise she was with her nails; she was never this dexterous back on Earth.

  “What is cooking, chwik?”

  “You don’t know what cooking is? How do you eat your food?”

  “I catch, then kill, and finally eat the flesh, chwik.”

  “You will need to stop doing that going forward. If you do, I don’t want to see it and also wear clothes don’t want to see you running around naked.” She warned as she continued her work on the deer. Once she was done portioning the meat, the next step was starting a fire. She compiled the sticks and dry leaves, then used the rusted knives and stone to ignite a small fire, which burned brightly. The green monster and snake suddenly started to panic as they both tried to run outside. Unfortunately, the two of them could not fit together, leaving Adeline confused by their reactions.

  “What are you two doing?”

  “It is the orange weapon, chwik! I don’t want to die!”

  “You will not die from it.”

  “I have seen those monsters wield it, chwik! Everything was turned to ash, chwik!”

  “I am still alive, so you two will both be fine. Now sit.”

  Reluctantly, the two obeyed but remained very close to the exit in case they needed to run away again. She let out a sigh as she began to roast the meat. The smell was very appetizing, and she drooled over the food. The two monsters started to levitate slowly toward the fire, attracted by the smell. Soon, the three of them sat around the fire, waiting anxiously for the food.

  “It’s ready!” She announced with excitement as she handed a stick of meat to the green monster, then indicated to the snake its portion, which it quickly grabbed with its huge mouth and ate whole. Her tail wagged in great excitement, then eyed Adeline’s piece with greed but did not act on it.

  “I will cook you some more.” Adeline skewered another piece and pced it on the fire. The green monster was still very cautious and bit down a small piece cautiously. Its eyes widened, and it started to take rge bites of the meat with excitement. Satisfied, Adeline started to enjoy her food as well. The majority of that day was simply hunting and eating until the entire group y down in a food coma, satisfied as the moon slowly took over.

  “I have a huge appetite. I hope I don’t get fat.”

  “What is an appetite?”

  “Forget about it for now. I also need to give you two names.”

  “Names! Master, you shouldn’t!” The green monster tried to get up but was unable to, so it just accepted its fate.

  “I will call the green one Fang, and the snake one I will call Scales.”

  Shortly after, a bright light engulfed the entire room like a small fshbang. Adeline felt a bit lightheaded, as her vision grew dark, and then passed out on the floor.