(S1) Chapter 5: Long Hair

Cormelio never has to realize something from these guys. It's them.

It feels like my head was shaken when that fist from the giant guy blew on my nose! The two men locking my arms were thrown into the handcart with me. The rest of the guys murmured praises for the tall man. The two left my side while I'm cringing my nose and lying on the handcart. The man stood with his legs both on my sides and showered me with more punches.

I made sure that my training with Cormelio is useful. My arms cover my head from the intense and heavy punches that shake my head, bump on the wood, and nothing but brute beating. Every hit depicts hostility to avenge an accomplice. And I believe that's acceptable. It's my right to avenge myself then. 

The tall man ceased and was startled after having sight of me. His fists are swelling and shuddering, the unfathomable reaction on his face is adorable. Without a glimpse of hesitation, my uppercut attack met his chin. He was pushed backward, rolled, and fell from the handcart upside down.

I felt the punches but it itches, so I wiped my unscathed face. And when I looked at the tall man, he was already knocked down. The scoffers are speechless now. I jumped down the handcart and warned, "Stop messing around. Unless you want to meet your demise earlier than what is fated?" I didn't mean to be terrifying but because of that, they trembled and fled—leaving the giant guy behind.

But not far enough, the countryside civil knights arrested them for troublemaking, reported by a concerned witness. She’s the badass woman who beat the scoffers too with an eggplant! She insisted on taking me to the clinic but I wagged my hands and declined her devotion with sincere kindness. 

"But I saw you were beaten! Are you sure you're alright?" she insists. I’m amazed once again. And her scent is as sweet as cake.

"I'm feeling better. And I'm grateful for your assistance. I won't forget it." I pulled the cart and left. The wheels crack and are wobbly every time I pass under a rocky dry road because of running. I can't wait to report to Cormelio what happened! That was—supposed to be a horrible—experience. But in contrast to that, I discovered something exciting! 

My wounds regenerated rapidly and made me look unharmed for the present time. My attack was superb, never did I ever expect that as well. Being a beast isn't bad at all. I slammed the door when I made my entrance into the garden and found Cormelio trimming the plants. He squeals at my actions. 

"Uncle Cor! I've got some exciting news for you!"

"Make sure it will refund my mini heart attack," he responded as strictly as always. 

I made my seat on the fence and recounted the bullying earlier with additional movements of my arms. 

"What!? They messed up with you again!?" The veins in his head bulged. 

"But look at me! My wounds heal on their own in a blink! And I feel like my strength is amplified tenfold! Some say that I'm gaining height. I'm loving these supernatural changes in me! But wait... I thought this coat would conceal my power?" 

"The coat... might not be efficacious enough to conceal your whole strength because of the past slumber. It'll never happen again, so the power remains awakened but partially covered in its fullness. Nevertheless, don't bring yourself into the spotlight for it'll be easier for them to hunt you down." 

"Let it be done! I'd like to discover everything about my power. And that will not be possible if I refrain from the process." I poke his waist. "You must be worrying, aren't you?" 

He looked at me with such worn eyes. My eyes blinked multiple times in a second when he hugs me intimately. "I want you to keep in mind everything I taught you. I can't be by your side forever."

I hugged him back. That's when I proved to myself that I got taller. "I'll make sure of that. But... is something bothering your mind?" 

"You know what more you can change in yourself?" 

"What is it?" 

"Cut your hair." 

"No." 

The scissor is already in his clasp, so I escape from his reach, and the cycle of chasing begins again. "I said you cut it, little devil!"

"No way. Long hair symbolizes might!" 

"Strands will obstruct your face! That's the fact. Don't fool yourself with naive symbols you've heard in a stage play!" 

"Is it the reason why you're semi bald?" And I laugh at him. 

He finally quit the endless chasing and chased his breath instead. His hands perched on his waist and brags, "Hair loss means you are powerful already." 

"Oh, don't fool yourself with naive symbols you've heard in children's tales." 

That pushed a button on him and chased me again with those sharp scissors. 

☪ ✧ ✧

It's my free time. I used it to pay a visit to the young slave in the woods. 

I looked around to make sure no one was watching as I removed the coat and felt the overwhelming might flowing within me. "Let's see what you got." I used my claws to imbed it underground. Leaves leaped from the sudden and short quake. I felt that my fangs show up when I smirked, then grinned. Filled with excitement, I excavated the ground without fail or exhaustion. 

When the depth reached my height, I decided to lay the corpse and buried him. I shake off and rub my hands to remove dirt. I picked up two sticks and made it the substitution for the cross gravestone. I added the flowers I brought from our garden that were under my coat. "Now... you can rest in peace. I hope my service printed a smile on your spirit." 

I stare at the grave for a while then turn around. But I smell the cake again in this dry and murky forest. It seems like someone is stalking me, so I look over my shoulder swiftly to catch it with my narrow vision. However, I found nothing. I heard the sound of the flapping wings and caught sight of Acro. She perches on my shoulder. 

"Oh, so it was you. What're you doing here—?" 

["Go back home."]

My heart skipped a beat from the sudden voice of a woman that resonated through my ears! I've been looking around to catch any suspicious things but now I failed twice. Something urges me to heed the voice I heard. I run as fast as humans can't. My feet feel lighter which gives me the agility to run at full speed, even the sharp blow of the wind pierces my ears.

And because of my supernatural speed, Acro was left behind in the air. From a far distance, I saw clearly what was happening in front of the garden house. There are metropolis knights and Cormelio is entangled with their arms. I saw how they ripped his throat and thrust him to the ground. 

"UNCLE!" I shouted. Two of the knights who saw me approaching tried to hinder my path, but that led to them being hurled and dragged to the ground when I pushed them. The knights released their swords against me. But I don't bother to be frightened for I'm more frightened about Cormelio's condition. 

The blood dripping from the cut in his throat is like a leak from the broken faucet. I used the coat to stop the bleeding. His eyes are teary. And I don't think he can hear me. I grip him around my arms. "Why did you do this to him!?" I yelled in a raging voice. 

"We are ordered to kill him… for fostering a silver wolf. And you," the knight pointed his sword against me, "who might you be?" 

"Is knowing my identity a part of your order?" 

"At least show some respect," another knight asserted. "This isn't ordered from the metropolis but how can you explain to us your appearance? Are you a silver wolf!?"

A finger of mine twitched. The coat that I used to close Cormelio's wound is misused. I'm not accustomed to the changes as well as with the changes in my actions I should apply aligned to my identity. It's only a waste of time to have a dispute with them. What must be done should be the first. I slipped my hands beneath Cormelio to lift him and fled immediately. None of them caught up with my speed.

At a secluded house corner, I stripped my upper cloth and covered Cormelio's cut. And then I wear my coat, making sure that the brooch is locked and my hood is on. I carried him in my arms and ran straightway to the clinic in the village. All of a sudden, a man tugged me and took me inside a shelter—just like he was already expecting me to pass by. 

It's inside the blacksmith shop. "Don't take him in public care from now on," the owner said. He led the way to the underground of his shop, only the lights of the lamp hanging on the walls. I was told to lay Cormelio down on the bed but I was reluctant. 

"But he needs urgent treatment!"

He flattens his hand on my shoulder. "I know someone who can treat him. Let's hide him here for a while." And then he left with haste to fulfill his words. I did what I could to spare Cormelio's life. At least, someone helped me and was willing to share my burden. 

But the smell of treachery is surrounding my nose.