Chapter 36: Real World Meeting
Before he could fully process this revelation, Corora snarled at him, her eyes burning with suspicion and confusion. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice a guttural growl that echoed in the small space of the bathroom.
Lyerin chose not to reveal his identity as Lyerin from the ruined magical world. Instead, he remained silent, watching her closely to gather more information.
Suddenly, Corora's sister whimpered in fear, and the sound seemed to push Corora over the edge.
"Sister…" her sister mumbled.
Because of that, Corora lunged at him with feral aggression.
Lyerin evaded her attack with seemingly swift unbothered precision, like his body moved on pure ancestral instinct. He immediately grabbed hold of her, using his strength to immobilize her. He locked her arms behind her back, his grip firm but careful not to hurt her. Her legs kicked out, but he quickly wrapped his own legs around hers, pinning her securely.
He turned her back towards him, ensuring she couldn't use her claws or teeth against him.
Corora struggled in his grasp, her movements fierce and desperate. She had been told she would become stronger since joining the Tribe, promised power beyond her wildest dreams. Yet here she was, feeling helpless against a human.
A surge of frustration and confusion coursed through her transformed limbs but she still couldn't move freely and was locked. "How is this possible?" she thought, gritting her teeth. But amid the struggle, she felt a strange sense of familiarity and comfort.
It was a sensation she couldn't quite place.
"No, sister!" the other girl said and hurriedly came to her sister, but Lyerin only pushed her aside, though she controlled the push to avoid hurting her, though it was enough to make her stumble a little.
Seeing her sister's current state, Corora's resolve hardened, and she squirmed even more vigorously in Lyerin's hold. But Lyerin's grip remained unyielding as he stared at her eyes.
He was so surprised by the depth of his emotions. He felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness and ownership towards her, yet it was clear this feeling wasn't benefiting him in the slightest.
Why was he risking so much to save her if not for these emotions?
The thought gnawed at him, he wanted to own her, to him, only to him! He wanted her to at least feel something for him like he was feeling now!
He felt betrayed!
Soon, his eyes burned with obsession. "Once I'm back in the Tribe," he vowed silently, "if I can't level up something to make her importance to me disappear, I will make her mine in every way possible. Sensitivity, affection, love, obsession – I will ensure she clings to me…! Yes!
I will level those up to make sure that I am not the only one at disadvantage!" He mumbled the words, swearing on his heart to make this a reality.
As if sensing his thoughts, Corora managed to free herself from his grip with a sudden burst of strength. She attacked again, but Lyerin effortlessly evaded her, moving with a speed that left her stunned. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear, "You don't remember me?"
…
Corora's point of view provided a stark contrast to the chaos and violence that had just unfolded.
Since her encounter with the unknown gigantic Zur'Ibex Wilding, she felt a renewed sense of hope.
The way he had refrained from forcing himself upon her, offering her a sense of safety, had sparked something within her. She had made a bet with herself – if she gave in, gave herself to him, if she poured out all her worries and pain, maybe he would be touched by her pleas.
It was a desperate attempt to survive, to avoid being violated by other wild creatures, and maybe to stay with her sister in the real world.
This was her last hope.
Corora knew the risk she was taking. She was betting her life on this decision, hoping that by giving herself to him, he would help her. She was acutely aware that just because she gave herself to him, it didn't mean she controlled him. But still, she wanted to try.
Judging by his initial request not to force himself on her, she believed that maybe, just maybe, this man would take pity on her.
What followed surprised her even more.
The monstrous man inside the Zur'Ibex Wilding form became protective of her. She witnessed him kill a bunch of other Zur'Ibex Wildings, showcasing his incredible strength and wild nature.
Corora was shocked and touched by his actions.
Not only did he protect her, but because of him, she was accepted into the tribe.
Unlike other females, who were used as breeding material and then taken away to be violated by countless Zur'Ibex Wildings, her fate was different. She was taken into the tribe and asked what she wanted in return for taking an oath to become a member. Her answer was simple: power. Power in the real world.
Corora revealed to the shaman that she came from another world, not from the ruined magical world they were in.
This revelation might explain why the abnormal Zur'Ibex Wilding was so attached and obsessed with her.
Corora laid everything out for them: the apocalypse, how she and her sister were the only ones alive, her hunger in the real world, and her fear for her sister.
In response, they gave her a transformation scroll.
Unlike the fake scrolls humans from the ruined magical world had provided, the tribe said that this one was real.
The shaman sensed that it might help her, but they are not sure.
Back in the real world, Corora was ecstatic to discover that she could indeed transform. But her joy was short-lived. Just as she was coming to terms with her new abilities, a person blasted three flesh-eating creatures outside with an unfamiliar power.
Panic set in as she and her sister watched in horror.
Corora watched a lot of apocalyptic films and read a lot of apocalyptic literature. She knew that in a desperate situation, some men would not be able to control themselves and would force themselves on women, especially in an apocalyptic scenario like the one she was facing.
So without hesitation, she attacked! She attacked and attacked! But to no avail, even when she was in her transformed state, she was still helpless.
The panic only disappeared when the man asked, "You don't remember me?"