The impact came before the pain.
Alicia's body was hurled backward. Her back slammed into the ground, forcing the air from her lungs. Her vision exploded into a flash of white before sinking back into darkness. Something heavy pressed down on her chest, choking the breath that tried to follow.
Heavy…
…I'm being pinned down.
A hot snarl washed over her face.
She raised her left hand on reflex.
The wolf's claws slashed down, ripping through the sleeve of her left arm and carving shallow gashes into her skin. A searing heat flared instantly, followed by blood welling up and soaking her arm.
It hurts—!
Blood?! That's my blood…
The knife in her right hand lifted—slowly.
Too slow.
Alicia drove the blade into the wolf's body. It struck true—
But it was shallow. Far too shallow.
This is too shallow…
The wolf howled—not in pain from the stab, but in irritation at such a meaningless obstruction.
Its jaws clamped down on Alicia's shoulder. Her body was lifted, then violently hurled to the side.
"Aa—!"
She crashed hard, smashing into a large rock beside her. Her vision blurred, her hearing fading into a dull roar.
No…
I can't pass out now…
Alicia forced herself upright. Her trembling hand clutched her wounded shoulder while her elbow shook, struggling to support her own weight.
Am I going to die here?
Not far from her, the wolf stared without blinking. A low growl rumbled from its throat, revealing rows of sharp teeth glinting beneath the moonlight.
Run—?
But… I won't get far.
I'll just be caught again.
Alicia drew a deep breath, fixing her gaze on the wolf before her.
It stepped forward, slowly.
She tried to retreat, but her legs trembled. Pain flared again in her injured leg—pain that had briefly dulled—sending a sharp jolt through her knee. She grit her teeth, stifling a sound as agony spread.
I have to stand.
I can't fall.
Her right hand tightened around the small knife. Her left shoulder and arm were numb, hanging uselessly at her side. Blood continued to drip from the bite wound, splattering onto the ground in a slow, steady rhythm.
Thud… thud…
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
The wolf suddenly lunged.
Alicia didn't have time to think.
Her body moved first—not by plan, but by instinct. She threw herself to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. With the knife in her right hand, she swung at the wolf as it passed close by.
The blade sliced along the side of its jaw. Not a serious wound, but enough to make it recoil. The wolf roared, then slammed into Alicia with its head.
Crack—!
The impact smashed into her body.
The air burst from her lungs. Her ribs creaked softly. Pain radiated from her chest to her back, making her vision shake violently.
"Argh—!!"
She collapsed to the ground, gasping, her breaths short and broken—as if every inhale dragged pain from deep within her chest.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
The wolf prepared to attack again.
In response, Alicia forced herself to her feet, inch by painful inch. Her legs trembled, barely willing to support her weight.
She realized—if this continued, things would only get worse. From the beginning, Alicia had only been trying to survive. To buy time. To wait until the wolf left on its own.
But… that wasn't happening.
The wolf growled low, circling her slowly, searching for an opening.
The knife in Alicia's hand tightened.
If this goes on… I die.
Her breathing grew heavy. Her chest felt constricted.
I can't keep dodging.
I have to fight back…
At least… make it stop.
If I have to—
…I'll kill it.
The thought dried her throat.
Impossible…
But if I don't try—I really will die.
Alicia's gaze went empty.
There was no fear left. No plan.
In her mind, only a single thought remained—
Kill… or be killed.
With her injured leg, Alicia charged straight at the wolf with everything she had. Pain stabbed with every step, but she didn't care.
The wolf dashed forward as well, meeting her head-on.
Claws flashed.
She tried to evade—too late. The claws tore into her body, carving fresh wounds. Blood sprayed as heat seared her skin.
She didn't even scream.
Pain no longer mattered.
Only the desire to live.
With the small knife in her hand, Alicia attacked wildly. She stabbed, slashed—without knowing whether the blade hit its mark.
It didn't matter.
As long as it died.
But the wolf was far faster.
It deftly avoided each swing of her knife. Its movements were sharp and precise—nothing like Alicia's frantic, desperate attacks.
Provoked, the wolf roared and lunged.
Its massive body slammed into Alicia with full force.
Crack—!!
A sound of something breaking echoed from within Alicia's body.
She was thrown to the ground—yet she rose again, forcing herself upright even as every part of her screamed in pain.
The wolf's claws struck again.
One slash.
Two.
Three.
Wound after wound was carved into Alicia's body, blood flowing without end.
And yet—she remained standing.
As long as she could still move—
She wasn't defeated.
Her body was drenched in blood, dripping onto the ground beneath her. Her eyes were empty of emotion, filled only with killing intent.
She was utterly exhausted—perhaps already unable to move anymore… yet Alicia stood tall, pointing her small knife forward.
The creature lunged again, this time aiming its fangs at her. Alicia shifted slightly and seized the wolf's head.
She tried to force it down to the ground. The beast struggled to shake her hands away—but Alicia succeeded first, slamming it down.
She raised the knife in her right hand and drove it into the wolf's body.
—Srrk!
—Srrk!
—Srrk!
The blade rose and fell without rhythm.
Blood sprayed, soaking her hands, her face, the ground beneath them. The wolf howled in agony, its body convulsing—
But Alicia didn't stop.
She couldn't hear the screams.
She couldn't see anything but red.
Kill.
The knife rose again.
Kill.
It came down again.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill—
The word echoed soundlessly in her head.
Each stab felt lighter.
Easier.
As if she were no longer stabbing a living being.
At last, her hand stopped. The knife slipped from her grip, falling to the ground with a soft sound. She stood frozen, gasping, her body unmoving for several seconds.
Before her lay the wolf's corpse—riddled with stab wounds. Blood pooled across the earth, soaking its white fur.
She looked down.
Her hands. Her clothes. Her own body—everything was smeared with blood and wounds.
Her eyes widened.
Nausea surged up suddenly.
"Ugh—!"
She bent over and vomited. Her body shook violently as the contents of her stomach spilled onto the ground. Her breathing fractured, her chest tight and aching.
She didn't realize it.
Didn't realize that these hands were the ones that had done all this.
During the fight, her consciousness had snapped. What moved her body was nothing but survival instinct—and a murderous impulse so overwhelming that she herself was unaware of it.
With her body grievously injured and her clothes in tatters, she staggered toward a nearby patch of medicinal herbs. Blood continued to drip from her wounds, leaving faint trails behind her.
But—
A howl echoed.
One.
Two.
Many.
Her face stiffened instantly.
She broke into a weak run—not fast, not strong—only as much as her battered body could manage. Her head jerked left and right, eyes frantic as she searched for an escape.
Almost there—
Thud… thud…
Her heartbeat slammed against her ears. Her breath raced. Her face went pale, her legs trembling violently—then gave out.
Alicia collapsed onto the ground.
In the distance, a pack of snow wolves stood silently, staring at her. Their large bodies wrapped in bluish-white fur formed a suffocating, wordless line.
"I-impossible…"
How… how could I survive all that…?
The creatures began to move, their steps slow yet synchronized.
From the very back of the pack, something far larger stepped forward.
A gigantic wolf—
A Greater Snow Wolf.
Its white fur was pristine, untouched by blood. Its long claws struck the ground heavily, and its rows of fangs reflected the cold moonlight. Its gaze wasn't feral—
It was calm.
Like an executioner who knew its prey couldn't escape.
I'm so stupid…
That wolf's blood is all over me.
On my hands.
On my clothes.
They'll smell it for sure.
Not just the scent of blood—
But the scent of death… of their own kin.
Alicia didn't move.
Her body was empty. Not a shred of strength remained. Cold sweat ran down her back, her breaths shallow and shaking.
The night wind whispered softly.
The moonlight felt too bright—too cruel.
The giant wolf growled low.
Just once.
That was enough.
The other wolves reacted instantly. White blurs shot in from every direction. Fangs gleamed. Claws rose, ready to tear flesh apart.
Her instincts screamed.
Danger.
Danger.
Danger.
But her body didn't respond.
Her legs were numb. Her arms hung limp at her sides. The small knife nearly slipped from her grasp.
Alicia could only stare.
Stare as the wolves lunged.
Stare at the merciless death closing in.
The creature leapt.
Fangs bared, claws raised—
Only inches from Alicia's face.
Ah…
So this is it.
I'm going to die here.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
I don't want to die—
But—
BRAAANG!
The air trembled.
Something appeared before Alicia—
A barrier made of Aether.
The wolves were blown backward.
Their massive bodies crashed into the ground.
The forest fell silent.
W-what… is this…?
Alicia stared blankly at the transparent barrier standing before her.
She didn't understand what had just happened.
Then—
Someone fell from above.
Dust burst into the air as the figure landed beside her.
"Alicia! Alicia, are you alright?!"
That voice—
She knew it.
Alicia turned her head slowly.
A woman stood there, her face pale with worry.
Orange eyes trembling, breath slightly ragged.
Long white hair fluttered in the night wind.
An angel…?
"A-are you… okay?"
"Child?! Your injuries—how did you get hurt this badly?!"
Her hands trembled as she tried to reach for Alicia, hesitating.
And in that moment—
Alicia realized.
Her chest tightened.
Her vision blurred.
Tears spilled freely.
"M-mom…?"
The word slipped out softly, barely audible.
But it was enough.
The woman froze.
Then she pulled Alicia into a tight embrace.
Alicia could only cry in her arms—relieved, shattered, and grateful that her mother had arrived just in time.
As she held Alicia, Kalia turned her gaze toward the pack of wolves ahead. Fury burned across her face, her eyes blazing with rage.
The Greater Snow Wolf met Kalia's stare.
It did not attack.
It did not retreat.
Their gazes locked—
And murderous intent radiated from Kalia as she stared at the beast that had dared to harm her child.