The sound of rain interspersed with thunder filled my sense of hearing now. Occasionally, the wind that blows into the cave where I took refuge caresses the skin covered with damp clothes.

I should have taken off these wet clothes, but imagining myself without a single thread in a forest in the middle of nowhere with who knows what in it made me endure the bone-chilling cold. Moreover, there was no fire to warm my body. Because I can't make fire.

My teeth chattered. I hugged my own body that was shivering violently, occasionally rubbing my palms together to warm my ears. It was useless, it didn't help at all. At this point I began to think that I was really going to die. Alone, in a dark place. How pitiful.

From the mouth of the cave, I could see that the forest, which was already dark due to the clouds and heavy rain blocking the view, was getting darker. Maybe it was getting late. Ah... being in the forest alone, at night, what could be more frightening than that?

I regretted it. I should have just accepted my death and gone quietly to the afterlife. Why was I so arrogant, anyway? Saying that I was capable of living in the new world. In fact, the white-robed entity had warned me that life in this new world would not be easy.

My head and eyes started to get heavy, and the skin that was cold was now numb. Never mind, I gave up. What else could I do here? In addition to the cold, I'm also hungry. My suffering was complete.

With the energy i had left, I laid my body on the floor of the cave, which was only hard dirt. I closed my eyes while still hugging my body. I surrendered, if it was my destiny to die again I was ready.

"Haaaahhhh ...." I was sleepy. The strong drowsiness pulled my eyelids closed. Without resisting, I just followed her.

Goodbye to my second life that only lasted half a day. Really, this was an experience I'll never forget. As the third worst experience.

Slowly, my consciousness drifted further and further away, until my hands couldn't reach it anymore.

My name is Nara, a 25-year-old ordinary office worker. I lost both my parents at once when I was 20, right on my birthday. The cause was a traffic accident. I was devastated of course, but as if the world wouldn't let me heal my grief, I received news that my best friend had also passed away in a sad way, by suicide.

Unable to deal with the loss of the people who mattered in my life, I began to sober myself up with alcohol. Every day I spent my time brooding with those few bottles of liquor. Until one day, my aunt came, and she relentlessly approached me to get me out of the shackles of this sadness. I melted, and tried to improve myself.

My life improved, and I had a steady job. It was simple, but I was happy.

Then the unfortunate event happened, I died of a heart attack. Yes, a heart attack at such a young age. Of course I wasn't willing! My life was getting organized and I was happy! Why did my life have to be taken away so soon?

So there it was, in the afterlife I begged the white-robed entity to give me a second chance at life. It refused at first, but I didn't give up, I promised to live my life well.

After that, it seemed to mumble and nod a few times. "This is the only option you can take besides going to the afterlife as a spirit. If you agree, I will transfer your body and soul to a world that is very different from the one you were in."

I agreed without thinking further. He briefly reminded me that life in this new world would not be easy and I still stood my ground. The entity then muttered words that I didn't understand. What was clear was that I was shrouded in darkness and awake in the middle of the forest, lying down and wearing the t-shirt and training pants I last wore when I had a heart attack. Oh, and a backpack with a handgun without bullet in it.

Ah... I remembered it. They said that when the path of your life revolves back in your memory, it's a sign that your life is over. Although in my first death there was no such thing because my mind was filled with refusal to die. But for this one I think it's real.

It's warm. In this darkness it feels warm. Is this death? No, it isn't. Death is painful and cold. I know because I've been dead.

The furry blanket hugging me feels very soft and somewhat ticklish. But it's so cozy, seducing me to bury my head even more into the reassuring warmth. I bend my legs that don't seem to be covered to keep them warm too.

Wait a minute! I didn't remember there being blankets in the cave. Why now... oh. I've died and am now in heaven.

"Looks like that human is awake, Rael."

Whose voice is that?

I forced my eyes open even though they were heavy, slowly from under this long-feathered blanket, glaring. The first thing I saw was fire. Since when? Who lit it?

"Thank goodness you're awake, Human. I was worried when I saw how you were, but you got better so quickly. Very good."

The voice came from the side where my eyes could not see it if I remained leaning on the soft cushion on my back. So I tried to get up, but the throbbing pain in my head made me give up.

"Don't get up yet. You're still weak."

The woman appeared in front of my face at such a close distance that I suddenly widened my eyes in surprise. And it successfully made my head throb again.

"Uh..., " I moaned as I held my head. Wait a minute! My eyes widened as I realized my arm was exposed. The fur blanket moved again, caressing the skin of my belly and chest directly without a base.

My eyeballs rolled downward, scrutinizing the warm blanket that enveloped my body, precisely on the blanket that turned out to be a tail with long and dense white fur. Tail?!

"Grrrr .... "

Reflexively, I turned my head in the direction the low growling sound came from. At the same time, the warm cushion on my back moved up and then down slowly. My mouth clamped shut, eyes grew wide, and my body stiffened instantly upon realizing what was near me. A wolf's head! What's more, it's unbelievably large! My eyes rolled again from its head to my body. Shit!

For a few moments my gaze was fixed on the wolf that was supporting its head with its front paws. His eyes were closed, his breathing regular. Fortunately, he was sleeping. What's the damn good thing?! Right now I'm like easy prey that can be eaten at any time!

"What's wrong? Why are you so scared?"

I was scared! I wanted to say that out loud, but not a single word came out of my mouth. I turned my head to the woman who had greeted me first and who had just asked me a stiff question. She smiled wryly as she cast a mocking gaze from her blue eyes.

I didn't like it, but I realized that I was in an unfavorable situation. It was possible that if I fought back or offended her in the slightest, my life would literally be on the line.

It's better if I die right away, but what if I'm tortured first? Hih!

She snorted, still with a smile on her exotic face. "Don't be afraid, we're not man-eating beastmen. I'm sure you know that."

I don't know!

She twirled her long blonde braid. "And breathe properly. Cute Rael won't hurt you," she said more softly as if to calm me who had been trying to breathe as slowly as possible.

She sighed. "Believe me, human, if we really intended to hurt you, we would have done it earlier when you fainted," he coaxed again because he did not get a response from me before.

She was not wrong. Why would a woman bother telling her pet to cover me up and wait for me to wake up if she had bad intentions? I didn't. There were other possibilities. She could be a psychopath who deliberately waits for her prey to wake up to torture them before killing them.

"Don't forget to always be prejudiced, Nara."

What is this? Why is Aunt Amy's voice suddenly ringing in my ears? Is it some kind of hint for me to trust this strange woman?

Receiving no reply, the exotic-skinned and surprisingly athletic woman stood up, moved closer to the fire and sat there while stabbing a few pieces of meat into the sharpened wood and then carefully burning them.

I silently continued to observe her from my spot. Honestly, even though it was comfortable, I really wanted to get up and get away from this big animal. But my worries still hadn't evaporated.

The woman started humming as she continued to burn the meat. I was quite surprised to hear how soft her voice was, plus her beautiful face that looked peaceful, making me momentarily lost in thought.

The aroma of meat touched my sense of smell. Causing my stomach, which had been empty and feasting since this afternoon, to shamefully churn. Quite loud in this silent and echoing cave. Quiet? Since when did the rain stop? What could be heard faintly now was the sound of insects from outside the cave and the hooting of owls.

The woman suddenly laughed. "Rael, did you wake up too? It was indeed very loud. This human is already starving."

Hearing that, my body, which had begun to relax, immediately stiffened again. Slowly, I turned my head to the wolf head. My breath caught.

Our eyes were locked together! I was about to tear my gaze away from her clear blue irises, but for some reason my neck felt stiff. We looked at each other for a long time without blinking. I didn't. More like I didn't blink, until my eyes started to sting. Luckily, the wolf turned his head first, closing his eyes again.

I let out an involuntary sigh of relief, strong enough to make a sound.

"You have that much heart?" The woman giggled again, making my body stiffen again. "Hey, human. Come on, stop being such a coward. I admit it's quite interesting to see your scared face, but that's not my goal."

She placed the freshly cooked meat on a fairly wide leaf, as wide as a banana leaf but pink in color. Then picked up the wide robe that was lying carelessly on the floor of the cave. She got up, walked over to me, and handed me the robe.

"Your clothes aren't dry yet, so wear this first to eat. You can't eat while hugging Rael. He doesn't like his fur dirty," she said.

I hesitated at first, but my stomach made another sound, this time not as loud, just longer. Okay, let's try to trust him. I can't keep acting like this.

Without a signal, the wolf pulled its tail away. My body, which was only covered by underwear, was exposed. Suddenly, I crossed my arms and legs to cover the sensitive area. What the hell is this beast?! Had it been a human, I would have cursed him.

"Oh? The underwear was damp too, I didn't know how to take it off, so I just left it on. Now that you're awake, take them off yourself," the woman explained. I shook my head weakly, refusing her suggestion.

Actually, I don't think I should feel embarrassed. In this cave there were only the two of us girls and a wolf. I don't. My body is private!

"Right, I forgot to introduce myself," she said while patting herself lightly on the head. "My name is Rovita Rohan, and this is my brother, Rael Rohan."

Rovita extended her hand to me. We shook hands briefly before she pulled me to my feet. I let out a small squeal of shock. A second later, she handed me back the robe, which I quickly put on. "Your name? Or should I just call you human?"

"Nara," I replied softly.

She had been calling me human, human... was she not human? Then just now she called Rael a sister? Rael is this big wolf, isn't he? Oh... it's possible that their relationship was so close that Rovita thought of the pet as a brother.

"Alright, Nara. Now eat first," she said as she pushed my body that was only at the height of her ear closer to the meat that was already being cooked.