The world of Trizonia was vast, filled with mysteries and untamed lands. Only two continents were known: Valtoria and Hina.
Currently, I was smack-dub in Valtoria, stuck in this cursed beast form. Fun times. The castle's library was my only solace, with shelves stacked higher than my ego back when I was human, anyway.
I'd learned much from the castle's library, especially from a book called Creation of Myths'. It spoke of gods creating this world from their tears, the first humans, and how gods mingled with mortals, leaving behind offspring with magical powers or mutations.
I was skeptical at first, but hey, Im a walking, talking furry. Not much room left to doubt.
__________
Gallop. Gallop. Gallop.
The sound of hooves echoed as my silvery-blue horse galloped through the dense forest. The air was damp, and towering trees loomed like they were ready to drop a branch on me for fun. The sun dipped below the horizon, stars beginning to twinkle in the sky.
I pulled out an old map from my bag and squinted at it in the fading light. "Let's see, Where the hell am I?"
The map was ancient like five years old, courtesy of the curse that had ravaged this land. By now, rivers could've dried up, mountains could've moved, and towns might've just poofed.
As I tried to make sense of it, the Book of Guidance strapped to my side began glowing. It floated up, pages flipping open like a needy librarian.
[You can insert the map to activate the map function.]
"Well, aren't you fancy," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Still, I couldn't deny how useful the book had been. It's like a system but in the form of an ancient grimoire from one of those anime, but instead of a voice in my head, I got this glowing know-it-all.
Its primary functions included showing my status and other people and documenting stories, movies, or animated films from my past life. But it came with a catch: I had to meet significant figures from the stories to unlock them.
Currently, my stats read:
[ Adam Overland Frost ]
[ Age:18 ]
[ Title: Cursed Prince ]
[ Race: Human/Cursed Beast ]
[ Bloodline: Frost ]
[ Bloodline Abilities: Winter Magic ]
[ Abilities: Lycanthropy (Semi-unlock), Winter Sand(Mutated), Devour ]
[ Story Collection: Coco, Beauty and the Beast ]
I currently had two stories in my collection: "Coco" and "Beauty and the Beast". How did I get "Coco"? Oh, you know, by running into a kid and his dog in the Land of the Dead. Totally normal stuff.
Shaking off the thought. I placed the map into the book, and it dissolved into light. A new, updated map appeared on the pages, complete with a red dot marking me and a green dot further ahead.
"Alright, so Im the red dot" I said, testing it by stepping forward. The dot moved. "It's just like a game. All I need now is a quest log and an inventory full of junk."
The map showed the way to a town. I nudged my horse forward, the Book of Guidance floating beside me like some over-enthusiastic guide.
---
Fifteen minutes later, a flicker of light caught my eye.
"Fire," I muttered, narrowing my eyes. "Fire means people. Or it means trouble. Probably both"
I dismounted, waving my hand to dissolve my horse into silvery sand. It scattered into the night like glitter at a craft store explosion. Silently, I crept toward the light.
As I got closer, the firelight revealed a campfire and a figure hunched beside it. Relief was quickly replaced by dread. The stench hit me. Blood.
The figure was gnawing on something. No, someone. A human leg.
"Lovely. I come in peace, and this guy already had dinner," I whispered.
The creature sniffed the air, its head snapping up. It locked eyes with me, and I froze. Dark, soulless eyes stared back at me, its face covered in thick fur. Its twisted features were more beast than man.
"Tsk, buddy," I muttered. "Im not one to judge appearances, but even Im looking better than you right now." I quipped, though my body tensed, ready for the inevitable.
The creature growled, tossed the leg aside, and launched itself at me like a rabid dog on steroids closing the distance between us in seconds.
"Whoa, fast!"
WHAM!
The impact sent me skidding back, but I quickly regained my footing. The creature lunged again, claws aiming for my face. I ducked and countered with a punch, my fist slamming into its jaw with a satisfying crack.
"Didn't your mom teach you not to skip leg day? Look at that form!" I quipped, dodging its next swipe.
Enraged, the beast charged again, swiping wildly. I ducked under its claws and countered with a slash of my own, raking its side. The beast howled in pain but didn't stop. We traded blows, my claws against its brute strength.
A lucky hit sent me skidding back, my ribs aching from the impact.
"Alright, plan B: don't let it hit me again."
The beast snarled, its fury doubling. It came at me like a whirlwind of claws and teeth, but I matched it, blow for blow. I sidestepped, slashing across its torso with my claws. Blood splattered, and the creature howled in pain. My cursed strength gave me the edge, allowing me to pin the creature to the ground.
"Oops, my bad. Was that your favorite shirt hehe?" I quipped, holding it in place.
But then, the moon broke through the clouds, bathing the creature in light.
"Oh, come on," I muttered. "You're not about to-"
The creature screamed as its body convulsed. Fur sprouted rapidly, wounds healing before my eyes. Its frame grew larger, muscles bulging. Its face elongated into a snout, and its teeth turned into razor-sharp fangs.
Howl!
The bone-chilling sound echoed through the forest.
I took a step back, muttering, "Great. You just went full werewolf. That's my thing, dude. Can't have anything nice."
The now fully-transformed werewolf threw me off effortlessly, sending me crashing into a tree.
"Yep, definitely stronger than me now," I muttered, struggling to my feet.
The werewolf lunged again, but this time I was ready. I rolled to the side, grabbing a fallen branch. Swinging it with all my strength, I smashed it across the werewolf's face.
"Home run!"
The beast staggered, momentarily dazed. Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed a flurry of slashes, targeting its legs to slow it down. It roared in pain but retaliated with a swipe that grazed my shoulder, leaving deep gashes.
"Okay, ouch. That's gonna leave a mark. You win the who's more beastly contest!" I growled.
The fight raged on, my claws tearing into its flesh as its claws grazed mine. Blood splattered the ground, the air filled with snarls and growls.
Finally, with one last surge of strength, I drove my claws into its shoulder and pinned it to the ground.
The werewolf let out a low, guttural growl, its strength finally waning.
"Next time, try a salad and don't eat meat" I muttered, catching my breath.
The creature went limp beneath me, its transformation slowly reversing under the fading moonlight.