Chapter 3: Disqualified as Human, Passed as Demon(3)

Time flowed endlessly.

Every spring, the ridges sprouted new grass, glowing light green. In winter, snow-covered peaks were sliced by bitter winds, piercing the clear sky.

The northern part of the continent was sparsely settled.

When monsters or demons invaded villages, people fought or fled, but most couldn’t escape death. In the harsh north, deaths were just natural.

Empty villages held burned, collapsed houses. Using my old laborer skills, I fixed one that was still standing and holed up inside.

Home sweet home.

Not a cramped rented room, but my own house.

A new home, a new body. I savored the feeling, lingering in bed for a while.

But there was one big problem.

“It’s boring…”

God, it was so trivial I could die. Could life in another world be this dull? I’d been alone for a while—don’t know how long exactly. The loneliness was suffocating.

I sprawled on the floor, limbs dangling limply. The old carpet was soft, but the musty smell bugged me.

“But I can’t be bothered to work…”

Chopping firewood, killing monsters or animals with Zoltrak for meat, roasting or steaming it, eating, washing, sleeping.

Wasn’t this just my old life? I needed a hobby, something exciting.

Farming? Gave that up ages ago. In the north, winter lasted half the year. The ground was hard, rough—a wasteland even iron couldn’t pierce. Plants wouldn’t grow right.

Drawing? Ink and paper were scarce. I’d already scavenged enough from empty houses.

Finally, I made up my mind.

“Should I go?”

I groaned, opened the closet, and took off my pajamas. My body and face reflected in the small mirror on the closet door.

I stared wide-eyed into the mirror. My eyes were transparent. I was inside those pupils.

“Oh…”

*

My body was growing nicely.

I felt oddly proud. I straightened my back and puffed out my chest. My soft breasts, like dew on a leaf, jiggled slightly.

My face flushed hot. I lowered my head and hurriedly threw on some outdoor clothes. Thick padded clothing dulled my body’s curves.

I let out a small breath. My body felt warm. Time to go cool off.

The door, sealed tight against the cold, opened as if on cue. I turned the knob, and outside was winter.

Fur-lined boots kept my feet warm. I could walk for a while. A bag slung across my shoulder held a bit of food.

I smiled faintly and started humming a song.

My voice carried with the snow and wind. Near the village was a river, frozen jade-green in winter, silent and still. I walked into the quiet over the ice.

I planned to toss rocks, break the ice, and try something like ice fishing. My thigh wound had healed, so I was in good shape.

But today wasn’t my day. Someone was already there.

A girl in a white summer dress, with a sunset-colored cardigan, her fine hair fluttering into the sky, was making a snowman.

‘…Isn’t she cold?’

A pair of cute horns poked from her forehead—she was a demon, like me. I’d never noticed another demon around here. Did she come from far away?

I watched her from a distance, debating whether to run or fish somewhere else.

“Hey there?”

A voice I shouldn’t have heard rang out. I blinked once, and the girl making the snowman was right in front of me.

“Eek?!”

I flinched, startled. A thin yelp slipped out. The demon girl giggled.

“Hahaha, I scared you. Sorry, sorry.”

She held out her hand, friendly, like she wanted to shake.

“Um, you don’t have to apologize…”

I took her hand, shaking it. Our warmth connected. Her eyes widened, clearly intrigued.

“I’m Soliter. Great Demon Soliter.”

When she introduced herself, Soliter squeezed my hand tighter, like she wouldn’t let go.

“I’m Aura. Just Aura.”

Great Demon? She must be strong. Probably. But she seemed like a good demon.

Soliter repeated my name, rolling it around her mouth. Her smile stayed fixed, like a porcelain mask, a bit awkward.

“So, Aura. You… seem human.”

Suddenly, she yanked me close. She was a head taller, but her strength was insane—she pulled me into her arms, squeezing tight.

“What are you doing? Let me go, Soliter!”

I squirmed to break free. She whispered thinly in my ear.

“Strange. I’ve studied humans for ages, but a young demon like you resembles them more than I do. That’s very odd.”

Her words carried a dangerous edge, chilling me. Good demon, my ass. I was dead wrong. She radiated a terrifying aura.

Her presence was faint, hard to notice, but now I caught it—a thick stench of death oozed from her.

Soliter made an offer.

“Aura, want to come with me?”

“I’m studying humans—they fascinate me. You’d be perfect for my research. Whether you were raised by humans or learned on your own, you’re so human-like.”

I wanted to politely refuse. But refusing felt like inviting trouble. Turning down a Great Demon’s offer was a massive risk.

I didn’t think long.

“I-I’ll go with you. Just please… don’t kill me, hurt me, or torment me…”

My voice came out pleading, polite. My thigh, long healed without a scar, ached faintly now.

To my fear-soaked reply, Soliter cooed soothingly.

“Don’t worry. Nothing painful. Just tea and cookies, chatting about humans. Maybe making snowmen to analyze their habits.”

I felt her sincerity in my heart. Soliter’s words were genuine, despite the deathly stench and her soft voice promising safety.

God, after all this, I had to leave my sweet home. I was crushed. It was a small price for my life, but the unfairness stung.

I shouldn’t have gone outside.

Staying in bed was best.

‘It’s dangerous outside the blankets.’