The Werewolf Trials

The Moon Goddess offered me her protection. If I died, I'd get one chance to be reborn through the werewolf trials. I was born with "sensory impairment." I wasn't an Omega, but I couldn't shift into a wolf. I couldn't see or sense wolves in their lupine forms or their power. When I appeared alongside ninety-nine other trial candidates in an ancient rainforest shrouded in thick fog and darkness, everyone assumed I wouldn't make it past the first day. But here I was, in the terrifying rainforest nests, treating a ghostly wolf pup, drowned for its unusual coat color, as my own little cub. And, I flirted with a bloodthirsty vampire spirit who took pleasure in killing, treating him like a lover. I even befriended the evil twin Hexenbiest, treating them like sisters. The first time we met, I reached out and ran my hand over the vampire's abs. "Nice body," I commented, "just a bit on the short side." He let out a humorless laugh, reattached the head he'd been holding to his neck, and gripped my chin. "I'm six-foot-five," he said. "Want to take another look?" Chapter 1 The Moon Goddess offered me her protection. If I died, I'd get one chance to be reborn through the werewolf trials. I've had lunar sensory impairment since birth. I wasn't an Omega, but I couldn't shift into a wolf. I couldn't see or sense wolves in their lupine forms or their power. When I appeared alongside ninety-nine other trial candidates in an ancient rainforest shrouded in thick fog and darkness, everyone assumed I wouldn't make it past the first day. I was a burden to my Pack—useless in battle because of my sensory impairment. When a band of rogues attacked, my pack didn't hesitate to use me as bait. Claws tore at my skin, fangs gnawed at my bones, and in the end, I was torn apart by a dozen rogue wolves. Before I died, I heard my former pack members muttering: "What a waste of space. couldn't even slow them down for a minute." Until my very last breath, I was the one they despised and abandoned. A flash of white light, and the pain from being torn apart hadn't even faded when I regained consciousness. When I came to, I was lying on my back on damp, earthy soil that smelled of decay. The air was thick with the scent of blood, wet earth, and something wild—like musk from some beast. I struggled to sit up, taking a moment to adjust to my surroundings. My sensory impairment meant I couldn't recognize wolves by their scent or power. Unlike other werewolves, I couldn't sense the strength of auras, the flow of power, or the terrifying presence of a wolf in lupine form—a death sentence in the werewolf world. To me, the most fearsome alpha might just look like a large, fuzzy shadow. There were many moving figures around me, accompanied by suppressed sobs, angry growls, and confused conversations. As time passed, more and more people gathered. There was no sun in the sky, only a large, ominous blood-red moon, casting an eerie light through the gaps in the rainforest's towering canopy. "Where... where is this? I want to go home!" a young Omega's voice cried, trembling with fear. "Who's messing with me? Let me go! I was at the tavern, and I'd already paid for my drinks," another Delta growled, his voice deep and menacing. Then, two figures stepped forward—a man and a woman. The man was tall and muscular with a steady presence, while the woman was agile and sharp-eyed, both radiating the aura of leaders. From the murmurs around me, I learned they were both powerful alphas. "Quiet!" the female alpha commanded, her voice cutting clearly through to each of us. "My name is Safiya, and this is Tyne. We're both alphas, and you'd better follow our lead. We can share some information." Under the powerful alpha presence, the restless crowd gradually calmed down. Tyne spoke, his voice carefully soothing: "Listen up, everyone. You're all dead. You fell in battle or some other way. The Moon Goddess has given us a second chance." Safiya's voice grew lower: "According to legends and Alpha Council records, we believe we're in the Blood Moon Trials—controlled by the Moon Goddess. We've been brought to this ancient, cursed Grayholle Rainforest. If we can survive here for seven days, we'll earn the Moon Goddess's blessing, reshape our bodies, and return to the world of the living." A chance to be reborn? To return to the living? I nearly held my breath. This meant I'd have a chance... a chance to face the pack that abandoned me? No, perhaps more importantly, a chance to live for myself. "What do we need to do to pass the trials?" I couldn't help but ask, my voice hoarse with eagerness. "I mean, there's a price for resurrection, right? Points? Or something else?" Safiya glanced at me, seemingly surprised that I'd speak up, but she answered anyway: "Points. Resurrection requires 9,999 Moon Goddess points. The reward for each trial depends on your 'Lunar Fear' level when you complete it." "Lunar Fear?" someone repeated in confusion. Tyne explained: "As the name suggests, it's your level of fear toward this cursed land and the unknown dangers of the trials. If your Lunar Fear reaches 100, you'll be immediately consumed by the blood moon, and your soul will dissipate. If you complete the trials with a Lunar Fear of 99, you'll only get a pathetic 1 point." "What if it's 0 then?" I pressed on, calculating in my mind. "If you complete the trials with zero Lunar Fear, would you get 100 points?" At my words, the crowd fell silent for a moment, then a few suppressed snickers rang out. Safiya and Tyne looked at me as if I were a madman who knew nothing. Unseen by me, my "trial footage" was being watched by certain entities, countless thoughts flowing through: "This defective one sure talks big! The Blood Moon Trials might only be S-rank, but Grayholle Rainforest has never been completed due to its twisted rules!" "The previous Alpha King, 'Silvermane' Kaelan, failed on the sixth day and can never be resurrected." "Only two alphas in this batch—Safiya and Tyne. Together they wouldn't even stand a chance against Kaelan's claw. Looks like no one will pass the trials this time either." Chapter 2 Soon, the first trial began—choosing a cave to inhabit. Safiya stepped forward to explain the situation: "The Alpha Council has recorded some information, and now we're willing to share it with everyone. There are over a hundred caves scattered throughout this rainforest, and each can only hold one trial candidate. The Blood Moon Trials are essentially a role-playing scenario. Each cave is home to... some 'entities.' They were once powerful werewolves, but now they're trapped souls—wolves abandoned by their packs. They'll pretend to be your family, living with you for seven days. Remember, they're lone wolves—mad and dangerous—but at the same time... they desperately crave genuine 'connection.'" She paused for emphasis: "The location and size of the caves correspond to the rank of the 'lone wolf' that lived there. The lower, more peripheral caves are relatively safer. The entities inside might just be Deltas or ordinary feral wolves. But the higher, more central, deeper caves..." Tyne took over, his tone grave: "...might be sleeping grounds for former Gamma warriors, or even... ancient Alpha-level spirits. Especially that 'King's Nest' directly beneath the blood moon. It's said to house a terrifying entity with the power of an Alpha King." With that, Safiya and Tyne immediately sprang into action, each claiming a low-lying cave near the edge of the rainforest. Their actions were the perfect signpost. The other trial candidates instantly understood the stakes and rushed to snatch up the unassuming low-ranking caves. Because of my sensory impairment and naturally slow movements, by the time I reacted, the crowd had mostly dispersed. I could see people fighting over caves, hear the clashes of combat, and occasionally, a scream that tore through the air like claws ripping through flesh. By the time I made my way to the area where the caves were distributed, nearly all of the entrances had been claimed. Only one remained, hanging high on a cliff deep in the rainforest, directly beneath the largest, blood-red moon in the sky. The aura emanating from that place was so suffocatingly oppressive that even someone with my impairment could sense it—a pure, heavy darkness and danger. Without a doubt, this was the "King's Nest." I was left with only this final choice. I took a deep breath and began the difficult climb toward the cliff. My clumsiness drew more silent taunt: "She's dead for sure! Actually daring to go to the King's Nest!" "That's a death nest not even Silvermane Kaelan would dare to choose easily!" "Don't want to watch this idiot destined for a quick death, switching to Safiya's POV." "No, I'm staying! Let's see how she gets torn apart by whatever's inside!" I had no idea about these comments as I struggled upward. Finally, I reached the massive cave entrance. The scent of blood was almost thick enough to touch here, mixed with the smell of sulfur and decay. Deep inside, it seemed as though countless bones were piled up, but I couldn't see the details clearly—only that the ground felt rough under my feet. I walked to the entrance without hesitation and began pounding on the rough rock, mimicking what I remembered (or imagined) was how family members announce their return. "Hey! whoever's in there! I'm back! Open up! I'm exhausted and starving!" In my mind, since this was role-playing as family, coming home should be this natural, even a bit impatient. Would you be polite and ask permission to enter your own home? As my knocking ceased, the vine-like obstruction at the cave entrance silently slid open. An icy wind, heavy with the scent of blood, blew out, making me shiver. Strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant. Instead, the coolness seemed to drive away the heat from my climb. I looked down and saw a small, red figure standing at the entrance. In my blurry vision, it was a tiny figure with two little braids wearing a small red dress. She seemed to be looking up at me. The little one let out a low, threatening whimper and suddenly lunged at me, her cold little hands reaching for my throat. I bent down and scooped her up, holding her to my chest. My hands came away sticky and wet. "Good heavens, little one, why is your dress all wet?" I said immediately, completely ignoring the intense, iron-like scent of blood. "You'll get sick like this! Take it off, I'll find you something clean and warm!" I twitched my nose, catching the ever-present coppery scent, and asked anxiously: "Are you hurt? Does it hurt? First aid kit... uh, are there any healing herbs here? I'll help you take care of it." Unseen by me, the observers were nearly screaming: "What is she doing?! The one she's holding is 'Bloodclaw' Lia! A ghostly pup who takes pleasure in tearing apart trial candidates! That dress isn't wet—it's soaked with the blood of the candidates she's killed! That blood smell is coming from her!" "She's finished. When the real cave master returns, she'll be ground to dust!" But I knew nothing about it. Holding this Lia close, I made my way deeper into the cave while clumsily trying to get her out of the sticky "red dress." From what I could see vaguely, in a relatively clean corner of the cave (apparently her "little nest"), I found a piece of clean, soft white pelt from some unknown animal and wrapped it around her. The little hands (paws) that had been around my throat loosened without me noticing. Sensing her stiffened posture and slight confusion, I used the corner of my shirt (I seemed to still be wearing my old clothes) to dip into some relatively clean water seeping from the cave wall and carefully wiped the dark smudges from her face. Up close, she seemed like a pale little girl with delicate features. Her eyes were large and vertical, like a beast's. I smiled and pointed to my cheek. "Family helps each other. But shouldn't you give me a kiss to thank me?" The wrapped Lia squirmed a bit, then quickly pressed her face to mine, pulled away just as fast. A tiny, slightly aggrieved and confused voice sounded in my ear: "Thank you... Mommy." Mommy? I... I was a mommy now? A warmth spread through me that I couldn't describe. In my original pack, because of my weakness and impairment, I was always at the bottom, isolated and bullied. I had never imagined that a little life would call me Mommy. This feeling... was amazing! Because of my defect, the pack healer once told me I'd never be able to have pups. And now I was a mother to such an adorable little wolf. I gently patted Lia's back and hummed a tuneless song, coaxing her to rest on the "bed" I'd made from dry grass. Only when she seemed to be asleep did I finally relax. Chapter 3 Just then, a cold, mechanical voice that seemed to echo directly in my soul began to broadcast: 【Initial trial candidates: 100; current survivors: 70.】 Thirty candidates were dead just from choosing a cave. I felt around and discovered a rough crystal fragment had appeared on my person, with faint dots of light flickering on its surface. I brought it close to my eyes to make out the information. It was a way for the trial candidates to communicate. The messages were chaotic, filled with fear. The man who had been initially furious and roaring had gotten into a fight with several other werewolves over a decent-looking cave on the third level. He had barely won and swaggered into his chosen cave. Then, a terrifying roar echoed out, followed by the sounds of bones cracking and being devoured. A half-man, half-wolf creature with giant, burning,crazy flames in its eyes appeared at the cave entrance, licking blood and flesh from its muzzle. A Gamma warrior, the moment he stepped into a cave on the tenth level, seemed to see something absolutely terrifying. His Lunar Fear instantly shot to 100, and he collapsed, his body melting and dissipating under the blood moon's glow. The other deaths were just as varied. Some were killed by silver traps, some were torn apart by the feral wolves in the caves, and others were driven mad by an intangible fear. As I read these messages, I felt strangely calm. Perhaps my sensory impairment protected me, keeping me from understanding those terrifying symbols. I stood up and, while Lia slept, began to explore the cave. It was a mess. The ground was littered with things that hurt my feet (I later learned these were bones), and the stone walls were stained with dark, dried filth. I found some tough vines and made a simple broom, starting the laborious task of cleaning. I swept all the small, uncomfortable things into a corner and covered them with dirt. The stains on the stone walls wouldn't come off, so I found some damp moss to try and cover them. I don't know how long I was busy—perhaps it was afternoon (though the blood moon's glow remained unchanged). I grew tired and collapsed onto the pile of dry grass next to Lia, falling into a deep sleep. When I woke again, an aura far more powerful and icy than Lia's, one that carried absolute pressure, enveloped me. The cave was darker than before, as if the blood moon's glow had been blocked by something. A vague black shadow stood before me, almost merging with the darkness. Although I couldn't see hisappearance, or even tell if he was in wolf form, the first words he spoke sent an odd jolt through my heart. "Who are you?" he asked. His voice held no emotion, yet it carried a natural authority, as if he were born to give commands. The deep laughter of the tall figure echoed through the cave, laced with amusement. "Well now," his voice was rough as sandpaper yet magnetic, "you're the first to survive under Lia's claws." Immediately after, Lia's cold voice came from the corner, sharp with the tone of a young wolf, "Don't touch her. This mommy's mine. I'm keeping her to play with later." The man didn't even turn his head, just casually waved a hand. An invisible force lifted Lia from her nest of hay and slammed her against the cave wall with a dull thud and the crack of bones shifting. "Mind your place," he said coldly, his voice leaving no room for argument, "Who gave you permission to speak to me like that? You think you really are my pup or something?" I couldn't stand it. I scrambled up from the hay. "How could you do that to a child!" I said as I rushed toward the tall figure, "What kind of father does that!" I meant to push him, but tripped over a bone and my hands flailed out, accidentally pressing against something firm and textured—it seemed to be his abdomen. The feeling was surprisingly nice, so I instinctively gave it a couple more pats. The man's aura instantly turned dangerous and cold. In the darkness, it seemed as if a crimson light flashed. I quickly backtracked: "Lia's my little treasure, and you're my big treasure. We're a family!" I paused, then added, "I'm Serina. I'm here to join the family. Seriously, dear, you've kept in great shape. Though you seem a bit... on the short side? Don't worry, I'll cook for you both every day, and I'll make sure you grow tall and strong!" Those watching the trial began to stir again: 【By the Moon Goddess! What is she saying? How dare she speak to a vampire-werewolf like that!】 【So this is her, the legend! He has to be the strongest being in the Blood Moon Trial, right? Even Silver-maned Kaelan died by his hand.】 【Wait, are the vampire-werewolf's ears turning red? Is he blushing...】 【Why did this vampire-werewolf let this trial candidate keep touching his stomach! Isn't that the most vulnerable part for werewolves?】 Everyone watching the trial in this cave was waiting for me to be torn to shreds. According to past records, that was the fate of all who dared offend this being. But in the next second, the man did something no one expected. He raised a hand and pressed what looked like a round object he'd been holding back onto his neck. With a soft click, it settled into place. He leaned toward me, the previously untouchable image completely gone, his voice even carrying a hint of unbelievable hurt: "Short? I'm six-foot-five! Want to take a better look?" Even legendary terrifying beings, it seemed, cared about their height when it came to men. "Serina," he suddenly said my name, a voice so beautiful it made my heart skip a beat, "I suggest you look closely." I grabbed the front of his leather jerkin, pulling him closer to me, while deliberately whispering in a sweet voice, "I can't see clearly. A little closer." Facing the now-clearly visible handsome face before me, I silently rejoiced that thankfully this damn trial only monitored Lunar Fear, not heart rate. Otherwise, I'd be doomed. Seeing the man silent as he stared at me, worried he was actually angry, I immediately switched to an admiring gaze and nodded vigorously, "Wow! Six-foot-five to my five-ten—what a perfect height difference for kissing! We really are a match made in heaven!" Chapter 4 The man in the black leather armor's face clearly flushed red. Just as he was about to speak, Lia, who had just finished resetting her own bones, rushed over and kicked him straight into the cave ceiling with such force that he got temporarily embedded in the rock. Then, the little wolf cub turned to me, nuzzling my face with her wet nose. Her golden vertical eyes looked at me pleadingly, "Mommy, Lia's hungry. Need food." Who could resist that? I immediately started searching through the cave, squinting carefully to identify the stored food, and excitedly went to prepare dinner for Lia—and for my "husband" hanging from the ceiling. My cooking skills are no joke. After I'd stewed a thick pot of soup with the wild pork, tubers, and herbs I found, the father and daughter pair licked the stone pot clean, not a drop of broth left. When I went to the back of the cave to wash at the water pool, I could overhear their "harmonious" conversation: "Lia, keeping this woman might not be such a bad idea. She cooks really well." "But Daddy, tomorrow those corpse witch twins will be back. They'll get mad if they find out we didn't eat their food." "Call that food? If they've got a problem with it, I'll take care of them first." "Okay, I'll keep watch." After washing up, I naturally claimed the deepest, softest pile of hay in the cave—clearly the master bedroom. I peeked out from the fur blanket, watching the dark figure still sitting motionless on the stone bench. So, I used the sweetest, most considerate voice to show off my wifely skills: "Dear, do you need me to help you clean your wolf? It looks like you've just been hunting." I pointed to where I'd been cooking, where there was a large pool of water. To my surprise, the man actually agreed. He silently walked to the side of the pool and sat down, shifting into his wolf form. Those watching the trial went wild again: 【What the hell is she talking about?! Offering to clean a vampire-werewolf?!】 【Has this woman been kicked in the head by a rogue?】 【The vampire-wolf's fangs are longer than her thigh!】 【There's blood dripping from its mouth! And chunks of some unknown creature on its teeth!】 Facing the ferocious wolf with terrifying vampire fangs, I felt no fear at all. In my eyes, he was just a big, fluffy dog. I happily scooped up warm water and started washing the blood-splattered wolf. "You know," I said as I worked through the tangled fur, "in my old pack, only family members help clean each other's wolves. It means we're close." As I gently wet his fur, I unconsciously increased the pressure of my strokes. I could feel the wolf under my hands tremble slightly, but he didn't resist. Lia came over, resting her head on my lap. "The other trial runners see his fangs and run," she whispered. "Why aren't you afraid of us?" I gently scratched her chin, thinking for a moment. "Because we're family now. What's there to be afraid of between family?" Lia's voice turned low. "We're not what you think we are. What if we're monsters?" "As long as you don't do anything to hurt me, you're my family. So what if you're monsters? My old pack wasn't monsters, but they abandoned me. You, at least, have given me a home for now." I started scrubbing his fur, like washing a soft, black blanket. 【She's washing the vampire-werewolf's mane! He hates it when anyone touches his wolf! The last trial candidate who just brushed up against him lost all his teeth and fingers and was thrown into the crocodile pond in the rainforest!】 【What's wrong with this woman? She's even humming! Is she really not afraid at all?】 【That vampire-werewolf is actually closing his eyes in comfort? Can her massage skills be that good?】 "You're in a good mood?" The wolf under my hands spoke. I finished washing and found a large, dry leaf. As I dried the remaining water from his fur, I said, "This is the first time I've ever had a family. I'm an orphan, and now I have a lovely daughter like Lia and such a strong mate. I'm so happy." I could've sworn the wolf's temperature rose, like he was getting shy. After I finished drying the wolf, I leaned my entire body against his smooth, fluffy fur, my voice muffled, "I still don't know your name." He seemed to think of something unpleasant and quickly shifted back to his tall human form. "The Werewolf Council stripped me of my name, declaring me a cursed being." He paused, then added, "Maybe you could give me one. A name that belongs only to you." After speaking, he turned and left in a huff. Looking at his retreating figure and his words, I felt a little shy myself. "Eros," I said. "That's the name I've chosen for you." "Do as you wish." He was already far away, but I still heard his consenting reply. By the first night, I was a little hopeful that Eros would sleep with me in the same hay pile. After all, he hadn't refused my request to join this home. Plus, I kind of missed that the feeling of his strong muscle. But I miscalculated. By midnight, he still hadn't shown up. But Lia came. Her small body suddenly appeared in my bedding, her eyes glowing with an eerie light. A true ghost wolf cub. Her cold arms wrapped around me. "Mommy, will you wash me like that too?" "Of course," I hugged her, trying to warm her little body. "Not only will I wash you, but I'll make you pretty little clothes. Dress up our little Lia." Lia looked at me, puzzled. "Why dress me up?" "Because our Lia is the most beautiful and lovely little wolf cub, of course?" I answered gently. "But... when I was alive, people called me a monster. And that vampire... he's a monster too. His wolf could swallow a whole werewolf in one bite." Chapter 5 I sighed softly, pulling Lia closer to me, feeling her slightly cool body temperature. "Listen, sweetheart," I said gently, my fingers lightly combing through her tangled silver-white hair. "People who say bad things about you are just wrong. If I ever meet them, I'll make them pay and show them how special my little Lia really is." Lia buried her face in my neck, her voice muffled. "But... they all called me a monster. My fur color is impure, brought shame to the pack." Hearing such a cruel truth from Lia's young voice, I couldn't help but tear up. "Listen, that's not your fault. Those who hurt you don't deserve to be your real family. From now on, I'm your mom." "It's just that they don't know how to appreciate your uniqueness," I cupped her small face, looking seriously into her glowing eyes in the darkness. "Every single strand of your fur is a gift from the Moon Goddess, just as special as the stars in the night sky. Promise me you won't say things like that about yourself anymore, okay? It makes Mommy very sad to hear you talk like that." She hesitated, then nodded. I started humming that off-key lullaby again, my fingers gently stroking her back. I don't know how much time passed, but we both fell into a deep sleep, her breathing gradually evening out. After I was sound asleep, Lia quietly crept closer to my face. Her glowing eyes in the darkness fixed on mine for a long while. It was as if she were struggling with something inside herself. Finally, she gently pressed a cool kiss to my cheek, whispering softly, "Mommy would be sad... can't make Mommy sad." The energy around her stabilized, and even her ghostly form gradually solidified into that of a real little girl, curling up in my arms to sleep peacefully. Those watching the trial were shocked: 【She even manifested a solid form! How is that possible? A ghost cub's energy form is supposed to be unchangeable!】 【What did this trial candidate do? She changed the very nature of the ghost cub!】 【I checked the records. This has never happened before. This Serina... she's a variable.】 The next morning, I was woken by a cold mechanical voice. 【Initial trial candidates: 100; current survivors: 40.】 I rubbed my eyes, fumbling to find the communication crystal and holding it close to strain and read the flickering information. Another thirty candidates had been lost overnight. The number made my heart sink. "What's wrong, Mommy?" Lia asked sleepily. She now looked completely like a solid little girl, her white nightgown making her look especially adorable. I put down the crystal, smiling as I ruffled her hair. "Nothing, sweetheart. Here, Mommy will braid your hair nicely today." Just then, the crystal suddenly flickered to life with a private message from Safiya: 【Serina, thank goodness you're still alive! I've been dealing with the Delta warriors in my cave and couldn't warn you in time. The first three days are crucial. You must build a good relationship with your "family." Here's some information I compiled from the Alpha Council records. Hope it helps. I'm sorry I didn't explain the cave selection rules beforehand, forcing you into the King's Nest.】 I noticed Safiya was also active on public channels, offering advice to other candidates: 【Remember, don't make direct eye contact. That's seen as a challenge.】 【If you hear a low growl, stop whatever you're doing immediately.】 【Always let them eat first...】 Taine occasionally chimed in: 【What's the point of helping these newbies? It doesn't benefit you.】 Safiya always replied gently: 【Crossing paths is fate. Don't be so calculating.】 The surviving candidates were all grateful to Safiya, calling her "The Guide." These two Alphas were certainly interesting. I leaned close to the crystal, replying cautiously: 【Thanks for checking in. I'm doing fine. Your info is helpful.】 After putting down the crystal, I saw Lia sitting obediently to the side, while Eros was doing strength training with a massive boulder. His muscles looked particularly distinct in the morning light. "What would you like to eat today?" I asked him, still braiding Lia's hair. "I found some wild berries in the back of the cave yesterday. I could add them to breakfast." Eros set the boulder down and walked over to sit beside us. His gaze was gentle, nothing like the ferocious vampire-werewolf of legend. "You decide," his deep voice had a hint of warmth. "Everything you make is delicious." Blood-colored moonlight streamed through cracks in the cave ceiling, casting dappled spots of light on us. Lia leaned against my knee as I carefully braided her hair, occasionally weaving in some small wildflowers I'd picked yesterday. Eros sat quietly and watched us. The scene was so warm it hardly seemed like a life-or-death trial. Just as I was finishing Lia's hairstyle, a pungent mixed smell of herbs and decay suddenly filled the cave. Two slender figures appeared silently at the cave entrance, blocking most of the light. "Looks like we have unexpected guests while we're away," one of the hexenbiest said, her sharp nails scraping against the rock wall in a teeth-grinding sound. Her skin had an unnatural grayish pallor, like a long-dead corpse. The other witch showed her pointed teeth, with unnatural sutures at the corners of her mouth. "And trying to take over our job." Lia immediately hid behind me, her small hand clutching my clothes tightly. Eros instantly went into battle mode, stepping in front of me with a low warning growl in his throat. I stood up and walked toward the two hexenbiest with a smile. "You must be Morgana and Morgan, right? I've heard Eros talk about you." I pretended not to notice the dangerous aura they emitted. "I was just braiding Lia's hair. Would you like me to do yours too? I can also make a hair conditioner with bay leaves and bioluminescent moss. It's especially good for restoring hair quality." Morgana narrowed her eyes, and something seemed to be writhing beneath her grayish skin. "Little lamb, do you know we once turned an entire werewolf patrol into a pot of stew?" "They must not have appreciated your craft," I said without changing my expression, pulling out my herb pouch. "Here, try this conditioner. I added essence of rain-flower. It's especially moisturizing. Your hair looks like it needs some serious TLC." Morgan sneered, suddenly grabbing my wrist with her sharp nails digging into my skin. "You think these cheap tricks can fool us?" I winced in pain but still held up the conditioner jar. "Sister, your nails need trimming. You're scratching yourself. Once I'm done with your hair treatment, I can file them for you. I have a really nice set of tools I traded for from a wandering merchant." To my surprise, Morgan suddenly laughed and let go of my hand. "Sister, this girl is amusing." "Indeed," Morgana took the conditioner jar from me and sniffed it at the tip of her nose. "Your formula... is unique. Much fresher than the corpse oil products we usually use." Those watching the trial went wild again: 【She's offering hair treatments to the Cursed Twins?!】 【And Morgana accepted it?! The last candidate who just glanced at them was turned into an ingredient!】 【Does this Serina really not see the maggots writhing under their skin?!】 【Wait, they're discussing skincare?! Are these still the Hexenbiest known for their cruelty?】 I cheerfully started preparing the hair treatment for the two hexenbiest. Eros and Lia watched with their mouths agape. In the cave, the once-feared Cursed Twins, the vampire-werewolf, and the ghost cub were all gathered around me, waiting for my special herbal treatment. "You know," I said as I crushed bay leaves, speaking to Morgana, "Proper care not only improves your hair but can lift your spirits. I noticed the muscles around your mouth look very tense. This formula is perfect for helping you relax." Morgana looked at me thoughtfully. "You... you're not afraid of us?" I looked up and smiled at her. "Why would I be afraid of my own family?" Chapter 6 Hearing my answer, both Morgana and Morgan froze. The cave was so quiet you could hear water dripping from the walls. "Family?" Morgan spoke first, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Little sheep, has the rainforest jungle fever gone to your head?" I shook my head, continuing to stir the herbs. "I'm perfectly clear. Since the Moon Goddess brought us together and made us live under the same roof, then we're family." Eros stepped closer to me, whispering, "Serina, they..." "It's okay," I cut him off, offering the witch sisters a brilliant smile. "Let's all cook lunch together today? I can teach you a few new dishes." Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Are you questioning our cooking skills?" "Of course not!" I quickly explained. "Just sharing some cooking techniques I know. Like how to make meat more tender, or how to remove the gaminess from certain ingredients." The comments from those watching the trial started scrolling again: 【She's actually going to teach the curse hexenbiest how to cook?!】 【I remember the last trial candidate who just didn't want to eat their food had their head scooped out to use as a stew pot!】 【This woman has lost it!】 Morgan and Morgana exchanged a look, then the corners of their mouths turned up slightly. "Alright, let's see what you can teach us." The five of us walked together to the cave's kitchen area. Call it a kitchen, but it was really just a corner with a crude stone hearth and a few stone tables. Lia excitedly tugged on my sleeve, while Eros followed silently behind, always keeping an eye on the witch sisters' movements. "First," I picked up a piece of meat still dripping with blood, "we can marinate it in wild berry juice first. That way it removes the gamey taste and adds a fruity fragrance." Morgana narrowed her eyes. "We usually use swamp toad venom for marinating." I made a face. "That sounds unhealthy. Want to try my way?" To my surprise, they actually agreed. We started preparing food together. I taught them how to identify edible herbs and how to grind nuts with stones to make sauce. Gradually, the tense expressions on the witch sisters relaxed. "You know," Morgana said as she mimicked my technique with a tuber, "we used to like cooking too." Morgan shot her sister a glare, but Morgana continued. "Back when we were still alive. Our mother was often ill, and we would often cook medicinal meals for her." I stopped what I was doing and asked softly, "Your mother must have been very gentle and kind, just like you." “Later we started treating the wolves in the slums," Morgan continued, her voice bitter. "And what did we get in return?" I stopped what I was doing and asked softly, "What happened?" The sisters fell silent. Finally, it was Morgana who spoke, her voice unnervably calm. "We were accused of practicing dark magic. Those 'patients' we had treated testified against us in court. The noble wolves sentenced us to be burned at the stake." The sisters were silent. The cave was deathly quiet, save for the crackling of the hearth fire. "So you see, little sheep," Morgan sneered, "Trusting others is just the fastest way to be burned to ash." I walked over to them and gently took their hands. "I trust you. I believe you won't hurt me." 【She touched the curse hexenbiest' hands! And she wasn't cursed!】 【Moon Goddess above, what is Serina doing? Does she really trust them?】 To everyone's surprise, the witch sisters didn't pull their hands away. Morgana even gave them a gentle squeeze in return. "Come on," I broke the silence, "Let's finish this meal. I promise you'll like it." At lunchtime, the five of us sat around the stone table. The table was loaded with the food we'd prepared together: roasted marinated meat with wild berry juice, herb stew, roasted tubers with nut sauce, and simple flatbreads I'd made from wild grains I'd found. Lia eagerly took a bite of the roasted meat, her eyes lighting up immediately. "Delicious!" Eros tasted the stew and gave a slight nod. "Not bad." Morgana and Morgan cautiously sampled each dish, their expressions shifting from skepticism to surprise. "This flavor..." Morgan murmured, "It reminds me of our mother's cooking." I smiled, serving more food for everyone. "We can cook together like this more often." 【I can't believe my eyes! The five most dangerous beings in the King's Nest are having a pleasant lunch together!】 【This scene is too surreal. I have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming.】 【Serina's Lunar Fear is still 0! How is that possible?】 Through my efforts, our cave was gradually becoming more like a real home. I took Lia to pick wild flowers and colorful stones to decorate the cave, teaching her how to make flower crowns. Though Eros still maintained his cool demeanor, he would silently help us move heavy things and stand guard, protecting us from wild beasts. The witch sisters gradually opened up to us. One day, as we were gathering herbs in the rainforest, Morgana suddenly said, "You know, Serina, we can never fully trust anyone." I was bending over to pick a patch of moon-moss and looked up at her with a smile. "That's okay. I trust you enough for all of us." Morgan snorted, but when I nearly tripped over a protruding tree root, she quickly reached out to steady me. "Watch yourself, you fool," she said gruffly. "The rainforest is full of dangers." But I noticed that for the rest of the journey, she would subtly clear obstacles from my path. Those watching the trial began recording these details: 【Did you see? Morgan just drove away a venomous snake!】 【Morgana is quietly removing those sharp thorns as Serina passes!】 【They say they don't trust her, but their actions are protecting her!】 That evening, I decided to paint a portrait of our whole family. I ground collected ores into pigments and painted on a flat piece of slate. Lia curiously watched from beside me, Eros pretended to be uninterested but would sneak glances at my progress. The witch sisters stood at a distance, their expressions complicated. "That doesn't look anything like me," Morgan criticized. "My eyes aren't that color." But I saw her smile secretly. When I finished the painting, everyone gathered around. On the canvas, the five of us sat together against the backdrop of our decorated cave. Lia wore a flower crown on her head, Eros looked relaxed, and the witch sisters had faint smiles on their faces. "This is... us?" Morgana asked softly. I nodded. "Our family portrait." Lia excitedly pointed at herself in the painting. "Mommy drew me so pretty!" Eros stared silently at the painting, then suddenly turned and left. I thought he didn't like my artwork, but a few minutes later he returned with a glowing crystal, which he mounted above the frame as a light source. "It looks better this way," he explained briefly, the tips of his ears turning red. The viewing screen exploded: 【The vampire-werewolf just decorated that painting!】 【I can't believe it! Is this really the same vampire-werewolf who massacred the entire Silver Moon Pack?】 【Serina's Lunar Fear is still 0! How on earth is she doing this?】 The witch sisters stood before the painting in silence for a long time. Finally, Morgana reached out and gently touched the image of herself. "No one has seen us as... family in a long time," she whispered. Morgan turned her head away, but I saw her quickly wipe a damp spot from the corner of her eye. After dinner, Morgana handed me a small vial. "What's this?" I asked. "Insect repellent," she said shortly. "Sprinkle it around your bedding to keep venomous bugs away." I took the vial, looking at her with emotion. "Thank you, Sister Morgana." She snorted. "Just don't want you getting bit and screaming, waking us up." But I noticed that as they left, both of them had faint smiles on their faces. Chapter 7 That night, Morgana and Morgan were mixing new potions in a corner on a stone table. Various colored liquids bubbled in crystal bottles, releasing a strange fragrance mixed with herbs and magic. Lia was lying in my lap, her little head nodding to the tune I hummed. Her silver-white hair shimmered with a soft glow in the moonlight. "Mommy," Lia suddenly looked up, tugging on my sleeve. Her large golden eyes were filled with anticipation. "Tonight I want to sleep with you. And I want to hear that lullaby again about the moon and the little wolf." I was about to agree when a deep voice came from the other side of the cave. "No." Eros put down the silver dagger he was polishing and stood up, walking toward us. In the light of the blood moon, his figure looked especially tall. The black leather armor on him bore faint, mottled marks—countless scars from countless battles. "Why?" Lia immediately pouted, dangerous red lights starting to flash in her eyes. "Mommy always sleeps with me! Mommy's mine!" Eros crossed his arms, his brows furrowed, but his tone was unusually firm. "Things are different now. Tonight, Serina sleeps with me." The comments from those watching the trial started scrolling wildly: 【Here it comes! Family war about to break out!】 【My ghost cub Lia will win! She's scary even when she's mad at herself!】 【Betting on Eros! He's the one who can take on an entire pack single-handedly!】 【Place your bets! I'm putting my money on Lia! Those little fangs of hers aren't just for show!】 Lia's form began to change, starting to ghostify. Her nails became sharp and dangerous. "Mommy's mine!" she growled, a voice completely unlike that of a young cub. Eros was equally unyielding. Blood-colored energy fluctuations started to surround him, and the air in the cave seemed to solidify. "She's my destined mate." His voice carried the unique deterrent force of a wolf, making the moss on the cave walls tremble slightly. Seeing sparks about to fly between them, Morgana and Morgan intervened in time. Morgana still held a potion bottle emitting purple smoke, while Morgan blocked the two of them who were facing off. "That's enough," Morgana scooped up the ghostifying Lia, skillfully avoiding her flailing little paws. "Stop making a scene, little cub." Meanwhile, Morgan stood in front of Eros, staring at him with a warning look. "Control yourself, Eros. Your energy fluctuations are going to spill my potions." Lia struggled in Morgana's arms, her voice choked with tears. "But Mommy promised to sing my lullaby! She promised!" Morgan turned around and crouched down to look Lia in the eyes. Her tone was surprisingly gentle. "Listen up, little one. If you want little brothers and sisters to play with, Mommy and Daddy need some alone time tonight." Lia froze, her ears twitching in confusion. The ghostly features began to fade away. "Brothers and sisters?" "That's right," Morgana picked up the thread, winking mysteriously. "But they can only appear when Mommy and Daddy are alone together. Like magic—it needs special conditions." The viewing screen was instantly flooded with question marks and exclamation marks: 【Little brothers and sisters?! What are they teaching this kid?!】 【Wait, are these witch sisters actually trying to play matchmakers?】 【This is the weirdest family mediation I've ever seen!】 【This parenting style is way too hardcore!】 Lia tilted her head, thinking for a moment, her face completely serious. "Little wolf cubs that can run and jump? The kind that can play hide-and-seek with me?" "Something like that," Morgan suppressed a smile. "And you can teach them how to hunt and take berry picking. So will you come sleep with us tonight, okay?" Lia's eyes instantly lit up. She immediately nodded obediently and even took Morgana's hand. "Then I want three little brothers and sisters! No, five!" The witch sisters left with expressions of victory. As they went, Morgan even shot Eros a meaningful look over her shoulder. "Don't waste this night," she mouthed. Suddenly, it was just Eros and I in the cave. The tense atmosphere from moments ago suddenly became subtle and quiet. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat echoing between the stone walls, unusually clear. Eros cleared his throat uncomfortably, the tips of his ears clearly flushing red. "They always stick their noses in where they don't belong," he muttered, his gaze shifting around. I couldn't help but laugh, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere. "But it worked, didn't it? At least Lia's going to bed obediently." We walked side by side toward the sleeping furs covered with soft animal pelts. The air was filled with a sweet tension. Just as I was about to lie down, Eros suddenly spoke, his voice even deeper than usual. "You said before... that you like my muscles." I froze, feeling my face start to heat up. "Um... I was just saying that to lighten the mood..." But he started unfastening the clasps on his leather armor, his movements slow and deliberate. "You said you wanted to touch them. Now's your chance." The viewing screen exploded: 【Wait, wait, wait! Is this content available for free?!】 【That bloodthirsty vampire-werewolf is actually offering himself up?!】 【Serina's Lunar Fear is still 0! Isn't she supposed to have a "perception disability" from birth?!】 【This is more exciting than any romance novel I've ever read!】 Eros took off his shirt, revealing a solid chest and abs. In the dim light, I could see his body covered with marks of varying depths, densely packed. Curiosity compelled me to reach out and gently touch those scars. My fingertips felt the uneven texture. "These are..." My fingers stopped on a particularly gruesome wound, a mark that stretched from his collarbone to his waist, clearly visible even in the dim light. "Left by a silver whip," his voice was calm, as if telling someone else's story. I gasped, my fingers trembling slightly. "Why? Why would they do that to you?" He gave a bitter smile, his gaze drifting as if looking through the stone walls at a distant past. "I was the youngest commander in the Shadowfang Pack. At only twenty years old, I was promoted to Gamma Commander. Everyone said I would be the next Alpha." There was a hint of barely perceptible pride in his voice, but it quickly faded. "During a territorial war, our Alpha chose to surrender, handing me over to the enemy pack as the price for peace. Trading his own commander's life for his safety." My throat tightened, and I continued listening, my fingers unconsciously stroking those scars, as if that could ease the pain he had once endured. "They shackled me with silver chains and whipped me with silver whips every day." His voice remained calm, but his fists clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white. "Later I heard that the surrender agreement demoted all members of our pack to slaves, and the cubs weren't spared either." The comments from those watching the trial turned serious: 【The Shadowfang betrayal incident! I read about that in ancient texts!】 【So Eros didn't become a vampire-werewolf willingly?】 【Oh god, how desperate he must have been...】 【Did his family include those slaves?】 "So I escaped," the corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc. "In a way they never expected. Alone, I stormed their den and sent every member of that pack to the Moon's embrace. Not a single survivor left." I covered my mouth, tears uncontrollably sliding down, dropping onto the scars on his chest. "And then?" "Then?" He sneered, his gaze turning sharp. "The surviving witnesses said I was a monster who enjoyed killing. The Alpha Council sent three elite squads to hunt me down, leaving even more scars on my body, and finally pierced my heart with a silver sword." My fingers gently traced the overlapping scars, my voice choked with tears. "It must have hurt so much. Every time, every wound..." He froze for a moment, his deep eyes widening slightly, as if surprised by my question. "I'm used to it. The burning of silver, the cuts of blades... I used to all." "But it hurts me," more tears fell onto his scars. I could even feel the muscles beneath the old scars twitching slightly. "Thinking about what you went through, thinking about you enduring all this alone... it hurts here." I pointed to my chest. It was indeed throbbing with pain. Eros's expression instantly froze. His deep eyes locked onto me, swirling with complex emotions—shock, as if something long frozen was beginning to melt. "Never... no one has ever said such things to me." He slowly lifted his hand, gently stroking my cheek, his fingertips tenderly wiping away my tears, his movements awkward but careful. "Everyone was afraid of me, hated me, or wanted to use me. Even my own pack betrayed me. Never... no one has ever cried for me." His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a vulnerability I had never heard in him, like he had finally shed a heavy armor. Then he leaned down and kissed me lightly. At first, the kiss was tentative, as if checking if this was real. When I didn't pull away, it deepened—warm and firm, with an urgency that felt like long-suppressed emotions finally finding an outlet. The viewing screen froze for a second, then exploded with a flood of comments: 【Moon Goddess above! They actually kissed!】 【! How is this possible?!】 【I'm actually seeing real love in a horror trial!】 The kiss was gentle and long-lasting. When he finally pulled back, we were both slightly breathless, our foreheads touching. "Serina," he whispered, his warm breath brushing my cheek. "You remind me what it's like to be alive. Not as a weapon, not as a monster, but as a living, breathing person." I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in the crook of his shoulder, feeling his strong heartbeat. "Eros, you deserve to be loved, deserve to be treated with tenderness. No matter what happened in the past, you deserve it." He held me tighter, his arms firm and warm, as if I were his only anchor in the world. "Stay," he whispered, his voice filled with a pleading I had never heard before. "Stay by my side forever. Be my moon, illuminating this eternal darkness." Just then, there was a rustling sound at the cave entrance. We both turned to see Lia and the witch sisters peeking through the stone doorway. Lia was on tiptoes, with Morgana and Morgan supporting her on either side. "Are they making little brothers and sisters?" Lia asked innocently, her voice unusually clear in the quiet cave. Morgana quickly covered her eyes: "Hey, little one. This is between adults." Meanwhile, Morgan gave Eros a thumbs-up, a rare brilliant smile on her face. She mouthed: "Well done!" Eros sighed helplessly, pulling a fur blanket over us. "Looks like we lack basic privacy." His tone was complaining, but I could hear the amusement in it. I couldn't help but laugh, leaning against his solid chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. "This is what family is like, Eros. They always show up at the most awkward moments, but they're always there for you." He looked down at me, his eyes as gentle as the moonlight on a deep pond. "Maybe it's not so bad. With you here, it finally feels like home." Those watching the trial all commented: 【This is the warmest horror trial I've ever seen!】 【This was supposed to be a blood moon trial! It's basically a dating sim game!】 【But why do I feel my eyes getting... wet?】 【So even these legendary monsters crave love...】 That night, we slept wrapped in each other's arms. In Eros's embrace, I felt a sense of security I had never experienced before. His arms were wrapped around me, his chin gently resting on top of my head. His breathing gradually became steady and deep. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I felt him gently kiss my forehead, and in a voice so low it was barely audible, he said: "Thank you for coming to me. Thank you for seeing the real me." The first three days passed quietly in our cozy atmosphere. When the dawn of the fourth day arrived, the light of the blood moon seemed even more intense. The air was filled with a new tension. I had just woken up and was brushing Lia's silver-white hair. Suddenly, a cold mechanical voice echoed throughout the rainforest: 【Initial trial candidates: 100; current survivors: 20.】 This number made my fingers instinctively falter. The communication crystal kept flashing with fragments of last messages—a Delta in the third-level cave torn apart by a frenzied wolf spirit. An Omega at the fifth-level who instantly his Lunar Fear value to 100 and simply dissipated, supposedly having seen terrifying visions before his death. And several candidates who tried to escape their caves only to be dragged away by other beings in the rainforest, leaving behind nothing but their screams echoing in the darkness. "Mommy, your hands are shaking," Lia said, looking up at me with concern. I forced a smile, about to reply, when the new trial mission was announced: 【Phase Two Mission: Token Collection】 【Collect at least ten tokens from other caves within the next three days.】 【Those who fail will be consumed by the blood moon on the seventh day.】 【Each token will provide bonus points.】