The monster who introduced itself as Bill took the lead and began to walk.

We followed behind and gradually entered deeper into the dense forest, which was truly intimidating with its untouched beauty.

I stuck close to Nathaniel’s side.

Nathaniel, who looked visibly conflicted, was peering down at me, but I decided to act like I didn’t notice.

[Dash] Here.

At the destination, there was a plausible wooden house.

Not very large, but in front of the quaint house, a stack of wood logs seemed to be prepared for winter.

A faint light emanated from the window, showing someone moving back and forth.

Soon, someone opened the door and stepped out.

[Dash] Honey!

She came out holding a club in one hand and seemed ready to strike us at any moment.

Bill restrained her and began explaining and persuading us.

We stood at a distance, waiting for their conversation to conclude.

“Must be his wife.”

“Saw her last time too. She had a little one with her.”

As the conversation seemed to end, Bill approached us.

[Dash] My wife, Maria.

“Her name is Maria.”

It was surprising to learn that even monsters had names.

I extended my hand for a handshake, but I was blatantly ignored.

Bill nodded apologetically and led us inside the cabin.

The interior of the hut was astonishingly similar to a human’s house.
There was a door leading to a room, and there was a dining table, chairs, and even a kitchen.

“Is this place just like a human house?”

Nathaniel also seemed a bit surprised.

We sat at a humble dining table.

Bill hesitated to speak, glancing at Maria. So, I decided to ask first.

“How can we help you?”

Maria glared at me for a moment, then nodded.

Then, Bill spoke up.

[Dash] Now, we know we can’t live here anymore. Move us somewhere else.

“By somewhere else, do you mean where other monsters live?”

[Dash] No. We were… we were originally human.

“What?!”

I unintentionally exclaimed, and Maria gave me a warning look.

Then, she checked the door.

Fortunately, the children seemed undisturbed.

I made a gesture of apology and explained the situation to Nathaniel.

“The story of humans turning into monsters is something I’ve never heard before.”

He furrowed his brow, lost in thought for a moment.

He waited to hear more about the situation before making any judgments.

[Dash] At first, it was just me. Gradually, my emotions dulled, my memory worsened. And one day, my body transformed into this state.

“What about the rest of your family?”

[Dash] Maria changed similarly as she took care of me turning into a monster. The children appeared after both of us became monsters.

They said they had been living hidden in this forest for over a decade.
They supported each other to keep their sanity intact in the meantime.

“Does that mean you can communicate with other monsters?”

[Dash] We couldn’t communicate with the monster you captured last time. Maybe humanoid monsters like us can, but…

The implication was that there might be others who turned from humans to monsters like them. The recent reports of an increase in the number of monsters added an eerie feeling to the situation.

I explained all the stories I had heard to Nathaniel.

After a long sigh, he spoke up.

“Anyway, this forest will soon undergo a large-scale extermination operation because of the monster I captured last time. So, it’s better to evacuate if you want to live.”

[Dash] With this appearance, you can’t leave the forest.

He was right.

The forest was close to the capital.

There was a developed commercial zone around it for people who came to tour the forest.

Whichever way we went, our appearance would undoubtedly attract attention.

Nathaniel looked at the two of us, who had become gloomy, and asked, “What will you do if there’s a way to return to your original forms?”

Their expressions, which had been gloomy until a moment ago, changed at Nathaniel’s words.

Now that they knew they were originally humans, their expressions seemed even more vivid.

[Dash] Is… Is there such a way?

Marie, who had been silent until now, asked with a trembling voice.

Interpreting, Nathaniel cautiously discussed the possibility.
“I still can’t be sure. There’s something bothering me, so I need to check it out.”

Marie was disappointed by Nathaniel’s words, but Bill was a bit different.

He kneeled in front of Nathaniel and pleaded.

[Dash] If I can return to being human, I definitely want to. Please help me.

Even without interpretation, the atmosphere and expressions made it clear what he was saying.

“I’ll do my best. Just stay hidden and prepare a place to conceal yourselves just in case.”

Nathaniel explained the royal plan that, due to the disturbance in the last hunting festival, rumors had spread about monsters in this forest. People near the forest, who used to do business, naturally petitioned for the extermination of monsters, and the imperial authority managing this place decided to send the army.

“It will probably be two months from now.”

It was a relief that Nathaniel was the commander of the operation.

Knowing the plan in advance was crucial.