Chapter 2
“What do you mean, ‘just in case’.”
What greeted me when I stepped outside, heart pounding with anticipation, was a scream filled with shock and terror.
“If only that had been the end of it.”
For the next four months, I tasted nothing but bitter failure.
After that first outing, I completely opened up Laphelia Castle. I dispelled the concealment magic that had hidden it, allowing passersby to see it.
“And then I simply waited for someone to pass by.”
According to the rabbits, the Ratelenta Forest that surrounded the castle was connected to the Black Swamp where demonic beasts lived.
If someone wandered in by mistake, they could lose their life, so hardly anyone passed through.
Even so, three humans managed to cross the forest during that time, and I succeeded in drawing all of them into the castle.
An elderly man of advanced age, a hot-blooded young man, and a seasoned-looking middle-aged mercenary.
Perhaps they were relieved to find a castle standing along such a cold and treacherous forest road. Though hesitant, each of them stepped inside seeking help.
It was only natural.
“A garden this warm in the dead of winter.”
Outside the castle walls, a blizzard raged—but once you passed through the iron gates, a gentle spring unfolded. Amid the freezing cold, this place was the perfect sanctuary.
“I even left the gates wide open to show they were welcome!”
But life is never that easy.
With the first old man, I revealed myself too hastily. Fail.
With the second, the spirited young man, I served food and tea without showing my face. I let him hear only my voice and relax first. When I thought it should be enough and quietly appeared—Fail.
I had high hopes for the last one, the seasoned mercenary. His face looked like it had endured countless storms of life. I thought even if a talking beast appeared, he would take it calmly.
I even provided him a warm bed for three whole days.
And yet? Not only did he flee the fastest—he left his luggage behind. Fail.
“Why? I served tea! I gave them delicious food! I even offered a warm place to sleep!”
Was that not enough to show I wasn’t a bad person… no, a bad beast?
The moment I revealed my face, they labeled me with various words—monster, demonic beast, creature—and ran as if their tails were on fire.
And today, I was finally struck with a sword.
It wasn’t just disheartening. It felt unfair.
“Do I really look that much like a monster?”
Back in Korea, I was just an ordinary person. I was never discriminated against or ostracized because of my appearance.
But now? Everyone fled from me as if I were a one-way ticket to hell.
“…This is crushing.”
Such powerful rejection and fear. Disgust, even.
It shook not only my confidence but my very sense of identity.
I used to love people. Now I didn’t want to show myself to anyone.
“I’m just a beast now. No one sees me as human.”
I didn’t want to look at myself anymore. I felt horrible. Hiding the tears that welled up, I turned off the lights and buried my face in the blankets.
“Ppi, ppi, ppiii, kruuung.”
She’s not eating. She’ll starve like this.
The rabbit family fidgeted anxiously in front of the tightly shut door.
The smallest baby rabbit rubbed its eyes frantically with its tiny front paws.
The former Beast had waited only for the day she would die, having given up on everything.
Compared to her, the new Beast often smiled and wandered the castle with a positive air.
She especially hated being alone. Day or night, she always stuck close to the rabbits.
One day, the baby rabbit noticed a notebook filled with crooked handwriting.
The same word was written over and over. Mother Rabbit said it meant “lonely.”
Another day, they followed her into the garden and saw her muttering to herself.
“Ppi ppi ppi ppi?”
Who are you talking to?
“…Was I talking to myself?”
At the baby rabbit’s question, the Beast clapped a hand over her mouth in shock.
I’m going to die alone at this rate…
Murmuring incomprehensible words, Nadan—the Beast—turned away, and the baby rabbit hopped after her.
Remembering all of this, the baby rabbit stared up at the tightly closed door.
Since returning with blood on her hands, Nadan had not come out of her room for nearly two weeks.
“Ppii…”
After a moment of hesitation, the baby rabbit moved its short legs. Pushing off with its hind feet, it leapt toward the top of the tower.
It had recently grown used to riding on Nadan’s shoulder, so climbing nonstop was no easy task—but it did not stop running.
It didn’t want Nadan to be hurt by people anymore. But neither did it want her to waste away alone in her room.
At last, reaching the top, the dense Ratelenta Forest spread out below.
The baby rabbit settled in the very spot where Nadan used to keep watch all day.
“Ppi, ppii.”
This time, someone who recognizes Nadan’s true worth has to appear.
Wiggling its little tail, it lifted its paws and peered through the telescope at the forest.
How long had it been watching? Before it knew it, the forest was completely bathed in golden sunset light.
“Ppiii…”
Growing bored, the baby rabbit rubbed its face with both paws. That was when a flash of shimmering golden hair entered its view.
‘!’
Startled, the rabbit’s body trembled, white fur quivering.
Hidden partly by trees, but unmistakably human. Head, torso, arms, legs—and upright walking!
“Ppi! Ppi! Ppi! Ppik!”
“Ah, my back…”
I lifted my heavy body. Staying cooped up in one place for so long had made my back ache.
If even this beastly body hurts, how long have I been like this?
The rabbits must be worried.
As I steadied myself to leave the room, I heard a faint scratching at the door.
“Ppii! Ppib, ppib!”
The urgency sounded unusual. When I opened the door, white fluff tumbled in. The smallest and fastest baby rabbit began jumping up and down.
“Ppi, ppi ppi, krrrung—kuwang!”
Standing upright with its ears folded, walking on two feet like a person—
“…A human?”
Are you imitating a person right now?
When I tilted my head, the baby rabbit walked to my feet and grabbed my ankle.
“Ppii?”
Are you giving up?
I was at a loss for words.
It’ll just be the same again. They’ll call me a monster again.
And yet… just once more. Just one last time. Stubborn determination rose in me.
Just one more time.
This time, whether through threats or force—whatever it took—I would have a proper conversation.
Because I will return to being human.
“Baby rabbit, did you know?”
The baby rabbit stared up at me with bright, glass-like eyes. A tiny star seemed to sparkle in its black pupils.
“They say you only give up when you’re counting cabbages.”
“Kuwang!”
The baby rabbit shrieked and fled to Mother Rabbit, making me laugh.
“Wait for me there, everyone!”
I ran to the highest tower to dispel the concealment magic over the castle.
Foolishly, my heart began to race again.
The man was injured.
He looked fine at first glance; I might have missed it.
But who am I? A beast.
With my keen sense of smell, I could detect the scent of his blood from afar.
Being a beast actually helps at times like this.
Together with the rabbits, I quickly prepared bandages and medicine and laid them out on the bed.
A meal gentle enough for a patient, a stove warming the air, potions and bandages for his wounds.
I fretted over whether there was anything more I could do.
Unaware—or perhaps aware—of my fervent attention, the man calmly surveyed the castle interior.
Each time he turned his head, his radiant golden hair shone even in the darkness. His eyes, a brilliant green like crystallized purity, sparkled just the same.
“Excuse me. Is anyone here?”
After confirming no one was visible, he slowly opened his lips.
At the sweet, low voice that tickled my ears, both my ears fluttered unconsciously.
Yes, excuse yourself. I would be grateful if you could excuse yourself here forever.
Finding the silence strange, the man remained in the lobby.
I can’t just leave him like that.
The baby rabbit waddled toward him.
The man widened his eyes in surprise, then bent one knee and gently stroked the baby rabbit’s back.
A holy-looking face as though he could heal the sick and absolve sinners, paired with a rabbit glowing with white fur.
Perfect.
As I was captivated by the fairy-tale-like scene, the man began moving toward the guest room under the baby rabbit’s guidance.
On the soft bed lay fresh clothes for him, new bandages, and medicine.
Unable to bring myself to enter, I watched the door from afar.
Does he like it? He must be thinking he should stay a while. Maybe it’s so perfect he’ll want to settle here forever?
I pricked up my ears.
Closing my eyes to block out sight and focusing entirely on my hearing, I heard him let out a small laugh.
…It worked!
Though I had succeeded like this before—only to reveal myself and end up in the gutter more times than I could count.
“Ah.”
I slapped my cheek lightly to steady myself.
This time, I’ll make it different.
Once he had tended to his wound, the man followed the baby rabbit into the dining hall.
Before he entered, the white tablecloth had already been decorated with beautiful candlesticks and flowers.
Luxurious gold-rimmed dishes and a variety of foods were set out. Even I, secretly watching, found the spread satisfying.
But instead of delight, the man simply gazed at the scene.
Then he stepped slowly to the table and picked up a single rose petal that had fallen there.
As he quietly stared at the blood-red petal, the corners of his lips curved into a beautiful smile.
“May I eat?”
He spoke to me.
