Chapter 12: Strange Under the Moonlight
Hopping cheerfully down the street, Erika had changed into a new outfit and was now mostly used to her new body.
Though she looked delicate and frail, with her thin arms and legs lacking much strength, as long as she stayed by Gladys's side, she figured nothing too bad would happen in this world.
She reached into her pocket and counted her remaining coins—just over twenty silver.
Erika had originally wanted to splurge on a feast, but after thinking about it, she decided against it.
Gladys hadn’t eaten anything the whole day. Every time there was food, it was always given to her first. Erika couldn’t recall seeing Gladys eat even once.
Maybe she was already starving?
With this in mind, Erika used her remaining silver to carefully pick out a few fresh fruits, intending to bring them back as a gift for Gladys.
The weather was sweltering, and after the reminder from the tailor, she didn’t want to stay out too long. So, she took the fruit and returned to the inn.
…
…
By the time she returned, the sky had already darkened.
A silver moon hung high in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the town like a silvery veil of light.
As night fell, the inn began to bustle again, coinciding with dinner time. The first-floor dining hall was gradually filling up with drunken patrons.
As soon as Erika stepped in, a wave of pungent alcohol stench hit her.
She quickly pinched her nose with her small hand, a look of disgust crossing her delicate face.
She wasn’t sure why—but she hated the smell of alcohol.
No sooner had she entered the lobby than the drunkards inside started whistling at her.
“Hey, hey, look, a little angel just walked in!”
“Damn, that girl's a stunner!”
“Dude, what’s wrong with you? She’s a kid.”
“Haven’t you heard of noble families taking child brides? Happens all the time in the capital.”
…
A wave of harassing voices poured in from all sides, making Erika visibly irritated. She quickened her pace, hoping to escape the disgusting scene.
The faster she walked, the more she felt the weight of gazes bearing down on her.
So annoying.
She ducked her head, trying to hide her face from their lecherous eyes.
Thump.
But just a few steps forward, she bumped into someone in the hallway and landed painfully on her butt.
“Ow… ow…”
While she was rubbing her sore bottom, someone reached out to help her up—it was the innkeeper.
“Little girl, what’s the rush? You’re not even looking where you’re going.”
“Sorry…”
“Hurry upstairs. Don’t linger down here alone at night.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Who would want to stay down here anyway…
Nodding, Erika quickly made her way toward the staircase.
…
“Did you guys hear that? The little girl’s alone.”
“Yeah, I heard. She must be a guest here.”
“20 silver says someone goes up and talks to her.”
“I’m in! Talking to girls is my specialty!”
…
With those sleazy remarks in the background, a drunk man, his face flushed and reeking of alcohol, staggered into the stairway and blocked Erika’s path.
“Oh~ beautiful miss, I must admit, your beauty has stolen my heart. On such a lovely night, would you do me the honor of sharing a drink?” Hic—
He hiccupped mid-sentence. The heavy stench of alcohol wafting from him made Erika scrunch her nose and pinch it shut again.
“I don’t drink. Thanks.”
“You can learn! Haha, wine is the nectar of the gods! Not drinking is a sin!”
He wobbled closer, making a sloppy attempt at a bow.
Frowning, Erika could tell this man was drunk out of his mind. She didn’t want to waste any more time on him. She took a step to move past him.
“Don’t be in such a rush, haha! I just want to share a drink, no harm done—hic!”
But just as she moved, the drunk man also stepped in her way, reaching out to grab her.
No way!
Startled, Erika leapt back several steps. She absolutely did not want this guy laying hands on her.
Thud!
Just then, a foot flew in from the side and kicked the man square in the face.
He crashed to the ground.
It was the innkeeper!
She stood with arms crossed, brow furrowed, glaring down at the drunkard.
“Talir! This isn’t the place for you to go nuts! Don’t go ruining my inn’s reputation!”
The man looked like he wanted to get angry, but upon realizing who it was, he quickly composed himself.
The redness in his face faded a bit. He didn’t dare get mad and forced a smile.
“Drank too much, that’s all. Sorry, ma’am.”
“Pull another stunt and I’ll throw you out for good. Got it?”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
…
After scolding the drunk, the innkeeper turned and offered a smile to Erika, ruffling her hair.
But Erika instinctively pulled away. She didn’t know why, but she hated anyone but Gladys touching her head.
The innkeeper smiled awkwardly. “Go on upstairs, little girl. Your mother just stepped out. She asked me to look after you when you got back.”
“My mother?”
Erika blinked, confused, then figured she must be referring to Gladys.
“Where did she go?”
“No idea. She left carrying a few vials of high-grade healing potion.”
As she spoke, the innkeeper pulled out a bottle from her apron—one of the same bottles Erika had seen Gladys handling earlier, filled with a glowing red liquid.
“That potion’s the real deal—top-notch quality. Quite the generous lady, your mom.
Too bad all the good rooms are full tonight. You’ll have to stay in that weird one for now. I’ll move you two to something better tomorrow.”
“Oh…”
Erika responded vaguely, still wondering where Gladys had gotten such expensive potions.
Especially since she’d seen those bottles empty just earlier.
“Oh, right. She left this key with me. Take it and go on upstairs. This place isn’t for kids.”
Erika nodded and took the key. She didn’t want to linger here for even a second longer and quickly headed up to the room.
The room was dim. The curtains were still drawn, making everything hard to see.
By the light slipping in through the cracks, Erika placed the fruit she bought on the table.
The room was quite spacious and even had a bath area.
She’d worked up a sweat outside. Not wanting to soil her new dress, she decided to wash up first.
But she couldn’t find the lamp.
She turned toward the window, thinking to open the curtain for some moonlight.
But the moment she stepped forward, her legs froze.
…
…
Hiss…
A sharp inhale.
Her breathing stopped. Her gaze fixed on the window curtain.
Her pupils shrank and terror spread across her face. Her skin erupted with goosebumps, and the hair on her neck stood on end.
Someone’s there!
She could just barely make out the outline of a figure sitting cross-legged by the window.
The person was broad-shouldered and muscular—clearly not Gladys. It was a man.
He sat facing the moonlight, not reacting to the room at all.
The shadow cast on the curtain wasn’t crystal clear, but it was enough.
There was definitely someone behind that curtain.
What the hell was going on!?
Who was it!?
Only she and Gladys were supposed to be in this room.
Sweat trickled down her cheeks. Her back was soaked from fear. Her body began to tremble.
She clamped her hands over her mouth to keep from making any sound.
Stay calm… Stay calm…
She kept repeating it in her mind. Erika knew full well—she was just a little girl right now. And with Gladys gone, she had no chance of fighting back.
Her thoughts went back to what the tailor had said.
Luka Town wasn’t as safe as it looked.
Could the person behind the curtain be the serial killer?
But why would a killer be here!?
No matter what, surviving came first.
She took a deep breath and began backing away—slowly, silently—never taking her eyes off the curtain.
Bathed in moonlight, the silhouette was still there.
Her heart pounded in her throat, terrified that the figure might suddenly charge at her.
Each step back felt like the hardest steps she had ever taken in her life.