"Sitting here like this, it feels like we've already succeeded in escaping together," Abigail said.
That night, after finishing the smoked cured meat I had prepared, she sat by the campfire, sipping tea and gazing up at the night sky, lost in thought. Thanks to her, I was stuck outside with her.
"I never thought I'd see the sky again. It feels so much better here than when I lived in the city. This is what it means to live with nature," she murmured.
People living in the Fort rarely leave it. Perhaps that's why this primitive life seemed so captivating to her.
The call of a cuckoo echoed: "Kyokkyo, kyokyokyo…"
Then, a sinister voice followed: "Gageboge! Gageboge!"—the voice of a beast.
We were in the ambiguous borderland between human and alien territories. Here, not only familiar wildlife like wild dogs and bears but also alien creatures known as *beast-beasts* roamed. It was dangerous to wander at night.
Beast-beasts weren't alien foot soldiers. Aliens were just as vulnerable to them. Unlike bears, these creatures were relentlessly aggressive and incredibly tough. That's why human cities bordering alien territories were surrounded by walls.
I thought it would be better to evacuate inland, but leaving familiar grounds is incredibly difficult. People cling to any hope of staying in their homeland. Is it human nature?
The central authorities provide support like firearms to protect colonies, but their true intent is to use outer colonies as buffer zones. They have no real plan to defend them, only to train local militias for resistance. I've never heard of a stronghold sending aid for a colony.
That's why the recent deployment of three Ripley units surprised me. Earthspin's spies must be deep within the alien city. There has to be a traitor on the alien side; otherwise, that counter wouldn't have been possible.
Anyway, the inland isn't necessarily better.
Heavy taxes and frugal living make life there just as poor.
The Fort, supported by the inland, is relatively prosperous, but it's a life where you could be killed by aliens at any moment. Everywhere is the same. So, the idea of creating a colony in your homeland and living freely until the end makes sense.
I looked up at the night sky with Abigail. It was a night with a full moon hanging low.
This was our last night at the base. We had decided on our escape plan.
I worried if my weak mind could remember everything, but since talking closely with her, my brain has been sharper. I think I'll be okay.
All that's left is to return to the alien city and follow Abigail's plan.
"By the way, about earlier…"
She spoke as I wrapped smoked ham for our journey.
"When the bear came out of the forest, you could've easily killed it with your skills. Why didn't you?"
I paused, then scratched words into the ground:
*We have enough food. I'm not hungry. Even if attacked, I wouldn't lose. That bear was just hungry before hibernation. I could catch fish easily. Giving it fish wouldn't hurt me. So, I did. That's all.*
Abigail stared at the words I'd written.
Butchers kill on command.
But uncontrollable urges to attack arise only when my desires are extreme—when I'm attacked, starving, or my lust is at its peak. I'm a beast, but I'm a bit different; revenge also triggers me.
Yet, even beasts are calm when satisfied.
Bears are the same. They have wild instincts, but if their needs are met, they won't risk attacking. Even if the prey is weaker, they won't act recklessly.
They lack the endless desires humans have. Humans are the most savage creatures on Earth. Their savagery drives progress and causes endless suffering. It's sinful.
That's why I became this beast.
*If you do wrong, Gevaudan will come.*
"You know, Gevaudan, we're fate-bound partners now," Abigail suddenly said.
"I'll give you what you desire, and you'll protect me when I'm in danger. We'll support each other."
I scratched out:
*We're Beauty and the Beast.*
The beast uses Beauty to break his curse, and Beauty uses the beast's wealth and power to lift her own. That's our story.
"Hah!—Yes!"
I don't know how she understood, but Abigail burst into laughter, sipping her tea again.
Her whispered question, "Will your magic be lifted?" drifted from her cup.
I don't think so. I don't want it to be.
I'll likely be killed by someone. If not, the world will end. There's no other outcome.
But until then… I'll keep raging.
Because I'm Gevaudan's beast.
Abigail returned to the cave first.
After preparing for the journey and cleaning up the fire, I went inside. She lay on a bed of leaves.
"We're leaving tomorrow, right…?"
Yes, but I'll carry you, so it's fine. You can sleep during the trip. Call it the Butcher Express—first-class travel.
As I sat down, she emerged from the leaves, naked.
Moonlight spilled over her shoulders.
Was she truly human?
Her beauty was otherworldly, like a moon goddess.
Her perfection highlighted my impurities.
Like the moon and a butcher.
Watching Abigail filled me with self-loathing.
I wasn't always like this. As a human, I was handsome.
Now?
This isn't anger or frustration.
I want to drag her beauty down, sink her into my filth, corrupt her. I want to degrade all women, reduce them to my level. A dark, lustful obsession rises.
This jealousy proves I'm a depraved beast.
"You're just going to look at me naked?"
Abigail stood before me. Her navel was at my nose, scented sweetly.
"I'm yours."
She stroked my head, pressing her belly against my face.
I buried my face in her soft warmth.
Her scent and heat overwhelmed me.
My tongue slithered, teasing her thighs.
"Mmm! Ah… haa… ♡"
Since discovering my tongue's potential, I'd practiced relentlessly. Now, it served me well in these intimate acts. I was becoming a sexual beast.
My tongue traced her folds, parted her lips, and lapped at her entrance.
"Mmm… naa… ♡"
My long, thick tongue pressed against her clit, stimulating her relentlessly.
I couldn't focus on just her clit yet, but I could induce ecstasy.
"Aah… hiu, n♡… haa… aa… naa… ♡"
Abigail held my head, surrendering to pleasure.
Her eyes closed, a blissful smile on her face—so alluring.
As I continued, she gasped, biting her lip. Her weight pressed against my head.
"Mmm… gu… ngngng—!"
Her breasts pressed against me, their softness thrilling. Her orgasmic tremors reached me.
Her sweet nectar dripped onto my tongue.
"Fii?! Aah…—Stop!"
As I continued, she pushed me away, adjusting her apron to expose me.
She straddled me, positioning herself.
To take me fully, she had to rise slightly.
Guiding me with one hand, she teased me, her eyes burning with desire.
"Haa… haa… haa…"
Her cheeks flushed, her lips parted unconsciously. Despite her practiced movements, she was tense.
I licked her lips, and she sucked my tongue, then lowered herself.
"Mmm… ~~~~~~!"
Abigail arched her neck, taking me in. Her hot, wet flesh slid down my shaft, mesmerizing me.
I marveled at how she accommodated me. It was like being impaled.
"Mmpaa… haa… aa…"
She paused, her dark tongue dangling.
I reached for her breasts, but she entwined her fingers with mine.
I felt her inner gates open.
Her breath quickened, her hips sinking.
"Hah, hah, hah—ah, aaaah~!"
The unfamiliar sensation of her soft thighs against my base made me exhilarated.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo—"
Abigail swept her hair back, revealing her sculpted body.
Her wet gaze gleamed in the dim light.
"Fuuu… aa… ♡ Look, Gevaudan… ♡ I… can take you… so easily now… ♡"
Her sweet words seeped into my mind.
*I understand you.*
*Only I can help you.*
*Look at me.*
*Trust me.*
Abigail was a witch.
Her words were spells.
She began to dance above me, her movements hypnotic.
With each thrust, I released into her, and she moaned ecstatically, her dark tongue mimicking my movements.
"Mm! Pahaa… aah♡… haa… amu… nreaa♡… nhaa♡"
Fluids dripped from her, yet she continued.
"Ahh—! No♡… aa… haa… han… ngg—!"
With each bounce, sweat and hair flew.
"Haa, haa… aa… ♡… Together… t-together… ♡ Aa, aah♡… It's coming… coming… haa♡… Come… aa… no… yet… together♡… han… naaa!"
Sensing my tension, Abigail quickened her pace.
Her strokes were perfect, stimulating me from base to tip—a pleasure only a woman's body could provide.
Her cervix rubbed against me, sending shivers through me. Her movements were intoxicating.
"Anuu… Feels good?… Aaa… Feels so good♡… Me too… aah♡… mmm♡…"
Her breasts swayed, and I licked them, savoring her sweat.
"Don't… stop! Aaa♡… Aaa♡… That! No… Aaa♡!"
Abigail's moans quickened as she rode me.
I pressed my tongue against her nipples, kneading her hips.
We found our rhythm, our climax building.
Abigail's eyes blurred, her moans desperate.
"Aaa♡… Aaa♡… Coming… ♡… Guu… Coming…!"
Her body shook, collapsing onto me.
"Now… come… come♡… Now… quickly… naaa?"
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight.
"Aaaaaaa—!"
Together, we climaxed in her cries.
"Hah—hah—hah—"
With each spurt, her breath caught. I continued, relentless.
"Hah—hah—haa… naaa?"
I thrust again, holding her.
Abigail clung to me, her cries echoing in the cave.
I filled her again and again, her spells seeping into my mind—a strange comfort.
Our strange, passionate cohabitation ended.