Chapter 375: You Chose This

Arian looked around with wide-eyed wonder, having no idea what to expect — but he certainly hadn't expected darkness. Yet it wasn't gloomy. The entire village felt enchanting, like nighttime preserved inside a dream. Soft bioluminescent paint glimmered on people's arms and cheeks, glowing trails that helped everyone move around without bumping into each other.Buildings weren't just built — they grew. Thick trees, intertwining trunks, and sweeping vines formed archways and roofs, creating a natural canopy. Arian's breath hitched. It felt like the whole place was alive.

Caius kept walking, as brisk as ever, and Arian followed close behind, practically spinning in circles to see everything. Eventually, Caius led him to a boutique where the interior was just as mystical — fabrics hanging like leaves, gold threads catching the faint glow.

Before Arian even wrapped his head around it, Caius had picked out clothes for him: black, deep green, and hints of gold. Very camo, Arian thought.

The silk brushed against his skin like water. Arian finally stepped in front of a mirror and froze.

Ears, exactly where Caius told him they would be.Green eyes, brighter than he expected, matched the hues of the outfit almost too perfectly.Skin, pale enough to make him look like he hadn't seen the sun in years.

He looked like he was both anaemic and amnesiac. What a combination.

Still… He liked how he looked.

When Caius left the boutique, Arian didn't hesitate to follow. At this point, Caius was his compass, the one thing he understood in a world he didn't remember.

But Caius suddenly stopped, frowning, and turned. He tossed a small leather bag toward Arian without ceremony. Arian caught it clumsily.

"This is money," Caius said. "You should be able to survive on it for a month. Two if you're conservative. There are people recruiting in this village — you shouldn't have trouble finding a job."

Arian stared down at the bag in his hands. He quickly realised what that meant.

He's trying to get rid of me.

His fingers tightened around the pouch. Well, that made sense. Caius couldn't babysit him forever.

Caius took the silence as acceptance.

He gave a curt nod, turned, and walked away.

Arian hesitated before calling out. Caius was already several paces ahead, leaving without looking back.

"Caius!" Arian blurted.

Caius stopped.

Arian swallowed, squeezing the bag of money. "Um… Thank you."

Just that.

Caius didn't say anything, just gave a brief nod before continuing on until his silhouette blended into the shadows of the glowing village.

Left alone, Arian exhaled and turned toward the bustling walkways. He needed a job. That was how survival worked… Right? He hoped so.

He searched building after building, reading signs he barely understood, until finally, one place had a "HELP NEEDED" sign.

Perfect.

He stepped inside with a hopeful smile. "Hi! Are you still hir—"

"No." The shopkeeper didn't even let him finish, waving a dismissive hand. "We don't hire outsiders."

Was this called playing hardball? He was not sure.

"Oh." Arian nodded slowly. "Okay, but I'm not really an outsider. I'm a— uh… something. I lost my memories. I'm hoping to survive here and—"

The shopkeeper suddenly lurched backwards like Arian had grown fangs. "Shoo! Shoo!"

"Go away!"

"But—"

"I don't need cursed beings in my vicinity!"

Arian froze. "Cursed?"

Well, he had some bad luck, but he was not cursed!

"Demon work!" the shopkeeper hissed. "That's why you're suffering! Don't bring that near me!"

Arian yelped and jumped back as the shopkeeper grabbed a jug of water, likely to throw at him.

"Okay! I'm going!" Arian hurried out before he really got sprayed. The door slammed behind him.

He wandered for what felt like ages. His stomach growled. His feet hurt. All he wanted now was an inn to collapse in. Preferably one that wouldn't accuse him of being haunted.

Then suddenly — a hand clamped around his wrist.

"Ah—!" Arian stumbled as he was yanked into a dark room. The door slammed shut behind him.

"So," a deep voice purred, "you came looking for me at last."

Arian blinked at the silhouette in front of him. "…No, I didn't."

He turned immediately, grabbing the doorknob — locked. Solid.

"Yes, you did," the man insisted confidently. "You came to me, Ravaha, the village shaman… because of the demon."

Arian stared at him, deadpan.

He was pretty convinced he was being scammed.

Ravaha hummed low in her throat, circling him like a vulture deciding where to peck first.

"I don't sense anything malicious," she finally declared, tapping her staff on the ground. "Perhaps it's not a demon at all."

Arian blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Perhaps??"

Before he could step back, the old woman leaned so close her nose nearly touched his. Her narrowed eyes scanned him from ears to ankles, then she nodded sagely.

"Indeed. No demon at all. This fate… Was entirely chosen by you."

Arian reeled back. "Hey—no. I did not choose this fate."

If he had, he would have definitely left a letter for himself like: "Hi past me, don't panic, you're about to wake up as a memoryless wolf in the jungle. Good luck."

Instead, all he got was a forest, a concussion, and a panther that quickly got rid of him. If he were Caius, he would probably do that too, so he could not blame him.

Before he could argue more, Ravaha shoved him — actually shoved him — out the door and slammed it shut.

Arian stumbled, caught himself, patted his pockets… Then froze.

"…My money's gone."

He stared at his empty hands. Then at the shut door. Then back to his empty hands.

"HEY!" He pounded on the wood. "Give that back! That's literally everything I have! I need that to not starve to death!"

The door remained closed.

A guard approached from down the street. "Sir, you need to stop shouting."

"But she stole my money!"

Another guard joined in, crossing his arms. "Walk away, or we'll put you in holding."

Holding sounded… warm. And dry. And like it had blankets.

Arian genuinely thought about it.

Maybe jail wasn't that bad. Maybe he'd get food. Maybe he'd get a pillow. Maybe—

"Wait."

He turned. One of the female guards from the entrance — the one he'd complimented — stepped between him and the patrol.

"I'll handle it," she told them firmly.

The two guards shrugged and wandered off.

She turned to Arian with a sympathetic expression. "Trouble on the first day?"

Arian deflated. "I— yeah. I don't remember anything, my money was stolen, nobody will hire me, and I don't even know where to sleep."

He didn't mean to sound pathetic. It just… Came out. He just wanted to cry.

The guard exhaled softly and patted his arm. "I'll talk to her in the morning and get your money back."

Arian blinked up at her. "Really?"

"Really. Ravaha's a menace, not a mastermind."

She gestured for him to follow. "Come on. You can stay at my place tonight."

Arian followed the guard down a narrow path.

Then he noticed it—her eyes.

In the dim light, the guard's irises shimmered gold, bright and warm… Yet something about that colour tugged at something buried deep inside him. Familiar. Terrifying.

It told him that he would die terribly if he followed her.

His breath hitched."W-Why… why do you want to help me?"

His voice trembled, betraying a fear he didn't fully understand. Not fear of her, but of that colour.

Her face came into the light this time, not just her eyes, and she looked somewhat gentle. "You are a guest of my village," she said gently. "It is our duty to show hospitality. I am only doing my part."

That seemed to put him at ease for now.