(CHAPTER VI.V COVER)

Into the forest, unknown to the world. A strange person is running away, gasping for air, as if there was no tomorrow, and death is chasing as fast as it could-

???: Haah, ha.. -uk! Ah! Haa, heugh, ha...

???: GET THE FUCK BACK HERE, YOU TRAITOR!!!

Behind him, a crowd of protest. Confused and frustrated of what he has done...

???: Please! Let's just.. talk it out with them! We.. we're gonna die if we keep running!

???: Then, we die doing so! I don't have enough time to deal with the embarrassment of dying for being wrong! Deal with this for now, please!

In his hand with a heavy grasp to it, a small and fragile pale girl's hand.

???: We.. haah.. st-

???: YOU'RE BOTH TRAITORS!!! EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!!

???: Y-.. you see! Th.. this is what I was talking about! NOW RUN!

???: I... jeeeeez, Nagumi-sama!

Nagumi: Th... I'm not.. the traitor they think I am! Believe me, Thera-san!

Thera: ...

Running out of breath, legs shaking to the core of melting away any second... After running and running from danger for as long as they could, they have finally come to a stop. In front...

Brave Female Knight: This is as far as you will go, Shiruto-kun. There's no where for you to run and hide in anymore. Your past achievements will be recognized if you surrender here right now. There's no need to face the problems alone.

Thera: W-what should.. we do?!

Nagumi: ...

As he thinks of a resolution to fix the situation.. one thing comes to mind...

"Behold, an unspeakable power unknown to all and peculiars. You will use me as you should, in return, I will use you for my own gains. Now, what would it be, Nagumi Shiruto?"

The ring speaks with benevolent confidence. The dark aura residing within is escaping its vessel.

"Now... hold me into your eye, and let us come to a mutual understanding!"

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>> /UNKNOWN/ HOURS AGO - ENDTIME, NIGH

Nagumi close into tears, after only recently discovering what his ring has consumed... Startled from it's abilities --

Immediately, he tries to remove the ring from his right hand, but is unable to do so. Frightened and shrieking from pain, as he forcibly attempts to remove it, blood seeps from the ring uncontrollably.

Nagumi shaking from frustration... Grab's a fire lantern near the bed on top of the desk drawers.

"Is.. is this the only way?! ..ck! I.. I wanna melt it off my fucking hands!"

Agonizing from cruel pain, an ineligible male voice is heard

???: Heehhhh? Hahahaha...

A menacing shadow, manifesting the shape of a wolf appears in the corner of the room. In the blink of an eye, it has escaped from the dirty ring.

???: Nagumi Shiruto. Do you.... wish to... withdraw from... this pain?

The manifestation as it speaks, is crude and mysterious. It's motives are unknown and can't be predicted. It drools its saliva, as it's suffering from hunger, trying to hold itself back from eating it's prey.

???: I am you... and you... are me.

Nagumi: Wh.. huh?

???: The loneliness, the weakness, the agony, the pain you feel... I understand all of them. As I speak, I am the very manifestation of all your negative aspects.

Nagumi: What.. are you?

???: I am... your familiar... but at the same time.. I am not. Your very core persona are... significant to me. The moment you touched your precious... marriage ring.... you have indirectly signed a contract... to be my... master. And you... will be under my... guidance, in order to save you.

Nagumi: Then.. fucking save my ring finger asshole! I haven't even gotten to marriage yet! How will I tell my wife all this?

???: Forgive me... Nagumi Shiruto... I am slow when it comes to... ex-plaining and so... but... I am not done... giving my credibility as a... Familiar yet. I... consume all the.. blood my owners... produce.... in order to stay.... liege... to my contract. However... I will assure you... the moment you took me... away from my... device... you will be... protected at all cost... at the price of your... very own... finger.

Nagumi: ...

The bed soaked of blood, and little bits of dead skins hanging to the ring, assures no safetiness towards the young Nagumi.

Nagumi: Instead of consuming my very own finger, why not eat my ass in exchange?! Maybe that would better suit your shitty and gloomy behavior!

???: Ver...y well...

Nagumi: Huh? NONO, WAIT! I'M JUST JOKING!

???: You... misunderstood me... Nagumi Shiruto. You... musn't discern... the reality with your own humor... otherwise... it might eat you... away someday.

Nagumi: ...

The boy facepalms, and slightly relieved, as the motives has finally shown clearly from the apex wolf.

???: I.. fail to... introduce myself. I am of... no name... but... you may call me... whoever you want me... to be.

Nagumi: Oshiri.

???: ...understood.

The wolf nods in agreement, but comes with it a slight angry tone. It was suppressed rather quickly.

Oshiri: Then... as per our... slow introductions... as we come to conclusion... I will reveal... my form.

Nagumi seated on bed, waiting to be entertained as he still endures the pain and numbness he is feeling from his ring finger, comes to a wowing face after-

Oshiri: From today on... I will be... giving you my best care... to my best of capabilities... as you... will do the same... master.

The wolf transform within the black mist, covering every corner of the room with its own black aura until it fades naturally. Beneath the cover, is a young woman, seemingly younger than Thera's petite age who is estimated to be 15. Her hair flourished in a beautiful color violet, and outfit appearing to be gloomy black as if she arrived from a funeral but at the same time has it's own fashion for a prom party.

Nagumi: Y-you're.. a girl?!

Oshiri: No. I have... many genders akin... among Familiars. I am genderless... and you may... decide... which I should shapeshift to. My wolf... appearance is only... for the sake of my... "cool showoff"... as how your vocabulary... describes so.

Nagumi: I think you took way too much of my persona than what you should be even knowing. Other way... I will be in your care then.

Oshiri: As... will I.

Nagumi: Right but, how will my finger heal safely while you consume my fabulous finger?

Oshiri: It is... not within my control... to do so. However... like my previous... owners... I suggest you... take a healthy amount... of healing... potions daily... otherwise...

Nagumi: ...Otherwise?

Oshiri: You might...

As Oshiri takes its time to think of an answer...

Oshiri: ...just kidding.

Nagumi: Huh?

Oshiri: I forgot... what to say... silly...

Nagumi: Y-you... You're the type who really can't be fucked with in the world, acting so cool and composed all the time!

Oshiri: I see... what you mean...

Nagumi: You do?

Oshiri: I've... taken the opportunity... to re-experience your... past and... it was... you can say, touching?

Nagumi: Yeah... it is.

After hearing her statement, he takes a firm grasp to his chest, knowing he won't be able to reach out anytime soon to Tsumi Yuuki, as their distance seems to actively move farther and farther.

Oshiri: Despair.

Nagumi: ...

Oshiri: You're in.. too much pain...

Nagumi: ...

Oshiri: You may use me... as your instru..ment... to... heal all your... wounds.

Nagumi: ...

Nagumi: ...Thank you.

Without intention, he cries and weeps in dizziness. The wolf hums, and allows Nagumi to sleep into it's slender lap.

"The pain he had to endure wasn't for the sake of healing his loneliness, but the fact that he has to endure the pain of possessing emotions that would create the imagery of what it is like to be human. It truly is painful... to be a human. I envy you... Nagumi Shiruto."

The Familiar loudly thinks, as it slowly descends into his finger.

"I will... save you..."

The finger, in an instant... heals.

"You truly are cunning. To change me with your fond memories, is... nothing I can truly experience by touch. You... will save me, as I save you. That... is what you will become... to me... and to the world."