The next morning came faster after a good nap and a nice 'meal'.
I opened my eyes, squinting as the sun peeked at me through the branches above my head.
'It's too soon. I want to sleep more.' I thought and turned, dropping my hand on the massive body of flesh sleeping next to me.
I touched that piece of flesh a bit more and immediately opened my eyes.
The pale, handsome man from the previous night was lying next to me, looking as ethereal as he had the previous night.
I bit my lip, my body dwelling on the pleasure but that was that.
I stood up, the morning dew chilling my skin as I stretched, then yawned. I didn't feel the need to cuddle, and I certainly didn't feel the need to wait for him to wake up and start making 'forever' promises.
His role was done. And though it's a bit regretful to let go of such a delicious snack, beautiful—sure, powerful—definitely, that grip was no joke... But I had things to do, and a village to get back at.
I picked up my tattered dress and slipped it back on. It was ruined, but it would do until I found something better to wear. I'd need to go back to that village first... There are some scores I need to settle.
"Well, thanks for the meal," I said. "Let's never meet again though."
I didn't even leave him a name to remember. I just turned and walked away, my bare, cracked feet hitting the forest floor and my hair swaying in the wind.
The walk back to the tribe took longer than the distance it took to run from it. My feet were screaming, but the sight of the rising smoke in the distance kept me moving.
By the time I reached the outskirts of the village, the sun was high. The smell of burnt wood and blood was unpleasant in the air.
I hope more than half of the village was burnt down in the invasion. Wait, no, if it's like that, I won't be able to get what I came for.
I walked past the side entrance that couldn't even be considered a fortress anymore. I was looking around at the devastation, and something inside me felt pleased. I can be happy with this level of misfortune, right?
The invasion left behind a mess of broken fences and dazed beastmen, some deceased.
I didn't even need to sneak in for someone dubbed a criminal and condemned to the stake. I walked right down the center of the main path.
The first person to see me was an old woman scrubbing blood off the stone step of her porch. She dropped her brush, her eyes bulging in disbelief like she had seen a ghost.
"L-Lyssa?" she wheezed, her voice shaking. "But... the fire... You... You..."
What? Cat got your tongue?
I didn't even look at her. I just kept walking, my damp, tattered dress clinging to me, my eyes bright and predatory. I felt good. Better than I probably should have, considering I was walking into a den of people who hated me.
I reached the center square. The stake was still there, though fallen and broken, the rope I had escaped from—burnt. Hah, memories. It feels like it was just yesterday when I was tied up there to roast. Wait, it was indeed yesterday. Haha.
And there they were.
The 'Hero' tiger-man, Leo, was busy directing the repairs of a collapsed roof. And by his side, like a delicate flower in a storm, was Linna. She was holding a bowl of water, her eyes red from over crying, but still somehow looked beautiful.
She had that protagonist halo wrapped around her delicate frame. It's disgusting, honestly. All she knows how to do is act kind and cry.
Hm, I can reason why this character I possessed wanted to get rid of her. She's an eyesore.
"Leo, you should rest," she whispered, her voice echoing with warmth. "The tribe needs you strong."
"I'm fine, Linna," he grunted, though his arm was bandaged. "I just can't believe that wicked woman's death was the only good thing to come out of yesterday."
Oh my, since when did people burn without leaving a corpse?
Well, I guess this is my cue.
I flipped my raven hair over my shoulder, the movement slow and deliberate, screaming flamboyance in a tattered dress.
"Oh? Is that what you told everyone, Leo?" I called out, my voice smooth and clear, cutting through the sound of hammers and saws. And everyone froze. "That the fire actually worked?"
The silence that followed was instant. Every head in the square snapped toward me.
Linna's bowl slipped from her grip and hit the dirt, shattering into pieces as if it had been made of glass. The water splashed over her feet, but she didn't seem to notice. Her face went from a pale rose to the color of bleached horror as she looked at my beautiful face.
"Y-you..." Leo gasped, his hand flying to the hilt of his blade hanging on his waist. "How are you alive?"
I stepped closer, a toxic smirk playing on my lips. I didn't look like a victim. I looked like a queen who had just returned from a vacation to her subjects who seemed to forget who I was.
"The fire was a bit underwhelming, honestly," I said, tilting my head. "I expected more from the 'mighty' Iron-Claw tribe. But don't worry. I'm not back for an apology. I wouldn't want it if you begged me to accept anyway, ugh." I rolled my eyes.
My tone confused them then. They had probably never met a more shameless female than I was. I was probably acting worse than the owner of this body did but I'm doing it with style.
I refuse to compromise with a bunch of nobodies.
I looked at Linna, who was currently trembling so hard she looked like she might vibrate into the ground.
"Just look at how you're shaking," I said. "Just get on with it if you're going to become a mole, it would do my eyes a favor not to see you anymore." I clicked my tongue girl.
"Lyssa!" The tiger beastman yelled in rage I could see his veins bulging on that muscle head of his. "Don't you dare insult Linna."
"Who? Me?" I pointed at myself in disbelief and laughed. "Dumb tiger, I didn't even start yet," I said and waved my hand over my ear to carry away whatever words he was yelling afterwards cause I was too lazy to listen anymore.
When he calmed down, I clasped my hands together.
"Well, it seems you're done, and you know what? You're in luck cause I don't have the energy and time to humiliate you, so just hand me a few of my things, and maybe a better dress since you guys made this one like this." I drew the tattered hem and then let go. "Once I get what I want, I'll be on my way and you can suffer in your wrecked village without having to put up with me. Do we have a deal?"