The Trash is a Fan of the Little Alchemist

Chapter 7: Beyond Parched

"I'll only be taking Choi Han with me," Cale said. The noble was confident that no one would protest. Though it seems that the very person the redhead wanted to bring was somewhat reluctant. Choi Han kept close to you. Thinking logically, you would be much safer in the city. Not only that but Cale doubts you would go exploring.

You were never the type to go out when it wasn't necessary. In the novel, Guide to Not Survive, you always insisted on living as a shut-in. You hated going out unless it was absolutely necessary. Still, maybe he should ask Hans—

"Then I'll look after the cats-nim!" Hans exclaimed as he ran off. Cale sighed and shook his head. Seems like his plan to ask someone to look after you excused itself. Although... Cale looked at Vice Captail Hilsman. The man seemed to be pouting, slightly dejected at being left behind. He should do.

"Cale" The noble looked over to you. "Is it alright if I explore the city?" you asked. Cale frowned. You, the self-proclaimed shut-in, didn't want to just stay inside all day? Needless to say, it was unusual.

"I thought you would have preferred to stay inside with the cats?" Cale asked. You hummed as your eyes glazed over. Something didn't seem right to the trash fanboy.

"I just want to explore the city," you said. That gave Cale no reassurance. It didn't help that Choi Han's report today was quite concerning.

["I encountered something last night. "]

Firstly, Choi Han reported yesterday that the dragon had entered the city. That alone was somewhat concerning, but it should be fine if the dragon wasn't going to cause any trouble. It should be fine. However...

["There was something in the woods near the city. It looked nothing like the monsters I've seen."]

Based on Choi Han's description, he knew exactly what it was. It was something that shouldn't exist in this world. That monster...

That monster belonged to your world.

That night Choi Han woke up with a chill up his spine. Carefully the swordsman got up, he tried to make sure you continued to sleep as he left the inn. The Korean found himself on the outskirts of the city. A familiar feeling rose in the swordsman's chest.

Choi Han walked deep into the woods. His hand rested on his sword as he walked towards that unnerving feeling.

Groaannnn

There it was. Choi Han quickly hid from view. The swordsman tried to get a full view of whatever was lumbering through the foliage. A lump formed in his throat as he stared at what he could only think to as a monster. One that he had never seen in the forest of darkness.

The strange monster gurgled and groaned. It looked like a grotesque humanoid that was mixed with traits of a horse and octopus. It's legs had deformed hooves that curled into themselves, the torso and arms were human-like, and as for the head, it was just an octopus, tentacles and all. But something was wrong with the creature. It had pitch-black rubbery skin and looked as if it's skin was hugging its bones.

Crack. Crick. Creaaak. Crack.

With each step, the monster created a sound as it's own bones ground against each other. The Octopus head looked the most unnatural. Unlike real octopuses, it looked like it's tentacles were made of bones and would move rigidly as if it had stiff joints. The eyes heavily contrasted the pitch black body. It was a pearly white, with swirls of greyed clouds in its large rounded eyes.

Choi Han was in disbelief. It looked like a monster that shouldn't even physically exist. It looked to be... In so much pain. It was too unnatural. The lost look in the monster's eyes as it turned it's head around.