Reincarnated as a Haunted House - Part 1 - The Serpent Forest

A New Journey

As soon as Creambell exclaimed, "IT'S DONE," everyone turned their heads toward him in surprise. "The fish is done," he added with an awkward smile.

"You didn't have to startle everyone for that," said Moonlight.

"Sorry, Your Highness," Creambell responded apologetically.

After a moment, everyone eagerly picked up a stick on which the succulent fish meats were skewered, the delightful aroma of the smoked drill fishes filling the air, except Finn, who could neither touch the sticks nor he could eat anything.

As everyone savored the juicy smoked meat, Finn gazed at Orochi, his curiosity piqued. "So, Orochi," he ventured, "if you don't mind my asking, could you please tell us how long you were imprisoned down the lake?"

Orochi, savoring each bite with an air of elegance, paused to consider. "What is this year?" she inquired.

"758 CY (Common Year)," Creambell promptly answered.

"In that case, it has been a hundred years," Orochi revealed, calmly resuming her meal.

"A hundred years!" Finn exclaimed, astonishment evident in his widened eyes.

"Yes," Orochi affirmed, the weight of a century-long imprisonment apparent in her response.

Intrigued by Orochi's composure as she savored the cooked fish, Finn's curiosity got the best of him. "What did you eat down there?" he inquired, unable to contain his fascination.

"Carcasses of dead creatures that washed away into the confinement," Orochi replied nonchalantly, as if it were a mundane occurrence. The revelation hung in the air, causing everyone to pause in the midst of their meal, trying to grasp the gravity of Orochi's words. Meanwhile, Orochi continued to eat calmly, seemingly unfazed.

In this frozen moment, the group gazed at Orochi in astonishment. Unfortunately, the first to catch Orochi's eye was Butterbell. Orochi halted her meal and fixed a penetrating glare on Butterbell. "What are you looking at?" she questioned, her voice carrying a mild, threatening undertone.

Instantly intimidated, Butterbell averted his eyes and stammered, "Nothing, Ma'am."

The others followed suit, calming down and attempting to shift their focus back to enjoying the fish meat. After a moment, Finn, displaying a newfound courage, asked Orochi calmly, "So, Orochi, do you want to share?"

Without making eye contact with Finn, Orochi swiftly replied, "No."

"No problem," Finn responded with a friendly smile, understanding Orochi's boundaries.

A heavy silence settled upon the group, their meal momentarily forgotten as they absorbed Orochi's confession.

Under the wintry night's shroud, the forest stood in eerie stillness. The frigid air carried only the crackling of the firewood and the distant howl of the chilling breeze. Orochi's internal struggle continued, the desire to share her story conflicting with her deeply ingrained stoicism. The profound quietude seemed to amplify the weight of her thoughts and memories.

In the midst of the wintry silence, Orochi made her choice to break the suffocating quiet. Her voice, seasoned by endless years, carried the gravity of her ancient existence. "I'm the 251st supreme beast, born on Central Island," she began, each word measured and clear. "Over 200 years ago, I hatched from an egg hidden in the lake's dark depths. I got stronger, connected to the Serpent Forest, leading every creature there. In just two decades, I became a creature to fear. A decade later, my name spread all over the world, scaring many. They sent their strongest to fight me, but they all failed I fought with different generations of the Kings of Central Islands, but they could never defeat me, instead, I killed some of the Kings. But a hundred years ago, three brave individuals trespassed into my home."