Yukiya, a sharp-willed hunter raising her younger brother in a secluded village, faces a nightmare beyond the woods: a tentacle attack leaves her infected with a parasitic invader. As she battles to oust the creature, juggles part-time work, and fends off unwanted advances, her fight becomes one of survival—and sanity.
Life in the Wilderness: A Hunter’s Daily Grind
Yukiya’s world revolves around survival, and every day is a test of skill. Three details define her routine:
1. Master of the Hunt: Trained from childhood, she tracks deer, forages for herbs, and sets traps with precision—her only tools are a worn bow and a sharper wits. The forest is both provider and threat, but she knows its secrets.
2. Brotherly Bond: Her younger brother depends on her entirely. She hunts to feed him, mends his clothes, and shields him from the village’s gossip. Their fragile happiness hinges on her ability to keep the wilderness at bay.
3. The Weight of Isolation: Remote and overlooked, the village offers little help. When she stumbles home bloodied or late, there’s no one to rely on but herself—and the growing unease in her body.
Parasite Invasion: A Body Under Siege
The tentacle attack isn’t just a scare—it’s a slow, painful takeover. Three layers of crisis unfold:
1. Physical Turmoil: The parasite writhes beneath her skin, causing fevers, muscle spasms, and a constant, creeping itch. Simple tasks—chopping wood, carrying prey—become battles against pain.
2. Time Running Out: She’s no healer. The village elder mutters about “demonic infections,” but cures are myths. Every day, the parasite weakens her—and strengthens its hold.
3. A Hidden Threat: The creature isn’t dormant. It shifts, adapts, and sometimes… reacts. A sudden flinch when touched, a low growl in the dark—Yukiya can’t tell if it’s her fear or the parasite’s.
Part-Time Work, Unwanted Attention: The Double Burden
To afford a cure (or at least hope), Yukiya takes a grueling part-time job. Two worlds collide, each more exhausting than the last:
1. The Grind of Work: She mops floors, serves drinks, or weaves baskets—for meager wages. Her hands ache from labor, her feet from standing, and her boss only cares about deadlines.
2. Harassment’s Shadow: Strangers in the town square whistle, pinch her arm, or make lewd comments. She brushes it off, but the weight of their gazes lingers, making her question who to trust.
3. The Forest’s Lurking Danger: Even outside work, the woods aren’t safe. Tentacles might coil around her ankle on a lonely path; a stray villager might mistake her for prey. Every step is a gamble.
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