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Chapter 4
Wishid’s eyes widened. Then, he smiled brightly.
Only then did I get a proper look at his face.
As a Black Mamba, he should’ve had black hair, but because he was mixed-blood, he had dazzling golden hair. And mysterious crimson eyes that made me forget everything else happening right now.
In his pupils, I saw myself reflected—staring blankly back at him with a dumb expression.
“I’ve finally found you.”
It was only after being captivated by Wishid’s face that I realized how ominous those words were.
Wishid smiled.
So beautifully.
Whether it was the relief or the sheer exhaustion, I fainted on the spot.
Honestly, it was for the best.
I didn’t want to face reality.
Naturally. From the fact that I was now a rat, to being completely captured by the main villain—none of it was something I wanted to believe.
It’s hot.
Just like when I was caught in the explosion, and just like when I was injected with that potion, my body burned.
Trembling, I instinctively reached out, searching for something cool.
I want to live.
I’d grown up as an orphan, facing all kinds of discrimination and prejudice. To avoid hearing things like “That’s what happens when you grow up without parents,” I had to work hard at everything.
Every single day was a struggle to survive.
I don’t want to die.
I’d fought tooth and nail to survive—never imagined I’d die so meaninglessly.
People called me vicious, but I lived. And I would continue to live.
Even if that meant sucking up to the villain in the form of a rat—I’d survive, no matter what.
Something cold enveloped my cheek. It was so large that it might as well have been holding my whole body rather than just my cheek.
So cool…
The burning thirst in my throat slowly subsided. I burrowed deeper into the cold.
In my hazy vision, I might’ve seen a smile—an incredulous one.
But before I could confirm who it was, I was pulled into a deep sleep.
[I’ve finally found you.]
I couldn’t fully understand Wishid’s words, but one thing was clear.
At least for now, I wasn’t going to die.
That much was certain.
I survived. And I was no longer in that horrific laboratory.
Right, I’m the villain’s beloved rat…
Yeah, right.
“Dana, what do you think that rat trapped in there is?”
“No clue. Maybe the duke’s emergency snack? But it’s way too small for that. Wouldn’t even tickle his stomach.”
Two identical-looking maids whispered while glancing at me.
Sure, I wasn’t dead, and the location was different, but this wasn’t much better than the lab.
This was the third day of being trapped inside a glass case. Wishid hadn’t shown up once.
His absence meant this was actually the best chance to escape.
But there was one problem.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Dana! The book said to do exactly this.”
I nearly rushed forward at what the maids brought.
These two had been observing me for a day or two since their arrival three days ago. And today, based on whatever book they read, they brought wood shavings and a hamster wheel.
Wood shavings and a hamster wheel!
I trembled, head lowered.
Then, stomping, I ran over.
“Oh my! Looks like she likes the wood shavings!”
“She’s so good on the wheel too! Her paws are moving too fast to see!”
Panting.
Only after burrowing into the soft bedding and running on the wheel until my limbs were about to fall off did I feel satisfied.
Gasp—I’m not a rat! I’m a human!
Just as I snapped out of it—I’d already run another round on the wheel.
Gasp, pant… Not yet… It’s not time yet.
I didn’t give in to the wheel and shavings. I was just waiting for the right moment.
If I could be half-forgotten like this by Wishid, maybe I’d find an opening to escape.
That’s what I told myself as I leisurely ran the wheel.
God, I’m on it again?!
Cursing my own self-control, I finally stepped off the wheel.
But the chance for escape came much sooner than I’d expected.
“Shh.”
The door suddenly opened, and the lab director entered. I popped up from the bedding, startled.
She cautiously shut the door behind her and approached quickly.
“I’m here to help you escape.”
What?
I squinted at her suspiciously.
Weren’t you trying to kill me just days ago?
She didn’t seem like the type to change her mind after just three days.
“Sigh… What the hell am I doing, talking to a rat…”
The lab director let out a long sigh.
Beastfolk who fail to humanize are labeled as failures and hidden away, even among their own kind.
Because of that, very little is known about failed humanization attempts—though one known fact is that they can still understand human speech. That’s why she was talking to me, even in this form.
“Listen carefully. What I injected you with was Wishid’s blood—diluted only once. Your body is stable because it’s accepted his blood. This is unprecedented, but one thing’s certain: you’re going to die soon.”
Excuse me, what?
“Put simply, Wishid’s blood has mixed into your body. You’re connected to him now.”
Her explanation made no sense, so I stayed quiet and let her continue.
“So, if you die—Wishid won’t be affected. But if he falls into madness or dies—you die too.”
My jaw dropped.
So basically, I was destined to die. In the original story, Wishid succumbs to madness and walks the path of ruin!
“If you’re going to die, at least not in a place like this…”
Her voice trailed off.
She was staring at the hamster wheel, the thick bedding, and the fresh pile of fruit nearby.
Okay… It doesn’t look so bad now that I think about it…
She seemed a bit awkward too, maybe realizing the same thing. She looked away, searching for another excuse.
“Uh, you saw Wishid, right? Even without going mad, he could easily kill you. So, I’m sure you want to get out of here.”
I nodded in agreement.
Her expression shifted strangely when she saw me respond.
“Anyway, as long as you’re here, I can’t get full research funding.”
The lab director continued.
“Our shared goal is for you to get out of this mansion. That’s it.”
She opened the glass case and gently took me out.
Then she opened the door just wide enough for me to squeeze through.
“It’s daytime, so most of the staff are gone. Wishid and Lord Cayman aren’t home either. This is all the help I can give. The rest is up to you—survive.”
I glanced down the endless corridor through the gap in the door, then involuntarily looked back at the glass case.
The fresh fruit the maids had just delivered looked like it was waving me back.
No! Focus!
I could still have fluffy bedding outside, still run myself sweaty on a wheel, and eat all the fruit I wanted!
Swallowing hard, I steeled myself.
The lab director was selfish.
Even if I made it out of the mansion, danger awaited me everywhere.
It was obvious she hoped I’d die out there.
But I didn’t care.
I’d survived Wishid, the strongest villain in this world. I could survive this too.
Without hesitation, I leapt forward.
Thanks to practicing before, running felt much more natural and stable this time. I was faster too.
Being small and quick, I easily dodged the occasional servant’s gaze.
Honestly, it helped that most of them were half-asleep.
Tap tap tap!
I ran hard toward where the wind was coming from.
A door!
I spotted a door leading outside.
There were a few servants nearby, but I was focused solely on the door.
And then—
A splitting headache and a loud, piercing ring in my ears struck me like a hammer.
