Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 3 Garren

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Zerha trudged forward, shoulders slumped, dragging her feet over the glimmering floor of the cave. Sparkling crystals reflected off the cavern walls, casting rainbows on her face as she stared blankly ahead.

To be honest, I’m okay with the fact that I got reincarnated. Maybe there’s a reason for this. Maybe God has given me a second chance to live in this world. But… Why did I reincarnate in a place crawling with monsters?

She puffed out her cheeks, frustration bubbling in her chest. Like… couldn’t I have been reborn in a peaceful village? Or as a princess in a comfy castle? Is that too much to ask?!

While wandering in search of an exit, Zerha’s eyes sparkled whenever she spotted something shiny poking out from rocks or scattered over the ground. Without thinking twice, she darted around the cave, scooping up anything unusual and stuffing it into her backpack. Crystals of various colors. Tiny metal gears. Glowing beads. Stones shaped like feathers. A jagged piece of metal that hummed faintly. Zerha grabbed them all.

I don’t really know why I suddenly developed an interest in these things… and I don’t even know what half of them are. But whenever I see something new, I HAVE to collect it! Mwehehe… maybe these things cost a fortune! If I sell them, I’ll be rich!

She hugged her backpack, imagining herself rolling in piles of gold coins like some greedy villain.

I’ll build a mansion, hire butlers, and buy a bed bigger than our entire apartment back home.

Zerha was crouched beside a shimmering pink rock, trying to pry it loose, when a chilling sound sliced through the air, a long, echoing moan that dripped with pain and despair.

She froze, one hand on the rock. The groan came again, deeper this time, vibrating through the cave floor.

Sh*t. What the hell was that?

Curiosity got the better of her. She crept closer, slinking along the wall and peeking around a jagged corner. And instantly wished she hadn’t. Before her stood a huge black dragon, its scales glossy as obsidian and wings folded tightly against its sides. The beast towered over her like a mountain, with horns twisting from its skull like wicked blades.

Zerha’s jaw dropped so low it nearly hit the cave floor.

Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t! A-A big black dragon! It’s even bigger than the serpent earlier! WHY did I follow that sound in the first place?!

She dove back behind a rock, hugging her backpack to her chest. Her heart thundered so loudly she was sure the dragon could hear it.

If it finds me, I’m toast. Fried Zerha, served crispy. Happy meal!

But something was… odd. Instead of roaring or spewing fire, the dragon let out another pitiful groan, lowering its massive head to the ground. It shifted slightly, and that’s when Zerha saw it, a huge, ragged wound on the dragon’s chest. Blood trickled down its scales in thick, glistening rivers.

Zerha blinked. It’s… wounded?

She peeked again, biting her lip. I kinda feel sorry for it…

A million red flags waved in her head but chose to ignore all of it.

I want to help it, but how?! If only I had healing powers… wait… YES! The dragon I fought earlier healed itself! Maybe I can copy that ability!

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Okay… power… come on, magic powers… flow into me…

Warmth blossomed in her chest, spreading to her fingertips. She clenched her fists and felt a strange tingle, like static electricity buzzing under her skin. Just like earlier, she adapts easily on how to develop such a power. There is still a strange guide, guiding her. This is it! This is the feeling!

Heart hammering, Zerha stepped out from hiding and cautiously approached the dragon. The moment her foot scraped over the stones, the dragon’s massive head snapped up, golden eyes narrowing dangerously. Its wings twitched as if preparing for attack.

“H-Hold on! I’m not gonna hurt you!” Zerha squeaked, holding up both palms in surrender. “I just want to help!”

The dragon bared its fangs. Smoke curled from its nostrils.

Oh sh*t. Oh sh*t. Oh sh*t. I’m gonna die! I’m gonna be a human barbecue!

Squeezing her eyes shut, she slapped her palm onto the dragon’s wounded chest. “Heal!” she shouted desperately. Light burst from her palm, so bright it painted the entire cave white. Heat and tingling power flowed out of her and into the dragon’s wound.

A moment later, the glow faded. Zerha wobbled on her feet, dizzy. She pulled her hand away and stared. The wound was gone, that means she successfully copied the dragon’s healing ability. She stared at the dragon’s chest with awe. She can’t believe that having magic power would be that easy. Is it because she came from another world, or someone just helping her just like the voice earlier since the voice mentioned something about guiding.

Anyways, the dragon blinked at her in silence.

Then:

“RAWR!!”

Zerha nearly fell backward. “A-AHHH!”

I’m so f****ng dumb! Why didn’t I think that if I healed it, it would just eat me afterward?! Oh no! Please no! I just saved your life! Don’t eat me!

She tried to shuffle away, but the dragon’s massive head lowered toward her, its golden eyes fixed on her trembling form.

“Please don’t be scared of me.”

Zerha froze. Her breath hitched. Huh? Who’s talking?

She whipped her head left and right. But there was no one else in the area. Was that the same voice she heard earlier? But it has a different tone, it’s more deep and powerful. She swallowed. Slowly looking at the dragon.

F**k. Don’t tell me the dragon is talking?

“I will not hurt you,” the dragon said in a deep, rumbly voice that seemed to resonate in her bones.

Zerha’s brain short-circuited. Her mouth hung open. Wha… what the f**k?! I-I’m right! The dragon IS talking! I’m not just hearing things, right? Right…?

The dragon blinked, as though bemused by her expression.

“I thank you for healing my wound.”

Zerha’s jaw flapped uselessly. Then she croaked out, “Ah, y-you’re welcome? Ha…ha.”

WHAT?! It’s polite?!

The dragon dipped its head low. “Please allow me to be your guardian. I promise I will protect you, even if it costs my life.”

Zerha blinked several times.

Guardian? And it’ll protect me from danger? …Maybe I should accept? This place is crawling with monsters and I’m one panic attack away from dying of a heart attack. But… Can I really trust it? What if it changes its mind and decides to eat me after all?!

She tilted her head suspiciously. “Why would you want to become my guardian? Can I really trust you?”

“You saved my life. You are different from others. You are the only one who has ever saved a beast like me. Demons… do not usually care for others. But you… you healed me. You can trust me. I will put my life on the line to protect you. Please allow me to serve you.”

Zerha stared. The sincerity in the dragon’s eyes was unmistakable. He doesn’t look like he’s lying…

She exhaled shakily. “Okay… I’ll allow you to be my protector.”

The dragon’s eyes lit up, his tail flicking with obvious delight. “Thank you, Master!”

Zerha blinked. “Master…?” She scratched her cheek, suddenly flustered. “Uh… What’s your name, by the way?”

“I… I don’t have a name, Master.”

“Master again… You don’t have to call me ‘Master.’ And if you don’t have a name… can I name you?”

The dragon’s wings twitched. “Yes.”

Zerha clapped her hands together. “Okay! Uh…”

The dragon was waiting, he was a little bit excited that he would be named.

“Hmm…Big Lizard? Microwave? Blazing Super Dragon? Hot Big Lizard…” She tilted her head, tapping her chin dramatically. “Ahah! Then from today on, your name will be… Garren! Do you like it?” That name, I once read it in a book and it means a Mighty Protector, it suits him.

“Yes. Thank you, Master.”

“You don’t have to call me Master,” Zerha said for the third time.

“Yes, Master.”

Zerha’s face fell into a perfect poker expression. I just said don’t call me Master…

After a moment, Garren lowered his massive body to the ground, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes. “By the way, Master… How did you heal my wound? I could not heal it myself.”

Zerha blinked. “You can heal yourself too?”

“All dragons have powerful healing ability. But this wound… I could not close it.”

“Oh. Well… I honestly don’t know how I did it.” Zerha waved her arms. “I fought another dragon earlier, and it had healing powers. So I just… tried to copy it. And it worked! I guess I have healing powers now!”

“You fought another dragon? Where is he now?”

“Ah… It’s… d-dead.”

“That dragon was my friend, Master.”

“S-Sorry!!” Zerha flailed her arms, eyes wide. “He attacked me! I didn’t have a choice! I’m sorry!”

“It’s fine, Master,” Garren said solemnly. “But… how did you defeat him?”

“At first, I used the venom from the snake. But it didn’t work because he kept healing himself. So I… used the spider’s threads to cut him into pieces. I’m sorry again.”

Garren stared at her. His wings sagged a little. “You are powerful, Master. You defeated three of the cave’s strongest beasts… But how did you gain their powers as your own?”

“Did I… make them my own?” Zerha asked, genuinely puzzled.

“Yes, Master. Only those beasts hold such abilities. But you used those abilities as if they were yours.”

Zerha gave a nervous laugh. “Ah-ha-ha-ha…” I have no idea what he’s talking about.

She cleared her throat. “Oh, by the way… Garren, do you know how to get out of here? I’ve been looking for an exit for ages, but monsters keep popping up like mushrooms!”

“Yes, Master. I know the way. There are many beasts in this cave, but don’t worry. They will not harm you if I am with you.”

Relief flooded through Zerha’s chest. “Thank God!”

Suddenly, Garren’s form rippled, shrinking rapidly. In moments, the towering black dragon had transformed into a sleek creature no bigger than a large cat. He now looked almost like a baby dragon with tiny wings, scales shining like polished obsidian. Zerha’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull.

“G-Garren! Y-You turned small!”

“Don’t worry, Master. It’s part of my ability. I can return to my original size whenever I wish.”

Zerha gasped. “That’s amazing! You’re so cute, Garren!”

A faint blush dusted Garren’s scaled cheeks as he fluttered his wings and landed on Zerha’s shoulder. His tail wrapped gently around her neck for balance.

As they continued walking, Garren’s tiny voice piped up, “By the way, Master… how did you end up in this place?”

Zerha hesitated. Should I tell him the truth? Will he believe me…? Let's just tell him, whether he believes me or not I don't care.

“Actually I died and I got reincarnated, I guess? And suddenly woke up in this cave...” She sighed. I bet nobody back home even misses me… Well, except my brother…

The only person who missed her was indeed her brother. She’d never had many friends, everyone had thought she was trouble.

Garren blinked. “Really, Master? How did you know you got reincarnated? Do you remember your past life?”

“Ah, yeah.” Zerha nodded. “I remember how I died… my brother… the people… I remember it all.”

“That’s incredible, Master. Others don’t usually believe in such things. And even those who reincarnate rarely remember their previous lives.”

“Yeah… I never believed in it either. But… maybe there are people who’ve gone through it and kept it a secret. So don’t tell anyone.”

“Got it, Master!” Garren nodded earnestly. “So… what was your true form back then, Master? And how did you die?”

Zerha rolled her eyes. This dragon is so talkative… And what does he mean, ‘true form’?

“I was human. And I died because I’m stupid. I saved a kid.”

“Master! You are not stupid. You’re a good person.”

“Oh, by the way, you asked about my true form. Is my current form… not human? I mean… I have arms, legs, and a human body…” Except I have a horn…

Garren tilted his head. “You are a demon, Master.”

“Yeah, I guess I am a demon--WAIT, WHAT?!” Zerha blurted. “I’M A F****NG DEMON?!”

She stood there frozen, then whispered as if asking the universe a question. “…What’s a demon, by the way?” Is what I am thinking, right? Demon who are eating people?!

“You, Master. You are a demon. That horn proves you are a demon.”

“What the hell?! Do you have some kind of mirror? I wanna see my face and this f***ng horn!”

“I don’t have a mirror, Master. But there is a pool of clear water near the cave’s entrance. We are almost there.”

“REALLY?! Okay, let’s go!”

As they approached the cave’s exit, they stumbled upon a magnificent creature blocking the path. A beautiful nine-tailed fox sat beside the crystal-clear pool, her fur like glistening silver silk. Her nine tails swished lazily behind her, creating soft breezes.

Zerha stopped in her tracks. “What… is that…?”

“Don’t worry, Master. She’s my friend.”

Garren promptly transformed back into his massive dragon form. “It’s me, and we don’t need your water.”

The fox’s elegant head tilted. “Ah, it’s fine if you want it. By the way… who is she?” She peered curiously at Zerha, who had already dashed to the pool’s edge.

Zerha leaned over the water. Whoa… Garren was right… this water’s clearer than any mirror!

But the instant she saw her reflection, a beautiful young woman with hair flowing white with red highlights… and a gleaming curved horn protruding from her forehead, she screamed.

“AHHHHHHH!!”

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