 Ara: ... Kya!- CRASH!
- Ara was thrown out of the shrine again. As she rubbed her hip, Eun informed her that this was her sixth attempt.
- The white weasel didn't actively harm Ara, due to its fear of Eun, but that didn't mean it allowed Ara to approach it.
 Eun: Even without words, it's obvious that's a no.- Ara: Yes... I can feel it in my bones.
- Ara decided to take a rest and eat, so she sat down and took out the rice balls she made with Jen Che.
- She heard a crack, as she took a big bite out of the bumpy rice ball, and bit into something hard along with a salty taste. It was a rough salt grain. It must have been the rice ball that Jen Che made.
- Despite the inconsistent taste and size, Ara was touched because she knew that Jen Che made them with care. Though, they did make her thirsty.
- Ara: ... Mm, (GULP) it refuses to listen despite all my attempts. What other options do I have?
- Eun: You can always leave.
- Ara: Except that.
- Eun: Or defeat it with your own hands.
- Ara: Or that.
- Eun: Then I have nothing to tell you.
- Ara: ... Or that.
- She was getting exhausted just thinking about it. Ara licked her lips covered in salt and tried to swallow despite her dry throat.
- Ara: When Jen Che said bothers me.
- Eun: Ara you sure it's not the food that's bothering you?
- Ara: Don't be like that, Eun. If you think about it, I must pose quite a threat to this spirit. I hold a spear that's much bigger than it, and also have a thousand year old fox spirit by my side.
- Ara: But even when I continue to bother it, it doesn't seem willing to leave this shrine. I thought it would give up and leave soon, if only because of my pestering, or because of how terrified it is of you.
- Ara: And if it wanted to harm humans, it could have easily gone down to the village, but it didn't even do that.
- Eun: I don't understand its actions either. Perhaps it's seeking attention.
- Ara: Attention?
- Eun: Why else would it settle in a shrine? It's the place that reeks the most of human scent in the mountains.
- Ara: Oh...? That's true! How confusing. Maybe it doesn't hate humans after all.
- Eun: I'm more worried about the cursed aura that's emanating from it. I know I felt something similar before...
- Ara: Cursed...? Does it feel different from other spirits?
- Eun: Not exactly. It's just... strange.
- Ara and Eun struggled to make sense of the situation, when the white weasel peaked outside the shrine and started sniffing.
- Ara: Oh?
- ... Then went back insie when it noticed Ara.
- Ara: Do you think it smelled the rice balls? It must be hungry.
- Eun: Oh good. Then we can use the rice balls as bait.
- Ara: Uhh... But that's deception. Then the spirit will really hate humans.
- Ara laid the cloth she used to wrap the rice balls in front of the shrine and placed several rice balls on it. Then she stepped back and put her hands together, as if she's praying.
- Eun: What are you doing?
- Ara: Making an offering. I must pay my respects to a holy spirit!
- Eun: Right... Whenever that works, I supposed. Don't come running to me if you're blown away again by its wind.
- Thankfully, the white weasel didn't attack Ara, and showed interest only in the rice balls. Ara immediately noticed her blunder.
- Ara: Maybe I should have left out the rice balls made by Jen Che. It's pretty salty... It should be fine though, right?
- Eun: I'm sure it will find water if it needs to. From how it's devouring those awful rice balls, it must have been very hungry.
- Ara studied the white weasel devouring the food, before she noticed something.
- Ara: Eun. Over there. I see something that looks like a stain. Perhaps that's the reason for the cursed aura you spoke of...?
- Eun: ... Oh? Yes, I see it now. It's the scent of demons.
- Ara: Demons?!
- Eun: Yes. I understand why I couldn't put a paw on it. The scent is faint compared to actual demons.
- Eun: It must be some kind of demonic spell... a curse if you would.
- Ara: Oh dear. Do you think it was the demons that hurt its leg? How unfortunate...
- Ara unconsciously lifted her hand to cover her mouth, when she remembered the bracelet that Jen Che gave her.
- Ara: ... Eun? Do you think this bracelet might help? You did say it's a charm.
- Eun: I can't tell what kind of curse it is... But I believe the charm is strong enough to work. But can you do it?
- Eun: Trying to wrap that around its body will be much more difficult that just capturing it.
- Ara: I will if it helps. Now, let us try to put a bell around the cat's neck.
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Strange Beast and the Girl 5
