Chapter 194: Valina's Diary
“Look here, Stuffed Bun!”
“There’s gotta be a Hidden Chamber around here!”
Singo spotted a Hidden Door and effortlessly pried open the rusted, ancient lock.
Stuffed Bun grumbled, “You’re a full-fledged Warrior. Sure, Perception makes sense, but why the heck did you take Skilled Hands Proficiency too?”
Singo replied with righteous confidence, “A true master of their craft must be versatile. Isn’t this exactly the kind of situation this skill was meant for? Think about it—if it weren’t for my nimble fingers, you’d still be stuck out here.”
“Tch.” Stuffed Bun scoffed, unconvinced. He still harbored lingering doubts about the mysterious disappearance of the gold coins earlier.
“Enough chatter. We don’t have time—those Monsters could catch up any second.”
Singo pushed open the Hidden Door and slipped into the narrow tunnel first. Stuffed Bun followed closely behind. The passage echoed with faint, skittering sounds—like tiny claws on stone—until they finally reached a dark, sealed Hidden Chamber.
With practiced ease, Singo pulled out a spare Luminous Stone, illuminating the chamber in a soft, glowing haze. The space before them unfolded, revealing a scene both unexpected and chilling.
This wasn’t a cramped tomb. It was spacious enough to comfortably hold the two of them. Thick layers of Dust coated the floor, and cobwebs clung to the corners like ghostly lace—evidence of abandonment stretching back years.
Yet the chamber was surprisingly well-equipped. A Bed, a Blanket, a Desk—everything was present. On the desk lay a few Feather Quills and yellowed Paper. On the walls, childish Scribbles adorned the stone, filled with innocent, vibrant marks. The atmosphere was strangely Homely.
Stuffed Bun stared at the wall art.
The drawings were crude, yet full of color. They depicted a warm, familiar Home: a man, a woman, and a young girl. The background was dominated by towering Black Towers, robed Humans in dark Cloaks, and terrifying Dragons. The chaotic, frantic strokes betrayed the child’s deep-seated Fear of these things.
“A child’s bedroom.”
“Who would live in a place like this? It’s beyond belief.” Stuffed Bun murmured, awe and dread warring in his voice.
“Stuffed Bun! Look what I found!”
Singo opened a small drawer beneath the desk, his eyes widening in discovery.
“What is it? Let me see.”
Stuffed Bun leaned in. Inside lay a simple, unassuming Diary—carefully preserved, yet aged beyond recognition. Its Pages were brittle, some visibly Decayed, and several had been brutally Ripped Out. The cover bore bold, faded letters: “Valina’s Diary.”
Stuffed Bun’s expression froze. His face twisted with a storm of emotion—fear, recognition, sorrow. He fell silent, then slowly, reverently, began turning the Pages.
The handwriting was clumsy, naive, brimming with Innocence.
> January 3rd – Mother made me write this. My first Diary entry. Father told me again, as always, not to make a sound. If I do, the Dragon Witch Cult’s Villains out there will come and take me. The Dragons will eat me whole. I’ve been good. I’ve always Obeyed.
>
> January 4th – Stayed quiet in the Room. Father said I was a good girl.
>
> January 5th – Still in the Room. Found a creature I could Love. Father said it was a Spider. I invited it to share my Black Bread.
>
> January 6th – Mother brought me a book called Beautiful Bird. It’s about a little bird finding its Home. I love it.
>
> January 7th – Reading in the Room. A small, lovable mouse kept me company. I named him Tete. I gave him a page of the book as a Reward. He chewed it.
>
> …
>
> February 15th – Father hasn’t returned in so long. When he finally came back, I was so Happy. He said he’d soon defeat the Villains, rescue Mother and me, and we’d live together like in the stories.
>
> February 16th – Father told me so many things. He said he’d take me to see the world outside. I was so Happy.
>
> February 17th – Still in the Room.
>
> February 18th – Still in the Room. No Food. I’m so hungry.
>
> February 22nd – I ate Tete. I was so sad.
>
> February 23rd – Mother finally came back. She brought Food, but she was crying. She said she’d been chosen as a ‘Sacrificial Offering.’ She might never return. I held her for a long time.
>
> February 24th – Father hasn’t come back.
>
> March 17th – Mother celebrated my twelfth Birthday. I was so Happy. I asked her why Father didn’t come back. She didn’t answer. I saw she was sad.
>
> July 16th – I really want to see the outside world. I want a Friend.
>
> …
>
> December 27th – Mother hasn’t returned in seven days. I’m so Fearful.
>
> December 30th – Father has been gone for so long. If my Watch is right, it’s been ten months. Today he finally returned… but he told me Mother is dead. I cried.
>
> January 20th – Father said Mother’s death was worth it. That it was great. I don’t understand. But I’m so Fearful. He’s changed. He used to Love Mother so much.
>
> January 21st – Shivering in the Room.
>
> …
>
> September 12th – Father told me he’s defeated the Villains. I asked if we could leave now. He didn’t answer.
>
> September 13th – I was taken out of the Room… but Father still won’t let me leave the Tower. I’m so Angry. To me, this place is just like the Prisons in books—no Freedom.
>
> September 14th – A girl named Mary was brought here. She’s about my age. She’s scared. I want to be her Friend.
>
> September 15th – Still in the Tower. But I sneaked back here anyway. This place feels Peaceful. Here, I can remember the old Father—the one who still loved me and Mother.
>
> September 16th – Strange Sounds in the Tower. Father won’t tell me what they are. Mary’s scared too.
>
> October 1st – The Sound is getting louder. I’m so afraid.
>
> September 16th – Father is completely different now. I miss Mother. I cried for so long.
>
> I don’t know what time it is. Father told me not to resist. His words were: “Welcome Noble Evolution with a Joyful Mindset.” I don’t understand. But I’m so afraid.
>
> Father isn’t the same. He never would’ve done this to me. He never would’ve… I’m so afraid.
>
> Mary said Father is a Villain.
>
> Father won’t let me see Mary. He says she did something wrong and must be Punished. But I’ll see her again.
>
> He says he’s doing it for my own good. That if I Obey, I’ll be free. I think he’s right.
>
> I will Obey.
>
> Day One – Scales started growing on my body. It hurt so much.
>
> Day Two – More Scales.
>
> Day Three – Spines sprouted on my back. Still painful, but Father was happy. He said I was close to Success. Seeing him happy… I felt happy too.
>
> Day Four – I think I’m becoming a Villain. Father fed me some Meat. He said it was safe to eat. But it felt wrong. My nose… it’s so sharp now. I can smell… Mary’s Smell.
>
> Day Eleven – Still no change. Father was disappointed. He called me a Lowly Species, said I’d let him down. I cried so hard. I don’t know what I did wrong.
>
> Day Twelve – Father found a New Method.
>
> Day Fourteen – He replaced my Hands with new ones. I’ve gotten used to them, but it still hurts. He told me not to cry. I endured. I can’t make Father angry again.
>
> Day Fifteen – I feel… Strange.
>
> …
The final few pages were torn out violently.
Stuffed Bun flipped through the rest in silence, his breath catching. His face paled.
He stopped.
And then, slowly, he exhaled—cold, sharp, like a blade drawn from a sheath.
(End of Chapter)
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