Echoes of Broken Steel
The sound of iron shattering in the dead of night is the only warning some get. Blackened footprints, scorched into the earth, mark the path of something monstrous—something insatiable. It is said that when a Bulgasari descends upon a village, no blade, no armor, no chain is spared from its insatiable hunger. Warriors stand helpless as swords rust in their hands. Merchants weep over shattered wares. When the beast departs, it leaves only brittle husks where iron once stood.
The Devourer of Iron
The Bulgasari is unlike any ordinary predator. It is a beast covered in tough, needle-like spines, its hide growing harder with every piece of iron it consumes. Some say it moves like a bear, others like a hunched boar, while some claim it resembles a monstrous pangolin clad in jagged plates. Regardless of its form, all accounts agree on its immense size—large enough to crush carts beneath its bulk. Sharp spines jut from its back, each one glimmering with an eerie sheen, as though still hot from the forge. Its tusks, curved and wicked, glint under the moonlight like polished daggers.
Its most terrifying feature, however, is its mouth—a jagged maw that devours iron as if it were dry leaves. It consumes swords whole, grinds armor to dust, and drinks molten metal like water. Some say that the more iron it consumes, the stronger it becomes, its body forging new plates with each meal.
Born of Wrath, Sustained by Hunger
Legends tell that the first Bulgasari was not born, but given life—a creation meant to end war but destined for ruin. It was meant to be a guardian, an end to the bloodshed that steel had wrought. Yet, as it fed, its hunger deepened. No weapon, no chain, no scrap of metal could sate its growing appetite. That night, the creature stirred—its form shifting unnaturally, growing beyond the monk’s control. With a hunger boundless, it swept through the land, devouring swords, armor, and fortresses alike before disappearing into the mountains, leaving only rust and ruin in its wake.
Tales of the Bulgasari have endured for centuries, passed down through generations, though whether the beast itself endures or only its legend remains uncertain. Others believe it is eternal, wandering the world in search of iron, never satisfied, never dying.
Where the Iron Eater Roams
It is said that these creatures are drawn to places rich in iron, though whether they truly roam the lands or are simply a tale to keep blacksmiths wary is uncertain. Ruins and battlefields are common hunting grounds, where shattered weapons and rusted armor lie scattered. Mountain forges, too, attract their hunger, drawn by the scent of molten metal and freshly hammered steel. Villagers who rely on iron tools live in fear of the beast, for even a simple horseshoe could lure disaster.
Signs of the Bulgasari’s presence are unmistakable:
- Metal corrodes overnight: Swords left unsheathed weaken and crumble.
- Rust-covered footprints: As if the ground itself carries the decay of every weapon it has consumed.
- The silence of crows: Even scavengers flee in the wake of its hunger.
A Hunger That Never Ends
The Bulgasari is spoken of as relentless, an unstoppable force that sweeps through iron-rich lands, leaving only ruin in its wake. It does not stalk like a tiger or strike like a wolf. It descends like a storm, driven only by hunger. It does not need to sleep, nor does it tire. Some survivors claim it smells iron from miles away, drawn to even the smallest traces.
Attempts to fight the beast are said to end in disaster. Arrows bounce off its metallic hide, and spears shatter upon impact, leaving warriors defenseless as their weapons crumble in their hands. Warriors speak of entire regiments whose weapons rusted to dust before they could strike, forcing them to flee with nothing but their bare hands. Even the mightiest warriors, clad in the strongest steel, have been left defenseless as their weapons crumbled in their hands.
Escaping the Bulgasari’s Grip
Few who claim to have survived an encounter with the Bulgasari tell of one thing—leave no metal behind, lest the beast follow its scent.
If you suspect a Bulgasari is near:
- Abandon iron: Any weapon, tool, or piece of armor will betray your presence.
- Flee to wooden structures: The beast shows no interest in stone or wood.
- Distract it with bait: Some have survived by hurling weapons into the distance, giving them precious moments to escape.
- Fire and ash: Though the Bulgasari is drawn to flame-heated metal, it despises soot and ash. Smearing your weapons in burnt charcoal may slow its advance.
When Metal Screams
If you wake to find your sword rusting beside you, listen closely. Some believe the wind carries faint echoes of the Bulgasari before it arrives—whether truth or superstition, none dare to test. If the scent of rust lingers in the air, it may already be too late. The Bulgasari is never far when iron begins to vanish. And should you ever hear the grinding of metal in the dead of night, do not reach for your blade—it will betray you before the beast ever does.
