In the blacksmith's shop - the backyard bedroom.
Wrapped in a thin blanket, Shaka's fingers flew across his phone screen.
"Ugh, I don't want to write!!! Why can't I escape deadlines even after transmigrating?!"
The time traveler's cry echoed through the empty room.
He'd just agreed to Kotoko Iwanaga's request when the editorial department's deadline reminder arrived. With only seven days to finish, plus custom items to prepare for the young players, Shaka's face was etched with exhaustion.
Damn it I'm still injured too.
The one hounding him for the manuscript was Utaha Kasumigaoka. He'd accidentally helped promote her book, and now she'd become his personal deadline enforcer.
I love you, yet I walk alone...
His phone rang nonstop. Utaha's languid, alluring voice came through the speaker:
"Oh, you finally answered. So, Mr. Descendant – when will you satisfy this thirsty reader?"
"I'm busy, I'm not writing," Shaka refused flatly.
I've never seen someone repay kindness with this kind of torment. Go make up an excuse for Genko already.
Utaha was surprised she'd expected him to cave, thinking their relationship would make him give in.
"Unless you send me a video in black stockings!" Shaka said with sudden interest.
That woman may not have many talents, but her black stockings are top-tier!
The sound of rustling fabric came from the other end:
"Oh? How about I send you a used pair instead perfect for cleaning your gun?"
If only I could actually receive them...
Shaka sighed helplessly: "Forget it. When have you ever kept your word? All talk and no action! Pah, scumbag."
"Looks like you really are busy you've even given up on your 'traditional crafts'."
Shaka asked seriously: "Have you heard of the 'Victory Team'?"
"I don't believe in light."
"I mean I'm busy protecting the planet. No time to write, let alone... clean anything."
On the other end, Utaha wore a strange expression...saving the world? That actually sounds like a decent theme.
She crossed her legs, her shapely figure creating an elegant curve, and spoke in a lazy tone:
"Fine. I'll explain to Genko using your wonderfully simple reason."
After hanging up, Shaka stared at his phone, speechless.
I really AM protecting the Earth!
He thought about Kotoko's request.
"The Slit-Mouthed Woman case seems to be getting worse. Could she have actually come back?"
With that, he posted a reminder in the group chat, telling everyone to avoid going out at night.
As for the story Kotoko had mentioned...
Shaka's expression was odd: "I feel like I've read similar supernatural tales before..."
His curiosity growing, he slowly typed two lines on his phone:
That night, under a streetlamp, I met the "girl" who gave me my first kiss. I never imagined that after that day, they'd come knocking one after another Sadako stuck in the TV, Hanako peeping in the boys' bathroom, the woman who favors young boys, Tomie with her endless clones...
"Wouldn't that destroy the peaceful everyday world?"
Shaka found himself getting more and more absorbed in the idea. If it were real, he wondered who would be lucky enough to become the "Knight of Ghosts."
May the everyday world be free of man-eating demons only greedy older sisters who crave sea cucumbers instead.
The Everyday World
Six o'clock in the afternoon. Kotoko Iwanaga slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and headed home after class.
As she'd mentioned, the Slit-Mouthed Woman incidents had spiraled out of control even detectives were among the victims with torn lips. Combined with the urban legend's notoriety and victims' testimonies, public opinion was boiling over.
"I hope Mr. Descendant releases his new work soon."
Splash splash splash spring brought frequent rain. Kotoko walked down an unfamiliar alley with her umbrella, the surrounding houses strangely quiet, few lights on. Her only source of illumination was her phone screen.
The news displayed:
[Shinichi Kudo – the Japanese police's "Savior" – solves the "Dorobiga Amusement Park Murder Case" once again.]
[Slit-Mouthed Woman Strikes Again: Police Incompetence, or Taxpayer Tragedy?]
"If that so-called police savior is so great, he should handle the Slit-Mouthed Woman case instead!"
Kotoko turned off the news and shone her phone light on the street sign: "Is this the place?"
Sakura City Beika Town 2-21– Kudo Residence
"What a coincidence."
Her eyebrows twitched as she glanced at the two small buildings ahead. She stepped forward, her flashlight cutting through the darkness.
Rumble lightning split the sky.
Kotoko saw a woman squatting in front of the house, completely soaked by the rain. She wore an unfamiliar high school uniform, huddled with her knees to her chest outside Shaka's apartment.
Standing before her was a leering man holding a black umbrella, muttering something under his breath. His unnaturally wide smile and blond hair made Kotoko's skin crawl.
She could see countless dark vengeful spirits clinging to him female hands gripping his body, whispering incantations:
"Eat her, she's so juicy! Eat her!"
"Hey there want to come home with me? For just a little something, you'll get a warm bed and good food."
Taisuke Sawanaga used his hoarse voice to lure her.
Sayu Ogiwara looked up blankly at him. She'd run away from her home in Hokkaido no, escaped. Her parents and brother had grown strange some time ago: her mother would hide in the kitchen chopping meat after school, her father would read the newspaper in dead silence, and her older brother always wore a bizarre smile. More than once, she'd spotted unknown bloodstains on his pants.
Terrified, she'd fled with all her pocket money, escaping that terrifying place. But without money, surviving was impossible her savings were gone the moment she reached Sakura City. She'd been living like a vagrant, sleeping under a blanket by the overpass and collecting aluminum cans during the day. Even so, it felt safer than home.
But today's sudden downpour had trapped her on this eerie street, dark and oppressive, like a palace of death waiting to devour anyone who entered.
Just moments earlier, she'd seen two foreigners in black rush into the next-door apartment, what looked like guns tucked under their coats.
That place isn't safe either.
And now... the man in front of her was clearly up to no good.
Cold rain splashed on her face. Spring was in full swing, but the post-rain chill made her shiver. She'd started to think: If this keeps up, I'll get sick and die on the street. Maybe agreeing to him wouldn't be so bad at least I'd survive.
Her mouth trembled as she began to speak: "I... I..."
The rain seemed to stop. Static from a television filled her ears, and Taisuke's smile stretched wider and wider his mouth almost reaching his ears.
"Yuko? Why are you sitting by the door?"
A clear voice cut through the air. The rain resumed instantly, pattering down as the noise in her head vanished, along with the suffocating pressure.
Sayu looked up to see a girl as delicate as a porcelain doll probably in middle school. Her movements were slightly odd; one eye was vacant yet glowed faintly in the dark.
"Yuko? Are you talking to me?"
Kotoko stepped forward, ignoring Taisuke completely, and asked with concern: "Yuko, why didn't you tell me you were coming? And why are you out here in the rain?"
"Hey! Little girl do you know what you're doing?" Taisuke clenched his fists, his face twisting with anger.
The ghostly hands behind him grabbed at his face, urging him on: "Together, together they're both so juicy!"
Kotoko turned around, her cold gaze sweeping over him:
"What are you doing at my house?"
The moment she spoke, the lights in Shaka's apartment flickered on behind her.
Taisuke jumped back in surprise the demonic hands retreated at the sight of Kotoko's aura. Seeing there were people inside, he scoffed, shoved his hands in his pockets, and cursed as he walked away.
Kotoko watched him until he disappeared into the rain, then turned her attention back to Sayu.
"Let's go inside. It's not safe out at night these days."