I screamed at the top of my lungs as I bolted, the horde of Shuuki chasing me like cheetahs that had found a deer to feast on.
Adrenaline flooded my body, my heartbeat skyrocketing as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.
"Why are they moving so fast?!" I complained.
Despite their size, they were already starting to catch up to me. God, please make me wake up. I hoped this was just a nightmare and nothing else.
"I'm gonna lose my life at this rate," I grumbled. My fatigue was starting to catch up to me at the same rate as the Shuuki closing the distance.
Without warning, another Shuuki appeared in front of me. It had a relatively slim body compared to the ones behind me, but its claws were super long and sharp.
Of all times for it to happen, I tripped over my own feet and fell to the ground. Groaning in pain, desperation filled my vision.
Looks like I'm going to depart for the afterlife by the end of the day. With all hope lost, I just wish for my dad to delete my save files and move on, not dwelling on how his only son got mauled by a damn Shuuki. Even a fraction of my clothes might not make it out of here.
As the Shuuki jumped to finish me, I closed my eyes and accepted my fate. However, the grim end I was expecting did not come, even after time passed.
"I'm alive?" I murmured to myself. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw the Shuuki that had been pursuing me earlier in an unrecognizable state. Black boots were stepping on their bodies; in fact, multiple feet were in view.
"Are you okay?" a woman's voice said. "That was a close call. Sorry I was a bit late."
Turning my head upward to see her face, I saw a bona fide delinquent, with piercings and a wild look on her face. In spite of that, she was quite beautiful and well-endowed in THAT department.
Though, the most noticeable part of her attire was the Anti-Demon Corps uniform. They must have noticed me being forcefully transported here in this godforsaken land, so they sent someone to rescue me.
I also saw the people beside her, all having the same face. So, cloning ability, I guess?
"Thank you very much," I repeated my gratitude like a broken radio as she slowly carried my body.
"Don't talk. Just let me take care of everything," the woman reassured me while carrying me. "Quite the bad luck for you, landing right where the ogre gate is located."
Even though she looks like a delinquent, her actions and the way she treated me were a huge contrast.
Guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
When her clones disappeared, she spoke curiously.
"Can I ask your name, if you don't mind?"
Feeling my consciousness begin to fade, I still managed to gather enough strength to open my mouth.
"Inuyama Hideo," I answered.
She nodded as she continued walking toward her vehicle.
"I see," she said. "My name is Kamiunten Mira."
She gently placed my body onto the jeep. "Nice to meet you. Though 'nice' definitely isn't the word I'd use, given your current condition."
Mira… where had I heard that name before?
Well, I'll think about it later.
Right now, I just want my mind to go blank and shut down.
========
Opening my eyes, I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.
My memory of what happened was still vague. The only thing I could clearly recall was that I almost died but someone saved me at the last moment.
"Oh, you're awake. What a relief," a middle-aged man said with a smile. He wore a white coat, a stethoscope hanging around his neck.
"What happened?" I asked, deciding to assess the situation first.
"You were brought here after surviving a Mato mishap," he explained, slipping his hands into his pockets. "We've already examined your body. You're just exhausted and sore. A few bruises, but everything we checked is fine."
I let out a huge sigh of relief, holding back the urge to shout with pure joy cause I made it out of that place in one piece.
After talking with the doctor for a while, I was left alone in my room, staring blankly out the window.
Seeing a Shuuki face to face was completely different from watching one on a screen. For the first time in my twenty-one years of living, I felt truly powerless in the face of death.
My hand began to shake as the memory resurfaced. I clenched it tightly, trying to calm myself.
"Damn it."
Frustrated, I couldn't help but curse my own weakness.
After my sudden outburst, my thoughts drifted back to the blonde woman who saved me. Her name had been nagging at the back of my mind, sounding way too familiar. Then it finally clicked.
"A chief," I murmured.
Specifically, the chief of the 2nd Squad of the Anti-Demon Corps. I don't see her as often as the Supreme Commander, Yamashiro Ren, but all the chiefs are still well-known public figures thanks to their massive contributions in slaying Shuukis.
Nevertheless, Chief or not, she's the reason I'm not chilling in the goddess of death Izanami's abode right now.
Come to think of it… is there a chance that gods actually exist?
Guess I'll never find out.
Back on track.
I want to thank her. Writing a letter feels a bit off, though. I'd rather thank her personally if we ever meet again. In the human world, preferably. I don't ever want to visit that place again after that shitty experience. 10/10 would not recommend.
The door to my room opened, and a man wearing glasses stepped inside. His somber expression shifted into clear relief, followed by a smile, when he saw me awake.
"Yo, Dad," I smiled, giving him a salute.
My old man walked straight toward me and suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. I felt his tears soak into my clothes.
"I'm so glad you're alive, you moron!" he sobbed, not caring how he looked despite usually being calm and outgoing.
I just smiled wryly and patted his back, not complaining even a little. Losing Mom years ago must have amplified his fear of losing me too.
========
A few days later, I was finally allowed to go home. Those days in the hospital were mostly uneventful, with Dad keeping me company and a few coworkers dropping by, bringing apples all the way from Aomori. Honestly, it made me happy that my senpais still treated me the same even outside of work.
And those apples they brought were insanely delicious. As expected. If an apple came from Aomori and it tasted weird, that's when I'd start doubting reality.
"God, home sweet home."
I joyfully flopped onto my bed, slowly getting weaker due to the cozzy feeling surrounding me right now.
There was no way the hospital mattress could ever compare to this premium sleeping treasure in my apartment.
My workplace decided it was best for me to stay off duty for a week, so now I had to figure out how to spend that time.
That said… what can I even do these days?
It was nearing December, so camping outside was out of the question unless I wanted to freeze to death. I could play games on my laptop, but that only works if I'm actually in the mood. Otherwise, I'd end up hating even the best-rated games.
Staring at my phone, I noticed it was nearly eight o'clock. Might as well go for a jog to clear my head. Though with how cold it's been lately, a jacket was mandatory.
After changing, I put on a jacket, appropriate bottoms, and my shoes. Fully geared up, I stepped out to jog through the streets.
As I ran, I greeted a few familiar faces along the way.
This place really suits me. The quiet and calm of the neighborhood are perfect. Jogging always helps refresh my mood and clear my thoughts.
Lost in random daydreams, I accidentally bumped into a fairly tall guy wearing a hood. I quickly bowed my head.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I apologized for the inconvenience.
The hooded guy stared at me for a second, then walked past without saying a word.
I tilted my head and lightly scratched it as I watched him disappear from view. I lingered for a moment, staring in the direction he went, before resuming my jog.
"Well, that was something," I muttered, brushing off the awkward silence. No one got hurt, so there was no reason to overthink it.
========
At the outskirts of Yamanashi, the hooded man stood atop a tree, watching Hideo enter his apartment from afar.
His body slowly faded away, slowly getting carried off by the wind.
"Looks like my job here is done," he said in a soothing voice.
His expression hardened, taking on a serious, almost regal air.
"Take the medals and my greed for power"
"Become the next savior of this world…"
"Kamen Rider OOO"
___________________
Author's Note:
I'm free-styling the plot right now with random bullshit HAHHAHAHAHAHA
Hope you enjoyed it~~