In a secluded clearing encircled by a barrier of ancient trees, a circular blue portal materialized. Its radiant glow cut through the early morning mist.

  A moment later, an unassuming man stepped through, looking as if he were in his early twenties.

  He had tousled blond hair and was wearing a black leather jacket complemented by a white shirt, black jeans, sandals, and sunglasses.

  As the portal closed behind him, sealing away the last vestiges of his previous dimension, he took a moment to survey his new surroundings.

  The morning sun bathed the clearing in a golden light. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the melodic chirping of birds provided a serene soundtrack.

  Distant buildings were partially obscured by the treetops, adding a touch of urban contrast to the natural beauty around him.

  The man shook his head to snap himself from the distracting sight.

  With a wave of his hand, a light-blue holographic screen materialized before him, showcasing his current outfit with various customization options.

  Without hesitation, he selected the "-PRESETS-" option.

  The selection glowed light green, and an expanded menu of choices appeared.

  His eyes quickly found what he was looking for:

  “-TEACHER_SKIN_PRESET-”

  He paused briefly until a confirmation pop-up appeared:

  ARE YOU SURE?

  -YES- or -NO-

  Focusing on '-YES-', the confirmation pop-up vanished, triggering an almost magical transformation.

  His clothes began to dissolve, the black fabric melting into a swirling, silver liquid that moved with surreal, almost mesmerizing fluidity.

  It undulated over his body, engulfing him like waves of mercury.

  When the transformation ended, he was wearing light gray khakis, a soft blue dress shirt, sleek black shoes, and rimless reading glasses.

  He took a moment to inspect himself, ensuring everything was in order. His fingers ran over the smooth fabric of his new attire, checking the fit and appearance.

  He was no longer the man with a bad fashion sense; he had become someone entirely different, a sophisticated version of his former self, ready to blend into his new environment with ease and confidence.

  With another wave of his hand, a digital mirror appeared, reflecting his current appearance.

  He examined his reflection with a critical eye, assessing every detail.

  His reflection showcased a transformation both elegant and refined, perfectly executed and ready for his new role.

  Ah! Now for the final test.

  The man raised both hands to finger gun at his reflection. A small satisfied smile grew on his face.

  Ah, yes. I can work with this, though the hair could use a touch-up...

  He raised his right hand, and silvery liquid oozed from his dress shirt, forming a black hairbrush in his palm.

  With practiced ease, the man styled his hair into a long, round, layered cut.

  Perfe-.

  He cut off his thoughts once he spotted a small green smudge on the khaki's reflection.

  With a frustrated sigh, he waved his hand to fix it.

  Once it was done, the hairbrush dissolved back into liquid and was reabsorbed by his shirt.

  Alright, that should be good enough...

  His enthusiasm briefly waned as he recalled the gravity of his mission. He sighed deeply, fatigue lining his face.

  Nonetheless, the dimensional traveler pushed on.

  “Remember, Life, the quicker you get this done, the faster you can go home.” He muttered to himself in an attempt at motivation.

  As Life walked through the clearing towards the distant buildings, he continued reflecting on the nature of his mission.

  A frown formed in his expression from the hurdles such a task might entail.

  Stepping out of the tree line and onto a sidewalk, he could see the business-oriented buildings more clearly now.

  With a deep breath, he continued on to his destination, blending seamlessly into the morning hustle and bustle, ready to alter the fabric of this seemingly innocent world.

  ***

  A shadowy figure treaded silently through the desolate remnants of what was once a grand castle.

  The air was thick with neglect, the hallways echoing with memories of former splendor now shattered by years of abandonment.

  Cracks wove intricate patterns across the ancient stone walls, like the veins of a long-forgotten heart.

  As the figure moved through the corridor, unlit torches lining the left wall suddenly sparked to life, illuminating with eerie dark-blue flames.

  The spectral light cast long shadows, revealing a row of doors on the right side.

  These were the living quarters, now in the worst condition imaginable.

  Termites had feasted on what had once been elegantly carved wooden doors, their intricate designs reduced to rotting splinters.

  The figure paused before one particularly battered door, the wood groaning softly under their touch.

  With a deliberate motion, they opened it, revealing an unlit room.

  Inside, the torches instantly ignited with the same ghostly flames, casting an unnatural, flickering light over the space.

  The ominous lighting unveiled a summoning circle etched into the stone floor, its markings inscribed in a language lost to time and history.

  Stepping closer to the circle, the shadowy figure's voice rang out with a resolute and commanding tone.

  "Come, monster that serves the Great Master!"

  In response, dark-blue flames erupted violently from the center of the circle.

  Initially wild and uncontrollable, they writhed as if they sought to consume everything in their path.

  With a simple yet powerful motion of their left hand, the summoner tamed the flames, stabilizing them with an eerie precision.

  The flames immediately receded, revealing a shadowy entity at their core.

  The creature's presence was shrouded in darkness, its form barely distinguishable except for the sharp, cat-like eyes with slit pupils that glowed with an unsettling intensity.

  The summoner's voice cut through the silence, filled with authority and purpose. "Bring me the Crystal of Darkness."

  The spectral creature bowed slightly in acknowledgment, its eyes never leaving the summoner's.

  They soon vanished into thin air, having left without another word.

  Standing alone in the dim, flickering light, the summoner allowed a small, sinister smile to cross their face.

  "Hopefully, this will be enough," they murmured to themselves, before leaving the way they came, the room, the dark-blue flames dimming into nothing as they left.

  ***

  Unmei High, classroom 1-2, after the bell marked the end of the first class, and soon the one marking the start of the second class rang.

  A young girl with messy, short blond hair, wearing a uniform consisting of a black jacket and skirt, and a red tie, slid the door to her classroom open and slowly trodged her way to the back of the class, where her desk was, before sitting on it with a sigh.

  She would’ve stayed quiet, looking annoyed down at her desk, if it hadn’t been for a familiar voice calling her out.

  “Seriously, Nozomi? It hasn’t even been a full day since you said that you were never going to be late anymore!”

  The person who said that was a girl with short brown hair, adorned with a small red ribbon on the side, emerald-green eyes, and dressed in the same school uniform as Nozomi.

  Her name was Yoshino Kettei, Nozomi's best and only friend, who was currently scolding her.

  Yoshino crossed her arms.

  ”You're lucky that Manabu-sensei was in a good mood since it's the first day of school. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't have been allowed back in class for the rest of the day! Hey... are you even listening?" She asked Nozomi, whose eyes drifted to the windows by her side, purposely ignoring the question and avoiding making eye contact.

  She knew Yoshino meant well and had a point—Nozomi was pushing everyone’s goodwill with her first day lateness—but it still stung to be reprimanded by her friend like this.

  Yoshino, not giving her friend's stubnorness a inch, raised her hand and pinched Nozomi's cheeks to get her attention.

  As the grip tightened, Nozomi finally reached her limit. "Owowow okok, I'm sorry! You can let go now!"

  Yoshino released her grip, and Nozomi turned with a pout and reddened cheek to her friend, who was waiting for her response.

  While Nozomi rubbed her cheek, she briefly considered explaining to her that the reason she had arrived late to class had been because she got distracted by a black Labrador with a strange birthmark on their forehead in the middle of her path to school…but she figured that would only earn her another scolding.

  After a few moments, Nozomi decided to apologize properly. "Also...I’m sorry for being late. I'll...try to do better this year. For real this time."

  Yoshino nodded, satisfied with Nozomi's apology, and changed the subject. "Good. Now...Did you hear about the new professor who's going to teach our class?"

  That got Nozomi's attention.

  A new teacher? Well, this could make school less boring. If he's really new, he might be less strict with me compared to Manabu-sensei. Then again...that's not a high bar.

  "No, what about it?" Nozomi asked, raising her head from the table.

  "From what I’ve heard, this is his first time teaching at a school. I haven't seen him yet, but rumors suggest he's quite the looker or something." The brunette shrugged. "I kind of stopped caring at that point."

  Seeing a chance to tease her friend, Nozomi took it with a grin. "You say that, but what about that time you looked dreamy-eyed at that teacher from a few years back?"

  Raising an eyebrow, Yoshino responded with an unamused expression, clearly knowing better than to give Nozomi any strong reaction. "Oh? Bringing up stuff from the 5th grade, are you?"

  She returned Nozomi's grin with a smug smirk that made the blonde girl regret teasing her friend."Does that mean I have the green flag to bring up the 6th grade incident?"

  Nozomi’s brown eyes widened in dread, but before she could beg for forgiveness, the classroom door slid open.

  Both girls turned to see a young man with blond hair step inside.

  He wore rimless reading glasses, a light blue dress shirt, light gray khakis, and black shoes. He carried an English textbook and a black backpack.

  As he scanned the room with his sapphire-blue eyes, the students quickly returned to their seats without a word.

  Once everyone was seated, the man approached the teacher's desk.

  After arranging his materials, he looked at the class and spoke for the first time.

  "My name is Shigoto Seikatsu. I will be your English teacher this year. I hope we can learn a lot together."

  His calm and collected tone suited his status as a novice teacher. He gave the class a light bow, accompanied by a small smile.

  ***

  Life, who was currently under the fake name of Shigoto Seikatsu, glanced around the classroom; everything seemed to stop as he slowed down his perception to observe the students staring back at him.

  Ugh, how come you people have eyes as big as soccer balls? Is this some kind of medical condition I am unaware of?

  Life joked, but the accuracy of it wasn’t that far off.

  As he contemplated this, a realization crossed his mind.

  Hmm, now that I get a proper look at these students... Why do they all look older than their actual age? Not as old-looking as some of the teachers, but surely, they would not be out of place working at a company if given the right clothes.

  His gaze finally settled on a familiar girl with messy, short blond hair and brown eyes. He quickly looked away before anyone noticed.

  So, that's the protagonist this time…I guess it could be worse; certainly a better design than the last main character whose story I had to manage. She COULD have looked a little less bland, though. I barely recognized her among the rest of her class.

  Recalling his actual teaching duties, Life fake-coughed to get the class's attention. "Now, since I am new here, I would like to know the names of my students. Please say, "here", when your name is called."

  He gave the class a relaxed smile, aiming to make a good first impression so he could do his real job smoothly.

  As Life took out the list of student names, he paused when he realized the paper was illegible.

  What the-? Why are they all scribbles?! Did I forget to-? Ugh, I swear it turns off every time I switch worlds!

  Sighing internally, he focused on the task at hand. Activate [Reality-Translator] program.

  In less than a second, the scribbles transformed into readable names.

  Though most would be forgotten in the grand scheme of things, for now, he played along to maintain a good impression.

  Alright, that caught me off guard. I need to understand the specific laws of this world better to avoid more serious issues later.

  Life continued the roll call, with students answering whenever their names were called.

  Class started properly soon after.

  ***

  Unmei High, after classes had ended for the day.

  Students could be seen promptly exiting the school grounds, with Nozomi and Yoshino walking side by side.

  "So... mind refreshing my memory a little on the word that would best describe the look you were giving Shigoto-sensei? Dreamy-eyes, was it? Yeah, that sounds about right," Yoshino teased, her voice dripping with smugness.

  Meanwhile, Nozomi tried in vain to hide her blushing face behind her school bag, which only made her friend's grin grow wider.

  "Okay, I'll admit it. The teacher was more good-looking than I expected. But to be fair, he looked more like a movie star than a teacher and...stop smiling at me like that!" Nozomi demanded, her face a deep shade of red.

  The blonde’s best friend let out a laugh, quieted only by a few playful punches from Nozomi herself.

  "Heh, alright, alright. I'll stop. Anyway, I heard there's a new arcade machine at the game center. Do you want to check it out?" Yoshino suggested, her teasing smile softening into a normal one.

  Nozomi sighed in relief, grateful for the change of subject.

  "Okay, if it's a fighting game, I'll make sure to beat you to a pulp!" She declared, punching the air in a mock display of martial prowess.

  If a trained martial artist watched this, they would have been offended, but in Yoshino’s case, she simply rolled her eyes and smiled at her friend's antics.

  As they approached the game center, a place they often spent time after class, a promotional poster came into view.

  The poster featured gameplay images and the name Shiny Constellation Guardian Sagittarius. On the left side, a young teenage girl with pink hair, clad in a fancy pink dress and visor, posed with a bow and arrow made of energy.

  "Uh, so this is the new game. It doesn’t seem to be one made with two players in mind. Do you still want to give it a try?" Yoshino suggested after examining the poster.

  It took Nozomi only a few seconds to decide. "Sure, we can still compete to see who gets the highest score!" With their plan set, both girls entered the game center.

  Inside, they were greeted by the usual array of flashing lights and sounds from various arcade machines.

  After asking a staff member for directions, they found the new machine halfway across the game center, set against the left wall.

  It appeared to be a single-player game.

  "So...rock, paper, scissors to decide who goes first?" Yoshino suggested.

  Nozomi was about to refuse before she reconsidered.

  Although she knew her friend would likely win again, as she often did in these kinds of games, there was the benefit of learning how to play the game by watching her friend try it out first.

  "Alright then...rock, paper, scissors!" They both revealed their hands, showing off what they picked.

  Yoshino had chosen rock.

  Nozomi scissors.

  "Yes! I guess I'm going first, hehe..." Yoshino smiled smugly, raising her victorious hand.

  Nozomi stood by her side to watch the game.

  The game proved harder than anticipated, with Yoshino only lasting a few seconds in the first level before facing the Game Over screen.

  Even after letting her friend take as many tries as she wanted, it proved not to be enough.

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  After enough tries, Yoshino begrudgingly gave up. "Yeah, no...I'm done. Your turn," she motioned for Nozomi to take a seat, her expression showing she was one game-over away from punching the screen.

  Taking a deep breath, Nozomi sat down and started the game. She quickly realized she was having a much easier time than Yoshino.

  Although she had observed her friend's attempts, the game felt strangely natural to her.

  Time seemed to blur as she played, her focus entirely on the screen.

  When she finally snapped out of it, the credits marking the game's end were rolling.

  "W-what?" she muttered in a mix of confusion and disbelief.

  "Woah! You finished the game without spending more than one chip? Man, I thought this thing was broken..." Yoshino sighed in defeat.

  Nozomi turned to see her friend holding a can of her favorite soda.

  H-how did I not notice her leaving? How much time has passed? Did I really zone out for that long?

  She dismissed those thoughts, figuring it had been one of those times she got too engrossed in a game.

  "Y-yeah, I'm amazing! What did you expect?" She puffed out her chest in pride.

  Right after she boasted about it, she felt a small pang in her head."B-but I think I've had enough of games for today. How about we call it a day?"

  "Uh, okay. Do you want to grab a soda first? To celebrate your victory?" Yoshino suggested, still slightly worried over how tired she looked.

  It hadn’t taken much consideration for Nozomi to accept her friend’s suggestion. "Sure, lead the way!"

  Outside, each holding a can of soda, both girls were greeted by the afternoon sun slowly giving way to evening.

  As they walked, Yoshino examined the peculiar prize she got from a promotional offer with her soda.

  It had been a round, black rock.

  "I know promotional prizes aren't always the best, but an actual rock? It’s not even a pretty one! What kind of cheapskate company thinks this serves as a prize!?"

  "Well, maybe it could work as a decoration for your room or a paperweight," Nozomi suggested, trying to console her friend.

  "I guess..." Yoshino deflated with a sigh.

  After they said their goodbyes and parted ways at the crossroads to return to their respective homes, Nozimi heard her best friend's voice from behind as she was about to turn a corner.

  "Oh, and try not to be late again tomorrow, okay? You wouldn't want to face the oni's wrath again, right?" Yoshino asked, raising a finger to her forehead in a playful imitation of Manabu with a horn.

  Nozomi snickered at her friend's joke.

  "No promises!" She replied, turning the corner and walking a bit faster thanks to the soda's boost.

  Unbeknownst to them, someone had been watching from the shadows of a nearby alley.

  Cloaked in darkness, with only yellow slit eyes visible, the figure focused on the black rock Yoshino held.

  With their target spotted, they trailed them from the shadows until the right opportunity showed up.

  ***

  Not far from where the girls had gone their separate ways, Life calmly walked down the street, his steps confident. However, his mind seemed elsewhere.

  Okay, as first days go, I'd say it was adequate for someone like me. Although...It'll take some time to get used to those huge eyes staring at me! He shivered a little.

  As he walked, Life glanced at the shops and restaurants he passed.

  One restaurant, in particular caught his attention, not for the place itself, but for the couple inside, enjoying each other's company.

  With a clench of his hand, he forced himself to move on, whistling a familiar upbeat tune that, like always, brought a smile to his face.

  I wonder how you're doing, Death? I wouldn’t doubt you’re busier than I am. You always worked the hardest between us...

  He discreetly extracted some silvery liquid from his pocket, forming a cell phone.

  The phone's wallpaper showed a skeleton in black robes wielding a scythe, accompanied by Life posing for the camera.

  I wonder if you would pick up the phone if I were to call you right now? Even if we only talked about trivial stuff, your voice would already be enough...then again, I guess it would be too selfish of me to waste your time like that.

  After a moment, Life chuckled to himself. If anyone had told me a few thousand years ago that there would’ve come a time where I’d consider the consequence of my actions, I'd have laughed my ass off!

  As he was about to turn the corner, Life was snapped out of his thoughts by bumping into someone head-on.

  Thankfully, the impact wasn't enough to knock him over, but it did surprise him.

  W-wait, what? Who...oh.

  There she was, Nozomi Nakagawa, the 14-year-old girl whose story he was meant to guide in the background. Who was about to fall on her butt.

  An open can of soda slipped from her hands. The liquid inside threatened to spill onto her uniform.

  Life slowed his perception of time to stop for the second time that day to think of how to approach the situation.

  With a resigned sigh, he shook his head. Back to work, I guess...

  He caught the falling can with his right hand, managing to scoop up the airborne droplets before they could stain her uniform.

  Then, he grabbed Nozomi by the left hand, steadying her.

  With everything under control, he resumed his perception of time to a normal pace, and Nozomi, now inches from the ground, found herself held upright by Life.

  "Whoa, that was close...Are you alright?" Life asked, feigning surprise.

  When Nozomi snapped out of her confusion, her eyes followed the hand that held hers, leading to the piercing sapphire-blue eyes of her teacher.

  After processing what had happened, her face turned beet red.

  Life noticed her face turning an unnaturally deep red, with hot steam seemingly emanating from her ears.

  Huh...Why is her face so red? Is that steam coming out of her ears?! Is she okay?!

  He questioned nervously, fake surprise turning genuine.

  "H-hey, are you okay?" asked Life, genuinely concerned as he held Nozomi's hand.

  The girl's face was bright red, and she avoided looking at him, remaining silent.

  Her silence only heightened his worry.

  Why is she looking away? Did I do something wrong!?

  Life was barely containing a sudden wave of panic with that thought. A small bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

  After helping Nozomi back to her feet, she finally looked down at the floor and muttered, "Y-yeah, I'm alright. T-thank you, teacher."

  Life breathed a genuine sigh of relief. Okay, false alarm. Good.

  With a proper look at Nozomi, he almost immediately concluded she wasn't in immediate danger despite the red face and mysterious steam.

  "If you say so. Here, your soda. Next time, try not to let it go so easily, okay?" He handed over her beverage with a playful smile, hoping to ease her nerves.

  Nozomi nodded and moved past him without a word.

  Life watched her walk away, scratching the back of his head as she disappeared around the corner.

  That was odd. She didn't strike me as the shy type from what the other teachers and her file told me, just a bit of an airhead. And her reaction back there...

  He looked around and noticed the indifferent faces of passersby.

  Considering no one else seemed to react to steam coming out of someone’s ears, I can only assume that’s the norm around here.

  The man who didn’t belong in this world shrugged, soon resuming his slow walk toward the hotel where he would be staying.

  ***

  Not far away from there, Nozomi tossed her soda can into an open dumpster before clutching her schoolbag close to her chest.

  With a sigh, the tomato hue in her face began to fade.

  Idiot, what kind of reaction was that? He must think I'm some kind of delinquent! Urgh, I can't wait to get home and put this day behind me!

  She continued walking uninterrupted, frustration at herself clear as day.

  As Nozomi neared her house, she saw the lights on the first floor, immediately assuming her brother was home and likely already eating dinner.

  With her reserve key, Nozomi opened the door, stepped inside, and took off her shoes like she always did before declaring her presence.

  "I'm home!"

  ***

  While Nozomi entered her home, Yoshino calmly walked through the now-empty neighborhood, making her way home.

  Passing by a deserted playground, a wave of nostalgia hit her.

  Eight years since we met...

  A small smile grew on her face as she remembered their first, chaotic meeting with Nozomi and how, after much crying and misunderstandings, they became friends.

  You haven't changed a bit.

  When she closed her eyes and shook her head, her pace soon slowed to a stop as, upon opening her eyes, her vision was welcomed by a dark alleyway surrounded by towering buildings and lit only by a few dim lamp posts.

  The nostalgic joy that had accompanied her steps until just recently was replaced by a creeping confusion.

  "W-what?" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly in the eerie silence of the alley.

  An unfamiliar chill prickled her skin, the kind that told her something sinister was nearby.

  Her breath quickened as the oppressive walls loomed over her, trapping her in this narrow, dimly lit alley.

  She spun around, hoping to find an exit, but the walls and the shadows seemed to close in tighter.

  The feeble light from the lamp posts cast long, distorted shadows, intensifying her rising panic.

  Her heart pounded faster, the sound almost deafening in the tense quiet of the night. The unfamiliarity of it all sparked a raw, primal fear within her.

  Every instinct urged her to flee, but the idea of running any direction in this unknown place immobilized her.

  Then, out of the encompassing darkness, two menacing yellow eyes with slit pupils appeared, fixating on her with a predatory gaze.

  Her blood ran cold.

  Panic surged as she instinctively stepped back, her movements jerky and frightened.

  Her eyes widened in horror, and she felt a scream clawing at her throat, but it remained trapped, paralyzed by terror.

  The unblinking eyes drew closer, their piercing gaze relentless and unforgiving.

  Fear of the unknow presence gripped Yoshino's entire being, rendering her breathless.

  Her mind raced with desperate thoughts, fight or flight, yet neither seemed viable in that frozen moment.

  The suffocating darkness thickened, threatening to consume her as she stood there, vulnerable and terrified, feeling more alone than ever before.

  "W-who are you? Do you know what's going on here?" Yoshino asked the unsettling observer, her voice tinged with desperation.

  The eyes kept silently staring, like a predator sizing up its prey.

  Just as she was about to repeat her question, the voice cloaked by shadows spoke. "Now, now, let's calm down. I just want something..."

  The gazer's voice trailed off, sounding human yet unsettlingly off.

  The eyes closed, and the darkness swallowed any trace of the speaker.

  Yoshino took a careful step back, not daring to look away from where the eyes had been.

  But as she was about to turn and bolt out of there, something sharp pressed against her neck, freezing her in place.

  W-what?!

  "...From you. I'm looking for something very special. A crystal as black as the night sky. Give it to me, and I'll let you go. But if you try anything foolish, I'll be forced to use...other methods. Do I make myself clear?" Her assailant whispered in her ear, their voice sending chills down her spine.

  Yoshino nodded, understanding that the situation was dire. She had never been robbed before, but she knew that playing along might give her a chance to escape.

  "Good. Now, where did you put it?" the voice demanded, pressing the sharp object against her throat a bit more.

  "I-I put it inside my schoolbag. Let me get it!" She offered, trying to keep her voice steady.

  The figure behind her paused before saying, "Alright, but if you waste this chance, you'll regret it."

  Although it had been a warning, the eagerness to have an excuse to kill in their tone told Yoshino a different story.

  Slowly, Yoshino opened her schoolbag, her movements deliberate.

  Without hesitation, she grabbed a small pepper spray and immediately aimed it behind her, spraying her assailant.

  "Hiss! Damn you!" the attacker screamed in rage, letting her go.

  Without thinking twice, Yoshino kicked her assailant in the chest before running as fast as she could, searching for help.

  Must find someone, anyone!

  She passed lamp post after lamp post, dumpster after dumpster, but the alleyway seemed endless.

  How long is this alley?!

  Footsteps approached rapidly from behind, and she pushed herself to run faster. But her stamina was running out, and suddenly, she tripped and fell, landing face-first on the cold concrete.

  As she tried to catch her breath, Yoshino felt something wet and sticky on her face.

  Her fingers brushed against the substance and came away smeared with crimson.

  Great, a broken nose.

  Yoshino thought as the metallic tang of blood filled her nostrils.

  But there was no time to dwell on it. She needed to escape.

  Adrenaline surged, but her body betrayed her, her legs stubbornly refusing to move.

  Why can't I get up!? She wondered, desperation creeping into her thoughts.

  Her gaze dropped to her left leg, and the answer was gruesomely clear.

  Deep claw marks marred her flesh, each gash a crimson river of agony. Blood poured from the wounds, pooling around her leg in a sickening display.

  The sheer sight of it almost made her vomit.

  Every nerve in her body screamed in protest, the searing pain overwhelming her senses.

  She let out a scream of pure, helpless agony, realizing that escape was now impossible.

  From the oppressive shadows, her assailant's mocking voice cut through her despair. "Well, you can't say I didn't warn you!"

  The voice dripped with cruel amusement, reveling in her suffering. "Humans always make things more difficult. But oh well, you had it coming."

  The figure stepped into the dim light, fully revealing their otherworldly, cat-like appearance.

  Yellow slitted eyes glinted with malice, and sharp nails, still dripping with blood, extended from their fingers. White fur covered their form, and a tail swayed with a macabre rhythm. The creature's sadistic smile widened at the sight of Yoshino's horror.

  "W-what are you?!" Yoshino screamed, frantically crawling backwards until she collided with a trash can.

  The creature chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Didn't your parents teach you manners? Oh, well. Not like it would help anyway."

  They closed the distance with a smooth grace, towering over Yoshino like an apex predator toying with its prey. "Now, shall we finish this?"

  The creature taunted, relishing every moment of superiority over their victim.

  Yoshino's vision began to blur from the blood loss, and darkness encroached on her consciousness.

  In a desperate, last-ditch effort, she reached for a trash can lid and hurled it at the creature.

  The lid sailed through the air, but the creature dodged it with almost casual indifference, a cruel smirk playing on its lips. "Oh~, feisty! That’s right, keep struggling, entertain me until your last breath!"

  Weak and overwhelmed by pain, Yoshino could do little more than slump against the trash can, the creature's looming presence a harbinger of her doom.

  Please...anyone...help...

  Yoshino pleaded before losing consciousness.

  ***

  A bright light suddenly appeared above her and the monster.

  Startled, the cat-like creature jumped back.

  The light descended and took shape between them, forming into a girl with long white hair and a dog.

  The girl stared in shock at Yoshino's injured body.

  "Hey, snap out of it! I can save her, but you need to keep that monster away!" The talking dog urged.

  The girl snapped out of it before quickly nodding and turning to face the threat.

  The cat-like creature snarled, "How dare you interrupt my fun? Who are you?!"

  The girl paused to think before striking a dramatic pose.

  "I am...Guardian Taurus Light, and I will stop you!" Nozomi declared, the lamp post above her serving as a figurative and literal spotlight that revealed her in full.

  The human-cat stood there, baffled, for a few seconds at Nozomi's presentation and pose before tilting its head to the side with a confused expression.

  After a few blinks, it shrugged indifferently. "You know what? Whatever. I am just gonna have fun with you instead."

  Nozomi tried to assume a fighter's stance she remembered from a video game.

  Unfortunately, it was plain for all to see how amateurish she looked.

  Okay, this shouldn't be too hard, and even if it is, it's just a dream. I'll wake up in bed just fine. Hopefully, without being late for school again...

  The air around Nozomi thickened with a palpable tension as the human-cat hybrid lowered itself into a stance that eerily resembled a runner's crouch.

  Still, this was no ordinary runner; the creature's feline grace and predatory intent were unmistakable.

  Their slitted yellow eyes locked onto Nozomi's, piercing through to her very soul, making her recoil a little.

  Underneath the eerie silence, the creature's left claw scraped against the rough concrete, a slow, deliberate motion.

  Each drag of the claw left a thin trail of scratches as if marking its territory, while droplets of blood, Yoshino's blood, fell from its right claw, splashing rhythmically onto the ground.

  For a the next few seconds, the creature held this menacing pose, before it vanished from her sight in the blink of an eye.

  Surprise surged as Nozomi desperately scanned her surroundings, heart pounding in her chest.

  She almost jumped out of her skin—it was now right beside her, standing eerily still as if it had always been there.

  Processing the sheer impossibility of the creature's speed, her eyes widened at the sight of the creature's inhuman, monstrous smile.

  A bead of sweat trickled down her face, betraying her escalating fear.

  Nozomi's gaze dropped involuntarily, and there, dripping with fresh blood, were both of the creature's claws. "W-what...?" she stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

  The creature's sadistic grin widened even further.

  A sharp, searing pain shot through Nozomi's left shoulder, making her instinctively glance down. She hoped—prayed—that the agony and the bloodied claws were not connected.

  But as her eyes confirmed the horrifying truth, dread turned her blood to ice.

  Nozomi stared in shock, her mouth hanging open. A trio of claw marks had ripped through cloth and flesh alike down her arm, leaving a growing puddle of blood underneath.

  The full realization of her injury hit her at once, and with it came the unbearable pain.

  "AAARGHHH!!!" Nozomi's scream echoed through the night, raw and filled with agony.

  She clutched her mangled shoulder, her eyes clenched shut as though to ward off the searing pain.

  Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, each frantic pulse amplifying her distress.

  Legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to her knees.

  It hurts! Why does it hurt so much?! Isn't this supposed to be a nightmare?! Why does it feel so real?!

  Her mind raced, trying to escape the relentless torment that wracked her body.

  "Well, well, well, where's all that bravado you had a minute ago?" The creature's voice slithered in joy through her pain.

  Nozomi forced her eyes open, only to see the human-cat, back where it was before attacking, licking her blood off its left claw with a grotesque relish. "I'll give you some credit; you're tougher than you look. That attack should have ripped your arm clean off. I suppose we can have fun a little longer."

  The creature's sadistic excitement made Nozomi involuntarily flinch, crawling back a little in instinctive retreat.

  Nozomi's eyes filled with tears, her vision blurring from the overwhelming pain and fear.

  She tried to muster a response, but her voice betrayed her, caught in the constricting grip of her terror.

  The creature noticed her tears and sneered. "Wait...you're crying? Are you serious?! One hit and you're already like this?!" It rolled its eyes. "And to think I complimented you..."

  The creature sighed in disappointment and looked down. But then, an idea sparked. Its inhuman smile returned. "You know...I only have business with the girl behind you."

  It raised an arm, shooing the magical girl away. "If you just leave us alone, I won't pursue you, and we can go our separate ways. How about it?"

  Nozomi glanced back at Yoshino, seeing Seiza treating her friend with deep concentration.

  She remembered a moment from their childhood when Yoshino had protected her.

  Whether it was due to blood loss or a hallucination, it didn't matter.

  She had her answer.

  Nozomi faced the human-cat. "So let me get this straight...if I get out of the way, you'll let me live, correct?"

  The creature's smile widened as it nodded. "Yes, just get out of my way, and you can die a boring death from old age! A once-in-a-lifetime deal if I might be so bold!"

  "I see..." Nozomi took a deep breath. With great effort, she pushed herself to her feet, gritting her teeth against the pain.

  There has to be something...Anything I can use to beat them.

  After a few moments, her eyes settled on a trash can lid nearby.

  I could use that to push them back...but they're so fast. One more hit and it's over. But it's worth the risk to save Yoshino!

  She closed her fist, steeling her resolve to go through with what just might be her last stupid idea.

  "So...have you decided yet? I don't have all night," The creature asked impatiently.

  "Yes..." Filled with the resolve to protect her friend, Nozomi's finger shone with a bright white light.

  "You...you might as well drop dead...if you think I'm gonna let scum like you ever touch her again!" She shouted, glaring defiantly at the creature with pure determination, her eyes glowing faintly with white light.

  The human-cat was momentarily stunned by her sudden bravery, but its face soon twisted in anger. "Tsk, just useless bravado. Very well, have it your way and perish!"

  It readied itself for another attack, ready to end this.

  As the creature was about to make its move, it was distracted by a metallic clang.

  It was all Nozomi needed.

  She grabbed the trash can lid and charged. If she wasn't so focused, she would have noticed her surprising speed.

  The creature barely turned back before she bashed it square in the face, disrupting its balance.

  Now!

  With a surge of adrenaline, Nozomi pushed the lid with all her might, sending both her and the creature crashing to the ground.

  The impact was chaotic, and the creature's claws thrashed wildly, each swipe more erratic and desperate than the last.

  I can do this, I can do this, I-

  Her thoughts were cut-off when one of the creature's frenetic scratches landed a brutal strike on her left eye.

  Searing pain exploded across her vision, and blood quickly replaced half her sight.

  An instinctual scream tried to escape her lips, but she choked it back, forcing herself to press the lid down with all her remaining strength.

  NO! I won't let you win! Not now or ever!

  She resolved, teeth gritted in a mix of agony and iron will.

  Finally, the bright light enveloping her finger caught her attention.

  Moving on instinct, Nozomi released her grip on the lid just enough to point her glowing finger at the creature.

  The moment of vulnerability did not last long; before the creature could exploit the weakened hold, a brilliant beam of light shot from her finger, hitting the monster squarely on the forehead with a sound akin to a gunshot.

  Huh? What did I just…? She blinked in disbelief, her mind struggling to process what she had done.

  Her vision cleared just enough to reveal a small, bullet-like hole in the creature's head, from which black, viscous liquid began to ooze.

  The grotesque sight was made even more horrific as the liquid squirted onto Nozomi's face.

  The creature's eyes widened in shock as the realization of its demise dawned upon it.

  "W-what? How…did this…happen—" It stammered, its eyes rolling back as its form dissipated into nothing in front of Nozomi's astonished gaze.

  As the creature vanished, Nozomi felt the oppressive push below her body disappear, and she collapsed, the exhaustion and pain overpowering her.

  Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she lay on the ground, her body shaking from the adrenaline and the toll of the battle.

  Basking in newfound relief, she cried and breathed heavily, a weak smile forming on her face while looking up at the lamp post above.

  Raising her hands, she felt like she'd crossed a finish line.

  I...I did it! I protected Yoshino, I-

  "Ow, ow!" she cried as the pain reminded her of her injured arm shoulder and eye.

  It hurts...but Yoshino is safe. That's what matters...

  Lowering her arms, she noticed her missing index finger. W-where's my finger?!

  Panic gripped her until she saw the stump glowing.

  As the lamp post's light dimmed, her finger began to regrow, the light forming bone and flesh anew until it was good as new.

  Awestruck and lightheaded from blood loss, Nozomi was startled by an unfamiliar voice. "Overall, a little rough around the edges, but not bad."

  She tilted her head toward the source of the voice, seeing a figure on a nearby rooftop.

  It was too dark to distinguish features, but the silhouette was clearly human.

  "Wait!" She shouted on reflex.

  The figure stopped abruptly.

  In that moment, Nozomi asked the first question that came to mind. "E-excuse me, but...who are you?!"

  A mega-SPECIAL chapter to commemorate the story's re-launch! I hope you all enjoyed it!

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