Bad Luck

 Kairo screamed loudly as he ran from... whatever that creature was. It just kept following him. Despite its humanoid appearance, he couldn’t make out exactly why it felt so abnormal—excluding the fact that it rose out of the ground of course.

I just want to go home!

I just want to watch some anime!

I’m certain dying and going to heaven would be better than this!

His mind raced as he put one foot after another. 

“I wasn’t even given a chance!” he shouted.

Maybe if I make it to those lights, I’ll find someone who can help!

Determined to survive, Kairo ran even harder.

Carefully, he took a glance over his shoulder, still running at full speed. “You have got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed. “Why is this thing even following me?! I’ve got to—”

Kairo tripped. He tumbled to the ground and rolled.

I’ve got to get up!

“If I don’t, that THING will catch up to me!”

As if reading his thoughts, the creature—running on all fours—indeed caught up to the boy. It leapt, claws poised to drop and impale him in an instant.

Is this it? 

Is this the end?

“I’m too young to die!”

His foot shot straight out.

Crunch!!

It connected with the monster’s face, sending it back.

“Gross! Why did that feel so squishy?! That’s nasty!”

They both quickly stood back up, staring into each other's eyes.

“Oh my...” Kairo whispered aloud. “What even are you?”

He took a few steps back, trying to assess the threat before him. There were human traits to be seen; It had a human shape and body, but there were some issues.

“You have pure white hair, rough looking pale skin, red eyes—I know what you are!” His voice started to shake. “You’re a vampire... aren’t you?”

Almost as if in reply, the monster shrieked and started charging at him again.

“Oh no you don’t!”

I’m not about to die here! 

Not again!

Kairo raised his fists and took a stance. “I still have an Isekai fantasy to fulfill! I won’t let you kill me!”

Riiiiiiip!!

“Gaaah!”

He clutched his left shoulder as it started bleeding. “You’re in for a surprise, you freak!” he whimpered through gritted teeth. With his free hand, Kairo pointed his palm towards the feral beast. “Here, with the power bestowed upon me, I will destroy you!”

Gather all the energy inside of you...

“—And release it from a single point!” he shouted. “HYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Veins popped out of his forehead. The muscles in his arm clenched. 

This is it! I can feel the energy! Was it the blood rushing to his hand? 

Or was his life energy being concentrated into a single point? Either way, it didn’t matter. With a laser sharp focus, he aimed at his target.

“HAAAAAAA!!!”

As the energy surged through his arm, it finally reached his palm, shooting out an intense blue blast—or so he thought. 

Kairo and the supposed vampire stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. “Uuuuuuuuuuugh.... Crap.”

Takada Tsukiyuki took large strides, walking towards the capital city. It wasn’t too far away, maybe just another mile or so. The air was warm, so he was glad he wore his summer uniform. The only difference between his winter uniform was the thickness of the fabric. 

It’s so nice out. 

I wonder if the wealthy ever get to enjoy this...

“Isn’t it beautiful, sis?” He turned around to look at her. “This beautiful sky, the stars—all of it?”

She picked up her pace to walk next to him. Side by side, their height difference was noticeable. She’s so short. 

It reminds me of Iome! 

His face began to turn red just thinking about her.

“Well, I think it’s kind of stupid.” she started. “See, it’s because a life of luxury is all that truly matters! So, what’s one decent night to owning a fortune?”

They continued walking on the dirt path, then she stopped in place.

“Hmm? Something the matter, Zashi?” Takada asked. “Are you tired?”

Shaking her head in disgust, she replied, “No! Were you even listening to anything I said?!”

“Wait, wait!” He frantically tried to respond.

“And why the heck is your face red? Are you some sort of pervert?” The young lady narrowed her eyes, staring deeply into his. Sweat rolled down his forehead, but he didn’t dare wipe it away. Maybe I can change the subject! he thought. But he knew his sister wouldn’t let it go.

“N-no! It’s not like that! And I did hear everything you said!” he said, waving his hands. “So why don’t we just forget about it and move on, huh?” Takada tried to smile. His sister’s face just twisted up with disgust. Uh oh. It looks like I made it worse!

“You are genuinely creepy. Has anyone ever told you that?” Zashi said, her voice in monotone. “I’m surprised someone like Iome even fell for you.”

Takada tensed up. 

She hit the nail on the head! 

His face flushed a bit more.

“Yeah,” he whispered. “I’m surprised too.” 

A small smile stretched across his face—a real smile this time. He quickly turned away so she couldn’t see the embarrassment on his face.

“Oh brother. Takada? Why do you always have to be like this?” Zashi shook her head and reached forward. She pulled his face down to hers, squishing his cheeks. “I’m just teasing you. I know you just got married, but still got sent on a mission.”

Crap! 

She sees right through me! 

He looked away shyly.

“That’s n-not it!” he tried to explain. “See, it’s actually that—"

Zashi completely ignored him. “We’ll wrap this up quickly so you two can go back to being lovebirds. Got it?”

Reluctant to admit defeat, he nodded slowly and she let his face go.

“Good. Now, let’s get a move on. I still need that money to afford a lavish wedding for myself! Can’t have you being the only one getting hitched!” Zashi chimed as she started marching ahead.

That’s my sister for you...

Sigh...

“Aaaaahhh! Help meeee!”

“What in the heck? Who’s screaming?” Takada stood tall and snapped into focus. They heard another cry for help, in the distance behind them. “And why would anyone be out here this late?”

They began running in that direction. Their dark uniforms were lightweight, so their movements and speed weren’t affected.

“I just have one question,” Zashi asked. “Who in their right mind would the Korshe Plains past sunset?”

“I don’t know,” Takada admitted. “But it looks like we’re about to find out.”

Arriving at the Korshe Plains, they finally found the source of the screaming. A boy was wildly running around.

“What is he doing?”

Takada squinted to see if he was alone. It was a little hard to see since the moon was setting. There weren’t any animals or other people around him either—the grass was too short for someone to be chasing him.

So why is he running?

“What is up with that kid? Think he’s turned?” Zashi asked.

“No, I don’t think so... It’s got to be something else,” Takada started. “Look at how he keeps looking back behind himself.”

It looked like the boy caught sight of them. He was now running straight for them.

“Help meeeeeeee!” he cried.

No way... impossible. 

He doesn’t...

Takada looked at his sister. “Do you think that he can see them?”

He looked harder at the boy.

Kairo ran full speed ahead towards the two people just ahead. He had been running for the last hour, almost nonstop. To finally find some people—it was truly a blessing under his circumstances.

My luck is finally looking up!

“Can you please help me?! This thing is chasing me!” he begged.

The monster was still gaining on him.

Actually, what if it actually kills us all? 

I wouldn’t want anyone to die because of me...

“Forget it and just run! I don’t want you guys to get hurt! RUN!!!” he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Kairo scanned the ground for anything he could use to fight back.

A rock! 

“That just might work!”

The young man picked it up and flung it with all his might at the beast.

Crunch!!

It landed square in the monster’s face—but it showed no signs of damage.

Damnit!

What do I gotta do to hurt this thing? he thought to himself, picking up more rocks. Noticing the pair was still there, just watching him, Kairo shouted, “Nothing seems to be working on this thing! You should run away while you still can!”

They looked at each other, then back at him. 

“Please! Just listen to me! I'll keep this thing distracted, but you have to get out of here!”

Finally, the young woman replied, “What thing? Do you see something?”

Kairo’s face went blank. He couldn’t believe his ears.

You have got to be kidding me! 

What is she? 

Blind? 

Then, he suddenly realized something.

“You can’t see this thing, can you?” 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! 

If you have any thoughts, theories, or feedback, I'd love to hear them in the comments!