CHAPTER 56.5 - The Kingdom of Arrogant Elves
(POV - Saik, 6 years old)
"Ugh… Ugh… Arghhh! Why do people like this exist?! Is sex really that addictive? Does it really feel that good?"
Ugh, I don't understand this world.
Number 4 finished slitting the throat of this rapist while I watched the woman who was nearly assaulted. She got pretty lucky that Number 4 was in the mood to kill someone; normally, I wouldn't care and would've kept walking. I took this chance to see Number 4 in action, to gauge how strong she is when she strikes. I need to know the abilities of the legendary ghosts perfectly to use them to their full potential.
"Mmm… Hey, hey, my name's Shadow, miss. I'm guessing you're a high school student, right? Tell me, do you know anyone who's really depressed or looks sad?"
… Ugh… She's terrified of me; her body won't stop shaking, and she can't even speak. Do I really scare her that much? Well, considering normal people can't see ghosts, she just witnessed someone being killed by something invisible. I don't blame her for being so scared of me… In fact, I'm proud of being scary in my Shadow form. I'll have enemies in the future—Number 1 already warned me—and I need to be intimidating to keep those enemies from growing and to discourage people from targeting me. I don't want my identity exposed and my parents put in danger.
"It's rude not to answer. Now, as punishment, you'll die."
"N-nooo!!"
She tried to run, but I kicked her legs, and she fell to the ground.
I placed my foot on her head.
"I saved you from being raped, and now you treat me like a monster. You didn't even thank me. What do you want? To be raped by me or to die slowly and painfully?"
I covered her mouth before she could speak and licked her ear.
"Fufu. I think I'll do both. Don't resist, cutie."
She's crying so much, and I can feel immense sadness and pain radiating from her.
Pain, sadness, fear… A huge wave of negative emotions… Is she really that scared of me? I wonder if that fear can grow even more.
I caressed her butt… Yup, the fear and sadness increased.
I slid my hand under her skirt to touch her butt more directly… Ugh… Oh… I sometimes forget women don't have what I have between my legs. Gross. Though it feels weird and sticky… This must be the anus, and these are… Mmm… V*gina? No, I think it had another name… Ugh… I don't remember, but I think this is where sex happens. Men put their thing in this sticky place… And it smells weird. Disgusting. Will I have to put my thing in there someday to have kids? Yuck.
… Ugh, I got too distracted thinking about the sensation of this thing.
Her fear, sadness, and pain spiked more than I expected. That's enough.
I activated my spiritual form and took control of her body… Wow… My crotch feels weird. Is this how women feel when someone touches their private parts? It's uncomfortable.
"Mmm… Perfect."
I stood up from the ground and looked at the body… Wow… My chest feels heavy. Why do women dream of having big breasts? They're so uncomfortable!
… Mmm… My curiosity's too strong.
I took off the uniform to see myself naked… Gross, I can't get used to women's private parts. This girl's nipples are big… I think the area around the nipples has another name, but I don't know it.
They feel… soft… Really soft. I guess breasts are the only thing about women that isn't gross.
I touched the butt… Wow, it's big… This body is so attractive… It'll work!
"Fufu. You look beautiful, Saiki."
"You were right, Number 4, negative emotions weaken the soul. I took control of this body without any trouble. Now, on to the next phase of the plan."
I put the uniform back on, grabbed the backpack, and left the alley. It's early. If I hurry, I can make it to this girl's high school.
"Number 2, analyze this woman's memories, please. I need to act like her so no one suspects anything at school."
"Tch. You're a murderer and a rapist."
"It'd only be rape if I enjoyed it, but it grossed me out. I only did that to take her body, breaking her psychologically by making her think she'd be raped and killed. Hurry up."
"Bastard."
Mmm… I don't feel anything… Number 1 was right; if I possess a body while using my spiritual power, it doesn't affect me at all. Fufu. A new power, unlocked!
Walking in this body is weird. I feel taller and heavier, especially in the chest area. This girl's bra is tight. I'd take it off, but my mom told me to respect women, so I can't ruin this girl's image by walking around without a bra.
Being a woman feels strange. My knowledge of sex is limited; I'm only in first grade. The little I know about it is thanks to Number 1, who explained a lot. Breasts are mainly for breastfeeding babies, and their secondary purpose is just to attract men. And I confirmed that last part because I can feel eyes on me, specifically on my breasts. This is sexual harassment!
Arghhh! So uncomfortable! I hope no one tries to flirt with me, because I might end up killing them… Oh, right, I forgot my original plan.
In this area, there have been reports of women being kidnapped. Normally, I wouldn't care, but Number 1 and Number 4 investigated the area since so many kidnappings aren't normal. They told me members of the ghost hunter group were monitoring this part of the city. If they're involved, it means the kidnappings are related to ghosts, and I hope those ghosts are legendary ghosts.
I also heard from Number 1 and Number 4 that one of the kidnappers' techniques is seduction—they flirt with women, convince them to go on dates, and once they gain their trust, they kidnap them.
I need to catch the attention of one of those kidnappers to confirm if their leader is a wielder of one of the legendary ghosts. I'm searching for legendary ghosts 13 and 14. According to Number 1, those ghosts are always together and share the same title: "The Legendary Ghost of Sadness." If their leader has a legendary ghost with a number above 20, I'll escape. I'm not ready to face wielders with more powerful legendary ghosts. The higher the number, the stronger the ghost. Number 1 causes diseases, but it's useless in combat. Number 2 is intelligent but only provides intellectual knowledge. Number 3 is great for hiding my appearance and deceiving enemies, but it can't cause harm, only intimidate. Number 4 brings bad luck and is a psychotic killer who enjoys human pain, but against more powerful legendary ghosts, she can't hurt them. Number 4 is only useful against living beings. And don't get me started on the useless legendary ghosts I have, like Numbers 6, 9, 10, and 12.
Legendary ghost Number 5, the Ghost of Silence, will help me perform stealth attacks without being heard, but it's useless in a fight, only good for surprise attacks.
Legendary ghost Number 6, the Ghost of Friendship, is completely useless. It only improves friendships and prevents people from lying to me. Its power makes people near me more honest with their intentions, which is why Number 3 deactivated her illusion when I faced that wielder, since she, being weaker than Number 6, couldn't lie to or deceive him. It only works on people weaker than me, so it's impossible to use against more powerful legendary ghosts.
Legendary ghost Number 7, the Ghost of Water, is quite useful for locating legendary ghosts, but it'd only have an advantage in a fight in a place with lots of water. At least it's very useful for gathering information.
Legendary ghost Number 8, the Ghost of Laughter, is also useless, but at least it can distract enemies for a second by making them chuckle.
Legendary ghost Number 9, the Ghost of Boredom, is completely useless; I can't find any use for it. It's no good in a fight or for distracting enemies. It could make someone bored at a party and leave so I could kill them, but with Number 3, I can just go invisible and kill them at the party. It's useless, at least for now. Maybe I'll find a use for it in the future.
Legendary ghost Number 10, the Ghost of Trust, could help me gain the friendship of important people without them suspecting my true intentions, but… No! It only works on normal humans, not on humans with supernatural powers like me! It's a damn useless ghost!
Legendary ghost Number 11, the Ghost of Despair, lets me absorb despair and use it to temporarily boost my power, so it's pretty useful.
And legendary ghost Number 12, the Ghost of Depression, is also useless. It doesn't cause depression in others—it causes it in me! It's completely useless, but Number 1 told me that ghost is still a mystery to him too. Maybe Number 12 absorbs depression and lets me use it to become more powerful, but if it doesn't have that power and only causes depression in its wielder, it's utterly useless. I sealed its power, so it doesn't affect me. I don't think I'll ever use it.
Ugh, I'll definitely die if I fight a powerful legendary ghost. I need to be cautious.
Lost in my thoughts, I arrived at this girl's school; I know because the uniform matches.
"Number 2, tell me how to act."
"Tch. I hate you."
"Save the unjustified hatred for later."
"Unjustified?! You killed a poor kid with Down syndrome, you damn son of a…!"
"Shut up and do what I say."
"… Tch."
She can't disobey my direct orders; after all, I'm her master, and I can do whatever I want with her.
"She's one of the most popular girls in school. Her boyfriend is the captain of the soccer club, and he's 18."
… I think I'll break up with that guy. I don't know how long I'll use this body, and I'd rather avoid him trying to hug or kiss me. Sorry, girl, you can win him back later.
My parents might worry if I'm gone too long, so I faked being sick to skip school, even using a lot of the legendary ghosts' power to make my head burn. Since I've been checked at the hospital many times, they know my body heats up to burn fat, so with simple rest, I'm fine again.
My parents have to work, so they left a maid in my room to take care of me. Number 10 possessed her body, so no one will notice I'm gone. There are no security cameras in my room, so I'm safe. My mom never installed them because she thinks it's disrespectful to my privacy. Fufu. Having a loving mom has its perks. Plus, our house has a lot of security, so cameras in my room are unnecessary. Also, my parents… My parents… Ugh… They still have sex. I have to kill those stupid perverted ghosts who try to spy on them; that's how I found out! Arghhh! I didn't know my mom could make that face! No, Saik, don't remember that horrible scene! Yuck!
A-as I was saying, my parents, unfortunately, have sex, so they don't install cameras to prevent hackers from stealing the footage and spreading it online. My mom's very beautiful; any man would want to see her naked, but I didn't want to, and I ended up seeing her doing something disgusting!
I-I only went in because I heard weird noises and the bed was creaking… My damn curiosity traumatized me!
Ugh… Being mature at a young age has its downsides. I'm 6 years old; I should be playing with other kids, not possessing the body of a high school girl to get kidnapped! My life is so weird… If I didn't have this power, I'd be a normal person with a bright future, since my family has a lot of money and connections. I basically have life figured out and will live without any wants! Want a toy? They buy it without issue! Want a specific dish? The chefs make it no problem! Want to have sex? Any girl would want to be my wife for my money! I have my whole life sorted, but my damn ghost-seeing power ruins it!
I can't be normal as long as I have this power, but one day I'll be normal, and when that day comes, I'll be happy. I'll be a normal person, marry a normal woman, have normal kids, and live a normal life… That's my dream, to be normal.
But I'll never be normal as long as I have this power… Never.
•
•
I entered this girl's classroom, and a guy approached me. He's pretty handsome, so I guess he's her boyfriend.
"He's the boyfriend."
Thanks for the confirmation, Number 2.
"Good morning, love."
He tried to kiss me, but I stepped back and looked at him with disgust. Yuck, I'm not letting a stranger kiss me! I have my principles! My mom told me to only kiss people who are important to me, and he's not important.
"Sorry, but we're done. I don't feel anything for you anymore. Bye."
I thought that'd be enough, so I went to my seat, but he grabbed my arm.
"Hey, what are you saying? Did I do something wrong?"
"Nope, I just don't feel anything for you, and you don't interest me. You're boring."
… Why did everyone go quiet and stare at us?
… No… Wait… Are we really that popular?! I thought it was an exaggeration!
Ugh… Damn it, this is gonna take a while.
•
•
He kept at it for 30 minutes… 30 minutes! That idiot wouldn't accept my decision! Arghhh! I was so embarrassed for him!
But whatever, it's over… I hope.
I didn't talk to anyone. I realized I'm a terrible actor, so I just acted like I always do—cold and serious with people I don't care about. I'll ruin this girl's reputation, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for the mission.
Lunchtime started, and I began devouring this girl's lunch in the most secluded spot so no one would approach me. I'm under the shade of a tree, eating.
This food is delicious. I wonder if her mom made it or she did. She even brought two. I guess she made lunch for her boyfriend… Well, I don't care. If she loves him, she'll win him back.
Now, alright, I have time to read this. I'm not doing anything important right now, so I can use my free time to read.
"Mmm. Dark Summer. Interesting name."
A book that tells the story of Joe, a young boy who has to survive with his little sister. They travel across the country searching for their father.
This book belongs to this girl, and it seems interesting. I was drawn to it because the protagonist is a young boy who has to survive with his little sister. Maybe I can relate to him and enjoy the book more.
"Fufu. You're an intellectual human, huh? I thought everyone was ignorant."
Huh? This chill…
I looked up. W-what?
"You're the first human I've seen reading a book. And you're very beautiful. Fufu. Interesting. Be proud! You'll be the sex slave of one of the Black Angel Order's members!"
Sex slave? Me? Over my dead body! No, you'll be the… Wait… Is he floating and has pointed ears? That golden hair… That black armor… An Elf? I've seen Elves in video games, but seeing one in real life is so… impossible. A real Elf?!
"Kya!"
I didn't get that scared. I admit I'm a bit freaked out since I'm seeing a real Elf, but I need to pretend to be a human girl to make him lower his guard.
He covered my mouth.
"Fufu. Let's go, cuti…"
Number 4 stabbed him in the chest with a knife I had hidden between my breasts, and I'm sure his heart was destroyed.
"W-what?"
"Now give me your…"
Huh?
I'm falling?! Did he activate a portal?!
Whoa! Ouch! N-no, wait…! Ouch! Arghhh! Why did we fall from the sky?! At least the tree branches cushioned my fall, but it hurt!
I looked up. The portal closed. Tch.
… Ugh… This body is weak; it couldn't handle the fall. I thought it'd survive, but it didn't. Sorry, girl.
I left her body, and she fell to the ground, dead.
She wasn't going to survive those injuries, so I killed her to spare her suffering.
I returned to my Shadow form and looked the Elf in the eyes.
He's dying and glaring at me with rage and helplessness.
"Ah, let's get back to it."
I placed my hand on his face.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hand, you shitty human!"
Wow, he still has the energy to insult. Nice.
… Huh? I don't detect any ghost inside him.
"I think this Elf has magic," Number 4 said, emerging from me.
Number 1 came out of my body.
"I've only seen Orcs and fairies; this is my first time seeing an Elf. Can I have permission to examine his body?"
"Wait. Magic exists? That Otaku stuff with magic and swords actually exists?"
"Of course, but only in other worlds. In our world, magic as such doesn't exist, but supernatural powers do, like your ability to see ghosts," Number 1 said.
"Oh… Ugh… I see… Arghhh! My life keeps getting weirder!"
I sighed and closed my eyes. I need to calm down and think through my situation. Don't lose patience, Saik.
"Alright… What do we do? Where are we?"
"I think we're in another world."
"… Ugh…"
Another world… I see… Yeah… Makes sense… Yup…
"Ugh… Alright… Well… Ugh… Whoa!! I don't want to be stuck here forever!! I want to go back to my parents!! Whoa!! I want to see my mom again!! I want my mom!!"
"Saik, stop crying! Don't be a crybaby!"
"Shut up, Number 4, let me cry in peace! I lost my family forever! Do you know what that feels like?! I don't want to be here!!"
… Huh? Did Number 4 just slap me?!
"Saik, listen!"
She wiped my tears and smiled at me.
"We'll get out of here. We just need to read this Elf's memories, kidnap an Elf who can use magic, and use the spell that Elf used to travel to our world. We'll get out, but I need you to be the usual Saik, our master. Don't act like a kid your age right now."
"… Yeah… You're right, sorry… Number 2, stay here and investigate this Elf's memories. I'll go find an Elf who can use magic."
Number 2 emerged from my body and crossed her arms.
"Tch. You killed an innocent girl."
"I planned to let her live; it's not my fault an Elf tried to make me a sex slave. I'm counting on you."
I started walking and looked around… A forest… I admit I'm still really scared, but at least the tears have stopped.
If there's a chance to return to my world, I'll take it.
"Number 3, make sure Saik smells like that Elf and give him pointed ears. If my theory's right, the Elves might discriminate against humans," Number 4 said.
I wonder what the people in this world are like… And there are two huge moons in the sky, visible even during the day. Wow… This world is really weird.
•
•
After walking for 5 hours and escaping countless monsters, we reached our destination: a city.
The monsters in the forest nearly killed me! Luckily, I defeated all the ones that attacked me using Number 4, since they can't attack a ghost, but she can attack them.
And I even got a cute pet.
A famous blue Slime. So cute. I'll take it to my world. I named it "Thiago." Why? A patient of my mom's was named that, and I liked the name. Thiago. I think it's a foreign name.
According to video games, Slimes don't have a gender, but I'll treat it as male.
I forced it to obey me by beating it when it tried to attack me until it gave up and accepted being my pet. I was going to take a red Slime and a yellow one too, but it'd be dangerous to bring so many, so I'll just take Thiago.
It's small, fits perfectly in my palm.
At the city entrance, they asked for documents, so I pretended I forgot them at my camp, went back to the forest, and returned to the entrance invisible. This city is in the middle of this massive forest, or so I think, since thousands of trees surround it.
I entered the city undetected and started walking, with Thiago on my shoulder and Numbers 1 and 4 beside me, observing everything.
"So many people with weapons and armor. I think they're the famous adventurers," Number 4 said.
"And I don't see a single ugly Elf; they're all beautiful. That myth was true," Number 1 said.
… There are humans, but… They're slaves.
Only Elves and humans, and the humans are treated as slaves.
They have metal collars around their necks and clear signs of malnutrition and abuse.
The Elves are the ones kidnapping people from my world to use as slaves, and I think the women become sex slaves, since that Elf was going to make me one.
Well, I don't care; I don't have time to solve other people's problems. I'll kidnap an Elf and leave, but not before exploring the city. I'm in another world; I should take the chance to see a place I might never visit again.
… Ugh…
"How dare you look at me, filthy human?!"
That Elf is wearing the same armor as the one who tried to kidnap me. And he's kicking a poor little kid.
The Elves just laugh, not caring that the kid is suffering… Elves are disgusting, but I don't care; I'll keep walking.
"Please, forgive my son!"
…
I looked at the scene again. A human woman is standing in front of the kid, protecting him… A mother…
"Tch. Who gave you permission to talk to me?!"
… He hit her in the face and started kicking her on the ground… She… was just trying to protect her son… A mother who wanted to protect her son is suffering.
"Saik, I know you're sensitive about loving mothers, but don't do anything stupid," Number 4 said.
"That Elf seems powerful. Don't try to help her," Number 1 said.
They're right, but…
"Leave my mom alone!"
"Nobody gave you permission to talk to me!"
He tried to pierce the kid's heart with a sword, but the mother jumped to take the blow. She pushed her son. She… gave her life for her son. It pierced her shoulder… She… is willing to sacrifice herself for her son.
"Saik, don't do it."
She… is as kind as my mom.
"Please, Saik, don't do it."
She… is a good mother.
"Tch. You're a nuisance!"
He tried to cut off her head.
"No, Mom!!!"
"… Huh?"
"Saik, you idiot!"
"You won't get out alive, Saik!"
I kicked the Elf's legs, making him fall to the ground and stopping him from attacking the woman.
"Hey, shitty Elf, why don't you pick on me? A human who can fight back."
I deactivated my pointed ears and Elf scent, reverting to a human, though I'm still in my Shadow form; I can't let them discover my identity.
"Damn…!"
Number 4 slit the Elf's throat with such force and speed that she decapitated him in less than two seconds.
"Phew. We got lucky he was mad at you and got distracted."
I was surrounded by Elves in white armor.
"Saik…"
"I know, Number 4… Ugh… Let's fight… But first…"
I used Number 3's power to create the illusion of a massive black dragon emerging from a portal in the sky.
"Attention, I am the servant of the God Shadow!!"
The Elves started trembling in fear, and some even wet themselves.
Are dragons that feared? I'm just improvising to scare them, but it worked better than I thought.
"All humans in the city have 30 minutes to gather with my master!! If the Elves don't hand over the humans, I'll destroy the city!!"
It threw a massive fireball toward the city, and all the Elves started screaming and running in panic. I snapped my fingers, and when I did, the fireball turned to dust.
"That was your first warning. Do what my dragon commands!!"
…
…
…
Wow, it worked.
The Elves are bringing me their slaves. Just in case, Number 7's minions are searching the city for humans in case any Elf tries to hide them.
Wow, there are more than I imagined.
Some women are naked… Sex slaves… Disgusting.
They all look so bad… Mmm… No, I still don't care. I think I only feel empathy for loving mothers because they remind me of my beautiful, perfect mom.
"Saik, Saik!"
Number 2 landed in front of me.
"What's up? Why do all these people look so bad?"
"They're the human slaves the Elves had, and I'm gathering them to take them back to our world."
"… Why are you doing this?"
"Do I need a reason? Just doing my good deed of the day. Plus, I can't stand seeing loving mothers suffer."
I looked at the mother I saved and raised my hand to wave.
"Ma'am, you're a good mother; keep it up."
"Y-yes. T-thank you."
"… Saik, I really don't understand you. You're evil, but you also seem like a good person… I don't get you… But that doesn't matter right now! The Queen of this country, the one who lives in that castle, is the wielder of legendary ghosts Numbers 13 and 14! In the Elf's memories, the Queen sometimes talked to herself and mentioned Numbers 13 and 14. She must be the wielder!"
"Huh? I thought legendary ghosts only existed in my country. Now you're telling me I have to search for them in other worlds too? Ugh, I'm done with this mission; it's impossible to find them all."
"No, I suspect the Queen is also searching for them. It's likely she traveled to our world and found legendary ghosts Numbers 13 and 14, since she sent those warriors to kidnap humans from our world."
… Yeah… I get it… She's kidnapping humans to search for legendary ghosts, which is why the ghost hunters are involved.
If kidnapping doesn't yield results, we might be facing a potential war between worlds… If that happens, my parents would be in danger… I have to stop this now.
"I'll be back soon. Number 4, dragon mode."
I used Number 3 to make Number 4 look like she'd transformed into a dragon girl.
"Fly me there."
She grabbed me with her claws (hands) and flew toward the castle.
"Up. Really high."
"Fufu. Perfect."
•
•
The Queen was seated on a throne with her daughter, protected by Elf warriors in black armor.
"We've gathered our best warriors, Your Majesty!"
"Please, give the order!"
The Queen patted her daughter's head, who had teary eyes from fear.
"Everything will be fine, daughter."
The Queen stood from her throne.
"Go get him…!"
A large part of the ceiling collapsed, and Number 4 landed in front of the warriors, wearing a wide grin while the princess cried harder.
They could see her because I allowed it.
"Fufu. My master sent me. This is a warning. If you keep using humans as slaves, the Elf race will go extinct."
She snapped her fingers, and the Queen's throat was slit.
"Huh?!"
"Mother!!"
Saik became visible; he slit the Queen's throat. He stuck his fingers into the neck wound and pulled, decapitating the Queen in front of her daughter, who could only cry, too shocked to even scream.
"Your Majesty!!"
"Now, then, will you surrender, or would you rather die?"
"Bastard!!"
They all tried to attack him, but Saik's body turned spiritual, and their attacks did no damage since Saik now had a ghost's body.
"Listen, idiots, did you forget I'm practically a God? But fine, I'll give you one minute. You can attack me, but if you're still attacking my body and haven't surrendered after that minute, you'll die. Let the countdown begin."
•
•
Well, well. They really think they can hurt me.
I can maintain my spiritual body for two minutes, so giving them one minute was a good idea.
I've gotten stronger since absorbing more legendary ghosts, letting me use my spiritual power longer. I just absorbed Numbers 13, 14, and one more, whose number I don't know yet. I'll figure it out later. That Queen had three legendary ghosts under her control. The kidnapping humans idea worked.
Mmm…
"30 seconds."
They all flinched when they heard that, but kept attacking with fireballs, arrows, water orbs, ice, earth… Wow, even dark magic, but all their attacks are just destroying the castle, not hurting me.
The princess seemed normal, but after I'm done with these warriors, I'll go find her, since one of the warriors escaped with her.
Mmm…
"40 seconds."
Blah, blah, blah…
"50."
They're all panicking; I can feel it.
"55… 56…"
They're all terrified, just a bit more.
"59…"
And they all stopped attacking and dropped their weapons. I won. Despair worked. And I'm glad! They could kill me with any of those attacks! Elves are insanely powerful! Arghhh! I was so lucky they were scared of me!
"Good, you've learned your lesson. I want my message spread across the world. All humans must be brought here and treated with respect. If you try to oppose my decision, the Elves will go extinct. Don't worry, I'm not planning to make humans the new rulers of this world; I'll take them with me. Got it? I don't want innocents dying for nothing. See ya."
I walked through them, and they backed away. Fufu. It worked! Arghhh! I almost had a heart attack!
"Let's go."
•
•
We returned to Number 2, who was inside the headless body of the Elf I killed.
"I found out Elves can use magic if their hearts are intact. I can use this Elf's remaining magic to create a portal."
"No wonder you're the legendary ghost of intelligence. Thanks."
"… Yeah, don't thank me. Where are you taking the humans?"
"Number 7."
She emerged from my body.
"All the humans are gathered. None are missing."
Wow, there are hundreds… Well, alright, let's move; I don't want to waste more time.
"Alright, let's go. Number 2, take us to the sanctuary. Number 1 told me that's where the ghost hunters live."
Number 2 opened a magical portal with her hands. Awesome!! I wish I had magic too… Though having legendary ghosts is kind of like having magic… I guess.
"Humans, don't be afraid! I'll take you to a safe place with food and a home!! Come on!!"
I entered the portal… Wow… I'm back in my world! I missed you so much…! Ugh…
I'm being surrounded, and some kind of black force field is around the sanctuary. I heard from Number 1 that this keeps outsiders from seeing what happens here.
Ghost hunters… Wow… They look awesome with their suits and weapons… Huh?
That little girl… She's cute… Huh? Why's my heart racing?
I approached her, and people pointed their weapons at me.
"Stop, don't keep walking!" one of the hunters said.
"Hey, little girl! You look my age."
"Huh? W-what?" the little girl said.
Wow… Her voice is beautiful.
"Nice to meet you, my name's Shadow! Could I know your name? I'd like to be your friend… Wow…"
They shot right in front of my foot. A warning shot, huh?
"Explain why you're here!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah… Well, in short, I just prevented a war between worlds."
"War between worlds?"
"Number 1 will explain the situation better."
He emerged from my body.
"Legendary ghost?!"
"Well, in short, some Elves from another world were kidnapping humans to use as slaves. Number 4, help Number 1 explain."
She emerged from my body.
"Fufu. We meet again, hunters."
"Number 1 and N-N-N-Number 4?"
Wow, they seem more scared of her. Well, that makes sense.
"Please help the humans who were slaves. I think in a couple of minutes, they'll all be here. I'm still not sure if they're all kidnapped humans or if some were native to that world."
"Humans from another world… Level 3 emergency! No time to waste! Let's go!"
The ghost hunters approached the humans, and I went to the little girl, who was looking at me with fear.
They left her alone. Why didn't anyone stay with her? At least one person should've protected her. They're so careless.
"Hey again… Uh… My name's Shadow, and I'm 6 years old. Could you tell me your name, please?"
"I-I… M-my name's… M-my name's H-Hanako."
… That name is… so beautiful!
"Your name's really beautiful. Shadow sounds evil, though it was the first thing that came to mind. B-but don't worry, I'm not evil…! Though I can't say I'm a good person either… B-but don't worry, I'd never hurt a girl as pretty as you…! I-I mean, I'd never hurt an innocent!"
Arghhh! I look pathetic! My lack of social experience is showing… Huh?
"Y-you're funny."
She laughed and smiled at me… So beautiful!
"T-thanks… Well… Uh… I… Well… I don't have friends, so… I guess you can see ghosts too, so I guess you're like me… So… C-could you be my friend?!"
"Y-your friend?"
"I… Well… I don't have friends… Back in my home country, I didn't have any, and when I moved here, I thought I would, but I still can't make any. I'm really shy and… Well… I get bullied a lot, which keeps others from approaching me… B-but when I use my Shadow identity, I'm not as shy! I'd like to have a friend like me… So… Would you be my friend?"
Sorry for lying to you, but I don't want my identity exposed.
"Y-yeah… I understand… I don't have friends either… C-clearly, let's be friends! W-wanna play with me?!"
"Absolutely!"
Yay! I finally have a friend! Aside from the fact that my body hurts like hell from using my spiritual power so much, I'm so happy! I found someone my age with the same power as me. Plus, she's really beautiful!
If things go well for me, I'd like to have her as my wife. My heart raced; my dad told me that's how it feels when you see the person you love! It's my destiny to be with her! I won't waste this chance!
•
•
Number 1 watched Saik playing with Hanako with her dolls and closed his eyes.
Saik looked so happy that Number 1 remembered Saik is still a young child.
"I can't let him act like this," he thought.
•
•
Two hours have passed, but I refuse to leave. It's nighttime, but I don't care! I want to keep playing with Hanako!
"S-sorry, I have to go to bed."
But, sadly, she had to go to sleep.
"N-no worries. Thanks for playing with me. I'll come back next week! Good night, H-Hanako! Rest well!"
"L-likewise, Shadow."
So cute… Alright, I'm off.
I waved goodbye and left her house.
The others must be done with… Ugh…
"Hahahahahaha! You can't catch me!" Number 4 said.
"Shadow, they're trying to capture us!" Number 1 said.
"Hey, they're mine!!"
My legendary ghosts returned to my body, and the ghost hunters pointed their weapons at me again.
"Sorry, but you have to hand over your legendary ghosts."
"I don't want to. Bye, I have to go. I live in another city, and it takes hours to get there. Bye."
I tried to leave, but a not-at-all-normal old man landed in front of me.
"You killed Julia. Why are you capturing legendary ghosts?!"
"Hey, old man, if I want to capture them, that's my business, not yours. Stay out of it."
"You're a danger. Sorry, kid, but I'll have to kill you."
"You're gonna kill me?"
"Yes, I'm sorry."
"I see… Well, I accept the fight."
I activated my new legendary ghost and leaped at him. I landed a powerful punch to his head, sending him flying, crashing into several members of this organization, bouncing off the ground multiple times, and finally smashing into a dog statue, destroying it in the process.
"Huh?"
Everyone was shocked by my attack, and I just looked at my fist.
Wow… Legendary ghost Number 30, the Ghost of Tracking, is really powerful.
"You did well."
"Thank you. Thanks, master."
He emerged from my body. A ghost that looks like a werewolf… Literally. A wolf the size of a man, wearing a butler suit. He's one of my most powerful legendary ghosts right now, at least in terms of raw strength, or so he told me.
"Is he alive?"
"Please, wait."
He sniffed with his nose. His power lets him detect scents, but not just any scents—he can detect the smell of death, fear, sadness, and other emotions. It'll be very useful for locating enemies.
"Indeed, master, he's alive but unconscious. Would you like me to end his life?"
"Don't. I think he's Hanako's family; she'd be mad at me if he dies… But this is the last time I do that favor."
He returned to my body.
"Attention, out of respect for my friendship with Hanako, I'll let that old man live! But if you try to kill me again, I'll defend myself without holding back! Bye!"
I turned invisible and headed for the exit.
"Don't shoot!" a woman said. I guess she's one of the leaders, since everyone obeyed her.
Well, I got a friend and the humans from the other world are gone. Where? No idea, and I don't care. I did my part.
I destroyed the force field with Number 30's strength and escaped.
I made it out alive! Now I need to get home. I hope I don't get in trouble… But I have a question.
"Why did the Elves in the other world speak my language?"
"Honestly, I don't know, master, sorry. While I was with the Queen, I heard her speaking my language, so I thought it was the Elves' language too, but their writing was different. I think the magic surrounding that world let us understand what the Elves said."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
Well… I got not only 13 and 14 but also Number 30. I'm awesome, I know, I know.
15 legendary ghosts under my control, 85 to go.
And I got my first friend and future wife! Hanako!