"New Novel Announcement!"
Hey everyone!
I've got something exciting to share!
I just launched a brand-new fanfiction novel called "That Time My Anime Life Got Cursed by Outer gods"!
It's a wild mix of anime multiverse, cosmic horror, and cursed adventures—if you enjoyed the ride in this story, you're going to love this new one too. Expect strange powers, darker twists, unexpected crossovers, and a protagonist who's trying to survive a universe gone mad.
You can check it out here: [ http://wbnv.in/a/b2izdyx ]
Thanks for all your support—your comments, power stones, and love keep me going. I hope you'll join me on this new journey too!
Stay cursed (in the best way), [ Arthorain ]
Now, enjoy Chapter 29!
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To Kushida Kikyo, this laugh was like a thunderclap from the heavens.
That was no exaggeration.
The human spirit is far more fragile than people imagine. Many get startled simply by someone suddenly appearing behind them, even in broad daylight. But when one is completely relaxed, convinced they are alone, a sudden intrusion can be nothing short of a heart-stopping shock.
To put it inappropriately, it's like this:
You're sitting at your desk, playing on your computer. Your mother walks in to tidy up the closet, but you barely acknowledge her presence. At some point, everything goes silent, and you assume she has left. Seizing the opportunity, you cautiously put on your headphones, leaving one ear uncovered just in case. Then, with careful movements, you navigate to your hidden collection on the "E Drive."
Just as you're about to indulge, a voice calls from behind.
"Son, try on this shirt. The one you're wearing isn't fit for going outside later~"
Instant cardiopulmonary arrest.
That was precisely the kind of shock Kushida Kikyo experienced—except far, far worse.
"Who—?!"
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she spun around so abruptly that she nearly launched herself into the air. But in her panic, she forgot the metal guardrail behind her.
Thud!
Her waist slammed into the railing, pain shooting up her spine. Instinctively, she tensed, but her body was already tilting backward. The force of her movement sent her toppling over.
Below, the bottomless ocean churned with dark, rolling waves.
Panic flashed across her face. She was falling. The freezing sea loomed closer, her mind blank with fear.
But just as the cold water was about to swallow her—
"Gotcha."
A firm hand caught her slender wrist.
With a single pull, Kure Ragna effortlessly yanked her back onto solid ground.
"Saved..."
Her feet hit the ground unsteadily. She was still trembling, still processing the fact that she had nearly fallen into the sea.
Ragna waved a hand in front of her face.
"Hey, wakey wakey~ You're safe now."
Kushida blinked. It took a second for reality to sink in, but when it did, her expression twisted back into one of pure rage.
"Why are you here?!"
Strangely enough, her voice lacked its usual energy.
"Me?"
Ragna pointed at himself, feigning innocence.
"I was about to go for a run. But as soon as I left the dormitory, I saw you storming off like you were ready to fight someone to the death. Thought it might be interesting, so I didn't avoid you. Didn't expect to find you here having a breakdown, though."
"You—! Crazy! Pervert! Stalker!"
Kushida exploded, livid at the way he casually labeled her mental state.
Ragna, unfazed, simply shrugged.
"Now, now. I didn't follow you. I just didn't go out of my way to avoid you. Besides, I was already planning to come here—I'm trying to run around the entire artificial island."
Kushida narrowed her eyes.
"Run... a full circle?"
She eyed him skeptically. Sure, he was dressed for a workout, but wasn't that a bit excessive?
"Don't believe me? Why don't we run together?"
With an inviting gesture, Ragna turned and started jogging at a steady pace.
The sound of quickened footsteps followed.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"Huh? Why?"
Kushida scowled as she caught up beside him, nearly out of breath already.
"You came here to vent your frustrations. I came here to jog. If you're gonna go crazy, do it alone. I'll stick to my run. That way, we both go about our business. Fair deal, no?"
Her expression darkened.
"If you don't stop, I'll tell everyone that you almost raped me tomorrow!"
Ragna lazily glanced at her.
"That's your big plan? No one would believe it."
Kushida faltered.
"For one, the only place I touched you was your wrist. Secondly, with my physique, do you really think you could run away if I actually tried something?"
Silence.
She clenched her fists, unable to refute him.
Then—
She lunged.
Her hand shot toward his collar, but Ragna had been expecting it. With a slight movement, he dodged effortlessly.
That only made her angrier.
"Stop dodging and let me grab you!"
Ragna smirked and picked up speed, weaving left and right.
And so, their "chase" continued.
"Stop running!"
"Nope~"
"I'll catch you!"
"Doubt it~"
"Are you even a man?! Just let me catch you!"
Ragna snickered.
"Oh? Maybe I should report to security and tell them you've been chasing me all over, trying to assault me. I even have evidence—your fingerprints on me."
Kushida nearly tripped.
"How the hell can a woman rape a man?!"
"Beats me, but the security cameras might have an opinion on that."
"Ha... ha... okay, I give up..."
Five minutes later, on the park's promenade, Kure Ragna jogged ahead, humming the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song.
Behind him, Kushida Kikyo was a mess. Her breathing was ragged, her steps unsteady, and she nearly tripped over her own feet more than once.
Seeing her on the verge of collapse, Ragna slowed to a stop.
Kushida, still panting, took a moment before suddenly lunging forward.
"Gotcha!"
She grabbed his hand and yanked it against her chest.
Bo↘om↗.
A soft, bouncy sensation met his palm.
Kushida grinned triumphantly.
"Now, I have evidence."
Ragna blinked.
Then, with the slow realization of someone who had just been enlightened, he pointed to the side.
"Even if you think I'm handsome, this is a bit too passionate of a confession, don't you think? The camera over there is still rolling. Very indecent."
"Camera?"
Kushida froze.
Slowly, mechanically, she turned her head.
In the nearby trees, a black surveillance camera—hemispherical, sleek, and very operational—stood quietly.