Vol. 1: Chapter 1 - Part 3

Volume 1: Chapter 1 - Part 3Author: Geraint

"Wait—"

The young man tensed as I summoned my sword, pointing the blade at his neck. His eyes shut tightly, and he dropped the writing pad he'd been holding, raising both hands in surrender.

"Why are you following us?" I demanded, frowning.

"You speak Japanese?" he asked, surprised.

"Just answer me! Or your head rolls," I warned, inching the sword closer.

"That's what I wanted to ask you! What are you two doing in my clinic? You're the ones from last night, right? And that girl lying on the bed…"

"My companion is sick. I brought her here for treatment."

"I'm the doctor here. I just came to check on patients," he explained.

"Then why were you chasing us last night?" I pressed, tightening my grip on the sword.

"I was called by a friend to check her daughter's worsening condition! The friend used to be a shrine priestess, tasked with dealing with evil spirits in the nearby forest. I was dragged along. What we found was… you two," he said nervously, sweat beading on his forehead.

"So you came to eliminate us?"

"No! It was a misunderstanding. We wouldn't harm you—you're not evil spirits. We tried to communicate, but you didn't understand our language!" His long explanation left him panting.

I relaxed, retracting my sword. "Okay, misunderstanding then."

He slumped onto the floor, sighing in relief.

"Those supernatural powers… Are you two really human?" he asked, standing.

"We're half-human."

"Half?"

"Half demon." I smirked. His face turned pale.

"If you speak Japanese, why not talk to us yesterday?"

"I just learned this morning—thanks to a girl we met on the road."

"Seriously? You're that good after one day?"

"My vocabulary is limited, but yes."

He nodded, then began examining Lilith. Checking her heartbeat, and using a strange device to measure her temperature—it intrigued me.

"She has a fever from fatigue. She'll be fine with rest. Has she been eating properly?"

Guilt flooded me. I'd fed her little beyond insects and fish. "I'm sorry, Lilith. I've been a poor master." I gently held her hand as she slept.

Ring! Ring!

His pocket rang. He pulled out a small device and held it to his ear.

"Hello? Himiko? What's wrong? I just got back to the clinic."

He spoke urgently, fear creeping into his voice.

"That's out of my expertise. This isn't a medical issue. It's something supernatural—normal doctors can't help."

His expression was hopeless.

"I know…it's a curse passed through your family. Every generation, someone is afflicted. Every night, something emerges from their back, draining their life until death. None have survived, even those who fled abroad. It's painful to watch your child suffer. We've tried everything; all we can do now is end her suffering—"

He lowered the device, sighing.

"I'm sorry, Himiko."

As he prepared to leave, he glanced at me.

"Hey, kid."

"Don't call me kid. I'm Seir."

"Seir, do you know about curses?"

"If you mean curses here, no. We're from another world."

"What?! Really?"

I nodded.

"We'll talk later. But I need your help. My friend's daughter is suffering. She may die tonight. Please! I'll give you anything if you help!"

"Anything?"

"Yes, anything I can offer."

My eyes drifted to Lilith, frail and thin. I felt a pang of guilt and greed.

"Then food and shelter. Promise to provide those until we can return home, and I'll help."

"Deal." The young doctor smiled.

We hurried out. I followed him into his car. He drove fast, focused, not speaking.

We arrived at an old house. He pulled me inside.

"Hurry!"

A strange aura filled the air—like something from my world.

"Evil spirit, begone! Please leave my daughter!" a woman cried.

Inside, the room was dark and eerie.

"Himiko?"

"Shun-kun, help me."

"I'll light the candles."

Flames flickered, revealing a crying woman and a young girl lying on a blanket. On the girl's exposed back was a huge, swollen lump — a grotesque face of a smiling demon.

"Mama, I can't…"

The girl weakened, fading fast.

"Ayaka, don't give up! I'll save you!"

The mother clutched her daughter's face, tears falling.

"Mama, I made a friend yesterday. He was amazing."

"Please hold on. We'll meet him tomorrow!"

"I was so happy to have my first friend."

"Ayaka, no!"

I recognized the girl—the one I found lost in the forest.

"Seir, that's the curse I mentioned. Can you do anything?" the doctor asked.

"I'll try. But that creature on her back isn't just a curse—it's a parasite from my world."

"Eh?"

"It speaks your language, so it's been here long. It's more parasite than curse."

"How do we remove it?"

"Simple—we peel it off. It only comes out at night to feed on its victim's vitality. That's when it can be removed."

They talked about meeting me tomorrow, but I interrupted.

"Uh… excuse me?"

They looked surprised.

"Sorry, but I'm busy tomorrow."

"You! You're from last night!" The woman trembled, pointing.

"That voice…"

The doctor grabbed her and pulled her back.

"Shun, what are you doing? Let me go!"

"Leave her to me."

I crouched before the girl, smiling.

"Yoh, Shiina."

"Huh?"

"Do you remember me?"

"Seir-kun?"

"Yes. It might hurt a bit, but endure it. You'll feel better soon."

I held her nape, infusing magic into her body. With my other hand, I slowly peeled the lump from her back.

"Ugh… mmmh! It hurts, Seir-kun!"

"Almost there."

The lump squirmed, sounding like an insect.

Wait! You'll kill the girl if you remove me! Let go or I'll curse you!

"Shut up! You're just a parasite that jumps hosts after killing victims."

How? How did you know? Who are you!?

I peeled it off and healed the wound with magic. She relaxed, falling asleep from exhaustion.

"Ayaka!"

The woman and doctor rushed to her side. Relief flooded the mother's face.

Please don't—

I conjured flames that consumed the lump, turning it to ash.

"Don't forget our deal. Food and shelter."

"I won't be the one providing those."

I turned to the doctor, surprised.

"What?"

He pointed at the woman beside him, who looked clueless.

"Her."

(To be continued.)