I ran down the street, my heart tangled with grief and rage...

After about half an hour...

Gasping from the long run, I stopped and saw...

My familiar front door appearing in my sight...

I peered through the window...

Inside, the house was pitch-black and silent, utterly empty.

"Dad..."

Dazed before the door, my poor little head filled again with Father’s shadow.

"Sob..."

Those precious memories with him...

The daily life that sang of youth...

All crumbled before my eyes today...

My legs suddenly gave way with a soft *thud*, and I...

Knelt at the doorstep, frantically wiping tears streaming from my eyes.

"Why... what did I do wrong... why..."

I cried out in a heart-wrenching voice that would move anyone...

Why only me? Why this fate?

Crying and shouting until exhaustion, I leaned forward, pressing my palms to the ground to lift myself...

Until dusk quietly crept in...

I slowly rose, resentment burning in my chest.

Silently, I fumbled in my pocket and pulled out the house key.

*Click*. I unlocked the door...

"Hello, Contractee chosen by our Masters..."

As the door opened, a genderless voice seemed to drift from behind it.

"Huh?"

Hearing that impossible sound from inside, I froze for a moment.

As the door swung fully open...

I quickly saw the voice’s owner...

And its appearance made me want to punch it hard.

Before me stood a cat-like creature, yet distinctly different.

Precisely, it resembled Kyuubi from that healing anime.

That Kyuubi stared at me with excited eyes.

"A hallucination?"

Seeing it, I instantly thought today’s horrors had conjured this illusion.

"No. I merely appear as what you most wish to see—to assist you..."

Probably sensing my dismissal, it spoke just as I tried to step past it, as if craving attention.

"Not a hallucination?"

Hearing its voice, I glanced down slightly in surprise at the Kyuubi-like creature.

Only then did I realize—it wasn’t an illusion.

"This is no hallucination," the Kyuubi said, shaking its cute head as if reading my thoughts.

"What are you, then?"

Learning its origin, my foggy mind cleared enough to ask properly.

"I’ve said it: I’m an apostle sent by the Masters to aid you."

"Your Masters?"

"Yes—the great beings who granted you power."

"Power? Why not sooner? Why wait until my father died? Until my life shattered? Why respond only now? WHY?!!!!!!"

I bent down, snatching the Kyuubi off the ground and lifting it high, pouring out my grief with hatred.

If they chose me, why not give power earlier to change things?

Why appear only after that monster destroyed everything, offering strength too late?

The more I thought, the deeper I spiraled...

My mind knotted; my eyes held only resentment for this messenger.

"Not every story ends perfectly. You’re lucky to live. Many attacked by Bonesouls never even screamed before drowning in the dark Fallen World. Saved by my Masters, you blame them instead of thanking them?"

"...".

"Killing me here changes nothing. This body’s just a vessel—crushing it won’t kill me."

Sensing my killing intent, the Kyuubi wore a look of indifference, speaking with disdain.

Seeing its painless expression, my resolve wavered...

I realized my rage was misplaced—blaming this Kyuubi for my shattered life and Father’s death.

Venting fury on it for my tragedy.

But... did this matter?

My grip loosened, and the Kyuubi dropped from my hands.

It landed gracefully on the floor.

"Your plight is pitiable, but my Masters owe you nothing. They repaid your sacrifice fairly—you have the power you craved."

"Sacrifice... heh heh heh..."

Lowering my head to stare at my hands, I recalled the contract:

My very existence exchanged for vengeance against Father’s killer...

I had the power—so was my existence fading now?

"Wondering if you’ll disappear?" the Kyuubi asked casually, licking its paw as if reading my mind.

"How do you know my thoughts?" I glanced down in surprise.

"They’re written on your face. Don’t worry—you won’t vanish until all your cards are used."

"So after using them all, I’ll..."

"Not gone entirely. You simply can’t return here. Once all cards are spent, you’ll fall into the Fallen World, fighting there forever until exhaustion claims you."

"I see. Not a total BAD END, then..." I forced a smile uglier than tears.

"Good. Those who weep and refuse battle upon hearing they’ll disappear—I’ve seen many. People like you are rare~"

Sensing my resolve, the Kyuubi studied me with an appreciative gaze.

"Will crying help?" I retorted, forcing strength into my voice. Since I’d lost everything—even with a brother and mother, I avoided them.

I feared... my hidden cowardice might surface. Seeing them again could chain me to this world.

The answer was clear in my heart, even without its reply.

"Then I’m spared comforting you. But here’s somewhat good news: Bonesouls rarely appear. Your nine cards won’t deplete in days. You still have time to savor your remaining days here, clinging to life~"

"Nine cards left?" I hadn’t known—and wouldn’t have cared if it hadn’t mentioned it.

Who wants to know their death date?

"If you have unfinished wishes, do them soon. Or else."

"Wishes? Do I even have any left?" I gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh, shaking my head as I stepped inside.

Scanning the dark room... truly, only the Kyuubi showed any sign of life.

I sighed softly, reaching to flip a switch on the wall.

Bright white light flooded the pitch-black space.

The familiar room met my eyes—the furniture, ceiling, floor—all unchanged.

Yet on the TV sat a photo frame utterly foreign to me...