After that day, I never returned to my school.

Nor to the life I was supposed to have…

Truth is, I could never go back to the ordinary days I once craved.

The moment I gained power to fight Bonesouls, I was marked forever—an outcast from this world.

Realizing this, I locked myself in my room like a hermit.

Kyuubi visited sometimes. But seeing me shut away, it would just shake its head silently and leave…

Probably giving me space to process everything…

A week passed…

On a deceptively calm, sunny noon…

"Hey. Enemies spotted. Time to move."

Agile Kyuubi leaped through my window, landing before me. Its voice stayed flat, emotionless.

"Enemies? Bonesouls?"

Hearing "enemies," my mind snapped to Kyuubi’s past warnings.

I hadn’t forgotten its lessons…

"Yes. A Bonesoul appeared. You must act."

Kyuubi licked its paw, nodding slightly—confirming my suspicion.

"Then let’s go."

Knowing I couldn’t run, I showed no hesitation.

No fuss. Just a firm nod.

Better to stain my hands with Bonesoul blood than scrape by in this world!

I’d never forgive the monsters that shattered my life!

"Hmm."

Kyuubi smiled faintly—relieved I didn’t whine *"Why me?"* or *"I refuse."*

It sprang onto the windowsill.

"Follow me."

It glanced back at me, then leaped down.

I didn’t hesitate either. I swung out the window after it.

(Thankfully, my room was on the first floor—just grass below.

And let’s be real: overpowered MCs always make dramatic exits.

I’m no protagonist… but hey, why not try a cringey window jump for once?)

I chased Kyuubi for about twenty minutes…

At a T-junction…

It stopped ahead, sitting like it was waiting for me.

"Here?"

Panting, I crouched beside my guide.

"Here."

Kyuubi pointed its paw toward a pitch-black alley entrance.

"Th—?"

I squinted into the darkness. Nothing seemed off—just gloom.

But then… my peripheral vision caught a flicker of wrongness.

"Is it here?"

I stared at the eerie rift splitting the air like cracked glass.

"Touch it," Kyuubi said. "This distortion will take us to the other world."

One touch… and I’d enter the realm that ruined my life.

"Understood."

No more doubts.

"Ready?"

"I’ve been ready."

My answer was already carved in stone.

Slowly, I raised my right hand toward the rift…

The instant my fingers brushed it—

Sunlight bled away. Gray shadows swallowed the world around me.

Seconds later…

My eyes opened to the ashen wasteland—the same desolate realm that broke me before.

This must be the Fallen World Kyuubi mentioned.

"Move. The Bonesoul creating this distortion is near. Eliminate it."

Kyuubi’s voice cut through the silence, snapping me back to duty.

"Got it."

I nodded, stepping cautiously into the alley.

"Don’t come near me! Stay back!"

"What are you doing? Stop pushing!"

"I ain’t dying here! Lin Jincheng, sacrifice yourself for your bro!"

"You—!"

Ahead, two young men were arguing. One voice felt painfully familiar.

Recognizing it, I sprinted toward the commotion.

I burst into a clearing—

And saw Lin Jincheng’s so-called friend shoving my best friend toward a fish-like skeleton monster.

The creature crouched low, lizard limbs gripping the ground. Its purple, slit-pupiled eyes watched their struggle. Rows of jagged teeth dripped violet slime.

It just… observed. Amused. Certain neither would escape.

"Hah. Human nature…"

Watching my former best friend and his "bro" scramble to betray each other, a dark, bitter amusement rose in my chest.

How ugly people become when death looms.

"Who’s there?"

They froze at my scoff, turning toward me.

"You—?"

"That guy! Perfect—you die for us!"

Lin Jincheng’s friend’s eyes turned predatory. Calculating.

"Die? Who even are you? Why should I obey you?"

I crossed my arms, smirking with cold disdain.

"Because I’m—!"

"You couldn’t even say my name, could you?"

His sputtering made my smirk widen.

"Doesn’t matter! Today, you feed that monster so I can live!"

He roared, desperation twisting his face.

"Gluh… gluh?"

The Bonesoul tilted its head, studying me. Its jaws parted—almost gleeful.

It saw fresh prey.

But I had no intention of being food… or this jerk’s sacrificial lamb.

"You’re… Dong Yu?"

Lin Jincheng squinted, speaking my name softly.

"Me? Who knows. You might forget me after this. Still…"

I smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

"Just call it a good deed."

I strolled toward the fish-skull monster.

"Thank god! Lin Jincheng, we’re saved!"

"Saved? Who *are* you?!"

One voice cheered. The other—Lin Jincheng’s—was sharp with suspicion.

I caught his complex stare, the disgust he aimed at his "friend."

But I had no time for their drama.

"Kyuubi. This Bonesoul created the distortion?"

I locked eyes with the monster, asking over my shoulder.

"Yes! Its energy signature confirms it!"

Kyuubi’s reply was instant.

"Understood."

I summoned a belt from thin air.

"Are you cosplaying Kamen Rider? Just die already and let us go!"

The annoying voice sneered—mocking the belt in my hand.

I ignored him. Strapped the belt on.

"Magical Girl… transform!"

I slid a card into the slot, shamelessly shouting the cringey line.

(No transformation is complete without it, right?)

"Card recognized…"

"Verification complete. Loading…"

"Loading complete…"

Cold mechanical tones echoed.

Silver light erupted—just like in the bathroom.

My arms slimmed. My body shrank. Skin turned porcelain-pale.

Silver strands grew until they reached my waist…

The glow faded.

A black-and-white polka-dot gothic dress now hugged my petite frame.

"Gluh… gluh?!"

The Bonesoul recoiled, sensing danger.

"Foolish monster," I whispered, magic crackling around my fists. "Scream in despair for shattering my world."