episode_0053

Many people misunderstand them as undead.

In reality, they are Dura-han, a malicious fairy from Celtic mythology.

When they became a species known for carrying their heads because they lack necks, I found it more fascinating than frightening.

Should I say there was no sense of reality at all?

The peculiar and strange sensation of the head and body playing separately was both fascinating and amusing.

I enjoyed that alien feeling for quite some time, thinking it was a dream.

I tried bowling with my head and even felt nauseous.

Throwing and catching my head gave me an indirect thrill similar to riding an amusement park ride.

After playing around aimlessly for a while… Oh, was it around sunrise when things started to get hazy?

It wasn’t until I heard Mengshiki crying for food that I began to feel fear.

…What if this is real?

If I had truly become a monster with my head separated from my body, how should I live from now on?

A sinking feeling in my chest.

My spine shivered with chills, but the fear didn’t last long.

Because.

“King–!”

Our crazy… no, cohabiting dog, driven mad by hunger, began rolling my head around with his front paws.

In a situation where my body hadn’t yet adapted to the transformation, I tried to resist by moving, but…

“Duraahhh!!!”

It seemed like the dizziness spread throughout my body, and after staggering for a moment, I soon collapsed to the ground.

Humans, when faced with danger, tend to focus on the immediate present rather than the distant future.

Rather than fear of how to live as a monster, the thought of escaping from the food-crazed Mengshiki took precedence.

Even as I foamed at the mouth from dizziness, I focused on uttering the word “food.”

“F-F-Food!!! Dukkiiyaaaahhh!!!”

…Of course, it wasn’t easy with his front paws constantly hitting my mouth.

After numerous trials and errors, I finally managed to pronounce the word “food.”

Whether he accepted it as an offering or not, Mengshiki stopped rolling my head and sat panting in front of his bowl.

“…You damn mutt.”

As I got up to fill his bowl with food and water, he wagged his tail like a propeller, sucking up his meal.

Having given him food, I thought I could finally catch my breath.

“Mengshiki? What’s with that strange look in your eyes?”

“King.”

“Hey, hey, wait! What are you trying to do? Eughyaahhh!!!”

Perhaps he had found rolling my head quite entertaining earlier, as he quickly finished his meal and then started rolling me around again.

Licking, rolling, tapping.

Playing with my head as if he had found a fun toy, he returned it to me after a few hours of continuous movement.

Seemed quite tired from the intense activity.

Receiving my head back from the cohabiting dog, any fear about the future had vanished.

All that remained was anger towards the ungrateful mutt who repaid kindness with mischief.

Confirming that my head was covered in saliva and dust, I muttered curses before heading for a shower.

…Due to Mengshiki licking my head right after eating, the smell of dog food lingered heavily.

After shampooing three times, the dog food smell finally faded.

Emerging from the thorough wash, I realized it was already late evening.

In modern society, eight hours can bring about several changes.

Whether only I had turned into a monster or others had as well, I needed to confirm.

Preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, I filled the dog food bowl and began checking internet news and newspapers one by one.

“Not much useful information here.”

On the first day of the species mutation crisis, the only definite news was that part of the world had changed.

Having confirmed just that clear news, I concluded my first day as a Dura’han with a sigh of relief.

There was no time to feel fear.

I was too exhausted from rolling around all day, quite literally.

As soon as I rested my head on the cushion, I fell asleep.

—–

Even after the first day, though it was tough, I never really felt emotions like fear or despair.

Reluctantly admitting, Mengsik played a significant role.

…Because of his constant mischief, I had to grit my teeth and adapt to my new body to regain my dignity as the master.

Anyway, did all that sweating effort pay off?

I was able to fully adapt to my mutated body in just two weeks.

Once I finished adapting, the first thing I did was, of course, organize the hierarchy.

After placing my head on the ceiling, trying to show Mengsik who the boss was…

I pretended to submit for a moment, but when I reached for my phone, he swiftly approached, snatched the headrest, and displayed that wicked act, making me give up on the hierarchy altogether.

I made sure to organize the hierarchy very clearly so that I wouldn’t engage in frivolous actions again.

I decided to reduce the time spent with Mengsik, thinking that my quality of life would improve a bit.

I immediately began looking for things a Dura’han could do.

What I wanted was a job where I could fully utilize this appearance that evoked disgust and fear in others.

The answer was found quickly.

“I should work at the haunted house.”

While browsing job listings, I came across an ad for amusement park staff.

After completing the personality test, I promptly attached the necessary documents.

Ding -!

In no time, I received a message stating that I had passed the document review for the interview.

The message also instructed me to come for the interview on the specified date, which was expected but still exciting news.

I eagerly awaited the day of the interview, with Mengsik rolling the headrest in anticipation.

When the day arrived, I headed towards the interview location with heavy steps.

…If you were to ask how the interview went.

Well, of course, I passed.

They said I could start working at the haunted house attraction the next day.

Everything I wanted had come true, making me feel good, but unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long.

From the first day of work, there were many problematic customers, which made it difficult.

Customers attacking staff disguised in horror makeup.

Customers pretending to be possessed by spirits and threatening staff.

…And customers who literally fainted on the spot.

When I asked later, they told me it was the first time there were so many problematic customers at the haunted house attraction, where an albino dressed as a bloodied murderer was working.

Until now, I had never felt overwhelmed or frustrated, but today, for the first time, I felt that way and even chuckled wryly.

Due to the high number of problematic customers, I ended up staying late to clean up.

Thinking of going straight to bed once home, I strolled through the deserted streets.

Was I too tired? Because of that, I accidentally dropped the headrest while colliding with someone coming from the opposite direction.

“Excuse me, could you please pick up my head if it’s not too much trouble?”

Since my head was facing the wall, the only person who could help was the passerby I collided with.

Trying to be as polite and gentle as possible to avoid startling them…

“Heh, heh, heeey…”

Perhaps frightened by the headless fairy in the eerie night, the passerby let out a scream and ran away.

A rather awkward situation.

Nevertheless, since under certain conditions the head would return after some time, I leaned against the wall, thinking I just needed to wait a bit.

But bad things usually come all at once, don’t they?

This time, a black cat appeared out of nowhere and caused a commotion.

Meow –

The cat started fiercely meowing and punching my head with its paw.

My head kept shaking, and my gaze kept shifting towards the body, the condition for retrieving my head not being met.

Fortunately, I at least knew roughly where my head was located.

Rushing towards the spot where the black cat was to retrieve my head, this damn cat rolled my head like a ball and dragged it into a narrow alley.

…I’m not some kind of ball; why does everyone seem to enjoy rolling me around so much?

Letting out a long sigh, I startled and the cat swiped at me with its paw again.

Realizing it wouldn’t be easy to get my head back, I started screaming for anyone to come help.

“Du-kki-yaaaaah!!!”

“Hu, hukki-yaaaaah!!!”

Luckily, there seemed to be a nearby shop as waiters dressed in suits rushed over to assist me.

With others helping, the problem was quickly resolved.

After expressing my gratitude and attempting to leave, the enchanting bartender, exuding a seductive aura, called out to me in a compassionate voice.

“You don’t look too good. Is something the matter?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be on my way now. Thank you for your help.”

“Why don’t you come to the bar for a drink before you go? Even if it was the cat’s fault, a drink might ease your mind a bit.”

“…Just one drink then.”

An inexplicable attraction emanating from the silver-haired beauty behind the bar.

I hesitated to decline but ended up nodding my head in agreement.

…I’m not particularly fond of alcohol, but well, sometimes drowning sorrows in drinks isn’t such a bad idea.

Despite it being our first meeting, a subtle warmth blossomed.

Feeling a slight unease,

I followed her into the cocktail bar for the first time in my life.