Chapter 4: Enter: Negumi

Benji: "He took them! I'm sure of it! Whatever that thing is, it took my parents somewhere! I have to help them! I will save them!"

World of the Dead, Village Close to Kishizuno

Benji passed out after regaining his memories, a common occurrence for most souls. Outside, a white, skinny Hakai with a thin red line on his left torso, eyes resembling a chameleon's, bald, and carrying a pole with a circle on top, started approaching the village.

Hakai: "I can sense it. They're somewhere in this village."

He muttered while walking through the main pathway, unnoticed in the night as most villagers were asleep.

He reached the last house in the village—where Isshiki and Rikka lived—and politely knocked on the door, waiting patiently for a response.

Meanwhile, Isshiki, who was awake, had already alerted Benji and Rikka to the Hakai's presence.

Rikka: "So he's back?" Rikka asked.

Isshiki: "Pretty sure it's him," Isshiki responded.

Benji: "Who are you guys talking about?"

Isshiki: "Well, just like you had problems with soul eaters in the past, we did too."

Benji: "Huh?"

Rikka: "We'll tell you later. Right now, we need to move."

Knock, knock, knock The Hakai knocked again.

Hakai: "I know you're here," he said, followed by a brief laugh.

Hakai: "I know you're there, Isshiki, Rikka."

Inside the house, Isshiki prepared a trap for the Hakai.

Isshiki: "This was specifically built for him."

Benji: "Ah, this just gets more confusing... Who is he, and why is he after you guys?"

He asked as they slipped out the back door.

They left the house and hurried towards a nearby forest.

Rikka: "He's called Negumi, and he—"

Negumi: "Well, well, well."

He interrupted from a distance.

Negumi: "I was starting to think no one was home."

Rikka: "Crap," she muttered.

Isshiki: "Well, this didn't go as planned."

Rikka: "He used to be more reckless the last time we saw him."

Benji: "Hey, you weird-looking demon!"

Negumi: "Huh? Who the hell is this kid?"

Benji: "You do not know my power! I was the one who single-handedly defeated Lord Keit's entire army! You better watch out!"

Negumi: "Keit? Who the hell is that supposed to be?"

He scoffed as he rushed towards the three.

Benji: "Oh crap, that didn't go as I thought it would."

He realized as they started to run.

Isshiki and Rikka: "Did you really think that would work?!"

They ran in the opposite direction, but Negumi caught up to Isshiki and gripped him by the throat.

Negumi: "Now tell me, where is the portal to the human world?"

Isshiki: "I don't... have it," he struggled to reply.

Benji: "Hey, you monster!"

Rikka: "Benji, no!"

Benji: "I have it!"

Human World, Osaka, Kizuya High School

Keit: "That's all I remember. After that day, I never saw him again. Ever."

Detective Urasaha: "That's weird. No signs of anything bad happening? He didn't mention his parents being involved in anything?"

He questioned Keit as they stood outside the school gate early in the morning before classes began.

Keit: "Nah, his parents were pretty cool, to be honest."

Detective Urasaha: "Well, thank you for your time. Sorry if I made you late for class. Here, take this."

He handed Keit a 50 yen bill, and Keit walked into the school and headed to class while the detective returned to his car.

Inside the Car

Detective Jones: "So? Anything?"

Detective Urasaha: "Nothing. He was the only kid willing to talk to me. All the others claimed they had classes they couldn't miss. All I got from this guy is that the kid's parents were apparently 'pretty cool.' Whatever that means to these kids."

World of the Dead, Village Close to Kishizuno

Negumi: "Hand it over, then," he demanded, choking Isshiki.

Negumi: "Or I'll kill him."

Benji and Rikka stood in shock.

Rikka: "Don't be foolish. You don't have the portal, Benji."

Benji: "And do you, by any chance?"

Rikka: "Yes."

Benji: "Then hand it over! What are you waiting for?"

They exchanged hurried words.

Negumi: "I said, hand it over."

Isshiki: "R-Rikka, don't do it!"

Rikka: "Here!"

She screamed, extending her arm with the portal device—a pink stone wrapped in a tiny black rope that opened a portal to the human world.

Negumi: "Good."

He released Isshiki and advanced towards Rikka.

Benji rushed at Negumi with a knife Rikka had brought from the house.

Benji: "Ahhh! Isshiki, Rikka, run! Take this, you monster!"

He yelled, hurling the knife at Negumi, though it missed and bought them enough time to flee.

Rikka: "Just run as fast as you can to the forest! We'll regroup there!"

The three ran towards the forest, with Negumi close behind, much faster, and eventually catching up to Benji. He closed in and aimed his pole towards Benji.

Isshiki, shouting from a distance: "Benji! Don't let him touch you with that thing!"

Benji: "Oh crap! You could've told me sooner!"

Rikka: "If he touches you with it..."

Negumi drew closer to Benji.

Rikka: "He'll turn into your biggest fear!"

She screamed, attempting to run to their aid, but it was too late—he had already been touched with the pole. A cloud of white smoke enveloped Negumi for a few seconds.

Benji: "Oh no! My biggest fear... are..."

Everyone stared awkwardly as Negumi transformed.

To Be Continued