Sick: A Monster Just for Me

The feeling of snapping that slender neck and crushing those delicate bones lingered in her hands.

As she opened the door to the kitchen at the facility's edge, the sky was already pitch black. On the town's outskirts, sparse streetlights left an eerie silence. The night sky was a deep black, with the bright moon and countless stars twinkling above.

A girl in her mid-teens emerged from the kitchen, her lustrous black hair blending seamlessly with the night. Her dark eyes carried a weariness far beyond her years.

Gazing up at the night sky, she unconsciously rubbed her palms against the hem of her clothes.

. . . My first kill.

Her words slipped out softly, turning into a faint white mist in the cold air. She rubbed her hands on her clothes again, wiping them vigorously.

She had washed them thoroughly earlier—no feathers, bits of flesh, or blood remained under her nails. Yet, the feeling lingered in her hands—the jarring snap of bones, as if recorded into her memory.

The moon above was nearly a perfect circle, with a small notch on its right side. The cold, clear air made every shadow on its surface visible.

The festival at the facility was always held on the night when the moon shone the brightest, typically on a full moon in October. More than 200 adults and children at the facility would gather to feast, play music, sing, and enjoy themselves.

For the children, it was a heavenly day—no classes, no chores, and they could eat all the sweets they wanted without being scolded. Until last year, the girl had enjoyed the festival with the same innocence.

My first kill . . . Growing up really is hard.

She reflected on what happened with a murmur once more, wiping her hands on her clothes.

Turning fifteen at the facility meant becoming an adult. You went from being protected and enjoying the festival to being the one who protects the facility and entertains the children. This tradition was marked by newly recognized adults joining in the preparation of the festival feast three days before.

Tonight, the girl killed a chicken. She wrung its long, slender neck and snapped its spine. It was one of the chickens she had fed, named, and cared for alongside the other children at the facility's farm.

The adults who guided her until the end assured her it was the way of things.

This is the path everyone has to walk—it's just a part of growing up.

They had let her take a break after that, promising to handle the rest on their own.

The girl was dazed and exhausted. If she were to even hold a knife, it seems like she’d end up cutting her own finger. Though she knew the adults were trying to be kind by letting her go early, she couldn't help but feel they thought she wasn't ready. She took a deep breath and exhaled, misty in the cold air.

I have to come to terms with it. Like Sister said, this is what it means to live . . . May this soul, freed from the shackles of the flesh, find its way to the Lord in the heavens.

The girl glanced up at the dazzling moon above before offering a quiet prayer for the life she'd taken, closing her eyes.

When she finished her prayer, fatigue washed over her as if the tension had finally snapped. She began walking toward the dormitory, hating the feeling of a yawn creeping up, as if it made her seem heartless.

The facility sat atop a hill overlooking the mountains. Scattered across the wide lawn were various buildings—the children's dormitory, the school, the church, and more. The streetlights illuminated only the areas around the buildings, so for a while, the girl walked through the moonlit grass, the crunching underfoot carrying her into the night.

Absent-mindedly wiping her hands on the hem of her clothes, the girl gazed up at the night sky. Nearing the dormitory, she lowered her gaze and suddenly stopped.

The one-story building where the children slept was surrounded by flower beds. Cosmos flowers had been planted there, their buds swelling, ready to bloom soon.

In a dim, unlit corner of the flower bed, a boy was sitting alone.

That boy . . .

The child, much younger than the girl, was hugging his knees and looking down. His shoulders were trembling slightly.

Sniff . . . Hic . . .

The soft sobbing blended with the rustling of the wind through the grass.

The boy, sitting alone, seemed like he might dissolve into the darkness and disappear if left there.

The girl stopped and watched the boy for a while, then sighed softly, a hint of concern in her breath. She stepped forward, the grass crunching beneath her feet, and stood beside him.

It's such a beautiful night sky, Itsuru. It'd be a shame not to look up at it.

Kanon . . .

When the girl—Kanon—spoke, the boy called Itsuru lifted his head to look at her. His large eyes, full of innocent wonder, glistened with tears, streaking down his soft cheeks.

Why are you crying out here? Did you get into a fight with your roommate? Or did Sister get mad after catching you steal a bite?

Just . . . leave me alone. I want to be alone.

Don't act tough. I know you're relieved I found you.

When Kanon gave a warm smile, Itsuru averted his tear-filled eyes and rested his chin on his knees. His pale hands, wrapped around his knees, were trembling, likely from the cold.

Kanon sighed, almost theatrically.

Down we go.

With an exaggerated groan, she sat down next to Itsuru, stretching her legs out on the grass and gazing up at the night sky.

Ahh, I can't wait for the festival.

. . .

We don’t have to study, we can eat as many snacks as we want, and get to play games until midnight. It'll be so fun~!

Kanon cast a quick glance at Itsuru in the midst of her performance. He remained downcast, staring listlessly into the night as the grass swayed in the wind.

. . . It's getting kinda cold, huh? It almost feels more like a winter night, even though it's only October.

. . .

Doesn't the cold make you feel a bit lonely inside?

. . . Yeah.

Still hugging his knees, Itsuru gave a small nod. Relieved by his response, Kanon continued gently.

If you stay up too late, tomorrow's classes will be tough. Don't you think it'd be better to go to bed early?

I don’t want to go to sleep. Every time I do, I end up having scary dreams.

What kind of dreams? Do you want to tell me about them?

Itsuru's arms tightened around his knees. His big, round eyes welled up and started overflowing again.

Dreams about mom and dad. They go so high up into the sky . . . and leave me all alone.

Oh, that's . . .

Kanon fell silent at that.

Your mom and dad are stars now.

Kanon remembered what the sister at the facility had reassured Itsuru.

They had ascended to the heavens to meet the Lord after all their hardships. Even if they are beyond your reach, they are always watching over you from the night sky. So there's no need to feel lonely.

. . . That was how the Sister explained it to Itsuru.

Saying I'm not lonely is a lie. Where are my mom and dad? Why did they leave me here all alone?

Itsuru hugged his knees tightly as he spoke.

The pain of being without parents was something they all understood. The facility was full of orphaned children. Kanon herself had once cried under the same night sky, mourning the family she would never see again.

Kanon eventually let the smile she'd put on to cheer up Itsuru fall, looking up at the starry sky instead.

Sister says that hardships are trials to strengthen our souls. Through suffering, we grow stronger, and when freed from our physical shackles, we can finally reach the Lord.

So, tragedy should be welcomed, for it's a gift from God to polish our souls. This was the teaching that Kanon and Itsuru were raised with.

. . . No matter what they say, though, it won't make it hurt any less. Of course it's lonely. Having someone important taken away from us is just so . . . so cruel.

. . .

Itsuru looked down, unable to respond. Kanon knew that neither sympathy nor understanding would be enough to comfort a boy with such heartache.

That's why Kanon decided to give Itsuru a laugh instead.

The corner of her lips curled into a smile as she raised a single finger.

Alright, Itsuru, here's a question for you. Who's standing next to you right now?

Huh?

Itsuru looked up at Kanon, taken aback by the sudden question. He blinked his tear-stained reddened eyes, answering with a hint of confusion.

. . . You, Kanon?

Bingo. That's right, I'm right here by your side. And when we get back to the dorm, you'll have your friends, and Sister will be teaching us. Then there are all the adults who protect us, too.

Kanon listed them off while beaming brightly, leaning in to look at Itsuru's tear-streaked face.

So just remember, Itsuru, you're never, ever alone.

. . .

And any time you have a nightmare, I'll hop into bed and hold your hand. I'll squeeze it tight—so tight you'll feel it even in your dreams!

Kanon . . .

If I do that, you won't have anymore nightmares, right?

Kanon stood up, offering her hand to Itsuru.

When Itsuru looked up, the tears of sadness had already vanished from his face. His eyes reflected the beautiful sight of Kanon reaching out to him, framed by a sky full of stars.

Come on, let's head back to the dorm. You can come to my room tonight. I'm exhausted, though—fair warning, you might not be able to sleep with my snoring.

Hehe . . . Okay.

Itsuru smiled for the first time that night. Laughing, he nodded firmly and took Kanon's hand.

Itsuru's hand was freezing from being outside so long, but he soon felt the gentle warmth from Kanon's hand seep through.

A warm, soft, and very small hand.

Kanon felt as if the hole that had somehow formed in her heart was being filled with a gentle warmth.

It was hard to walk with Itsuru clinging to her arm, but she still matched her pace with his, smiling wryly.

Hey, Kanon?

Hm?

Kanon looked at Itsuru.

The young boy clutched Kanon's hand, pressed his small body close, and looked up with innocent, glassy eyes.

Don't ever let go of this hand, okay?

Of course. I'll never leave you alone, Itsuru.

Kanon assured him with a promise that seemed to sweep away any doubts or fears.

Their clasped hands tightened even more.

And the warmth and softness of his young hand flowed into Kanon's.

From being protected to being the protector. Kanon had an inkling that this was what it meant to grow up.

The sensation of snapping the chicken's neck lingered in the hand that now held his, refusing to fade.

Even these hands that had just taken a life could still bring smiles to people.

At fifteen, Kanon came to understand this as one of the world's unsettling truths.

This was a year before tragedy shattered her heart to pieces, stripping her of all happiness.

One day, I had a dream where I was slowly falling.

It was some downtown area. The streets were deserted, devoid of life. From above, I looked down at the empty streets.

It seemed I had jumped off the roof of a commercial building. I was falling slowly, head first, like it was all footage captured in super slow motion. Even when I tried to move my arms, they barely responded, as if trapped in semi-hardened concrete.

The ground approached slowly. In this world where everything moved in slow motion, only my consciousness was normal. I was trapped in a body that could hardly move, experiencing every little thing. The terror of feeling my guts being squeezed out, the icy gusts blowing past my body, the desperate acceleration of gravity. It was all too vivid for a dream.

There was no stopping it. All I could do, in the painfully slow passage of time, was thrust my arms out in front of me to shield myself from the inevitable impact. And almost immediately, I regretted it.

I hit the ground slowly . . . so slowly.

The arms I put out in front of me were the first to shatter, crumbling to pieces. My fingers, which I only managed to barely half-open in super slow motion, twisted and bent in different directions, one by one. The bones in my forearms snapped apart like sausages. The larger bones in my upper arms fractured like glass, folding and crushing as they met the ground.

When my face hit the pavement, my nose and cheeks broke first. The skin on my cheeks split open, and the red of my blood spread like ripples across the ground. The impact that shattered my cheekbones rattled my skull, sent splinters burrowing into my flesh, and introduced agony to places I never knew existed.

My eyeballs burst like water balloons, while my teeth exploded in my mouth like fireworks. The sound of every bone in my body turning to dust echoed from within.

Trapped in this hellish slow motion, I screamed internally, confined in a body turning to mush, endlessly drenched in the terror of falling.

The instant the ground crushed my skull and pulverized my brain, I was finally freed from the nightmare. I woke up screaming, clutching myself and shivering like a child, lying still in bed for what felt like hours.

Even for a nightmare, it was abnormally intense and filled with paralyzing fear.

And that was how my fear of heights was born.

Since then, I haven't been able to go near rooftops. In open, high places, I was haunted by the thought that a sudden gust might blow me over the railing.

Staircases with open views below terrified me. I clung to the wall, never daring to look down.

Even glancing down from a height triggered a flashback—the memory of my body bursting apart and my head crushing on impact. I couldn't help but scream and back away.

With a mind like this, living a normal life had become impossible.

The sensation of dying from a fall, planted in that nightmare, twisted my mind.

And the nightmare didn't stop there.

The dreams came sporadically, like seizures. From a cliff on an unknown mountain. From the overpass of a highway. From a bridge over a valley. I fell and died from all sorts of places.

It seemed like the heights I fell from in the dreams were gradually increasing.

Eventually, even climbing stairs became terrifying. I realized that, in my mind, going to high places was directly tied to falling. Elevators were out of the question—what if the cable snapped? I even moved out of my apartment because it was on the second floor.

With each dream, my fear of heights worsened dramatically, like climbing the steps to a gallows.

Even the slightest incline made my legs freeze. The fear of falling made it hard to walk at all.

I couldn't even step over minor obstacles anymore, making it impossible to go outside. The fear of falling asleep and dreaming of falling made normal life impossible, and my body grew weaker by the day.

In my dreams, the constant climbs to new heights eventually stopped ending with a crash. Instead, I fell endlessly into dark voids. This became my most painful and terrifying nightmare. The sensation of my organs being squeezed as I fell, the relentless acceleration of fear, it all tormented me without end.

Eventually, I didn't even feel safe lying flat on the ground.

Would my feet stay on the ground? Could I suddenly start floating, then fall? Those fears never left me, even though there was nowhere to fall.

No one could understand my fear. How could they? I couldn't make sense of it myself. Why was I so afraid of falling? Why did this phobia keep endlessly swelling into something so unnatural?

Clinging to the ground, shivering at the thought of falling, I spent my days in a state that kept me close to the floor, almost tasting the dust.

It felt like my humanity was slipping away. As if my right to live as a person was being stolen away.

In the corner of my mind, I came to realize it.

This fear would be the death of me.

It would continue to swell endlessly, painting my mind completely black.

This delusion clung to my mind with unshakable conviction, eventually taking form before my eyes.

In my dream, I was thrust back into the bustling streets where I first fell.

On that deserted road, my feet were firmly planted on the ground.

There were no people, only something standing in front of me. Something unnatural, something terrifying.

At first glance, I thought it was a tree. Its whole body was a dull brown, dry and withered, with countless thin tubes extending from its base, embedded firmly in the asphalt.

But it swayed, wriggled, and writhed. What looked like branches were actually shriveled human hands. Like a thousand-handed Buddha, dozens of hands reached up into the air, swaying like seaweed in the ocean.

Its face, like its body, was a dull brown, except for one striking feature: a large eye and an open mouth, nearly covering its face, filled with a chillingly deep blue.

The creature swayed slowly, its blue eye fixed on me. The color was so deep, I felt like it could pull me in. For some reason, I couldn't move, forced to confront that abyss.

I felt my consciousness being drawn into the blue.

The blue evoked a sense of déjà vu, as if I'd seen it somewhere before.

The creature continued to sway, slowly tilting its blue-filled face upward, dragging my gaze along with it to look up.

My neck tilted back so far it felt like it might snap as I stared straight up. The moment my eyes took it in, I realized where this déjà vu was coming from.

Oh. It's the sky.

A vast expanse of blue stretched out above me.

Suddenly, everything clicked. The creature's eyes held an expanse of never-ending, infinitely deep, terrifyingly beautiful blue that threatened to suck you in.

Yes, that was the most terrifying thing of all.

The blue stretching above me was the color of death I was falling into.

In that instant, my body began to float. No . . . I was falling. My feet lifted off the ground, accelerating downward, pulled by gravity. Overwhelmed by an immense terror, I couldn't even scream. But inside, I screamed until I shattered, plunging into the endless blue—

Suddenly, a figure dove into the man's side just as he was about to fall into the sky.

Gripping the man, she veered off diagonally and drew a katana from the scabbard in her hand, stabbing it into the building's wall. The sword carved a jagged line down the concrete as they slid, finally coming to a stop.

Phew . . . Just barely made it! That was a close one.

Roughly twenty meters above the ground, the girl dangled, suspended toward the sky. She checked on the man she was holding, and exhaled a tense breath.

She was a flashy dresser, only slightly younger than the man. She wore a bright red bomber jacket and a miniskirt, with several earrings piercing her ears. Her semi-long black hair was streaked with gold and held back by a headband, creating a striking contrast.

With sword in hand, she looked like she'd leaped straight out of a comic. Her fierce eyes locked onto the man she held, radiating her intensity.

That was really close. If your mental core had shattered, it would've been too late to save you.

Wh-Who are you?

Huh? Oh, right, you wouldn't know me in this realm . . . Sorry, but there's no time for introductions. I've got a demon to hunt down next.

Speaking in a bright, clear voice, the girl turned her gaze upward—toward the creature that should have been on the ground.

Grrruuuaaahhh!

The tree-like creature let out a groaning roar, turning its sky-blue eyes on the girl.

At that moment, gravity pressed down on the girl's body. The sword embedded in the building wall tore through it, pulling the girl and the man she held another meter up into the air.

Whoa—ahh!

So heavy—feels like I'm getting pulled down too. Holding onto someone makes it even tougher.

The girl glanced in a random direction and called out.

Itsuru! Take this off my hands for a bit!

Itsuru? Who? And what do you mean by 'this'?

You'll see soon enough, Mr.This.

The girl simply smiled brightly at the man's question.

Then, without hesitation, she quickly released the man's hand. Gravity took hold, pulling him toward the deep blue sky.

Huh? Woah! Aghhh!

Okayyy! Here I am, at your service!

An incongruously cheerful voice echoed in the sky.

A door popped open mid-air, and out jumped a boy. Much younger than the girl, he looked to be barely ten. His fluffy black hair and small frame were wrapped in an oversized hoodie, fluttering in the high-altitude wind.

With innocent, sparkling eyes, the boy glided through the air and caught the falling man. Together, they spiraled down through the sky.

Wha-What's happening . . . ?!

This might make you a bit dizzy, but hang tight! One guest, coming right up!

Falling in confusion, the man spun through the blue sky, glimpsing a door floating mid-air. It opened on its own, revealing a stark white space inside.

Falling toward the door, the boy—Itsuru—looked up at the girl hanging from the building.

You doing okay? Need a hand with that?

Mind your own business. A Phobia like this is a piece of cake for me.

Roger that! Good luck, Kanon!

With a cheerful farewell, Itsuru, holding the man, dove into the door. It closed by itself with a pop, then vanished.

The girl left behind—Kanon—steadied her breath.

Suspended in mid-air, she glared at the source of the distorted gravity—twenty meters above what should have been solid ground, its roots swaying in the fractured space.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Phobia, you little fear-breeding pest. Time for your excision.

Gruaaahhh!

The monster known as a 'Phobia' was the first to spark the flames of battle.

The Phobia shifted its tree-like body and fixed its gaze on a car parked on the side of the road. Caught in its sky-blue stare, the car rose gently, then accelerated rapidly toward Kanon.

With her free hand, Kanon conjured a scabbard out of thin air, seized it, and smashed it against the building's window, creating a sharp, splintering crack.

Alright, here goes!

Kanon gripped her sword, swinging her body like she was on a swing, and kicked both feet into the cracked window, shattering it as she dove into the building. Moments later, the car smashed into the wall, scattering debris into the blue sky.

Alright, time to regroup and—whoa?!

As Kanon dove into the building, she tried to plant her feet on the ceiling, but they slipped right through the air.

The instant she entered, gravity shifted back to normal and sent Kanon plummeting down. She crashed face-first into the floor.

Ouch?!. . . Alright, I get it. You invert the gravity of whoever you've got your eye on, but only while they're in your line of sight.

Rubbing her red nose, Kanon stood up. It looked like she'd crashed into the floor of an office, decorated with neat rows of white desks and chairs.

Peeking from a corner, Kanon noticed that the Phobia had stopped looking up and was swaying its brown, tree-like body.

No sign of movement. Given its ability, it probably has to stay anchored to the ground, or it'd fall into the sky itself.

The Phobia's legs, like spreading tree roots, burrowed deep into the asphalt, radiating a desperate, almost sickly will to survive.

The Phobia had positioned itself in the heart of the downtown area, with only a few street lamps and parked cars around—no real obstacles in sight. Approaching an enemy that could drop you into the sky with just a glance wasn't going to be easy.

After analyzing the situation, Kanon turned her attention to the katana in her grip. The blade shimmered with a steely luster, faint red streaks running along its ridges as if it had tasted blood.

Itsuru, what did you say this Corpse's ability was again?

Kanon muttered the question to herself quietly.

Almost instantly, Itsuru's voice echoed from nowhere, answering Kanon's question.

It's the Sword of Formless Fury! It multiplies the fighting spirit of whoever holds it several times over. And once it's drawn, it won't let go!

Hmm . . .

Kanon gave a powerful swing and threw the sword. It flew like a dart toward the opposite wall, but after around five meters, it suddenly lost speed and shot back to her hand with even greater force.

It was like an invisible rubber band connected the sword to Kanon's wrist. She caught it with ease and gave it a quick swing, gauging its weight and the surge of power rising within her. She nodded, satisfied.

So it multiplies fighting spirit, huh? No wonder I've been feeling this burning rage in my gut. Kind of annoying, but handy—I like it.

But the enemy can drop you into the sky just by looking at you. How are you going to fight?

There's nothing to it. Just gotta block its line of sight!

With that, Kanon sheathed her sword, swung it like a baseball bat, and sent a nearby desk flying with unnatural strength. The desk shattered the window and crashed into the downtown area with a thunderous roar.

Kanon swung the scabbard repeatedly, knocking down desks, chairs, and various office supplies.

In no time, a barricade of scattered office furniture and supplies took shape in front of the Phobia.

Though full of gaps, it wasn't meant to block entry but to create a shield against its gaze.

Kanon dashed down the stairs to the first floor, with Itsuru's cheerful giggles echoing in her ear.

It's like an obstacle race! Looks like fun!

No, not fun at all! If I lose, I'll fall to my death!

I'll give the signal—ready, set, go!

Quit fooling around already!

Scolding the cheerful voice, Kanon kicked through the glass door at his signal and burst into the downtown with full force.

Gruaaahhh!

In an instant, the Phobia jerked into motion, its sky-blue eyes trying to lock onto Kanon. But the gaze that could make her plummet into the sky was blocked by the desks between them.

The desk in front of her floated up, as if drawn into the sky. Kanon crouched low, sprinting with the speed of a leopard to dodge the Phobia's gaze. Its sky-blue eyes followed her shadow, making every obstacle rise into the air. She kept diving behind cover, staying just ahead of its gaze.

Finally, with no more obstacles left, the Phobia's gaze landed on her just as she grabbed hold of a street lamp—the goal post she'd been aiming for.

Clinging to the street lamp to steady herself as her body tried to rise into the sky, she turned to face the Phobia. They were only about ten meters apart. Its brown form writhed with a hint of agony, and Kanon smirked.

So close. Just need to slip through the buildings nearby and—

Grrruuuaaahhh!

The monster's fierce growl interrupted her declaration of victory.

The blue filling the Phobia's eyes and mouth darkened to an even deeper shade, sending a chill down her spine despite her immunity to acrophobia.

That shiver quickly turned into a tangible sense of danger.

The street lamp she was clinging to tore free from its base under the upward pull of gravity, leaving her weightless as a dull thud echoed below.

Whoa, what the heck?!

Panicking, she leapt from the street lamp and drove her sword into the building wall, anchoring herself.

She had barely caught her breath when the Phobia resumed its assault.

The Phobia shuddered, its sky-blue eyes locking onto the building she was dangling from.

A low tremor reverberated through the hilt of her sword, its intensity pulsing up into her hand.

Wait, you've got to be kidding me . . . !

Her cheeks twitched as bits of gravel scattered against her face.

And then, the ground finally gave way under the force of gravity. The cobblestones of the downtown area cracked and shattered, hurling massive chunks of concrete into the air.

The building itself began to fall skyward, carrying her along as she hung from it.

At this point, just clinging to something to ride it out wasn't an option. If this kept up, she'd be hurtled into the sky along with the building—whether she would be crushed against an invisible ceiling or flung out into space, one thing was certain: death awaited her either way.

Calm down—No, forget that, stay fired up! I've come this far; let's finish this with a bang!

Gripping the hilt of her sword with both hands, she kicked off the building wall with her feet.

She wrenched the sword free and launched herself sideways with all of her strength.

Soaring through the air, she closed in on the Phobia. Its sky-blue eyes tracked her as the ground grew distant, pulling her upward into the sky.

Gritting her teeth, she twisted mid-air and swung her sword with all her might.

Hyahhh!

Letting out a roar from deep within, she hurled her sword with all her strength. The dull-colored blade shot like a bullet, sinking deep into the ground near the Phobia.

She raised her right hand, the one she used to throw the sword. The blade stuck in the ground quivered with a clank.

Sword of Formless Fury—the blade that never leaves its wielder's hand unleashed its power.

As she began to plummet skyward, her body suddenly stopped in mid-air. The Sword of Formless Fury, embedded in the ground, latched onto her right hand and yanked her back with a force stronger than gravity.

Like a snapped rubber band, she shot toward the ground. Her black hair streaked with gold whipped in the wind as she closed in on the Phobia, now rooted to the ground.

Your days of spreading roots are over. Time for a little pruning, parasite!

She grabbed the sword stuck in the ground, yanked it free, and swung it in a perfect arc. Her brilliant slash sliced across the Phobia's base, severing it from the ground.

Just as Kanon expected, the Phobia's own power backfired, making its brown body start drifting into the blue sky. But the creature wasn't going down without a fight.

Grrruuuaaahhh!

Huh . . . ? Gah!

In that instant, the Phobia, which had been drifting lazily like it was floating on waves, suddenly sprang into action. Dozens of arms shot out, tangling around Kanon and dragging her up into the sky along with it.

Was it planning to drag her down with it? The Phobia used countless hands to bind her tight. Up close, its face—marked with three haunting, sky-blue cavaties and a bark-like skin—awoke a primal fear deep within her.

But Kanon shook off the countless arms clinging to her and drove her clenched fist right into the Phobia's terrifying face.

Grahhh?!

Ugh, enough already! You filthy fear-mongering parasite—you don't even have the guts to fall all on your own, do ya?!

With a swing of her blade, Kanon cut through the arms entangling her, then kicked the Phobia away. Framed by the blue sky, she raised her blade, aiming at the monster writhing like a withered tree.

This strike marks the end of your twisted reign of terror!

Kanon hurled the Sword of Formless Fury with all her might.

The spinning blade flew straight, but as the Phobia twisted, it only managed to graze its torso.

Raaaggghhh!

The Phobia let out a blood-curdling roar and stretched a multitude of arms towards Kanon, now defenseless without her blade.

It tried to ensnare her again, dragging her towards an endless fall into the sky.

But the Phobia didn't realize until it was too late that the battle had already been decided.

I told you, it's over! Don't mess with people who keep their feet on the ground and fight to live, you monster!

Kanon's gaze was fixed on the Phobia's back as she delivered her parting shot. The Sword of Formless Fury she had thrown was closing in, seeking its way back to her hand.

The blade, flying back at tremendous speed, cleaved through the Phobia's head like an ax splitting firewood. With a deft hand, Kanon caught the blade mere inches from her brow.

. . .

The Phobia, its head now cleaved in twain, could no longer utter a groan. The sky-blue that filled its facial cavity quickly faded, replaced by a black void bereft of life or madness. Its dry, tan body crumbled, and fragments were absorbed into the deep blue above.

The Phobia was no more. And with it, the fear of falling into the sky that once dominated the space had vanished, too.

Suddenly, gravity pulled at Kanon. She had been high above the tallest building, but now she plummeted straight towards the hard asphalt below.

Gravity's pull intensified, whipping her black-and-gold hair and red jacket in a fierce gust. As the ground approached, Kanon screamed.

Itsuruuu!

I'm coming!

A cheerful voice replied back immediately.

With a soft pop, a door appeared out of nowhere, and Itsuru sprang out.

He clung tightly to Kanon, biting the drawstring of his hoodie and blowing into it. The hood inflated like a balloon, transforming into a parachute that supported them both.

The pair floated gently down and landed safely. The parachute, having served its purpose, deflated back into a hoodie with a snap of Itsuru's fingers.

That was fun! Wasn't that awesome, Kanon? It was like a big movie scene!

Yeah, yeah, it was awesome. Thanks for the save, Itsuru.

Hehe, no problem. You were super cool too, Kanon!

Itsuru waved his hands excitedly, his eyes sparkling. Kanon casually patted his fluffy hair, and he nuzzled against her hand, content like an affectionate puppy.

After giving Itsuru's hair a good pat, Kanon took a moment to scan the bustling streets.

No Phobia in sight . . . All right, Itsuru, time to send him back.

On it!

With a clap of Itsuru's hands, another door popped out of thin air, and the man they'd saved from the Phobia emerged hesitantly. He took a cautious step forward, surveying the car-littered, rubble-strewn streets.

Are you hurt? Feeling okay? A damaged mental core can lead to serious dysfunction, so let me know if something's off.

Ah, no, I'm not hurt, but . . .

He tried to shake off his dizziness.

He was utterly bewildered. The monster he had seen, the crazy experience of falling up through the sky, even the brazen young girl in front of him . . . just about everything was beyond his comprehension.

First off, just who are you guys? Is this even real?

A fair question. After all, it all must seem pretty wild to you. I can only imagine where your head's at.

With this, Kanon gave the man a light, comforting pat on the shoulder.

Then she gave him a kind smile.

The man was caught off guard by this unexpected hint of sweetness from the fierce girl.

But let's save the details for after we've surfaced. Staying here too long is risky.

Uh . . . is something wrong?

Kanon simply smiled and pointed up at the sky.

He looked up, following her gaze.

The sky was a deep, mesmerizing blue.

Black spots dotted the vast blue, quickly growing in size and clarity, until a massive shadow filled the sky.

What he saw, suspended in the sky by the Phobia, were cars, desks, chairs, and even entire buildings uprooted from their foundations.

Whaaa?!

All right, let's head back, Itsuru.

Yep!

In total contrast to the man's frantic screaming, Kanon casually called out to Itsuru.

In the depths of the man's panic, however, a glimmer of reason surfaced in his mind.

Hold up.

The sky's . . . not so scary anymore, is it?

Suddenly, it felt like something yanked his thoughts out of his head.

His vision rapidly faded to black. The blue sky and the crashing buildings vanished.

However, he was still conscious. As his shock from the sudden change in scenery settled, he realized his eyes were open, staring into darkness, and that he was sinking into something soft beneath him.

It seemed liked he was lying down on a bed with an eye mask on. The situation felt oddly detached, as if it was happening to someone else.

Uh . . . Where am I?

Good morning. That was a crazy dream, wasn't it?

A soft voice called out next to him.

As his mask was removed, he saw a girl peeking down at him against the backdrop of a dimly lit ceiling.

Her black hair had streaks of gold, and she wore a headband and earrings. Recognizing her, he muttered her name.

. . . Kanon.

How're you feeling? Any heaviness in your head or pain anywhere?

N-No, I'm fine. Wait, how do I even know your name . . . ? And I thought I was just in the city . . . where am I?

Slowly, he sat up and noticed he was lying on a simple medical bed like the ones in a nurse's office. All the room's curtains were drawn, making it so dim that Kanon's face looked hazy before him.

Kanon addressed the confused man.

You were dreaming. The bustling street, the tall buildings, that endless sky—they were all reflections of your inner world.

. . .

Yeah, I figured you'd look that way. Hearing all that so suddenly is kinda confusing, huh?

Kanon gave a faint, weary smile, her shoulders shifting slightly. In the dim light, she raised a single finger, as if to organize her thoughts.

Let's go over it one step at a time. You were consumed by fear—well, not just a fear of heights, but a genuine phobia of falling. When you first arrived, you were so terrified that even climbing one step froze you in place, and you were afraid of the sky itself, convinced you'd fall and die.

Ah . . .

Her words triggered his memory.

That's right, I was afraid of falling.

That's why he came here, clutching at the faintest hope from dubious online rumors.

Lost in these memories, he heard Kanon chuckle softly.

You just remembered, right? That crushing fear from thirty minutes ago feels like it was someone else's problem, doesn't it?

Huh? Oh . . . Well, now that you mention it . . .

Her observation threw him for a loop. The overwhelming terror that once gripped him now felt like a distant memory.

Standing by the drawn curtains, Kanon began to answer his confusion.

A Phobia. That's what was twisting your mind. Well, that's just what I call it, anyways.

A Phobia . . . ?

A being from another dimension—a world of the mind. It feeds on human mental energy, growing stronger by instilling deep-seated fears and breaking people's spirits. It's what left you with a fear of falling. But you don't have to worry anymore.

As she finished, Kanon smiled, her expression clear even in the dim light.

I've gotten rid of your Phobia. I went into your mind and eliminated the root of your fear.

You . . . killed my fear?

Yup! The nightmare's finally over. From now on, you can lift your gaze to the sky as much as you like.

Kanon went to the corner of the room and drew back the blackout curtains in one swift motion.

The man shielded his eyes instinctively from the bright light that flooded in.

Then, he raised his head and froze, eyes wide in astonishment.

Outside the window was a perfectly ordinary sky—a deep, clear blue with soft white clouds, and a few small birds chirping as they flew by.

Just moments ago, he had been utterly terrified of it.

Now, though, that fear was nowhere to be found.

It's . . . so beautiful.

Gazing up at the sky as if with a heart freshly cleansed, he felt something overwhelming stir in his chest. Tears welled up, rolling down his cheeks.

After months of avoiding it, he looked up at the sky, stretching endlessly, clear and serene. Its transparent blue was beautiful, surrounding him in a deep sense of peace.

Kanon watched him from the corner of the room.

Itsuru, standing at Kanon's side, tugged at her sleeve with a delighted smile.

I'm so happy he can smile again. You're like a hero, Kanon!

I'm no hero. I just exterminated a parasite. Besides, heroes work for free, don't they? I always expect something in return.

As Kanon responded, she cleared her throat and spoke up just as the man wiped his tears.

Now that the touching moment's over, can we talk payment? Thank you for choosing the Rissen Spiritual Detective Agency. Since you've seen the effects firsthand, I'm sure you won't be calling this a scam.

Of course not. Thank you so much. I'm really glad I came here.

The man was deeply moved and bowed his head to Kanon.

When he raised his head and looked at Kanon again, his eyes widened as if realizing something.

. . . Huh?

What's up? Do I have something on my face?

No, it's just . . . I was too terrified to notice before. But your face, your hair . . . and in my dream, there was a kid with you . . .

That's me, Itsuru! I'm ten years old!

Itsuru raised his hand energetically.

The man thought for a moment, then cautiously addressed Kanon.

Could it be . . . ? Are you the Spartan Sister?

Kanon froze on the spot, shocked.

Her reaction seemed to confirm it, and he leaned in with even more excitement.

I knew it! That internet meme, right?! The one where dozens of people all have the same dream—a random kid shows up, and then this rough-looking girl takes them away. That's you, isn't it?

H-Hold up, you're way too close—

He was as excited as if he'd spotted a celebrity. Released from his crippling fear, his energy seemed to swing to an odd extreme. Clinging like an overgrown five-year-old, his enthusiasm was getting on Kanon's nerves, her eyebrow twitching in irritation.

Wow, just wow! This is like meeting the girl from The Ring!Can I take a picture? Maybe a video? I'd love to introduce you to—ugh!

Ugh, back off pal!

Kanon's patience snapped, and she shoved the man away. Her polite demeanor vanished as she frowned and pointed sternly.

Don't call me Spartan Sister! That nickname is totally uncalled for! And lumping me together with creepy internet memes—where's your sense of decency?

Kanon. Kanon.

Itsuru tugged at Kanon's sleeve, trying to reel her in from her rant as her face started turning red.

He pointed out that the man had collapsed.

He's out cold.

Huh . . . ? All I did was push him.

You hit him square in the jaw. It was like something out of an action movie!

Cut that out! Was it the side effects of the Sword of Formless Fury lingering? Forgetting to hold back is such a rookie mistake . . . Should I call an ambulance or something?

He's probably fine, just knocked out.

While Kanon started to panic, Itsuru crouched down and poked at the man's face.

. . . I sure do hope this doesn't become another trauma for him.

Shut up! And here I thought I handled it well. Knocking out a client . . . ugh, I'm such an idiot!

Kanon groaned, clutching her black hair streaked with gold.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the unconscious man's face.

Even though he'd been knocked out, he was sporting a relaxed smile, seemingly relieved that his long nightmare was finally over. He breathed steadily, enjoying a peaceful slumber.