Chapter 4

“Wah, wah. Uh, if I’ve come this far, it’s probably… fine, right?”

I collapsed on the sandy beach after recklessly sprinting through the bushes. The horrifying scenes of carnage still wouldn’t leave my mind. Bursting flesh, protruding intestines from wounds, and eyeballs rolling under my feet.

It’s terrible. Why did something as cruel and horrifying as witnessing a murder scene happen to me, just an 18-year-old? Why was I even in this desperate world? And what the heck is this “Black Reaper”?

I’m just a regular high school student, for crying out loud! All I want is to go home—to rest comfortably in the peaceful place where I don’t have to worry about Elise showing up with her mad crimson eyes.

My legs hurt, my mind is exhausted. I wish all of this was just a fleeting nightmare. But the bone-deep physical pain and the sharp clarity of reality crushed that hope.

This is all because of that rabbit. I never wanted to come here. If that arrogant black rabbit hadn’t kicked my butt and sent me into this world, I’d have just peeked into the rabbit hole and gone back home.

Sigh. If only I hadn’t been mesmerized by that weird rabbit.

Yeah, exactly that rabbit. The one in the black hat and cloak. That black rabbit who mocked me with a smirk.

Huh?

Rabbit?

“WHAT!!!”

I jumped to my feet. There it was—the black rabbit casually standing on the sand, smirking at me like some dastardly villain. Fueled by adrenaline, I stammered and moved awkwardly.

“You! You!!! Just wait there!”

With each step sinking into the sand, I began running despite my fatigue. Seeing the rabbit ignited a spark of hope deep within me—that I could go home. I sprinted with all my might.

I’ll catch it. No matter what, I’ll catch it. I swear I’ll make sure I get back home before I end up getting killed here!

“Come here!! Send me back home!”

The black rabbit coolly watched as I charged at it, fire in my eyes. Its red eyes gleamed with curiosity and amusement, like a child observing exotic animals at the zoo.

For some reason, it feels good. If I catch this thing, I’ll definitely go home. This has to be a dream, and soon I’ll be lying in my bed back home!

“Pfft.”

What did I just hear? Did that arrogant rabbit actually snicker at me?

Now, there’s only five steps between us. I solemnly promise—I’ll smash its cocky head with a honey punch! It can act smug now, but not for long!

“Prepare to get wrecked!!!”

Just as my arm was about to grab the fluffy body of the black rabbit—

POOF!

“Huh?”

I rubbed my eyes to confirm what I saw.

POOOOF!!!

Clearly, just a second ago, the black rabbit was so close I could almost touch it with my fingertips—but now it was running… on water.

The rabbit is running on water.

Wait, what? Did I say running on water? Does that even make sense?

“No, no, this isn’t…”

I was speechless at this absurd situation. Indeed, the rabbit was zipping across the water like a jet, leaving trails of splashes behind, vanishing into the distance.

Am I not going home?

Did I really miss such a golden opportunity? Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, hanging off my chin.

“Y-you idiot!!! How is this fair?! This is cheating!!! Come back! I’m sorry! Okay? I’m sorry, so please come back and send me home!!!”

My tear-soaked pleas scattered uselessly into the air, unable to reach the tiny dot that was the rabbit now far away.

Damn. Life. Kneeling in despair, I felt the grains of sand slipping through my fingers, just like the fading hope of returning home.

To go home, I need to cross this sea—but how?

Oh wait…

I wiped my tears with my sleeve and noticed a little rowboat sitting right there on the shore. Could this be divine intervention? The boat looked like a gift from the gods who pitied me.

“Well, keep moving forward. It’s the only thing I can do.”

After taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I cautiously approached the rowboat, scanning the area for any sign of Elise.

Thankfully, she didn’t seem to be around. The rowboat was just an old, worn-out vessel. Crossing the sea with just a rowboat was undoubtedly reckless and dangerous, so I hesitated.

What if I chase the rabbit and find nothing, starving to death in the middle of the ocean? Or worse, drinking seawater in a panic under the scorching sun and ending up a cold corpse?

“KEKEKEKEKEKE!!!”

“AHHH!”

A chilling laugh erupted behind me, making every hair on my body stand on end.

No doubt about it—it’s Elise! She’s coming!

I don’t have time. If I stay here, she’ll find me. Who knows what horrors she’ll unleash with that blood-soaked staff? I recalled the grisly fate of the Heart Queen and her soldiers.

There are countless ways to die in this world, but I certainly don’t want to perish at Elise’s hands.

Behind me is the killer, ahead is the vast sea.

I have no choice. At least chasing the rabbit offers a better chance than staying here with a deranged murderer!

I pushed the rowboat with all my strength until my arms and legs burned. Blood rushed to my face, heating it up.

Splash! Finally, the boat floated free of the sand and onto the cool water.

“Huff, huff. It’s working!”

“KEKEKEKE! Where are you hiding, my Black Reaper?”

My heart sank. Her voice is closer! No time to waste! Hearing her voice grow nearer, I panicked and threw myself into the rowboat. Oars were attached on both sides, easily movable thanks to loops.

Drenched in sweat, I began rowing furiously. Despite the searing pain in my muscles, the fear of Elise paralyzed me with terror, overriding everything else. The primal urge to survive kept my arms moving endlessly.

I’m getting farther. The distance from the shore is widening. In the distance, a familiar figure appeared among the tall swaying grass.

Elise, her blonde hair dyed red with blood, scanned the area with a disturbing grin. Terrified that she might possess the same ability as the rabbit to walk on water, I quickly crouched down and lay flat on the boat. Even though we were far apart, my heart pounded as if she were right next to me.

The blazing sun above and the uncertainty of when Elise might appear caused beads of sweat to pour down my forehead. I was sweating so much that my back was completely soaked, feeling as if I had fallen into water.

Soaked… It felt like I was swimming… Wait, swimming?

I blinked and focused on the sensation at my fingertips. Cold water—a feeling sweat alone couldn’t produce.

Swallowing hard, I carefully turned my head.

The rising tide barely audible to my ears. A tiny hole in the corner of the boat caught my eye—so subtle it could be missed without close inspection. The rowboat was slowly sinking.

“Why does this always happen to me?!”

In a panic, I stood up to row again, but the boat tilted violently, pulling me underwater as if someone grabbed me.

“Gurgle gurgle!!”

Saltwater filled my mouth and nose instantly. I grimaced and flailed helplessly. My breath was cut off, my limbs felt like lead, refusing to move properly.

I-I’m dying.

Am I really going to die pointlessly in this cold water?

As consciousness faded, a presence entered my blurred vision.

[Found you. My prince.]

A strange mechanical voice. Red hair swirling in the water. A girl gracefully swimming toward me, covering her chest with a seashell, offering a soft smile. As she extended her delicate hand, I lost consciousness.