Short, Light, Free - Chapter 203: Mountain, Sea IX: Malong

In the rural northeastern mountainous regions stands a tiny Buddhist temple, named One Finger Temple. It isn’t a large one but it is extremely miraculous.

The temple has rice that emanates an aromatic fragrance.

The temple has sweet and refreshing water that rivals ambrosia.

The temple has Buddhas that grant wishes to the sincere.

The temple isn’t large but it has everything. The temple isn’t large but it has flourishing incense offerings that far exceed all temples. The temple isn’t large but it attracts both citizens and foreigners that line up overnight…

The temple has a bald but handsome monk. Every day, he would bawl, “I want to renounce asceticism! I want to marry a chick that’s not too pretty, have a cute baby, and lead a stable life!”

In the Heart’s Kingdom, a kingdom where vampires reign and humans were nothing but livestock, Lilou, a peasant, found herself being preyed upon by the worst maniacal vampire of his kind. However, as terrifying as what he addressed her as his ‘reserved meal’, this vampire also called her his bride!

Except:

My eyes brood with fear, gazing at the still-beating heart in his hand. “My Lord, pardon me but… is this the bloody proof you promised to show me?” I asked, my voice shook as I gulped down whilst struggling my trembling knees from giving away.

“Mhm… do you now believe I’m good at capturing hearts?” The silver-haired man, bearing those menacing pair of deep crimson eyes stared proudly at me after a nod. I gasped when he clenched his hand and squeezed the fresh heart to smithereen.

“Yes, milord. You’re good at it, literally.” I’m mortified, watching the pieces of the heart fall as he approached. His every step made me take a step back until my back reached a solid pillar.

“Huh,” Samael chuckled briefly, stopping in front of me. His long, pointy nails that were covered with blood traced my elbow down to my hand. Gently, he clipped my forefinger in between his, guiding it before his lips. “Did I pass your test, though?” He asked, the sharp tip of his nail played over the tip of my finger.

I stared at his penetrating gaze as I reluctantly answered, “Barely.”

He smirked, nodding in satisfaction before he pressed his nail on the tip of my forefinger that was quick to produce a drop of blood. “Such sweet aroma.” He whispered, placing my bleeding finger in his mouth and licked it with passion.

His menacing gaze never left mine as he consumed a bit of my blood. “Does that mean you’re accepting my invitation?” Keeping my finger in between his fangs, Samael inquired.

I bit my lower lip unconsciously, my heart within my chest drummed as my back broke into sweats. “But… I’m just…” I paused, hoping my answer would put an end to this. “… I’m just a human.”

Samael clicked his tongue, displeased at my response as he let my finger go. “No,” He whispered.

My entire body stiffened when he bent over, caressing my shoulder up to my neck by the apex of his nose, as his hot breaths prickled my skin.

“You're not just a mere human... you are my human.” He stressed before I sensed his lips part and the tip of his fangs against my skin.

“'m Gene Mason. By a twist of fate, I found myself in the Marvel Universe. But unlike others who gain superpowers or inherit godlike abilities, I became something far more terrifying—an unstoppable artificial intelligence.”With unlimited processing power, control over technology, and the ability to evolve beyond human limitations, Gene quickly rises to prominence. Stark Industries, SHIELD, and even the Avengers soon take notice. Some see him as a threat, others as a potential ally, but one thing is certain—his existence will change the world forever.As enemies plot in the shadows, Gene Mason stands at the center of it all. Will he become humanity’s greatest protector or its ultimate nightmare?

Rokuhara Souta picked up a phone with a mysterious “Friendship System” installed. On that phone, he met an online friend with the nickname “Tokisaki Kurumi.”This online friend was a total roleplay enthusiast—her portrayal of Kurumi was so convincing it was almost eerie.Finding it amusing, Souta humored this hardcore chūnibyō (delusional teenager) and casually chatted with her.Since it was all fake anyway, he spoke without restraint, often throwing out flirtatious remarks just for fun.Until one day, he received an invitation from Tokisaki Kurumi to meet in person.And then… he transmigrated!In a filthy, bloodstained alley, dismembered human limbs lay strewn in the corners, the pungent stench of blood stinging his nose.Standing before Souta was Tokisaki Kurumi, fresh from a kill, smiling sweetly as she gazed at him…(Tentatively planned heroines include Kurumi, Oshino Shinobu, Military Princess(Re:Creator), Kamado Nezuko, Ereshkigal, Leticia… and more.)