Special effects: Saving the world starting from becoming a Zergling

"Knock knock knock!"

The noise from the doorway startled Yuzhen, who was still feeling sad. He looked up at the time and realized that more than two hours had passed without him noticing!

"Yuma? Hoshino Yuma? If you're home, open the door for me!"

Takahashi was standing in front of Yuuma's house, banging on the door.

"They're here!"

Yuma panicked when he heard Takahashi's voice. He hurriedly ran from the bathroom to the door to open it.

With her snow-white arm pressed against the doorknob, Yuzhen suddenly remembered that she hadn't returned to her original form, and another wave of chaos ensued.

After a while of commotion, the door in front of Takahashi opened.

"Yuuma, what are you doing?"

Takahashi looked at Yuma's half-revealed face, raised the fruit basket in his hand, and said helplessly.

"Excuse me."

Yuma forced a smile, opened the door, and bowed to Takahashi.

"Let's not talk about that."

Takahashi entered without turning around, picked up the slippers placed to the side of the door, and put them on.

"How's your bad cold?"

Takahashi walked to the table, placed the fruit basket on it, and said softly.

"Ah... well..." Yuu, who was lying, didn't know how to answer.

"Take care of yourself. If you're too tired, you can ask me for leave."

Takahashi spoke in a gentle tone, turning to look at Yuuma's forehead—where Yuuma's bandages were still haphazardly wrapped around his head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Takahashi!"

Yuma didn't notice Takahashi's gaze. Looking at the kind and easygoing uncle in front of him, he didn't know what to say, so he could only apologize.

"Come sit down, you brat, you don't even know how to take care of yourself." Takahashi waved to Yuuma, deciding to discipline the kid.

Yuma listened to Takahashi and obediently sat down, while Takahashi placed his large hand on Yuma's head.

"Bandaging? Why is it bandaged like this? If you can't do it yourself, why not ask someone else for help?"

As Takahashi unwrapped the bandages, he re-bandaged Yuuma: "You're always afraid of bothering others. But don't forget, humans are social animals. Always being alone is too lonely."

As they were talking, Takahashi suddenly recalled the day the boy barged into his shop.

The boy wore a fake smile, forcing himself to stay alert, saying he could definitely do it while yawning.

But Takahashi saw loneliness and emptiness in the child's eyes.

This reminded him of the loneliness he felt sitting alone in his room after his parents passed away.

That's why he took the child in and provided him with a place to stay.

"It's bandaged up."

Looking at Yuma's forehead, which had been bandaged again, Takahashi nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you." Yuma touched the bandage wrapped around her head and thanked Takahashi gratefully.

"Well, I am your boss, after all. Next time, be more careful. If you have a bad cold or something, don't go running around."

Takahashi patted Yuuma's head and gave him some instructions.

A warm feeling flowed through Yu Zhen's heart. This was the first time he had received pure kindness from others since he came into this world.

The fact that he was an alien insect quickly faded away amidst the warmth, sinking into the depths of his heart.

The two sat at the table and chatted for a long time. It wasn't until late at night that Takahashi realized how late it was.

"In short, take good care of yourself and cherish yourself. This is the ultimate secret for us single men."

Takahashi stretched and stood up from the table: "It's getting late, Yuu-chan, get some rest. I should go back too."

"I'll take you." Looking at the darkening sky outside, Yuma stood up without hesitation.

This is the world of Kabuto, where Worgen killings are not uncommon, and the night is often the peak time for such incidents!

He didn't want to see Uncle Takahashi again when he had turned into a freak!

The only person who could maintain his will after being transformed into an alien insect is probably that man who wielded the sword on behalf of the god!

Now that we have some abilities, let's start by protecting the people around us!

"Is Xiaoyou really not suffering from a bad cold? I just said that when you're sick, you shouldn't wander around..."

"It's not far, so I can give Mr. Takahashi a ride."

Unable to resist Yu-zhen's insistence, the two went out and walked away along the dimly lit street.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day

Yuma overslept, unsurprisingly.

"Oh no, oh no!"

He glanced at the ticking clock, hurriedly dressed, and rushed downstairs, speeding towards the teppanyaki restaurant on Takahashi.

The morning sunlight was exceptionally beautiful, but Youzhen had no time to notice these details and hurried through the streets and alleys.

Even without transforming into an alien insect, his skills are only slightly better than a normal person's, so he also needs to catch the early shift!

Ring ring~

The crisp sound of the bicycle bell distracted Yuzhen, and she accidentally collided with the bicycle that had just turned the corner.

"what!"

The girl's gasp and Yuzhen's cry of pain came at the same time. The familiar sound made Yuzhen raise her head.

"It's you?!"

The two spoke in unison, then looked at each other in bewilderment.

A moment later

"Mr. Takahashi, I'm sorry, but I may have to take another day off today."

Yuma scratched her hair and said somewhat guiltily.

"What happened?" Takahashi remained calm and composed, not flustered by Yuma's words. He was busy making a delicious teppanyaki!

Food should never be wasted!

"On my way to work, I accidentally knocked over a girl's bicycle, and now I might have to take her to the hospital..."

Yuma glanced at Hikari, who had fallen to the ground with a swollen leg, and awkwardly explained to Takahashi.

"What kind of girl is she? Is she pretty? Does she have enough money?"

Takahashi calmly accepted this fact and then asked him the same question.

"It's just a scratch, it shouldn't cost much. Okay, that's all, Mr. Takahashi, I'll come back this afternoon!"

Yuzhen wiped the sweat from her forehead, avoided the long list of questions, answered the last one, and then helped Xiaoxu up her fallen bicycle and leaned it against the wall.

Then, he extended his hand to Hikaru Kusakabe.

"Would you like to go to the hospital with me to get it checked out?"

"Go." After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Xu believed the person who had saved her from the monster.

She was too flustered at the time and didn't care about Yuzhen; she ran away by herself.

Last night, she prayed for a long time, hoping that Yuzhen would be alright.

I never expected to encounter this so early in the morning, and in such a ridiculous way.

"Can I...carry you on my back?"

Xiao Xu glanced at You Zhen, then slowly climbed onto his back.

With Xiao Xu on her back, Youzhen supported her with one hand and pushed her bicycle with the other, walking steadily into the distance.

"What?! Xu is injured?!"

"What about my miso mackerel?! I was planning to eat Xu's mackerel today!!!"

When Kagami, who worked as a kitchen helper at the shop, heard the news, her eyes widened, and she was on the verge of tears.

"Let me see which bastard caused Xu's injury!"

Then, in a fit of rage, he bumped right into Tiandao, who had just pushed open the door.