Crossover Anime: The King of Time? Actually, He's a Slacker!

In the heart of the mountains, where even the chirping of insects has been silenced, an iron gate, rusted by time, is half-closed, revealing a bottomless man-made mine shaft behind it.

The damp, musty smell mixed with the heavy stench of blood wafted out of the cave entrance. In the darkness that swallowed all light like an abyss, only the muffled, slow, yet powerfully vital heartbeat echoed repeatedly in the empty mine tunnel.

Deep within the mine, a giant heart floats suspended.

The dark red surface of the heart muscle was covered with grotesque, bulging blood vessels, like countless twisted black snakes writhing wildly under the skin. With each beat, thick, black blood was squeezed out, dripping down the grooves and onto the ground, forming a pool of blood that emitted a foul stench.

Just by gazing at this heart that defies common sense, a chill from the depths of one's soul creeps up the spine and spreads throughout the body.

"Thump—"

Another heavy heartbeat sounded.

A fist-sized piece of flesh suddenly detached, tracing a strange arc in the air. Black mist rose from the flesh, enveloping it and rapidly shaping it. Bones, muscles, and skin grew in an instant, eventually transforming it into the appearance of a real person.

The man blinked, first wiggled his fingers, then pinched his cheeks to make sure his body was unharmed, before letting out a long sigh of relief and collapsing into the cold blood.

"Ah~ I was so scared! I thought my soul was really going to be shattered this time!" It patted its chest, its face full of relief at surviving the ordeal, but its tone was extremely relaxed.

At the same time, a series of unhurried footsteps came from the shadows.

"Just out of curiosity, you dare to act so recklessly." A man dressed in monk's robes, with stitches on his forehead, slowly emerged from the darkness.

"If it weren't for your special circumstances, you would really be dead, real person."

"Well, what can I do? Those... Time Jackers keep saying how strong and dangerous this guy is, I just can't help it~" Zhenren stuck out his tongue and swung his leg nonchalantly.

Lu Suo sighed deeply.

"So, how was it fighting him?"

"It's really super strong!" The real person raised his hands and gestured exaggeratedly.

"He didn't even use his full strength, and I was kicked to death."

"To be honest, I feel quite sorry for him." It suddenly changed the subject, its tone full of regret.

"Oh?" Lu Suo raised an eyebrow.

"I'm really sorry I couldn't fully demonstrate my 'transformation through non-action' to him." As the man spoke, a cruel smile slowly spread across his handsome face, his lips stretching almost to his ears.

"Next time, I'll transform everyone around him, everyone he cherishes most, into the ugliest monsters, without exception. I'll make him watch as those he cares about turn into walking corpses, and I'll avenge that kick!"

"How do you feel compared to Gojo Satoru?" The speaker was a volcano-headed cursed spirit.

"Whoa, where did you come from, water clock!" The real person pretended to be startled, then laughed.

"How does he compare to Gojo Satoru...? Should it be 60/40?"

"After all, those Time Jackers don't take Gojo Satoru seriously at all~"

"Hmph, they're just a bunch of cowardly rats hiding their heads and tails; you can't believe everything they say," Louhu scoffed.

"Masato, you're not good at head-on combat anyway. Next time, I'll take care of it. Whether it's Gojo Satoru or that brat, I'll burn them to ashes!"

"You're not as special as a real person. You really can die if you mess around, Louhu." Lu Suo rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

"Ha, I will win!" Louhu smiled confidently.

.........

The moon was bright and the stars were few; the evening breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees as it gently swept by.

On a park bench, Ning Meng opened her eyes in a daze. After a long while, she realized that she was resting her head on Lin Shiye's lap, with his coat draped over her shoulders.

"You're awake." Lin Shiye handed him a bottle of mineral water.

"Thank you..." Ning Meng sat up straight, took the water and drank it in small sips, her cheeks unconsciously becoming slightly hot.

"How did I fall asleep?"

"I guess the movie was too boring," Lin Shiye said casually.

Did I faint from shame?

Ning dreamt of the movie and her embarrassing performance, her toes digging into the ground in awkwardness. He must think I'm a strange and useless woman…

"It's getting late, let me take you home." Lin Shiye stood up and dusted off his pants.

"Your agent has called you several times, and I answered one for you, telling you to come back right away."

"Okay, sure," Ning Meng replied softly, her head lowered.

The two walked one after the other down the quiet night street. The gentle moonlight cast long, long shadows of them. The only sounds were the occasional passing car and their footsteps, creating a subtly quiet atmosphere.

Ning Meng watched Lin Shiye's retreating figure, feeling a sense of relief. Finally, after walking for an unknown amount of time, she took a deep breath, stopped, and said:

"Um...Lin Shiye, we've known each other for a long time, haven't we...?"

Lin Shiye turned his head in confusion.

"Two or three years, what's wrong?"

"Well, could we change our relationship?" Ning Meng nervously fiddled with the ends of her hair.

"I don't want to be just friends with you..."

"Do you want to be my enemy?" Lin Shiye's eyes sharpened, and he assumed a fighting stance.

"..."

Ning Meng blushed, she was angry.

That's not what I meant!

"So you just want to stir-fry noodles!" Lin Shiye suddenly realized.

"Yes, no... Ahhhhh!" Ning Meng broke down.

"I'm ignoring you!" She stomped her foot, pushed Lin Shiye aside in a huff, and ran off without looking back.

Lin Shiye scratched his face, chuckled, and quickly followed.

Ning Meng ran all the way to her doorstep before finally stopping, panting, and leaning against the wall. She turned around, looked at Lin Shiye who was following her at a leisurely pace, ripped off the coat she was wearing, and threw it forcefully at his face.

"I'm going in!" she said angrily, turning to open the door.

"Wait a minute." Lin Shiye caught the coat and called out to her.

Ning Meng had her back to him and didn't turn around, but her shoulders twitched slightly.

"I have a gift for you."

Ning Meng turned around curiously.

It was a tiny figurine, no bigger than the palm of your hand, yet exquisitely crafted. It featured black armor, ridiculously exaggerated pectoral muscles, and a pair of bright green compound eyes that gleamed coldly in the moonlight, giving it a menacing look.

"Kamen Rider?" Ning Meng picked up the figure, examining it from left to right, looking puzzled.

"More or less," Lin Shiye said.

"Put him by the bedside when I sleep, and I'll never have to worry about having nightmares again."

"Really?" Ning Meng looked at the fierce-looking face of the figure and felt that it looked more like the kind of thing that would give people nightmares.

"Really, really." Lin Shiye patted his chest to assure him, his eyes filled with utmost sincerity.

Seeing his serious expression, Ning Meng's anger had completely dissipated. She carefully held the figurine to her chest.

"Okay, thank you." She looked up at Lin Shiye, the moonlight shining on his face, making him look so holy and handsome.

...It would be even better if it didn't have a beak.

"Then I'm really going in."

"Mm." Lin Shiye nodded, looking at her.

Sweet dreams.

Ning Meng bit her lip and said softly:

Sweet dreams, goodnight.