"Ok, it's time. We have to leave for the show recording," Xiuying said, glancing at her wristwatch.
Suddenly his seventh sense screamed; he stopped in his tracks, frowning. Why do all the problems gravitate to me like I'm some kind of magnet, he thought.
"Kid, you're a living anomaly in this world. Of course the laws of this world don't want you here — they're retaliating," a deep, aged voice echoed in his mind, then vanished, as if it had come from the void itself.
Chaithanya looked around and murmured inwardly, "Uncle, who are you? Are you still there?"
In the void... but the void was filled with vibrant life.
"Hehe, this kid just called me 'uncle'?" a voice emerged from a light. The divine radiance faded and a handsome man took shape, reclining peacefully on a colossal snake with a thousand heads, each head chanting the name of the creator god.
A beautiful, kindly woman stepped out of the light, covering her mouth as she smiled; the smile rang like a melody that soothed every living thing in that void. "My lord, you're already a million years old. He called you 'uncle,' not 'old man' — you should be grateful."
"Haha, you old lady," the man replied playfully.
"What did you just call me?" the woman said, widening her eyes in mock anger.
"Noth—nothing. You're my sweet young lady," the man said with a fawning smile, gently embracing her.
At the mansion...
He received no response. Xiuying, standing beside him, looked at him, confused. "Why are you looking around? Let's go — we'll be late for the show recording."
"Wait. It's dangerous. Whatever happens, don't step outside," Chaithanya said, not giving her a chance to object. He moved at lightning speed and appeared outside. Turning his head in a certain direction, he ordered his security to leave the mansion, then dragged a chair into the backyard and sat there silently.
Meanwhile...
Ring... ring...
Xiuying checked the caller ID and shook her head helplessly. "Madam Xiuying, where are you? We'll start recording in ten minutes."
"I'm sorry, Miss Su. It looks like there's an emergency; we can't attend the recording today. It would be best to postpone to tomorrow or the day after," Xiuying said apologetically.
"How can you go back on your word, Madam Xiuying? Didn't you say you'd attend today? What's the emergency?" Miss Su asked, annoyed.
"I can't say anything right now. We'll talk later." Xiuying disconnected and slipped the phone into her pocket, looking outside with a puzzled expression; from where she stood, nothing dangerous was visible.
Inside the director's office...
"What did she say?" the director demanded, his face darkening.
"She said they won't attend today's recording. Secretary Xiuying asked to postpone to tomorrow or the day after," his assistant replied, deadpan.
"What the fuck? They have no respect for me. They're playing with me — who the hell do they think they are?" The director raised his hand as if to throw his new phone in frustration.
"Director, that's your new phone. You bought it for 10,000 RMB," his assistant hurriedly reminded him.
"Oh — right. Thank you." The director hurriedly pocketed the phone, sat down, reached for a glass of water, swallowed a blood-pressure tablet, and gulped the water.
"Damn them," he muttered.
At the mansion's backyard...
A commotion mixed with the sounds of blows and kicks was drawing nearer. Within minutes, a group of people wearing peculiar gas masks — their skin pale as if dead — appeared. A petite girl was exchanging blows and kicks with the undead, matching them blow for blow. Chaithanya widened his eyes at the scene unfolding.
The backyard's ample space allowed the undead to fight freely. Chaithanya sat silently, watching with an amused expression; the sight was almost comical — a little girl effortlessly beating fully grown adults. This world is strange, he thought. There are so many odd people here.
"Princess Roulan, give up," one undead taunted. "You're strong and talented, but numbers matter. You can't defeat all of us before you exhaust yourself."
"What princess? Drop the title. She's a common undead like us — no princess anymore." Another undead laughed maniacally.
"Yeah, you're right." The undead laughed as they fought.
"You ungrateful bastards! You forget the help and services we gave the undead in the underground? You deserve to die!" the little girl screamed and fought even more fiercely.
Though royal blood ran through her veins, she was still a child and inexperienced in life-or-death battles. As the undead had said, their numerical advantage told; it didn't take long for them to sap the last ounces of her strength. Exhausted, she missed a counter and took a direct hit to the abdomen, sending her flying. She crashed to the ground, sending plants, dirt, and debris into the air.
"See? I told you, little bitch — you're no match for us. You'll be down in no time," one undead sneered as he advanced, grinning sadistically.
"Arr... hmm..." The little undead princess clutched her stomach in pain. Though mortally wounded she would not die, the agony was severe and hard to bear.
Clap... clap...
Chaithanya raised his hand and applauded. The sound immediately drew the attention of the undead and the groaning princess.
"Look," Chaithanya said calmly, "if it were an adult woman, I wouldn't mind as long as you didn't kill her — I mean, beat her. But going after a child is crossing the line. However bad and twisted you are, leave the kids alone."
"Human, mind your own business. It's not your place to interfere in our matters," said one of the undead with a frown.
"Human? What the heck — do you think you're an alien? You're in my backyard, so of course it's my business and I'll interfere," Chaithanya said with a nonchalant look.
"You human bastard." An undead stepped toward Chaithanya, but another in the group stopped him.
"We are sorry. We will leave your courtyard," the other undead said politely.
"Hmm, you're good. You're polite. I like you. I won't beat your ass — you can go," Chaithanya said, pointing at the undead who had spoken to him politely.