what if I'm an undead! then so what?-Chapter 37: "When a train rides lead to meeting a ghost summoning occultic friend and a famous celebrity, and here I thought riding a train would make a normal day!"

Chapter 37: "When a train rides lead to meeting a ghost summoning occultic friend and a famous celebrity, and here I thought riding a train would make a normal day!"

"Master?" Masaru said in a low voice, his eyes locked onto the little girl standing before him. Just moments ago, she had been a terrifying creature—radiating fear, hunger, and madness—but now she appeared as nothing more than an innocent child. And yet, her presence was no less overwhelming. In fact, her aura had grown even more intense, pulsing with a power that surpassed what she had previously displayed.

Then it struck him—Akane had mentioned she was a familiar. Not a normal one by any means, but a familiar nonetheless. Had she suddenly become contracted to him? Masaru wondered. Was it triggered by something unknown... or was there something deeper at play here?

At least for now, she wasn’t violent—and that alone was a relief. Then, unexpectedly, Masaru felt a tingling sensation spread across his chest. Something was forming within him—not physical, but more like a swirling mass of blood energy. At the same time, a glowing crest flared to life on the girl’s forehead. In that moment, a thin, luminescent string of energy extended between them, linking her to him like an invisible thread of fate.

"So it seems... she really is my familiar," Masaru muttered. The powerful bond surging between them was undeniable. It wasn’t exactly like the connection he shared with Akane, but it was close—deep, strange, and filled with an ancient, instinctive weight.

"But what about the cat?" Masaru glanced around. He could still sense its faint presence, like a distant echo, but the creature was physically absent, was it also within him or was it watching him from afar, nothing could be predicted in a world of Supernaturals and that was something he’d come to learn. He didn’t have time to dwell on it, though. There were more pressing matters. The knowledge of the pact—the link—had somehow engraved itself into his mind, together with an intuitive understanding of how to command her. With a silent thought, he caused her to vanish, retreating into the recesses of his being to reside within him.

---

Masaru left the old mansion behind, heading straight for the nearest train station. Technically, he could have traveled from Shinjuku to Shibuya in mere seconds if he wanted to, especially with the unnatural speed granted by his new existence. But today, he wanted to do something normal. Something mundane. A small moment of humanity.

He still had some spare change that Akane had given him after their shopping trip. He wore a simple grey hoodie that matched his ashen greyp hair and black jeans that, while plain at first glance, were unmistakably high-quality and branded. On his wrist sat an expensive designer watch, making him look like the pampered son of a wealthy household trying to blend in with the crowd.

It cost him two thousand yen to purchase a train ticket. A few minutes later, the train arrived. As it lurched forward, he found himself sandwiched between strangers, gripping a metallic pole tightly to maintain his balance. It wasn’t his first time on a train, but he was far from used to it. The last time had been during a school event—and it had been a first class vip ride which was sponsored by the School, which was far more luxurious than the cramped, noisy carriage he found himself in now.

At the far end of the carriage, his eyes locked onto a familiar face. They hadn’t been close back in school, but they used to share the same misfortunes —two people who bore almost the same fate.However while he was an orphan the other was from sn average family. Social outcasts, Misunderstood. Bullied not for what they did, but for simply being different.

The boy had the unmistakable look of a stereotypical nerd—messy black hair that hadn’t seen scissors in months, thick glasses that seemed too large for his narrow face, and a stiff posture like he was permanently bracing for an impact. He clutched an old, ancient looking worn-out book tightly in both hands, and his eyes twitched nervously every time someone brushed past him.

"What was his name again?... Kirito?" Masaru thought, slowly making his way over.

"Kirito, wasn’t it?" Masaru asked casually, not wanting to come off as rude.

The boy looked up, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "You’re Masaru... from Class A, right?"

"Yeah. So, are you heading to Shibuya for the Solstice Spring Events?" Masaru continued the conversation, hoping to avoid standing alone for the rest of the ride. Silence, when stretched out too long, always weighed heavy on his mind.

"No, actually," Kirito replied, his voice tinged with excitement. "There’s this haunted house in Shibuya that’s said to feature real ghosts. I’ve always dreamed of seeing one—I know they exist! Do you believe in ghosts too?"

Masaru glanced down at the book in Kirito’s hands. Upon closer inspection, it was an occult text—its cover etched with symbols of spirits, the undead, and demonic lore.

Caught off guard by the question, Masaru hesitated. Ghosts? With everything he’d seen, from vampires to familiars, the existence of spirits seemed plausible—if not certain. "I’ve heard rumors, but I don’t know for sure. I’m more of a vampire-undead type of guy. If anything exists... it’s those bloodsucking demons," he answered with a sour smile, scratching the back of his head.

"So you do believe in supernaturals!" Kirito exclaimed a bit too loudly, drawing a few annoyed glances from the other passengers.

"Why don’t you join the school occult club?" he continued, lowering his voice. "I’m the vice president. I can get you in, if you want."

Masaru forced a polite chuckle. The last thing he needed was to draw attention to the very thing he was trying to hide—especially in a setting like that. "Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. Stuff like that isn’t really my thing."

Kirito looked a little disappointed but quickly changed the topic. "I heard the police finally closed the Shinjuku incident case... they said it was just a rogue serial killer playing tricks. But honestly? I wish it was something supernatural."

"Speaking of which," Masaru said, "I heard schools are resuming next week. Is that true?"

Kirito’s eyes lit up. "Yup! Can’t wait to share my research with the others. Oh, and get this—two nights from now is the Night of the Crimson Moon! According to one of the ancient grimoires I found, it’s when the gateways to otherworlds open making summoning magic or necromancy having an increased chance of working. Ghost summoning might actually work! We need four people for the ritual... want to join?"

Masaru’s expression darkened slightly. He remembered Akane mentioning that night. The supernatural realm tended to shift during that time—when the Crimson Moon bathed the world in its ominous glow. How accurate was the book for it to stare something so truthful, maybe the ritual might actually be a true occultic practice, however with him becoming part of it, it might actully work, Whatever Kirito was planning, Masaru wanted no part in it. Who knows his presence might actually become a catalyst in summoning a real ghost, he had no idea if it would be friendly or not.

"I’ll pass. I’ve got other things to do," he replied firmly.

They continued talking until the train pulled into Shibuya Station. After exchanging brief goodbyes, they each went their separate ways.

---

Meanwhile, outside the grand Sapphire Tower Tokyo Hotel, a sleek black sports car pulled up to the entrance just as Masaru was dialing Akane. He had reached the hotel’s front gate and wanted to let her know. But suddenly, he felt a sharp presence—a pressure in the air that prickled against his skin.

Turning, his eyes widened as a man stepped out of the car. Long, flowing red hair, an elegant stride, and a magnetic presence that seemed to draw the world’s gaze—there was no mistaking it.

Michael Viremonthe.

Masaru froze. Michael Viremonthe? The global icon, the idol of millions, the very same man who seemed more legend than flesh. Where were the bodyguards? The flashing cameras? The crowds?

He was alone. Calm. Smiling.

And then he walked straight toward Masaru.

"Hey, brother!" Michael said with an effortless smile, his voice smooth and charismatic.

Masaru was stunned. Did he... just call him brother?

"Masaru... You can call me Masaru! I’m a huge fan, Mr. Michael!" he stammered, eyes wide with disbelief, grinning like a child meeting his favorite superhero.

"Oh, Masaru! It’s great to meet you. I didn’t know I had fans here in Japan—how wonderful!" Michael replied warmly, offering a handshake.

Masaru reached out and clasped his hand—but the moment their palms met, something stirred inside him. A flicker of fear. Not his own. It came from her—the little girl within him. Her emotions rippled through their bond like icy waves.

He shook it off, focusing on having one of the best moments of his life.

"Would you mind accompanying me for a while? I tend to get lost sometimes, and I didn’t come wit—" Michael paused as his phone buzzed. He answered briefly, then ended the call with a polite smile.

"Looks like something came up. Maybe we’ll talk another time. See you around!" he said, giving Masaru one last friendly nod as he walked past.

But the moment his back was turned, his expression changed—his smile vanished, replaced by something darker, more calculating.

"Who the hell was that second-rate trash? A low-blooded vampire?" Michael muttered to himself. "I felt... multiple things pulling me toward him. What game is fate playing this time?"

Masaru in the other hand couldn’t help but smile, he thought riding a train would make him feel normal for a while but!"When a train rides lead to meeting a ghost summoning occultic friend and a famous celebrity, and here I thought riding a train would make a normal day!"

***********************************************

A/N: So a friend of mine told me that an auxiliary Chapter would be nice for me to explain things like ranks and stuff about the novel, if you want put a comment, you could also comment thing you feel should be part of the Chapter.