Reborn as a Prophet in a Horror Movie

#001Reader Mode

T/N: Woo a new BL horror series! Exciting times ahead! I’ll make sure to include trigger warnings when needed, but if gore and awoop jumpscares aren’t your thing…then uh…it’s too late to escape now!! Quick, Somebody grab them and tie ’em to a chair!! Anyway, ୧(๑•̀ヮ•́)૭ LET’S GO!

#001

Act 0: An Ominous Warning

A young man in a bright red uniform vest, which could easily remind one of a die-hard Republican supporter, stood in front of a beverage display, rubbing his smooth chin. He looked thoughtful, trying to figure out the best way to organize the jumbled assortment of drinks in front of him.

Milk nearing its expiration date should naturally be moved to the front row. Yet, the packaging showcased the all-too-familiar and all-too-unwelcome face of Bobby, mockingly staring back.

Penny and Pound Farm had taken the dairy industry by storm, disrupting the usual orders of Convenience Stores upside down. Like its rivals, the Hamon Convenience Store had also stocked the famous Pound Milk, recognizable by its cheerful red balloon on its packaging. With its delectably creamy flavor, it was extremely popular among the locals. Most importantly, it was affordably priced.

However, the owner of Penny and Pound Farm had, in a surprising move, decided to recruit a milk promotional model from the general public. This development proved to be highly unfortunate for Seojun. Of all people, why did it have to be Bobby? Seojun found the image of Bobby holding a red balloon and beaming widely quite distasteful.

A competent employee shouldn’t allow personal feelings to interfere with work, but in this small town of Wraithwood Warren, tucked away in a corner of California, the line often blurred. Even the convenience store owner, Fred Frank, who was known to occasionally neglect his duties, had a surprising amount of affection for Seojun, who wasn’t even a full-time employee.

Seojun quickly made up his mind.

Alright, let’s turn Bobby’s face to the side.

With Bobby Thompson’s wide grin out of sight, the only thing visible was the boring nutrition facts table, neatly written with tiny numbers. Gazing at the slightly damp milk carton, Seojun brushed off his hands with satisfaction.

Today, the usually monotonous convenience store felt a touch brighter. The sound of latex gloves rubbing against each other was an annoyance, but it was a minor price to pay.

Situated on an isolated roadside, the lonely convenience store did provide Seojun with a decent salary. While he couldn’t claim it to be an excellent job, the fact that it was leisurely, with fewer than ten average daily customers, was an undeniable benefit.

After crouching for a long time, Seojun stood up, massaging his stiff legs. His eyes traced the stagnant hands of the clock. Above the foggy glass door of the store hung a round clock that had stopped five days ago. He had no intention of touching the clock, covered with a layer of gray dust, until the owner instructed him to fix it.

So the clock remained frozen in its own time, three minutes to twelve. Coincidentally, it was the current time. Seojun quickly glanced at the digital watch on his left wrist to confirm.

It’s coming soon.

They are coming soon.

His heart pounded as he stared at the motionless clock. Swiftly, he yanked off his gloves, wiped his sweaty palms on his vest, and briskly walked towards the counter. Surely, they wouldn’t pass by the only convenience store on the way to the campsite. Seojun was all too familiar with their somewhat careless and thoughtless demeanor.

And there was another reason for his certainty. He had seen it. It was inevitable they would come here.

The digits on his digital watch ticked over. He slipped his gloves back on. Usually suffocating, but today they didn’t bother him. [11:58]. Seojun’s unblinking gaze was locked on the worn-out surface of the clock. Seconds trickled by…[11:59]. His bloodshot eyes shifted to the firmly shut store door, where a subtle shadow began to form.

The moment had finally come when the sun reached high noon. Just as his wristwatch sounded its timely alarm, the front door opened. Despite its worn-out look, the door slid open silently.

“Why didn’t we just grab it at the mart earlier?”

The first to step through the threshold was the unmistakably striking Christina. Her lush, blonde hair cascaded down her back, while a pair of cobalt sunglasses rested casually atop her head. They gave her an air of maturity, a stark contrast to her youthful age. However, the cluster of freckles playfully scattered across her right cheek added a touch of innocent charm.

Christina’s mismatched allure gave Seojun a strange sense of assurance. More accurately, it laid his doubts to rest. Her radiant beauty boldly declared her as the heroine, an unquestionable protagonist in any setting.

Soon after, the second character made her appearance.

“What’s the big deal? We’re at the convenience store now, aren’t we? Plus, beer tastes better when it’s cold.”

Flashing a cheerful smile as she deflected the comment was Airi, Christina’s cheeky friend.

Her laughter echoed through the convenience store, filling the space with contagious energy. Airi, with her chestnut hair knotted high atop her head, exuded a vibrant charisma. Dressed in a white tank top, shorts that barely covered her thighs, and a breezy summer jacket, she was the very picture of youthful liveliness. Her outfit was a stark contrast to Christina’s more conservative ensemble of long jeans and a half-sleeved shirt.

Airi spun around, a wide smile playing on her lips.

“But seriously, Johan, how did you even know there was a convenience store here? Honestly…it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere.”

Upon hearing Johan’s name, Seojun couldn’t help but swallow. Johan Gentil, the towering 194 cm quarterback, was a household name in the small town of Wraithwood Warren. Every young man in the area knew of him, and naturally, the captivating Christina was no different.

As Johan stepped into the store, he dipped his head in a casual greeting. Instead of responding to Airi’s question, his gaze latched onto Seojun. Though it was fleeting, it was uncomfortable nonetheless. Rather than averting his gaze as Seojun hoped, Johan’s eyes — deep blue like a stormy winter sea — lit up with a friendly smile.

“Working again today? You’re quite the hard worker.”

Johan’s voice was a deep, sonorous timbre, naturally carrying across the store. With this, all eyes in the room — Bobby and William, trailing behind Johan, and Christina and Airi, already inside — swiveled to Seojun. Being scrutinized from top to bottom by the school’s ‘popular kids’ was unnerving, to say the least.

For the record, Seojun would’ve preferred not to tag Bobby under the ‘popular’ label. But thanks to the darn Pound Milk trend, he had no say in the matter. That trend had thrust Bobby into the limelight. As a silent protest, Seojun made a mental note to avoid Pound Milk for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Bobby Thompson, likely with a fridge and freezer overflowing with the notorious milk, jabbed a finger rudely in Seojun’s direction.

“So, you work here, huh?”

Stretching his slender shoulders to their limits and puffing up his chest, Bobby tried to make his presence felt amidst the towering figures of William, the rising football star, and Johan, the school’s heartthrob. But, due to his inherently scrawny build and unfavorable fat distribution, his attempt at dominance seemed more like a frilled lizard puffing up its neck.

But even a frilled lizard can bite. Hoping his face would remain intact, Seojun responded in a low murmur.

“Yeah.”

“Is that how you speak to a customer? Eh, actually, it kinda suits you.”

Bobby, on the verge of causing a ruckus, shifted his approach at the sight of the girls. He leaned over the counter and clapped Seojun on the shoulder. Grimacing at the touch, Seojun swatted Bobby’s hand away. Though neither were particularly muscular, Seojun’s larger frame gave him an edge, eliciting a yelp from Bobby.

“Ouch! That’s no way to treat a customer!”

“Smells like tomatoes in here, doesn’t it? You haven’t showered since yesterday, have you?”

“What the- Hey!”

Bobby’s face flushed to match the ripe color of a juicy tomato at the accusation. Just yesterday, he had plotted to humiliate Seojun, only to end up embarrassing himself. Now looking like a dirtbag, Bobby cast uneasy glances around, his awkward chuckles poorly concealing his discomfort.

“Unlike you, my friend, I’ll be splashing around in the lake, living it up. Gonna get soaked to the skin anyway. But I must say, seeing you slaving away on such a splendid day has a certain charm to it. Planning on being a store clerk forever? Or maybe you’re hoping to strike it rich on a home shopping network like Stefan. But, of course, you couldn’t possibly dream of living it up like us, could you? Ah, and Tina! You’ve packed a hot swimsuit for the campground, right?”

“Cut the crap, Bobby. If you want to see a sexy swimsuit, wear one yourself. And for heaven’s sake, have you really not showered since yesterday?”

“Keep your distance, Bobby. And for the ride, you’re getting crammed in the trunk, not the back seat.”

“D-did you just… Christina, Airi!”

Airi flipped him off with a disinterested look. The typically fiery Bobby soon stopped sulking and began to snicker instead. His sly glances at Seojun made it obvious what was brewing in his mind, his excitement barely concealed.

Immersed in the intoxicating sense of superiority that comes from being in the presence of the school’s crowned queen Christina, the irresistible cheerleader Airi, the rising star William, and the flawless Johan, he reveled in the contempt directed at the outcast Seojun. His smug satisfaction was as clear as day under his crafty gaze.

But, to tell the truth, Seojun didn’t harbor an ounce of envy towards them. Their inevitable hardships and uncertain futures were too vivid in his mind.

Mulling over his future, seemingly designed for an underdog like him, he held his temper in check. True to form, the lifespan of a fool ogling over girls was always short-lived.

Sick of Bobby’s antics, Christina and Airi brought an armful of beers and snacks to the counter. They clearly wanted to pay quickly and leave with their supplies.

“Did we grab the barbecue skewers?”

“Are we good on batteries for the lantern?”

“We’ve got a new one, so we should be set. Plus, the campground will have some spares if needed.”

Amidst the friendly banter between Johan and William, Seojun scanned the barcode with practiced precision. Even the sneaky pound of milk that Bobby had slipped in was rung up.

“That’ll be $56.31.”

“Got any cigarettes you’d recommend, Jun?”

“…….”

At Johan’s friendly call, all eyes in the convenience store turned back to Seojun. Johan, the towering man, rested his elbows on the counter, leaning in to fill the space.

Despite his imposing presence, he had a knack for making himself seem as harmless as a puppy. Ignoring the prickling sensation on his skin, Seojun grabbed a pack of the least popular cigarettes.

“That’ll be $11.”

A hint of a smile flickered at the corners of Johan’s mouth as he pulled out a crumpled bill from his back pocket. Bobby grumbled about the price, but it wasn’t like Seojun was the one setting it.

Swiftly, Seojun handed over the receipt along with a lemon. Johan cocked his head in question.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a fruit. Goes by the name of lemon. Very sour.”

“Ah, so this is a lemon? Thanks for the heads-up.”

Despite the sarcastic reply, Johan cradled the lemon in his hands, examining it as though it were some precious gemstone. His intense gaze was somewhat intimidating, but Seojun managed to force out a response.

“See the cigarette pack? It’s part of a promotion. Buy a pack, get a lemon. A citrusy smoke. Lemon Cigarettes.”

“Interesting.”

Johan, not even bothering to open the cigarette pack, stuffed it into his pocket, then turned to face Seojun.

“Hey, Jun, how about joining us at the camp? It’s not like there’s a rush of customers here. Why not hang out with us instead of standing idle all day?”

“What?”

In truth, acknowledging reality can sometimes be a crime in itself, but Johan was fearlessly frank. Seojun wasn’t the only one taken aback by Johan’s proposal. Christina, Airi, William, and even the usually loud-mouthed Bobby were stunned. Bobby, unable to hold back, interjected.

“What on earth are you saying, Johan! He’s not even a Rompelschtizen baby!”

In other words, he meant that Seojun was not from around here. Seojun shot Bobby a look of disdain. Thankfully, his expression didn’t noticeably differ from the others.

And being called a baby, of all things! At his age, Seojun had no desire whatsoever to be referred to as a ‘baby’.

Christina let out a sigh. She then apologized on behalf of Bobby, who lacked not just tact, but a range of other qualities too.

“Sorry, Jun. And, as Johan suggested, don’t you want to hang out with us? That is, of course, if you can afford a break from your convenience store duties.”

Unlike Johan, Christina didn’t imply that he abandon his duties, but merely take a break. Regardless, Seojun’s answer was already decided. He pushed back against both Johan’s audacious proposal and Christina’s genuine offer.

“No. I won’t go.”

His refusal didn’t end there. In a voice thick with foreboding, Seojun murmured a cryptic warning.

“I suggest you all be careful. When the sky sheds tears of blood and the lake stirs in unrest, longing for its lost water, beware the damp, many-legged creature that emerges from the spot where a pig narrowly escaped death. In that instance, hurl a yellow fruit. The wisest move would be to avoid Hamon Camp. Aren’t we too young to grapple with life’s brilliant, noble, and deep mysteries?”

Seojun’s ominous warning left everyone in the convenience store speechless, their faces a mask of disbelief.

“Seojun, are you sleepwalking? Snap out of it.”

The soft-hearted Christina was the first to voice her concern.

“But the weather is supposed to be clear today, right?”

Airi chimed in, glancing at the bright sky visible through the store’s windows.

“Just look at this guy, so weird! He probably thinks he’s some kind of psychic!”

Bobby twisted his face in mockery and, with angry steps, shoved his friends out of the store. Christina and Airi, disapproving of Bobby’s rudeness, quickly gathered their purchases and made their way out of the store.

Only Johan lingered, studying Seojun with a peculiar gaze, but Seojun simply dismissed him with a wave and a glare that clearly said ‘scram’. He was adamant about maintaining his distance from Christina’s group. Being associated with her was completely out of the question.

Why? Because this world was trapped inside the horror movie, “The Murderer of the Bloody Lake,” which premiered in 1999 and flopped in less than a week at the box office!