Reborn as a Prophet in a Horror Movie

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#039

It had to be Christina, no one else. The decisive role in defeating the monster was meant for her. Johan’s eyebrows sagged a bit at Seojun’s unwavering response, almost sounding defeated as he quietly mumbled.

“Seojun, that’s blind faith. Are you sure you believe in Christianity not Christina-ity?”

Seojun really wanted to argue back, but deep down, he had to admit that Christina was his life’s guiding star. No snappy comeback came to mind so he couldn’t help but frown slightly, his eyes narrowing into a thoughtful and sullen gaze.

Wasn’t Christina excellent? With her upright character and flawless integrity, you’d be hard pressed to find another person like her here at Hamon campground, especially on the 4th of July.

“Hold up, where am I supposed to go? You guys don’t get to decide everything.”

Suddenly, Golden, who had been left out of the conversation, piped up, looking pretty baffled. Seojun, who had completely forgotten about Golden since their grilled calamari talk, now regarded him with fresh interest.

Surprisingly, Golden was in pretty good shape. Sure, he had a bloody nose and mouth from Gas Mask’s kick, but that was it. A few bruises here and there, but no significant bleeding. Seojun had to admit, it made sense for Golden to join the dining hall team.

I can’t believe I have to give this bastard the safer role that I wanted…..

Oblivious to Seojun’s thoughts, Golden gritted his teeth and grumbled defiantly.

“I’m definitely going with this Fortune teller, no matter what. Don’t even think about trying to change my mind.”

To his surprise, Golden wanted to be part of the bait team. Seojun, pleased with the extra bait, gave a quick nod, making sure Golden knew it was his choice. More bait the better after all.

Once everyone knew their roles, the group split up quickly. Christina and Airi were the first to duck into the bushes. He could see the tension in Christina’s back, her shoulder blades outlined sharply. Seojun watched her, calling out almost reflexively.

“Christina.”

“Hmm? What is it, Seojun?”

She turned halfway, meeting Seojun’s eyes. Hidden in the shadows, her pale face and neck shone faintly with sweat. It was an odd night, chilly yet hot at the same time. Despite everything they’d been through tonight, Christina’s beauty didn’t diminish at all.

It almost felt like a sign that she was destined to survive until the end. Seojun couldn’t help but blurt out a plea desperately.

“Save us, will you?”

He felt no shame in asking for help from someone younger than him. To Seojun, Christina was like a lighthouse guiding him through the storm. His belief in her caused her to take a deep, shaky breath.

“Alright, I’ll give it my all.”

Her voice, shaky yet determined, faded into the night as she and Airi moved towards the dining hall.

Seojun watched the future arsonists head off, his throat burning as he swallowed hard. Once Christina, his guiding star, disappeared from sight, his newfound courage wobbled like a candle in the wind. The rustling of leaves in the wind only added to his unease.

But Seojun wasn’t going to be pathetic about it. He managed to shove his rising terror down deep to the bottom of his heart and cautiously peeked out from his hiding spot in the bushes.

Johan, William, and Golden were right there with him, warily watching the monster as it feasted. While they cautiously observed and schemed, bones with bits of muscle and fat still attached dropped to the ground as Monster X ate the good parts it wanted. Gas Mask had fallen silent. No longer screaming and dead.

“That monster doesn’t exactly eat neatly, huh?”

Johan noted worriedly, eyeing the scattered bones on the ground. Seojun, feeling Johan’s chin on his head, pushed it back.

“Are you a sensitive person when it comes to table manners Johan?”

“Seems like it,” Johan mumbled, his chin finding its way back to Seojun’s head. Golden, who had been pretending to gag at the messy remains, now looked genuinely disgusted. He couldn’t hide his annoyance at their light-hearted banter amidst such grim circumstances.

“Is that what really matters right now? Come on!”

“Of course, it matters.” Johan said, his smile relaxed and his head tilted in contemplation. Every small movement made Seojun’s hair flutter. Johan paused to sniff the blood-caked tips of his hair, replying calmly.

“Golden, you know, using your brain once in a while wouldn’t hurt, right? Might honestly do some good. If that monster gets full, it may not be as keen on chasing us, the bait. That could throw off our entire plan. Well, maybe you still don’t understand. Want me to run it by you one more time?”

Despite Johan’s seemingly kind offer, Golden’s face twisted in frustration. Clearly confused by Johan’s rational response, he turned to Seojun for support.

“Is it just me or is this guy nuts, Fortune Teller? This bastard clearly talks like a madman, behaving like some demented person with a split personality!”

Seojun had to admit, Golden had a point. Johan occasionally startled others with his bizarre behavior. But Seojun wasn’t about to side with someone who kept calling him Fortune Teller. At least Johan never threw around insulting nicknames.

“Golden, what are you talking about? Johan’s making perfect sense here, thinking this through logically.”

Seojun firmly backed Johan, causing Johan’s chest, which he was leaning against, to move.

Then, sturdy arms wrapped around Seojun’s slender body and pulled him close. He glimpsed Johan’s face over his shoulder, the grin spreading across his face shone as bright as the sun. But there was a strangeness to it – an intensity out of place underneath the pale moonlight. Johan nonchalantly hummed a tune against Seojun’s neck, the notes twisting in a discordant melody that seemed to match the subtle wrongness of the moment.

“I’ve been known for my unique empathy since I was a kid. Seems like we’re a good match, Jun.”

Good for you.

Seojun internally clicked his tongue at the faint blush creeping onto Johan’s pale cheeks. Now wasn’t the time to chide an overly cheerful Johan or get lost in the moment. Seojun cautiously glanced out to check on the monster’s eating progress.

What appeared to be a… rib… likely Gas Mask’s broken ribcage, protruded from the monster’s gaping maw. The way it ate, stripping flesh from bone, was unsettlingly similar to someone picking a fish bone clean. The sight sent another shiver down Seojun’s spine.

But their immediate mission was clear – they needed to catch the monster’s attention. It was almost done devouring Gas Mask. Seojun’s eyes swept the dark ground.

Unfortunately, his options were painfully limited. The fight with Gas Mask and the escape from Monster X had left him empty-handed. Seojun slowly ruminated on his dire situation, the taste of bitter reality setting in.

Seojun hunched over, snatching up a stone split sharply at its edge. Golden, unable to hide his skepticism, scoffed.

“Ah, so you’re going to throw that to get the monster’s attention? Really top-notch thinking there. I can’t compete with that kind of brilliance!”

“How about I rip open that mouth of yours with this and toss it to the monster instead?”

Seojun’s biting comeback made Golden flinch. He nervously shifted his gaze between the stone in Seojun’s hand and his intense dark eyes, seemingly worried that Seojun might just do it.

“That’s actually not a bad idea.”

Johan’s comment only fueled their tense standoff. Golden, already on edge, flushed with anger and lashed out.

“Johan Gentil, you bastard, urgh!”

“Keep it down, will you? Are you trying to get us spotted by the monster?” William, who had been conserving his strength by staying out of the conversation, quickly clamped his hand over Golden’s mouth as his volume rose.

The tension between the two burly men radiated heat. Seojun looked down at Golden with disdain, taking his time to clean the stone by dusting it off, blowing on it, and rubbing it against his clothing.

The stone’s sharp edge caught the moonlight, casting a menacing gleam. Golden, mouth still muffled, was visibly anxious, and his chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths. Seojun playfully twirled the stone, almost regretting having to use his most ‘captivating’ approach.

“Relax, Golden Casey, I’m not going to mess up that mouth of yours.”

“Jun?”

“Everyone, get ready to run. We’re not far from the campfire site, right?”

Johan, feeling a bit uneasy, rested his hand on his thin shoulder. Seojun, done with second-guessing, made his move. He gritted his teeth and dragged the stone’s jagged edge across his arm.

“Ugh…”

“Seojun!”

Only William’s eyebrows raised in mild surprise at Seojun’s rash act. Johan and Golden, on the other hand, were visibly shocked and rushed to stop him. Seojun pressed his lips tightly together, trying to steady his frantic heartbeat.

Hurting himself was more excruciating and distressing than Seojun had imagined. As he crudely sliced into his flesh, the skin slowly parted, oozing out thick, red blood. The thought of possible bacterial infection only added to his fear.

But an infection would take time to develop, and time could only be won by surviving today.

“Don’t ever do this again, Jun.”

Johan quickly snatched the stone away from Seojun, who obediently let it go, having no further need for the bloodied stone anymore. Johan’s usually bright smile now tightened into a somber line, as if his earlier happiness was just an illusion.

A cold feeling settled in Seojun’s chest as he observed Johan’s face, usually so full of life, now void of any. The sight of the young man, drenched in blood and misery, seemed almost unrecognizable.

But then Johan’s face quickly shifted into a look of anguish. He nuzzled his head against Seojun’s neck, his voice a soft whimper, as if wanting to be consoled or indulged.

“It hurts me too when you’re hurt, okay?”

“Johan….”

Seojun gripped Johan’s shoulder tightly, fighting back his own pain. His act of self-harm, as painful as it was, proved to be very effective!

“Stop being stupid and run!”

The monstrous alien, having just finished its meal, caught the scent of fresh blood and began to stir. It was time to play their part as bait.