Having successfully defeated the wolfs with my Dullahan abilities, I was trying to understand my own power while walking further through the forest. I came upon a fairly large rock, so I approached it. It was probably about 50 centimeters tall. Just the right size for sitting and resting. Even for an adult, lifting this rock would be difficult. It's not something an average person could hope to break with their fist. "Hah!" When I struck the rock, it broke into two with a crushing sound. Startled by the sound and impact of the large rock breaking, the nearby birds flew away in a flutter. What terrifying power, even for a monster. I checked my fist, worried that it might be injured, but there wasn't a single scratch. "Wow, I guess I've really stopped being human, huh." Grumbling to myself, I flipped my red cloak and started walking down the road again. I tried crushing a stone that fit in the palm of my hand with just my grip, running at full speed on the road, and jumping as hard as I could. Each and every one of these actions had extraordinary results. Stones crumbled like sand dumplings, and my running speed was quite fast. Not feeling out of breath or any other kind of fatigue, I ran around like a fool. I've probably already run quite a distance. When I jumped with all my might, I bounced up to a considerable height, probably about three meters. Overall, my physical abilities are extraordinary, but in comparison to my raw power and defensive ability, my agility and speed felt lower. Could it be due to the sluggishness of the body? Originally, Dullahans have high defensive power and strength. For speed they are accompanied by their horse Cóiste Bodhar. These are probably racial traits. Still, they far surpasse those of humans. By the way, while sprinting, I encountered quite a number of animals and magical creatures. Small oni children with green bodies. Goblins. There were even classic monsters like goblins around. I saw a lot of mysterious creatures, sometimes they fled and sometimes I repelling them with my bare fists. My otaku spirit within me was in high spirits. After all, this is a world with magical creatures. Realizing that this was a fantasy world, left me with mixed feelings. The chance that I was still in Japan was definitly out the window... I had some regrets not having a human form. But if I wasn't a Dullahan, the wolf attack would have killed me. For now, I resign myself to the fact that I'm a Dullahan and try to learn about this world and myself. While I can't come to terms with it completely, it's simply the way things have to be for now. I also want to search for my own head if it exists. ◆ "I'm getting tired of walking..." Having accepted my life as a Dullahan for now, I continued to wander aimlessly through the forest. Despite having run a considerable distance from the lake, there's not a single person around. Are there still no human settlements around? Despite having a tireless body, my heart remains that of the human, Sousuke Kubinashi. Basically, I got tired of walking through the forest. At first I didn't get boored because I was seeing plants and animals I had never seen before, but the scenery itself didn't change at all. All I see are trees, no matter how far i walk. I've had enough. I wonder if I shouldt use all my strength to run and escape the forest as quickly as possible.

I should be able to keep running without getting out of breath. "Okay, decision made—it's a marathon of endurance!" I was about to start running gallantly, when I suddenly realized something. Speaking of a Dullahan, it's a monster that moves around while riding a headless horse called Cóiste Bodhar. Well, there may be exceptions, but that's generally how he is depicted. If that's the case, I wonder if I could also ride a Cóiste Bodhar? Even though I don't feel tired, continuously running is mentally exhausting. Humans are creatures that seek comfort! Wait, I'm no longer human, right? Anyway, Cóiste Bodhar is not by my side right now. It wasn't there when I first came to my senses. It's as if everything's missing, isn't it? Despite being a Dullahan, I don't have even one sword. The world seems pretty unkind to me. Maybe it shows up, if I were to summon or call for it? Somehow I have a feeling that it will come out, even though I don't know the exact reason. Having secretly confirmed this in my heart, I let my cloak flutter, thrust out my hand, and shouted loudly. "Come forth! Cóiste Bodhar!" When I shouted with unusual excitement, the ground in front of me glowed and writhed in a dark color. From there, a headless horse appeared along with flickering purple flames. "Wow! It really appeared!" With a wild red mane and black fur, eerie purple flames flicker at its feet. It's truly a horse worthy of a Dullahan, an ominous presence. The headless horse neighed loudly from out of nowhere and raised its front legs high. Then, Cóiste Bodhar snorted as if satisfied. Yeah, it was quite a cool way to make an entrance. I observe once again the headless horse standing in front of me. Cóiste Bodhar was already equipped with stirrups, a saddle, and reins, making it seem like I could ride it right away. Naturally, being Cóiste Bodhar, it had no head. As if it were the most natural occurrence, it was nowhere to be seen. As fellow headless beings, I felt a sense of kinship. The reins floated where the mouth would be, along with the armor covering the facial area. I decided not to worry about it. After all, it's cool. "Um, you are my horse, right? Is it really okay for me to ride you?" I'm afraid I might get kicked hard if I try to mount it. As I hesitated, Cóiste Bodhar came to me and rubbed its body against mine. It seemed to be saying, "That's right." Without thinking, I stroked Cóiste Bodhar's jet-black body. What a wonderfully smooth sensation. The hairs don't catch on my hand and just slip through effortlessly, like high-quality silk thread. After coming to this world, I feel relaxed for the first time. My soul, being alone in the forest of an unknown world, may have worn out more than I expected.

"I won't be alone anymore, if I call out for you!" Cóiste Bodhar neighed briefly, as if to answer me. It seems to react to my words. Perhaps this headless horse is intelligent. "Nevertheless, calling you by your full name, Cóiste Bodhar, every time is quite a hassle. Perhaps I should come up with a nickname." A name that captures some physical characteristics, and that is easy to call out... I cross my arms and gaze intently. A black body, a red mane... Hmm, "Kuro" is too plain and not cool. Besides, cause of the mane he is only half black. As I shifted my gaze downward, I suddenly caught sight of a flickering purple flame. Purple Flame... Shien... Hmm, not bad. I feel like it's quite cool. "How about 'Shien', inspired by your purple flames?" "Hihiii!" I timidly suggested the name to the horse, and Shien nuzzled its neck against me playfully. "You liked it, huh? Good." After stroking Shien and feeling satisfied, I thought I would try to ride next and fearfully put my foot in the stirrup. I certainly have no experience in horseback riding. I remain uncertain if I can manage to ride a horse, let alone make it walk. I have heard that horseback riding is quite difficult. "Goooooahhhhhh!" As I was hesitating like that, something suddenly passed over our heads. A huge shadow, completly unlike a bird. Because I have no head, it's difficult to look straight up, but I managed to arch my body and somehow glance upwards, where I saw a creature flying with bat-like wings. Its reptilian body was covered in numerous red scales and had a long, spiny tail. A pair of eagle-like legs sprouted from this body. In the realm of fantasy, such a creature is known as a dragon or a wyvern. It seemed to be about the size of a house, but since it was a bit thin and petite, it might be a young one. "Oh, a wyvern!" Seeing such a staple of fantasy worlds, I raised my voice excitedly. Even though I couldn't see its face clearly from below, I was satisfied to witness such a rare creature. As I watched the wyvern flying away, it made a large arc and began to circle back. Facing forward, it became clear that it had a lizard-like triangular face with large horns extending sideways. That face is definitely a wyvern's. "Hm?" The wyvern started descending, and it seemed to be directing its snake-like yellow eyes towards me. Its vertically slit pupils moved and then fixed their gaze on me. "Oh no! Did it spot me and start circling back? Eating a Dullahan, an undead creature, wouldn't be tasty at all, right!?" While shouting a retort, I rushed to mount Shien. This is no time to worry about being scared of riding a horse. If I take an attack from the wyvern, even my body would get injured! "Run! Shien! Full speed!" As I shouted this, Shien let out a neigh and tried to lift its front legs. "Now is not the time to show off!" I retorted and gave him a light smack.