Blood Blockade Battlefront belongs to Yasuhiro Nightow.
Daily Life with a Monster Girl belongs to Okayado.
I own neither of them.

Zed didn't know what kind of predicament which loomed before him. The moment the girls stepped toward him, he could feel his heart pounded really hard as his gills shrunk. It was not because he was going to be surrounded by girls. Instead, his instinct cried that the next moment would be even scarier than facing a powerful elder Blood Breed.

"Hello, I'm Tionishia Ogre. Nice to meet you, Mister O'Brien." The ogre introduced herself politely as she gave her gigantic hand which Zed took it with his shaky hand. "I'm looking forward to work with you."

"Oh, same as me, Miss… Tionishia." Zed replied as her strong shake nearly broke his arm.

"Just call me Tio, okay…" Tio winked.

It was a relief that the ogre was really friendly. Although, physical contact might be a little bit dangerous. Her strength was probably on par with most beyonders from the inner part of Hellsalem's Lot.

"Hoho… Hello and welcome. I'm Zombina. Nice to meet you, insect guy!" The zombie offered her hand.

This miss Frankenstein was really racist. Judging people just by seeing their appearance. Having a pair of antennas and two wrist blades doesn't mean that he was a bug.

Reluctantly, Zed made a handshake as a tick mark popped up on his head. "Hi. Nice to meet you." Zed said as he held back his anger.

"Zombina, Zed is not an insect. He is a hetero-morph. Correct?" Smith stated as she fixed her black-glasses.

"Yes. I'm a hetero-morph. A hybrid between human and fish." Zed answered with a hint of shame. "In short, I'm a merman."

Hearing that, Tio gasped, Zombina snickered, the cyclops widened her single eye while the fairy giggled. Smith knew about that and cleared her throat.

"Don't worry Zed. It's nothing to be shame about." Smith gave a reassuring smile.

"S-so, you are a merman?" The cyclops asked as she came out from behind the zombie. "I-I'm so s-sorry. I-I was really scared… B-by the way, m-my name is Manako Monoeye. Nice to meet you, Mister O'Brien."

Now, Zed could smile. This cyclops was very meek. He should be friendly with her like how he treated Leonardo.

"Hello, Manako. Nice to meet you too." Zed bowed.

"Huh? So, you're a fish?" Zombina asked as she flicked one of Zed's protruding antennas. "I thought you're an ant."

Another tick mark appeared on Zed's head. This zombie really knew how to burn his patience more than Zapp could. He hoped that there was someone like Chain among these girls. Perhaps the last of the four? He thought about it as he averted his gaze towards the last member who kept on grinning.

A puff of white smoke suddenly appeared in front of Zed as he looked at the fairy. When the smoke cleared, he saw another Smith who had replaced the white-haired lass. He didn't know what kind of magic trick the fairy pulled, but it was enough to confuse him. He frantically switching his gaze from the first Smith and her carbon-copy. The first Smith in response crossed her arms as she gave an annoyed look.

"Stop it Doppel! That's not funny."

"Hehe… Sorry." Doppel turned back to her original form as she giggled. "Zed O'Brien, right? I'm Doppel."

'Shape-shifter!?' Zed gulped as he imagined said creature from North-American urban-legends. 'This is worse than Blood Breed!'

"Doppel-chan… That's not nice!" Tio grabbed the shape-shifter and patted her head. "Mister O'Brien, please forgive her. She likes to pull up prank whenever she sees a guest."

"Umm, It's okay," replied Zed as he put an awkward smile.

"Well… After the introduction, what about a short tour around our HQ?" Smith asked as she raised her index finger.

"That's a good idea!" Tio pumped her hand up cheerfully.

"Heh, sounds great." Zombina smirked as she leaned closer to Zed. "Right, fishman?"

"I-I guess it would be f-fun." Manako added shyly.

"No objection," said Doppel.

"Then, what are we waiting for?" Smith took the lead as she waved her hand. "Let's go. I bet you might love this Mister O'Brien. Compared to Mister Klaus' office, M.O.N.'s is much larger. We have nearly all kind of things in this compound!"

"Come on, fishman!" Zombina suddenly wrapped her arm around Zed's neck and pulled him.

"O… Oi…"

'Aw, man… This is going to be a bumpy ride…' Zed thought as Zombina pushed him while Tio pulled his arm.

"Hey, everyone, wait for me…!" Manako ran as she was nearly left behind.

Zed was astonished to see how large and well-maintained the facility was. Thanks to the constant funding from the government as well as some philanthropists, M.O.N. was up and running as a leading organization which dealt with liminals. Zed could only wonder whether Libra could grow as big as M.O.N. in the future.

Their tour finally led them to the training facility. There were a gym, a swimming pool, tennis court, athletic venues and an outdoor shooting yard. At this point, Zed thought that M.O.N. was probably a division of JSDF.

"And… You can use the swimming pool while we are preparing a special water tank for you." Smith closed her explanation as she pointed towards the swimming pool.

"Is it okay?" asked Zed. "I mean…"

"Oh, do you mean the water?" Smith smiled reassuringly as she waved her hand. "Don't worry. The water is very clean. We pipe it directly from the nearest mountain."

"Uh–uh… Okay." The hetero-morph nodded.

"Hey… Now, why don't we try the shooting venue?" asked Tio excitedly. "Is that okay, Smith-san?"

Smith only nodded. Before Zed could respond, the the girls had dragged him to the entrance of the shooting venue. He felt that it was his end since he never wielded gun. As he looked around the area, he saw Smith was blocking the only way out from the yard.

"Oh, come on, Mister Zed." Smith was smirking. "Why don't you see the girls demonstrating their ability? Oh yeah! And just for your information, back in America, I was trained by Mrs. KK."

"I-I see… Well then…" Zed reluctantly stood behind the girls too see the demonstration.

'Hmm…Make sense. That's why Mrs. KK was chummy with her. And please… Don't let me wield any gun…' Zed thought as he gulped.

A moment later, he saw the girls brought their weapons and were ready with their ear protector. All wielded different kind of guns. Doppel took a handgun, Zombina with two sub-machine guns, Manako chose a semiautomatic carbine while Tio, she carried a portable mini-gun.

'I bet they'll become the bloodiest gang if they live in Hellsalem's Lot. Scary…' Zed shuddered as he stared at the girls. 'And Tionishia… Ugh… Juggernaut is the worst enemy in battle.'

As the girls took their position and aimed at the target-practice dummies, Zed closed his sides of his heads while Smith put her fingers on his ears. They knew that the gunshots would torture their ear-drums.

The next moment, the ladies pulled the triggers of their respective weapons. The bangs filled the area and Zed could only screeched due to loud noise. When the ear-drum torture ended, he saw the four dummies were in different states. Doppel's only got some random shots. Manako's got six perfectly accurate shots on each marking area. Zombina's were filled with holes to the brim. And Tio's… the thing which left was the post for holding it.

"Hehehe…" Zombina chuckled and put a devious grin as she put down her SMGs. "What do you think fishman? Here, we are trained to become soldiers. I bet in America, you've get a lot of experience with guns, eh?"

"Mister O'Brien. Why don't you try?" Manako asked politely as Tio and Doppel nodded. "There are still some dummies left."

"Or… You don't know at all how to shoot? Hmm… fishman?" Zombina's face showed a smug smirk as she leaned closer to the nervous hetero-morph.

Zed sweated bullet. Among the members of Libra, only KK who mastered marksmanship. The rest were front-liners who engaged the enemies with techniques of Blood Battle Styles. Among these front-liners, Zapp and Zed were the only persons who weaponized Blood Battle Style into melee form. It would be really hard for him to imagine how he could hold a gun and pulled the trigger without injuring people around him.

"Don't underestimate Mister Zed!" Smith fixed her eyeglasses as she smirked while still standing in front of the door. "Although, he's not proficient in shooting, he is a very powerful combatant. He will become M.O.N.'s great asset since he uses an ancient fighting technique."

"Eh? Are you a martial artist, fishman?" asked Zombina as she raised her brow.

"Uh, no… That's not true." Zed retorted while nervousness was still present on his face. "And please stop calling me fishman!"

"So, what kind of this fighting style do you master, Mister O'Brien?" asked Manako.

"That is why Mister Zed, I want you to show these ladies how you fight." Smith ordered as she walked towards the hetero-morph. "It's really important for the success in our line of work. Rest assured, I've got permission from Mister Klaus."

As Smith flashed a thumbs-up, Zed sighed. He was grateful that Smith helped him out from the nightmarish situation. And her reason was right when she ordered him to show his Blood Battle Style technique. Understanding each other's fighting style is very important.

"Very well. Then, give me a target!" Zed said as the others were looking at him in confusion.

"So, you won't take any weapon?" asked Zombina.

"Just watch!" warned Smith as she pushed the girls away from Zed. "Your target is that scarecrow over there."

"Okay." Zed nodded as crimson strand appeared from around his body.

The girl's eyes widened as wide as plate. They never saw such kind of magic. Even Smith was also awe-stricken by such kind of display since she didn't get any detail from Klaus regarding Blood Battle Style technique.

A moment later, the strand gathered itself and turned into a blood-red trident. Zed grabbed it in one hand as the girls dropped their respective weapons as well as their jaws.

"Cool!" Zombina commented as Zed was still holding his trident.

"Cooler!" Tio and Manako squealed as Zed took a stance of a lancer, ready to throw his weapon towards the farthest dummy.

刃身の伍·突龍槍
"Blade Form Five, Piercing Dragon Spear!"

Zed uttered his technique's name as he threw his trident with great force towards the scarecrow. The force was so great that the wind element he imbued blew the hair of the ladies behind him. The moment his trident pierced the scarecrow, its raiment as well as its plastic body shredded into pieces by the wind. It produced a whirlwind which lasted for ten seconds. The girls' jaws dropped onto the floor comically.

"COOLEST!" All the ladies screamed as the wind dissipated.

Zed dusted his hands and turned around, only to see the ladies cheeks turned red. He was totally flustered upon seeing such sight.

"Wow… That was… Amazing!" Tio exclaimed as she looked at Zed with starry eyes.

"Hohoho… That's very fancy, fishman!" The zombie praised as she snickered while Manako and Doppel nodded violently.

"As expected from Mister Klaus' subordinate!" Smith nodded her head as she smiled in satisfaction. "You truly have so much potential. I guess… We don't need any further test. So, congratulation! Welcome to M.O.N., Zed O'Brien! Now, you're accepted as our new member!"

Zed could only hung his jaw as Smith came to him to make a congratulating handshake. The next moment, it was Zombina and Tio who gave him welcoming hugs. First, Zombina's embrace nearly choked him. He didn't think that the female undead was that strong. The next, Tio's bear-hug nearly broke his ribs and the worse, his breathing apparatus around his neck burst due to the force.

"BLUARGHHH… ACK" Zed was gasping for water as his gills on his neck shrunk.

"HHHEEEHHHH…! Zed-kun! Hang on there!" Tio shook Zed forcefully as he was squirming in her grasp.

As water drained out from his gills, his vision blurred. Yet, he could still hear the girls were panicking.

"Idiot! Give him CPR!" Zombina snatched Zed and laid him on the floor. "Quick!"

"Smith-san… What should we do!?" Manako panicked as she fidgeted.

As Zed was still laying, Zombina pressed his chest continuously while Tio gave him air. Instead of gasping for air like usual victim of sinking, Zed was convulsing as the air forced into his chest blew the residual water from his gills. His face became whiter as the ogre gave him more air. Smith in return shoved out Zombina and Tio aside and carried him.

"BAKA! He's fish! Throw him to the pond! IDIOT!" Smith yelled as she dragged Zed to the swimming pool.

With all her strength, Smith sprinted while pulling the hetero-morph along a running track. Yet, halfway though the way, she tumbled down due to the strain. Zed's body turned out to be heavier than she thought. The girls who followed behind came to help her.

"MEHEHH… HHEEEHHH… Hhurryyy… Brriiinngg HHIIMM" Smith ordered between her ragged breath and passed out.

Tio and Zombina nodded. The ogre took Zed and slung him over her shoulder. With her superior physical prowess, she brought the fishman near the water in no time. However, there was still one problem. Zed's shirt and green baggy pants seemed to contain many valuable items. Tio stopped near the pool as she waited her friends.

"What are you doing!? Throw him to the water!" Zombina yelled as she ran towards the ogre.

"B-but, Bina-chan! He brings many belongings in his pants." Tio argued as she patted Zed's pockets.

"Ju-just… Just strip him!" Zombina quickly grabbed Zed and unbuttoned his shirt while Tio unfasten his belt.

"Grr… This wrist fins! It only hinder… What the…" Zombina paused as she saw the thing under the shirt.

"A-a-abs…!" Tio could only muttered as her eyes turned into whirling spirals.

"Woo… Is he a gym leader?" Doppel asked as she was also stareing at Zed's form.

Seeing her friends were slacking, Manako took the initiative. She tore Zed's shirt and pulled down his pants as well as his metal shoes.

"EVERYONE! AT THIS POINT, HE WILL DIE!" Manako yelled as she dragged Zed to the pool. "GRRAHH…!"

With Manako's last effort, Zed was thrown into the pool. The girls could only stare as his body sank to the bottom, motionlessly.

Zed found himself in a familiar environment. He could feel the pressure of water on his body. As he twitched, he could see everything around him was light blue and the taste of the water was sweet. The sweetness also made him realized that the water must be from a place with high amount of mineral. 'High mineral? It must be from a mountain?' Zed mused as he started to swim around in the depth. 'Wait… Oh no! I must be in that pool!'

Zed swiftly swam to the surface and saw the girls were waiting by the pool with worried faces. He forgot what happened, but from their looks, he knew that they were worrying him. As he swam to the side, the ladies looked at him with teary eyes.

"Uh, Mister Zed… We-we are so sorry." Tio apologized as she bowed and burst into tears.

"I-I thought… You're dead… Please, forgive us…" Zombina begged as she knelt while crying.

"We thought that we killed you…" Manako sobbed as Doppel patted her shoulder. "We are so sorry…"

Zed sighed as he was still floating. It was just merely hours after his arrival. Yet, that day felt so eventful. He didn't know how to respond. As he stared at the crying ladies, Smith came to see him, basked under the ray of setting sun.

"Ahem…" Smith cleared her throat. "Good evening, Zed. We would like to apologize for the accident this morning."

"And for my respiratory device?" Zed deadpanned.

"We have made the replacement. It will be ready by tomorrow." Smith replied as she lowered her head out of shame.

"I see…" Zed submerged for a moment and came out again. "Then, when will I start to work?"

"Uh… Tomorrow, I think. But before that, you need to take some training." Smith replied as she took out a piece of paper from her pocket and showed it to Zed. "This is the schedule."

Zed read the paper and nodded his head. From the information, he could conclude that M.O.N was highly organized and had very strict rules regarding the competency of its workers. Somewhat, he was happy that the training would also include how to write paperwork. At last, he could put his knowledge in literary into his work.

"Okay. Anything else you want to talk with me?" inquired Zed as he put his ever present stoic-face.

"Well. That's all. But, please… Would you like to kindly forgive them?" Smith asked with a sincere smile while Tio and Zombina looked at him with very hopeful eyes.

"Okay… I'll count it as an accident." Zed smiled in return.

"Re-really…?" Tio asked as she rubbed the tear on her eyes.

"Yeah…" Zed nodded.

"Yay…!" The ogre jumped in jubilation. "Thank you, Zed-kun!"

"Uh… yeah." Zed said under his breath. "Zed-kun? I'm not in America anymore, huh…?"

"You're the best, fishman!" Zombina also rejoiced to know Zed's forgiveness.

"Just don't call me fishman!" Zed huffed.

"Then, what about O'Brien-san?" Manako asked shyly.

"That's better." Zed gave a thumbs-up as he floated near the side of the pool.

"Well, let's call it a day. So, enjoy your evening rest, Zed. See you tomorrow." Smith bid her farewell as she walked away.

"See you, Miss Smith."

Smith walked casually towards the exit of the pool. She thought that it would be better to leave the girls with Zed. Yet, before her feet passed the gate, she heard screams of the girls. When she turned around, she saw a horrifying scene to add the eerie situation for that dusk. Manako and Doppel grimaced at the sight of Tio and Zombina being tied on a nearby pole using blood-red strings.

"Kyaaaah… Zed-kun… We're so sorry!" Tio wiggled on the pole like a cocoon.

"F-fishman… we don't intend to– GUHH" Zombina tried to explain, but was cut by the tightening of the string on her body.

"You want to make a pool party?! Were you trying to seduce me!?" Zed snarled at the two as he was pulling the strings on his hand while his eyes glowed bright yellow. "Let me tell you! THIS POOL IS MY TERRITORY! YOU WILL NEVER ENTER THIS WATER UNLESS YOU GET SMITH'S PERMISSION! UNDERSTAND!?"

All the girls obeyed and nodded in fear. It seemed that Zed had held back his anger. Triggered by the girls' second mistake, now his wrath got the better of him.

Smith could only sigh as she walked away. Not that she ignored them. She was just too tired to deal with the girls all the time. A faint smile suddenly rose on his face. Perhaps soon enough, the girls would have a very powerful commander. Zed's stiffness would be needed at some points to discipline her monster subordinates.

Her smile grew wider as she thought about how Zed would become her second in command. That would only mean that her job became much easier. She was imagining the day when Zed would take over her tasks while she sat leisurely behind her desk.

Author's Note

Hope you like it… See you next time. ;-)