episode_0070

After the first consultation, people continued to come into the counseling center. I tried to relieve as much as possible the worries and sorrows of those who came in.

Of course, if possible, memories and emotions were not removed.

“Please.. Please, sir…”

“…Yes. Okay.”

However, in cases like the woman in front of me, I had no choice but to remove the memory.

This is because in the past, before she came to Espilia Village, she had terrible memories of being brutally treated by bandits who stayed in the mountains while roaming the mountain paths.

Even when she was talking about herself, she felt pain and shed tears as she recalled and explained terrible memories.

These memories were disgusting just to recall, and unlike other cases, they were memories that were actually harmful if they remained, so I decided to absorb them at her request.

[Can absorb the target’s memories and emotions. Would you like to absorb it?]

[Absorb: ‘Casey’s’ memories of the bandits, absorption of feelings of despair and pain.]

[Do not absorb: Hypnosis is canceled.]

[Warning: When absorbed, side effects may occur to the user.]

There may be side effects. I think I can probably handle that much.

Until now, no pain had been felt in the alter body. If I could give the woman in front of me a little help in relieving the emotions of the terrible moment she experienced, I would gladly grant it.

‘Absorb.’

[Target: Absorbs Casey’s memories. 5,4,3,2….1. Memory absorption was successful.]

“…..? Teacher… somehow I feel a little lighter. What kind of memory of mine had disappeared…?”

“Ugh…Off…Ah…it was nothing. You can now go home.”

“Is that so…? Anyway, thank you. Teacher.”

Sigh..

“Woof…Wooow…”

As soon as she opened the door and walked out of the counseling center and her new brother disappeared, I erased the smile I was forcing and started gagging.

Carly looked at me with a questioning expression. But I didn’t even have time to answer Carly when she asked why.

‘It’s so… disgusting.’

As I absorbed the memories of the woman named Casey, the terrible memories of that day seen through her eyes and the emotions she felt came back to me as vividly as if they had happened to me.

Could this be the side effect that the status window was talking about?

“Phew…Phew…”

Fortunately, the terrible feelings and emotions faded away after a while. If it had been like usual, it was an experience that I thought I would never have done something like this again.

Now, for some reason, I think the relief that she was able to relieve the nightmare and despair she had experienced so far was greater than my pain.

“…Why is this happening all of a sudden? Are you okay?”

“Cough…cough. uh. It’s okay… I’m okay.”

“Hmm… I don’t think so when I saw it.”

“It’s really okay. Today’s consultation… let’s end it here.”

A lot of time had passed, and since no more customers had come after Casey, we decided to end today’s consultation here.

After cleaning up the inside of the counseling center and turning off the lights, I went out of the counseling center. Because Carly helped, the cleanup was completed quickly.

“Are you going home now?”

“Um… can you wait a moment?”

“Well, okay.”

After telling her to give me a moment, I took out the diary I had packed in my coat pocket.

I clearly remembered that there was other information written after the information about the counseling center, so I looked for that section and started reading.

…It seems like all work at the counseling center has been completed. It seems like customers don’t come anymore, and since I’m only human, I feel a little tired.

Since we have finished all the work on the upper level, we head to the lower level as always. When we reached the entrance to the lower level, a different scenery was revealed, as if a new world was unfolding.

The residents who see the citizens of the upper class reflected in the lower class give each other hostile looks.

…Their gaze will also be one of reasonless hatred and contempt. Rather than the gaze being focused on me, I feel sad about the inevitable situation.

Today, as usual, I will use the large amount of money that is too much for me to provide a little help to the hungry residents.

The upper class provided free counseling and even helped people by embracing terrible pain.

Rather than ending there, it was written that free food was provided to starving people in the lower class.

After completing the consultation, I think of people expressing their gratitude to me with happy or relieved expressions. At the same time, even the appearance of the residents in the lower level.

anyway. I felt like I had found what to do from now on.

“Carly. Let’s go now.”

“…Where are you going?”

“In the lower layer.”

“….What?!”

Carly was shocked and asked me if I was crazy and why you, a citizen of the upper class, were going to the lower class area.

“Why on earth do you want to go? It’s not as nice a place as you think. A place as clean and abundant as this…”

“So I’m going. Rather, because of that, there will be a lot of people who desperately need even a little help.”

“….Hey. Let me ask you just one question. Why on earth do you live for others like this?”

Carly asked me with a look of complete incomprehension. It is natural for an average person to live by prioritizing themselves over others.

I seemed to have doubts about helping others, even spending my time and money.

I quietly continued thinking about her question. What came to mind after a while was a simple but clear answer.

“That’s right… Because it’s something I can do. If you can do your best for the world, wouldn’t it be right to do so?”

If only I could use my abilities for the benefit of others. Wouldn’t it be enough if those who received help felt grateful and were able to live better lives?

In fact, even I had some doubts, but as I thought of these answers, it seemed clearer now.

“You…..”

Kali’s bright red eyes shine brightly and can be seen shaking slightly. Carly looked at me for a moment, then let out a laugh and started walking ahead.

“I will lead the way, so don’t miss out and follow me.”

“…Really? I would appreciate it if you did so.”

It seemed like I could vaguely remember the path, but if Carly knew the path, I would be able to go faster.

I quietly followed behind Carly.

“…Foolish human being.”

“Huh? What?”

“I didn’t say anything. So, just follow along quietly.”

***

I walk down for a while, following Kali, who is leading the way. Because the upper part of Espilia existed at a high altitude, the road continued all the way down.

After walking for a while, I arrived at what looked like an entrance.

“Everyone is here. Now it’s the lower class from here.”

“…….”

Centered around the large entrance, it was as if two worlds coexisted.

While the upper level where I was standing was clean and the buildings were sophisticated and bright, the lower level across from the entrance felt old and dark.

‘How can there be such a stark difference?’

It was truly amazing to see a completely different scene unfold from the small platform and entrance, but I think I also felt a bit of sadness in a corner of my heart.

“What is it? Are you finally feeling scared? This sister will take the lead, so don’t be afraid.”

“…It’s not like that. Let’s go quickly.”

“Ha, is that so?”

Leaving behind Carly, who is laughing playfully, I step over the scaffolding and walk into another world.

As I cross the entrance that separates the two worlds, it feels as if the air has changed.

The age of old buildings can be felt and the streets are covered in all kinds of filth. It felt like I was seeing a world completely opposite to that of the upper class.

-…I am a resident of the upper class.

-Why on earth are those damn bastards here…

-Oh, fuck. I’m in a bad mood.

At the same time, countless eyes begin to focus on me. The majority, or rather all, of those gazes were those of hostility and disgust.

Carly said, ‘Did I tell you?’ He shrugged his shoulders as if to say, but he expected this much.

There is no difference between looking at Kali, a lower-class resident, through the eyes of upper-class residents, and looking at me, an upper-class resident, through the eyes of lower-class residents.

Rather than embarrassment, I just felt sad.

Carly and I walk deeper into the lower levels. From the upper floors, a scenery that is difficult to see unfolds again.

Vendors selling cheap food with old signs. Young children running through the alleys. A worker carrying materials.

Everyone wore slightly worn-out clothes, and some walked around barefoot without shoes. It was clearly a place where people lived.

This is not the ‘demon world where people are dying and cannot live’ that the upper class residents were whispering about.

However, there was one difference.

Most of the residents were beastmen like Kali. Rabbit ears, fluffy tail. Sharp teeth, fierce eyes.

Just like when I first saw Kali, I looked at them in amazement at their amazing appearances.

‘…It’s just amazing. ‘What do you hate?’

The upper-class residents seemed to hate the beastmen themselves. I was disgusted by their unusual appearance, calling them beasts and all.

However, it didn’t feel that way at all to me. It was fascinating, and I actually felt their unique charm.

“Aren’t these sights disgusting?”

Carly spoke to me as I looked at the residents. He was playing with his cat ears, looking a little gloomy.

“What. It’s just amazing and attractive. Rather… I wish I was there too.”

“Haha..! You are truly crazy. Strange child.”

Carly, who was looking at me blankly, held her stomach and giggled for a while.

…No, if you’ve lived as a human all this time, I think it would be okay to experience something different like that. Is that so strange?

-…What is that person?

-He’s an unusual human being…

-Ha, it’s a hundred times better than those bastards who think they’re nobles.

-Fuhaha! There’s a really crazy guy!

Other residents must have heard what I said, and I saw some people smiling or mucking at me. Sadly, I couldn’t hear what was being said.

“Phew…Phew… Why are you making such a stupid expression, you bastard!”

“….What am I.”

“Ha… a really unique guy.”

Carly giggled and nudged me. However, my fragile body seemed to feel even the slightest gesture of Kali’s craggy hand as threatening.

“Ugh! What, why are you hitting me all of a sudden?”

“Hey, I just touched you lightly. What is hitting?”

…I think I’m a little bruised. It didn’t hurt, but it made me feel the gap between me and Kali once again.