episode_0157

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3. When going to bed, close the balcony window, but do not lock it.

– Anyone would feel bad if a door that was always open was locked one day.

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I’ve been curious about this for a long time.

An unidentified ghost that comes into the veranda every night.

What on earth do people do while they sleep?

When I open my eyes in the morning, my back feels stiff.

And my head feels refreshed.

You start your day with a refreshing feeling, as if all your worries have been swept away by the waves.

It’s a good thing. Because the stress that eats away at my brain disappears every night.

If it weren’t for that, Eunha might have suffered from all sorts of traumas with a more devastated mind than she does now.

Of course, it’s not like there’s still no trauma, but…

Well, anyway.

『… … .』

Late at night.

Eunha was guarding the brightly lit security room.

She looked down with confused eyes at ‘something’ sticking to the outside of the security office.

This happens as soon as the old man leaves for night patrol.

I gathered my strength to think that at least I wouldn’t be lonely.

What you see beyond the security room window.

A dark parking lot.

The light from the streetlight coming through the fence.

And with those as the background… just like in Eunha’s house,

‘Something’ stuck its head out from beyond the window.

The light shining from the street lamp creates a shadow on ‘that’ face.

『… … .』

It feels like seeing a water ghost sticking its head out from a pitch black lake.

Eunha stroked the stuffed dog on her desk, feeling goosebumps running down her back.

‘I guess he followed me here because no one was home… He must be a very worried person.’

It was better .

I was almost scared when I left home in the middle of the night, but I felt strangely relieved when I thought that the person living downstairs had come to visit.

It’s not the monster that followed you to the security room, but the worried neighbor downstairs.

I turned my thoughts in a positive direction and waved at ‘that’.

(You can sit in the security room and check on people coming in from outside.)

(You may touch the items in the security room as you wish, but please do not open the lock on the door.)

Now that the elderly security guard has gone on patrol inside the apartment, all he can trust is the [Black Book] and the tightly closed doorway.

Eunha glanced at the tightly locked door and smiled slyly.

It’s just eerie because it’s night.

It’s nothing.

“Hello. You’re from the house below, right?”

『… … .』

“What brought you to the security office at this hour?”

Daily security guard Eunha patted the glow-in-the-dark vest she was wearing and said.

Because I want to be seen as a somewhat trustworthy person, rather than someone who cowers out of fear.

I imitate the elderly man’s kind smile and imitate a clumsy security guard.

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3. When going to bed, close the balcony window, but do not lock it.

– Anyone would feel bad if a door that was always open was locked one day.

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Dalkak-.

Just in case, I slightly opened the window.

Then, as if it had been waiting, ‘that’ fixed the window frame and stuck its head out a little more.

『… … sit down?”

“I have to go to work tomorrow, so I’ll be back before 12 o’clock. Now the old man is patrolling and guarding the security room.”

It seems like Eunha really came here because she wasn’t at home.

Eunha took out a pack of soy milk from her desk drawer and held it out the window.

… … However, since ‘that’ was hanging on the window frame, both hands were not free.

Eunha had no choice but to put a straw in a pack of soymilk and put it into ‘that’s’ mouth.

‘That’ had a fresh expression on its face, but it calmly took the soy milk that Eunha gave it and drank it.

“I do it while drinking. Isn’t it difficult if I keep hanging on?”

『… Night security, did your brother order it? Do you want me to do it for you?』

“Oppa?……Are you talking about the old security guard?’

An older brother to an old man,

What is the genealogy of this apartment?

I feel at ease because it seems like all the residents are friendly with each other.

“I begged that I wanted to do it. I thought that if I learned security work, I would be able to move around the apartment safely even after the sun goes down. Also, find out who lives in the apartment.”

『I live in room 804.』

“I know. You always come up to the veranda.”

『You come down too.』

“If we become closer.”

Just a little…

‘That’ drank the soy milk given by Eunha in an instant and continued the conversation.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere outside the window, it really feels like you are chatting with your apartment neighbors.

The tension weighing down my shoulders gently eases.

‘But is there really a need to hang from the security room window?’

Eunha frowned at the slightest curiosity and carefully examined the features of ‘that’.

… … .

It is a strange being.

Even though I’m looking at it face to face, I can’t describe what ‘that’ looks like.

Information such as approximate facial features, eye color, and hairstyle.

Like grains of sand flowing between fingers, they disappear, leaving behind only traces.

Beautiful woman.

Eyes resembling waves, tears of blood flowing.

An expression full of sadness.

… … and,

These memories, too, disappear from Eunha’s mind like being swept away by waves.

In that empty space, only freshness remained.

“… Are you doing something to me?”

Same feeling as when I wake up in the morning.

Eunha, holding her refreshing hair with one hand, asked a question.

Sensing a sense of discomfort, her lips trembled slightly, and she stopped talking to ‘that’ and got up from the desk.

『Tell it out.』

Quiet voice.

Just like when encountering other monsters, the cold air clogs the galaxy’s pores.

I don’t feel good.

Eunha closed her mouth.

” Confidence, what?”

『It hurts.』

“Ah, there is nothing like that~…… … … Except for people I’ve never met in person, who keep coming and being rude to me.”

I shut my mouth.

Still, her voice wanders through the quiet security room.

“Kidnapping, intimidation, joining a guild… But if you don’t want to suffer and take out the [Black Book], people will die.”

『… … .』

“The monsters try to harm me whenever they get the chance, but all I can do is follow the ‘rules’… so I thought I’d rather be friends with the monsters.”

『… … .』

“I thought that if we got to know each other, we would have a way to win.”

The essence flows out between the pursed lips.

Like fine grains of sand leaking between your fingers.

The inner thoughts that come out without any hesitation scratch the roof of Eunha’s mouth.

“As much as it hurts me, I hope others are happy…”

『… … .』

“So I… no, wait… what?”

Startle!

Is it because I’m not sleeping?

Eunha quickly came to her senses and shook her head.

What good did you do that you are telling your apartment neighbors about your worries?

“… What did I just say?”

“sleep talking.”

Soon, a regretful sigh from ‘that’ escaped,

Eunha, whose head felt as cold as if she had been hit with cold water, took out the [Black Book] and cross from her carrier and checked the condition of her body.

Shoot…

The worries that weigh down your head disappear.

I look around, feeling that something has happened to the monster in front of me.

The security room entrance was still locked.

『There is always positivity mixed in.』

“It’s good.”

『For you, positivity is also painful.』

I don’t know the principle, but painful parts are being cut out from other people’s memories without permission.

It’s not like the memory itself is disappearing, but it feels like Eunha’s feelings about that memory are leaking out.

For example, the news that So-ryeong is missing.

Eunha still remembers that fact.

But I’m not sad anymore.

The feelings about the memories disappear, like looking down at an old black and white photo.

Only emotionless eyes are visible through the transparent picture frame.

I was relieved because it was a monster that came every night, but maybe it was a more dangerous neighbor than I thought.

The back of my neck gets stiff when I think that if I’m not careful, things other than painful memories may leak out.

Even if Eunha doesn’t know anything else, she pledges to follow ‘that’ rule.

“Um, wait a minute? Would you like to stop for now?”

I don’t know anything else, but it would be difficult if they came to the security office and did this.

I’ll be able to go home soon enough, but I wonder if I can’t wait for that moment.

‘Or did you want me to know?… Let’s close the window first.’

Eunha, feeling refreshed, tried to close the window, but was unable to do so because the hand of ‘that’ hanging on the window frame was in the way.

With the cross she took out of the carrier, Eunha tapped the head of ‘that’ sticking out, as if catching a mole.

Hitting it has no effect, so you can hit it with confidence.

“Please close the window and get out of the way for a moment. My hand hurts.”

『… May I suffer for other people’s misfortune.』

At that time, ‘that’ opened its mouth.

Catching the flowing grains of sand.

Just like it always was in Eunha’s bed.

Someone’s pain is captured in the flowing tears of blood.

『The one we love… you resemble us after all.』

“I don’t know what it is, but won’t you stop? If you make noise in the security room at night, residents will complain… For your information, I am the type of person who runs around all day when I receive a complaint.”

『I’ll stop. Don’t run upstairs.』

“Good.”

Nope…

‘That thing’ hanging from the window was shaking.

Like holding back laughter after discovering a cute creature.

Cheolpukㅡ.

‘That’ had no lower body.

That may be the reason why it was hung on the window frame of the security room rather than the veranda on the 9th floor.

『If you can have someone take your place, there is no need to endure the pain on purpose.』

A monster whose face is unknown and does not exist from the waist down.

Something that takes the pain from other people’s memories.

What kind of resentment do you have? Is it resentment that takes on other people’s pain?

We don’t know yet.

“… Hey, you know what? Even though I’m afraid of and hate other monsters, I don’t hate them that much.”

『… … .』

“I don’t remember being sick yet. I like that the rules are simple.”

Therefore, Eunha smiled languidly as usual,

I tapped the back of ‘that’ hand that was clutching the window frame with my finger.

As always, you just have to follow the rules.

Then, instead of being a monster and a victim,

It could be a neighbor or cousin you see occasionally in your apartment.

All you can do is follow the ‘rules’,

Chosen by a woman who has never been called smart,

It is a way to live safely among monsters.

“And if you try to bend the rules just to get revenge, I will kick you out of ‘my apartment’ no matter what, so you know that.”

『… … .』

Grumbling…

I took out a few soy milk packs from the drawer and handed them to ‘that’.

This means eat this and go back.

I thought it was good.

Thanks to that monster coming to visit me every night, I am able to keep my mind straight even though my whole body was cut and torn apart by the monsters.

Eunha appealed that she would only look at him this time, and cast a stern look at ‘that’ hanging on the window frame.

“Ladyㅡ…”

Just then, an elderly security guard who had finished patrolling the building came out of the apartment and called Eunha.

A troubled smile is etched on the face of the old man leisurely approaching.

『… … I came back faster than usual.』

A small murmur.

‘That’ quietly moved away from the window frame and closed the window.

A monster that takes other people’s pain…

After working as a night guard, I was able to become a little closer to the residents of the apartment complex whom I had not been able to talk to during the day.

It’s not bad.

Eunha looked down at ‘something’ sticking its head out through the window.

When I look at that person’s sad eyes, I feel an inexplicable pain in my lower back.

“… … I know your head feels refreshed, but what about your back?”

“curious?”

“Yes.”

『If you’re curious, come down. Room 804.』

“You say something similar to [Bug Princess]. Do you think I can’t go?”

So, leaving meaningful farewell words.

‘Something’ waving at Eunha disappeared under the window.

… … .

Shoot…

Grains of sand flowing down.

but,

Containing the warmth of sunlight.

“… … If you see him come up from the veranda every day, his arm and finger strength must be amazing. You must have exercised a lot.”

I still can’t remember what ‘that’ looks like.

Still, before Eunha’s memories completely disappear,

I was able to roughly imitate ‘her’ expression, which was filled with sadness.

‘… … Was it like this?’

A window filled with darkness.

The galaxy reflected blurryly,

was laughing

『Scary Oppa is coming. hi.”

“What is it? Haven’t you gone yet?… There’s a truck at the security office. Let’s get in.”

『Are you crazy?』

Eunha saw ‘that’ off with a refreshed mind.

… … .

A neighbor suddenly came to visit me while I was on guard at night.

A monster drenched in sadness and shedding bloody tears.

Most of the memories leaked out like grains of sand, but the smile engraved on the corner of her mouth remained like a trace, warming Eunha’s heart.

“I’ve been there, lady. Did anything happen? ”

“I had a little chat with my neighbor. He was a good person.”

“I am relieved that you think so.”

I hope that the current warmth will continue for a little while longer.

Eunha stayed in the security room and learned security duties from the elder.

The elder stayed by Eunha’s side until midnight and explained the patrol times and order.

Eunha wrote down the old man’s words one by one and stuck them in her head.

The old man said that every time he came to the security office, he would tell him the ‘security rules’…

Since I plan to use it usefully on a daily basis, taking notes was essential.

“Hehe… Do whatever you want. However, it would be a good idea to put the written down paper in the [black book]. Please do not show it to other residents of the apartment.”

“Okay… Ah, that’s right. Elderly. I’ll take all the guides piled up in the drawer. What were you storing up such scary things for?”

“Huh?”

Nothing much happened after that.

The ‘Apartment Guide’ that I had put in my suitcase was taken away and I was told that stealing was a bad thing, and I was nagged.

After hearing the nagging question of when residents’ ‘suggestions’ will be confirmed,

I heard nagging.

The advice of the old man who decided to teach her something was so terrible that Eunha, who had already called for surrender, had to listen to the old man’s nagging without saying a word.

So, she learned night guard until a little after midnight.

Under the escort of an elderly person, I was able to return home with all limbs intact.

“Next time you have night security, please let us know in advance in the morning. It’s not good for an old man’s heart.”

“Do monsters also have a faster heart rate when they are surprised?”

“Most of them will make your heart rate faster.”

“Aha.”

After meeting [The Black Book], I went on a night out for the first time in a long time.

It was a night of sharing warmth with neighbors.

… … .

… … .

“Welcome! Eunha!…… You look happier than usual today?”

“It’s because I slept late.”

next day.

Eunha started the day with a refreshing feeling that was different from usual.

Is it because I discovered the reason why I feel refreshed every morning?

With the thought of going to work as a night guard next time if the opportunity arises, Eunha was absorbed in her work at the cafe again today.

“Nari Kang, did you order this incorrectly?”

“Yes?…… Ah! I’m sorry, Eunha! I’ll make a new one soon!”

“This is what Ban Harin ordered, so take your time.”

“It’s too much.”

“Nari Kang, whose only advantage as an employee is not to make mistakes, made a mistake when ordering. Did something happen?”

“No, it’s just… It’s been a while since I was invited to a meal by my oldest brother. When it becomes clear, I will explain it properly.”

I was worried about Kang Na-ri, whose mind was in a different place today, but I didn’t ask too much because I thought she would take care of it.

Eunha came into the kitchen and kicked out Ban Ha-rin, who was admonishing Kang Na-ri, with her soft fist, killing time until the next customer arrived.

… … .

… … .

Just like that, the day ended without any significant incident,

Always on the way home from work.

“… … Who are you?”

“The head of the Hunter Association is Go Young-in. Is it okay for a moment?”

“No.”

Eunha looked up at a skinny middle-aged man with no muscles who looked as if he would collapse if touched.

He burst out laughing at his life where there was not a single day without a good day.