Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 70 – To the Lower Levels

After the first consultation, people continued to come into the counseling center. I tried my best to alleviate the worries and sorrows of the people who came in.

Of course, if possible, I did not remove their memories and emotions.

“Please… I beg you, sir…”

“…Yes. I understand.”

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

Before she came to the village of Espilia, she had a terrible memory of being assaulted by bandits while wandering the mountain paths.

Even when she talked about it herself, she felt pain recalling the terrible memory and shed tears.

These memories were so disgusting that just recalling them was harmful, unlike other cases. So, I decided to absorb her memory at her request.

[You can absorb the target’s memories and emotions. Do you want to absorb them?]

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

[Do not absorb: Hypnosis will be lifted.]

[Warning: Absorption may cause side effects to the user.]

Side effects, huh. I think I can endure that much.

So far, I haven’t felt any pain in my duplicate body. If I can relieve the terrible emotions of the woman in front of me, I will gladly allow it.

‘Absorb.’

[Target: Absorbing Casey’s memory. 5, 4, 3, 2…1. Memory absorption successful.]

“…? Sir… Somehow, I feel a bit lighter. What memory of mine was erased…?”

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

“Is that so? Anyway, thank you, sir.”

Creak…

“Ugh…ugh…”

As soon as her figure disappeared outside the counseling center, I wiped the forced smile off my face and gagged.

Kali, watching me, had a puzzled expression. But I didn’t even have the energy to answer her question.

‘So…disgusting.’

As I absorbed Casey’s memory, the terrible memory of that day and the emotions she felt came to me as vividly as if I had experienced it myself.

—

Is this what the status window spoke of as side effects?

“Haah… Haah…”

Fortunately, the terrible sensations and emotions subsided after a while. Had it been any other day, I would have sworn never to engage in such acts again.

Yet now, for some reason, the relief of having eased her nightmares and despair seemed to outweigh my own suffering.

“…What’s with you all of a sudden? Are you okay?”

“Cough… cough. Yeah. I’m fine… I’m fine.”

“Hmm… doesn’t seem that way to me.”

“I really am okay. Let’s end today’s session… here.”

Time had passed considerably, and since Casey, no other clients had come, so I decided to conclude today’s consultation.

After tidying up the counseling center and turning off the lights, I stepped outside. Thanks to Kali’s help, the cleanup was swift.

“Are you heading home now?”

“Um… could you wait just a moment?”

“Sure.”

I told her I needed just a little time, then pulled out the journal I had tucked away in my coat pocket.

I distinctly remembered there being more written after the entries about the counseling center, so I began to search for that part to read.

…It seems I’ve completed all the tasks at the counseling center. It feels like no more clients will come, and I, being human, feel a bit weary too.

Having finished everything on the upper floor, I head down to the lower level as always. Upon reaching the entrance, a different landscape unfolded before me, as if a new world had emerged.

The residents who caught sight of the upper floor citizens reflected in the lower level cast hostile glances in return.

…Their gazes, too, must be filled with baseless hatred and disdain. I feel a pang of sorrow for the situation that leaves no room for anything else but such feelings directed at me.

Today, as usual, I must use the excessive amount of money I have to offer a little help to the starving residents.

In the upper level, I provided free consultations, even embracing the horrific pain to assist others.

And it didn’t end there; I had also written about distributing food freely to the starving people in the lower level.

I recall the faces of those who, after our sessions, expressed their gratitude with happy or relieved expressions. Simultaneously, the images of the residents in the lower level come to mind.

In any case, it seems I have found the task I must undertake from now on.

“Kali. Let’s go.”

“…Where are we going?”

“To the lower level.”

“…What?!”

Kali gasped in shock, questioning my sanity, asking why a citizen of the upper level would venture into the lower district.

“Why on earth would you want to go there? It’s not the nice place you think it is. It’s not clean like here, and everything is not abundant…”

“Then we go. Indeed, it is precisely because of this that those in need of even the smallest help will be overflowing.”

“….Hey. Can I ask you something? Why do you live so much for others?”

Kali looked at me with a face that truly did not understand. For an ordinary person, it is natural to prioritize oneself above others.

It seemed she was questioning why I would spend my time and money to help others.

I pondered her question quietly. After a moment, a simple yet clear answer emerged in my mind.

“Well… it’s because it’s something I can do. If I can exert myself for the world, wouldn’t it be right to do so?”

If I can use my abilities for others, and if those who receive help feel gratitude and can live better lives, isn’t that enough?

In truth, I too felt a flicker of doubt, but as I recalled this answer, it seemed to become clear.

“You…”

Kali’s bright red eyes sparkled, trembling slightly. She looked at me for a moment, then let out a small laugh and began to walk ahead.

“I’ll take the lead, so don’t lose sight of me and follow.”

“…Really? I’d appreciate that.”

I had a vague sense that the path would come to me, but if Kali knew the way, we could move faster.

I obediently trailed behind her.

“…Foolish human.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said nothing. So just follow quietly.”

*

Following Kali, we walked down for quite a while. The upper levels of Espilia were situated at a high altitude, so the path continued downward.

After walking for some time, I arrived at a place that looked like an entrance.

“We’re almost there. From here on is the lower level.”

“…….”

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

The upper level where I stood was clean, with elegant buildings and a bright atmosphere, while the lower level across the entrance was steeped in age and darkness.

‘How can there be such a stark contrast?’

It was truly fascinating to see such different scenes unfold from the small platform and entrance, yet a twinge of sadness stirred within me.

“What’s this? Are you finally scared? Don’t worry, this big sister will lead the way.”

“…It’s not that. Let’s hurry.”

“Ha, is that so?”

Leaving behind Kali, who wore a playful smirk, I stepped over the platform and walked into another world.

As I stepped beyond the threshold that divided the two worlds, it felt as if the very air had shifted.

The aged, crumbling buildings exuded a sense of history, while the streets were littered with all manner of filth. It was as if I were gazing into a realm that stood in stark contrast to the upper levels.

– …a resident of the upper levels.

– What the hell are those b*stards doing here…

– Ugh, damn it. This is ruining my mood.

At that moment, countless eyes began to pierce into me. Most, if not all, of those gazes were steeped in hostility and disdain.

Kali shrugged her shoulders as if to say, “I told you so,” but I had anticipated this much.

There was no difference between the way the upper-level residents looked at Kali, a dweller of the lower levels, and how the lower-level residents regarded me, an upper-level inhabitant.

Rather than feeling flustered, I was overcome with a sense of pity.

Kali and I ventured deeper into the lower levels. A landscape once hidden from the upper world unfolded before us once more.

Merchants peddled cheap food beneath old, creaking signs. Children darted through the alleys, their laughter echoing. Laborers carried materials on their backs.

Though they wore slightly tattered clothing, and some walked barefoot, it was undeniably a place where life thrived.

It was not the ‘murderous wasteland’ the upper-level residents whispered about.

Yet, there was one notable difference.

Most of the inhabitants, like Kali, were beastfolk. Rabbit ears, fluffy tails. Sharp teeth, fierce gazes.

I marveled at their fascinating appearances, just as I had when I first laid eyes on Kali.

‘…How curious. What’s there to dislike?’

It seemed the upper-level residents harbored a deep-seated loathing for beastfolk. They sneered at their animalistic traits, finding their unique forms repulsive.

But to me, it felt entirely different. I found them intriguing, and their distinct charm resonated with me.

“Don’t you find these forms disgusting?”

Kali asked, her fingers toying with her cat ears, a hint of gloom in her voice.

“What? They’re just fascinating and charming. In fact… I wish I could be like them.”

“Haha..! You really are a madman. Such a strange fellow.”

Kali, who had been staring at me in disbelief, doubled over in laughter, clutching her belly.

…I mean, if I had lived as a human all this time, wouldn’t it be nice to experience something so different? Is that really so strange?

– …What’s with that human?

– Quite the peculiar one…

– Ha, a hundred times better than those who think they’re nobility.

– Hahaha! There’s really a madman among us!

It seemed the other residents had overheard my words, for some looked at me with laughter, while others whispered among themselves. Sadly, I couldn’t catch what they were saying.

“Phh… Puh… What are you making that stupid face for, you brat!”

“….What do you mean?”

“Ha… You’re really something else.”

Kali giggled and gave me a light shove. Yet, my frail body felt even her small gesture as a threat.

“Ugh! What’s with the sudden hit?”

“Hey, hey, I just nudged you a bit. What do you mean, hit?”

…I felt a bit dazed. It didn’t hurt, but it reminded me once more of the gap between Kali and me.