Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 72 – Hudi’s Convenience Store

The old man led the way, entering his convenience store.

The reason I knew his name was that he had introduced himself as the owner of this store, and a passing child had called him “Hudi Grandpa.”

The interior of the convenience store looked just like the “convenience store” I knew.

Several shelves lined with various products, and the price tags hanging beneath them.

And the small cash register placed right next to the entrance bore such a resemblance to those on Earth that it almost made me nostalgic.

A memory I wished to forget…

“Hmm. Why does your complexion look so pale, Sir Venice? As if you’re unwell.”

“…I’m fine. Really… it’s nothing.”

Hudi looked at me with concern, while Kali stared at me with a face full of question marks.

I shook my head vigorously, offering them a smile to convey that I was okay.

“…Hmm. It’s still not easy, is it?”

“Ugh, I can’t watch this.”

They coughed awkwardly, avoiding my gaze. Well, I suppose I’m truly fine now.

Anyway. I’ve made it to Hoodie’s convenience store, but what should I do now?

According to my journal, Hoodie had lent me a bit of strength to aid the lower-tier residents, but in what way had he offered his help?

As various thoughts swirled in my mind, the door behind the counter burst open, and someone dashed out.

Before I could even discern who it was, that figure lunged at me.

“Uh… uh…?”

“Mr. Venice—!”

A woman came rushing at me, wrapping her arms around me in a sudden embrace. It was so unexpected and swift that I couldn’t even react.

In this bewildering moment, with a stranger suddenly hugging me, I found myself at a loss, my hands awkwardly raised, staring into the void.

“…Have I lost my senses? Ugh… I can’t tell.”

“Let go of him. He seems uncomfortable.”

“Old man. I’m an adult now! I’m not a child!”

Kali scratched her head, muttering something, while Hoodie spoke to the woman in a tone that seemed to chide her.

At Hoodie’s words, the woman released her tight hold on me and took a few steps back, finally allowing me to see her clearly.

“Mr. Venice, you’ve come again!”

With fox ears sprouting from her orange hair and a fluffy orange fox tail swaying behind her, she looked like the very embodiment of a ‘fox’ personified. She winked at me, a playful glint in her eye.

A small nameplate reading ‘Rania’ was affixed to her shabby clothing, leading me to deduce that her name was indeed Rania.

“Yes… it seems so, Rania.”

“Ugh…”

“…..??”

Feeling the atmosphere demanded I call her name, I obliged, but Rania puffed her cheeks in discontent, frowning at me.

…Is this not right?

“That’s not it, Mr. Venice! You’re doing it again!”

“Then…”

At that moment, a strong urge to call her in a certain way washed over me. Following that instinct, I decided to give it a try.

“…Rania?”

“Hehe. Yes. It’s Rania!”

As if this was the correct answer, Rania beamed at me with a bright smile once more. Watching her fluffy ears sway in rhythm with her movements, my hand instinctively rose.

Pat pat—

“Wow… it’s insane.”

A softness like touching clouds envelops me, the gentle fur seeping between my fingers. At this rate… I could do this all day long.

“Ha… ha ha… ah.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. I suddenly freeze, glancing around in surprise.

Hudi wears a look of discontent, while Kali’s expression is one of shock. And Rania, still with her eyes closed, purrs softly.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“Ah… you could keep going, you know…”

I apologize to Rania, pulling my hand away. For some reason, she looks a bit disappointed.

Of course, I feel a pang of disappointment too, but with Hudi’s gaze piercing through me, I couldn’t possibly continue. Kali’s look, as if I were some madman, didn’t help either.

“Ahem. Will you be doing the same as always today, Lord Venice?”

“Yes… let’s do that.”

“Then, I shall begin preparations. Rania, let us start now.”

“Got it.”

I’m not entirely sure what we’re doing, but thankfully, Hudi suggested the comfortable method of ‘doing as we always do,’ so I accepted without hesitation.

Hudi and Rania hurried into the back room behind the counter, bustling as if gathering something.

“Hey, master. What are we doing now?”

“….Just watch.”

“Oh? Then I guess I will.”

With nothing else to do, Kali and I simply explored the convenience store’s interior.

“Kali, are you a resident of the lower district too?”

“Of course. A beastman wouldn’t be a resident of the upper district, right?”

“Then have you been here before?”

“No. I’ve never lived in this area.”

We exchanged brief conversations and examined the curious items within the store.

After a while, Hudi and Rania emerged from the back room, carrying several boxes.

“Thank you for your great help today, Lord Venice.”

“Always so grateful for the money you give us!”

Suddenly, they express their gratitude towards me. I quickly begin to assess the situation.

The source of the information was a diary. The contents written in the diary revealed… that I had used my own funds to assist the residents of the lower district.

And the mention of Hudi’s convenience store providing me with a bit of help means I would have to pay for their goods with my own money, doesn’t it?

I pulled a few gold coins from my pocket and placed them on the counter.

“…My lord, is this not too much?”

“Ugh…! Three gold coins…?!”

“…What?! You gave three gold coins?! Are you out of your mind, owner?!”

I had thought that three gold coins would be a fair price, but judging by their shocked reactions, it seemed I had paid more than necessary.

Well… it shouldn’t matter. The gold coins I possessed were, truly, beyond imagination.

Earlier, when I had stopped by home, a small box beneath my desk was piled high with gold coins.

The security was so lax that anyone could have just walked in and taken it, but I supposed that was a testament to how much wealth I had.

“I am always grateful. Please consider it my heart’s offering.”

“…If there were more people like you in this world, my lord, there would be no discord.”

“Thank you…! Venice, I will do my best!”

Though it wasn’t necessary, Hudi and Rania bowed their heads in gratitude towards me.

I tried to lift a box to help Hudi and Rania, who were stacking several to carry, but the box wouldn’t budge, and I had no choice but to give up.

…How do they lift so many? And so effortlessly, at that.

I had heard there was a significant physical disparity between beastfolk and ordinary humans, and it seemed that tale held some truth.

Perhaps my own frailty played a part, but still.

As I stepped outside the convenience store behind them, Hudi pulled out a key from his pocket and locked the door.

Then, as he lifted the box again to leave, he looked back at me, puzzled.

“My lord, are you joining us today?”

“Venice, you always had work and left first! Is today different?”

“Uh… Yes. Let’s go together.”

“That works for me. Then I shall lead the way.”

With Hudi and Rania in the lead, I followed behind with Kali. As we walked, Hudi shared stories about the happenings at his convenience store.

The tale of the beastfolk shouting about a plague and urging everyone to keep their distance was intriguing.

The story of a beastfolk bursting through the door, screaming and doing backflips, still baffled me.

I learned that all sorts of bizarre events had unfolded. It seemed the lower levels of Espilia were even more extraordinary than I had imagined.

As we continued our journey, we arrived at a vast cavern located in the heart of the lower levels. Its appearance was nearly identical to the grand cavern in the upper levels of Espilia.

The difference lay in the upper level being pristine white with a large fountain at its center.

In contrast, the lower level was shrouded in darkness, with a massive structure resembling a tree standing in the middle.

This too seemed to reflect the stark differences between the upper and lower worlds, which I found fascinating.

As Hudi and Rania set down the boxes on the bench beneath the tree, a curious gathering of beastfolk began to form, drawn to the sight.

Soon, a long line stretched out before Hudi and Rania. There were those who attempted to cut in, but Rania skillfully thwarted their efforts.

“Rania. It’s time to begin.”

“Yes! Alright! We’ll start the distribution now! One per person!”

With that, Rania and Hudi handed out food and drink to the beastfolk who reached the front of the line.

The expressions of those receiving the food brightened, laughter blooming on their faces, a sight that never grew tiresome.

The line began to dwindle rapidly. Rania and Hudi moved with the precision of seasoned professionals, and the once plentiful boxes began to empty, one by one.

“Alright! That’s all for today! I’m sorry to those who didn’t receive anything…!”

– Ah… why did it have to end in front of me…

– Tsk. It’s a shame, but it’s free, after all.

In the end, all the boxes were emptied, and though a few had not yet received anything, Rania could be seen apologizing to them one by one.

Those who felt the sting of disappointment began to leave, one by one. It seemed that the vast square, once filled with people, was now deserted.

“Um… um… is it really over? There’s nothing more?”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry, but that’s all for today.”

At that moment, a woman approached Rania, who was tidying up. The woman appeared gaunt, her demeanor restless and anxious.

“Ah… this can’t be… really… is there nothing left? My child… my child…!”

“Please, try to calm down. First, could you come to our shop…?”

“Ah… no… there’s no time left…!”

Rania attempted to soothe the woman, but it seemed her words fell on deaf ears. The woman’s eyes began to tremble as if an earthquake had struck.

At the same time, an overwhelming wave of emotion began to pour forth from her.

[Despair]

The intensity of this emotion far surpassed anything seen before; it was the raw essence of despair.

…I have a bad feeling about this.

“Please, just calm down…”

“Ah… ah… aaaH…!”

“…Oh no, Rania! Get behind me! Quickly!!”

“Get the hell behind me! Come here!”

Crack-crack-crack-!

At that moment, the woman’s once fragile voice began to resonate loudly, and her body began to transform.

From her thin hands, black fur sprouted, and the wolf-like ears atop her head twitched as her form grew larger and more imposing.

Crack… Snap…

The change that began in her arms swiftly spread throughout her entire body. Her once slender legs thickened, as sharp claws and talons grew, capable of tearing through human flesh in an instant.

At last, her gaunt face, once radiating despair, transformed into that of a wolf.

The figure, now at least three times larger than her original form, exuded a ferocity that could only be described as monstrous.

“Ugh… Ah… Ah…!!!”

“What the hell… Why is the beast transformation happening all of a sudden…!”

“Never stray from my side, Rania!”

“Ha… Grandfather…”

Auuu-!

The emaciated wolf-man was no more. In its place stood a ravenous wolf monster, drooling and howling in hunger.

As the cacophony of its howling echoed throughout the mid-level, the wolf monster’s crimson gaze turned toward us, the nearest prey.