Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 74 – Chaos

“You mad b*stard—!!”

Kali dashed forward. Venice had passed her by, striding boldly toward that wolf monster.

When she saw Venice, she doubted her own eyes. A normal person would never dare to step before a beast like that.

But her master was crazier than she had imagined.

For reasons unknown, the wolf was shaking its head, wrapped in its own fur. This moment, when the monster was unsteady, was the last chance to save her master.

Cree…ah…ah—!

The wolf howled again. Its menacing gaze fixed on her master, its mouth gaping wide as if ready to devour him whole.

“………..”

She had told him to run, yet her master suddenly began to mutter something. His voice was so faint that even the keen ears of a beastman could barely catch it.

Then, her master raised his right hand, extending it toward the wolf.

You mad fool. You’re just trying to get yourself killed.

Run away right now. You’ll end up dead like this.

The wolf had already reached right in front of her master. Drool dripped from its maw, claws poised as if to strike.

“Venice…!!”

“Damn it…”

The screams of hooded figures, perhaps Rani, echoed in the air.

It might already be too late. At such a close distance, just closing that gaping mouth would be enough to swallow her master whole.

Still, I run. I couldn’t bear to see someone die before my eyes again.

A sudden halt—

At that moment, the wolf’s movements froze. Its open jaws had reached just before her master’s face, yet they did not close.

Her master’s expression, which she had thought would be one of impending death, remained eerily calm. It was the wolf that bore a look of surprise.

Torrential—

Suddenly, a single tear fell from the wolf’s eye. Following that, tears began to pour forth endlessly.

The wolf’s body began to shrink. The once-mighty fur receded, and its vicious claws and fangs diminished.

Moments later, the wolf’s form reverted to that of a frail beastwoman.

—

Is this even possible? Has the master played some trick?

No, that cannot be. To deliberately control the beast transformation is impossible.

If one cannot control it themselves, how could a human, let alone another’s beast transformation, be manipulated? It was absurd.

Thus, to prevent the transformation from progressing, the beastfolk are acutely sensitive to each other’s emotions. They strive to never cross the line.

Why, you ask? Isn’t it obvious? Just look at the monster before you and see if you could dare to cross that line. The moment you do, you would surely become prey.

“I’m sorry… Thank you…”

“Are you alright… ma’am?”

As I approached the master, the female beastfolk knelt, tears streaming down her face, while the master gently patted her.

“….Hey. What the hell is going on here?”

“Venice! What on earth are you doing…! Huhhh…”

“My lord, what are you thinking!!”

I questioned the incomprehensible situation. The old man and the fox beastfolk, who had been running from afar, also turned to the master with inquiries.

“Well… I suppose it was just luck.”

“What the hell, is that really what you have to say?!”

“Oh dear… what a world…”

“Ahhh—! I almost died just now, Venice!!”

Seeing that carefree face, as if nothing mattered, anger surged within me. How could you remain so unperturbed when others were trembling in fear?

The fox beastfolk began to rain weak punches on Venice, while the old man launched into an endless lecture directed at the master.

“…Haha. I’m sorry.”

I raised my fist, intending to show that foolishly calm brat a taste of my anger, moving closer to the master.

“….You.”

But, having read the emotions emanating from the master, I could not proceed.

Despair, pain, sorrow, hatred.

These feelings were unmistakably felt beyond the forced expression he wore.

…Why? Why do you wear such a face, harbor such emotions?

His expression was so painfully contorted that words failed me, and my clenched fist relaxed involuntarily.

“Kali, come here for a moment.”

“….What? You can use healing magic?”

“Somehow. Thank you for… protecting me.”

“….Just think for yourself.”

His expression and emotions, which seemed impossible to forget, stirred within Kali an indescribable complexity even in that moment of healing.

*

Days had passed since the incident in the lower plaza. Each day, I conducted consultations at the center, with the help of Hudi and Rania, offering a small warmth to those in need.

“Thank you, teacher…! You’ve been such a great help!”

“I’m glad to hear that. Please, take care on your way home.”

It felt as if I had adapted to all these actions. In fact, I had reached a point where my body itched if I didn’t engage in counseling or giving.

Crack—

“Ugh…”

Sitting for so long, my stiff muscles began to loosen. Perhaps it was best to wrap up today’s consultations here.

“Hey. That counseling you do. Does it really work?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I mean, you just talk, right? I don’t get why people make such a fuss about it.”

Kali, who had been watching me stretch with keen interest, suddenly spoke up. She felt more like a friend now.

“I just listen to people’s troubles and offer a bit of help.”

“Hmm… Isn’t that just a scam? Your face and the word ‘counseling’ together somehow feels off.”

Snap—

Kali teased me playfully, and while I knew she was joking, I couldn’t help but feel a slight sting.

“…No.”

“Ha! Look at that face! Hey, hey, are you hurt?”

“I’m not.”

“Seems like you are, huh? Right? Right?!”

Snap.

Kali continued to poke me with her fingers, and feeling a bit annoyed, I couldn’t hold back my words.

“…Then you try it yourself.”

“Really? Alright, let’s do that.”

“Huh?”

At this point, it should have been the perfect moment for a playful exchange. Yet, for some reason, Kali accepted, and soon we found ourselves facing each other in the counseling room.

“”……….””

How should I even begin? I knew I should start with ordinary conversation like in other sessions, but having spent so much time with Kali, I was at a loss for words.

“What’s up? Is it always this quiet? Do something.”

“Clearing my throat. Well then, let’s begin.”

“Alright. Go ahead.”

Kali, arms crossed, gazes at me. I loosen my neck and start the session.

“Kali, the weather is quite nice, isn’t it?”

“…Ugh, just speak informally. I can’t get used to this.”

“No can do. We must be clear when working.”

Kali shivers as if touched by a chill, rubbing her arms as she speaks, but it cannot be helped. After all, we’ve started the session; it must be concluded properly.

As I assert myself, Kali seems to relent, settling back into a more comfortable posture.

“So, Kali, what troubles are weighing on your mind?”

“….Troubles? I don’t have any…”

Though Kali claims to have no troubles, her hesitation and demeanor betray a hidden truth, unmistakable to anyone observing.

She avoids my gaze, twirling a strand of hair with one hand, a telltale sign of her unease.

“Are you truly without worries?”

“……..”

It was clear that Kali harbored some concern. Her usual confident expression was absent, replaced by a shadowy, contemplative look.

In such cases during a session, I typically employed hypnosis to gently nudge the mind.

“Kali, may I offer you a bit of assistance?”

A nod—

“Very well. Then, please focus on my hand.”

Kali quietly fixated on my hand. Once I noticed her gaze directed there, I initiated the hypnosis.

“Three, two, one.”

Snap—!

[Hypnosis in progress… Status: 23%… 44%…]

The hypnosis gauge began to rise. At this rate, Kali would soon slip into a state of unconsciousness…

“…What is this? You… what have you done?”

[Hypnosis failed.]

“Ah.”

Kali’s eyes clouded momentarily, then suddenly cleared, revealing the failure notification.

I had never failed at hypnosis before. It had always worked on the first attempt, yet curiously, it seemed ineffective with Kali.

Thinking back, I recalled hearing that some individuals on Earth were more resistant to hypnosis. Perhaps Kali was one of those rare cases.

—

“I… I don’t think this is right. Just later…”

“Kali. Look into my eyes.”

“……”

Kali’s gaze wavered, confusion swirling within her. It was the first time I had seen her so vulnerable, and it struck me as oddly fascinating.

What kind of turmoil could shake the strong Kali to such a degree? A pang of sympathy tugged at my heart.

“Will you trust me? I won’t do anything bad to you.”

“…….”

“I promise. If I do something strange, you can kill me.”

“….Hah. Fine.”

As I spoke with sincerity, Kali, her eyes still trembling, let out a small sigh and straightened her posture once more.

“Very well, Miss Kali. Please focus on my hand again.”

“….Okay.”

“I will count to three. Three, two, one….”

Thwack-!

[Hypnosis in progress…. Progress status: 47%…. 85%… ]

The hypnosis advanced faster than ever before. The numbers climbed frantically, ultimately reaching their peak.

[Hypnosis successful.]

Kali’s once-clear eyes dulled. After waving my hand in front of her face with no response from her, I asked her gently.

“Miss Kali. Will you tell me your troubles?”

“….I must save my brother… my brother.”

[Despair, fear, terror, sorrow……]

As Kali began to speak softly, her hidden emotions erupted like a dam breaking.