“Chapter 278: Intermission: The Scum in the Gloomy Dark Forest”
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(???’s POV)
How long has it been since I last came to this side?
– The Sage’s Forest is different from how I remember it. I guess that’s just how time works.
Time, huh… I’ve lost complete track of it since I landed in this world.
I’ve grown a habit of pondering pointless human dilemmas.
I can’t believe I used to think like that.
– Okay, snap out of it. No time to waste. I need to find… Oops-
I noticed my feet were getting scarred from the thorns of the plants I grazed.
I forgot to bring my shoes. But I’m too lazy to go back now.
– VANISH.
All the vegetation around me disappeared, leaving only a circle of black soil.
I could hear something in the distance.
It was the sound of someone digging a hole.
He has already noticed me, in fact.
But he kept digging anyways.
– Hey there. What are we doing over here?
– Can’t you see? I’m digging a hole.
– With… That puny sword?
– What else would I use?
There were about 30 or so more holes around. It must have taken him a long time do to this.
Especially because there are bodies buried beneath the holes.
– Did you do all of this?
– Who’s to say? I don’t even know what happened. We were being tortured, I helped everyone escape, and then they turned on me and said I was useless.
– These two girls… They’re in a pretty gruesome state.
– Those two charged at me directly trying to kill me.
So he says, but there’s not a scratch on his body.
His voice is also rather calm.
– And who are you? Did you come here to kill me or something?
– Close. I’m here to pick you up. I had someone who would do all the work for me, but she… disappeared. I’m looking for a replacement.
– Did she run away? I wonder if she’s okay.
– I know, right!? She was such a blessed soul.
Ernika was an obedient girl, but her usefulness expired.
– So, will you come with me? I can give you food, clothes, and a roof.
– Really? You’re just a rabbit plushie.
– This is not my real body. I’m a pretty girl in reality.
– Not that I care about that. Listen, can you keep these holes a secret? It was purely in self-defense, but I don’t know what others would think about me.
– Haha, you’re the perfect scum I need. Don’t worry, I have the power to undo the things you’ve done.
I knew it. I can tell by his smell.
Finally, these boring days will come to an end.
– Let me take you to my place first. What was your name again?
– Me? I’m Harumichi. I don’t like my surname. Who are you?
– I don’t know. I’m sure I had a name at some point. But this bunny is called Lilly.
– I’ll call you Lilly then.
– The pleasure is mine, Harumichi. REVERSE.
Returning the vegetation back to normal, I left the Sage’s Forest with my new pawn, Harumichi.