Chapter 296

Episode 296: Evidence (1)

I sometimes think like that.

After giving directions to a tourist who asked for directions, ten minutes later, an hour later, ‘Oh, I guess that person had a good trip. Instead of thinking, ‘Maybe I should have told you in more detail,’ I wish I could have put my mind at ease thinking that things would have gone smoothly.

If you can just click your tongue and say, ‘Unfortunately, there’s no way,’ to an elderly person who stomps his feet and asks what online reservations are and why he doesn’t even have a ticket for the train that leaves in 5 hours.

If I were the one who could turn a blind eye to a crying child, saying it had nothing to do with me and that intervening would only cause trouble.

Would my life have become a little easier?

Could I have had a better life than I have now?

Could I have been a little happier...?

『...Why do they criticize my father when they were the first to post malicious comments? “If you didn’t want to get sued, you shouldn’t have posted a malicious comment in the first place.”

“It’s all because you have a sick mind. Don’t worry too much.』

『But...you’re angry. My father didn’t do anything wrong...”

『Yes, it’s not my fault that I’m famous. However, some malice arises even without a reason and is expressed even without a reason.』

『...That is irrational』

『That’s the way the world is.』

However, after such a thought, the memory of this moment always follows. .

『But don’t turn into a skeptic because you are disappointed in humans. Just as there is malice without reason in the world, isn’t there also good intention without reason? Just like you and your mother.』

『...But there are too few people like that.』

『Hmm, that’s true. But just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s meaningless.』

『...I’m not sure. If it’s really meaningful, shouldn’t more people, if not everyone, participate?』

『Uh... um. That’s because people can’t afford it...』

『So I’m helping people because I have the spare time?』

『...Just because there are a lot of people who argue, it doesn’t always mean it’s right, so shouldn’t we look at it in numbers?』

『Majority decision Then what is it?』

『It is used when deciding whether to approve or reject an agenda, and when judging right or wrong, you should not look at numbers. Why doesn’t it make them right just because there are more criminals than non-

criminals

?” But isn’t that proof that there are more good guys than bad guys?』

『That... seems a bit different.』 『

Anyway, there’s nothing to overlook.』

Sunlight streaming through the glass window into the living room. White curtains swaying slightly in the wind coming through the cracks in the window. An L-shaped sofa where your feet stick out when you lie face to face with your father in the middle...

『...Actually, I don’t know much about it either. What’s fun about posting malicious comments and what’s the meaning of one-sidedly disparaging others? Is there any benefit other than ruining one’s reputation by showing malicious intent? However... I think I can tell you how meaningful good intentions without reason are. I remembered it now.』

A voice that poured down gently like a spring breeze blowing warmly and softly, like sunlight reaching my toes.

『What is it?』

『Why, I saw it on TV a while ago. Traces of leg amputation surgery were found on the remains from 15,000 years ago.』

『Oh, that’s it. Why is that?』

『You were surprised at the news at the time and said, ‘Wow, they did surgery in that era too?’... but an anthropologist expressed surprise in another part.』 『...

?』

『Now look. Even in this age of technology, people with disabilities experience minor inconveniences. How difficult would it have been 15,000 years ago when nothing like this existed? And who would have supported the person who lost his leg? At that time, not only the person’s blood relatives should have stepped forward, but the entire tribe involved should have stepped in to help.』

『...Right?』

『But. Those troubles are actually a problem that can be solved if they just abandon the person who lost his leg. If they didn’t support that person, there was no need for them to suffer any further. But still, they didn’t abandon him. On the contrary, I treated him and took care of him until his wounds healed. What did that mean?』

『That...』

『Now, that’s what the anthropologist Margaret Mead was thinking. People point to places like Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. as the starting point of civilization, but in fact, isn’t the very first starting point the moment when humans helped others? When many animals neglected their injured compatriots in accordance with the laws of nature, wasn’t it because we humans chose to take care of them, treat them, and survive together that we were able to create the current era? 』

30 minutes in which I built up humanity.

『As I said before, Dad doesn’t know why people these days disguise their heartlessness and coldness as reason and throw away all manners. I don’t understand why people disparage helping others by saying it’s stupid, or why they justify rudeness with the word cider. Because my dad has never looked good at that. But at least I know that the differences between humans and animals do not come from them. That much is certain.』

『....』

『So, dear. Ignore the words of those who mistake selfishness for reason. There is no need to pay attention to people who bully others for their own enjoyment and put themselves first without consideration for others. They are as stupid as the humans of 15,000 years ago. No matter how many there are, no matter how many people agree with you, it will be like that forever.’

Sometimes I think like that.

『Ah, of course, saying this doesn’t mean that my son should sacrifice himself for others? After all, in this world, you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. So, if you feel overwhelmed, just take care of yourself. Helping others starts after that. 』

If I become a person who no longer thinks about how a person is doing after sending him/her asking for directions.

『But... if you take care of yourself and still have some spare time left. And if there is someone around you who needs help. If no one steps forward to help that person.』

If you become a person who cannot feel sorry for someone who cannot adapt to a changed society.

『Please extend your hand at least once. I’m not asking you to do a lot. It’s good enough to just help someone who has fallen. Just show that kind of goodwill.』 If only

I could become someone who could stand by and watch a crying child just because it was a pain in the ass.

『Are you sure? That one time will change that person’s life.’

Can I be happy?

『...I’ll say it again, this happened after you took care of yourself. Okay?』

“I think you can use them more abundantly if you just shut up.”

[okay? Then I guess I’ll have to live without flexibility forever.]

Kyaang!

The sword in my hand struck down the approaching tusk. It was the first time that a sword soaked in demonic energy and burning was unable to cut the opponent and bounced away.

Boom. My body flew away along with the sword. A dull pressure pressed against my internal organs, as if my insides had been shaken. I could recover quickly, but it didn’t feel good.

[Eric... Don’t touch the Behemoth’s tusks and horns. There’s nothing you can’t cut if you put your mind to it, but it’s not cost-effective.]

“Are you telling me that now?”

[They tell you how to attack, but you’re blaming others for this? Now I see you have no conscience.]

Tsk. After spitting out the blood that came up, I straightened my posture. The bugs crawling on my skin and sticking their heads into holes such as my nose and ears were quite annoying, but I tried to ignore them.

[That bastard is extremely stupid, but more than that, his body is tough and hard. So don’t hit multiple places, just aim for one spot. Targeting delicate flesh such as the eyes or the inside of the ears is the icing on the cake.]

The devil standing behind me quietly recited how to hunt animals.

[When attacking, use a single-point stab instead of a slash. After piercing the skin, it is quite okay to inject demonic energy inside and set it on fire. Because the leather is so thick that the heat can’t escape.]

It was really annoying, but it was helpful. I braced my feet, thinking that this damn game, no, this damn reality is finally getting a balance patch.

Quang!

As my body jumped forward, the huge monster stomped down with its front paw. The ground sank further and the walls suffered damage once again.

“Oh, the smell.”

However, I got out without being hurt. My legs continued to race beneath the Behemoth’s belly. The ground shook and tried to throw me off balance a few times, but my sharp nerves prevented it.

Why!!

But is it fur or moss? Tens of thousands of insects were flapping their wings among the threads that came crashing down on the boat. A sound worse than that of an airplane tormented my ears. Some even entered the mouth or nose.

Ahh. I held back my curses—I felt like more would come in if I opened my mouth to swear—and swung my sword. There were so many bugs that dozens of them were cut off with a single cut of the knife.

[...Burn it.]

But how meaningful would it be to throw a sugar cube into the sea? The bugs were filled again and again no matter how many times I cut them, and in the end, the devil recommended one option. I could see the contempt and irritation in his eyes heading toward the bug den.

Since my personality is as bad as that of a bug, I thought this place would be cozy, but I guess that wasn’t the case. He tells me to use the Magi that used to sing, “Save it, save it, save it.”

[If you fill yourself with anger, a fire will naturally form, so let it burn. Those junk!]

I hate it. It’s a waste to drink it.

I held back the flame until the end with the sole intention of destroying the devil. Instead, it passed through the wide belly and reached the Behemoth’s buttocks. It was a destination I arrived at after struggling through the thudding hind feet and the body turning back and forth.

[This crazy Grethen...!]

Ouch.

I twisted my body, slipping on the mud. The dirty butt took up most of the field of vision, and the Behemoth’s tail whizzed from above.

“Sigh.”

Despite this, I held my weapon tightly instead of giving in. The amber sword belonged to someone else, so Ratel thrust it into his palm instead.

Slurp. Using Magi as its framework, Ratel’s form changed. window. The white spear imbued with demonic energy gave off a ferocious light like the teeth of a golden beast.

[It was supposed to target delicate flesh...]

The black and white spear flew towards the Behemoth’s anus.

[I enjoyed the disgusting choice.]

Gooooooo!!

It was really nice to hear the sound of either demon being unleashed.

“what. “If I tease you, you’ll fight.”

[...I didn’t know you were such a childish person.]

“All humans are inherently childish. “It just depends on how many moments you have to act like an adult.”

I retreated to avoid the Behemoth, which started jumping up and down like a rampaging horse the moment the spear was stuck in its anus. Due to the commotion, the ratel that had been lodged even a little into the delicate flesh of the anus was thrown back.

There was a black lump on the surface of the Ratel that I couldn’t tell if it was flesh or something else.

“eww.”

[Why is that face? Gretchen, who used Ratel as an asshole to fuck me?]

More than that, this bastard. Are you really mad?

The pods eaten by children are even more dirty than excrement. Since he responded with a smile no matter what I said, I thought he would get over this level of insult.

I brushed the soot off the ratel towards the devil—unfortunately, it passed like a ghost—and took a quick look at his obscured face. It was still hard to tell if he was really upset or just a little uncomfortable.

[Why do you look at me like that? Do you want to give me more taffy? I’ve already suffered enough from you.]

“It’s a disaster. “If I tell you that I suffered because of that, what happens to the pain that I and that child suffered?”

bang! I launched myself to avoid the behemoth’s charge. Direction is front. The approaching Behemoth and my body became closer in an instant.

“I hope you get the punishment you deserve.”

But instead of colliding with the Behemoth, I stepped on its tusks and ran over it. Aaaaeaaang. The swarm of flies trying to block the view was disintegrated by the weak flame. My field of vision was wide open, and my body climbed like a monster as tall as a building.

“I don’t want you to be punished for everything you’ve done. Just the minimum amount of shame that she can take out her anger on.”

Soon a big eye appeared.

“And I hope I get back at least half of the sweet potatoes I ate because of you.”

Ratel flew away again.