“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.