Tinkle…
Hmn…
Their hesitation said everything. They didn’t know much either.
Of course they didn’t. It made sense—they were test subjects their whole lives. No teachers. No family. Just cold experints and numbers. If they ever knew what they were, that knowledge had long been buried under years of pain and isolation.
【Yes. I gathered data while you three were busy chatting and flirting.】
…As expected of my overqualified, overly snarky guide.
【The older one is from the Alp race—similar to succubi. But while succubi specialize in weaving dreams of love, the Alp race focuses on nightmares. Their natural ability is to enter and manipulate dreams, usually feeding on fear. Their lifespan averages 400 to 500 years.】
Tinkle!
Her cheerful tone was quick to reassure : “Of course not, big brother Freed! I’ll never hurt you!”
That was… oddly heartwarming. I guess that explains why my dreams so far had been about food.
Tinkle!
She added proudly: “I’ll train hard so I can create romantic dreams for you too, like a succubus!”
“Oi!” I blurted. “Well... that’s fine, I guess.”
…Well, as long as she doesn’t sneak horror flicks into my subconscious, I’m good. And, if she does manage to create so wholeso love dreams… that’s a win, right?
While I tried not to overthink what that implied, Aza continued her explanation. I leaned back against Selena’s soft form—strictly for support, not for pervy reasons, okay!? If I leaned the other side, she might slip under the water. So logically… it made sense to rest my head between the two… ahem… safety cushions.
Totally for safety. Nothing else.
Now, back to the topic—
【The Alp race feeds on fear, but since she’s currently a disembodied soul, she doesn’t need energy right now.】
【Yes. Technically, any soul can return to the physical realm if they have a proper vessel. Not their original body, but one that can house them.】
【Correct. Right now, they reside inside your body as living souls. They can’t act unless you give them permission. As for , I have so additional privileges thanks to my position as your guide, but that’s basically the gist of it.】
【Yes. But even without permission, a soul could forcibly take over, or even devour yours—like a parasite or a curse.】
Tinkle!
Hmn!
I quickly added before they got the wrong idea.
They didn’t. And that spoke volus.
【Anyway, a vessel doesn’t have to be humanoid. It could be a beast, a doll, even a sword. As long as it’s compatible.】
If I started handing out corpses as vessels, people would definitely mistake for a necromancer.
Still… the idea stuck in my mind.
A vessel, huh?
Tinkle—!
Hmn—!
Their imdiate responses ca with an excited warmth, like children nodding eagerly. But their tone shifted slightly—more bashful, more… mischievous.
They said they wanted vessels so they could speak to directly—and if possible, they’d like them to match my “preferences”—the kind of girls I liked.
Hmn!
She didn't answer directly—just an emotional nudge, filled with warmth, trust… and a hint of teasing affection.
Hmn.
Yep. That’s 1,050 vessels total. A small army of souls. I had no idea how or when I’d manage that… but at least they weren’t in a rush.
【By the way, both of you can communicate with him directly through thoughts—just like I do. You’re simply not used to the body yet.】
Tinkle!?
Hmn!?
They exclaid in unison, their emotions practically bouncing in surprise: “Really!?”
【Yes. Sooner or later, you’ll be able to. You just need ti to adapt.】
Tinkle!
Hmn!
Their enthusiasm radiated like sunlight. I could feel it: determination, eagerness, and maybe even a little spark of pride. They were so… lively. It was kind of infectious. They really were like little sisters—ghostly, demonic, and weirdly adorable.
I shifted the conversation, turning to the younger sister’s lineage. Aza picked up right away.
【The Demonic Beastkin are a hybrid race, born from the union of demon and beastkin bloodlines. Their lifespans range from roughly 350 to 600 years. They inherit a mix of traits—magical aptitude from demons, and physical prowess from beastkin. However… since she doesn’t know who her parents were, we can’t determine which specific demon or beastkin line she hails from.】
Hmn!
A soft pulse brushed my heart—an emotion like a shrug and a warm smile combined. She was saying it didn’t matter. That the past didn’t define her. She had no ties to it. No regrets.
Hmn…
That quiet sound echoed again, this ti laced with sadness. It wasn’t disappointnt—it was the echo of a wish. A longing for identity. Even if she claid not to care about the past… I could feel it. That quiet yearning to be seen—not as a number, not as a test subject, but as soone real.
And now, I was the one ant to give her that.
Ti to na the older sister first.
Alp, huh? A race tied to nightmares… but honestly, if soone told she was a dream goddess instead, I’d believe them. She’s too beautiful to be associated with horror. It’s like slapping a “Cursed” label on a cupcake.
【Certainly. In Latin, it's nightmarish pulchritudo. In Greek, it's efialtikí omorfiá.】
Tinkle!
A warm, sparkly chi echoed in my heart. I could feel her dancing at the sound of it. She loved it.
Now, onto the younger sister…
Demon… Beastkin… The first thing that pops into my head for beastkin is “wild.” And for demons… well, “evil.” But that didn’t fit her at all. She's more like a shy kitten pretending to be a panther. How can such an innocent girl be evil?
I tried to think in another perspective. Demons… If it’s not about evil… Well… they’re usually associated with night… huh?
Wild Night…?
…Nope. That sounds like an adult movie title. Abort mission.
I shook the thought out of my head before it spiraled further. Still, the concept wasn’t bad. I just needed a less cursed phrasing. Besides, she looks harmless, adorable, and completely illegal to bully. How can she be wild?
【‘Night Nature’ translates to Nychteriní Fýsi.】
【Nyx is the goddess of night in Greek mythology.】
Hmn!
She was practically sparkling with joy. “That sounds cool! I like it!”
【Nice to officially et you, Alfia and Nyxia.】
Tinkle!
Hmn!
Their hearts pulsed with cheerful energy. “Please take care of us!”
And just like that, I had two nas carved into my heart. Not numbers. Not test subjects. Not ghosts.
Alfia and Nyxia.
My ghostly, demonic little sisters.
【?】
【Ah… That’s because almost 90% of my personality has returned. It’s thanks to you, Master—for believing in more.】
【Exactly, Master. That mont changed a lot—for both of us.】
A gentle warmth stirred inside .
Maybe… I’m healing too.
It’s been over ten years since I ca to this world, carrying the broken pieces of a heart betrayed too many tis. My past life left scars I rarely dared to touch—scars that whispered not to trust, not to hope, not to care.
But now…
I trust Aza.
I had trusted my family—Sis Celes, Sissy, and our parents—before they were taken from . And now, sohow, I’ve gained two more companions: Alfia and Nyxia. I don’t know if I can trust them completely yet… but I believe I will. In ti. Because sothing about them feels different. Warr. Realer.
And then… there’s Selena.
I want to believe in her. I do believe in her. But deep inside, there’s still that whisper of doubt—soft, cold, and persistent.
What if she changes?
What if she distances herself?
What if she used just to be free from the curse… only to cast aside afterward?
Even though she saved . Protected . Even though she smiled for …
That voice still lingers, because I’ve heard it before. My classmates in my past life used to smile like that too—only when they needed sothing. Kind until the exams were over… then cold, distant, as if I were nothing more than a temporary tool.
Selena is nothing like them. I know that.
But the fear still clings.
Still… I hope. I really hope… she’s different.
I let out a long breath and closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the bath wrap around like a soft embrace. Behind , Selena remained still—peaceful, resting quietly.
And for now, that was enough.
Even with doubts.
Even with fear.
I could still hope.
And maybe… that’s where healing finally begins.
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