Forget it, doesn't matter. Getting her awake now is good enough. Other issues can wait.
Right then, the food arrives - roast chicken, beefsteak, a few loaves of bread, a basket of fruit, and a big mug of ale, all neatly arranged on the table by the server, who's staring at me with a gleeful look, probably expecting a tip. Money, huh? I dig into the stolen pouch, toss him a gold coin, and ask him to light more candles to brighten this dim room - I can't stand the low light. His eyes light up at the coin, he bows, says, "Thank you very much, sir," and does as asked before leaving, whistling happily.
I'm no foodie, so I go straight for the ale. And holy shit, it's not the beer I expected - it's that warm, medieval swill. Aside from a mild smell, it tastes like absolute garbage. A bit of bitterness would've been fine, but this sour crap kills my expectations after one sip.
Honestly, I'm not hungry so much. The calories from all those people I ate in the lab are still stored in my body. The only thing I want is that fruit basket. The rest? The catgirl can have it. I don't care.
- Hey, eat something to fill your stomach.
I grab the steak plate and utensils, set them near her, and try to convince her to eat. But she just stares back with that blank expression, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes, leaving me at a loss for words.
Fine, I'll give her some space…
With that, I open the window, grab a few green apples and a bunch of grapes, and pretend to jump out - really, I climb onto the roof to throw her off while giving myself a quiet moment after all the chaos since arriving in this world. And damn, the night view is breathtaking. Glowing lanterns and torches, bustling streets, and cheerful chatter create a lively yet serene atmosphere, blending perfectly with the night's stillness. The starry sky, like a silver river, paints a vivid, almost surreal picture before me.
How long's it been since I last saw a night sky like this?
Biting into an apple, I try to recall if my first life had anything beautiful worth remembering…
There was something, I think. I remember a sweltering summer night when the power went out, so my family went to the fields to cool off and stargaze. That sky wasn't as stunning as this, but at least I shared it with family. Now? It's just me…
Even in my first life, I was basically alone. No one understood me, valued me, or even gave me a proper thank you or apology.
Was my decision to kill myself back then a mistake? No, probably not…
If I wasn't there, things might've been better…
Without me, everyone would've kept living their happy-ass lives, and everything would've followed its set path whether I existed or not.
I was always the spare piece that didn't fit, always left out.
My funeral probably had no one but relatives. My life wasn't that important to others anyway… No, more like I was a "thorn in their side."
My second life was worse, shorter, but at least it had a "peaceful childhood" and I was a "hero" in that noble girl's eyes. I was reckless, burned through it too fast, and died in agony with so much left to experience.
Regret? No. I chose that path, dumb as it was. At least I did something my first life couldn't…
"…"
Enough, thinking's pointless.
I've been up here a while, and the streets are now quiet, bathed in the peaceful glow of starlight and a hazy moon.
Instead of wallowing, I should check on the catgirl.
Peeking into the room, she's still there, but not frozen like I expected. She's tearing into the steak with her bare hands, chewing and ripping. Her face is hard to read - her mouth smiles as she eats, but the rest looks like she's been crying her eyes out, tears streaming endlessly. Is this joy or pain? It's pitiful, but going in now would make things awkward, so I'll stay on the roof a bit longer…
Compared to her, my pain's nothing. But we're alike in one way: we've both given up, letting fate drag us along. I had the choice to end my life, but instead of pushing toward a future, I cut it short. She, with no options left, chose to escape as rebellion. That alone puts her ahead of me. Everyone thinks differently, and you can't judge from the outside, but maybe we've got a lot to learn from each other…
『Warning: Unidentified energy source detected in the user's surroundings. Exercise caution.』
As the system pings, I hear something… a flute, faint but clear thanks to my enhanced senses. It's eerily captivating. Stranger still, in the distance where the sound's coming from, there's movement - multiple people, light footsteps, likely kids…
Sensing trouble, I slip back into the room through the window. As expected, the catgirl's entranced by the melody, moving blankly toward the door. I lock her movements using the Parasitic Cells to test my biological control. It works fast - she's restrained, and I'm confident I can handle serious threats now.
- System, track the abnormal sound and switch forms.
『Initiating transformation to "Original" form. Prepare for the shift.』
The transformation's quick, but damn, this form's gross. It's bulkier than in the dungeon, coated in slimy, blood-red tissue, with a skull-like face, six bone-tipped tendrils on my back, and bone claws on my fingers. Badass, sure, but the slimy tissue is disgusting. At least it doesn't wreck anything, so it's better than nothing…
After securing the room and laying the girl on the bed, I lock the door, climb out the window, and head toward the flute's source, annoyed. The sound's irritatingly melodious, and someone's trying to steal "my stuff." I'm petty and selfish, so they're gonna regret this…
Following the sound, I'm surprised it's not far - just two or three blocks from the inn. A group of kids shuffles in a daze, led by a literal clown in a garish outfit and a black mask that clashes hard. I can't underestimate him.
It's like the Pied Piper of Hamelin - using a flute to mesmerize kids. That story's ending was vague, and this feels the same. No one knows what'll happen to these kids. Doesn't matter. I'll track their path and ambush the lot. I'm lazy, so the easiest way's best…
Of course, nothing's ever smooth. After tailing them, the masked clown somehow senses me, leads the group to a deserted area, and stops playing. The moment he does, I know I'm busted, so I drop the stealth, leap in front of him, and toss out a half-joking question:
- Pretty moon, huh?
- …Yeah, quite beautiful…
I can't tell if he's talking to me or muttering to himself - his voice is hazier than the flute. Even though I can't see his face, his eyes scream bad news. Gotta "VAR" this guy…
- Honestly, I'm surprised you noticed and disrupted my plan so quickly…
- Nah, I'm just a "passing stranger."
- Then die…
- Bring it, no need to hold back.
To seize the upper hand, I lunge with a test strike, but he dodges effortlessly and counters with a punch, forcing me back to lessen the impact. From that, he's physically as strong as me… I don't care much and want to hold back my Shadow Magic, but he's likely doing the same, so that punch wasn't full force.
I just want to test this Complete form's strength, so I play it safe and let him make the next move. Good call - he summons a horde of undead: skeletons, zombies, sent straight at me. They're not a big deal, just cannon fodder, but he's the real issue. He's not using that freaky flute, so I don't know his next move. Better stay cautious.
- A necromancer, huh? Pretty cool…
- Thanks for the compliment…
As he finishes, my instincts scream danger. I dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding a sneak attack from behind. Lucky as hell - didn't expect that. I need to adapt to this form fast…
- Damn, how'd you dodge that?!?
- Uh… luck beats skill?
Honestly, I can't explain that one. But there won't be a next time, so I need to figure out his moveset quick, or I'm screwed if I keep dodging like an idiot…
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This translation keeps the raw, cynical, and darkly vivid tone, blending gritty action, introspection, and sarcastic humor. Let me know if you need tweaks!