knew was a man who was covered by his long robe was our owner.

” Will, let’s bring her into a separate room. Heavy…? ”

They must be giving up on me who was refusing to speak. Black-haired man placed his arm underneath my wrist to lift me up but somehow surprisingly, my body did not moved an inch.

I couldn’t be that heavy.

No matter how weak that scholar seemed, there was no way he couldn’t even move me, who could be considered slender. And the time that allowed me to think ended. At the same time the pressure against my body was lifted, the scenery changed. Without the pressure, my bones spread out in different directions and with that, extreme pain.

I could not even feel if it was hot or cold as black and white spots danced around in my vision. My teeth started shaking as if it’s cold yet my back started sweating as if it’s hot. I knew this feeling. I had felt it millions of time during training, this intense pain that could bring about death by shock.

My consciousnesses started getting hazy.

My hearing started waning.

” I think this person is a [Shadow]. ”

” …..[Shadow]? ”

” Yes. [Shadow] is the ‘fixer’ of the underworld. As long as there is a request, they will do anything, even assassination. They are the organization that operates in the dark, with no one ever seeing them before. ”

I wanted to listen in their conversation but my vision was swimming and my hearing was shaky and I could not separate the sounds. They were doing something with my neck but I could not tell what it was.

” …..This! ….Will, it’s as I thought, the situation is unfavorable. This item that is attached at the neck is mostly likely the [Collar of Slavery]. ”

The man was saying something. My vision was swimming. A small shadow came close and said something but I could not understand.

” Onee-san is a shadow? ”

He seemed to be asking something. I tried my best to focus my vision but I could not recognize anything.

” Slavery was banned decades ago. The manufacturing method of [Collar of Slavery] was ceased and it was said to be a taboo magic item. ”

A deep voice sounded out. The small shadow came close again. A silver glow.

” [Release] ”

The meaningless sounds lined up and at that moment, I could feel that I was wrapped in a warm glow. Then there was a noise around my neck area for some reason. My understanding could not catch up.

” ………..Why? ”

That came out of my mouth suddenly.

I felt like I had said that before, but that cracking voice reflected my feelings.

My world that was clouded, cleared up.

All these overflowing feelings coupled with the extreme pain caused my vision to finally turn white.

◆

” ……Nnn.. ”

Suddenly, an Angel entered in the middle of my sight.

Why was an Angel…? Was I finally dead?

That thinking lasted for only a moment as I remembered what had happened before I lost consciousness. Yes, this angel-like child had totally blockaded us during battle and captured us when we were knocked out. I didn’t even dare to ask about the fate of the rest of the captured ‘Shadows’.

His master must be the man clad in black robes. Instantly, fear gripped my heart.

” Onee-san, are you okay? ”

” ……!! ”

As I was shaking with fear, a voice rang out surprised me. The Angel had a gentle smile on his face as he continued.

” Is Onee-san a [Shadow] because of the collar? ”

Even if you asked that, because of the collar I couldn’t answer anyway. I wonder if my thoughts could be understood. The child grinned and laughed.

” If it’s the collar I have taken it off! ”

Disbelieving, I timidly touched my neck…. My fingers did not touch anything…..?

What was the meaning of this?

My understanding could not catch up to this turn of events. I looked at the child in front of me, dumbfounded. When our eyes met, he smiled.

” Onee-san is free. ”

” …….You’re bluffing……. ”

” No I am not. ”

” You’re bluffing!! ”

I shouted at the impossible words. Because…right. I was a dirty, wild, and inferior beast, compared to humans. That was what everyone said, yes, even I thought so too. It was because of that I ended up like this. It was because of that I was satisfied with being a ‘Shadow’. Freedom was something you had if you could control it, but I couldn’t. Because I was not a human. Everyone stepped on my tail. Because it’s dirty. That I was to leave. That I was a monster. That I was useless. That I was an idiot. Beast men were not humans. That’s why we could not do what humans could.

” I am not bluffing! Onee-san is free… ”

” I can’t be!! I cannot be free! Because…because… I am a… Beast man! ”

This child must have thought I was a human. That was why he was looking at me with these pure eyes that were free of doubt. If you thought it’s a simple rock you would sit on it, but if you knew there is a mass of centipedes, pill bugs clinging on to it, you wouldn’t.

It might look like a normal rock but it’s actually poisonous. That’s me.

Taking advantage of this flow, I took off the cloth that was wrapped around my head. Among my flattened hair, 2 beast ears jumped up. I saw how that child’s face was filled with surprised. As I thought. I hung my head in shame, and thus missed seeing the continuation of his expression.

I wondered what kind of face he was making now. Must be looking at me with disgust. Or contempt. And pity I guessed. [TN: My guess? He wanna touch that ears of yours.]

” Why can’t Beast Men have freedom? ”

” Because….We’re revolting. In any case, it’ll still be…. ”

My heart was beating like crazy, even so, his voice was clear, without any feelings. He was calmly searching, asking. As I answered with a trembling voice, he went silent for a moment. I wondered what he’s thinking. Still, I couldn’t bear to lift up my head. Please, stop asking these detestable questions. My ears naturally flattened against my head, trying to block out the sound.

It was a moment of silence, yet it felt like eternity. And then, I heard him getting closer to the bed I was laying. He was going to hit me for deceiving him. I flinched at his outstretched hand.

” How so? I think it’s cute. ”

” You’re bluffing! ”

The answer beyond my expectation caused me to look up and I shouted. Because he was stroking my ears, but, to say it’s cute, did he even know what he’s talking about? [TN: TOLD YOU.]

But when I saw his expression, I faltered. He had a gentle smile on yet his face was serious.

” Onee-san, aren’t your ears just a part of you? For example, if I cut my hair, I am still me. If I dress up nicely, I am still me. ”

He cut off his sentence at that point. He was saying that my ears, tails were just decorations, things that had no meaning. And this tail and ears were just a part of my body, not all of me. If this was heard by people on the street that had pity on me, they would think what a horrible remark to make.

Because he just totally denied my ears and tail. Yet it still hit close to my heart. Maybe it’s because he said it gently and straight. And it’s not pity. He said that in my position. That it’s okay to cast it aside, to not worry about it. That even if I was clad in rags, a human is still a human.

” Isn’t it that? It is the inside that’s important. ”

He said, smiling yet somehow he looked like he was about to cry.

I saw, now I got it. Used to killing. Giving up. Because I was a Beast Man. All I was doing was escaping. To tell the truth, I really wanted to be recognized as a human.

[TN: It’s really not all that good. I would rather prefer to be an Elf. Or dragon. ]

My eyes swelled up, feeling hot.

” I think Onee-san’s ears are cute. ”

He said, looking like he really meant it and I cried.