“Hehe. Hehe.”

Soccu was flying around in circles in the middle of the village, taking in her surroundings. She moved from place to place, starting to observe.

Though a girl of exquisite beauty flew around the center of the village, no one paid her any mind. It was as if she were invisible, with everyone continuing their tasks without interruption.

“I wonder where this is…”

People were noisily chatting and arguing over something. Soccu, having briefly held her head, clapped her hands.

“Ah! So this is the marketplace. It’s my first time seeing it!”

She smiled brightly as she looked around the marketplace. Her reason for being in the human village was singular: Karos had commanded her to observe humans and learn from them.

She was unaware of human laws and morals. In fact, she was not familiar with the laws and morals of the demon race either. Lacking the distinction between black and white, like a child, Karos had told her to watch the humans and observe their lives.

A command from the Demon King himself was not something she could refuse. She was a dream demon, capable of moving around in human blind spots, observing them freely without being seen.

“Wow.”

Watching humans haggle and steal, she couldn’t help but marvel. The bustling activity filled her with life. To her, who had only been aware of the world for less than a month, it was all incredibly enjoyable and fascinating.

“So fun!”

She continued to spin and turn, exploring the market. Occasionally, she swallowed her saliva at the smells that wafted through, but she restrained herself. Stealing was bad. Suddenly, she saw a child clutching his stomach, staring longingly at a loaf of bread on a stall.

Why is he like that? If he wants the bread, he could just buy it. After pondering for a moment, Soccu clapped her hands.

He must be too shy to take it!

Convinced, she took a loaf of bread. Approaching the child, she revealed herself and handed him the bread. The child, startled by her sudden appearance, quickly grabbed the bread.

“Th-thank you!”

Soccu smiled and waved her hand, disappearing again. The child, thankful for this unexpected fortune, devoured the bread hungrily.

“Huh? Where did the bread go!”

The baker, realizing the bread was gone, screamed, but Soccu had already moved on.

“Hehe. I did a good deed. The Demon King will surely praise me.”

Though still inexperienced, she was enjoying her time in her own way.

After wandering around the village for a while, she groaned and held her head. She had seen everything in the vicinity. There was more to see, but it lacked excitement.

No. There’s still a place I haven’t been!

Her eyes sparkled. The largest castle in the village. That was her next target! She flew off happily.

**** ****

“Wow… so pretty…”

Soccu marveled as she wandered around the castle. The lavish decorations and paintings, along with the people moving like machines, brought her a different kind of enjoyment. However, her enthusiasm waned after a few minutes, and she muttered with a bored expression.

“Boring.”

The beauty had quickly become mundane after multiple viewings. The people’s gloomy faces made her feel gloomy as well. Soccu, who wanted to see lively movements, felt out of place.

“Is there somewhere else? Let’s find it! A treasure hunt!”

Humming to herself, she flew around the interior. However, everywhere she went looked the same. The lavish decorations and the unchanging people made Soccu’s expression grow increasingly gloomy.

“Maybe I should go back…”

It seemed more interesting to explore the market than to stay here. Just then, she noticed a dark staircase. Approaching it, it seemed to lead underground.

“…A treasure chest?”

Her eyes lit up. It must be! Taking it would surely earn the Demon King’s praise!

With anticipation, she entered. There were guards armed with weapons, but fading her presence made passing by them simple. What could be so protected?

Her anticipation grew as she continued deeper, eventually reaching the end. Soccu’s expression instantly cooled.

“It’s not a treasure…”

There was a woman trapped inside a cage. What must have once been silver hair was now dusty and looked ash-gray. The woman sat leaning against the wall, her eyes closed.

“Ugh. Boring.”

A human, after all. Might as well go back. Just as she turned to leave, the woman spoke.

“Who’s there…”

“Huh?”

The woman opened her eyes. Golden pupils focused on Soccu. There was a certain haziness to her gaze as if she was in a daze.

“Sister, can you see me?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“…You shouldn’t be able to, normally.”

She was a dream demon. If she chose to hide, even dreaming humans couldn’t perceive or feel her presence.

Yet, the woman in front of her not only felt her presence but saw her clearly. Soccu’s interest was piqued in an instant.

“Hello! Sister!”

“…How did you get here.”

Her gaze sharpened, and life returned to her eyes. The woman appeared confused for a moment, then shook her head.

“You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous. Leave quickly.”

“Dangerous? Why?”

Soccu asked, genuinely puzzled. The woman looked at her for a moment, then her expression hardened. A momentary surge of hostility was quickly suppressed. The woman forced a smile.

“It doesn’t matter what I do now…”

“Why’s that? Are you hurt?”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!