459 Shinobu-chan, would you like to come with me? (1/2)

She appeared like a puppet doll randomly put together, and even her messy hair was a mix of blood-red and silver.

Seiji observed her for quite a while.

”When I wake her up, will she attack me on sight?”

”I doubt it. And even if she does, you should be able to easily defend against her.”

”Because she's a 'child?'”

”Indeed,” Yomi explained. ”I recommend that you take her down from there. Otherwise, it'll be inconvenient to talk to her.”

Seiji nodded as he cast [Evolved Telekinesis].

A large golden hand appeared and broke the silver threads she was attached to, then caught the little girl before she hit the ground.

Numerous puppet and human body parts landed on the ground and scattered everywhere.

Seiji controlled the golden hand to take the little girl to a relatively clear area and gently placed her down.

”Shinobu Miaki, wake up.” He kneeled next to and called out to her as he observed her half-puppet, half-human face.

The girl didn't react.

”It's time to wake up!” Seiji increased his volume.

There was still no reaction.

”Try injecting some Mana into her.” The female spirit gave him a recommendation.

Seiji placed his hand on the little girl's chest and began injecting Mana into her.

Iciness, bloodiness, darkness…

Right as she was born, she already experienced all these concepts without even having a clear understanding of them.

”Answer me. Who are you?”

That was the first sentence she'd heard after she was born.

”Do you know what you are?”

That was the second sentence.

But after that, everything was hazy… she felt as if she learned some things, and did some things, but her consciousness remained unclear.

'Who am I?

'What am I?'

There were only two clear things in her mind—these two questions. She felt as if she should answer them, but she was unable to come up with the answers.

'If I can't answer them… will I always remain like this?'

She kept thinking, and did her very best to think. But not only was she unable to come up with the answers, her thoughts gradually became hazy as well, as if something was devouring them.

'No… I don't want to… die…'

Death.

This was a concept that she still didn't quite understand yet, but she could feel it.

If she died, she would no longer be able to think of anything. She wouldn't be herself anymore.

And, she still hadn't even figured out who or what she was yet.

'No…'

She kept shouting and resisting. However, that something that kept gradually devouring her didn't slow down at all.

Despair.

This was yet another concept that she wasn't familiar with yet. However, this feeling had already enveloped her fully…

Suddenly, a different feeling appeared within her.

Her consciousness became much clearer.

She was no longer being devoured. Something was being given to her that helped her to maintain her own sense of self.

She wanted this.

She could sense that this was something beneficial to her, and instinctively desired more.

As if in response to her desire, whatever it was that was giving her this feeling continued giving it to her…

The little girl slowly opened her eyes.

”Ah, you're awake.” Seiji stopped injecting Mana into her and retracted his hand.

The little girl looked at him.

He exchanged glances with her and saw that her expression was rather blank… just like a newly-born child who didn't understand the world.

”Shinobu Miaki, can you understand my words?”

The girl looked at him.

”Shinobu… Miaki?”

”That's right, that's your name.”

”My… name,” the girl spoke in a light voice. ”I am… Shinobu Miaki.”