ULUHTWSBN 49

Chapter – 49 
Adachi’s Secret

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Adachi, lying on the sofa in the Underworld King’s chamber,

looked like he was in pain, but he wasn’t thrashing or moaning.

He was simply motionless, as if in a deep sleep.

“I noticed he wasn’t acting quite right,

so I was concerned, but I never expected he’d just suddenly faint.

I thought we should check his condition,

and perhaps it would be best to inform the Underworld King.”

The Underworld King touched Adachi,

and a light enveloped his entire body.

“He’s a special child.

I try to watch over him as much as I can,

but I can’t be right by his side constantly.

It’s fortunate that you noticed, Mukai-kun.”

“Is that why I was asked to take care of Adachi-kun?”

“You observe your surroundings well,

so I can entrust him to you with peace of mind.”

Come to think of it…

“I met him in the cafeteria.”
“He’s almost finished with it~”

Thinking back on Adachi’s actions,

the Underworld King was often nearby.

“Underworld King, about Adachi-kun…”

Just then, there was a knock on the door,

“Excuse me.”

Kyūki, the head of the department, entered.

Many in the research and development room were involved in past experiments.

Among them, Kyūki had an aura that perfectly fit the word “heroic.”

He carried a small box in both hands.

“This isn’t fully complete yet,

but it’s a considerable improvement over the current ring.

Depending on his energy output,

the burden on his body should be reduced.”

“Understood.

For now, this will do. Thank you for your help.”

The Underworld King accepted the box,

and Kyūki bowed and left the room.

The Underworld King removed the ring from Adachi’s forehead,

took a new ring from the box,

and placed it on his forehead.

A soft, radiant light enveloped Adachi.

“He should wake up after a while.

The memory of collapsing will likely be vague,

so just watch over him without pressing too hard.”

Mukai stared at Adachi, then turned to the Underworld King.

“I think I have the right to ask.”

“Yes, I suppose you do.

Let me explain a little,”

and led Mukai to a back room.

――――――――

Where is this place?

Is this a dream or reality?

Adachi’s consciousness wandered in an unclear limbo.

He heard a voice far away.

Who… is that… me…?

No!!

I’m scared!!

Help… someone, help…

“It’s frightening to watch this child.”
“I never know where he’s looking.”
“He doesn’t seem like my own child.”

Since childhood, Adachi could see spirits,

and his family found it unsettling.

Even staring into empty spaces,

his parents gradually felt he wasn’t normal,

and eventually, they couldn’t even hold him.

By the time he entered elementary school,

“I feel sick when he touches me.”
“Is he really my child?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you accusing me of cheating?”

Family disputes increased,

and Adachi’s mind became even more unstable in response.

His soul was unlike normal humans’,

but asking his family to understand it was impossible.

They began to suspect he might have dissociative identity disorder.

After being taken to a psychiatrist,

Adachi withdrew into his own shell.

From then on, he became a child that didn’t exist within the family,

and he severed bonds with them by making himself invisible.

At school,

“Adachi-kun is creepy.”
“He never talks.”
“There’s a rumor that a kid who bullied him died.”

After realizing that no one else could see spirits or monsters,

he understood he was different.

He reacted to lingering spiritual energy,

and couldn’t control his emotions.

Something inside him would go berserk,

causing frequent strange incidents around him,

earning him a reputation as an ill-omened child.

Whispering spirits by his ear.

Mischievous monsters.

Even if he was scared, the presence of someone, anyone,

gave him a sense of reassurance,

and spirits clung to him.

They were the only beings that made him feel he wasn’t alone.

When he entered middle school,

he was given an apartment,

and attended school from there.

He received money regularly, and lacked nothing in daily life,

but aside from spirits and monsters, no one else was around him.

Four years later, Adachi would die.