Chapter 10: The Long Hair and the Lost Name

Heh, I used to think it was nice—unique, even. A family of three, each with a different surname.

“But now, it’s the very reason I can’t recall my own name.”

But why can’t I remember my name… Aah, headache…

Anyway, as one of my personalities said, a name is just a label. If I can’t remember it, whatever. It’s not like I can go to the hospital.

I continued my self-check: what I did yesterday—woke up, got taken away, worked, ate…

Just thinking about eating almost made me vomit.

With a retch that sounded like a butterfly flapping its wings, I opened my eyes.

“A butterfly flapping its wings makes no sound!”

Haha, one of my personalities’ first jab of the day. It means my mental state is still holding up.

But when I opened my eyes, I discovered a serious problem.

I stared blankly at the thing blocking my view. “What the hell!”

My hair… had grown!

I remembered my bangs were still short before bed! I immediately touched my hair. “Yeah, it’s long. Almost down to my waist.”

[Heh…] I let out a weak sigh. Yesterday it was a fluffy mop that didn’t reach my shoulders; today it’s down to my waist. Was it the bug soup? Haha…

“You look even cuter now…”

I thought in despair, stood up from the corner, and smoothed back the long hair obstructing my vision, tucking it behind my ears.

My movements were practiced—I’d seen anime girls brush their hair plenty of times. Monkey see, monkey do…

The silver strands were silky smooth. Despite all the sweat yesterday, there wasn’t a trace of dandruff…

And… I never thought the first long hair I’d touch would be my own!! Haha.

“Who told you not to have a girlfriend?” one personality taunted again.

“Hehe…”

Despair filled my eyes, but I quickly pulled myself together. This was no time for talking to myself.

From my self-check, I’d organized all the info since arriving in this world. Basically, I knew nothing—date, time, location, country, international affairs. Zero.

Demons patrol the castle; escaping is basically impossible. Guess I’ll have to postpone any escape plans until I have more information.

I stood in the dim room, pondering my next move.

The room had no windows, but I could roughly guess the time was midnight or early morning.

The last time I’d looked out a castle window, it was around late afternoon, nearly dusk. A child’s body needs about eight hours of sleep. So it’s probably midnight or two or three in the morning.

I got up and walked outside our room. The feeling of going commando was starting to become normal.

“After all, even if you’re not used to it, they won’t give you underwear~ Ahahaha!” My other self’s mockery left me with no comeback.

Walking down the dark corridor, the floorboards creaked. I was terrified I’d step through and fall.

This servant area was about ten meters long, with four sleeping rooms—two were already empty. Three other rooms were cleaner, holding cleaning supplies and a few carts. One was a storage room, and two more had doors boarded up.

The last room was the toilet. I took the chance to relieve myself.

Inside, there was just a wooden bucket, no drainage, and a ladle-shaped wooden scoop hanging nearby.

“Tsk… is that…” I cut off that thought.

The whole place stank, but it wasn’t too dirty. The floor was clean, and a glowing crystal was embedded in the wall.

I’d expected my linen shoes to get wet, but the floor was surprisingly dry.

After finishing, I closed the door, only to hear a strange sucking sound from inside. It was deliberate—like someone slurping water with their mouth, a sizzling noise.

A chill ran down my spine. I bolted and watched the door warily.

Soon, the sound stopped…

The toilet was the farthest point in the servant area. I started heading back.

Returning to the sleeping quarters for us slaves, I hadn’t paid attention when I left, but now I noticed fewer people.

“Definitely someone tried to escape and got killed…”

I’d guessed it. Slaves are always cannon fodder…

I figured I should try talking to them sometime.

While clearly no one here could help me escape, they might have useful info.

“Of course, if someone could take me with them, that’d be best.”

But remembering that everyone except me was injured yesterday, I lost hope in this group.

“If you can’t talk, don’t. You’re already a s*ave with no ability to fight back—don’t stir trouble…”

Why didn’t a single one of the twenty-three people understand that?

One died from yesterday’s work. Now a few more are missing…

“How many tried to escape last night…”

“Sigh…”

After grumbling, I walked toward the outer door.

Escape was impossible, of course, but I wanted to listen for any sounds outside.

I pressed my ear to the hidden door and listened intently for a long, long time. Heard nothing.

The door was airtight, and no light seeped through.

“Recon complete. Time for bed! Sleep sleep! MDFK, I wonder what they’ll make me do today.”

I turned to go back, and as I rounded a small corner, I ran into that blonde girl. I think… her name is Xu Yi.

[Ah!] The blonde seemed startled by my sudden appearance.

But I wasn’t surprised to see her. In a place like this, speaking too loudly could get you beaten.

Remembering yesterday, I lowered my head apologetically.

“Are you… that boy from yesterday?” Xu Yi asked softly, probably noticing my suddenly longer hair.

I felt sorry for her and didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded.

Then I noticed a fresh wound on her calf.

“Ah… she must have tried to run.”

We stood silently at the corner.

“Um… why didn’t you answer? Your name?” she said gently.

“Because… I don’t know my name…” My tone was hesitant. I felt like an actor.

I’d only heard that line in anime. Never thought I’d say it myself.

“Oh, I see…” Xu Yi looked troubled.

“Sorry…” Seeing her like that, I felt inexplicably guilty.

“Huh? Why are you apologizing?” Xu Yi seemed confused.

“She doesn’t get it… I don’t want to explain either.”

“Mm, it’s nothing…” I used the standard anime gesture to cover up.

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