Erin's Awakening and Confusion

A few moments later, "Waaaaaaaaaa!" a scream echoed from Erin's room. Rai, who was sitting at the dining table, immediately stood up and rushed to Erin's room. "Slam!" Rai opened the door. He saw Erin awake and sitting on her bed, her face pale. Her expression showed she was confused and scared, both hands clutching her head, her eyes wide, darting left and right as if unfocused, and her breathing labored.

Rai immediately sat on the edge of Erin's bed and hugged her. Tears streamed down Erin's face, though her facial expression remained the same.

"Focus, Erin, calm down. I'm here," Rai said.

"T-there are other memories in my head... I-I'm a monster... I'm Kiko... I'm Erin... Aaaaaaaah!" Erin stammered, confused.

"I know, focus," Rai said.

He released Erin and cupped her cheeks with his hands. Then he turned Erin's head so she would look at his face.

"Look into my eyes, focus," Rai said.

Erin's red pupils, which had been darting around in confusion, looked straight ahead and met Rai's eyes. Gradually, Erin's eyes began to focus on Rai's, and her breathing became regular. Seeing Erin starting to control herself, Rai smiled and released his hands from her cheeks.

"Feeling better?" Rai asked.

Erin didn't answer but nodded in response to Rai's question. Then Erin raised her hands and looked at her palms. She opened and closed her fists, then looked at Rai.

"Brother Raigan became human?" Erin asked.

"Hey, my name is Rai, not Raigan, and yes, I'm human now. You're human too," Rai replied.

"I... I remember everything. I remember my life as Kiko on Earth, and I remember my life as Erin in this world," Erin said.

"Same here. Do you remember what happened just now?" Rai asked.

"I-I remember. I almost killed you while you were human... I'm sorry," Erin replied.

"It's okay, I understand," Rai said, stroking Erin's head as usual.

"I... I almost destroyed this city," Erin added.

"Yeah, I know," Rai replied.

"Thanks for stopping me. My anger flared up suddenly. I suddenly hated humans because I remembered we were killed by humans on Earth after saving them from an extraterrestrial threat," Erin said.

"Yep, but if we go wild here, it's wrong. The humans here haven't done anything to us, so if we go wild here, we're in the wrong place," Rai said.

"Yes, I understand," Erin replied.

"Alright, let's just go to eat," Rai said, standing up.

"Wait, big brother, are we the only two in this world? What about Sister Reidan, Uncle Kromn, Brother Gar Gar, Uncle Gantor, and Aunt Chaliz?" Erin asked.

"They're not here, or maybe we just haven't found them in this world yet," Rai said.

"I see, big brother. They all... died on Earth like us," Erin said, looking down and clutching her blanket with both hands.

Rai fell silent. He sat back down and stroked Erin's head. Erin immediately looked at Rai, tears streaming down her face.

"All of that is in the past, Erin. We're human now. You're no longer Kiko; you're Erin now," Rai said.

"I know, big brother," Erin replied, wiping away her tears.

"Come on, let's go out now. We'll buy some food first," Rai suggested.

"Okay, big brother," Erin replied.

After that, they both left their house and went towards the market area. However, upon reaching the market, no stores were open because the residents were still being evacuated due to the morning's events. Rai took Erin to the adventurer's guild, hoping the restaurant inside the guild building was still open. After walking through the quiet city, they finally reached the adventurer's guild building. Rai opened the door and saw the entire room empty, with no one there except the guild receptionists bustling behind their counter.

"Looks like it's not open, huh, Erin?" Rai asked.

"Let's just go home, big brother," Erin replied.

"Okay, let's go home," Rai said.

As they both turned to leave, "Hey... Rai!" a woman's voice called out to Rai. He immediately turned to see Trisha running towards him.

"You're not evacuating?" Trisha asked anxiously.

"Um... no," Rai replied casually.

"What are you doing? Hurry to the city's back gate and to the evacuation center; it's safe there," Trisha urged.

"Why, what's wrong with staying in the city?" Rai asked, confused.

"Only adventurers, knights, treasure hunters, and guards are here," Trisha explained.

"I'm an adventurer, too, aren't I?" Rai asked, pointing at his nose.

"Oh, right, but... with all due respect, you're no-job, so it's best for you to evacuate for your safety," Trisha replied.

"Is there food in the shelter?" Erin chimed in.

Trisha immediately looked at Erin next to Rai, then back at Rai, and then back at Erin.

"There's food there," Trisha said.

"Alright then, Erin and I will go there," Rai said.

"Thank you, big sister," Erin added politely.

"Yes, who are you to Rai, little sister?" Trisha asked Erin.

"I'm his sister, in two lives," Erin replied.

"Huh... what do you mean?" Trisha asked, confused.

"Don't worry about it, she's just joking," Rai said, covering Erin's mouth.

"Alright, hurry up and go. We don't know if that giant monster will appear again or not," Trisha said.

"Okay, thanks, Trisha," Rai replied.

They both turned and walked out. Trisha turned but was surprised to see Saber already standing behind his counter with his arms crossed over his chest. After Trisha approached Saber,

"Who were they, Trisha?" Saber asked, looking towards the door that Rai had closed after he and Erin got out.

"He's Rai, an F-rank adventurer with no job, and the little one is his sister," Trisha said.

"Hmm, there are no-job adventurers like him, huh? (deep thinking) Why is he still in the city? All the citizens have been evacuated, right?" Saber asked.

"It seems he just came back. Yesterday, he took a quest to kill kobolds in the forest and didn't return. He just showed up now," Trisha said.

"Hmm, in other words, he was out of the city since yesterday and stayed out all night until today?" Saber asked.

"Um... probably, sir. I haven't asked for the details yet. Sorry, sir, I need to continue my work first," Trisha replied.

"Okay, go ahead," Saber said, deep in thought.

After Trisha left and became busy again, Saber stood silent and thoughtful, his hand on his chin.

"From outside, no job and survive... hmm... interesting," he muttered to himself, considering all possibilities.

******

Meanwhile, Rai and Erin walked to the city's back gate. They saw many knights and guards stationed at the gate. Rai calmly approached the gate, holding Erin's hand.

"Hey, why are you still in the city?" a guard yelled.

"Yes, sir, I'm going to the shelter now," Rai replied casually.

"Haaaaah... you must have overslept, huh? How can you sleep in a situation like this? Quickly go out and just walk straight," the guard said, opening the gate.

"Thank you, sir," Rai replied.

They both immediately walked through the gate, and then the gate closed again. Rai turned to glance at Erin, who was looking at him and smiling.

"Are you happy to be human, big brother?" Erin asked.

"Of course. Back on Earth, we always hoped to become human, didn't we?" Rai replied.

"Hehe... it feels pretty nice to be able to talk to humans," Erin said.

"Yep, exactly, but don't let your guard down. Humans are still humans. Some are good, and some are bad, so you have to be careful," Rai warned.

"I know, big brother. Don't worry. I live in this world as Erin, and of course, there are some people I want to get back at, for example, my family," Erin replied.

"Yep, just say the word if you need help," Rai said.

They continued their conversation as they walked towards the other side of the hill where the emergency shelter for residents was located.