Chapter 282: Memory Dive (3)

Guilt, huh.

A deep sense of pity flashed through Kai’s eyes. Guilt was a word that signified regret and repentance for one’s wrongdoing. There were those who committed wrongs yet lacked any sense of it, and then there were those, like Roen before him, who were consumed by guilt and suffered greatly.

This is my first time dealing with a case like this.

Though he had often participated in volunteer work, he had never helped someone suffering from a psychological illness.

“Would you be willing to tell us the full story?”

“My home is humble, but please, come in,” Roen’s weary voice guided them inside.

As Kai stepped into the hut, he first examined the interior.

There’s no warmth here.

A house where people lived was supposed to hold warmth. To eat, one needed to light a fire, and in winter, a stove was necessary. Yet Roen’s home felt as lifeless as an abandoned house, void of any warmth. Instead, the air inside was filled with a strange scent that tickled Kai’s nose.

“I apologize,” Roen hastily cleared some herbs from his desk as he spoke.

Judging by the circumstances, they seemed to be drugs.

“It’s fine.”

Wearing an apologetic expression, Roen gestured for them to sit on a dusty chair and brought over some water.

“This is the only thing I can offer...”

“Thank you. I was just getting thirsty, so this works out well.”

Kai took a refreshing sip and then turned to look at Roen.

Understanding the meaning behind that look, Roen slowly began to say, “

Um...

To explain, I have to go back three months.”

“Take your time, no need to rush.”

Encouraged by Kai’s patience, Roen gradually started to share his story.

“As you saw on your way here, Flam is just a small mountain village.”

“Right.”

“My father was the village’s only hunter. Most of the leather used by the villagers and the meat they ate all came from his efforts.”

As he recalled his late father, Roen’s expression darkened.

“My father wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become a hunter.”

“Most fathers want their children to carry on the family trade,” Kai said, thinking of his own father.

“Yes. But ever since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a scholar, someone who sought the truth. However, a scholar was not a profession that was needed in this small village.”

“That is true.” Kai nodded.

The level of civilization in the mountain village of Flam wasn’t high. It lacked proper sewage systems, and there was no real demand for advanced knowledge.

“My father and I constantly clashed. He couldn’t understand why I wanted to move to the city, and he always tried to stop me. So I...”

Roen’s hands, gripping the water cup, trembled.

Clenching his teeth, he forced himself to continue, “I decided to run away. I thought that if I moved to the city and made something of myself... even my stubborn father would come to understand me.”

“Did you succeed?”

“Halfway. Three months ago was the time when monsters became more aggressive, preparing to stockpile food for the winter. Naturally, my father would leave early in the morning and return late at night. The transition from autumn to winter is the most exhausting season for a hunter, so by dawn, my father would be so exhausted that he wouldn’t notice if someone carried him away. So, I packed a few valuables and left home. Back then, my steps felt light, and I was painting a rosy future in my mind.”

A creeping sense of unease filled the air. Perhaps it was because Kai already knew this story wouldn’t have a happy ending.

“However... I was so focused on avoiding my father’s watchful eyes that I forgot something important.”

“And what was that?”

“That the mountains at dawn are dangerous. And... that during the autumn season, monsters roam actively, even at dawn, stocking up on food for winter. In a far more ferocious state.”

“

Oh

...”

“While descending the mountain, I encountered a pack of razor wolves. I ran down the slope in a panic.”

Kai could vividly picture the scene in his mind.

“Panting, and pushing my legs to their limit, I eventually tripped over a rock. I tumbled down the steep slope. From that moment on, I barely remember anything. The only things that remain are the sound of my father shouting and the sight of several razor wolves collapsing.”

Roen closed his eyes, and heavy tears began to fall.

“My father... My father had slain hundreds of razor wolves before. If he had been fully prepared, there’s no way he would have been taken down so... so...”

Roen couldn’t finish his sentence. But Kai, understanding his pain, gently patted his shoulder.

To witness your father being devoured by monsters before your very eyes...

It was only natural that such an experience would leave behind deep trauma, and even more so because it had happened due to his own actions. Suffering from such extreme guilt was no surprise.

“

Sniff

... If only I could turn back time... If I had just done what he wanted... If I had just become a hunter...”

As Kai comforted Roen, who was sobbing uncontrollably, Blizzard said, “Master... Is there no way to help him? He’s in a worse state than when I last saw him.”

“

Hmm.

”

A man trapped in endless regret, unable to live without the aid of drugs. Kai glanced down at his sleeve, now dampened by Roen’s tears, and thought.

Memory Dive... Maybe that skill could work.

Even Helik, who feared almost nothing, had warned him repeatedly to be cautious when using it.

A skill that allows me to dive into someone’s memories and manipulate their thoughts and memories.

He had never used it before, so he had no idea how it worked or what results it would bring.

But if I do nothing and leave Roen in this state...

Roen’s eyes were already as lifeless as a dead fish. Addicted to drugs, with no purpose left in life, he was utterly hollow.

Eventually, Kai bit his lip and turned to Blizzard. “I’m starting the treatment. But I have no idea how long it’ll take.”

“I will make sure not even an ant gets close.” Blizzard’s eyes gleamed with determination.

“Thanks. I’ll be counting on you.” Nodding, Kai then turned to Roen. “Roen, I’m not entirely sure, but I might be able to help you.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. But one thing before we proceed. This is my first time trying this method... so I can’t guarantee what will happen.”

“That’s fine,” Roen answered without the slightest hesitation. “Being alive doesn’t mean truly living. Lately, I’ve even thought that dying might be easier.

Sniff

...”

Utterly drained, Roen pleaded to Kai as if grabbing onto his last hope.

“Please... Do something... Anything, sir...”

As Roen looked up at him with desperate eyes, Kai slowly raised his hand.

Placing his palm on Roen’s forehead, he said, “Memory Dive.”

At that moment, his view changed.

***

Ding!

[You have entered Roen’s Memory World.]

[Special title acquired: Dreamer.]

[Dreamer]

Grade: Special

Description: A title given to the one who enters a Memory World for the first time.

Effect: Reduces empathy within the Memory World.

Kai snapped back to his senses as the message rang in his ears.

So this is inside Roen’s memory? No, more importantly, Dreamer?

His eyes narrowed as he skimmed over the effect of the special title.

Reduces empathy? What kind of effect is that supposed to be?

It was an unfamiliar and seemingly random trait.

Tilting his head in confusion, Kai dismissed the interface window and finally took a look around. He was sitting in a space completely covered in darkness. Above him, countless fragments of Roen’s memories revolved in a circular motion.

“

Ugh...

This looks like the opening scene of a classic movie.”

Kai scratched his head as he blankly stared at the floating memories.

This game really is unkind.

They skipped even the most basic tutorials for new skills!

After a moment of thought, Kai decided to test something and said, “The memory Roen regrets the most.”

Fortunately, his guess was correct.

Ding!

[34 days ago: Father’s Death. Would you like to load this memory?]

Among the countless memories floating above, a single scene fell before Kai’s eyes.

So this is the one.

The one memory Roen regretted the most, the one he wished he could change.

“Load Father’s Death.”

The moment he spoke the command, his vision blacked out again.

“

Gah!

” Startled, Kai sprang up like a coiled spring.

Looking around, he realized he was back in Roen’s room.

What? Did the skill fail? Why am I lying in bed?

Squinting as he examined his surroundings, Kai noticed something had changed.

I feel... warmth.

The once lifeless, desolate hut was now filled with a warmth that had been absent before, and that wasn’t all. The walls were full of animal pelts, antlers, and sharp arrows and traps.

Creak.

The door opened, and a middle-aged man with a thick beard stepped inside. Despite his age, his muscular physique gave him the impression of someone sturdy,

The rough-looking man smiled gently as he said, “You’re up early today.”

“What’s happening? Where are Roen and Blizzard?” Kai asked politely, only to receive a puzzled look from the man.

Remaining silent, the man approached and placed a thick hand on Kai’s forehead. “You don’t have a fever... You must still be half-asleep. Get up and wash your face, Roen.”

“... What?”

Then, the middle-aged man, smiling at Kai’s bewildered expression, picked up his axe and left the house once again.

What is this... Wait, don’t tell me...

Jumping out of bed, Kai hurried outside and called after the man, who was preparing to chop firewood.

“Excuse me, where can I wash my face...?”

“You must really be out of it today. There’s a lake over there, isn’t there?”

“Th-thank you.”

Kai ran in the direction the middle-aged man had pointed and soon discovered the lakeside. Sliding to his knees, he leaned over to check his reflection in the water.

“... My goodness.”

Muttering in disbelief, Kai reached up to touch his face. The handsome features he had been born with were nowhere to be found.

This is Roen’s face.

What stared back at him from the water’s surface was none other than Roen’s reflection. Momentarily stunned by the shock, Kai instinctively splashed the cold lake water onto his face. The icy morning water drenched him, instantly sharpening his hazy mind.

So this is Memory Dive...

As expected, altering someone’s memories wasn’t as simple as editing a video.

Do I have to become Roen myself and ensure that the memory he regrets never comes to be?

But another troubling thought soon followed.

“...What happens if I save Roen’s father?”

In reality, his father was already dead. Memory Dive was not a divine ability that altered reality—it was a demonic skill that manipulated perception.

This is a far bigger mess than I expected.

Kai scratched his head in frustration, continuing his thoughts before finally reaching a reasonable conclusion.

Saving Roen’s father within his memory won’t help. Instead, when I leave, he’ll be unable to accept his father’s sudden death and will be consumed by the contradiction.

The best course of action was to guide Roen into accepting his father’s death naturally.

“

Whew...

Let’s do this.”

With firm resolve, Kai’s eyes gleamed.