After having disciplined the new goblins, I headed back towards the Dungeon Core room. According to Domino, one of the women awoke while I was ‘disciplining’ the goblins. Making my way through the once more created passageway, I pondered how I should approach the clearly traumatized women.

I’m sure, once they see me, they will probably panic. For intents and purposes, Domino should be the one to handle them, but her offhanded comment earlier made me rethink that idea.

Yeah, in no way am I letting her handle them when she called them, ‘Filthy humans.’

So, here I am, preparing to meet the women, like a soldier heading for war. This will not be pretty…

I returned to the Dungeon Core room after a walk so short that it could have been measured with a ruler half its size, and in my immediate vision, I could see the awake woman resting on the bed in a sitting position.

I approached her, and while I got closer, she showed no reaction. Once I was close enough to see her face perfectly, I found the reason.

She gave me a thousand-yard stare, as if she’d given up on life during her… harrowing time with the goblins in their settlement. She looked like she was in her thirties, with hips capable of birthing a dozen children.

And this woman was completely broken…

I have no idea what to do with her. What can I do to help her? Can I fix her? Maybe give her something to eat…?

Damn it, I ain’t no therapist…

“Domino, do you know how to help her?” Domino, who had been staring at me since I walked in, shook her head in denial.

“Negative… Human broken… Suggestion… Eliminate for DP…” Domino answered as a manner of fact, proudly puffing out her chest like her father would praise her after her well-thought of suggestion.

I, however, cringed at her words. However, there was a tiny part of me, the logical side, who agreed with this statement. My human and moral side, however, firmly denies this outcome. The only question is whether my moral compass is correct in my precarious situation?

Should I just sacrifice this woman to get DP? Or should I try and help her get over her trauma, which, in the current state of things, is next to impossible, given her state of emotions and mentality.

Contemplating for a few seconds, I made my decision.

“Domino, never suggest that kind of thing again,” at my words, Domino deflated, her expressionless face twitching slightly into a frown. Goddamn it, she looked like I kicked her puppy right in front of her.

“… Why…? Papa knows… Human is worthless… Filthy…” Domino approached me in confusion, her mind incapable of categorizing my actions.

“And that is why, we must help her.”

I won’t lose my humanity. I’ve known what it’s like to be treated like you are below them, and I wouldn’t want to wish it upon another human being. Domino, however, would likely reject my reasoning, given her extreme distaste for humans. I, however, had a comeback ready.

“Because she might be worthless and filthy now, but in the future? She will be useful against our enemies,” I patted her head with my giant hand, her full body leaning in to feel more of my warmth.

“… Understood… Humans filthy… But useful…”

… It’s a start… I hope she can realize how to be human, and not a misanthropic, little girl.

All that aside, I still need to help this broken girl, but I really don’t know how to do so.

It was at that moment, the catgirl woke up, her eyes fluttering with her ears drooping down.

“I… Wha… Er…on…?” as she awoke from her slumber, the cat girl mumbled. Her eyes blinked once, then twice, then landed her gaze on mine.

She stayed silent for a few seconds, before screeching like a banshee, surprising Domino and me. With one quick glance at Domino, I knew she was ready to commit bloody murder on my behalf, and that was something I couldn’t have. So, I opted to quickly de-escalate the situation before it went out of hand.

“Easy, easy! I won’t hurt you,” I said as I slowly approached the screaming girl. Domino stayed her hand because of my actions, thankfully. That said, I think she would still commit bloody murder if I couldn’t calm the girl down.

The girl, however, refused to stop, and I could hear her voice cracking. Despite the fact that her throat was damaged, she continued to scream.

“… Fuck it…” I dashed towards the screaming girl and laid my hand over her mouth. She resisted even more vehemently, but my stats and monster body ensured that I would not be swayed by her feeble resistance. I rubbed her back in hopes of calming her down, and fortunately, it worked.

I repeated this for about a minute until she stopped screaming because of exhaustion. I slowly extracted my hand from her mouth, and hoped to dear god she wouldn’t scream again.

“Are you calm now?” the terrified catgirl nodded fearfully, her body still trembling. I relaxed, and tried to give her a smile, which backfired because gorillas have different faced than humans. “It’s okay, I won’t hurt you.”

“P-p-promise…?

“Promise,” I patted the head of the catgirl softly, hoping she would accept the display of non-hostility. From behind me, I heard Domino growl, but I think that was just my imagination…

Right…?

Anyway, the cat girl appears to be sane enough to respond, so she will be the first one I assist. Fucking hell, I hope I can help her. I wouldn’t wish their fate on anyone but the wicked.

“Domino, please go grab a glass of water for the girl,” I thought I saw Domino gnash her teeth, but she was off quickly, so I wasn’t able to get a good look at her. Focusing my gaze on the girl, I hoped that my question wouldn’t trigger an attack.

“What happened…?”