130 – Total War (2)
That dream again.
“…Hey, Trauma.”
“…….”
“What are you going to do today? Where are you going?”
A strange phenomenon that sometimes comes to me every time I go to sleep, something that is hardly a dream.
“Huh? Couldn’t you tell me in advance?”
The concept of death, which had been wandering around the living room of the mansion where Rumia lived until she fell asleep, was talking to me with her arms behind her back in a matured look, so I was able to grasp the situation immediately.
‘…So what is this phenomenon?’
I understand to some extent that it shows the future that I may have faced now. However, it is not entirely clear how this phenomenon occurs.
The only clue is that it only appears when you are asleep or unconscious.
If so, I wonder if the memories remaining in my head will come back, but funny enough, the date I see in my dream is a few years from now.
‘In the end, I have no choice but to watch it again this time.’
In the end, I couldn’t find a sharp answer even after thinking for a long time, so I decided to focus on what this phenomenon showed me in silence.
“Trauma~”
“………”
The concept of death, which was hanging in front of me with its hands behind its back and its head hanging down, was quite happy unlike anything I had seen before.
“I want you to tell me what to do~”
“…Why?”
“Prepare in advance. You can’t go on an expedition to Japan like the last time and not be able to take pictures…?”
Anyway, it seemed like I had a very happy time with another me.
It’s quite unexpected.
Just by looking at it, it exudes an atmosphere like that of a demon of darkness, but surprisingly, it must have been treated well as requested by the concept of death.
“Are you happy?”
“Yeah, I want to see the penguin I saw at the zoo the other day. I’ve never heard of such a cute animal.”
“Hmm…”
“And the giraffe looks a bit scary. What’s with the long neck? It’s strange. It’s not a creature. Rather, the lion and the tiger that were written on the information board as scary animals were cuter!”
That speculation was confirmed by the words of the concept of death that followed.
Looking at the man-made island and even the zoo where only the upper class can visit, it seems that the other me was really dedicated to dating.
“Actually, the funniest thing was pretending to be the children of the upper class, wearing aristocratic clothes and sneaking into the zoo… hehehe…”
“It seems to me that the time has come.”
I was watching the concept of death, laughing excitedly at that thought, when suddenly a cold voice began to flow from my mouth.
“Huh? It’s about time? What do you mean…?”
“…I suddenly remember the first time you came to me a few years ago.”
As the notion of death, a little taken aback by that unusual voice, begins to sprint her backwards, her feet slowly move in front of her and catch up with her.
“At that time, there was no hope or even despair on your face. There was only a deep sense of helplessness and numbness.”
“There…”
“…The current you is, isn’t it?”
Thanks to that, cold sweat began to flow from the forehead of the concept of death, which was driven to a dead end wall in an instant.
“You are full of curiosity and happiness.”
“Ah…”
“This is a necessary condition for me to grant your wish.”
My hand started to slowly stroke her cheek.
“…How can I start right now?”
“…….!”
“Recently, the Hero Association’s pursuit has been relentless. Starting now will make your wish come true.”
The concept of death, biting the lower lip, begins to tremble quietly.
“Poetry, I hate it.”
“I think I’ve heard it wrong now, but the concept of death.”
“Oh, I don’t want to finish yet…”
A trembling voice leaked out of her mouth before long.
“…Now don’t just say stupid things like you don’t want to die.”
“That, that’s… That’s not… Oh, I just thought it wasn’t the time yet…”
“Why?”
“Ah, it seems like I haven’t liked you enough to be dominated by you yet. If you go ahead with the plan and fail, it’s you who will be ruined…”
The corners of my mouth, which had been listening to that voice, slowly began to rise.
“You know what?”
“… Huh?”
“You are most beautiful when you look terrified.”
If it weren’t for the fact that another me was sticking my head right in her face with a creepy smile, that line would probably have sounded quite romantic.
“I prefer that terrified expression with a lot of sincerity to it than that fake laugh you show me on a date.”
“Wait a minute… That’s…”
“…You don’t have to love me to control me.”
But in the next moment, the words that came out of my mouth completely shattered that feeble, romantic air current.
“I can dominate anyone who is afraid.”
“Ah…”
“Dominion by fear is just as effective as dominion by love. In fact, I think it’s even more effective than love.”
The face of the concept of death, which was receiving my terrifying gaze, became even more pale after hearing those words.
“Do you understand what I mean? The concept of death?”
“…….”
“The preparations are complete. Not ‘death’ itself, but preparations for dominating the human being you are.”
“Is that so… That’s so…?”
In such a situation, the concept of death muttered in an effortlessly calm voice.
“Still, am I ready… Keke!?”
“…I’m telling you because you seem to be misunderstanding something, but you’re no longer the boss in my relationship.”
I grabbed her slender neck in an instant and began to whisper in her ear while tightening my hand.
“As long as the conditions are fulfilled, I will set the date of your death.”
“Ugh!? Ah…”
“So keep quiet. Wasn’t that the contract?”
She looked so pitiful as she struggled with my hand holding her neck. She tried to release the power into her hands, but she was still unable to regain control of her body in this dreamlike world.
“Eh…”
– Seruk…
However, when I was feeling helpless in such a situation, my hand grip suddenly loosened slightly.
“…Puha!!”
She didn’t miss the chance and with all her might, she rooted her hand away from her, and squatted down in her seat, letting out her breath.
“…….”
My eyes alternately looked at her and at her slightly trembling hand.
“Fear… Yes. It is true that I felt fear…”
“………”
“…But, there’s something wrong with what you said.”
The gaze of her eyes was fixed on her as she heard her delicate voice below her.
“The smile I saw at you… Didn’t seem sincere?”
And in the next moment, my pupils were slightly shaking.
“…I meant it.”
I wonder if it was a simple coincidence that my eyes trembled at that moment, or was there another reason?
– Kwagwagwagwang!!!
“”…….!!!””
If the other me and she had talked a little more, it might have been a little clearer, but unfortunately I don’t think I can figure out the reason right now.
“Here!!!”
“Look, I’m right…!”
“I’m here to save you!”
It was, of course, because at that moment, the outer wall of the hideout where she and I were hiding collapsed and the academy students stormed in.
“Ah, ah…”
“…Tsk.”
As soon as I saw that figure, my pupils started glaring at those guys, extending their tentacles that somehow seemed familiar to the concept of death, which started to tremble in a deep blue state.
“Are you saying you’re going to interrupt me until the end?”
In that gaze, two faces as familiar as the concept of death began to enter.
“”………””
Two girls standing in front of the academy students and staring at me.
Ariel and Rumia, who look a little more mature than they are now, but for some reason seem more youthful.
“Let him go.”
“I don’t want bloodshed!”
The moment Ariel’s arms were wrapped in red sparks, and a sharp knife protruded from Rumia’s arms.
– Support position…
With a drunken haze, the world began to turn upside down again.
.
.
.
.
.
“…Hmm?”
＞ Kang Haneul! River sky!!
And when I opened my eyes again, there were only two thoughts in my head.
＞ Now is not the time to be like this!
“……?”
First of all, the story of the unidentified dream I’m having is slowly coming to an end.
＞ We are doomed!!
“What the f*ck.”
And secondly, it’s somehow quite cold.
“My house… A cozy retirement life with seniors…”
“Is it enemy?”
“…I can smell death nearby.”
It took some more time to realize that the reason was because Lumia’s house was completely destroyed due to the bombing of the 7 major ships that had launched a surprise attack first.
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at that time. The entrance to the slum where Rumia’s house is located.
“You know, unnie… Come to think of it, I think there is a part of me that has been harsh with Kang Ha-neul.”
“………”
“…So I want to apologize, but what should I say first when we meet?”
Sae-ah, who was moving her steps while listening to Himari’s chattering words while clinging to her side, stops her steps for a moment and closes her eyes.
“…I don’t know.”
“Huh?”
“Too many futures in sight. What the hell is this?”
Then, she soon began muttering with her pale expression.
“Sister, what did you suddenly say…”
“How many times does Kang Ha-neul save us in the same place…?”
“Sister?”
“Something’s strange. Unless time keeps running, something like this…”
It was at that moment when Himari, who was looking at her with a slightly worried look, stretched out her hand.
– Kwagwawang!!!
“”…….!””
A considerable level of explosions rang out near them.
– Gureuk, geureuk…
“”…….””
It was at that point that the blue eyes that began to shine here and there in the alley slowly began to surround them.
[Save point specified.]