Regressor Instruction Manual-Chapter 1164. Internal Stability (3)

The location I had chosen as the stage was an apocalyptic world where Rohen was destroyed. I felt this with Hyun-Sung as well, but if I wanted to introduce an apocalyptic mood, the stage had to be in a wasteland.

Who cared about logic in a dream? Showing a ruined world was the most important.

The ashen sunset stained the entire world, and the air smelled rotten.

Seeing Will look around the dreary world where the word “hope” had vanished made me realize that I had made the right choice. He was obviously aware that this was a dream, but the emotions he was feeling were still real.

“This is interesting. Actually, I can’t tell... if this is a dream anymore,” William said.

I was sure he had many questions.

He started by questioning if this was really a dream, and I felt like he was also wondering if he had truly become a part of my dream.

Of course, I knew he was going to quickly adapt to this situation.

'It’s realistic, after all.’

The wind blowing past his skin and the foul odor in the air as well as my voice were so real that he wouldn’t question their authenticity.

There was clearly a difference between his normal dreams and this dream. A sharp-minded individual would easily realize that this strange feeling was happening because of the figure in front of them.

If this were Earth, he would deny this dream, but like he told me earlier, we were on Rohen, not on Earth. This was another world where things beyond common sense often happened.

He was also one of the people who adapted quickly to Rohen, so I was sure it wouldn't be difficult for him to adapt to what was going on.

“...”

“This place is...” William mumbled.

“I don’t know either. Besides the fact that it’s Rohen...” I said.

“It’s really strange,” William said.

“What is?” I asked.

“This place doesn’t feel like a dream to me. It’s so realistic... to call it a dream... and I don’t even know why I’m here...” William answered.

“...”

“This might be a task that was given to me,” William added.

“I'm sorry?"

“Right now, I can’t quite figure out what’s going on, but I’m sure there’s a reason why I was brought here. Maybe this is part of the goddess’s design...” William said.

‘It’s nothing like that.’

William's line of thought was advantageous for me, and there was no reason for me to stop him from looking for a reason behind all this. At the moment, continuing this story was more important than talking about this dream.

After confirming that William had entered my dream, I had to say something.

“M-Mr. William.”

“Yes?”

“Y-You must run,” I stuttered.

Chitter, chitter, chitter...

I unknowingly turned to the source of the sound and saw a thin, elongated demon.

The way it walked toward us while twisting around as if it were some kind of twisted donut was grotesque enough to make me frown.

Its eyes were empty, and its mouth was closed tight, looking like it was stitched up hundreds of times. I couldn’t figure out how it was able to walk. The demon used its finger as a cane and scanned its surroundings before turning toward us.

“...”

“Run,” I repeated.

I saw William looking at the demon in disbelief. He was probably asking...

‘What the hell is that?’

I was sure he had figured out that the figure before us was no ordinary demon. It wasn't just its appearance; it was also emitting an energy that was leagues stronger than Chalkis'.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young. I’ll—this place...”

William couldn't continue his sentence because the demon’s twisted claws pierced his abdomen.

“AAAAH!”

The scream didn’t sound like it belonged to Will, but it was understandable since he could feel himself getting split into two.

‘But you have to endure it, Will.’

“AAAAAH!”

‘Endure it. You have to endure it in order to become even stronger.’

“Aaaaargh!”

“...”

“...”

This was his first death in the dream.

Not long afterward, I heard a loud thud.

‘He’s awake.’

I was sure he immediately awakened from his dream upon getting split in half.

He immediately came to find me.

He kept knocking on the door, but he seemed to be thinking that just knocking wasn’t enough to wake me up, as he sounded like he was going to break open the door.

Despite hearing the murmurs of the surprised guards, he ended up breaking the door to enter my room.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” William said.

“...”

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, can you hear me?” William asked.

Naturally, I got up quietly with a pale face.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Just now...” William paused.

“...”

“Just now, I think I was in your dream, but I wanted to make sure...” William continued.

“I was wondering that as well... So you really... did enter my dream,” I confirmed.

“I knew it. Are you... feeling okay?” William asked.

“I should be asking you that, Are you okay?” I asked.

“Pardon?”

After that, I looked at him worriedly.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that... I think I'm the one who got you... involved in this. This didn’t happen in my dream. You—I don’t know if it’s because you entered my dream or if my symptoms have gotten worse, but... something feels off. This is...” I paused.

“...”

“Was it because I told you about my dreams? Or maybe it’s because I was subconsciously hoping that you would help me. Why did that demon—”

“No, you don’t have to think that way. It’s hard for me to give you a clear answer, but something has changed. There are questionable situations to say it was simply a dream. Can I ask what happened after I died?” William asked.

“It was the same. That demon dragged me to the top of the tower, and the rest is the same. Maybe...” I replied.

“...”

“Maybe that demon appeared to kick you out,” I suggested.

There was something there, and the words I mumbled without much thought caused Will to fall into deep contemplation.

If that demon was there to kick him out, why was it there to kick William out when he was summoned to my dreams?

That wasn’t the only strange thing. He was probably questioning why things had changed the moment I confessed to him about my dream. There was also the most important question—why was I having that kind of dream in the first place?

It wasn’t just a prophetic dream. It didn’t show the future, and it didn't reflect my subconscious in any way. I thought Will would be able to catch on to my intentions, and just as I expected, he continued the conversation.

“Maybe...”

“Yes?”

“Maybe... the demon is trying to tear you down, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. I'm talking about your internal stability,” William said.

‘Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.’

“The being sealed inside you must be the reason behind it. Also... I don’t know why, but the influence that this being has on you is growing stronger. If the same dream has been changing for the worse...” William paused.

“Then you...” I mumbled.

“I don’t know how I managed to enter your dream... but like I told you in the dream... I personally think that this is part of the goddess’s plan. If the influence of the being inside you is gradually getting stronger, then the ongoing war might soon become meaningless.

"I’m sure the goddess is thinking about it seriously,” William explained.

“...”

“The external conflict isn’t the only battle to be fought,” William added.

“So we have to fight... in this dream as well,” I mumbled.

“That’s right,” William said.

“B-But how do we fight it? The enemy is strong. It’s a frightening and terrifying being. I’m worried that you might get hurt...” I said.

“It’s fine. The things that are happening in your dream... don’t seem to be affecting reality... so for now, let’s see if the same thing happens tomorrow,” William suggested.

‘He’s pretending to be calm.’

It was probably because I was in front of him. He was trying to be calm, but I could see his hands slightly trembling.

I was sure he had experienced many life-or-death situations before.

I wasn’t looking down on him, but experiencing death and not having any experience when it came to life-or-death situations was an entirely different matter.

He wasn’t put in a position where dying like Kim Hyun-Sung would be the better choice, so it was fair to say that he had grown up too sheltered, like a delicate flower in a greenhouse.

I was sure the situation was abnormal for him.

He was pretending like nothing was wrong, but the pain and fear he experienced during that time had to have been etched into his mind.

He hadn't died in a peaceful way; he was split into half. He didn't just get stabbed with a sword; he was torn apart. I could still hear William’s scream. Although some time had passed, he was still afraid of dying the same way.

‘I didn’t ask you to fight the demon and win.’

'I just want you to grow stronger.'

“...”

“...” Soon, it was night again.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, run... ruuuuun! Aaaargh!” William screamed.

“Mr. William!” I shouted.

The demon’s claw pierced his head, marking his second death.

This sounded kind of evil, but from his second death onward, just one death wasn't enough to wake him up.

“Aaargh!"

His limbs were torn apart, marking his third death.

“Damn it... damn it! Kgh...”

His fourth and fifth deaths came swiftly.

“Krrrrrr...”

His neck was pierced, so he couldn't scream. This marked his sixth death.

Then, his seventh death came and his tenth... death.

“Why?! Damn it! You bastard! Ahhhhhhhhh!” William yelled.

Twelfth, thirteenth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-seventh...

Tonight's dream ended with his thirty-second death.

When I saw Will the next morning...

‘His face is filled with fear.’

He was basically in the worst condition possible.

The sight told me that breaking someone was easier than fortifying them. His once-clean face was marred with anxiety, and there were huge bags beneath his eyes.

There was no need for me to read his mind to know that he was afraid of entering that hell again upon falling asleep. He prayed to the Goddess of Flower and Fertility more often than usual. He no longer smiled, and he was really on edge.

He seemed like he would rather die and put an end to all this pain, but unfortunately, he was capable of regressing infinitely; at least, he could do that in my dream.

‘I wonder if he’ll show a different reaction... upon dying five hundred times.’