The cold shade hid his figure, lying down like a dead cattle. His eyes were empty—not in a hollow sense, but filled with the weight of regret, like someone who made bad decisions and now wonders why he ever went through with them.
I can't say I'm surprised, Shun thought to himself, noting that his old home was more comfortable than this unsympathetic 8x8 room.
A brief flashback: he went to the bank and robbed it using complicated plans that seemed seamless. But one way or another, he still got caught.
No trial. No court. He was sent straight to jail. Just thinking about it clouded his mind with darkness.
He sighed and stared at the ceiling.
"Achoo!" He hugged himself. His body trembled. "So cold."
With nothing else to do, he lay back and closed his eyes.
Enduring the cold, sleeping on the rough surface—it reminded him of his childhood. He struggled to fall into deep slumber, but moments later, he drifted off.
In his sleep, he saw strange visions:
A man hung on a stake.
A woman's severed head displayed in the center of the city.
And at the end of it all, a titan descended from the heavens.
Chains from the sky coiled around his limbs. He simply existed in the sky, yet his presence alone drove the weak to bash their heads against the pavement.
Shun felt a creeping madness slithering toward him like strands of hair in the dark. He tried to move, struggling against an invisible force holding him still.
> [Divine Symbol: Absurdity of You cloaked you from the graze of madness.]
The hairs halted—then scurried backward in panic.
The titan tilted his head slowly. Every movement stirred the air and threatened to blow Shun's head off.
His face was hidden behind a ragged beard and hair.
"What are you?" His voice was grand and magnanimous, yet filled with malicious intent and despair.
Shun's heart jumped violently. He choked on his own heartbeat and collapsed, clutching his right chest.
He struggled to breathe. His vision darkened.
White noise grew louder, drowning out everything else.
He opened his eyes with a jolt, gasping sharply as he raised his torso.
"Haa… ha…" His breathing was hasty and inconsistent. Sweat trickled down his body. He looked at his own hand—it was trembling.
What kind of dream was that? he wondered, massaging his glabella.
Just then, a guard banged the bars with a baton. A loud clang echoed through the prison.
"Lights up, you useless worms!"
Shun steadied himself and left his cell. There was already a long line of inmates, and he joined in.
Time passed, and they arrived at the canteen.
A spacious hall with rows of old tables and chairs. The smell of grease lingered thick in the air.
They took turns getting their food served.
Finally, it was Shun's turn. He wondered what kind of delish he would enjoy.
The server scooped a black stew of damnation. Its broth was darker than the abyss and denser than lava. Its smell was sharp—like decaying corpses. The server then handed him a bowl of rice.
Shun sighed and continued on. He accidentally bumped into someone.
"Hey, what's the big deal?"
"Sorry." Shun looked up.
"Kaoru?"
"Nii-san?"
Silence fell. Both were stunned to see each other.
What's going on? Why am I seeing him here? Shun wondered.
"You, what are you doing here?"
"That's my question, Nii-san."
"I robbed a bank," Shun said with a smile, no regrets in sight. Whatever remorse he'd felt the night before had vanished like the wind. "So, what about you?"
Just before Kaoru could answer—
"Hey, hurry up! Keep moving!" someone in the line shouted impatiently, so they moved along.
Shun sat in a corner of the room while Kaoru searched for a different table—even though Shun's still had a few vacant seats.
Given the tension between them, it wasn't surprising. But at this rate, with inmates continuously pouring in, Kaoru would have no choice but to eat in the bathroom.
"Kaoru!" Shun raised his hand and waved. "Come on, sit here. It's still available."
Whether Kaoru pretended not to hear or genuinely ignored him, his gaze kept drifting across the canteen.
His expression brightened as he spotted an empty seat. But just as he took it, someone shoved him, sweeping his tray off the table. The food splattered across the floor.
Kaoru landed on his butt and looked up.
"That seat's taken." The man smiled playfully.
Shun stood, ready to intervene—until a voice stopped him.
"Forget about it. They're of the highest levels."
The speaker was a youth with an average build. His brown hair was cut in a bowl, and he looked plain—sitting across from Shun.
Shun ignored his words and focused on Kaoru, who stood, dusted off his pants, and rejoined the food line. The group that pushed him laughed cruelly.
The line moved slowly. When it was Kaoru's turn—
"Move." The server didn't even glance at him.
"But I haven't even gotten my food."
"You get one. You can't get another. So move!" he snapped.
Dejected, Kaoru forced himself to walk away, his gaze glued to the ground. Then, he felt a nudge.
He looked up. "Nii-san?"
"Eat."
Kaoru's eyes landed on the tray Shun was holding.
"Are you pitying me?"
"You look like you need this food more than I do." Shun offered the tray.
"I don't need your pity." His voice was sharp. He turned and left the canteen, leaving Shun standing there, holding the tray slightly away from his body.
Staring at Kaoru's back, Shun cursed inwardly. What's wrong with this brat?! I'm trying to help! So you don't want to eat it? That's fine! Perfectly fine! I'll eat it and get full—while you starve to death!
He returned to his seat in a sour mood, eager to finish the meal quickly.
But the smell and texture of the broth forced him to step back.
Is this food safe? he wondered. The corner of his lips twitched.
He took a moment to collect himself and began eating.
It's better than I thought… but why does every bite make me feel sad? Shun pondered, noticing tears sliding down his face.
He caught glimpses of others having the same reaction.
He didn't know what was going on—but since no one made a big deal about it, he didn't dwell on it either.
Still, he occasionally heard:
"Why must you die, my princess?" A man wept, holding a picture of a dog, mouth still full of broth.
"Mom! I miss you!" someone else screamed, slamming the table.
Cries of agony. Of loss. Of deep, aching melancholy.
Shun quietly finished his meal and leaned back, letting out a small burp, unbothered.
"Hey, four-eyes."
"Are you referring to me?" The bowl-cut youth looked offended. "I don't even wear glasses."
"What's your name?"
"It's Iki."
"Iki. Tell me what's going on. Are these people really hunters from the real world? How could that be?"
Shun's eyes scanned the canteen—then widened. "Wait… is that Arvak?"
Iki glanced toward Arvak, unimpressed.
"Yes. They're all hunters from the real world—the ones the Tower devoured.
"They're all here because they committed crimes in the Dream Realm.
"You must've met Alden, yes?"
"Alden? What about him?"
"Everyone here has their own version of Alden. You could say… he's our guide."
"There's no way out of here?"
"Who knows." Iki shrugged.
Shun grabbed his shoulder. "Tell me something you do know."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Iki avoided eye contact.
"Really? You don't know?" Shun's gaze sharpened, unsettling Iki.
"O-of course!"
Shun narrowed his eyes, keeping the pressure on. The air around them grew hotter and heavier for Iki.
"If you say so." Shun finally released his grip and looked away. Iki let out a shaky sigh.
"By the way, my name's Shun."
Iki grunted in acknowledgment.
Just as Shun was about to say more, two men approached and coiled their arms around Iki's neck.
His expression immediately changed—now filled with fear, his eyes trembling.
"Hey, Iki. Care for a moment?" one of them said, eyes brimming with lust.
"Wh-what do you need?"
"The usual." The other leaned closer, his expression excited. Shun felt a wave of disgust crawl up his back.
"But… the next program's about to start."
"We've got time." The lustful scumbag gripped Iki's shoulder and began dragging him.
[Azekawa Remi – Lvl 34]
[Teru Nomi – Lvl 39]
[Osamu Shun – Lvl 7]
Shun glanced at their levels—then at the two predators. Together with Iki, they disappeared into the bathroom.
Shun could only sigh in resignation.