"How are the developments going?"
The voice came from a man in a long black trench coat. A golden vintage watch gleamed on his wrist, catching the light as he adjusted his sleeve. His neatly cut blonde hair and polished leather shoes gave him an air of quiet authority. He looked to be in his early thirties—sharp, commanding, and composed. His emerald eyes glimmered with control, scanning the room like a hawk sizing up its prey.
"We've entered the final phase of the project," the young man reported, straightening his posture. "It should take another six hours to complete."
He looked every bit the mad scientist—long white coat, messy green hair, and small round glasses sliding down his nose. There was a wild spark in his eyes, the kind that hinted he hadn't slept in days.
"You've poured so much effort and resources into this project, sir. Without a doubt, it's going to change the world of gaming forever!"
Ashen grinned as he spoke, his tone carrying an excited spark that didn't quite match the room's tense atmosphere. His name contrasted sharply with his light-colored hair, yet perfectly suited the lively gleam in his eyes.
Then Ashen's expression darkened. "At least now… you get to fulfill your promise to her."
For a moment, the man in the black trench coat—usually so composed, his face a mask wherever he went—showed something rare. Sadness.
"You're right, Ashen. At least… I get to do one last thing right for her," the man replied, his voice heavy with sorrow. His gaze drifted—seeing what no one else could.
Memories flooded his mind. Every encounter. Every moment.
And then… the last one.
A tragedy he hadn't been ready to face—one he still struggled to understand, even now.
'You once said you had a dream…
A world where anyone could become anything they wanted. A world full of adventure… full of life...'
The man closed his eyes as the memory played vividly in his mind.
'You were supposed to be by my side—to see that dream come true. But the world… it just couldn't stand to see us happy. To see you happy'
His chest tightened.
'Even then, you never stopped smiling. You wore that brave face—fearless, unshaken.'
A trembling breath escaped him. 'And now… you can't show that face to me anymore'
Tears threatened, but he swallowed them back. Slowly, his expression hardened—returning to that same cold, emotionless mask he'd worn ever since that cursed day.
It was almost shockin.
Just moments ago, anyone would've sworn the man was on the verge of breaking down. Yet now—his face had returned to that same emotionless mask.
No… colder.
Even Ashen didn't need to look to know it. The air itself felt heavier, as if the man's very presence had turned the room to ice.
Ashen could swear the air itself had vanished. Each breath felt heavier than the last—until, like the calm after a storm, the suffocating aura slowly faded. The man's face, however, remained as unreadable as ever.
'But you made me promise… that I'd make your dream come true—not chase down the one responsible for…'
He stopped himself, unable to finish the thought.
'But how can I just let them live? How can they walk free while you're gone? You deserve heaven, I know that… but right now, I need you more'
A long sigh escaped him. 'I can't change the past… but that doesn't mean I can't change the future'
He paused, letting the words echo in his chest.
'Till we meet again… Mrs. A—'
"Sir!!"
His thoughts snapped back to the present as a voice rang out. One of his workers hurried toward him, eyes gleaming with excitement—like a child about to open a long-awaited gift.
"I have great news!" the young man announced eagerly.
"Continue," the man replied, his voice steady, the weight of his earlier thoughts buried beneath his calm tone.
"We've completed the project, sir!" the young worker announced, his face still lit with excitement.
The man's expression shifted instantly. "And did—"
"Yes, sir!" the worker cut in before he could finish. "We tested it. It works!"
Then it hit him—he'd just interrupted his superior. Dread washed over his face.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't mean to—"
"It's okay," the man said calmly, cutting him off with a faint nod. "I understand your excitement. No need to apologize."
With that, he walked past the young worker, his coat swaying gently with each step. Ashen followed close behind, his curiosity piqued.
'Whew' He let out a quiet sigh, 'For a second there, I thought I'd just lost my job'
He scratched the back of his head, glancing after his superior, 'Come to think of it… since when did boss ever show emotion?'
***
In the control room, the man stepped in with Ashen by his side. The sight that greeted them—smiling faces, eyes gleaming with pride—was proof enough. After three long years, their project was finally complete.
"Inform the team and bring in the beta testers," he ordered.
"Yes, sir!" one of the workers replied, rushing off.
Ashen turned toward him. "So… what should we name it, sir?"
The man paused. An image of his wife's smile flickered across his mind, soft and radiant. Then, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"I think… we'll call it Dreamz."
'And who knows… maybe this will lead me to your killer, darling', he thought quietly.