After leaving my body, everything felt like a dream.
Funny thing is…
they say I am a dream now.
Awkward, right?
Right now, I'm flying through this strange space with a creepy woman beside me.
I don't really know what's going to happen next, but yeah… let's see.
I looked at her.
"Hey, Mamu," I asked, "this world of dreams… is it only about dreams? Or do we do something else?"
She glanced at me calmly.
"You will fight," Mamu said.
"You will fight evil beings."
I blinked. "Fight…?"
"You won't be alone," she continued.
"You will have companions to guide you. They are called Dreamers."
"So… I'm a Dreamer too?" I asked.
"Yes," Mamu replied. "You will be one of them."
She paused, then looked straight at me.
"But remember this—you are very special."
I frowned. "Then why put me with the Dreamers?"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"That," she said, "is what makes it interesting."
"Huh…?" I muttered.
Mamu continued explaining.
"Dreamers have one role," she said.
"To destroy evil Dreamers."
She looked at me carefully.
"Each of you has the ability to enter any dream," she continued.
"You can see everything inside it."
I stayed silent, listening.
"Sometimes," Mamu said, "you will have to enter the dreams of dead people."
My heart skipped.
"Those dreams are very dangerous," she warned.
"In those dreams, you are sent to ancient times."
She paused.
"Your task there is to bring the soul back to life."
I swallowed.
"As I said before," Mamu added, "only a few people possess dream power."
She looked straight at me.
"You are one of them."
Mamu stopped in midair and said calmly,
"Here we are."
Below us was a vast city.
"This city of dreams is known as The Dream."
We descended toward a large mansion.
Shakib looked at it and asked,
"This… is where I'm going to live?"
Then he frowned.
"Wait. You said this is Dream Land. Then why is it called a city?
And what even is this place? Everyone I see looks normal."
Mamu smiled softly.
"Hmm… soon you will know."
She looked at the people walking below.
"They are not aware," she said.
"Unlike you."
Shakib turned to her, confused.
"You can control your powers," Mamu continued,
"even if only unconsciously. I've witnessed it many times."
Shakib shook his head.
"It was an accident. I didn't mean to do any of that."
Mamu raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so?"
She extended her hand, and a glowing bracelet appeared.
"Since you cannot control your power yet," she said,
"I'm giving you this bracelet."
She gently placed it on his wrist.
"It will help you control half of your dream power.
No one can fully control dreams."
She paused.
"Dreams are like a sea—a journey most cannot survive.
Only the chosen ones can."
She looked straight at him.
"And that one… is you."
Shakib blinked.
"Woah… I feel like an isekai main character right now," he said awkwardly.
"But—no thanks. I don't really believe that yet."
He sighed.
"Still… I'll think about it."
Suddenly, the mansion doors opened.
Inside stood several people.
A tall black man.
A blonde woman.
And another man, around his early twenties.
They were all waiting.
Shakib looked at the bracelet on his wrist.
"This looks cool though," he said. "So… this is for controlling my power, right?"
Mamu nodded. "Control comes from silence. Calm yourself. Think of flying."
Before he could question it, Shakib felt lighter. The ground drifted away beneath his feet.
"Whoa—"
"Soon you'll awaken many abilities," Mamu said. "Like the other Dreamers. But all will be limited. Every dream has a weakness."
Suddenly, the people standing before him shattered like glass.
The illusion broke.
Now, reality.
The blond girl sat casually on a table. The young man beside her leaned back, relaxed. Only the black man stood, stepping forward.
Shakib blinked. "Okay… so who did that?"
Mamu smiled. "A prank."
"Pranks exist in the Dream World too?" Shakib muttered. "Even 'GG' culture?"
The man laughed and extended his hand.
"Name's Omari Mensah. Nice to meet you."
Shakib smiled and shook it.
"Shakib Hassan. Nice to meet you too."
Shakib looked around and smiled.
"Hey… what are your names?"
The blonde girl didn't even bother lifting her head.
"Luna Palmer."
Her tone was flat. Disinterested. Like this conversation was already wasting her time.
The man beside her spoke calmly.
"Park Seo-jin."
Shakib nodded. "Nice names. They suit you."
Why am I suddenly nervous?
Did I do something wrong?
Wait… am I farming aura right now? he thought.
The three of them looked at him for a moment.
"…Huh?"
No reaction.
No dramatic response.
Just Shakib standing there with the most confused, awkward expression possible.
Mamu smiled softly.
"I think you'll all become very good friends."
Shakib looked at her, eyebrows twitching.
"Are you… seriously saying that?"
Mamu ignored his reaction and waved her hand lightly.
"Anyways—this is your outfit."
Light gathered in the air, weaving itself into fabric. A long coat formed first, deep blue on the outside, calm yet heavy, while the inside was pitch black, like the edge of a dream slipping into the void. Beneath it, dark clothing fit perfectly against his body, unfamiliar yet strangely natural.
Shakib looked down at the coat again, turning slightly.
"Wow… this looks very W," he said proudly. "So—does everyone have this coat, or is it just mine?"
Mamu shook her head.
"No. Every Dreamer wears the same kind of coat."
"I see," Shakib nodded. "Still… it looks amazing. Let me wear it properly."
A second later, he froze.
"…What? Isn't it a bit too big?"
Luna glanced at him once and spoke flatly.
"You look like a kid."
Shakib snapped his head toward her.
"Oh please—nah man, I ain't cooking like that."
"For a sixteen-year-old," Luna continued calmly, "it actually looks good."
"Stop making fun of me," Shakib said, making an exaggerated annoyed face.
Omari chuckled.
"It'll fit better with time. I can say that."
Seo-jin nodded.
"It'll take years. He's only sixteen—height doesn't come instantly."
Shakib sighed, adjusting the coat.
"Anyways… do we have to do something right now, Mamu? Like dragon killing? Aura farming?"
"No," Mamu replied. "Not yet. Just live normally. When the time comes—you'll know."
With that, she vanished.
Shakib blinked.
"…Anyways," he said, clapping his hands. "How about we play a game?"
"Ludo?" Omari suggested. "Basketball?"
"Nah," Shakib said. "Table game."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Video games? Call of Duty or something?"
"What? I already left that game," Shakib replied. "If I had a PC, I'd play GTA Online RP right now—but that's not the point."
He paused.
"Wait… I don't even have my phone. Phones don't have souls. I'm literally dead."
He checked his pocket.
"…Wait a sec."
Shakib pulled out a phone.
"Wow. That's great," he said, shocked. "Anyways—what I meant is…"
He reached into his pocket again.
"And here it is."
A deck of UNO cards.
Shakib smiled.
"So—how about we play this?"
"A card game?" Luna asked.
"Interesting," Omari said.
Seo-jin leaned forward slightly.
"…Now this is interesting."
Luna looked at the cards in Shakib's hand.
"I haven't played this kind of card game before," she said flatly. "But… okay."
Shakib smiled.
"It's different—but first, let me explain."
He placed the deck on the table.
The Game
"UNO is simple," Shakib said. "Each of us gets seven cards. The goal is to finish all your cards first."
The others nodded, watching him.
"You can play a card if it matches the color or number," he continued. "And some cards change the game."
He lifted each one as he spoke.
"Skip — the next player loses their turn."
"Reverse — the order changes."
"Plus Two — the next player draws two cards."
"Wild — you choose the color."
"And Wild Plus Four—draw four… and you lose your turn."
Luna crossed her arms.
"You're explaining this very seriously."
"It's important," Shakib replied proudly.
The Match Begins
"Alright," Shakib said. "Omari starts. Blue six."
Luna immediately placed a card down.
"Blue Skip."
Shakib nodded.
"That means Seo-jin is skipped."
Seo-jin didn't react at all.
"…Expected."
Tension Rises
A few turns later, Shakib's eyes widened.
"Luna has one card left."
Luna leaned back slightly, a small smile forming.
"UNO~"
Shakib pointed at her.
"When you have one card, you must say UNO. If you forget, you draw two."
Omari calmly placed a card.
"Red plus two."
Shakib nodded.
"Luna draws two cards."
Luna clicked her tongue.
"You didn't have to explain that so seriously."
The End
A moment later—
"Now Seo-jin has one card," Shakib said.
Seo-jin placed his card down smoothly.
"UNO."
"Correct," Shakib said.
Seo-jin placed his final card.
"And that ends the game," Shakib announced.
"Seo-jin wins."
Shakib leaned back and sighed.
"…That was an easy match. I expected more."
The room went quiet for a second.
Then Omari smiled.
Shakib sighed and leaned back.
"Ngl," he said, pointing at Seo-jin, "you're actually good at this. Winning on your first game, huh?"
Seo-jin simply shrugged.
Luna gathered the UNO cards and placed them aside.
"Since you introduced an old game," she said calmly, "how about I introduce one?"
Shakib raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Interesting. Who's gonna start?"
Before he could finish—
Everyone pointed at him.
Shakib froze.
"…Come on, guys. Really? Me? Why me?"
Luna looked at him with a straight face.
"You're the smallest one here. That's why."
Shakib stared at her.
"…That's not even a valid reason."
Omari laughed quietly.
"Sounds fair to me."
Shakib sighed again.
"Alright, alright. What kind of questions are we talking about?"
Luna's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile.
"Simple ones. You just answer honestly."
Seo-jin added, calm as ever,
"If you refuse… there's a penalty."
Shakib blinked.
"…Why does that sound dangerous?"
Luna leaned forward.
"Relax. It's just a game."
Shakib muttered under his breath,
"I feel like I'm about to regret this."
He straightened up.
"Fine. Ask."
The air felt… a little different.
Not heavy.
Not hostile.
Just slightly unreal.
Luna rested her chin on her hand.
"You said you're from India, right?" she asked. "But which place? I've heard it has many cultures."
Shakib nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I'm from Assam, actually."
Omari listened closely as Shakib continued.
"It's known for its uniqueness—tea, nature, and culture. A lot of different people live there. You'll find many cultures in one state, not just one identity. It's a really good place… peaceful. The people are hospitable. I grew up feeling welcomed."
He paused for a second.
"I planned to move to the USA when I became an adult. Jobs, opportunities, games, tech… you know how it is. A lot of things happen there. But even then, I still love Assam."
He let out a small, awkward smile.
"…Well. That was the plan. But I died. So yeah. Now I'm here."
There was a brief silence.
Omari spoke next.
"Do you believe in God?"
Shakib blinked, then shook his head.
"No. I didn't. I was an atheist."
He leaned back slightly, choosing his words.
"I don't follow any religion. And I don't like religious conflicts either. People fight in the name of religion—but I don't blame religion itself. I blame people. Everyone keeps saying I hate this religion, I hate that religion… but honestly, everyone's just human."
He looked at them.
"I believe we should stop fighting and do something good for humanity instead. That's all I believed in."
Then he shrugged.
"But now… after coming here?"
"I don't really know anymore."
Luna looked at Shakib, soft but sincere.
"You look small, but you talk big… ngl, I really like your rationality. It's very good, I have to say."
Shakib chuckled, "Now… what about you? Can we ask you something, Luna?"
She hesitated a moment, then nodded. "My turn… but again, soft."
Shakib smirked. "Nuh-uh, it would be. Btw… why did you come here? Did you… die too?"
Luna's eyes softened, tinged with sorrow. "Yeah… I died. I was trying to save a kid on a hill. But my hand slipped."
Shakib's expression softened. "I see…"
Luna continued, her voice quiet but firm. "I like many people… but many who are close to me aren't really good at heart. That's why I have trust issues. I do everything I can to overcome it."
Shakib nodded slowly. "I get that. I have many things to say too… but also many things I need to hide."
Everyone around the table fell silent, listening. The atmosphere shifted.
Suddenly, Mamu's voice rang through the dream-space, calm yet commanding.
And then—a message arrived, carried by a dark, shadowed bird.
"It's here…" Seo Jin said, narrowing his eyes. "S-Rank?"
Shakib's eyes lit up. "Let's go. I can farm aura now."
Luna's gaze hardened. "You're not going anywhere. You're not even an adult yet."
Omari leaned forward. "He can join though."
Luna shook her head. "It's too risky. He can't even protect himself… he's not ready."
Seo Jin shrugged, calm as ever. "Let it be."
"What?" Luna snapped, confused.
"If Lady Mamu chose him," Seo Jin said slowly, "then let it be. She saw something in him… maybe he can show his ability to us."
He looked at Shakib. "What do you think?"
Shakib smiled faintly. "Yeah… I'll do it."
Mamu appeared briefly, nodding at him. "Wear the coat. It's time."
One by one, the dreamers adjusted their blue-and-black coats, the symbols faintly glowing, readying themselves for the S-Rank sleep monster that was about to descend.
Shakib gripped his coat, excitement and fear mixing together. His journey as a dreamer was about to truly begin.
Shakib squared his shoulders and grinned.
"Let's go!"
He struck a dramatic style pose.
…Except, of course, no one was behind him.
"Hey! Wait for me!" he called, running to catch up.
The air had grown foggy, swirling around the ruins. Everyone reached the point—just in tihme to see it: a man—or maybe a shadow—running… and the S-Rank sleep monster smashing through the wall of a building.
Shakib's eyes narrowed.
"So… this is the monster?"
Luna's voice trembled slightly.
"It looks… very dangerous. Can we do something?"
Seo Jin shook his head, calm as ever.
"Let us handle this ourselves."
He raised both hands, energy coiling around him. Luna and Omari did the same.
Shakib, however, stood frozen for a moment—watching.
Luna, Omari, and Seo Jin launched their attack together. The monster roared, unnerved by the combined force.
"It's… strong," Seo Jin muttered, summoning his blade. The two of them struck in perfect sync.
Shakib clenched his fists, remembering a single thought from Mamu's lessons:
Focus your mind… control your consciousness.
He leaped forward, flying toward the monster with all his will.
He struck. The attack… barely made a scratch.
The sleep monster roared, its massive, liquid-like hand swinging at him. Shakib stumbled, injured.
Shakib's eyes glinted with determination.
"Now… you're going to die!"
He raised one hand, ✋ in full pose, as if summoning the world's energy.
Luna shouted, exasperated:
"What are you doing, idiot?!"
Seo Jin's expression darkened.
"…He's doing something… special."
The sleep monster's liquid hand suddenly surged, extending like a wave… and swallowed Shakib whole.
Everyone froze.
"What…?!"
And then seo jin what was he plannin now it's very bad for him because it's very late to get out because the sleep mosnter eat soul and even dremwr are included and seo jin used his use his sword and attack on sleep mosnter nsd luna said ik it i told you not even if we have time lets do it and shakib was in dark room floating on the air where am ?
Seo-jin's eyes widened.
"What was he planning…?" he muttered. "This is bad."
His grip on the sword tightened.
"It's too late. That sleep monster doesn't just eat bodies—it eats souls. Even Dreamers aren't safe."
Seo-jin slashed forward, his blade tearing into the monster's form.
Luna clenched her fists.
"I knew it," she said sharply. "I told you—he shouldn't have come!"
The monster roared, its body rippling violently.
Darkness.
Shakib felt weightless.
He was floating in the air, surrounded by nothing but black silence.
"…Where am I?" he whispered.
Footsteps echoed.
A boy stepped forward—around eighteen, wearing a plain white T-shirt, calm eyes, familiar presence.
Shakib's breath caught.
"…You again?"
The boy smiled slightly.
"So you finally noticed."
"Imran," Shakib said. "Where have you even been? Why are we here?"
Imran looked around casually.
"You got eaten by a sleep monster."
He smiled like it was nothing.
"But don't worry. I can help you get out."
Shakib clenched his fists.
"Then do it."
Imran tilted his head.
"But before that—don't you think… instead of sealing or destroying this soul, we should help him?"
Shakib blinked.
"…Help him?"
Imran nodded.
"You're kind. That's why I trust you."
Suddenly—
Hands burst out of the darkness, clawing toward Shakib.
"Woah—!"
Shakib flipped backward instinctively, barely dodging them.
"What was that?!" he shouted.
Imran's expression turned serious.
"This sleep monster is an old man," he said quietly.
"He's dizzy. Lost. His daughter passed away. He doesn't want to hurt anyone—he just wants to sleep somewhere peaceful."
Shakib's chest tightened.
"But this dream land…" Imran continued, "isn't kind to people like him."
Imran looked directly at Shakib.
"How about you do what you were chosen to do?"
"…Observe," Shakib murmured.
"Yes," Imran said. "Enter his dream. Understand it. Help him wake up."
Shakib swallowed.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Imran raised his hand.
A tunnel of light tore open in the darkness, spiraling forward.
"Go," Imran said. "From there, you can save yourself—and the old man."
Shakib hesitated.
"Aren't you coming?"
Imran smiled softly.
"…Not this time."
And then he vanished.
Shakib stared at the tunnel, heart pounding.
"…Guess I'm doing this alone."
He stepped forward.
Shakib stepped forward.
The darkness peeled away like fog in sunlight.
He saw an old man, kneeling on the ground, shoulders shaking.
"Why did you leave me… Amilie…?" the old man cried.
Shakib hesitated, then spoke gently.
"Hey, gramps…"
The moment the words left his mouth—
Everything shattered.
The world collapsed into fragments of light.
"…What's even happening?" Shakib whispered.
When reality reformed, he was standing in a bright afternoon.
Laughter echoed.
Shakib turned—and froze.
The old man was there again, but younger, smiling.
In front of him stood a little girl, holding his hand.
His granddaughter.
She looked up at him with shining eyes.
The little girl tugged on the old man's hand.
"Hey, Grandpa Richards," Amilie said softly.
"Can I have that ice cream?"
The old man laughed, eyes warm.
"Of course, sweetheart."
Shakib stood a few steps away.
They didn't look at him.
Didn't hear him.
Didn't feel his presence.
Shakib watched silently.
Amilie suddenly turned her head—
straight toward Shakib's direction.
She ran.
Shakib's eyes widened.
"Oh no—she's coming here."
He looked left.
Looked right.
Where do I even go?
She was getting closer.
Then Shakib froze.
"…Wait."
She passed right through his line of sight.
Shakib blinked.
"Oh. She can't see me."
He sighed, half-relieved, half-confused.
"Okay… that's kinda funny."
Amilie stopped near a small black cat hiding by the bushes.
"Ohhh," she said softly, kneeling down.
"Hey kitty… you look lonely. Do you wanna come home?"
The cat meowed quietly.
Shakib leaned forward.
"She came all this way just for the cat?"
Footsteps approached.
An old man walked up slowly—Richard.
"That cat looks very nice," Richard said with a gentle smile.
"You both seem to like each other."
Amilie looked up.
"Grandpa Richard, can I take the kitty with us?"
Richard chuckled.
"Alright. You can."
"Yes!" Amilie hugged the cat carefully.
Shakib watched the scene from a tree branch above them, sitting quietly.
"So many things are happening right now…" he muttered.
Below him, Amilie laughed, the cat purring in her arms.
Richard stood beside her, calm and peaceful.
Shakib's expression slowly changed.
"I wonder…"
"…what's the tragic incident wil happen rigth now "
He stayed there, unmoving, watching them—
already sensing that this happiness
wasn't meant to last.
Shakib watched them for a long time.
"It's been hours… they're still playing," he whispered.
Soon, they began to walk away together.
Shakib stepped forward instinctively.
"Wait for me—"
He stopped.
"…Oh. My bad. They can't even see me."
He exhaled.
"Yeah… that wouldn't work."
So he followed them quietly, staying close.
As they walked, Amilie suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Grandpa… what really happened to my father?"
Richard paused for a second, then smiled gently.
"Oh, he's in good condition," he said.
"But you have to wait. He's in the military. He'll come back."
Amilie's face brightened.
"Yeahhh! I know he will!"
Richard nodded.
"I'm sure he'll return. But it will take time. It's a long journey."
They kept walking.
Then Richard lowered his voice—so low that Amilie couldn't hear.
"I'm afraid… Stephen has already passed away," he whispered.
"I can't tell her. She would be completely broken."
Shakib froze.
"…Damn," he muttered softly.
"That's… really sad."
He blinked.
"Wait."
His eyes widened slightly.
"I can hear their thoughts too?"
"Like… what they're really trying to say?"
A small, uneasy smile appeared on his face.
"…Now that's something new."
Shakib watched them for a long time.
"It's been hours… they're still playing," he whispered.
Soon, they began to walk away together.
Shakib stepped forward instinctively.
"Wait for me—"
He stopped.
"…Oh. My bad. They can't even see me."
He exhaled.
"Yeah… that wouldn't work."
So he followed them quietly, staying close.
As they walked, Amilie suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Grandpa… what really happened to my father?"
Richard paused for a second, then smiled gently.
"Oh, he's in good condition," he said.
"But you have to wait. He's in the military. He'll come back."
Amilie's face brightened.
"Yeahhh! I know he will!"
Richard nodded.
"I'm sure he'll return. But it will take time. It's a long journey."
They kept walking.
Then Richard lowered his voice—so low that Amilie couldn't hear.
"I'm afraid… Stephen has already passed away," he whispered.
"I can't tell her. She would be completely broken."
Shakib froze.
"…Damn," he muttered softly.
"That's… really sad."
He blinked.
"Wait."
His eyes widened slightly.
"I can hear their thoughts too?"
"Like… what they're really trying to say?"
A small, uneasy smile appeared on his face.
"…Now that's something new."
Richard said quietly,
"I want you to do that. If she wants to live her life… don't interfere."
Olivia shook her head.
"No, Richard. That's not good at all."
The night passed.
Dark. Silent.
Shakib was drifting—
sleeping, yet awake.
Then the scene shifted.
Shakib blinked.
"Where am I? What's really happening now?"
He looked around.
He saw Olivia standing in the room, her hands shaking.
She knelt in front of Amilie.
"Honey… I need to tell you something."
Amilie looked up, confused.
Olivia swallowed hard.
"Your father… Stephen Dawkins… is dead."
"I just want you to know… you need to accept it."
Amilie's face went completely empty.
"What…?"
No tears.
No scream.
Just silence.
Shakib stood there, unseen.
He couldn't move.
He couldn't speak.
He could only watch.
Amilie ran away.
Richard came home later, holding a small box—
her favorite sweet dish.
"Amilie?" he called softly.
No answer.
He looked at Olivia.
"What really happened?"
Olivia's voice trembled.
"I… I told her the truth."
Richard froze.
The box slipped from his hand.
The sweets scattered across the floor.
"…What did you do?"
His face went blank, then twisted with anger.
"I told you not to do that. Why did you do it?"
He grabbed her shoulders.
"She wasn't ready."
He didn't wait for an answer.
Richard turned and ran outside.
Shakib followed, unseen.
"Amilie!" Richard shouted, his breath breaking.
"Where are you?"
Time passed.
The sun turned red as afternoon faded.
Richard collapsed to his knees near the riverbank.
"Where have you been… Amilie?" he whispered.
"I didn't want to lie to you. I just wanted you to live a happy life—with me."
Then he saw her.
Shakib's chest tightened.
Amilie was standing at the edge of the bridge.
Richard stood up slowly and walked toward her.
"Hey… Amilie," he said gently.
"It'll be okay. Come to Grandpa. Everything will be fine."
Amilie stepped backward.
"Amilie—!"
She slipped.
Her body fell into the river below.
The water swallowed her.
Stones crushed against her as the current dragged her down.
"AMILIE!" Richard screamed.
Too late.
Shakib stood there, frozen.
"…Damn it," he whispered.
"I can't save anyone. How can I?"
He looked at the river.
"This dream… it's not just a dream."
"It's a memory."
"And it's cruel."
the dream twisted deeper, the sleep monster began to grow.
Its body swelled, fed by grief, regret, and unresolved sorrow.
A sudden strike—
Omari was hit hard and thrown back, crashing into the ground.
"Omari!" Luna shouted, rushing toward him.
"Are you okay?!"
Omari groaned, forcing himself up.
"Yeah… I'm still alive."
Seo-jin looked at the monster, his expression dark.
"…Is he dead?" he muttered.
"If this keeps going, he won't come back."
The monster roared again, heavier, stronger than before.
Seo-jin clenched his weapon.
"We have to do something. Now."
Luna's eyes burned with anger and fear.
"I told you not to let him go in," she snapped.
"Look at what's happening now."
The air trembled.
The monster moved again
Shakib saw the old man holding his granddaughter's body.
Richard was crying, his voice broken.
"I'm sorry… Amilie.
It was my fault.
I'm the one who should be blamed."
The world suddenly turned white.
Everything stopped.
Shakib looked around, confused.
"What… what really happened?"
He turned—
Richard was standing there.
But this time, something was wrong.
He wore a long, torn coat.
No face.
Only a hollow presence.
Shakib felt a chill.
"Hey… Richard," Shakib said carefully.
"So you can see me now."
Richard moved.
Too fast.
He lunged forward, his tendrils snapping through the air.
He jumped, twisted, backflipped—unnatural speed.
Shakib barely reacted in time.
"So you have abilities too…" Shakib muttered.
"Hey—listen to me," Shakib said, raising his voice.
"There's no other option. I'm not here to hurt you."
"I just want to help."
Richard attacked again.
Shakib dodged.
"I know your granddaughter wasn't sad because her father died," Shakib continued, forcing the words out while moving.
"She was hurt because the truth was hidden."
"You could've moved on back then.
But now… regret won't save anyone."
"I can help you," Shakib said firmly.
"I can free you from this."
Richard stopped for a second.
Then—
"GET OUT."
The tendrils struck.
Shakib was hit hard and slammed into the ground.
Pain shot through him.
"I know you're in pain," Shakib said, struggling to stand.
"But what you're doing now is vengeance."
"And vengeance isn't an option."
"I saw your loss," he said, breathing heavily.
"I felt it."
"She wouldn't want this."
"Don't you agree?"
Shakib raised both hands.
The tendrils struck again.
He was thrown far back, rolling across the ground.
Silence.
Slowly, Shakib stood up again.
His body hurt.
But his voice didn't shake.
"I'm not leaving," he said.
"Not until you're free."
"I won't go easy."
Shakib suddenly appeared in front of Imran.
Imran smiled calmly.
"Well, well… what can I say to you?"
"What you're doing right now… you're doing great."
Shakib looked down at his injuries.
They healed on their own.
"You can't die," Imran said.
"You're a Dreamer."
"But," he continued, "you still need a weapon to protect yourself."
Imran raised his hand.
"Make a sword."
Shakib closed his eyes.
He focused—on his consciousness, his calm, his intent.
A sword formed in his hand.
Shakib's eyes widened.
"Wow…"
Imran nodded.
"This will help you."
And then—he vanished.
Shakib turned back.
This time, his stance was steady.
"Just stay with me, Richard," he said.
He swung his sword and cut through the tendrils.
Richard responded instantly, reshaping his tendrils into a blade.
They clashed—faces close.
"Look at me," Shakib said.
"Wouldn't it be better to leave all this behind?"
"To start a journey… wherever you want.
A free soul."
Richard kicked Shakib away.
"You can't see my pain," Richard said.
"How can you say that?"
Shakib stood up again.
"You're right," he said.
"I can't see all of it."
"But I saw enough."
"You suffered.
And before all this… you were a hero to Amilie."
"You just wanted her to be happy."
Richard attacked again.
Shakib dodged, struck back, cutting through more tendrils.
"You're surrounded by your own narrow mind," Shakib said.
He slashed again.
Richard fell.
"Narrow-minded?" Richard laughed bitterly.
"You're the same as everyone else."
Shakib slowly lowered his sword.
Richard charged his tendrils—
But stopped.
"Why?" Richard asked.
"Why did you put it down, human?"
Shakib met his gaze.
"If I kill you—or even try—
you'll only become something worse."
"This path isn't right."
"You don't seek revenge."
Richard trembled.
"Then what do I seek?"
Shakib answered quietly.
"Love."
"That's why I help people."
"Everyone needs it.
It's not good or bad—it just exists."
"Hatred can cover it… but love always finds its way back."
Richard's voice broke.
"When I came to this dream city after my death…
I thought I'd find her."
"But I didn't."
"I was depressed.
My life kept falling apart."
"And somehow… I became this."
Shakib stepped closer.
"If you regret it… then let that regret move you."
"Staying like this does nothing."
"You're human—not an evil entity."
"Wake up from this nightmare."
"If you want to see her again…
accept it."
Richard's tendrils cracked.
They shattered into the air.
The dark world broke apart, flooding with white light.
Shakib smiled gently.
"Look around," he said.
"You're changing."
"I hope you find her."
A small voice came from behind.
"Hey, Grandpa… is that you?"
Richard froze.
He turned around.
It was her.
"Amilie…?"
Richard's voice trembled.
Tears streamed down his face.
"Is that really you…?"
Shakib slowly shook his head, stepping back.
Richard didn't hesitate.
He ran to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Oh, Amilie… I missed you so much," he cried.
"Please… don't let go of me."
For a moment, everything was quiet.
Then Richard looked back.
He saw Shakib.
He smiled gently and raised his hand, waving goodbye.
Amilie did the same.
Light surrounded them.
They vanished.
Shakib felt himself fading too.
"So… this is how the dream ends, huh?" he whispered to himself.
"It was peaceful."
"At least… I helped someone again."
Suddenly—
He fell.
"What—?!"
A tunnel of darkness swallowed him.
Outside, the sleep monster began to shake violently.
Its body cracked, glowing from inside.
"We should stay back," Seo-jin said sharply.
"It's going to explode!"
In a flash—
Shakib was teleported back.
His body appeared in the exact same pose—
one hand raised.
"Hey," Shakib said.
"I'm here again."
Seo-jin's eyes widened.
"That's impossible."
Luna turned sharply.
"What?!"
Omari blinked.
"So bro's back."
"Move!" Seo-jin shouted.
"If it explodes—"
"It won't," Shakib said calmly.
Instead of exploding, the sleep monster broke apart.
Its body turned to dust.
The dust dissolved into the air, glowing softly.
Glittering lights spread everywhere.
Silence.
Shakib looked around.
"…Fascinating."
Luna reached out and touched one of the glowing particles.
"…Amazing," she whispered.
Seo-jin stood frozen, shocked.
Shakib let out a small breath.
"Hmp."