Nebula of Death

Once the cataclyst descended upon Earth, the world descended into chaos. The availability of land for people to live a moderately comfortable life on has decreased in both size and number.

As the first wave of the cataclysm occurred, parts of the Earth's surface cracked and opened, revealing a dimension that humans had never known existed. Whether due to ignorance or deliberate concealment, this led to an apocalypse that was gradually devouring their homeland.

As powerful Chaos Creatures roamed the earth, awakened individuals began to emerge among the people, and the Sage revealed themselves. The Sage offered the pitiful humans hope to survive and save their world. It really seemed like a saint, saving the weak, or a hero, saving the world.

Ignorant humans took the opportunity without realizing that there was a price to pay.

The Sage helped humans create places called Oases, where their fellow humans, who have not yet awakened, could seek refuge. Oases grew in number as time passed, and districts were subsequently created.

People who were privileged enough to live near the Oases eventually forgot the original name of their new home. Later, they learned to call it the Districts.

However, the people who were still struggling and fighting for their lives outside the Districts referred to the safe place as Oases.

A place where they could only dream of living.

Districts were protected by a large, impenetrable wall constructed by the Sage. It was something that the Sage offered, and humans took it for granted.

However, could such a thing made by the Sage really protect them? Even after being taken for granted, would the Sage not take it back? Was the Sage really someone they could trust?

As Night roamed the deserted park, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

'Why is there a forest in this place?'

The abandoned park, where he had lived most of his life, was the only place in District 8 that he knew well enough to call the lines on the back of his hands.

But even Night was astonished to find himself in a forest within the abandoned park.

"Can the Sage manipulate landmarks?"

[There is no way. Even I can't do it. So, a lower system than me obviously can't.]

"That's strange."

[What is?]

Tall trees stood in a straight line, their enormous trunks making the distance between them no greater than 3 meters. Those lines of trees spread throughout the entire forest, as far as he could see.

The lush leaves hanging from the tree branches shielded the earth from the sun, creating a shaded area compared to where Night stood at the moment.

Masked anxiety in his eyes, Night entered the forest and followed the path formed by the rows of trees.

The wind whistled as it tried to make its way through the tree trunks, rustling the leaves. The sound of insects chirping and birds singing atop the trees. The rustling of the dried leaves on the ground and the breaking of twigs occur whenever Night takes another step.

'There is no sound of that.'

[Master....]

'I know.'

Night's eyes remained fixed on what lay ahead. He did not dare to let his gaze wander.

Night finally discovered the reason why his heart was racing in his chest, and the anxiety he felt deep inside him was something he could no longer deny.

'This place is a maze.'

The paths connected to the straight path Night walked on when he entered the forest started to look as if they were shifting.

The paths were changing.

[One look and you'll get lost, Master. Be careful.]

Ignoring Rafael was not his intention, but he continued walking. His fingertips trembled, and a bead of sweat rolled from his forehead to his chin.

'It's not here.'

Other than the sounds of insects and birds chirping and humming, there were no sounds of any other animals around.

The rustling of the bushes, the chattering of the squirrels, and the movement of animals on all fours.

[They were either hunted or lost.]

Beads of sweat formed on his back and forehead. Heavy breaths and trembling eyes, constantly scanning what lay ahead, with feet that never faltered.

His heart beats as if it wanted to beat out of his chest.

[Master?]

Paths continued to shift, while new ones appeared. And after a few more minutes of walking, it wasn't just Night's fingertips that were trembling.

[Master! What's happening to you?]

Night trembled. Something cold was approaching him from behind.

'Quiet, Rafael.'

Night's steps grew wider and faster without anyone who might be watching noticing the change in his demeanor.

It won't be much longer until he gets out of that place. He could see the end in sight, the end of the arduous path and the sun's rays peeked through the gaps in the forest's exit.

He gripped the dagger in his hand, and the words reflected in his retina.

[Item: Short sword

Rank: A

Description: A short sword owned by a man of great honor. It is said to bring luck to people who are bound to it.]

Reaching the end of the path, Night ran faster than lightning to get away from the forest and immediately glanced behind.

A human figure was looking straight into his eyes. It was a man. At first, his face showed no emotion as he stared at Night. However, after a minute, his eyes filled with amusement and glee, causing his lips to stretch all the way to his ears.

At that moment, a red symbol appeared beneath his left eye, and a number appeared on his right eye.

The figure muttered something before its body dissipated into nothingness.

[Can you tell me what happened now, Master?]

With his eyes fixed on the spot where the figure had disappeared, Night muttered the words he had read on his lips.

"How interesting for the Whisper's lost child to be here."

[What?!]

Rafael shrieked and made Night flinch.

"That guy in the forest said it."

[What guy? There was no one but you in there!]

"What do you mean? Didn't you see him?"

A few minutes of silence descended upon both of them before Night's eyebrows raised in response to what Rafael uttered:

[Shit. Is it them?]

"Hey, kid-"

[Am not.]

Night sighed and decided to ignore it.

As the tension he felt subsided, his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. He rested his elbows on his knees, and then his eyes roamed the surroundings.

The dried grass, trees, and wild bushes, along with the rusty swing, mountains of dried leaves, and rows of destroyed wooden benches and streetlights.

A sigh of relief escaped Night's lips as he leaned back and let his body fall to the ground.

"So, who are they?"

Night put his arm over his eyes to shield them from the sun.

[They... Have you ever heard of the Constellations?]

"Of course, I know them. Why are you suddenly asking about stars?"

[Stupid master, I'm not referring to the stars, but rather the 17 Constellations borne by the Nebula of Death.]

"Do you really need to ask? Who's the stupid one between us?"

Night spoke nonchalantly, rendering Rafael silent.

[Haa. I forgot that humans are ignorant.]

"Not."

If Rafael had a human form, she would have a deep frown on her forehead and would be throwing daggers at Night with her eyes.

[The Nebula of Death is the master of death, as his title suggests. Death has birthed 17 Constellations. Well, you could say that their relationship is similar to ours, with the only distinction being that it's not mutually beneficial. Rather than a master and servant relationship, it's more like a master and slave relationship.]

Constellations are created solely to serve the Nebula that gave birth to them. It can't disobey its Nebula, but disobeying was not a choice in the first place because from the moment they were born, they feel a deep devotion and loyalty to their Nebula.

Not a single Constellation born had ever gone against it's Nebula because once it does, it instantly dies.

"So, what's up with those Nebulae and Constellations?"

[Normally, Nebulae stay in their own world, protecting their thrones from other Nebulae, while their Constellations stay by their side and perform menial tasks for them. Another thing about Constellations is that they cannot travel to another world like yours unless the Nebula permits it or gives them a specific task to carry out in your world. And once that happens, systems such as Sage and myself wouldn't be able to see them.]

"Which means that you can't interfere?"

[Not really. We can intervene, but only through our vessels. But vessels are never strong enough to take on a Constellation.]

"That means this world is doomed."

Rafael did not respond. Night removed the arm covering his eyes and looked up at the dark clouds forming in the short while he lay down.

"If Constellations can travel to other worlds, can't humans do the same?"