DREAM

Regressor's Instructions Manual Dream Episode 989

It's an irrational spectacle. Coming to this place was already irrational, but the sight before my eyes is even more irrational.

Artificial lights intersect and reflect each other, as if creating a painting. It's almost like human eyes, and yet it feels like an empty space.

One thing I could be sure of was that all of this looked incredibly sacred.

The architecture was different, but the space felt like a temple.

It was a space that gave off a feeling of being used for altars of unknown purpose or religious rituals. The small items within the empty space, while feeling as if they might have been used in some ritual, conveyed a sense of reverence rather than simplicity.

There were no murals or sculptures depicting mythological stories. Instead, the descending lights seemed to serve as decorations that made the space stand out.

In the center, the figure of the Iron maiden standing tall was the most alien of all.

Why would torture devices be placed right in the center like this? No matter how much I think, it doesn't look normal.

Moreover, I found myself involuntarily gaping at the sight emitting a brilliant light. It felt distinctly different from the artificial light surrounding me. As strange as it sounds, it felt warm and comforting.

However, despite its outward appearance, this place is incredibly...

'Anxious and fearful.'

Perhaps because it's an unfamiliar landscape.

Without realizing it, I take a step back.

A thud. A sound that I've felt several times on the battlefield. A nauseating sensation.

I naturally lower my head, revealing a floor stained with red. The vast space is drenched in it.

It's so densely red that you might believe it's a shallow lake.

Oddly enough, there's no scent of blood. I couldn't help but realize why I hadn't noticed this.

Instead of a metallic odor, there's a sweet scent that can't be described.

Thud.

Thud.

Apart from the sound of thudding, there's nothing else.

Calmly... calmly think. Don't be shaken, think of things you can consider.

It was Altanus's advice. Think once, then think again, and continue thinking before acting.

"Where exactly am I?"

I've suddenly ended up here. Perhaps thinking of this as a dungeon trap, like the Easter egg, could be rational.

If my assumption is correct, there's a high chance that other members of the expedition are also here.

'Hidden boss,'

Logically, what's inside might be a hidden boss.

While it seemed different in type and character from the bosses encountered in the Mole Saint's cozy haven, there's no denying that the expedition itself has never triggered an unsealing mechanism before.

If I open that iron door, there's a high likelihood that a hidden boss will appear, and the raid will commence.

Logically, it's reasonable to wait for other members or find a way to bring others to this room.

No matter who it is, raiding without any information or companions would be difficult.

Undoubtedly, that's a reasonable approach.

Altanus would likely agree.

Despite that, I continue moving my feet. I continue walking toward a potentially dangerous place.

A faint voice can be heard. A voice that feels familiar, as if heard in a dream.

And more than that. The light emitted by the Iron maiden disperses like smoke, slowly gathering and taking shape.

It's a fascinating sight. The light moves, forms itself, and moves again.

As if performing a play, it acts, speaks, converses, cries, and laughs.

The forms of light begin to fill the vast space.

'..ssi do you recognize who I am?'

'No.'

'Yes?'

'It's been so long that I don't remember well.'

'Oh.'

'It's a joke.'

'I'm sorry. I... too much...'

'No, there's no need to apologize. I already knew you were busy... and more than anything, I know how important training is. You don't need to stay here talking. You didn't even have time to get in touch... isn't it time for you to train again? I'm fine, Hyunseong."

Two people are having a conversation. One person is shooting words as if in a bad mood, while the other seems flustered.

Strangely enough, the light forms seem to resemble me quite a bit. No, since they clearly called me Hyunseong, they must be certain about their own appearance.

A doll in my own image is having a conversation with a faceless doll.

'Um,....ssi I acquired a very rare item at the auction today. It's not Chanelia Hermes that you were waiting for, but a leather artisan named Louis Vuitton...'

'....'

'I'm sorry. It seems there isn't much available these days...'

'Sigh...'

'...'

'...'

'Hyunseong, how long have you been discussing matters at the guild? And how did you manage to buy this bag?'

'....'

'You didn't have to go that far!'

'....'

'I'm fed up.'

It's as if I'm witnessing an ordinary daily life. Giving and receiving gifts from each other...

'It's a Chanelia Hermes.'

'It's fine. Can you see that the display is quite packed?'

'I'm glad you're pleased.'

Having meals together.

'Are you okay?'

'Not too bad.'

Just casually conversing.

'When I received the griffin as a gift, I was quite surprised, you know?'

'Oh, it was right after I returned from the south. I was worried if you would like it. I didn't expect you would enjoy griffins this much. I hadn't thought you'd be interested in related items or festivals. To be honest, I thought it was a bit fortunate at the time, maybe due to Hye-Jin...'

'Hahaha. Really?'

'Did you really mean that?'

'When I was suddenly appointed as the head of the secretary's office, I was completely dumbfounded.'

'I, I'm sorry about that.'

The stories depict everyday life, like riding on a griffin, shopping, and engaging in activities.

Drinking tea, holding festivals, and sharing stories filled with laughter that never seems to cease.

It feels like the light takes on a form beyond just oneself. It would be nice if it's just an illusion, but it seems like the entire Holy Knight Order is present.

'Oh, oh, it's been a while since we went on a date.'

'Since there haven't been opportunities to go out recently. How about today we do what Hayan wants?'

'Really?'

'Yeah.'

Jung Hayan.

'Oh, oh, oppa, I love you.'

'I love you too, Hayan.'

Park Deokgu.

'Hey, let's do some exercise. Exercise. Before worrying about me, worry about your own body, hyung-nim. Weren't you up late again last night? People need to sleep a bit.'

'....'

'Let's not do this and quickly go eat. Don't say you're eating alone today, Sure. I know you're busy with work, but people should live like humans.'

Cho Hye-jin.

'Hye-jin, you don't have the right to say such things.'

'Pardon?'

'Do you remember the last chess game we played? I recall we couldn't do anything, and the game fell apart.'

'248 wins and 246 losses. If we look at the overall record, I...'

'Do you really remember all those details? It's enough to remember recent records. Who was that person who shattered my three-game winning streak and sank it?'

'Since then, you suggested we continue, but it seems you conveniently slipped away without a trace.'

'Trying to play against someone of a much lower skill level was asking for trouble. It's not that I ran away because I didn't want to play with beginners; it was to encourage improvement. I expelled them to imply they should come back after progressing a bit more. It's only natural, isn't it? Puha... haha.'

Seon Hee-young.

'It's nice during tea time.'

'Thank you for saying that... I'm grateful too.'

'Since we're usually so noisy, sometimes we need these quiet times. As you know...'

'Yes... I think you understand what I mean. It's not always like that, but sometimes it's just too much...'

'It's fortunate we share the same sentiment. Haha. Is this apple tea?'

'Yes. I have other types of tea too. Would you like to try some?'

Voices can be heard from various places.

People gather around a large table, holding glasses, engaging in light conversations, and singing songs. Perhaps thanks to Ye-ri dancing, everyone becomes a bit more lively.

It's as if they're enjoying themselves immensely. Clapping, laughter, and clinking glasses. They begin sharing stories they've always shared.

Elena and Yu Ah-yeong, who sip their tea, seem to be discussing the Elven Kingdom.

Taking another step forward, the scenery changes.

Faceless dolls come out onto the terrace, drinking coffee and training. That probably is part of their everyday life too.

Raising their hands slightly to greet each other, calling out in loud voices, they gather to have meals, sharing incomprehensible stories.

Taking another step forward, the scenery changes once more.

The sunset is visible. I can't pinpoint the exact location, but two people are looking at the slowly setting sun.

I can't understand their conversation. However, the faceless doll seems to be smiling.

Taking another step forward, the scenery changes once again.

'You will become a hero...'

'...'

'Save everyone, save the continent, and save me.'

Taking another step forward...

'You'll grow to the point where you can sacrifice yourself for others, and in the end, you'll be saved...'

With one more step, the Iron Maiden enters the field of view.

The lron Maiden is shedding tears of blood. He continuously sheds blood as he gazes at the forms of light he has created. I know that I shouldn't open it.

I realize that the uncertain adventure is also clear to me. But... strangely, I reach out my hand.

It must be an unconscious reaction, knowing that I shouldn't. With a slight push, the door opens as easily as if it were weightless. With a creaking sound, the door automatically opens.

"Who is it..."

A doll completely covered in red, with its face and body, large and small holes penetrated, continuously dripping blood from those places. The sight is so horrifying that words can't express it adequately.

While I thought I had seen all sorts of horrors living on the continent, this scene is beyond comparison, gruesomely more intense than anything I've witnessed. However, I can't see the scene properly. My head is spinning.

"Who the hell... are you..."

Squelch... squelch, squelch...

The sound of flesh and thorns separating can be heard.

The sound of the steel thorns detaching from the body seems to narrate how long they had been stuck there.

The lifeless body slumps over. Trying to embrace my body, I unconsciously retreat back with a trace of blood on my foot.

With a thudding sound, the body is slammed onto the ground. Like a broken doll, it writhes on the ground without any strength.

'You... will... be my regressor.'

And then.

'A good ending awaits you.'

"Aaaah...."

'I will gift you such a future.'

"Aaaahhh...."

"Aaaahhhhhhh!!!!!"

'You will become happy. My regressor.'

'I will gift you the future. Kim Hyunseong.'

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My god this hurts so much. I read this chapter in an Mtl but reading it again is making me shed tears 😭