ALTANUS [25]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 988

Altanus (25)

'...'

"....."

'Liar'

I won't forget.

'No. You've forgotten.'

That can't be true. There's no way I could forget, isn't that right?

'You've forgotten.'

There's no way. ....ssi

'It hurts.'

Yes?

'It hurts... so much, too much... I gave everything for you....'

"...."

'I thought you would remember me....'

"...."

'Sometimes, I resent you too much. Really... it's only sometimes... you're so... too much to resent. Empty and... agonizing. Waiting wasn't painful. Hyunseong. It wasn't a short time, but... it was enjoyable. But... the result of a long wait feels so cruel sometimes.'

What do you mean?

'Sometimes you can laugh, but at the end of the day, it becomes more painful. I thought my place was here. I thought you would create a place for me... I thought you would. But you didn't.'

...-ssi, I...

'It feels like it's all your fault. It feels like you made me like this. You changed me... and in the end, you abandoned me.'

No, I...

'You abandoned me. I never once abandoned you. You forgot me and made me miserable.'

A feeling like a black shadow presses me down. An incorporeal hand crawls up my body and hovers around my neck.

'I did it for you...Yet you abandoned me.'

A sensation as if the intangible hand exerts pressure slowly builds up. It wasn't strong, but it makes breathing difficult. My body stiffens and I can't move.

The hand that seems like it could be pushed away at any moment cannot be pushed away.

'You... you... huk... heh.....'

No.

'Huk... heuheug... it hurts... help.'

"Huk... heuheug... it's not like that!! I didn't mean that."

"...."

"No... I didn't mean..."

The whole body is soaked in sweat. The moment my body rises... my hands immediately finds Rosario.

Reaching out to my neck with a hurry, a familiar sensation is felt, and a feeling of calmness seems to return to my heart.

The breath I held in is expelled in an instant. Yet, my breathing doesn't stabilize easily, so rough breaths continue to be exhaled.

"Sometimes difficult things can happen. Trials that you may find hard to bear may come your way, but I always believe in all of you. If everyone moves together toward the same goal, I believe we can overcome any adversity. So, my children, always laugh together, cry together, and empathize with each other. Even someone as insignificant as me will always be with all of you. Remember that."

"...."

"I always want to see you smiling. Therefore, my children, I hope you will treasure the ordinary days, the simple day-to-day life that is given to you. Even when hardships and trials come, I hope you can smile and face them."

I started Reciting the words spoken by Altanus, I start to memorize them in my head.

"Altanus will be with me."

"Altaenus will be with me."

Gradually, my heart calms down. My body, which wasn't at peace, has also returned to its original state.

"Altanus."

It was a strange dream.

Truly... it was a very strange dream.

"Really...."

"Guildmaster. This is Cho Hye-jin. Is everything all right?"

"...."

"Guildmaster?"

"It's nothing, Hyejin. Just a strange dream... I'm going outside for a moment."

"It's still early, Guildmaster. Maybe rest a little more..."

"No, it's fine. I have something to do. By any chance... is Hayan still sleeping?"

"She's working on her research. About that strange space...."

"Yes?"

"She mentioned that there's a need to look into it again after today's meeting... She hasn't left her seat until now."

It wasn't unusual. Sometimes, during the night, Jung Hayan would immerse herself in research.

"It would be nice if it's as usual... but..."

"Sora also mentioned her concerns. She said she doesn't know why, but sometimes she burst into tears...."

It might be due to the uncomfortable dream, but my heart doesn't feel at ease. Once again, I grab Rosario in my hand and look at the mirror.

My face was slightly distorted. There was no smile to be found, and I was frozen stiff as if I had seen a ghost.

This is not the appearance that Altanus wanted. I forced my trembling lips to lift slightly, and after reciting the prayer once again, it felt like my expression returned to its original state.

As I step outside, a familiar face greets me.

"I apologize for surprising you, Hyejin."

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"It seems like everything was heard outside. I'll be made fun of by Deokgu again."

"Sometimes even you, Guildmaster, need to say something sharp. Even if Deokgu doesn't distinguish between work and play, making such remarks in front of new members..."

"Altanus seems to be pleased with it too, isn't that right? I didn't know I'd be saying something like this in my own words, but as you know, Altanus..."

"Yes, yes, I know. Guildmaster. Don't be too stern... But I'm not someone completely inflexible."

Seeing the sight of her bowing my head, it didn't seem like she was too upset, but her voice that came later made it impossible not to chuckle.

"Um... Um... So, were you... Were you having a dream about during the tutorial?"

"Pfft."

"...."

"Ahaha."

"I'm sorry, Guildmaster."

"No, it's fine. It was fun."

It's not that I found the joke funny every time, but rather that it was amusing that Cho Hye-jin said such things.

Awkward but courageously spoken words. I suddenly realized that I might have mustered up the courage because I knew my current state wasn't great.

Strangely, I felt better. I always realize why Altanus advises us to laugh, cry, and empathize with each other, no matter how many times.

"Oh! It wasn't a dream during the tutorial."

"Then..."

"I'm not sure..."

"...."

"I don't remember it well."

It's not just empty words to keep up the conversation. I genuinely can't recall it. Even when I try to recall, it doesn't come to mind oddly.

The feeling of touch in my hands and the voice.

That was all I could remember.

"Ah! Sometimes that happens."

"Yes, it's possible."

"Yes. It was so vivid... I thought I could never forget it, but talking to Hye-jin, I seem to have completely forgotten. I don't remember it well, but I remember that it was a disturbing, unsettling, and scary dream."

"Perhaps the stress has been building up recently."

"That could be true. Altanus..."

"It's not the first time he didn't speak for a long time, so don't worry too much... Once this strategy is properly finished, he'll undoubtedly be pleased and come to speak again. He's always been like that."

"Yes. I think so too... Well, yes, he'll definitely be pleased."

A loud voice resounded at that moment.

"Wowwaaaah!"

A loud noise. I instinctively covered my ears, but upon confirming where the sound was coming from...

"..."

"Hahah..."

"Deokgu also... had a nightmare, it seems."

"Yes. It looks like it."

"Huk... huwaaaah...."

"....."

"Huk... huwaaaah.... huwaaaah...."

"... ..."

"Ugh.... huwaaaah...."

"Honey? Honey... Honey? Deokgu."

"Huh? Uh...."

"Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?"

"Huh?"

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Huh... I... I..."

I held my breath. I couldn't help but feel bothered by the voices coming from inside the tent.

"What dream..."

"Well... I can't remember it well... Di-did I talk in my sleep?"

"...."

Meeting Cho Hye-jin's gaze naturally, it might have been a coincidence at first, but after the second time, it might not have been.

"...."

"...."

"I'll be back in a moment. Please release the rangers and ask them to do the purification work near the camp. Also, send an investigation team for the relevant issues. It's unlikely, but there's a possibility of Night Phantom, so the paladins should be dispatched too. It's the top priority."

"Yes."

"Please isolate the individuals who showed similar symptoms."

"Yes, Guildmaster."

'Mind?'

When I looked up at the ceiling, the space continued to split and merge, making a buzzing sound as it repeated.

Naturally, it was reasonable to think there were curses or debuffs related to the mind.

I couldn't remember the nightmare at all. Perhaps, Park Deok-gu, others, and I were all seeing the same thing.It's possible that certain monsters might be responsible, but it's more likely to be the foreign space itself. For now, it's best to observe the surroundings. If there's a mage nearby...

'Has the safe zone been breached?'

While attempting to check other camps, there's no sign of the chaotic noise.

Perhaps it's related to something the Republic's military noticed, implying an anomaly.

The camp is illuminated. Someone must be working there. Despite knowing it's impolite, there was no choice but to approach.

"Commander Jin Cheong."

"What's happening at this late hour? To be so impolite..."

"I apologize. However, there's something I must ask... If there's something troubling you..."

"...."

"...."

"I was planning to inform you even without being asked..."

"Yes?"

"There's a quest."

"A quest?"

"From the first underground floor to this location, I've discovered dozens of quests."

"You mean quests?"

"Some of them offer rewards. Take a look. Potions that aren't easily found. I can assure you, there's nothing better than this. I consulted with the Republic's alchemists..."

"Regarding the foreign space..."

"That's also under investigation..."

Taking another step.

"...."

"...."

"Altanus's dogs that make me sick. They're as rude as ever."

A voice says, but there's no need to apologize or pay attention.

It's due to mood. The pounding in my chest is likely mood-related.

"Something... something's strange."

Why can't I hear Altanus's voice? Could something have happened? The thought crosses my mind.

"Hayan-ssi."

"Hyunseong oppa?"

In the distance, Jung Hayan reaches out toward the foreign space. Hansora is holding her back, visible in the field of view.

'What's happening?'

What's happening now?

Running, but getting no closer.

Not only is it moving farther away, but it suddenly feels like my body is being transported to a different space.

A sensation as if the world is spinning rapidly. Backgrounds start swirling and strange cries and screams can be heard.

Voices that seem familiar from dreams. No, voices that were definitely heard before.

The voice is so agonizingly loud that I involuntarily close my ears.

And then...

"What is this..."

Where am I...

"What on earth is this..."

A massive pupil with artificial lights descending, at its center.

In the midst of the brilliant light, An Iron Maiden emitting dazzling radiance comes into view.

"What is that..."

----

Last chapter of the ALTANUS Arc hahahahahahahahaha. I DID IT!!!!

These Past chapters have been breaking my heart seriously...This was supposed to be a book with many second-hand embarrassment, cringe stuff, and comedy, but it's suddenly turning into angst.