"Why..?..Why?? You knew it.., didn't you? You k-knew that you were t-torturing m-me, but still!! Still, you never stopped!!! ... Die... Kang Hong, I'll kill you... I'LL KILL YOU!!! I'LL HUNT YOU!! Pay for your sins, Kang Hong."
It was the protagonist of my novel.
I opened my eyes.
"Ah, it was a dream..? I wish it stays as a dream."
I saw a dream. In the dream, the protagonist of my novel was hunting for me. I looked at my hands.
"She had blood on her hands."
No one survived the end of the Endless Dream, which means the protagonist also didn't survive. And I, Kang Hong, am responsible for this end. I still feel guilty about it.
I am Kang Hong, a 23-year-old. I started writing novels at the age of 14. I began uploading chapters of my novels to an app I found when I was 16. My first novel, Desired End, gained traction, and I uploaded its chapters regularly.
"Ah, it's already 9 AM! I'll be late for work."
I started working at a convenience store a year ago because I had no money left. I earned a lot when my novel got popular, but it all ran out a year ago. My life is already ruined. I don't have anything left. I'm broke, so I can't get married. I quit school in my second year of high school.
I quickly rushed out of my house and started running towards the convenience store.
"My salary will get cut if I'm late again."
I always questioned one thing... Will my life ever change? What if I had written my novel differently? What if... I was in an Endless Dream?
These were random thoughts that always came to my mind.
I entered the convenience store and looked around for my manager but couldn't find him.
Where did he go..?
I heard my phone notification.
[ You have received a new message ]
Manager: - I'll be late. Start working and don't look for me.
Seems like he'll be late today.
I put on the apron used by the employees.
Ah, I forgot about one thing.
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It's still the same. It can't be changed.
"Now let's get to work."
I started restocking the products.
If I had focused on the happiness of my characters, would my life be different..?
I started overthinking my novel again. If I hadn't quit school, would I be living a better life? If I had written a better story, would I still be writing new stories now?
My hands started trembling because of these thoughts. The feeling of guilt came rushing back.
No matter how much I think of other possibilities, reality won't change, and my reality is that I've ruined my novel.
I'm a killer to my characters. I've committed many sins, so why am I still living? It's the same every time. No matter how much I try to change, I'm always that psychopath who loves torturing his characters.
The guilt kept growing... More... More... More...
I placed my hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat.
"It's increasing..."
I started feeling dizzy.
The products in my hands fell to the ground. I dropped to my knees.
"I... I should write a new novel now."
I thought of starting a new novel to move on from this trauma. Since I'm a delusional person, imagining a new story wouldn't be a problem.
My co-worker walked in. He was startled and ran toward me.
"Hong-nim..? What happened? Are you okay..? Should I call an ambulance?"
"No... It's nothing. I'm okay. I just felt a little dizzy. And you... you're wearing a mask again."
"Yeah, well, I got a cold again. Hehe. But Hong-nim, I really think you should rest."
My co-worker always wore a mask and a cap, so I never really saw his face. He had some weird habits.
"I guess I should take a short 30-minute break."
"Yeah, that's right. You can go to the nearby park to get some fresh air."
"Okay, I'll go to the park then."
"Mhmm, that's great."
I took off my apron.
I headed straight for Yeouido Hangang Park, a popular park near the Han River. I usually came here to clear my mind or think of a new chapter for my novel.
I sat on the grassy patches near the Han River. I really enjoyed writing while looking at the water.
"How many months has it been since I last came here?"
I saw a boy with brown hair walking with his mother and sister. Such a nice family.
"If I want to get married, I need to find a good job."
Sigh
"Life really is tough."
There were a lot of people in the park that day. A lot...
Suddenly, someone placed their hand on my right shoulder. It took me a moment to realize.
"Yoo, Hong."
I had heard this voice before. It felt familiar. I turned around.
"F...Futaba?"
"Correct!"
Futaba, a half-Korean, half-Japanese guy. We went to the same high school, so we knew each other.
"Where were you for the last seven months, Hong?? You never contacted me."
"Uhhh, I was a bit busy."
"What? You were busy for a straight seven months...?"
"Y-Yeah."
"You know, Hong. You're really bad at lying."
"Uhh, yeah, hehe."
Futaba... He's a cheerful guy. When no one hung out with me, he was the one who forced me to hang out with him. He made my life better, even if only for a short while.
"By the way, what are you doing here? It's very unusual for you to be in a loud and crowded place."
"I was here to clear my mind. I was feeling a bit dizzy."
"I see."
Futaba always tried to make me laugh, and he actually succeeded. He's a good guy.
"What about your novel? Any changes?"
"Ah, I ended it. I uploaded the last chapter yesterday."
PFFFFT!
Futaba spit out his drink.
"Huhhhhh?? Wait, what? How? Why? You enjoyed writing it, didn't you??"
"Yeah, but I realized that every novel needs an end, so I ended it. See? It's 0 again."
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"1855 chapters?! That's a lot, dude. No one wants to read long stories."
"Yeah, I know. I stopped caring about views. I just wanted to put my imagination into words. I'm really satisfied with my work."
"Does the... ending satisfy you?"
"Yeah, I'm super satisfied with the end. I really loved it."
"Liar."
"Huh, what... what do you mean?
Tears started dropping from my eyes.
"See, You're in pain that's why you're crying."
Black clouds began gathering in the sky.
"Huh..? How? I'm not supposed to cry. I-I need to-"
Futaba started patting my head.
"It's not like everything that starts well ends well, does it?"
Tears started bursting from my eyes.
I grabbed Futaba's shirt.
"Nobody! Nobody! Nobody stayed with me! M-My parents, readers, friends—no one stayed!! Everyone left me behind. Everyone... literally everyone!!"
"But I stayed, didn't I? After all, you're my friend. I never left you behind, Hong. I'm always with you. I am your friend, and you're my friend—that's an unshakeable truth."
"Y-You are my f-friend..?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'm your friend."
"Y-You won't l-leave me behind, will you?"
"I won't leave you, no matter what happens."
"I see."
"Wipe your tears and stop being a crybaby. You'll make my shirt wet."
"S-Sorry."
I wiped my tears. I was happy... I was happy that I had finally gotten a friend after all these years. I wouldn't be lonely again. My heart felt lighter.
"Thanks, Futaba. I'll treasure your friendship!"
"Mhmm, it's okay, Hong."
"Futaba."
"Mhmm, what is it?"
I stood up and ran toward the Han River. I turned to face Futaba and raised my left fist.
"This time, I'll write a much better novel!"
"Mhmm, I'll be your first reader."
"Yesss, I'll do some—"
BOOOOM!!!
A yellow lightning struck the Han River, then a massive explosion. The sheer force shook the entire area.
The sound was deafening.
The shockwave ripped through Yeouido Hangang Park, replacing the once cheerful voices of the crowd with gut-wrenching screams. Blood poured from countless ears as eardrums burst from the sheer intensity of the blast.
"ARGHHH!!!"
"Mom! My ear! It hurts so much! M-Mom!!"
"BLOOD! IT'S MY BLOOD—NO, NO, IT CAN'T BE MY BLOOD!!"
"ARGHH, STOP THIS NOOO!!"
"IT'S HURTING, STOP IT, YOU PIECES OF SHIT!!"
People clutched their ears, but it was useless. The pain was unbearable.
Futaba was crying in agony.
"ARGHH! SHUT THE FUCK UP!!"
I covered my ears, but I could still hear the high-pitched ringing. Blood trickled down my hands. I was powerless.
"STOPPP ITTT, PLEASEEE!!!!"
I turned toward the explosion. This wasn't normal. First the lightning, now this...
Something wasn't right.
Then, suddenly, a glowing blue holographic screen appeared in front of me.
[ THE SYSTEM HAS ARRIVED ]
System..? What's that? It feels... familiar.
[Quest 1 is beginning ]
[ Quest 1 begins in 15 minutes ]
Quest...? I've heard that before.
The noise around me slowly dulled, replaced by silence.
But things weren't the same anymore.
Giant sea dragons emerged from the Han River. Their black scales, and their eyes burned with white flames. They were—
[Leviathan: Knight of the Ocean ]
Leviathan..? What is Leviathan doing here, in the Han River?!
Many people had already gone deaf. Their ears were covered in blood, their screams fading into weak cries of pain. Most elderly and babies had died. Of course, they couldn't handle this...
"It hurts... it hurts... it hurts..."
"Grandma! Open your eyes! Grandma!!!"
"H-Honey... what happened to our s-son...?"
Just what is happening...?
I fell to my knees and vomited at the overwhelming sight of blood and death.
Futaba... What happened to him?
...
He was on the ground, eyes wide with shock, frustration creeping on his face.
"Hong... It's over. We're all doomed. Tsk, why do they have to appear now?"
"What are you talking about?"
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. I've seen this before... but I can't remember where.
Some people paid attention to the holographic screen, while others fixated on the Leviathan.
"What's this?!"
"Is this some sort of game?!"
"Ahh, it's a system!! I've read about these in novels!!!"
"This is so exciting! I'll be the main character!!"
"Wait, is that Leviathan?!"
"We need to run! He can easily kill us!"
Shock. Excitement. Fear. These were the emotions showed by the crowd.
But me? I was still processing everything.
Another lightning strike—but this time, it hit the center of the park.
"What?!"
"What is it this time?!?!"
"NOOO! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT SOUND AGAIN!!"
This time... there was a boy.
He looked around nine years old, dressed in a butler's uniform, with two small black horns. His hair was pure white. His eyes were closed.
People murmured in confusion.
"It's a kid this time...?"
"Just what in the world is happening??"
"Hey, kid! Do you know anything about this?!"
"He's a kid, how would he know?!"
"Yeah, you're right."
This kid... he seemed familiar. Why does it feel like I know all of this?
Then, he opened his eyes.
"Beautiful..."
"That's some nice eyes you've got, brat."
He had Light green eyes.
He finally spoke.
"Ahmm, Ahmm. Seems like the translator is working well this time."
The crowd murmured again.
"What is he talking about?"
"I don't know."
"Translator...? Is he using a translator to speak? LOL!"
The boy cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Everyone, I know this is a bit sudden, but I want you all to—"
"RUB YOUR NOSE ON THE GROUND!!"
This line...
It feels like I've heard it before.
The crowd...
〆 Sometimes, the ones who write dreams are the ones most desperate to escape reality.
— Coffee Shirone