[ YOU HAVE MANIFESTED SKILL PLAGIARIST ]
Skill Plagiarist...? What's this? Was there ever a skill like this in the Endless Dream...?
[ SKILL PLAGIARIST ]
[ ACQUIRING DIFFICULTY: SSS+ ]
[ KILL ANYONE AND STEAL THEIR SKILLS ]
Huh...? How the hell did I manifest a skill like this so early in the dream?
Whatever.
Kill anyone and steal their skills... which means—
My eyes locked onto Han Seeyoung.
I can get FIRE ELEMENT.
Han Seeyoung's face twisted in rage.
"Old geezer... HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!!!"
[ TIME REMAINING: 02:54 ]
I know what I need to do.
I remember how Han Seeyoung fought against Lee Seonyeon. His attack patterns shouldn't change much. As long as I dodge, I'll survive. But how...?
There's still a lot of time left. I can't fight him head-on—my stats are too low. How the hell am I gonna last against this beast?
Dodging is all I can do.
"What? Are you scared? Regretting your words already? YOU WEAK, PATHETIC OLD GEEZER!"
I... I need to predict his moves. I'm the one who knows him better than anyone. I'm the only one who can defeat this beast.
"Han Seeyoung... You're not a part of the end I'm planning."
"G... Get out of your delusion, OLD GEEZER!! JUST WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU YAPPING ABOUT??? DIE ALREADY!!"
FWOOOSH!!
Flames erupted from Han Seeyoung's body.
Here we go... I've finally pissed him off enough to make him use this form—the same form he used against Lee Seonyeon.
That means... I can predict his moves now!
Han Seeyoung clenched his left fist—then
BOOM!
A massive wave of flames exploded toward me.
"DIEEE!!!!"
Wait... Wait—wait—WAIT!
This isn't how it went in the novel!!! Why the hell are his actions different?!
I barely managed to dodge, but—
"Tsk...!"
My right hand—burned. A sharp, stinging pain shot through my nerves.
Damn it... I can't survive like this. I need a different plan... Something, anything!
But without clearing Quest 1, I still don't have any coins...
Am I going to die, then...?
...
Futaba stood frozen, his eyes locked on the screen. He was rewatching a clip—again and again.
[ REWATCH? ]
"Yes."
The clip started playing once more.
"Fuck... Fuck... Why did they have to do it now? Fuck..."
"I want to quit."
[ QUIT THE ENDLESS DREAM? ]
[ YES ] [ NO ]
"Yes."
[ YOU WILL DIE. ARE YOU SURE? ]
"Ye—"
The world twisted.
In an instant, the scenery changed.
Futaba now stood in a vast library inside a grand mansion.
At a nearby table, the butler sat, reading a book. Then—his form shifted.
Before Futaba, the child transformed into a 21-year-old man.
"Yo, Futaba... No—Marcus."
Futaba's eyes darted around the room.
"...What happened? Why did you summon me here?"
The butler closed his book, his gaze sharp.
"Marcus... Are you sure you want to die?"
"Yeah... I don't want to survive this Endless Dream."
"And the reason?"
Futaba looked down.
"My... My mom died."
"Ah... You're talking about Tyler. That's her fault for participating in the Endless Dream."
Futaba clenched his fists.
"Why—Why did you summon me?"
The butler poured coffee into his cup.
"We want you to work as a butler. Since you're from the Demonic Cult."
Futaba's face darkened.
"I think my mom made a contract… She ensured that no one from our family would have any ties to the Demonic Cult. In return... we even gave you my brother as a butler."
The butler stirred his coffee, dropping sugar cubes into the cup.
"Ah... That contract? It's already broken."
Futaba looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
The butler smirked.
"It was only valid as long as your mother was alive. She died. So the contract isn't valid anymore."
Futaba's blood ran cold.
"And your brother? He died two years ago. He went against the 17th Demon King's demands. That was the price he paid."
Futaba looked around him.
"...I have nothing to do with the Demonic Cult anymore. Leave me alone."
The butler sipped his coffee.
"Your mother was an exceptional butler. She climbed the ranks, became Head Butler in less than a year."
A twisted grin formed on his lips.
"She was our idol... until she got pregnant. Then, for the sake of her damn children, she threw it all away... left the position empty. That bitch deserved to die."
He placed the cup down.
"Now... Become a butler. The 17th Demon King has taken an interest in your skills. After all… you're Tyler's kid."
Futaba started walking toward the butler.
"Stop saying shit about my mom... I've already declined your offer. Send me back to the park... I'll die there."
The butler started pouring coffee into another cup.
"Want some?"
"Fuck you. Just send me back."
"Futaba, would you still go back if I tell you—"
"SEND ME BACK ALREADY!!!"
"Hahaha, like mother, like son... never listens to another pers—"
SWOOSH!
Futaba launched an attack toward the butler.
"SEND ME BACK ALREADY!"
Fwoosh!
The butler teleported, his coffee and table vanishing along with him.
"Huh?"
A voice whispered behind him.
"Behind you."
Futaba turned around—
THUMP!
His heart nearly stopped. The butler was right in front of him now—standing way too close.
"You'll be able to revive your mom."
"Hm?"
"I'm saying you'll get your mom back if you become a butler."
"But how?? The Void already devoured her."
"No... He can't devour a member of the Demonic Cult. Otherwise, the contract between him and God would be broken."
"So you're saying..."
"Yeah, her soul is preserved. She's under the care of the 17th Demon King."
Futaba fell to his knees, tears dripping onto the cold floor.
"Just... Just what do I need... to save her?"
"Become a Head Butler in nine months, and you'll be able to see her again."
"Then... then would I be able to leave the position of Head Butler?"
"No... You'll stay as Head Butler and work under the Demon King... We all want your family back. Your family has provided us the best butlers in our history."
Futaba stood up.
Rustle.
"I have one demand."
"Hm? What is it?"
"I need to kill myself to become a butler, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Futaba looked at the butler.
"Then... let Kang Hong pass Quest 1 once I get killed."
The butler swiped his screen, scanning something for a minute.
"Okay... We'll let Kang Hong pass. Is he someone important to you?"
Futaba smiled while looking down.
Another tear hit the floor.
"Yeah... he's my companion."
The butler eyed him with suspicion.
"Okay... as you wish. I'll let Kang Hong pass Quest 1... I'm interested in him, since you want him to live."
"He..."
"Hm?"
Futaba smirked.
"You'll regret letting him pass the exam."
The butler stepped closer, his gaze sharpening.
"I see... Then let the Endless Dream witness what this guy can do."
"Here's the contract."
[ CONTRACT ]
[- Marcus will get to see his mom if he becomes a Head Butler within 9 months. ]
[- Marcus will serve as a Head Butler under the 17th Demon King. ]
[- He must become a Head Butler within 9 months; otherwise, he will never be able to see his mom again. ]
[- In return, Kang Hong will pass Quest 1. ]
"Is it okay for you?"
Futaba was staring at the contract.
"Yeah, this will do. I agree."
[ YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THE CONTRACT ]
"Very well, then. You can kill yourself now. I hope this Kang Hong will make this Endless Dream fun."
The dimensions started shifting.
"You'll see."
FWOOOOSH!
A massive wave of fire came rushing toward me.
It's impossible to defend myself... I can't predict his trajectory at all.
I tried to dodge, but—
SIZZLE!
CRACKLE!
My whole right arm got caught in the flames.
"ARGHHHHHHHH!!!! FUCK!! NO! IT FUCKING HURTS!!"
My right arm burned. It was still attached to my body, but it was mostly charred.
Fuck. I'm pathetic. I can't even protect myself properly.
I dropped to my knees from the pain.
"Fuck! It won't do... I need to—"
THUD!
Han Seeyoung was already standing in front of me.
"You were talking big a moment ago... Now what? You weak ass... DIE!!"
No matter what I do... No matter how much I try to change the trajectory of this dream... I wrote this dream in a way that no one can change it, no matter how hard they try. Of course, that applies to me too.
The trajectory of this dream is already set in stone. Even the author can't change it, no matter what they do.
The Endless Dream will find a way itself, no matter what I do.
I have to kill Han Seeyoung in order to change this dream... but it's not looking possible.
FWOOM!
Han Seeyoung launched his flames at me.
Fuck. It's an unchangeable dream. I can't kill Han Seeyoung.
I hate my writing.
Why did I write this dream like this? Why did I make surviving so hard?
I'm such a loser... In this dream and in reality...
Someone...
Someone jumped between me and Han Seeyoung.
FWOOSH!
The flames didn't reach me...
Someone protected me.
Someone took the hit.
He's caught in the flames.
He's going to die.
I realized something.
"Futaba?"
The person who jumped between me and Han Seeyoung... The one who protected me...
It was Futaba.
He was sacrificing himself to save me.
I snapped back to my senses.
I ran to him.
"Futaba??? WHY? Why did you—??"
He smiled at me.
"Hong... Don't do anything reckless..."
CRACKLE
SIZZLE
He was burning alive.
But he wasn't crying.
He wasn't even asking for help.
"Futaba!! NO!! NO!! We promised to stay together forever!! You can't die, Futaba!! LIVE!! FUTABA, LIVE!! No! No! NO!!!!"
WHY?!?
He was just looking at his screen a moment ago!
Then why did he come here?!?
How?!?
How can I heal him?!?
I don't have any coins on me!!!
WHOOSH!
No matter what I do, the flames won't go away.
They started reaching me too.
"Futaba!! Stay still! I'll do something!! I-I'll use my jacket—"
Futaba grabbed my hands.
"They have high expectations from you."
Han Seeyoung growled in rage.
"I'M IN NO MOOD FOR THIS FAMILY DRAMA!! DIE, BOTH OF YOU!!!"
FWOOOOOOSH!!!
Han Seeyoung unleashed a massive blaze at both of us.
Futaba used all his strength to push me away.
"Hong... Do your best."
"FUCK!!!"
WHOOSH!!!
Futaba burned in the flames.
[ YOU HAVE PASSED QUEST 1 ]
[ YOU HAVE RECEIVED 500 COINS AS A REWARD. ]
[ YOU HAVE RECEIVED 300 COINS FOR SACRIFICING YOUR FRIEND. ]
[ TOTAL ACCOUNT BALANCE: 800C ]
I dropped to my knees.
BAM.
BAM.
BAM.
I kept slamming my fists into the ground.
"Fuck. Fuck. FUCK. I'M WEAK. I CAN'T PROTECT THE ONES CLOSE TO ME. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO END THIS DREAM?"
I looked up.
Han Seeyoung was walking toward me.
"You were lucky before. But how'll you survive now?"
I clenched my fists.
I will change this dream.
No matter what happens.
I will change this unchangeable dream.
Fuck.
FUCK THIS STORY.
〆 Even if this dream can't be changed… I'll tear it apart with my own hands.
— Kang Hong