Remember one thing... Each day, you'll get a new quest that you need to complete before the day ends. Failure will result in death."
This dream has multiple missions that we dreamers need to fulfill. We receive quests every day based on the situations we're in. Quests can be assigned to one person, two, or even three people. However, there's something called Dreamer's Delusion—a type of mission where all the dreamers in a country must participate. It's just a delusion of a random dreamer, but it forces everyone to take part.
The real Endless Dream begins with the Dreamer's Delusion, which will start in three days.
These are going to be the toughest three days of my life because...
[ QUEST DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM D TO C ]
For most people, that might not seem like much, but in this Endless Dream, a C-rank difficulty feels like an A-rank.
"You'll receive Quest 2 at a random time of day. Your actions will determine what kind of quest you'll get."
The butler clapped his hands.
"Now, dreamers... let's try to survive this Endless Dream."
A portal opened behind him, and he vanished.
I turned to look at Lee Seonyeon. She was brimming with excitement.
"Hong-ssi... It's like a game. It'll be really fun! I can't wait for the next quest!"
"Yeah... just don't be reckless."
I glanced at Chaeyoung, who was staring at us, completely clueless about what had just happened.
"Han Chaeyoung, right? You were almost killed by your brother... so I stepped in and saved you."
I sat down.
"Han Chaeyoung, I want you to live. Join me. I'll protect you."
She hesitated, then looked at Lee Seonyeon.
"I-Is she with you too?"
I turned to Lee Seonyeon and shook my hand.
"No, she isn't."
"Hong!! You bastard! You really are a piece of shit. Step aside."
She punched me in the head, then sat in front of Chaeyoung, extending her hand.
"I'm Lee Seonyeon. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with this dude too. I'm telling you, he won't protect you... I'll do a better job than him! From today on, I'm your big sister!"
"U-Unnie?"
Lee Seonyeon's eyes sparkled with happiness. She hugged Chaeyoung and started petting her.
"Yay!! That's right, Chaeyoung!"
It seemed like they had completely forgotten about me.
Chaeyoung looked at me.
"Th-Thank you for saving me from my brother."
I smiled gently.
"Yeah, yeah."
...
"Seonyeon, Chaeyoung, what's the time right now?"
"Can't you check it yourself?"
"Uhh... I don't know how to read time from the minute hand and hour hand."
Lee Seonyeon stared at me.
"Are you for real?"
"Hahaha, yeah."
"6:34!"
It was Chaeyoung.
"It's 6:34 right now!"
I smiled and patted her head.
"Thanks. You're a big help."
Lee Seonyeon looked away.
"You never thanked me after that battle."
"Are you a kid?"
"Shut up! Idiot!"
She threw a small stone at me.
"Ah... it hurts. Alright, so it's 6:34, which means we still have a little time before the next day arrives. Tomorrow, we'll get Quest 2, so we need to prepare."
I glanced at the park exit.
"First, we need to find a place to stay for the night. There might be other survivors, and they could be dangerous, so we need to be cautious."
"Second, we need to split up. We need food and shelter. I'll go get food. Anyone wanna come along?"
"No, go away."
"Mean!"
"Alright then, Seonyeon and Chaeyoung, you two find a place to stay. We'll meet back here in two hours."
They both nodded.
"Well then, let's go!"
...
I walked through streets littered with the bodies of kids, elders, and young people.
Many had died.
A few had survived.
I no longer felt guilty about it, but I understood better than anyone that this Endless Dream turned out like this because of me.
In front of me, the dead bodies started melting...
Within a minute, they had completely dissolved.
I stopped in front of a convenience store.
The door creaked open as I stepped inside.
My co-worker's head was gone. My manager might have survived... maybe he was the one who killed him.
I silently prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
I started grabbing the scattered food from the floor. Most of the store had already been looted by other survivors.
Most of the food was gone, but there was still a decent amount left.
I grabbed two large plastic bags from the cashier desk and started filling them.
Once my bags were full, I stood up and looked at my co-worker's body.
"I never got to see your face... You always wore a mask, but now your face is gone. Well then, goodbye, Sato."
My co-worker's name was Sato. He was a really great guy.
I walked out of the store.
"Only 30 minutes have passed... I still have plenty of time left."
I had taken a digital watch from the store.
"Well then, I know what to do."
I walked toward my apartment.
Once inside my room, I sighed.
"Time to change clothes."
My clothes were covered in bloodstains.
As I changed, memories started flooding in—Glogus235, Desired End... everything came rushing back.
I had come a long way, but now my goal was clear.
To reach the top and give this dream a beautiful end.
I put on a black t-shirt, a black shirt, and black trousers.
Acquiring skills in this endless dream isn't easy but still I got that skill Plagiarist.. and i don't have any effect of acquiring a high level skill.. just what can be the meaning of this.. I should start facing corru—
I glanced at myself in the mirror.
I froze.
"Huh...?"
"M-My left eye... it's light red."
Don't tell me.
[ SOUL'S EYE IS MANIFESTING I-]
I want to die
〆 In the Endless Dream, there's no such thing as "easy".
— Coffee Shirone