Welcome To The DreamScape
"A Final Warning: Push your partner into it before the timer ends. If not,
EVERYONE WILL DROWN IN MAGMA AND DIE"
["ONLY 5 MINUTES 10 SECONDS LEFT"]
"Only 251 Dreamers can advance! Don't leave anyone!"Nakabachi announced.
Haha…What the hell is…this? What kind of joke is this?! At the Nick of moment-Dammit!!..! One after another he's increasing unnecessary load when I'm already-
Clang! blades clash.
"Tch…" I clicked my tongue.
When I'm already busy dealing with this bitch!
"Be prepared, Araki Ryota! You're going to die brutally!!!!" Sanehara shouted.
Honestly, every one of you…Fine, bring it on, you shitheads.
I'LL SHOW YOU HOW REALITY WORKS.
"Now, show me your real self—Araki Ryota" Nakabachi murmured quietly.
CHAPTER 13: "WELCOME TO THE DREAMSCAPE"
As the first round came to a close, dreamers began to panic and hurried to kill their partners. Of course, the same goes for me. Many people have already completed their tasks and are desperately waiting for us to finish by the sidelines.
'Hey, you two! Make it fast!'
'I don't care who dies, just kill already!' dreamers raised their voice with a sense of hurry.
Oh, will you just shut up…I want to make it fast too but this girl…
"Hahaha, c'mon, c'mon!"
(How annoying… )
The situation has changed. It's completely different from before. The room, surface and atmosphere are all unfavourable to me. It's like I'm standing in hell itself. Not to mention I'm wearing thick clothes with shoes. At this temperature, moving in this outfit is tiring and I'm sweating a lot. And to add the tension–that underground volcano.
He said that with every minute it will expand by 50m, and just like he said the ground is already cracking bit by bit. Assuming that this big room is roughly 500 m long and wide, then that space has already covered 100m. That means I have to be careful with my footsteps. By chance, if I fall then it's over. So, If I have to raise my survival rate, I must avoid being near it.
But I'm sure the same goes for Sanehara too. Under this temperature and with that scar, it must be suffocating. And especially for a girl, this must be uncomfortable. But the only difference is, she is already prepared to die. If it means I can die then she's willing to go down with me. But I'm not like that, I have to get out of here alive.
But even among these disadvantages, there's just one good thing that happened.
THE WINNING CONDITION HAS CHANGED.
There's no need to fight her, All I need is to push her into the magma, If I can do that I can clear this round. But if it's only that easy…
Clang, clang!
She's strong… it's hard to believe she's a girl. If she is any other normal girl I could have killed her by now. She is someone who can fight with me on equal grounds. And thanks to the previous incident her guard is up. So how should I compete against someone like that?
Of course, I can lure her near the volcano and go for a push but she's not that dumb. And besides, it's risky for me too. If I'm not careful the one who could die would be me. That's why I have to maintain distance from the centre all the while defending myself. Sheesh…that bastard really did something uncalled for. So the question is,
HOW CAN I CLEAR THIS ROUND UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES?
Think. within 30 seconds, think of a way to kill her. Should I force myself and push her? No, if I do that I'll be vulnerable for a few seconds and if she attacks my vitals in that duration then it's over for me. If I want to push her then I have no choice but to kill her first. So what should I do? How can I land a fatal strike?
HOW CAN I SURELY KILL HER?
Just one chance…All I need is a single moment, just like before If I get a chance–
Huh? If I get a chance? No, that's wrong. Chance won't come to you, it's something you have to grab! It's just what I did earlier,
If I don't get a chance then all I need to do is–
CREATE THAT CHANCE.
If this situation is unfavourable then just turn this disadvantage into an advantage!
IF I USE THESE DISADVANTAGES IN MY FAVOUR…I CAN WIN!
But how can I use it? First observe, and analyse this room! 45° no, 50° temperature, expanding volcano, 5 minutes countdown, thick clothes, blood stains, scar, sweat–wait, Sweat?
(Flashback- "IT'S TIME TO BOW DOWN", Sanehara said coldly.
At this temperature, moving like this is tiring and I'm sweating a lot.
There's no need to fight her.)
Smile, I can see it now, A sure way to kill her!!
["4 MINUTES 30 SECONDS LEFT"]
Ha…Ha…Ha, This is bad! I can't keep up with this temperature…At this rate my body will…but it's fine, I promised already, even if it kills me I'll at least kill this guy!
Clang! Clang!
But something's strange… His movements suddenly became slower.
CRACK! The ground continued to split.
"Tch, this ground sure is annoying!" sanehara shouted in rage.
I can't focus on him like this! How am I supposed– dash, Araki ran past Sanehara.
(Ara…ki?)
"You want to kill me right? If you want to kill me then catch me, BITCH-SAN."
As soon as he said that, a tremendous amount of anger washed over Sanehara's face.
"Hmm, Fine I'll take you on, you shithead. This time for sure, I'LL KILL YOU!!" dash, Sanehara started chasing Araki.
He's fast! Well, I'm not surprised,but why? After he said all that about not running anywhere, Now he's running from me? It's odd, What is he planning? Should I really chase him? No, there's no time for that. If I don't act now, I'll never get the chance to kill him. My rage... it'll be meaningless! But that said what in the world is he trying to d– Crack! Sanehara looked back at the magma and a spark of realisation appeared on her face.
I see! This guy, He's not running from me! He's running from the centre! He's trying to keep his distance! The reason his movements became slower is because he's being careful! Which means he's fearing that place. In that case, I won't let him get away, Nah, I should not let him get away! If he gets enough distance he can fight at his full potential! I should finish him while his back is still turned towards me. This is my last chance!
Araki used the crowd to block Sanehara's line of sight and swiftly dashed towards the walls.
"Hey, you over there! Stop him!" Sanehara shouted, her face twisted with frustration.
Following Sanehara's words, a man suddenly stepped into Araki's path, spreading his arms wide, trying to block his way.
Yes! I don't care even if I use someone else's help, as long as I'm the one who kills him with my own hands, that's all that matters! This tag game is over, ARAKI RYOTA-KUN!, Sanehara was overjoyed with her thoughts.
"Hey, mister" The man who's blocking the way spoke,"Sorry, but you two are taking way too long. Don't take this personally—"
"Move" Araki muttered, his voice cold and deadly.
"Wha-" The man froze, his breath catching in his throat as Araki's furious gaze pierced through him, it struck the man in his place with his legs trembling.
Seeing Araki going past that man, Sanehara clicked her tongue sharply, irritation flashing across her face. "Useless idiot!" she barked at the man and resumed her pursuit.
'H-hey,What happened?' a bystander asked, noticing the man trembling in fear.
"Im….sorry…please spare my life…"
"Hey," the bystander shook the man gently, trying to snap him out of his daze.
"T-that…that wasn't the look of a man simply angry"
'Huh?'
"THAT WAS A LOOK OF A PREDATOR OUT FOR THE PREY"
The bystander fell silent, a cold chill creeping over them as they glanced at Araki, who moved with an unsettling calmness.
"You're not getting away from me, Araki!" she screamed
But Araki wasn't running anymore. His steps, though swift, were calm and calculated, every movement a piece of a larger plan coming together in his mind.
"Come on," he muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Just a little bit more…."
["More 3 minutes 45 seconds"]
As soon as she heard it, a mix of fear and urgency surged through Sanehara's mind, a single word echoing repeatedly: Hurry.
(I can't catch up to…him)
"Darn…itttttt!! -uh", Sanehara's voice cracked as her vision started to waver. She came to an abrupt halt, her footing unsteady. The ground beneath her seemed to tilt, the weird sensation of falling throwing her balance into chaos.
"H-huh?" she muttered, her voice trembling with confusion and dread. Her breath grew shallow, coming in uneven gasps as she panted heavily. It wasn't until a warm droplet reached her upper lip that she realized—her nose was severely bleeding. But her exhaustion had dulled her senses, leaving her unaware of how dire her condition had become.
"What's….wrong?" Sanehara lost her balance and collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
No, No, No…stand me! This isn't the time to stop! Just a little bit…more, you can rest as much as you want after this but right now–STAND!!-
"In a best-case scenario, an average high school girl can run for up to 5-8 minutes before exhaustion kicks in...."
Araki stopped, his voice cold and calculating. Sanehara looked up at Araki, realization dawning on her face.
"However, In a case like this, even with an adrenaline rush I'd say it's around 3-4 minutes. On the other hand, an injured girl may only manage 1-2 minutes at most…"
"Ar…aki?" Her voice barely rose.
"Whereas," Araki continued, his tone steady, "an average high school boy can run for 5 to 7 minutes in this situation. As for me…" He turned slowly, fixing his gaze on her with a look that sent a chill down her spine, "I can keep going for at least 10 more minutes without stopping".
Her eyes widened in realization, a chill creeping down her spine. This wasn't just a pursuit—it was a trap, "So it really…." Sanehara's coughed, "was a trap".
"I kept thinking, how can I kill you for sure without putting myself at risk in this situation?" Araki's voice was icy, filled with a chilling clarity. "And then it hit me–There was no need to fight you in the first place"
(Sanehara gritted her teeth in frustration, "So that's how it is" she briefly thought)
"And even if you know it was a trap, I'm sure you would try to catch me and here we are. I think there's no need to explain any further. YOU LOST, SANEHARA"
"Y-you…"
(Ha…ha..ha I made it, Well that's obviously tire me a little)
Fortunately, I haven't used much stamina like her, orelse I wouldn't even have the energy to stand right now. Maybe I should thank myself for sticking to my daily exercise routine. But something doesn't feel right. I'm sure at least two minutes have passed, yet THE TIMER HAS BARELY PASSED A MINUTE.
<<3:20>>
Did I count too fast? Or–
THUD, As I glanced at the timer, I heard a loud sound. Reflexively, I turned toward Sanehara, only to find that She had slammed her forehead onto the ground.
"What now? Planning to end yourself? I was just about to save you the trouble and do it for you"
"DON'T... MAKE ME LAUGH..." Sanehara struggled to rise, her legs shaking, she pointed the knife at me, "As if I'd let someone like you... kill me. "
(I see, she's trying to stay awake.How foolish. This'll only worsen her body state) I thought.
I knew it…That I can't win…I knew it already.That's why I prepared to die. My body is screaming that it wants rest, my feet hurt, my vision is blurry, I can barely stand…But despite that, this rage is not fading. Right now, One thing is clear to me…It's either taking my dream back or crushing his dream along with mine!
This is MY LAST ATTAC–
"Sorry but…" Woosh "Your turn is…already over, Sanehara" Araki swiftly closed the distance, placing his hand on her shoulder, "It's time to sleep"
(Crap-!) Sanehara instinctively swung her knife, but—Thud! Araki swiftly intercepts, chopping her wrist and forces her to drop the weapon. In the blink of an eye, he swept her off balance with a well-placed kick, his palm locking onto her head as he slammed her to the ground.
(Gah-) Sanehara choked as her head slammed against the ground. In an instant, Araki was on top of her, pressing his knife firmly against her neck.
"The tag game is over, Sanehara Kasumi," Araki said, coldy.
"H-coughx2, w-wa-wai-" Sanehara wavered, desperately trying to raise her voice.
"More 20 dreamers left to die," Nakabachi reminded, "3 minutes left!"
"L-Listen to me, guh, Ar..aki!-"
"Don't worry, I won't kill you right away," I replied
"T-That's right! let's talk firs-"
"FIRST, I'LL CRUSH YOUR FACE," I continued.
"H..uh"
"After that, I'll gouge out your eyes and crush them, then after that I'll slit your tongue and I'll stab you in the gut 100 times.."
(Aren't they my…words?) Sanehara thought.
"I'LL STAB AND STAB, AND KEEP STABBING UNTIL YOU BEG ME TO END YOU! I'LL DRAIN EVERY LAST DROP OF YOUR BLOOD"
(This guy…)
"Hey" I smirked, "SHALL WE CONTINUE OUR TATTOO SESSION?"
(HE HAD GONE NUTS!)
What's this…ever since I came here, I've been getting this nostalgic feeling? This isn't the first time. This smell, these sounds of scream and the situation we're in, it all feels too familiar. Even this current situation, and Sanehara's fearful face also…it feels familiar. Well It doesn't matter… First of all, I'LL FINISH THIS GIRL.
"Please! Listen to me for once! I-I didn't mean to do all that to you–"
"But you intended to kill me, didn't you?"
"Th-that's-"
"Ah-uh, Just spare me all this nonsense, I don't intend to talk with you any further nor do I want to see those fake tears, time is ripe. But before we end this, remember one thing–"
I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a venomous whisper.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT"
"Wh..at?"
"Want me to tell you the reason you are dying?Your first mistake was picking me as your toy, second, your intent to destroy my life and third," I tightened my grip on her neck as her eyes widened in terror.
"THE IDEA OF MESSING WITH ME AND GET AWAY WITH IT"
Her breath hitched, her hands clawing at mine as I pressed down harder.
Slowly I raised my other hand holding the knife to stab her face.
"Guh…guh…cough..S-st-...op" Sanehara choked out, her legs thrashing wildly, trying to kick me off.
But I didn't budge. Using my body weight, I locked her firmly to the ground. Slowly, I raised the knife in my other hand, the blade glinting ominously as it hovered above her face and reflected in her eye.
"In short, you are the reason for your death. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself. The reason you're here, and the reason you're dying, everything, IT'S YOUR FAULT"
Ah…is this it? In the end, I couldn't do anything, my dreams, goals, everything…Ha ha… So this is what I get for all the things I've done, a fitting end for a girl like me…
Her struggling ceased, her body going limp. Slowly, she rested her hands on the ground, her eyes fluttering shut, as if she's asking him to end her.
smile, Maybe I've lived too long for what I've done, I guess It's time to end everything, Sanehara thought.
(She gave up? That's good, don't worry Sanehara, despite what I said, I have no intention to give you a painful death, I'm sure you have your own reasons for becoming like this, just like me. That's why, I'll end this quickly with one strike and instantly)
The "me" 30 days ago would have never expected that things would turn out like this—a guy who's supposed to spend his time alone and lead a quiet life is now taking a life. Hm, how time changes. It's truly cruel. But I guess that's just life. That's why…
"Good bye, Ms. Angel", With a swift motion, I launched the knife downward, aiming to end it all in one decisive strike.
But just as the blade was about to pierce her skin, a faint, broken whisper slipped from her trembling lips—soft, yet clear enough to shatter my focus.
"I'm sorry…Mom…"
The moment her faint whisper reached my ears, my hand stopped a mere millimeters from her forehead. The edge of my knife touching her face, at that moment, I completely froze.
"Sorry…for..[Redacted]..you"
"M..om? Ugh!"
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head, like a knife piercing my mind. A fragmented echo reverberated inside:
("Live on, Ryota")
It feels like many memories are flashing in my mind, I feel like I've heard a voice, faint yet familiar.
(what..the..at a time like this)
"So..rry"
"AH AH, SHUT UP!" I roared, the weight of my emotions boiling over my face. "WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE, JUST SHUT UP AND DIE! MOM? SORRY? DON'T YOU DARE ACT LIKE YOU'RE THE VICTIM HERE! AFTER EVERYTHING YOU DID TO ME, NOW YOU ARE APOLOGIZING?? DON'T GIVE ME THAT! AM I THE BAD GUY HERE?!"
With a surge of rage, I lifted my hand without thinking and drove the blade into her palm, pinning it to the ground.
"GUH—AHHHHHHH!" Sanehara's scream ripped through the air, her voice twisted in agony.
The throbbing in my head intensified, spreading like wildfire.
("Ryota!" "Ryo-kun" "Ryo-chan, let's play!" "I'll beat you, be prepared, Ryota!" "Can I call you…Ryo-kun?")
It hurts, it hurts, IT HURTS!
What are…these voices?! Spare me this crap! It's annoying!...-Eh?
When I saw Sanehara's face, my mind completely froze, my movements came to a halt, her face was badly bruised and blood stains were seen everywhere. But then, something shifted.
For a brief moment, it was as though I saw someone else—a child's face, battered and bruised, flickering over hers like a glitch in reality. I blinked, trying to shake the vision away, but the image only grew sharper, more vivid. and then a picture flashed in my mind, it was very horrific…in that image…
I WAS STANDING ATOP OF CORPSES OF LIFELESS CHILDREN, IN THAT VISION, I HELD A KNIFE IN MY HAND DRENCHED WITH BLOOD.
"It's your fault….YOU LET THEM[REDACTED]" A man's voice echoed through my mind.
Everybody has good memories, and at the same time bad memories too. In my case, I remember neither. It's not because I'm forgetful, it's because I'm hiding…hiding from those memories…from that past…to protect myself and to stay sane, I locked them in a vault. But tonight, in this dreamworld,
THOSE LOCKED MEMORIES BROKE THROUGH THAT VAULT
"W-wrong, it was not me…it's not my fau…lt"
"A…Ara-"
"SHUT UP! DON'T MAKE THAT FACE, DON'T YOU DARE LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT! IT'S NOT MY FAULT!"
(He's…in a breakdo..wn? ah…) Sanehara thought and looked over her left hand.
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT, IT'S NOT MY FAULT, IT'S NOT FAULT!!!!!!!" I screamed, everyone started looking at me.
"What's this loud voice? Ah! Nakabach-sensei, what's happening there?" Akiko asked, connected with Nakabachi through monitoring.
"Hmm?" Nakabachi looked over at Araki and a faint smile washed over his face, "Oh, this is getting interesting"
"Sensei?"
"It's not my fault, huh. No matter how much you wish, the past won't be erased…" Nakabachi whispered
"Nakabachi sensei?"
"Prepare the drinks, Akiko-kun, We're off to a great start, and regarding our next stage, I'll talk with you later"
"Huh? Wait a second! Sens-" beep, Nakabachi ended the call.
"Now then, Things are going to get even more interesting" fingersnap, "Everyone, sorry but I'm getting bored so I'm going to accelerate this round a bit,,"
Suddenly, the timer on the screen, which had been ticking down so steadily, froze.
'Look at the time, it was just 2:20 sec, what's happening?'
'W..why is it 30 seconds now??'
<<30 SECONDS LEFT>>
"Did you forget? I am the god of this world, I'm the rules. From the very beginning, I never took that timer seriously. The timer was nothing more than a means to rush you and expose your true colors. In truth, there was never a timer to begin with."
'What??'
"But there was a time limit—that is this volcano," Nakabachi continued, his voice chillingly calm. "And now, this is the time limit. You've got only 30 seconds left. And only 5 dreamers are left to die"
crack!!
'R…RUN!!!!'
The speed of the breaking of ground has increased, in a fraction of seconds the entire ground which was left untouched began to crack. Everyone started running towards the walls, and in roughly 20 seconds the ground where I'm standing right now will…collapse, But despite how grave the situation has become, I'm still…
"It's not my fault! I did nothing wrong!!"
Over 200 People ran past Sanehara and me, and with each second, death crept closer. The pain was unbearable, I felt like throwing up. The stench of blood grew stronger and stronger Even though there is still something left to do…
"ONLY 20 SECONDS"
"IT'S NOT MY-"
"In the end, you can't accept it, huh?" Once again a strange voice echoed in my mind snapping me out of my breakdown.
"Huh…that was"
"Only 15 seconds"
"15…seconds? wait…What the hell happened!"
Crack!!
(THIS IS BAD! WHERE WAS I ALL THIS TIME?? THAT'S RIGHT, I HAVE TO KILL THIS GIRL, I CAN STILL MAKE IT!-) I turned around, my hand tightening as I raised the knife to strike Sanehara but…
"Huh, where's my knife-"
Stab,
At that moment, it felt as if the gods had chosen their favorite. And thanks to my pathetic self who is still running away from that moment. A chance was bestowed upon her- a single chance to act. And…
She seized it.
THE KNIFE WAS PLUNGED RIGHT INTO MY CHEST.
"Sane…cough" My voice grew fainter as I looked at sanehara's face, despite how badly injured she stood up to stab me… slowly she raised her head and…
"heh…DESERVED, IDIOTTT", The face she made when she was apologizing and the face she's making now is like day and night, I can see how happy she is through that smile, AH…
(… this world is really…twisted)
She pulled the knife out quickly. I stumbled back, struggling to stay on my feet. My knees buckled. The blood loss is severe, I can tell…it wasn't just a normal stab– It was a fatal strike, Breathing grew harder with each second. Did I…
DID I LOST?
"ONLY 10 SECONDS" Nakabachi announced.
Crack!!!!!!!
"I did it…I stabbed him….Ha..ha..cough..ha..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Luck is really on my side!!! Of course, it's because I'm always right!! Even god knows I should live!! I WON THIS MATCH, ARAKI!!"
(ha..ha..ha…ha…ha,Panting, is this…)
"ONLY 5 SECONDS, 1 DREAMER LEFT TO DIE"
(...it?)
The cracks near me began to collapse, the ground crumbling underfoot. And before I knew it, I was standing near the edge. In the midst of that chaos, Sanehara stepped closer, her touch oddly gentle. She leaned on my chest and put her hand on it as she said,
"What matters is…not the person who fights well…who laughs at the end is what matters… right?, I…won, BYE-BYE, ARAKI RYOTA-KUN…" and then…
SHE PUSHED ME INTO THE VOLCANO
When experienced with extreme danger, the hunter becomes the hunted, the predator becomes the prey. But even the prey can rise again... and become the predator. But in this case, you created the chance to kill her but you failed…It's your fault, Araki Ryota, it's all because you are not accepting the reality…
(Flashback: "Right now, You have only two choices—die and atone for your sins, or live and serve me. Now then, Which will it be?")
(Ah…in the end, this is how things turn out..It's unbearably hot, I can tell ....that I'm about to burn and roasted, so I'm going to die, aren't I? ha..ha, right now I'm supposed to sleep peacefully but here I am dying inside a dream…it's quite laughable…)
"Live on, Ryota" once again, that female voice echoed in my mind.
(Live on huh…looking back, my life is full of regrets. From that moment, There is only suffering…even before death…I'm dying with regrets. But Maybe…maybe)
"Maybe I'm better off being dead…"
Splash!!
"0…snap" Nakabachi snapped his finger. As soon as Araki drowned in the volcano, the room abruptly reverted to its original state, as if nothing had ever changed. It was once again a plain white room and then…
'What's going o-'
"CONGRATULATIONS!! DREAMER'S OF THIS WORLD! Rejoice, you people have survived, These 250 dreamers will advance to the next round!!"
'Is it…over?'
'It's over…'
'Why…why did it turn out like this…'
'Damn…it…'
"This means you all are qualified to play this game, and what happens after this, I'll explain to you later, no need to feel bad about what happened, you did the right choice"
(but well…I know very well that you people hate your partner, so you won't feel bad anyway)
"WITH THAT, I CONCLUDE THE FIRST ROUND!!" Nakabachi announced with a joyous face.
Everyone felt a brief sense of relief, despite knowing that their future is still in danger, that's how intense the first round was, some were forced to betray, while others used it as a chance to kill someone they hated.. But among those people, one girl isn't relieved yet…
"It's over…is it?"
Sanehara fell on her knees, with little to no strength left in her legs. She gently touched the scar on her face, recalling what Araki did to her. and then,
"M..mph..a..aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" She silently fell into tears.
Even though she survived, she couldn't bring herself to smile or feel happy. Her tears showed how terrified she was, thrown into a death game, and forced to kill. Despite being pushed down and injured that badly, she still put up a fight to live, and she won…still this was only the beginning. Her fate is now kill or be killed. One of those two. She must live in constant fear. This'll be her…daily life
This was her new reality.
Now, only 250 dreamers are alive. With this, the first round is over…
(Over…huh? That was truly a fantastic dance you all performed for me. That said, I must admit, I'm disappointed in you. Well, no matter. More importantly, I can't wait to see what happens from now. Isn't that right? My most precious insect…)
huh…It's dark…I can't really explain this feeling, It's like I'm drowning, my body is light and it's oddly cold. but somehow it feels good…
"It's your fault, Ryota"
"Ah!"
As soon as I heard that voice, I found myself in an endless expanse of darkness, seated on a chair.
"Where am…I?"
How many times has it been now? It feels like I'm returning to this place every time…but this time it feels somewhat different and I somehow know why it is…
"Ah, so it's really over…perhaps this is the afterlife. They often say after death, there is only darkness, an eternal void. So this is what it means…"
(This time I really returned to the void, didn't I?) I bit my lips, showing a sign of frustration.
"Ah screw this, Thinking about it won't change anything. I know that better than anyone. There's no use dwelling on the past…"
("Live for me, Ryota")
I froze for a moment, that voice echoing in my mind. Then, with a bitter smile, I muttered,
"No point dwelling on the past, huh. If only I had stuck to those words, maybe things would've turned out differently. but…this is for the best"
I exhaled deeply, letting the weight of everything slip away.
"There's no need to worry anymore– school, society, past, present, future and his words…None of it matters now..I'm free…that's why this is for the best…
If living itself is this hard, then I'm better off dead"
"Is it really so?"
"Huh?" I flinched, and raised my head.
"By saying that, are you trying to satisfy yourself? Or running away?"
A shadow emerged from the darkness, vague at first but becoming sharper with every step. My breath hitched as I realized it's identity, and it was–
"Ha…ha," I let out a bitter laugh. "It's becoming more and more clear that I'm dead. To think I'm starting to see illusions of myself."
It was none other than myself.
It tilted its head, its piercing gaze cutting through my words like a blade.
"This is for the best…to think you'd stoop so low that you'd lie to yourself, I'm very disappointed in myself"
"So? What exactly are you?", I asked, my voice cold as I narrowed my eyes at the figure.
"Me?" it said, a smirk tugging at its lips. "As you can see, I'm you. The part of you-you discarded long ago. The personality you loathe to the core. I'm the part of you that you tried to erase—YOUR PAST SELF"
"Hm" I chuckled, "So, this is what they meant when they said our life replays for seven minutes after we die. So? What are you gonna show–"
"I've observed since I came here," It interrupted my words, "you still haven't answered my question. WHY ARE YOU LYING TO YOURSEL-"
"Will you shut up?," I let out a roar, "it doesn't matter…I'm already dead…Just leave me alone. And if you are here to talk about old times then I'm not interested."
"Dead, huh…that's right you're dead. You died as you should! As that girl said, You don't have any right to live"
"What?"
"Even though I helped you that much you still failed. After all that big talk you didn't manage to kill her and even worse, you're dead! and everything of this is your fault"
My eyes widened upon hearing it, once again, that man's words echoed in my mind.
"Deep down you also know it right? You can't kill anyone anymore"
"Stop…it"
"Ofcourse, you don't have the guts to kill someone. In that fight, you could've ended her quickly. It's true that she's strong but she can't even hold a candle against you. I know this, afterall I'm you. But after you abandoned me, you've changed. You've gone soft, Despite everything, despite her trying to kill you, you showed mercy. You felt pity. And now look at you — you're here, and she's still alive. And whose fault is that???
If only you had acted then... If only you had accepted what happened... If only you had disobeyed his words...Would this even be happening now?"
"THEN WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO??!! I tried my best! It's true I felt pity but I really wanted to kill her!! With this hand, I wanted to end her once and for all. After trying desperately, here I am!"
"SO ARE YOU OKAY WITH LETTING THE THINGS END LIKE THIS?!"
"STOP KIDDING!! IT'S OBVIOUS I'M NOT OKAY WITH IT! BUT THERE'S NOTHING CAN BE DONE NOW! IT'S ALREADY OVER! Even if I can't kill her myself, she'll die one of these days in the game. Isn't that enough??"
"DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!, It's enough?? Of course it's not! If it was me even after death I'd still try! Until I took her life with this hand but you, you really became pathetic, That's why your life ended up like this. Even back then, you didn't stop anythi—"
"IT'S ENOUGH…STOP THERE… Anything but that... please," I interrupted, my voice trembling with desperation.
The figure smirked, "Hmph. No matter how much you try to bury it, the past can't be erased or rewritten. All you're doing is clinging to it, hiding behind the illusion that you've let it go–in other words me, If you can't accept it, it'll haunt you for eternity. And even knowing that you still didn't. That's why you are still binded by chains by that person"
"Don't talk like you know something! What did you know?! All these years, i've endured, i've endured, i've continued enduring and finally got these three years where I could be free but now it's all gone to waste!-"
"SO YOU'LL JUST GIVE UP?! YOU WANT TO SET FREE FROM THIS CAGE?! THEN WHY ARE YOU YIELDING TO FATE??
ah ah this sucks! Maybe you should just die like this and rot for eternity!"
"Like I said I'm already dea–wait what did you…"
A smirk tugged at the figure's lips. "So, you finally realized. It's true—to me, you're already dead. But that man... he seems to see something special in you."
"What does it mean–"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my precious insects! As if I'd let my precious data die so easily! This is just the beginning!" The voice echoed through the darkness, and I didn't need a second to recognize it.
(This voice…Nakabachi!?)
"As if afterlife would exist, you dumbass. If we're talking like this then you're still alive. Afterall,
""This dream is not over yet""
The realization hit me as my eyes widened, but before I could process it—
Crack!! Break!!
"The space is…breaking??"
(Your story is not finished, Araki Ryota. I must witness the end of this story if not there's no point!, Nakabachi thought)
The dark dimension shattered like glass, and I began to float aimlessly. My mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening, but just as quickly, I started passing through the clouds which disguised itself as the floor, I was falling toward the ocean below. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the water, a strangely familiar sight. But I recognized this scenery—it was the same as the first dream.
"They are!" I whispered, slowly opening my eyes. The pieces began to fall into place.
To my surprise, Other dreamers—those who were supposed to be dead were still alive, falling with me.
As I descended, I saw it—my other self, reaching out, extending a hand toward me.
"Let's do it all over again—this time together. How long do you intend to run away from me? Let's settle everything once and for all!"
"But—"
"It's fine! It's alright to live. There's no need to atone for anything. To prove that accept me! Araki Ryota, don't let this chance slip away! This time, let's win—both in the dream and in reality!"
In truth, I…hate myself, more than Sanehara, more than that person… That's why I discarded this guy. All this time…I had been hiding. Hiding from myself, from those people, from my past. To protect myself…but If accepting him will change my future, if accepting him will free me from these chains, then, from this moment…
I'm DONE hiding.
I gently smiled, "You are right…nah, you are obviously right. Then, Don't disappoint me, me! "
I smiled gently. "You're right… No, you're obviously right. Then don't disappoint me, me."
"Keh, that's my line, dumbass. Now, It's time to break free from this cage. Let's show them how reality works!"
"Yeah…"
I've been too long in this cage…That's why, it's time to…SET MY WINGS FREE.
Clap! Our hands met with a resonating clap, the sound echoing through the void. In that instant, it felt as if all my scattered memories were rushing back to me.
Looking back, my life is full of regrets. Fate is really cruel. But that's the more reason I need to fight against it. Right now, If I don't face myself then I can't win against fate!
"Hmph," I scoffed, a spark of determination igniting within me, "Here I was prepared to die but looks like fate has planned something else for me, right? Nakabachi" Splash
As I broke through the water's surface, I quickly entered a room, that's right- it was the white room again, though noticeably smaller this time. The floor was soft, cushioning my fall and absorbing the impact as I hit the ground.
"Im..still alive?"
"What's happening, I am sure I burned in that.."
"Thank..thank goodness! I'm still alive!"
"My wounds are healed! I'm still breathing!"
The other dreamers who were supposedly stabbed and burned found themselves still alive, I slowly got up and to my surprise the place where sanehara stabbed me is completely healed and it's as if nothing has happened.
(Ha…haha It's gone, really, what's wrong with this world?)
"What in the hell is happening?"
"How does it feel to die?" Nakabachi voice echoed in the room, "I'm sure you all have many questions, my precious insects"
A massive screen materialized in midair, displaying Nakabachi's face. The room plunged into chaos.
(Heh, There he is…the psychopath)
"Ha..haha So... so it really was a prank—"
"DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS A PRANK? If you observe 3 people are missing" Nakabachi reminded, silencing the crowd.
"248…249, there are only 249 of us"
"Yes! Originally, there were 502 dreamers. If 250 of them are the ones who won, that should leave 252 with us. But three are missing." A pause, as the voice took on a darker edge. "Of course, they're dead. If I don't kill a few, you won't take this game seriously."
The dreamers exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale and drenched in fear. Everything they'd experienced was too vivid, too real. There was no denying the horrifying reality of what had just happened.
"You... WHAT DO YOU TAKE HUMAN LIVES FOR? PUSHING US INTO A DEATH GAME LIKE THIS... ARE WE JUST TOYS TO YOU?" someone screamed in desperation.
Nakabachi's smirk widened. "That's right."
"Huh..."
"Your lives mean nothing to me. Afterall, There are many replacements for you. And besides, this is my world. As long as you are here, your lives belong to me."
"Then...then why are we still alive?"
Nakabachi's expression shifted, a glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Because I'm giving you all... a chance."
"A chance?"
"YOU BASTARD!! What are you plotting?" he yelled, fury evident in his voice.
"WATCH YOUR TONGUE, YOU FILTHY INSECT. Don't forget, I can kill you at any moment." His reply was sharp, cold and unyielding.
"Guh... u-understood," he muttered, swallowing his words.
A brief silence followed before another voice spoke, cutting through the tension. "Let's listen to him first."
"Well calm down. We should be dead right now, but somehow we're still alive. Why? That's your question, right? Before answering that let me tell you a story. In ancient China, how do you think the assassinations were carried out?"
"Assasination?"
"Right. Usually, one would think about sending a skilled assassin, or poisoning the tea. but these are still common even these days. But that time there was a unique assassination technique. In this method, all sorts of venomous and dangerous insects were placed into a single jar or pot. After the lid is sealed.
The insects inside will see each other as enemies. Then they are left to fight and devour one another, they'll fight, kill and eat each other until only one survives. That surviving insect, believed to have absorbed all the venom, became the deadliest, the strongest venomous creature among them all. And that creature was then used to assassinate the target."
"So? What are you trying to sa-"
"Wait, it's kinda familiar…"
"But I always wondered…What if those dead insects are revived and forced to fight again? Would the result change?"
Ha..haha..Ah, now I get it Nakabachi…so that's what you mean by your precious insects…you...you're really….
"It's familiar.."
"To our situation…"
"Seriously…"
YOU'RE REALLY MESSED UP TO THE POINT THAT YOU'RE INTERESTING, NAKABACHI HIDEO!
"You are my precious insects," the voice sneered. "I planned this from the start, but it was too risky for me, so I held back. But some insects showed some insane potential. That's why I gave you all a second chance, you all possess unique poison, the strongest venom can only be tested when they are all put into a jar.
That's why, fight as you might! Prove that you are strongest! Only the strongest venom will win and survive in this world and the weakest will die! You don't need sympathy, everyone here is your enemy!
Love, friendship, those feelings are not needed! You all saw it with your own eyes, the person whom you thought is dear to you has betrayed you! I'm sure you don't want to leave things like that! Am I wrong!?"
"No…you're right"
"Then, fight back! Use this chance to prove that you deserve to live!"
"Yeah…I'll prove"
"This is your last chance. Don't forget, the strongest poison will win. And I want that insect to turn this world into the ultimate utopia! As promised I'll fulfill the dream of that survivor. High risk and high return, If you want to win, throw away your humanity, the dreamer who let go of these weak feelings will definitely win! Right now!
YOU HAVE ONLY TWO CHOICES:KILL OR BE KILLED, SURVIVE OR DIE!"
"Survive"
"Win!"
"Hmph, now we're talking! Once again let me remind you, in this world strength doesn't matter. This world doesn't work on Survival of the strongest, it works on survival of the smartest! It'll decide how dangerous of a poison you are!"
"Survival of…"
"...The smartest"
Ha…hahah..ha, looks like even god doesn't want me to die yet, interesting! Then, I'll take you on, I've already died once, if it means I can win I'll die as many times as it takes, and each time I'll be born anew! this time for sure–I'll destroy everything! Sanehara, Nakabachi and that person and this world, everything.
Listen, Nakabachi. You are making a big mistake by letting me live and I'll make you regret that. Because, I've decided,
I'll play this silly game of yours
Looks like you badly want me to play then I'll gladly accept, I'll win this game and I'll reclaim my life until then laugh as much as you want.
This story which you've started, I'll write the end for it, in the best possible way!
(There's no denying that humans are the most selfish beings in this world, even in dreams they still choose themselves, that's what I wanted to prove to you, but you see Nova,
Even in dreams there are few people who tossed away their life for others, looks like this little bet of ours is going to take a while. Let's see if the seed you've sown will prove me wrong or…wither away for nothing) Nakabachi thought
"That's why, this isn't the end, it's the beginning! After all,
THE DREAM HAS JUST STARTED
Now that it's settled, let me formally invite you to this world!"
Life is really full of surprises. For better or worse, I've found myself tangled in these strings of dreams. The past me might have surrendered to fate, but not anymore. Now, I've decided—I'll break free from these strings of fate.
No matter what it takes I'll make it to the end, because there are still some people I need to confront. For them, I'll survive in this wicked world and…
"Welcome to the Dreamworld and…
WELCOME TO THE DREAMSCAPE"
("I'll escape from this dreamscape!")
And so it began—the story of a forgotten dream. No matter how many others in this world forget, I won't. These are the days which have changed my life.
This isn't a story of revenge. It's a story about a boy trying to reclaim his life and a man who lost his faith in humanity.
And their story has just started, up until now, is just the Prologue of the Nightmare
But from now,
THE REAL NIGHTMARE BEGINS!
[DreamScape Vol 0: Prologue Of The Nightmare-End]