Whisper Of The Living

In the middle of a dense forest, a completely dark cave loomed, swallowing all light within. Nothing could be identified inside its depths.

"Hey, I don't want to do it. At first, I thought I could, but now….... I want to be with him. Please, we should stop...." A trembling voice echoed from the shadows.

Then, something rolled out of the cave....a pomegranate. Under the moonlight, its shape became visible.

"What? Don't you dare back out now, you bitch! After everything we've been through?" A second, angrier voice snapped from the darkness.

"But....…" The first voice hesitated mid-sentence.

"What do you want? Are you pregnant?" A third voice cut in.

"Do you care more about your child or him?"

"Answer us quickly, you bitch! If you don't do as we say, then forget about your child." A fourth voice echoed menacingly.

"....Fine, I'll do it." The first voice trembled, struggling against itself.

"Good. Then seven days to go." The voice faded into the night as the crescent moon cast its light inside the cave.

From the depths of the forest, a flock of black, crow-like birds with skeletal heads took flight, covering the moon with their twisted forms.

Livio awoke to the blinding sunlight hitting his face, forcing him to squint and turn away.

"How long have I been asleep? What happened to the others—my friends? Ahhh....." Memories of the battlefield flooded his mind like a nightmare made real. He clutched his head in agony.

"So, you're finally awake." Sebastian entered the room.

"Sebastian! What happened to the others? Are they okay?" Livio tried to sit up but stumbled.

"Calm down," Sebastian caught him, easing him back onto the bed.

"Everything is alright now. Whatever you remember.... it all happened. None of it was a nightmare. That was hell." His voice was heavy with grief.

"I will never lose a friend again. Never." Tomasz trained outside, his fists pounding relentlessly against the wooden dummies.

Livio took a deep breath. "How long was I out?"

"Two days." Sebastian patted his shoulder.

"And the others?"

"They've been training non-stop. None of them have slept properly since that day." Sebastian glanced out the window, watching them push their bodies beyond their limits.

"And you?"

"I was training too. I just came to use the washroom, and what a surprise—you're awake. The others will be relieved." Sebastian stretched before heading toward the door.

"Oh, before I go, there's something important." He paused and turned back to Livio. "Athena was really worried about you. After you clean up, go see her, or she might just pass out from stress."

"Athena...." Livio clenched his fists.

The sun reached the center of the sky as Livio walked toward the bakery.

Standing in front of the entrance, he hesitated.

What should I do? I don't want to meet anyone right now. After losing so many comrades right before my eyes..... do I even have the right to call these people my friends?

He slowly turned away, unable to take another step forward.

But before he could leave, Eero spotted him. Returning from the market with bags full of ingredients, Eero froze, dropping everything in his hands.

"LIVIO! LIVIO!" Eero sprinted toward him, his face filled with disbelief and relief. "I'm so happy—damn it, thank God! You're alright!"

Before Livio could react, Eero jumped on him, locking him in a tight embrace.

What is this? Livio stood frozen, his thoughts spiraling.

Eero was so happy to see me that he lost all his senses and hugged me. Am I really worthy of this? After the battle, my friends searched for me despite their own injuries. They carried me back to the capital even when they could barely stand.... Am I really worthy of calling these people my friends?

As Eero's tears soaked into his shoulder, Livio felt something shift inside him. The doubts, the guilt, the overwhelming grief—washed away in that moment.

Livio hugged Eero back. He, too, shed tears, but he hid them behind Eero's back.

The bakery's doorbell rang, producing a sweet chime as they stepped inside, filled with newfound warmth.

"Elena! Manager! Look! Livio is here! He's alright!" Eero shouted at the top of his lungs.

Everyone in the bakery turned, their eyes widening in awe.

Elena dropped her serving tray, biting her lip so hard that it bled.

She walked toward them, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought….... I thought you were gone. Please, forgive me."

"Please don't say that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry for making you all worry." Livio bowed his head slightly.

Athena burst from the kitchen, throwing her arms around him. "I'm so glad. Without you, I would have failed....."

The bakery erupted into applause.

Livio lifted his hands, wanting to return the hug, but his heart pounded violently in his chest. His hands trembled, frozen in hesitation.

A figure sat in the corner of the bakery, cloaked in black.

Chewing on a piece of bread like a starved animal, she watched the scene unfold with cold eyes.

"You failed, bitch," she muttered to the girl sitting beside her.

Later, Athena handed Livio a cup of coffee and some fresh bread. "Eat up. Don't be shy."

She returned to the counter while the conversations around them blurred into distant chatter.

Elsewhere, in a vast field surrounded by fountains, two figures clashed fiercely.

Nitin and Ethan.

"Not enough! Harder! Use everything you've got!" Ethan roared, delivering a spinning kick toward Nitin's head.

Nitin ducked, countering with a sweeping kick aimed at Ethan's knee.

Ethan stumbled, hitting the ground hard. The sound of crashing water from the nearby fountain intensified.

The scene shifted back to the bakery.

"I lost so many friends," Livio muttered. "I need to get stronger—not just for my goal, but because I can't lose anyone else."

His eyes were empty, consumed by a dangerous hunger.

A hunger for power.

Athena sighed. "Give yourself time. Improve gradually. Don't make reckless mistakes like those idiots who entered a dungeon unprepared and died."

Livio frowned. "Wait...what's a dungeon?"

"Why should I tell you? If you learn about it, you'll throw yourself into danger, won't you?" Athena crossed her arms.

"I need to get stronger! Please. If you won't help me, who will? My friends are pushing themselves to their limits, and I don't want to be left behind!" Livio pleaded.

Athena hesitated, her mouth opening and closing as if debating her next words.

"...Fine. But promise me—take my sword and the escape stones with you." Her eyes were firm, unwavering.

"I promise." Livio extended his hand.

"Good. Now, can you stop staring at me like that? It's creepy."

"Oh, sorry."

Athena leaned forward, her voice dropping.

"A dungeon can be anything—a place, a cave, a portal. Once you enter, you must complete challenges like in a video game. This world… it may feel real, but it's just a part of the game with a few differences. The creatures and people living here are alive—never forget that.

Inside a dungeon, you'll face different levels. If you clear them all, you receive rewards. Some rewards even allow you to ask 'him' questions, and he will answer. But different dungeons have different rules."

Livio's face twisted in confusion. "So, this place is.....… a parallel dimension?"

"Exactly. But dungeons are incredibly dangerous. Even top players avoid some of them. You'll learn more as you play.

One more thing—after clearing a level, you can exit and continue from the same spot later. But during a level, you can't leave. Only an escape stone can save you. So please, I'm begging you—keep all the equipment I gave you in your inventory."

Athena slammed her forehead on the table.

The conversation ended as the cold night crept in, carrying whispers of an unseen scheme.

"You look like you're fighting yourself, Eero," Elena said after watching Eero drop a plate while cleaning.

NOTE:

Past Us: A round glass device similar to a camera in our world. The number and length of videos it can store depend on its build and the PBV of the person using it.