Chapter 334: The Fall of the Illusory Realm, Haruto Takes Action, Forbidden Knowledge

Within the Illusory Realm, a special kind of monster had appeared.

According to the dragon's account, these monsters seemed to originate from beyond this world.

When Haruto arrived at the containment chamber of "Where The Dragons Went" (SCP-1762), he immediately noticed distinct claw marks on the inner lining of the cardboard box.

In previous experiments, no physical force had ever been able to leave a single mark on that box.

Just as Haruto was about to enter the box to investigate, a large amount of rapidly dissipating black smoke billowed out from within.

Unexpectedly, "Where The Dragons Went" had entered a release state.

Along with the smoke, two origami dragons (SCP-1762-2) appeared, clearly damaged with torn folds.

These two origami dragons delivered a letter. After delivering it, they ceased all activity, as if their mission had been completed.

Haruto picked up the letter and unfolded it.

A message came into view:

"Friends, are you all doing well?

The situation is growing increasingly tense. The Illusory Realm is falling into darkness, and we feel powerless.

We, the elves, and the hybrids (beastkin) are trying to stop them from completely invading the Illusory Realm.

But they can emerge from anywhere. Their claws easily tear through our scales.

The Illusory Realm is no longer safe. Our haven—your creation—is no more. The giants are all dead.

The minotaurs are dead.

The birdfolk have fled. We had to burn your room.

We couldn't risk it, we couldn't let harm come to you too. So this is our farewell.

Maybe one day, your kind will build another room, and then we might meet again. Though that small hope may come to nothing, we will cherish it.

We were once full of dreams and ideals. Unfortunately, we can no longer share them.

Our master said we must leave. He said he would create a new Illusory Realm.

He said you cannot be part of this new realm. We are heartbroken. We love you.

We will never forget you. But we're afraid... will you forget us?"

(T/N: Ahhh fuck, I aint crying, you are!)

After the letter was delivered, the box containing "Where The Dragons Went" suddenly erupted into roaring flames.

The fire blazed a bright orange-red, reaching two meters high, with a temperature of 1700°C.

Faint roars echoed from within, as if coming from afar.

The lid, once marked with "Here Be Dragons," was consumed by the flames.

The whole project began to lose cohesion and integrity.

It was clear that the dragons of the Illusory Realm, to prevent the monsters from invading the real world through "Where The Dragons Went," had chosen to destroy it.

They had severed the bridge between humanity and the dragons.

Even as they faced their own annihilation, they still worried about their "friends."

Perhaps the dragons had realized:

Humans, entering the Illusory Realm through projections, were too fragile to help. They hadn't even sent a plea for help, afraid it would only bring guilt to their friends.

Haruto made a swift decision and reached into the orange-red flames.

The projection link had not yet been fully incinerated.

Destroying the bridge would still take some time.

Through that remaining connection, Haruto's consciousness crossed over once again into the Illusory Realm.

This time, the world Haruto saw was no longer the peaceful harmony it had once been.

In the distance, a sky-piercing giant tree had been snapped in half, its fall crushing the mountains—utter chaos.

The once lush forests were now engulfed in flames.

Tongues of fire devoured the land, revealing a barren and desolate terrain.

Sounds of wailing and chaos echoed from afar.

Outside a cave, a few dragons still stood guard.

When they saw Haruto, their reactions were no longer joyful like before.

"Friend, you shouldn't have come," said one dragon in a low, heavy voice.

Just then, a tear opened in the sky beside them.

A monstrous dog-like creature composed of bone and carapace peeked through the rift.

Using its sharp claws, it tore through the fabric of space. From its eye sockets glowed a chilling crimson light.

The dragons immediately went on alert, placing themselves in front of Haruto.

In their instincts, they believed their friend needed protection.

Even though he hadn't come through a malfunctioning room, even in a normal state—they still protected him.

But Haruto, controlling a body made of light, stepped forward.

The moment the monstrous hound charged out of the rift—at the very instant of contact, Haruto extended his hand and swiped across the monster.

A crisp shattering sound rang out.

The creature froze mid-air—

Then shattered into chunks of black bone before disintegrating into dust.

Indeed, in projection state, Haruto's physical body wasn't ideal. But supreme divinity is not affected by the form it inhabits.

Where Haruto's consciousness resides, so does the supreme divine authority.

In the face of the Root and the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, all beings are merely fragile works of art.

One swipe of the death line—and all are equal.

The monster crumbled and vanished.

The dragons were stunned for a moment before letting out cheers of joy.

"Friend, you're incredible! These things are nearly impossible to kill—we've been retreating nonstop!"

A dragon exclaimed in excitement, though it quickly calmed itself.

"But... they're invading from outside the realm, and we don't know how many there are. Friend, you should return to your room."

Haruto shook his head.

"Since we're friends, we should help each other. Don't worry—I'm strong."

With that, Haruto gestured for the lead dragon to carry him through the Illusory Realm.

After some hesitation, the lead dragon agreed.

From then on, Haruto began rapidly cleansing the invading monsters. Wherever he passed, as soon as the clear sound of something shattering was heard—

The monsters vanished.

During this, Haruto also observed them closely.

These bone-and-carapace creatures were impure creations—even more vile than ordinary abominations.

This sense of déjà vu...

Immediately reminded Haruto of the Scarlet King.

There was no avoiding it.

When it came to impure abominations in the multiverse—symbols of negativity and anti-society—

Nine times out of ten, the Scarlet King was behind them.

These monsters, able to tear and consume space, were likely one of the Scarlet King's creations.

Much like the Undying Lizard.

The Scarlet King had once corrupted the progenitor of all dragons into that filthy crawling beast.

These monsters were likely the same.

And there was another problem.

Even though Haruto was swiftly purging the creatures, they had already torn and gnawed the Illusory Realm's world barriers into a ruined mess.

Just as the dragons had said—the Illusory Realm was no longer safe.

And it seemed irreversible.

After a period of one-sided slaughter, the dragons began regrouping. Nearly all the fantastical beings of the Illusory Realm had died or fled.

Only a few elves and scattered giants remained to fight alongside the dragons.

Haruto once again met the golden dragon.

It was injured.

Fortunately, the wounds weren't too serious—just needed time to heal.

"Thank you, friend. We will never forget your help."

The golden dragon said sincerely.

Haruto simply replied,

"We are friends."

The golden dragon paused for a moment—then nodded solemnly.

"We are friends. Friends forever."

Afterward, Haruto asked about the origin of "them"—the monsters.

One of the surviving giants revealed the truth:

"They" were summoned by forbidden knowledge.

The giants, minotaurs, and even the birdfolk who had fled, had unearthed certain special knowledge through ancient records.

This knowledge wielded immense power and could reshape the Illusory Realm.

Tempted by that power, they secretly used it behind the dragons' backs. But simply releasing that knowledge was enough to summon "them."

And the Illusory Realm was destroyed because of it.

When Haruto asked for that forbidden knowledge, the giant immediately handed over the vessels containing it.

In fact, none of the surviving giants understood the knowledge—they merely passed on its carriers.

The golden dragon looked worriedly at Haruto.

But Haruto gestured for him not to worry.