Into the Nightmarish Realm
Memories from his previous life. He'd mentioned it once before. This world was one where beings called gods existed. Commonly known as transcendent entities who had reached the pinnacle of their domains. They sounded impressive at first glance, but when you broke it down point by point, they turned out to be total pushovers.
'They can't unleash their overwhelming power without limits, descending in person comes with heavy restrictions, and if people's faith wanes, they can't even maintain their existence. Plus, get hit with a weakness they're vulnerable to, and they crumple without a fight.'
▶ Master... something feels off about the end there.
Choi Siwoo had witnessed gods in person a total of three times in his previous life. Two of those were desperate descents after they'd been slaughtered endlessly, so he hadn't seen their true forms or divinity properly.
'The last one was when the goddess Irelua descended, prepared for her own annihilation.'
That was why he called her "Pingchang" normally—he'd seen her actual appearance and form firsthand. One of the three supreme gods, no less. And the only one with love and perception within the realm humans could comprehend. That was the goddess of earth and abundance, Irelua.
'...Though she ultimately got one-shot by the Demon God.'
Anyway, to him, Irelua was one of the better gods out there. At least she'd rolled up her sleeves and stepped up against the apocalypse. Of course, that didn't mean he'd asked for this arrogant mesugaki form right in front of him.
"So, you're saying you'll infuse holy power into this cross, and I should smash through with it?"
"Y-yes, that's right! As expected, you catch on quick. My apostle."
Irelua nodded repeatedly with a fist-sized lump on her head, going "Mm-hmm." She tried to act unfazed, crossing her arms sternly, but tears kept welling up from the sore spot.
Choi Siwoo shook his head at her, looking puzzled.
"You're one of the three supreme gods... Can't you just force it open with your power?"
"I told you, didn't I? This hasty descent means I can't wield my full authority. But don't worry. With a holy relic, getting in should be doable."
She answered with a perfectly natural put~, flashing the cheeky expression unique to bratty little girls. The swollen lump on her head and the tears dulled the provocative vibe, though.
"Pathetic~♡ Apostle so lame you need the goddess's direct help~♡ Can't do anything alone, huh? Society's trash~♡ Go die... Wait, don't clench that fist. My faithful one."
Irelua broke into a cold sweat as Choi Siwoo approached.
"Th-this frail body can't take another hit like that! If I return to the divine realm, what then?!"
"...Tch. You're a goddess—can't you tough out one more?"
"N-no! I can't! It hurts already! Two thousand years since ascending to godhood. This body forgot all about pain, and your knuckle flick was pure agony! S-so don't come at me with that fist. My apostle!! Please! I-I'm sorry!"
A moment later, after getting Seol Garam's permission, the two faced each other alone.
"Now it's time to explain the full story. My apostle."
"No time—make it quick."
"Agreed. Straight to the point. You must understand this situation well. You've been through it once before."
At Irelua's words, Choi Siwoo's chest tightened involuntarily.
"...So you know I've returned—"
Irelua quickly pressed a finger to his lips.
"Don't speak that so carelessly. My apostle. What you know might not be the truth."
"...What?"
"I understand your confusion. But I'm not here for that today. Let's handle what's in front of us first. As you know, this phenomenon happened because one of the 'outsiders' crossed over. Erosion of the world. A resonance from an entity powerful enough to spread its will far and wide. You know what they are—they warp the laws of this world."
"...Traits of the Six Demonic Calamities from Beyond the Heavens. So..."
Choi Siwoo lightly tapped the barrier behind him.
"If we leave this as is... what happens?"
"...It'll expand endlessly, dragging countless people into illusions. Apostle. As you know, this outsider isn't complete. Just descended. It's probably thrashing to avoid exile to the world of nothingness through cycles of dissipation and regeneration."
"...In other words?"
Irelua clasped her hands, then raised them in a triumphant manse~!, making a "boom!" sound with her mouth. Adorably cute, but the situation left no room for that.
"The whole continent goes whoosh~ and vanishes. This puny landmass? It'll be like it never existed."
"Simple enough."
"The solution's simple too. Take down the core culprit, the outsider. Since it's not its true body, even you—who's still immature in many ways—can win easily enough."
Choi Siwoo's eyes narrowed at that.
"...But it won't be that straightforward, right?"
"Exactly. If raw force alone worked, I wouldn't be agonizing. This phenomenon is a mass of uncontrolled power even the outsider can't handle. It births a world of wild, uncontrollable laws. So to reach the center, you'll need to follow its rules."
"...Rules?"
"The descended outsider wields illusions. High chance you'll face your own nightmares. Understand?"
After a pause, Choi Siwoo murmured lowly.
"...It replays the memory from my hardest time?"
"Not precisely in an uncontrolled space, but... something from around that era will unfold. And overcoming the nightmare will let you gather shards—the key to annihilating the outsider."
"Nightmare shards..."
"Right. As expected from someone who's fought before—you know it well. Collect them all, and you erase the Queen of Illusions completely."
"I recall there are five total. If I have one... where are the other four?"
Irelua stared at the barrier.
"...Trapped inside are those like you, bound by 'fate.' You've seen it before—you'll recognize them instantly. But they show no sign of breaking free, so you'll have to help directly."
"...Got it. First, I need to go in."
"...You sure? I put it bluntly due to time, but... it'll be brutally harsh and painful. Not just your nightmares—you'll bear others' too."
Clearing his throat, Choi Siwoo flexed his hand instead of answering. A brilliant light flashed, and a massive cross plunged down.
"You know all that—why ask? If I don't, we're doomed. Let's get it done quick."
"...I leave it to you, my apostle."
Stepping forward, Irelua placed her hand on the cross. Her symbolic emblem filled the air, turning the cross a pink hue.
Temporarily, the holy relic—Phama's Cross—unleashes its original power.
The gem in the cross's center blazed brilliantly. Crack! A fissure split the barrier, opening space for one or two people.
"Entrance open. Won't last long, but five minutes should suffice."
"...Obviously, you can't come with?"
Just tossing it out there. Mesugaki or Pingchang, a goddess was a goddess—handy to carry on his back for various uses.
Irelua scratched her head awkwardly.
"Even incomplete, no apostle asks aid from a kid like this."
"They say borrow a cat's paw if you have to... You're the goddess of abundance—surely you'd meat shield once inside."
"...H-how irreverent! Using a goddess as a shield?!"
"That's the plan."
"...Pathetic♡—"
"—Say that, and it's knuckle time."
"......"
Choi Siwoo gave a wry smile at her sweating form.
"Kidding. You're vanishing soon anyway—no point asking. I'll head in first. Cover for me with Seol Garam."
"Mm... better tell her yourself."
He stopped in his tracks. Turning, he saw Seol Garam, who'd overheard from midway, standing with grim resolve.
"I-I'm going too."
"You heard—it's not something brute force handles...—"
"—But you're going anyway."
Cutting him off, Seol Garam gripped his hand tight. Determination shone in her gray eyes.
"Can't let a friend go alone into hardship."
"...It'll be worse than you imagine. Might not even help."
She shook her head.
"We'll win. And I'll help you, Siwoo."
"...Do what you want."
Even he thought he'd gone soft. Normally, he'd have talked her out of it. Might regret it. Just another burden to save.
'Still...'
He wouldn't crush her resolve.
"Then let's go."
"...Yeah."
With that, the two stepped into the barrier together.
-Battalion commander...
-Captain...
-Leader...
His head buzzed. Like a mosquito wreaking havoc by his ear, the clamor slowly opened his eyes.
A space filled with dark green. Machinery everywhere, military-grade weapons, massive monitors... dozens of seats.
A familiar place.
'...The briefing room?'
Had to be. They'd always waited here before ops.
'So this is underground?'
As he spaced out, someone approached from the side. A fresh floral scent tickled his nose—perfume he'd smelled before.
"Battalion Commander Choi Siwoo? You okay?"
"......"
Familiar voice. Looking up, a woman's face appeared through hazy fog. It cleared, sharpening into focus.
A worried expression directed at him. Golden blonde with brown undertones, short bob cut.
Choi Siwoo muttered unconsciously.
'...Ohana?'