Chapter 99
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Latent Nightmare
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Kiyaaaaak!!
The monster's screech tore through the air, and its massive webbed wings shook the ground. It was a bird-like boss monster whose only attack was swinging those enormous wings, but that was more than enough to send one person into a panic.
Cha Do-yun Hunter froze in place, bow in hand. He didn't even seem to think about dodging the giant wings hurtling toward him.
Thud!
Cha Do-yun Hunter's body went flying far off into the distance, and the shabby bow he'd been holding rolled across the ground to land right at my feet.
"Kuhk! Cough! Hahk, haahk..."
"Ugh, this thing's useless."
The broker who'd been driving earlier emerged from behind the bushes. He hoisted Cha Do-yun Hunter up with one hand while swinging his other arm toward the monster.
A thick jet of water crushed the bird's neck, slamming it into the ground and ending its life. The monster vanished, leaving behind a few byproducts and what looked like a sharp feather item.
"Did any blue text pop up, by chance?"
"...No, ugh! It didn't."
"Aigoo, cracked rib? Up you go."
The broker piggybacked Cha Do-yun Hunter. His face twisted in agony at the motion. Even breathing looked painful, and every time he forced his eyes open, his long eyelashes trembled.
Just how many times has he gone through something like this?
I tore my gaze from Cha Do-yun Hunter and tossed the Gourmet's Fork upward. It flew toward the area behind where the monster's corpse had been. As I chased after it deeper into the dungeon, the scenery around me shifted every which way. It felt like jumping between frames of camera film.
"Customer, unfortunately, your son failed to awaken this time too."
"...That ungrateful brat, always making his parents worry."
"Hmm~ Well, there is a way to boost the odds a bit more~"
The broker looked oddly pleased at the prospect of more money, while Cha Do-yun Hunter's mom clenched her fists tight. Behind them stood Cha Do-yun Hunter, head bowed like a criminal.
The one who should be on his knees begging was standing tall as ever.
I kept my legs pumping without pause, racing forward.
"Ah, I'll pay it back. I said I'll pay it back!"
"How many times is this now, Cha Joo-yeon?!"
"Hyun-jin-ah, just this once, please. I'm begging you, okay?"
Cha Do-yun Hunter's mom gripped some woman's hand tight, blurting out words that were half plea, half scolding. The middle-aged woman called Hyun-jin ran a hand through her disheveled hair and let out a long sigh.
"You, what's wrong with you? You've been off ever since you quit archery."
"...Hey, shut it. There's things people say and things they don't."
"You said you weren't making Do-yun do archery anymore. What the hell are you even using that money for?"
Cha Do-yun Hunter's mom snatched the envelope of cash from the woman's hand like it was hers by right and bolted off the other way.
"Joo-yeon-ah, Cha Joo-yeon!!"
After that, it was a nonstop parade of baffling scenes. Cha Do-yun Hunter's mom borrowed money left and right, even going to loan sharks and accepting sky-high interest rates to scrape it together. The arm she'd used to beat Cha Do-yun Hunter like she wanted him dead grew thinner by the day, and her face grew more gaunt.
To go that far just to awaken her son. It defied all common sense.
Ting.
The Gourmet's Fork, flying for a good while, clinked against a gate and dropped to the floor. I bent down to pick it up, and that's when the broker's voice came from behind me.
"This is the real final card you're playing here. I even slipped some cash to the association staff to get us in, so Do-yun, you gotta put in the effort too, got it?"
"Yes."
"Man, I hope you awaken for real this time~ I've grown kinda fond of you after tagging along like this."
The broker yammered nonstop as he opened the gate, with Cha Do-yun Hunter following behind.
What's so special about this gate that he had to bribe someone?
I glanced back and forth between the gate and their retreating figures before stepping inside.
Splash.
For some reason, the dungeon felt oddly familiar. Water everywhere, bubbles tickling my ears. When a big fish swam by, its shadow passed over me and vanished just as quick. At the end of the long, straight path stood a magnificent palace.
Wait, palace?
"This is the Hongcheon B-Rank Dungeon!"
I couldn't help but shout.
Hongcheon B-Rank Dungeon—the very place I'd been dispatched to first in this timeline.
From B-Rank on, they count as mid-to-high dungeons. Depending on the type, they might not be much different from A-Ranks. You need at least one A-Rank or higher hunter, or two for a safer clear.
That's why the bribe talk!
He must've slipped cash to the gate attendant on the sly. That broker—probably C- or B-Rank at best—bringing a non-awakener into a B-Rank? He's lost his mind completely.
Cha Do-yun Hunter and the broker had already reached the boss area and brazenly entered the palace. This was Cha Do-yun Hunter's nightmare, and even knowing he survived it, my legs sped up as I ran. My feet sank into the sand, so I used Word Without Feet to tread the air like a bird heeding the morning call.
Boom!!
"Ugh!"
A massive explosion rang out, and someone's body flew back, slamming into a palace pillar before crumpling to the floor. Bright red blood oozed out, slowly staining the ground.
"Cha Do-yun Hunter! Snap out of it!"
"......"
"Cha Do-yun Hunter!"
The Gourmet's Fork wasn't reacting, so this must be part of the nightmare.
I need to get out of this scene fast.
The moment I went to toss the fork again, the world turned pure white, and Cha Do-yun Hunter's corpse-like body slowly floated up.
I knew without explanation.
The only way to free him from this pain: awakening.
Where...?
[Latent Nightmare]
[Viewable with the Savior's left eye and the Regressor's right eye.]
"Gasp."
A status window popped up out of nowhere. Latent Nightmare—viewable only with the Savior's and Regressor's eyes...
Events from the previous timeline.
Cha Do-yun Hunter's nightmare, visible only to me in this world.
I approached the crack cautiously, Ego in one hand, and leaned in. The crack sucked me inside.
[Qualification confirmed]
[Replaying Latent Nightmare.]
Crash!
The moment my foot crossed the threshold, a sharp shattering sound pierced my ears. I whipped my head toward it to see Cha Do-yun Hunter collapsing limply in front of the sink.
"Cha Do-yun Hun...!"
Thud!
I reached out to catch his falling body, but my arms passed right through, of course. Even knowing it was an illusion, my hand moved on instinct.
"Guh! Cough, hack, kuhk...!"
I pulled my eyes from his agonized face and scanned the room. Shards from a broken cup and yuzu pulp were scattered everywhere.
Damn it.
It was that exact moment—when he'd nearly been killed by his own mom. I bit my lower lip hard and looked up at the sink counter. A note stuck to the yuzu syrup bottle caught my eye.
From your worthless mom.
"You crazy bastard..."
The curse slipped out despite myself. My vision swam for a moment; I leaned against the sink, squeezed my eyes shut, steadied my breath, then slowly opened them again.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Now we were in the middle of the city. Gates were opening everywhere, monsters pouring out.
After Hell Path opened.
"Ngh...!"
Cha Do-yun Hunter appeared beside me. His right arm was badly wounded, blood streaming down. He ducked into an alley to evade the monster and began healing himself with Sky Breeze.
Click.
The sound of dress shoes. A very familiar, horrifying sound.
I turned to meet blue eyes staring right at me.
"Kim Kang-hee...!"
It was just part of Cha Do-yun Hunter's nightmare, but dream-Kim Kang-hee was looking straight at me.
"Chairman...!"
Cha Do-yun Hunter called out to Kim Kang-hee. Kim Kang-hee widened his eyes and turned toward the alley, clearly not expecting him there.
"Do, where the hell have you been?!"
"...Cha Do-yun Hunter."
"It's dangerous here, ugh, you need to get to safety...!"
Kim Kang-hee dropped to one knee and stroked Cha Do-yun Hunter's head. Cha Do-yun Hunter stared blankly before slowly closing his eyes, as if those hands were salvation itself.
"Do-yun-ah."
"...Yes, Chairman."
Screeech.
A chilling noise, and an iron gate materialized right behind Cha Do-yun Hunter. Kim Kang-hee withdrew his hand and rose slowly. Cha Do-yun Hunter opened his eyes, gazing at the loathsome traitor with tearful eyes.
He smiled and spoke to Cha Do-yun Hunter.
"Thanks for fooling for me all this time."
"Pardon...? Guhk!"
Crunch!
With a short scream, Cha Do-yun Hunter's upper body toppled backward. My eyes followed the staff impaling him to where the Paju A-Rank Dungeon's boss monster, the "Gentleman," stood.
"Chair...man."
Even as his life ebbed away, Cha Do-yun Hunter sought Kim Kang-hee. His outstretched hand groped pathetically at the air—that was the end, as the latent nightmare scattered like sand.
Pop.
The crack spat me back out. As I retreated, it shrank smaller and smaller.
Every one of his nightmares was horrific, hopeless. Tortured by his parents, betrayed by the man he worshipped like a god.
Grind.
My teeth clenched hard enough to grind together without me realizing.
I'll save them all.
As I'd regressed, others had endured these horrors time and again. In this timeline, I'll set everything right.
Vrrr—
I tossed the Gourmet's Fork again. It shot forward swiftly, and I hurried after it.