Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Subway Dream (5)
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Subway Dream (5)
As Dayeon’s gentle touch grazed it, Nabi couldn’t contain the ticklish sensation.
[Heegh...!]
Ju-hee’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Th-the doll is talking?!”
Hmm, it seemed Ju-hee could hear Nabi’s voice.
Did this mean anyone involved with supernatural phenomena could face a devil?
Ju-hee was no longer an ordinary person.
She had reached a state where she, like us, had to accept supernatural phenomena as reality.
She had been inevitably drawn into the game of Unreality.
For me, this wasn’t exactly good news.
I had hoped this fool, unrelated to Unreality, wouldn't get entangled in supernatural phenomena.
But since it had come to this, I had no choice. I had to confess everything that had happened so far.
Before that, I checked on Nabi. Even at a glance, it looked like it was in ecstasy.
“Any progress?”
“I think it’ll take a bit longer than I thought.”
Dayeon stopped tickling Nabi for a moment, took off her school jacket, and draped it over a chair.
So, it wasn't as easy as she'd thought.
Dayeon revealed her white dress shirt and casually showed it off to me.
“What do you think? Smitten?”
“...No.”
“Such a tease.”
Dayeon shrugged her shoulders theatrically and resumed what she was doing.
Nabi resisted fiercely. But when its belly, apparently its weak spot, was gently stroked, its tongue loosened.
[D-do you think I’ll talk just because of this— Keh!]
“Just wait a little longer.”
“...Alright, I’m counting on you.”
There was nothing for me to do.
It was all thanks to Dayeon handling it so well.
It seemed all I had to do was wait quietly until Nabi spilled its secrets.
I let out a hollow laugh and turned my head. Just then, my eyes met Ju-hee’s.
She was still blinking her large eyes, unable to grasp the situation.
“A doll? No, is it a robot...?”
This was the perfect opportunity to explain this bizarre situation. I carefully broached the subject.
“Han Ju-hee.”
“Wh-what is it?!”
“Do you believe in superstitions?”
Ju-hee tilted her head.
“Huh?”
She wore the expression of someone who had just heard utter nonsense.
And rightfully so. My question was far removed from reality.
Still, since Ju-hee was caught up in this supernatural phenomenon, it was better to be honest with her. Not for my sake, of course, but for hers.
In the last playthrough, hadn't Ju-hee died by being split in two during class?
That situation had to have been a supernatural phenomenon. To prevent that tragedy from repeating itself, Ju-hee's cooperation was essential.
‘Chapter 2 is set inside Ju-hee’s dream, after all.’
We were now in the same boat, trying to fight off a supernatural phenomenon. Though it seemed Ju-hee hadn't realized that yet...
‘If I’m honest with her, since her own life is on the line, won’t she willingly join in?’
As I was thinking this, I felt Ju-hee’s bewildered gaze on me.
It was obvious she wouldn't believe me. Still, I spoke in a rather serious tone.
“You know, things like ghost stories or urban legends, supernatural phenomena.”
“Of course I don’t believe in that stuff...!”
Ju-hee shook her head firmly.
True to her realistic nature, she didn't seem to believe in ghost stories or urban legends at all.
“What if they do exist?”
“D-don’t lie! That’s not scientifically possible!”
Ju-hee continued to deny my words. Well, this reaction was perfectly normal.
Who would believe me if I suddenly claimed supernatural phenomena were real?
Especially Ju-hee, of all people.
I could shout that supernatural phenomena existed a hundred times, and she still wouldn't believe me.
But I wasn't too bothered.
‘...I expected as much.’
Isn't there a saying that seeing is believing?
Instead of empty words, I just had to show her direct evidence. I casually spread my fingers.
And pointed to the creature that was, in itself, a supernatural phenomenon.
“That doll is the proof.”
Ju-hee stared blankly at Nabi. Nabi was currently being thoroughly toyed with by Dayeon.
“Tell us how to enter the dream.”
[As if I'd just tell you! Hieeek—!]
A cute little cat doll that not only spoke but also felt pain.
Anyone would see it as nothing but a supernatural phenomenon. But Ju-hee denied it, gritting her teeth.
“It’s probably just a talking cat doll!”
“How does it talk?”
“...Batteries?”
“It feels pain, too.”
“Th-that’s... a button gets pressed whenever you touch the doll, and it plays a pre-recorded line!”
Ju-hee denied the supernatural phenomenon and began spouting sophistry.
“Good grief.”
What a vivid imagination.
It seemed Ju-hee would never believe anything that couldn't be scientifically proven.
At this rate, just flapping my gums wouldn't solve anything. Persuading a staunch realist like Ju-hee was next to impossible.
Well, then. I have no choice.
I scrapped my original plan and moved on to Plan B. Persuasion was now meaningless.
Instead, I would prove it to her through direct experience.
That supernatural phenomena truly exist.
“It should be about time to confess...”
Before putting my plan into action, I glanced at Nabi’s condition. Dayeon’s torture was also slowly reaching its end.
Nabi was thoroughly disheveled, its eyes half-lidded and dazed.
[I... I surrendeeer...]
Seeing it squirm and ramble, it seemed to have finally raised the white flag.
It would have been so much better if it had done this from the start.
Dayeon approached me with a satisfied smile. She pointed at the dazed Nabi.
“I did it.”
“Well, good job...”
Dayeon had succeeded in prying open Nabi’s tightly shut mouth. This was definitely a good thing for us. But...
What was the source of this chill suddenly running down my spine?
‘It’s probably just my imagination...’
I cautiously observed Nabi. Its eyes were half-lidded, and it looked like it was on the verge of death.
[H-help me...]
For some reason, the sight sent a shiver down my spine.
How should I put it?
It felt a little too close to home.
I forced myself to take a deep breath and clear my head, barely shaking off the negative thoughts.
Finally, I grabbed Nabi by the scruff of its neck and lifted it. The limp creature was caught without resistance.
It immediately began to beg, shouting urgently.
[I’ll tell you anything I know! Please, have mercy...!]
Somehow, Nabi had become obedient. It was like a different person—no, a different doll.
What in the world happened to it while I was gone?
Dayeon saw my puzzled expression and gave me a meaningful smile.
...I didn't really want to know what had happened to Nabi. Not even to think about it.
Anyway, I collected myself and began the interrogation.
The way Nabi was now, it would spill all the information it knew.
Since it had come to this, it was better to ask about other things before the dream.
Supernatural phenomena were a mystery in themselves.
Knowing the answers beforehand would be the first step to breaking through the Unreality that lay ahead.
First, I asked what I was most curious about.
“How long have you been at the school?”
[Since long ago...]
“Is that all?”
That was a rather lukewarm answer.
As I subtly motioned to call Dayeon, Nabi hastily added an explanation.
[Since before the school was built! A long, long time ago! Since it was a public cemetery!]
“You should have just said so.”
Now we were getting somewhere.
“If you give even one more vague answer, I’m calling Dayeon.”
[I get it...]
Nabi became docile again. The death glare it was shooting me was a bit annoying, but I magnanimously moved on to the next question.
“Who made you?”
[It's closer to say I was born naturally rather than made.]
“What?”
[Supernatural phenomena are born from people's negative emotions.]
Nabi muttered something meaningful. Then it gave a wicked grin. My bewildered face must have been quite amusing to it.
“Explain what you just said in detail. What about supernatural phenomena?”
[Curious? If you’re that curious, I suppose I could tell y—heegh!]
While Nabi was busy getting cocky, Dayeon seized the opportunity and attacked its side. The strike was a direct hit, inflicting critical damage.
[St-stop...]
“Are you sorry or not?”
[I'm sorryyyy...]
Its earlier bravado vanished without a trace as it shamelessly groveled, its pride shattered.
Watching this, I was starting to get scared of Dayeon.
‘...Could she do that to me, too?’
At last, Nabi obediently continued its explanation. It went as follows.
【Supernatural phenomena are not created by someone but are born naturally.
Simple superstitions, urban legends, and ghost stories exist only as rumors,
but when people's general perception of them nears terror, they finally grow into supernatural phenomena.
However, except for those with spiritual abilities, no one can perceive these phenomena.
At best, they are treated as rumors and superstitions.
Supernatural phenomena take root in the shadows and sprout without anyone knowing.
These phenomena are then graded according to the intensity of the fear they generate.
Among them, the supernatural phenomenon that people fear and dread the most is called the following.
...A devil.】
“Hmm.”
“Getting the picture now?”
“Mostly.”
Supernatural phenomena were beings that had been living and breathing in this world from the very beginning, regardless of Unreality.
Aren't there words we commonly use to describe such things?
Superstitions, urban legends, ghost stories.
They were all real phenomena, living and breathing under the name ‘supernatural phenomena.’
Only then did the previous unrealistic situations begin to make some sense.
[Do you get it now...?]
As Nabi spoke, it cautiously glanced at Dayeon.
For some reason, Dayeon looked displeased, as if something wasn't to her liking.
“It’s not cute.”
“What is?”
“Nabi. It’s not cute at all.”
“Is that your complaint?”
“Yeah. How about adding ‘nyan’ to the end of your sentences?”
I wondered what the problem was, but it was just Dayeon being her usual self.
I didn't have the energy to respond.
I just ignored her without answering.
There was no time to be fooling around like this.
Above all, wasn't there a problem we had to solve first?
We had to stop Ju-hee’s dream, where Chapter 2 takes place, and save her from the supernatural phenomenon.
According to Nabi's explanation, supernatural phenomena stem from people's common perceptions.
And the main setting for this phenomenon is a dream.
We were essentially fighting against a dream. The problem was how to get into that dream...
Logically, it's impossible for multiple people to have the same dream at the same time.
But what if it was a supernatural phenomenon?
You never know.
Isn't a talking doll more incredible than several people having the same dream at once?
Considering that, the key to this case also lay in a supernatural phenomenon.
“Do you know anything about dreams?”
[Like I’d know something like that.]
Nabi feigned ignorance, looking annoyed.
Then, a dark shadow appeared, slowly creeping up behind it.
Before the black hand could reach it, Nabi quickly changed its tune.
[O-on second thought, I think there might be one thing?!]
That was a damn quick change in attitude.
Dayeon expressed her displeasure with Nabi with a pout.
“Not cute at all. Add ‘nyan’ to the end of your sentences.”
[What in the...]
“Start now.”
Nabi couldn't continue speaking after that. Was adding 'nyan' to every sentence too harsh?
“So, what is it you know about dreams?”
[...]
“Stop pretending to be a doll.”
Nabi remained silent.
I thought it had thrown away its pride when it started using polite speech, but it was desperately clinging to the last shred it had left.
“Hurry up and answer.”
When Dayeon gave it a subtle look, Nabi reluctantly moved its stiff tongue.
[There is a way... nyan.]
Good grief.
Only then did Dayeon look satisfied, a smile playing on her lips as she hugged Nabi.
“Cute.”
At this point, I was starting to feel sorry for Nabi. And at the same time, I was relieved.
Thank goodness I'm not Nabi.
And so, Nabi mumbled, adding a "nyan" at the end of every sentence.
[There is a way for different people to have the same dream at the same time... nyan.]
“Really?”
[It's true... nyan.]
“What is it?”
If this thing was telling the truth, then there was a way to enter Chapter 2.
This was truly good news. I perked up my ears and listened carefully to Nabi's next words. And I couldn't hide my shock.
[It's sleeping together in one bed... nyan.]
The method for us to enter the dream at the same time was utterly simple.
Sleeping together in one bed.
Just then, a single scream echoed.
It wasn't my voice. It wasn't Dayeon's either.
...It was Ju-hee's scream.
“Wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about!! For a doll that runs on batteries!”
As she yelled, Ju-hee's cheeks were flushed as red as a beet.