Paris's Nightmare
Japan had become the second nation after South Korea to successfully stabilize, and word came that they were embarking on full-scale reconstruction efforts. I heard the news through Choi Ah-rin.
"Prime Minister Smida insisted I pass this on. He said thanks to you, Sertina, they could rise again. He kept repeating how grateful they were."
"They helped us first, so it's only natural."
Give and take, right? I'm no ungrateful world boss who forgets loyalty. Plus, I'd achieved my modest goal of securing an allied nation. Might be fun to swing by for some sightseeing when I have time.
Russia's still going to take a while, huh. I swept through once, but the country's just so damn big. If things worsen, I might lend a hand.
"How's the court situation? It's supposed to reopen today, right?"
"Yeah, proceedings start at 3 p.m. Preparations are mostly done."
"Trials for Han Sung-ho and the ex-ministers should be coming up soon?"
"Top priority, no question! The evidence is overflowing."
Choi Ah-rin's voice brimmed with anger. She'd suffered terribly back then. Now, as the biggest victim turned president, there wasn't much for me to do. If I had nothing else, maybe I'd sit in on the trial.
"The whole thing will be broadcast live, given the severity. I've reviewed the evidence already—it's the kind that would make even demons weep."
As someone who'd clawed her way up after ousting Han Sung-ho, she'd had easy access to the previous regime's corruption. My sudden intervention ended the crisis before they could erase records, leading to their capture mid-escape. Those files must've been fresh as hell.
"Some of it's so shocking, I hesitated on public release. But the public has a right to know. You might be surprised too, Sertina."
"Can you handle the workload? With all the backed-up trials since the materialization..."
Court staff must feel like they're under sleep deprivation torture daily. As long as no one collapses from overwork...
"Obviously, it'll be nonstop for a while. That's why we massively expanded staff a few weeks ago—24/7 operations are ready."
Classic Ah-rin! She gets shit done. Part of me wants to install her as Eterna Guild master and goof off. I get why Pandela's emperors obsessed over talent.
"You're destined for lifetime approval ratings."
"Huh? What kind of horrifying nonsense is that? Take it back!"
This should prevent the lawsuit chaos we expected. Maybe sneak in a visit and file a complaint as an aggrieved Eterna customer.
"Oh, and France sent a help request."
"What's up?"
"A bizarre phenomenon, presumed world boss-related, is spreading across Paris. The issue? They haven't tracked its source in over three weeks."
Paris... France's capital, right? I'd seen videos on NewTube once.
One question filled my mind. "Why? No tall buildings due to height restrictions—shouldn't be hard to navigate. If a monster appeared, it'd be obvious."
Paris's capital was designed low-rise to preserve aesthetics, far fewer hiding spots than Seoul.
"Well... the symptoms are so unique it's tricky to trace."
"Specific symptoms?"
"Nightmares. Relentless, traumatic ones that dredge up the target's most terrifying memory."
The most horrifying memory from one's life. I headed to the kitchen, lost in thought.
"Civilian anxiety's at a peak from the repeating nightmares—people are fleeing Paris en masse. If it continues, they might as well hand the city to the world boss."
...Yeah, a month straight of horror game nightmares would be brutal. Even I'd struggle.
"Why can't they find it?" I pulled chocolate ice cream from the freezer, the cold mist wafting out, and peeled the wrapper. "Low buildings, smaller than Seoul—should be easy to comb."
Choi Ah-rin paused on the line before speaking. "Uh... the suspected world boss emergence site is the Catacombs."
"Catacombs...?"
"Yeah. Paris's underground labyrinth ossuary, spiderwebbing out. Known passages alone exceed 300km—unexplored areas make it immeasurable."
Paris Catacombs
Underground maze and ossuary. Total explored length: 300+ km. Uncharted zones: Unknown.
A 300km+ underground maze ossuary under the capital?! What the hell? No wonder collapse tactics were off the table. My jaw dropped mid-bite of ice cream—more extreme than Pandela shit.
Lick—Mmm, sweet.
"Search teams have failed entirely, even with EU reinforcements—no clues. They're calling you as a last resort."
Even the steadfast EU, through multiple world boss invasions, giving up? Time to call the pro.
"Got it. I'll talk to the French."
"Sure, I'll coordinate timings!"
Negotiations went smoothly as water. Not in person—monsters raging—so video call. Deal sealed quick, and now I was aboard Cha Eun-joo's airship to France, gazing out the window.
Eight-hour haul. Perfect time for this.
Help me out, firepower fanatic!
"Tch, I could've explained better," Cha Eun-joo muttered beside me. Ignoring her, I kept scrolling.
Too many nightmare stacks? You'll enter the Dream World, where she's insanely strong. Proceed with caution.
'Huh, got it!' My eyes sparkled as I scrolled down.
'Ooh, a wrinkle there.' Per the fanatic's guide, Libra was probably beefed up now. Blanketing all Paris? Nuff said. French gov issued evac orders in a panic, but... symptoms only nightmares, late detection, plus search teams feeding her stacks. Might be pointless now. Could be infinite growth like Nevaros with a host, but most beings have limits. Fear-fueled self-buff? Doubt it's boundless.
"Yawwwn." Past two hours, boredom hit. Muscles stiff like silicone.
"Gonna grab a bite?"
"Pardon?"
Stretching, I stood and headed aft. The cramped wall opened to a studio-apartment space.
'Nice reno. Real nice.'
Bouncing over, I opened the cabinet: instant ramen, chapagetti, noodles galore.
'Not craving spicy. Sweet-salty? Nah, go full sweet...'
Tomato pasta it was! Dump in plastic, microwave 1:30.
Beep, whirrr—That microwave hum, container spinning temptingly. Pasta browning perfectly—my heart raced.
'Spaghetti at 10km up!'
Eyes shining, foot-tapping, then Cha's pained groan. "Ughhh..."
Beep—Out came the pasta, meaty tomato aroma assaulting senses! Sat at table, twirled forkful.
'Ahhh, this hits!' Savory broken noodles, tomato burst. Cabin filled with pasta scent. Savoring like a gourmet, I shoved in the harmony.
"C-can I have some?"
"Nope. You're driving."
Blunt rejection of her plea; polished it off. Her grumbles nonstop, but I crashed on the bed.
Fluff—"Heh."
Special mattress hugged me tight, anti-turbulence. Cha's flying anyway—no issue if I nap. Not like my rest stops her.
'This is paradise.'
Flopping around, grabbed phone. Any news?
Prone, legs crossed kicking idly—then Cha's icy voice pierced my skull. "Sertina."
"Uh, y-yeah...?"
Looking up: beyond her seat, amorphous black aura rippled.
"We'll talk after landing."
She turned, smiling—chills numbed my legs.
'Eek!'
Am I screwed...?