Mana Tracking
“Oh, did you come up with some brilliant idea?” Cha Eun-joo asked, her eyes sparkling.
“Not quite 100%, more like 90%. It's just a possibility, after all.” I shrugged and turned to gaze at the cave entrance.
Even with a world boss's vast mana, if it could hide its very existence, normal detection methods would be impossible. So, we'd have to change our approach.
“Libra grows by feeding on the fear from its hosts' nightmares. That means when it harvests that fear, it has to connect to the host.”
Fear isn't Bluetooth—you can't harvest it remotely. Planting nightmares and absorbing power requires a direct link to the host. That's the vulnerability we're targeting.
I glanced around at the group, all ears perked and listening intently, then added, “When Libra connects its mana to me, I'll reverse-trace it right back to its location.”
Everyone in the room swallowed hard.
Mana reverse-tracing. On this Earth, at least, it was something only I—mastery of mana incarnate—could pull off.
“And to prepare for any contingencies, I'll need everyone's help.”
“U-us?”
“But we don't even know what to do!”
The Lumière guild members blinked in surprise, eyes wide.
Actually, they didn't need to worry.
“While I'm reverse-tracing the mana, we'll need distractions to draw Libra's attention. People to share the nightmares with me.”
If there's only one host connecting mana, Libra might notice the trace and sever the link instantly. But with multiple hosts, monitoring each one becomes impossible.
“We just have to dream the nightmares together?”
“Yeah. That'll do it.”
I doubted Libra could even detect a reverse-trace, but better safe than sorry. Its mana control seemed superior to any world boss I'd faced.
“Whoa... seriously...”
“We have to relive that day again?”
Several Lumière guild members' faces visibly darkened.
The most terrifying moment of their lives. No one would welcome dredging that up.
“Anyone who wants out can back off.”
That's why I gave them a choice. Fear varies by person—some might have memories as horrific as a car wreck. Since the dreams feel vividly painful, I recommended sitting out the really bad ones.
Elena raised her hand first and stepped forward.
“I'll do it.”
Unyielding eyes, confident stride. Her calm voice carried a steely resolve, like she bore some monumental duty.
...Hadn't she distrusted me? Maybe I'd misread her. Impressions aren't always spot-on.
“M-me too!”
“Gotta give it a shot.”
“It's not like we're actually dying, right?”
Lumière guild members raised tense hands one after another. A few seemed swept up by the mood.
“If your memory's too horrific, hold back. It's just reconnaissance—no need to push.”
Only after I said that did a few glance around sheepishly and step back.
Still plenty left, so no issue.
“Cha Eun-joo, you're mandatory.”
“E-eh?! Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
She was trying to blend into the crowd and slip away.
“I-I have scary stuff too, you know!”
“And someone with fears treats me like that?”
Daring to mess with the world's strongest world boss? Her pitiful look changed nothing.
No. Go back.
“Hng...”
Cha Eun-joo slumped her shoulders and hung her head.
If you're so wronged, don't yank my cheeks next time. Think I enjoy it?
Truth be told, I was a bit worried myself. Hopefully, it wasn't another horror game nightmare.
I slapped my cheeks with open palms.
Worrying about unhatched chickens was pointless. One more thing to settle first.
I turned to the Lumière guild members. “What's the nearest hotel with the softest beds around here?”
First meetings matter.
Sometimes, a striking first encounter etches itself into your brain forever, becoming an unforgettable memory—good or bad.
And the moment Elena first laid eyes on Sertina, she was hit with a serious shock.
“Uh...”
Her mind went blank. Billions of neurons froze like they'd been struck by lightning.
It was the most pathetic, insignificant... adorable entrance she'd ever witnessed. Enough to crumble her ironclad mental walls, if only for a second.
What kind of fluffy little creature is that?
The blank-faced critter cradled in Cha Eun-joo's arms. Those innocent, sparkling blood-red eyes, utterly oblivious.
Its harmless destructive power was overwhelming—she nearly melted like ice cream.
Get it together, Elena! That's a world boss!
The otherworld invader that stole everything dear to her. A monster of the same breed.
Never let appearances fool you.
“Hi! Cha Eun-joo from the Eterna Guild, here for support from Korea.”
Before shaking hands, Cha Eun-joo set Sertina down. Totter-totter-totter—she scampered toward the catacomb entrance like fleeing.
How does she move that fast in that posture?!
Of course, it was a little cute... No, her wariness deepened. That speed rivaled an S-rank player's sprint.
“Eterna Guild Master, Sertina. Here to help.”
After greeting Cha Eun-joo, she shook with Sertina. The hand was... surprisingly small and soft. Like it'd shatter if gripped too hard.
This is a world boss's hand...?
A urge to poke it rose, but Elena held her suspicions firm.
Think I don't know the viciousness hidden inside?
“...?”
Sertina looked up with guileless eyes.
I'll uncover that ugly truth behind those ridiculously sparkling peepers!
“...?”
A brief battle of glares(?) ensued, and per Sertina's plan, they headed to a nearby hotel to dream.
Hundreds of French government agents scrambling behind the scenes to find the fluffiest-bedded hotel was a minor detail.
Cold sweat poured like rain, heart pounding. A sharp wave of recent memory bared its savage fangs.
The instant she saw the ruined family home, Elena's world crumbled too.
“N-no. Please...”
She reached out, but only cold, ashen dirt clung to her fingertips.
Irreversible reality tormented her mercilessly.
“No... I hate this! I hate it!”
Her screams dissolved into the frigid air of the ruins, not even echoing.
Legs gave out; she collapsed. Jagged debris pierced her knees.
But the horrific shock drowned all pain.
“Aaaahhh!”
She writhed in agony, but there was no one left to share it with.
Her chest tore with pain, but no one to share it.
In this vast, cold world, she was utterly alone.
No one remained to understand her feelings.
“Hah!”
Gasping, she opened her eyes to a luxurious room—the polar opposite of ruins. Fake flames danced in a model fireplace; ornate gold-framed pictures adorned one wall.
Elena rose slowly. Cloud-like premium bedding yielded softly. The air was pleasant; room temp comfortable even outside the covers.
“Hoo...”
Deep sigh. Trembling fingertips clenched into fists. Ragged breaths steadied.
Her emotions settled like clear water. When she opened her eyes again, unwavering resolve stared straight ahead.
“I absolutely won't let it happen again.”
“Sertina-nim! If you're still asleep...” Cha Eun-joo opened the door, then blinked in disbelief. “...Huh?”
Did the sun rise in the west? Sertina was... awake!
Cha Eun-joo's face paled.
“Th-this... is it a bad omen?”
“Haa...”
Sertina sighed softly, sitting cross-legged on the bed.
Figures. Must've dreamed the horror game.
Cha Eun-joo had watched that stream. She'd never seen Sertina so terrified.
It's the worst memory nightmare, so that must be it. What could scare someone who crushes monsters like ants and pounds world bosses like punching bags?
Cha Eun-joo shrugged it off and prodded. “If you're up, time to wash. Or else—”
“...I'll wash.”
Sertina rose without argument and shuffled to the bathroom.
What's with her...?
Cha Eun-joo sensed something off. Sunken eyes. Sertina's face was always blank, but... it looked a little sad somehow.