Chapter 494 – Within Dreams (5)

“See this snowfall, it’s intense.”
“Indeed.”

In a nebulous state of mind.
The bitter chill mollifies the heated flush of their drunken faces. As they walked shoulder to shoulder, the expansive cityscape stretched out before them. Beneath the neon signs, couples strolling along the streets flitted across their vision.

“Ah, I dread going to work. Don’t you feel the same?”

Voicing out such thoughts, they echoed the silent grievances of all office workers.

“Yes. I feel the same.”
“But, Si-heon, your eyes are remarkably beautiful.”

They paused their stroll, genuinely registering the arrival of the long winter.
The pupils of ‘Se-Young’, loosened in the grip of inebriation, were dewy.

The two of them had polished off nearly seven bottles of soju. Having bared their souls and shared their burdens, they felt a significant weight of stress lifted.
Si-heon, who had been observing from the sidelines, finally spoke.

“Did we miss the last train?”
“Seems like… But I wonder… Hmm.”

They had planned to drink until dawn, but, to their surprise, the evening wrapped up early.
Se-Young pondered, her hand delving deeper into her pocket.

A tug-of-war of emotions — the desire to go home and rest, contrasted with the yearning to bask in human warmth just a little longer — that intoxicating feeling.
Se-Young, having steered towards a park near the bar, stopped before a bench.

“Let’s rest a bit before we move on.”

Se-Young, who had led the way, brushed the snow off the bench and sat down, her feet lightly tapping in the air.
The snow, reflecting the glow of the lights, the basketball court gradually blanketed in white, and the encroaching drowsiness.

She had always imagined a drinking session with a superior at work to be uncomfortable, but it wasn’t.
Why did Si-heon show such unexpected empathy? Even in her drunken state, Si-heon endeavored to decipher Se-Young’s demeanour, muttering to herself.

As Se-Young lifted her hand to stretch, Si-heon recoiled with surprise.

“Ah, it’s so romantic! Why, what startled you?”
“No, um, what did you say?”
“I said it’s romantic.”
“Romantic…? Ah. Ah. Romantic?”

Her drunken ears struggled with comprehension.

“Why? Are you averse to this winter sentiment?”

Se-Young inquired, her face wearing a pleasant smile, amplified by her tipsy state. It was, as always, an alluring expression.

“I am quite fond of it.”

She could sense the surprise and excitement in the glances of men passing by. She wondered how her own demeanor appeared to them.

There’s a saying — you can see one’s appearance in the mirror and one’s character in alcohol.
It implies that one’s true nature is revealed when intoxicated, not typically a flattering assessment. It’s generally invoked in less favorable circumstances.
And yet, Si-heon seemed devoid of faults. A bit more talkative? It was rather endearing.

“Thank you for the drinks.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you.”
“I’ve done nothing more than lend an ear. Next time, you can listen. I too have my fair share of stress.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”

Se-Young lowered her eyelids, exhaling a warm breath.

Long lashes, innocent eyes, a youthful nose, and soft pink lips released a white breath into the crisp air.

“Sometimes, I consider leaving it all behind and trying something new,” Si-heon mused.
“Haha,” Se-young chuckled.
“But we’re part of a major corporation. It’s such a waste. The bosses and the managers, they’re all insufferable, but the money… that’s the real issue.”
“Yes… indeed.”

When those individuals crossed his mind, Si-heon felt a surge of rage. Se-young, comically clenching his fists, followed by Si-heon’s infectious laughter.

“They say you can’t help being angry; you have to find a way to let it out. Like this, having a drink,” Si-heon suggested.
“I don’t have much experience with these kinds of situations,” Se-young admitted.
“But it wasn’t too bad, was it?”

It was enjoyable. More than he could articulate. A memory he thought might linger for years to come.

“Yes.”
“Let’s drink more often to let off steam. Not with our superiors or seniors… just among friends.”

Se-young laughed heartily, and this time, it was Si-heon’s turn to chuckle. Their relationship, professional on the surface, had not necessarily deepened, but the distance between them had certainly lessened. His hands were full, yet not cold.

This was different from the nights he used to force himself to drink and then sleep after a grueling day at work.

“You’re quite the speaker. Fancy doing this again over the weekend?”
“Should we?”
“Time permitting.”
“Time doesn’t matter to me. I’ve no one to meet… just call, and I’ll be ready anytime.”

Se-young couldn’t help but smile at Si-heon’s candid words. This man was a true puppy.

* * * * * * * * *

Months passed.

I’ll be ready anytime. Could that phrase have been the spark that set everything aflame?

“Ah, damn it, that manager, such a bastard. Always playing games,” Si-heon grumbled.
“Calm down.”
“Should I sue him? Huh? I heard even a compliment can lead to a sexual harassment lawsuit these days. How did you tolerate it all? Are you a saint?”

The gap had narrowed, and the depth of their conversations had gradually deepened. Even when Se-young, a vision of beauty, complained, Si-heon was never irritated. Even when Se-young, with a mournful expression, demanded “more, more, more” as he peered into his drink, Si-heon acquiesced without a word.

“He’s always so accommodating,” they would say.
【Isn’t it wonderful?】

As often as four times a week, or at the very least, once over the weekend, they found themselves drinking together. It wasn’t that they were attracted to each other; rather, the fondness they had for each other as individuals had naturally led to this. But there wasn’t much time left.

As Se-young watched people fall for one another, he experienced a whirlwind of emotions.

‘……’
【Are you envious?】
“Who wouldn’t be?”

Despite knowing how he ended up here, it seemed as though these two were crafting the outlines of an ideal romantic relationship. It was just as he had imagined.

【You now understand the purpose of this dream. The tower has perceived Se-Young’s sense of inferiority and has transported you to a world where that future has taken shape.】
‘Why indulge in such an act?’
【Perhaps it’s a way to siphon life force. Or it might serve another purpose.】
‘…….’
【One thing that’s certain, however, is that the more Se-Young intervenes in this world, the stronger the bond between this world line and Se-Young becomes.】
‘I see.’

The efforts to alter the observed present ironically serve as the catalyst that shapes that very present.
This describes the actions of Lee Si-heon in the past.

This case, however, was distinct.
An interference not of the timeline, but of dimensions. The more Se-Young attempts to meddle with this world, the slimmer her chances of returning become.

‘I understand. I know.’

Se-Young’s gaze remained fixated on the two figures.
Striking glasses together, drinking, showing petulance—a relationship that garnered a modicum of comfort and warmth. It closely resembled the moments Se-Young had cherished during her academy days.

The only difference… theirs was a pure relationship, untainted by any sort of impurity.

The tale of ‘Se-Young’ and ‘Si-heon’ persisted, regardless of her intentions.

“Ah, I have an external task in a few days… Guess I won’t be able to drink then, right?”
“Hmm.”
“…Hey. Should we drink just a bit every day? We’re not likely to get caught anyway. Isn’t it all about doing the job well?”
“What if it becomes a problem?”
“Well, we’d be screwed.”
“Heh, heh. Even so, drinking every day is a bit much.”
“Listen to your older sister, you little shit. You’ve been getting cocky lately. Are my words not making sense to you?”

‘Se-Young’, who drunkenly mumbles, clutching her neck with one hand and poking her cheek with the other.
Unlike before, she now drinks more and throws fits when drunk. Despite the claim of drinking warm water and getting drunk, Se-Young’s table was laden with bottles of alcohol.

Despite the many potential sources of discomfort, ‘Si-heon’ simply laughed.
The sweaty armpit of a drenched shirt. The slightly touching chest. Sometimes even mistaking a glass to drink from.
Both glasses were haphazardly smeared with lipstick stains, blurred with the tint.

“Here, cheers!”

‘Si-heon’ chuckled awkwardly.
The sensation of cherry aroma in the soju infused with alcohol.

Yet, owing to the lingering memory and gratitude of that day’s drinking spree, after that fall, ‘Se-Young’s unreasonable demands could easily be conceded to.

“Phew, good. These days, I live for the pleasure of drinking with you.”
“…Ha ha.”

The burgeoning inclination is now beyond mere personal relations. The pull to share more time with each other.
Isn’t it a bit rude to have feelings for a benefactor? Haven’t there been plenty who misconstrued the extended goodwill and disrupted the relationship?

Overcoming and seizing it… I do acknowledge that it requires a courageous individual.
This was something ‘Si-heon’, who once experienced a collapse, understood.

-Glug.

And even that prickly, tender affection.

‘…….’

To Se-Young, who hails from another world, it was nothing more than a matter of envy.

“Ugh.”

Ebony began to shift the load.

It had been a week since Lee Si-heon, her mentor and protector, had fallen into slumber. In the makeshift society that emerged, Ebony had no choice but to participate.

“You’re strong.”

“Don’t judge by appearances, she climbed up to the 8th floor just like us.”

Many of the hunters assessed Ebony as she shouldered the enormous monster carcass. Her makeshift wooden sword, crafted from mistletoe, was well-suited for dispatching these creatures. Given her distinctive appearance and prowess, Ebony had inevitably become somewhat of a local celebrity within their dwelling.

The conclusion of the third food-gathering expedition.

Upon returning to their dwelling, Ebony made her way to the administration office to submit proof of her beast-slaying exploits.

-Thud!

Tightly wrapped within a cloth bundle, larger than Ebony herself, lay the drained carcass of the monster.

“Thank you, you’ve worked hard today.”

“Yes.”

The staff member observing Ebony grinned broadly. No matter how desperate the circumstances, it was hard to resist acknowledging her charm. Ebony, clutching her meal coupon, carefully tucked it into her pocket.

“Here. Will this be enough? Do you need more?”

“There are only two of us.”

“A friend?”

“No.”

“Then who?”

Caught off guard by the question, Ebony paused before answering cautiously.

“Well, um… my master.”

“Hehe, how adorable.”

“?”

“Never mind, go on. And please keep up the good work! The monsters are growing stronger, and not many are willing to go on expeditions these days.”

The tower’s monsters were becoming more powerful. The Tower of King Mokryeong. It was likely connected to the slumber of the man she cared for. With her meal coupon in pocket, Ebony left the administration office.

-Squeak.

Upon returning home, Ebony first checked on Si-heon.

Perhaps he had awakened from his prolonged sleep. Lifting the blanket, she found him unchanged. His usually stern face looked peaceful, his brow relaxed.

“……”

Grape stickers. She briefly contemplated taking them all and sticking them on him. But Si-heon wasn’t a fool who wouldn’t notice, so she quickly abandoned the idea.

Ebony began to prepare the food she brought home.

-Sizzle.

A warm soup came to life as she poured hot water over a massive chunk of the monster’s meat. At first glance, it might resemble a simple egg soup, but as a meal for hunters, it boasted exceptional calories and nutrition.

Gulp – a mouthful of soup. Next, she took out a biscuit and began to chew. As she did, her eyes fell on her master seated next to her.

‘You should wake up.’

She knew there were many people waiting for him.

Among them, there were many who harbored unique emotions. For instance, Mary…or the unusually inclined sister. Even the woman armed with a gun held a certain resentment for the man.
What use was there in worrying, anyway? Such were her thoughts as she took another bite of her biscuit, when—

Thud.

A loud noise echoed from above. The sound of someone ascending the roof and forcefully stomping on its center. Startled, Ebony instinctively brandished her weapon and began to stand guard.

“Who goes there?”

Even if not hostile, it was an ominous presence. Ebony spread her magic, trying to discern the shape of the intruder. The entity traversing the roof was a wooden figure. As soon as she identified it, the figure descended from the roof and began rotating around the windows. Ebony, focusing her energy, began to gather her magic.

Creak, creak.

From the room’s two windows, a white figurine would appear and disappear in rapid succession. A cluster of light was entwined around its hand, and upon seeing this, Ebony cocked her head.

Ebony was aware of the rumors about this peculiar light. Could this truly be it? However, she had heard that no one had recently been reported to be entrapped in dreams.

“Begone.”

As Ebony raised her sword and gestured towards the entity, the figure that had been circling the building halted.

[…?]

There stood a woman with an impassive expression.

[Are you his servant?]

The figure spouted words that were beyond comprehension. Chills ran down Ebony’s spine. In response, she quickly channeled her magic into the sword.

Upon displaying hostility, the woman reacted. A swarm of light from her hand barraged Ebony’s body, and Ebony’s sword thrust extended towards the woman. It was just a blink of an eye.