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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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What is a dream?
The manifestation of the unconscious, or a confirmation of longed-for values, it appears in various forms.
What if…
…what if you dreamt the same dream over and over again?
This was a question that no one in the world could answer, except for one person.
“Why…”
The only person who could answer this question was Kang Seol, who had just turned 25.
An orphan, a quiet and reserved man.
Kang Seol had been dreaming the same dream, in continuation.
For 17 years.
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Kang Seol, just after starting elementary school, had a dream.
– Oh? Are you new? Please, have a seat. There’s an empty spot.
In his dream, he was a well-dressed adult, wearing clothes and a mask he had never seen before. Everyone else was dressed the same.
– Now, it’s time to roll the dice.
– Hahaha! This is my favorite part!
– Everyone, choose your piece.
– I’ll stick with this one! The Red Butcher!
– Then I’ll also go with the Wind Ranger.
– Um… excuse me… we have a new person…
– Oh, then tell him to create a new one.
A woman in a fox mask spoke kindly to Kang Seol.
– Um… what should we call you?
Kang Seol was about to say his name but hesitated and gave a different one.
“Snowman.”
– Snowman? Nice. Now! Please create the piece you’ll be using.
Kang Seol chose a frost-type mage and casually decided on the details, then waited for his turn.
– The dice are rolling!
– A 6! A 6!
– But it was a 20-sided die.
– No!
They enjoyed the game. The dice rolled, and various choices were made.
– The chieftain of the Spiky Thorn tribe, Spiky Thorn, has appeared. Now, ‘ItsYourFaultAnyway,’ what is your choice?
– 4! I choose 4!
– Oh no! Unfortunately, you failed to deploy the smoke screen!
– Damn it! This is rigged!
The party was on the verge of being wiped out. But it was the mage Kang Seol had chosen’s turn.
“Number 3. I choose number 3, ‘Bind Spiky Thorn’s feet with frost magic.’”
– The magic was effective! Spiky Thorn’s feet were frozen, and he was momentarily defenseless.
A man in a bird mask beside him shouted,
– Alright! Now it’s my turn! Go!
– Yes, CatTowerDestroyer.
The man called ‘CatTowerDestroyer’ took advantage of Spiky Thorn’s opening and successfully landed a blow. From that point on, the party’s situation improved. In the end, they defeated Spiky Thorn and successfully completed the adventure.
– That’s all for today’s adventure. Did everyone enjoy the world of eternity?
– Haha, needless to say. Even though it’s a trial version, it’s really fun.
– Hey, Snowman. Want to join us tomorrow?
Kang Seol nodded. And so, every night in his dreams, he enjoyed the world of eternity with the mysterious individuals, the members of the group changing from time to time.
Once, Kang Seol had told his younger siblings at the orphanage about this dream. The response was:
“You’re weird… you say weird things…”
“…What?”
“There’s no such thing.”
It was probably a natural reaction. Few people would believe that he dreamt the same dream in continuation. After that, until he turned 25, he never once told anyone about this dream.
It was partly because life at the orphanage was difficult and he rarely spoke to others, and partly because he was afraid that if he told someone, he would never have the same dream again.
And so he grew up and became a part of society. The dream continued. For 17 years, he rolled the dice and played with the mysterious beings.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t curious about their identities. But for the same reason he couldn’t tell anyone about his dream, he couldn’t ask them.
‘Who are you all?’
He met them in his dreams, rolled the dice, and laughed. That was all. Kang Seol had once thought they were gods. But he soon lost interest.
It didn’t matter to him whether they were gods, monsters, or demons. What was important was enjoying this world of eternity. That was his only interest.
– Snowman, didn’t you promise to play with us today? …Or not?
– What are you talking about! Snowman promised to play with us on the last day! …Or not?
– Both of you, quiet! Today, Snowman is going on a solo adventure for the Great Sage’s final quest.
– Right! Then we should watch that!
Snowman, the character Kang Seol had created in his dream, was now an idol to those who enjoyed the world of eternity. He had created several legendary characters that would be remembered in the world of eternity.
He had played over 30 characters. Some had died in vain, but most of his characters had left their mark on the history of the world of eternity.
The Duke of Frost, the One-Armed Sword Saint, the Undying, and the Great Sage. Snowman had played various roles for 17 years and had reached the pinnacle of each.
The dice had rolled in his favor, but his ability to see through the choices was also a major factor. It was the result of his dedication to the world of eternity, to the point where he had practically memorized the rulebook.
‘It’s a shame. If I had a little more time, I would have tried that too.’
The last character he had planned to play. The growth path and strategies he had devised after experiencing many trials and errors with various classes.
He had planned to create the ultimate piece, a culmination of all that. But unfortunately, the world of eternity ended today.
– Starting tomorrow, our dream will be realized.
– It’s a bit late. It’s time to reclaim our divinity. And to get revenge on the insects who made us like this.
– Haha! The latter seems to have more weight.
‘The trial version of the world of eternity ends today?’
The announcement that the trial version of the world of eternity would officially launch after today. Kang Seol didn’t know what this official launch meant, but they seemed to have a general idea.
He brushed off their words and focused on the situation at hand. The Great Sage was undergoing his final adventure, the Ascension.
‘Please… please…’
Right now, Kang Seol was rolling the last dice for his piece, the Great Sage Milan.
Rattle, rattle.
Clack.
Flinch!
Kang Seol, after seeing the dice, quietly closed his eyes. The dice had landed on 1.
“……”
– Snowman, that’s too bad.
– What a shame, Snowman.
– Cheer up!
Kang Seol confirmed that there were no more choices left for Milan.
‘Again…’
Of the 30 pieces Kang Seol had raised, the last 10 had all reached the final adventure of ascension. But none had been able to break through. It wasn’t easy for a human to ascend to heaven, but for all 10, including the Great Sage, to fail…
‘How am I supposed to clear this…’
Kang Seol silently looked at his piece and made a choice.
If he chose 1, the player could no longer control the piece’s destiny. Kang Seol chose 1.
Although the thrilling adventure has ended, his life continues.
As Kang Seol stared blankly at Milan’s form, the others spoke to him.
– It’s okay, Snowman. You did your best. Just reaching ascension…
– Right, only Snowman could do that.
The number of pieces that had reached ascension was now 10. All of them were Kang Seol’s. It was a great achievement for those who enjoyed the world of eternity, but it left Kang Seol with a sense of regret.
“Haa…”
And so, the world of eternity, which he had enjoyed for 17 years, came to an end. But this end was the beginning of a new destiny.
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