The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 17 Days: 10 Hours]

Twelve flying creatures above me.

Two powerful foes before me.

And an unquestionable amount that still lay ahead.

It was fair to say that the chances of me winning were very slim.

'I remember the Dream I had back then…' My thoughts flowed.

It had been so long ago, and a lot of the things I was seeing now didn't exactly play out the way they did in the dream. However, if everything in this city was to be destroyed, that meant the Lyma Family had also suffered the same fate.

I knew that much already.

Realizing this early on was what cemented my rage at the very beginning. It hurt too much to think about, so I reveled in rage instead.

'But it seems <Visionary> is kicking in already, so I'm becoming rational about it now…'

I knew all of this was pointless.

I was fighting for a lost cause. And yet… yet…

'Damnit!' I gritted my teeth as I glared at my adversaries, immense pain shooting through my body and my eyes as I felt hot tears seeping from them.

Why… just why was this happening!

It wasn't supposed to end up like this!

I already had everything planned out; how I would gain the favor of a great Noble Family, rise up the ranks, and survive in this world.

I could already see… some sort of future with me and Seraphina. I… I genuinely thought I could fit in and be happy in this new world.

And yet… yet… why did all of this keep happening to me?

I didn't hurt anyone that didn't deserve it. I made sure to stay within my line of interest, and even when manipulating people to gain something from them, it was usually mutually beneficial.

So, after investing so much time and effort, why did everything have to crumble before my very eyes?

I had thought I could see the end, but… I guess I was wrong.

"You two are from The Alliance, aren't you? Why did you attack this place? Did your leader send you?" I sighed, finally accepting the reality of the situation.

"Oh? So you know about The Alliance? Why are you fighting against us, then?" The ebony-skinned man answered, his eyes widening in what I could only estimate to be excitement.

"We're all denizens of Earth, right? We shouldn't be fighting each other. Yet, you killed forty people… just like that! Isn't that a bit too extreme?"

Hearing those words snapped the cord of civility that kept me capable of making a rational conversation.

My skin grew hot, and I thought I would explode with rage. However, almost as soon as this sensation coursed through me, I felt it dissipate.

It seemed <Visionary> was getting more and more adept at managing my emotions.

"Extreme, you say? EXTREME?! You all wiped out an entire city… filled with innocent people!"

What did these people ever do wrong?

They went about their daily lives; none of them the least bit suspicious that calamity would befall them in such a drastic way.

"Parents watching their children get killed. Children watching their parents get slaughtered. Families extinguished. Hopes shattered to pieces…after everything you people did today… you call my actions extreme?"

I could feel my anger rise and fall, almost instantly. It felt increasingly frustrating, but I was acclimating at a scary pace.

"Look, I feel you. I understand where you're coming from. I also… feel bad about doing all of this, but—"

"Pfft! Not this pretentious nonsense of yours Hakeem! Why do you like to delude others and yourself into this rubbish fake sympathy you express?" The voice from the wyvern sounded, almost as if the person who spoke was chuckling in amusement.

"B-but I really feel bad about—"

"Don't make me laugh. Look here, don't let this bastard trick you. He's just as messed up in the head as the rest of us… no, maybe even more." At this point, the wyvern's words were directed toward me.

I watched with an odd sense of calmness.

"You killed those 40 subordinates of his, right? You must have noticed their odd behavior. Some of them looking expressionless, and others overly enjoying the situation. You can only wonder why the same people who were hesitant to kill the natives here suddenly seemed like they enjoyed it."

My eyes twitched as I listened to the voice speak.

"Hakeem's Exclusive Skill allows him to control his targets: emotions and all. It's one twisted ability, don't you think? It allows him to act all self-righteous while allowing others to do his bidding."

"H-hey, what are you doing telling him my Exclusive Skill, Sasha? That's not fair!" Hakeem protested, his face expressing exasperation.

"What's the point in hiding it? The guy's going to die here anyway. Either that or he joins us."

"Oh. Fair point."

Both of them, wyvern and human, looked at me as soon as they were done with their little spat.

"So, what will it be, tough guy? Will you choose to throw your life away, or will you cooperate with us? Seeing as how you gave Hakeem a run for his money, you must be a Ranker. That means you're quite strong. The Alliance could really use you."

Hearing their words sickened me at this point.

"We'll even forgive you for killing all those forty people. To be frank, you're worth more than them. Besides… we have someone who can revive them in our big club, so they'll be up and running in no time."

"S-Sasha, you really shouldn't be saying stuff like that! Mr. Francis said it's confidential information!" Hakeem protested, his voice trembling as he stared at the wyvern.

"Oh, shut up, Hakeem! You're so annoying. So what will it be, tough guy? You can't beat us, so why not join us."

I had a million things going on in my mind as I listened to their offer.

This group of theirs was more formidable than I thought. They even had someone who could raise the dead, which meant they wouldn't be lacking in manpower.

And the most relevant information of all was…

"Francis, huh? Rank 2 in the Leaderboards… so that's your leader." I muttered, glaring at the two before me.

"Yeah. Exactly. You should realize how screwed you are if you don't accept the offer." The wyvern representing Sasha spoke.

"I see…" A small smile formed on my face as I closed my eyes.

"So, you've made your decision?" I heard her voice ask me.

"I have." My response was soft and composed.

"And what is it? You seem like a sensible guy, so I'm guessing it's—"

"Fuck you all."

"W-what?"

I took a battle stance and hardened my gaze on the two figures before me. My Great Energy Rocks danced around me, and I felt my restored energy rising from within me.

"I said fuck you all! I refuse your stupid offer!" I declared, brandishing my blade as I prepared to fight.

"How foolish…" I could hear the wyvern mutter.

"Shut up. I'm not a bitch like you two, who would just bow before some guy who is Rank 2 in the Leaderboards. I'd rather just kill you all and survive… even if I die trying!" I roared, my glare hardening.

"Oh? Is that so? How stupid…"

"Y-you should really reconsider. I don't want to hurt you, man." The ebony man, Hakeem added, with gentleness dripping from his lips.

I was already sick of it at this point.

No… I was sick of all of them. They repulsed me to no end.

I didn't even think I could pretend to get along with these bastards even if I tried. They… they were just that repulsive to me.

I genuinely… from the bottom of my heart… HATED THEM!

"Enough talk." I let out a fearless smirk, coating myself with all sorts of Skills, while also preparing <Safe Haven> to protect myself from the harm I wouldn't be able to evade.

Considering how abundant my enemies were, this was going to be an extremely tough round.

'I'm not even sure anymore… whether I'm trying to win… or I just want to get killed.'

Either way… I had to fight.

~WHOOOOSSSSS—

"Haa… that's enough."

Hearing those words, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, feeling a strange sensation permeate my body.

I couldn't move at all.

"It took forever, but it seems like I can finally control your body." I heard a voice in my head.

It was Hakeem's

He… he was controlling my body?!

"That dagger in your hand looks nice. I wonder how nice it'll look once it's drenched in your blood."

It felt like a complete personality change, hearing him sound so deadly, with his words dripping with malice.

"Kill yourself with that dagger… now."

And just like that, I felt my hands moving to my neck, and the cool touch of the dagger piercing my skin.

In that moment, when I felt my life coming to an end, I could only ask myself one question.

Which would activate?

<Dream>... or <Nightmare>?!

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[A/N]

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