The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 726: Counseling (3)
“Before the wager between the Filial Brat and the Obedience Addict began, the system’s original developer appeared with the Lighthouse Keeper to lend us aid. The Sloth. I’d given him two New Year’s envelopes and received his system administrator’s sigil in return. Thanks to that, I thought I might be able to ask for his help once more, so I asked the Rookie to do so.
“You….”
I tried to choose my words, but a voice came from behind me. It was Young Chaos. Now that I thought about it, the two of them must know each other.
“You said I’d never wake up again.”
“Except for the Lighthouse Keeper, of course,” the Sloth began. Then, as if quietly hoping for assistance, he glanced at the Rookie. He must have been too lazy to speak further. When the Rookie blinked in confusion, the Sloth sighed deeply and began to explain.
“The Lighthouse Keeper is the Watcher. He’s designed to wake up if the system malfunctions. I, however, am Dream. I spend most of my time asleep, dreaming.”
The Recluse of the Tree’s Canopy.
“Thus, as a dream rather than a tangible being, I can move for a time.”
“I see.”
“As long as the system functions, its members remain asleep. If they awoke, the system would halt. For the sake of the five Source Worlds, they will not awaken on their own.”
…If the system abruptly stopped, chaos would ensue. The dungeon would be in particular jeopardy. Young Chaos gave a small nod. I thought he might greet me, but he didn’t. Still, his crimson eyes seemed to darken with long-buried memories.
“I’ve severed the link between my world and the system—specifically the system administrator.”
The Sloth turned his head slowly and looked at me.
“I appreciate the system’s existence, but I don’t need an administrator.”
“The administrator’s sole purpose is to manage the system.”
“Yes. But not anymore.”
The Rookie flinched and drew in his neck. His red eyes rolled, as if wanting to flee.
“A trace of the connection remains. Please help prevent the Transcendents from corrupting my world.”
Through his voluminous sleeve, the Sloth extended a hand. His long, pale fingers picked up the lucky pouches resting on my hand.
“My gift is a lucky dream. Open the pouch before sleep, and you will enjoy a good dream—and good fortune—on that day.”
But I did not open it. There was too much yet to befall me to waste even a small stroke ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) of luck so early. Though I’d told Yuhyun he could use one, I’d kept them stored away.
“Be our lucky dream,” the Sloth said.
“As the One Who Makes the Path, I shall. But bound to the system, nothing more is possible than to seek a method.”
The pouches vanished as a soft radiance swirled around the Sloth.
[You’re checking the system, right?]
The Rookie leaned close and whispered.
[You know so much more than I do. I’m sure you’ll find a way to protect Honey’s world.]
“Thank you,” I said.
The Rookie blushed and rubbed his cheek beneath his sleeve.
[We did… interfere a lot, didn’t we? I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me too much….]
“My intentions weren’t malicious,” I replied. “Not that it excuses everything, but still.”
Even the Filial Brat had tried to help many worlds at the cost of himself. Of course, as a victim caught in the fray, who cares? But I wouldn’t blame someone for changing their mind and trying to right their wrongs. If he insisted to the end that it was all for others, fine—he could go eat crow.
“I don’t hate you, Rookie. Except for the tentacles.”
[You really hate my tentacles?]
“Well, even if your true form were a mass of tentacles, I wouldn’t hate you. Because you’re you.”
Maybe it wasn’t just because tentacles were easy to tease. Surely one could grow accustomed to them. Humans adapt, after all.
“You’re a kind and good person, Rookie.”
[…Even though you tried to use me?]
“Not anymore. People change. Look at that human over there. He treated me like an item at first. But now he’s changed.”
…He has, right? How can I ever know what’s in someone’s heart? I reached out and patted the Rookie’s head. His soft, short hair felt like puppy fur against my hand.
“For whatever it’s worth, I like you now.”
[I like you, too, Honey.]
The Rookie beamed. If things ended well, one of the people I’d worry about would be him. Once our connection fully severed, it would be hard to meet again. I was more concerned than dismayed. At least we had the Elder, so there was that.
“Sleeping Sea.”
The Sloth, his eyes almost closed, spoke.
“The foundation is prepared.”
“You say the Mermaid Queen helped with the foundation—what foundation?”
“There are many kinds of barriers that envelop and protect. The strongest among them create layers by constructing a virtual world.”
The Sloth turned to gaze at the Rookie and Chaos. The Rookie cocked his head; Chaos stared off into the distance. The Sloth, unable to find someone to explain further, wore a sad expression. He truly did not want to bother with this.
“Since water has already formed the base, the most effective barrier is to construct a virtual space atop it.”
“A virtual space?”
“Dreams. The dreamers of the Boy’s World.”
Our people’s dreams?
“…That isn’t dangerous, is it?”
“The dream world already exists—each person’s dream is separate and thus powerless. We will connect them all to the Sleeping Sea. Nothing about the people changes; only the place where their dreams reside will be newly created.”
So… though I didn’t fully understand, it seemed they would send people’s dreams into the Mermaid Queen’s sea, materialize them into a collective world, and use that as a protective barrier. Because dreams project our world, they could count as another world. …Do such worlds truly exist? I didn’t know.
I resolved to understand it simply as mixing dreams and the sea to form a barrier.
“Then the Transcendents can’t break through?”
“They may interfere up to the Sleeping Sea, but beyond that, only those connected by dreams can pass.”
[Only people belonging to Honey’s world can cross!]
The Rookie spoke up, and the Sloth brightened.
[It’s similar to the power that protects the existing world. It’s very sturdy. The more dreamers there are, the stronger it becomes. With the number of intelligent beings in Honey’s world, it will hold for more than a year, not just a month.]
“Then it’ll be hard for you and the Elder to meet me again.”
At my words, the Rookie’s shoulders slumped, then he smiled again.
[Honey can visit, you know. It won’t take long. Besides, there’s the Blacksmith.]
“That’s true. Elder.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll be sure to visit again.”
Young Chaos waved his hand as if unwilling. The crescent moon remained, so he couldn’t leave entirely, but we might be able to stay in touch. Perhaps one day our children will become stronger than the crescent moon.
[But how do we connect the dreams?]
The Rookie frowned and looked back at the Sloth.
[That’s the biggest problem. Honey’s world is already hard for administrators to meddle in. Even if intervention were possible, it wouldn’t be easy.]
“There are dreams here.”
The Sloth shifted his gaze. I followed it.
“…Mari?”
Standing there was Mari, blinking. Moon Hyunah blocked her path.
“Wait a moment. What are you planning?”
“A powerful dream born in the Boy’s World. A manifestation with the power to draw in everyone’s dreams.”
“But Mari—”
“Yes. I am a dream, the embodiment of fantasy.”
Mari gently grasped Hyunah’s arm. Hyunah looked at her with concern.
“You’re the princess created for the wedding, right?”
Mari smiled. Created…?
“Mari, you came out on your own.”
“Yes, Sister. But I’m still the princess.”
She stepped forward lightly. Her radiant blonde hair fluttered.
“The Crescent Moon made Mother create me.”
“The Crescent Moon also possesses the dream and illusion of night.”
…Mari’s skill came to mind: materializing her own dream. That extraordinary skill originated from the Crescent Moon. Because Mari was the dream itself, she’d gained such a remarkable ability.
“You must go to the sea and guide the dreams.”
“To the sea?”
So—
“Mari!”
“Mari, are you sure you’re all right?”
Hyunah and I spoke at once. The Sloth answered slowly.
“You will remain as a pillar of dreams.”
“Remain? Does that mean Mari can’t come back?”
“Yes. Dreams belong in the dream.”
But that can’t be! Sending Mari alone!
“Is there no other way?”
“There is no result without a price. Even if the Mermaid Queen prepared the foundation, it is insufficient. Dreams are the most suitable, and finding another method would require an even greater price.”
[…Honey. We’re building a shield that even the Transcendents can’t breach.]
The Rookie looked at me sadly. He was right—it was virtually obtaining safety at a great bargain. But still…
“Hyunah-unnie, Han Yujin-nim. I was originally a dream. When I awaken, I disappear.”
Mari said brightly.
“So I wanted to try everything—I’ve enjoyed it so much.”
“…Mari.”
“When I enter the Sleeping Sea, I might be safer. A place where one never wakes.”
…That might be true. But she would remain alone. And we didn’t know what state she’d be in.
“Besides, Princesses aren’t supposed to run away from these things.”
“What nonsense. Do as you please.”
“I am doing as I please.”
Mari looked up at Hyunah.
“I had fun, and I like everyone.”
Her dress swirled as she turned back to the Sloth.
“How do I guide the dreams?”
“The widest cradle of dreams—the Sea. When you call from there, they will come. But there are nightmares, too.”
“Nightmares?”
“Therefore, you need means to protect yourself—or escorts. In dreams, you cannot dream again, after all.”
Mari’s skill would be unusable. No sooner had the Sloth spoken than Director Song stepped forward.
“I—”
“I must go,” Samir interrupted Song Taewon.
“My contract binds me.”
“I’m S-Rank, too, so you don’t need me.”
Mari refused, saying she’d be fine, but Samir strode forward.
“I’ve told you before: even if you dislike it, there is nothing you can do.”
“Oh, really!”
Grumbling, Mari nodded. She would be uneasy alone. More so because of the contract. As I hesitated, Mari stepped up to me.
“Han Yujin-nim, I’m sorry for how I felt before.”
“…What? No, it’s alright.”
“I like you very much now. You’re a good person. So don’t worry about me! Everyone worried so much!”
“Y-yes. I’ll do my best….”
“Take care of yourself, don’t snack too much, exercise well, no late-night eating.”
…Was that Myeong-woo or Yerim? Then Mari crouched down, carefully stroked Peace, and, glancing away from Yuhyun, approached Yerim. Yerim, unsure what to do, hugged Mari tightly.
“Sis…”
“I might not be a true sister. I don’t know my exact age. I was born recently, but the dream itself is old.”
“…Then will you be friends? Something good might come of it later. It’s just a temporary journey to a far place.”
“I’d like that!”
Yes. If she returned safely, we’d seek a way for Mari to live normally instead of as a dream that might vanish.
“Noah-nim was just like a prince from a fairy tale!”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry about the forest.”
Mari smiled and greeted Riette after Noah. She clapped, saying she wanted to learn more from Myeong-woo, then stared curiously at the still-buried Hwangrim.
“Weird old man.”
“…Old man.”
Hwangrim muttered in shock. Why “old man”? He must be older than me—twenty-six, in fact.
“Civil Servant-nim, stay well.”
“…Is truly remaining even more dangerous?”
Director Song spoke in a heavy voice. Even if a dream was made, she looked no different from a person. Yet we must send her to protect our world. If she hadn’t said that the Sleeping Sea was safer, Song would have opposed it.
Mari rose on her toes and pressed her fingertip between Song’s brows.
“Civil Servant-nim, I hope you smile more. You’re so handsome.”
“Mari Hunter.”
“You work so hard. I hardly know you, and I haven’t known you long, but it’s so sad.”
She bounced forward to Seong Hyunjae. Mari looked up at him with golden eyes.
“I’m sorry I tried to kidnap and marry you.”
“It wasn’t a bad experience. It was new.”
“You were really awful, but I didn’t mind. If you’d been less awful, I would’ve married you!”
Her laughter rang out. It was fortunate that Seong Hyunjae was unpleasant; otherwise he’d have already married her.
“And even though you’re not the same Seong Hyunjae, it was fun.”
“I—”
Seong Hyunjae bowed his waist and whispered to Mari. She beamed, as if she understood. He must have been speaking of the Seong Hyunjae who had departed—the last of the illusions, like Mari herself.
Remaining bowed, he gently took Mari’s hand and kissed the back of it, as one would a princess in a fairy tale.
“Please don’t bother Civil Servant-nim! Go play with Han Yujin-nim and Noah instead.”
Wait a moment.
“Mari! I can’t handle this alone!”
“But Honey seemed happy, didn’t he?”
“No! Director Song, don’t abandon me!”
“…I cannot. You two matter to me both.”
Director Song trailed off with a sigh. Both Seong Hyunjae and I were equal pains, apparently. I felt wronged. No matter what, Seong Hyunjae had time and memories stacked up—surely I was better?
Mari spun like a dancer, then leapt into Hyunah’s arms and hugged her tight.
“Sis! Be happy!”
“…Mari.”
“I’ll be fine. So please devour Mother’s blessings to your heart’s content. Promise me.”
Mother… Hyunah nodded, gently smoothing Mari’s tousled blonde hair. Finally, Mari looked at Samir. Her lips pouted, and Samir offered a small, embarrassed smile.
‘…Accursed.’
He could break the contract. Yet no words came. I had the sense that, even if I stepped in, Samir’s answer would remain the same. I clenched my fist without thinking. Yuhyun looked down at me and reached out to drape an arm over my shoulder.
“Then, let us go.”
At Mari’s words, the Sloth nodded. The path to the sea began to emerge.
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