The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 34: Hidden Event

[7:11 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2024]

"Status Window..."

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Mikey Rael

- Race: Human

- Level: 15

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 8/8 (+2)

- Combat Ability: 8/8 (+3), (+12)

- Stat Points: 29

- Currency: 1,250

- Role: <The Dreamer>

- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>

- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>, <Survivor>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>, <Visualize>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>

- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Shirt, Trouser, and Sneakers>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Tower Pass (F1)>

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.

"Haha... sweet!"

As I lay amidst the wreckage of the vanquished boss, my breath ragged and my body covered in wounds, a sense of accomplishment mingled with unease washed over me.

I had emerged victorious, my level soaring to 15 as a testament to my growth and resilience.

'To think I did everything with only 2 Life Force.'

I wasn't a gamer or anything like that before the world became like this, but; I was sure even gamers would be impressed by how I was able to survive, fighting so brazenly despite everything at stake.

'Still. I beat it. But...' A gnawing sensation coursed through me

"Why isn't the System saying anything? Isn't the mission already over?"

As I contemplated the remaining enemy lurking within the depths of the hotel, a sudden disturbance caught my attention.

'Huh? What are those?' Quickly rising to my feet, doing my best to take a cautious stance, despite how exhausted I was, I stared at the ongoing scene before me.

Right in front of me were swirling black pools, radiating nothing but malevolent darkness. The disgusting liquid from the five respective puddles spluttered and bubbled, causing me to take further steps back.

'It's just like I saw in the gym back then. What's going on?! More Demons?!'

As if to answer my inquisition, figures began to emerge from the murky pools, their ethereal forms blending with the shadows.

One came from each pool, making them five in total, they maintained their stance atop the pool that birthed them. Initially, they were all covered in black goo, making them unrecognizable.

They had humanoid forms, though, which puzzled me.

'Humans? Not Demons?'

However, this confusion didn't last very long. Soon, the black goo solidified on their bodies, and details formed in a flash, revealing the identities of my new enemies.

"N-no... no way..." My heart sank as recognition dawned upon me.

It was Lisa, Jake, and their three other friends, their pale visages twisted by malevolence.

A mix of emotions surged within me as I locked eyes with them—fear, anger, and a fierce determination to protect myself and complete my quest.

All these emotions crashed and clashed, leaving me nearly paralyzed as I fought to process the inrush of emotions that now assailed me.

Why were they here? No, they were just mirages. The real versions were already dead. Yes... that had to be the case.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

<Welcome To The Climax Of The Special Event>

{You have defeated the Boss and activated the Hidden Effect of the Special Event. Now, you are confronted with your final foes. Defeat them, and win the Special Event. Lose... and you simply die. Should you succeed, you will be awarded a Special Reward.}

~Hidden Event: <FACE YOUR FEAR>~

[END OF INFORMATION]

'But why? Why would these be my next opponents? Is the System messing with me? Is it doing this intentionally?'

It was then, in that harrowing moment, that a realization struck with a sickening clarity—the System was toying with me, exploiting my weaknesses, and using my past failures against me.

"Damn... damn you..." Anger simmered within, bubbling to the surface as a bitter taste filled my mouth.

"DAMN YOU!!!"

Fury coursed through my veins, a fiery indignation at the unseen puppeteer who manipulated the very fabric of this twisted game.

'I have been playing my part without complaint. I have been dutiful, leveling up and doing my best to survive. I haven't complained much or challenged whoever made this crazy mess.. yet... Yet...!!!'

How dare they play with my emotions, taunting me with apparitions of those who hurt me most? The memories of my time in that room, experiencing nothing but silent hunger and despair, were still etched deep within me.

They continued to haunt me, to the point where forgetting them was impossible. Yet, why would the System show them to me again?

"Why...?" A seething resentment swelled within me, fueled by a sense of injustice and betrayal.

But amidst the anger, a bitter truth settled in my mind. I had no choice but to face this mockery of my past failures head-on.

"Fuck..." The System had crafted this cruel scenario, and I still had no choice but to be its pawn.

If I wanted to survive, I had to fight and win; even if this situation was frustrating.

With gritted teeth and clenched fists, I steeled myself for the battle that lay before me.

The black pools vanished, and the five pale bodies of Lisa, Jake, and the three others, began to move.

'I'm still very tired, but if I activate all my Skills at the same time, I should be able to manage.'

The problem was that I couldn't gauge their power. The System wasn't telling me how dangerous they were. It didn't even give its usual System Warning.

I was quite literally on my own!

As the apparitions closed in, their eyes vacant yet filled with a sinister presence, I pushed aside my anger, harnessing it as fuel for my determination.

They may have embodied my past weaknesses, but I had grown stronger.

'This time, the outcome will be different.'

Gritting my fist, I prepared myself, readying Energy Rock, which floated above me.

"RAAAHHH!!!!" With a battle cry that echoed through the room, I launched myself away from the fray.

~WHOOOSSSHHH!!!~

The first thing I did was create more distance between me and the five.

Before the battle unfolded, I already knew I had to be cautious.

The odds were stacked against me, facing five adversaries at once. Each of their movements was eerily synchronized, so I could only expect their attacks to be calculated and relentless.

And...

~BOOOOMMMMM!!!~

... They proved me right!

All five of them lunged at me mercilessly, sending blows that would kill me if I got careless in the slightest.

'Keuk!' I relied on my Skills to evade their strikes, knowing that a single hit could be fatal.

With a sense of urgency, I utilized my <Sprint> skill, propelling myself into a flurry of swift movements.

The room blurred around me as I evaded their onslaught, relying on my enhanced speed to stay one step ahead. At the same time, I hurled my Energy Rock with precision, aiming for vulnerable spots to deal damage.

As I kept my distance, a sense of caution enveloped me. The trauma of past encounters lingered in my mind, causing my body to tremble ever so slightly.

It was a subconscious reminder to be careful, to not underestimate the power of these apparitions.

But then, something changed.

'Huh?!'

In an instant, the five enemies shifted their tactics. They became faster, stronger, and more relentless than before.

'H-hold on!' The room seemed to shrink as their onslaught intensified, closing in on me from all sides.

My <Sprint> skill expired, leaving me without the advantage of heightened speed. The seconds ticked by, amplifying the pressure and my dwindling energy levels. The familiar surge of <Focus> also faded away, leaving me with a disorienting sense of vulnerability.

'No... no...!!!'

Desperation welled up within me as I realized I couldn't rely on <Visualize> to anticipate their next moves. My energy reserves were low, limiting my options.

Yet, I refused to succumb to panic. I focused on survival, on evading their strikes and finding an opening.

But fate had a different plan. In a cruel twist, I found myself surrounded, trapped in a circle of merciless adversaries.

Their strikes rained down upon me from all directions, their precision and coordination leaving no room for escape. Each blow landed with bone-shattering force, pain rippling through my body.

"Guark!!!"

Lisa, her eyes devoid of emotion, stepped forward, the same knife she had left behind in the room back then glinting menacingly in her hand.

~SQUELCH!~

With a swift and merciless motion, she plunged the blade into my side, twisting it with a sadistic delight.

"GUAAARRRGHHHHH!!!" Agony seared through me, my vision blurring as the world tilted.

All five of them hit me at the same time, sending me flying away from them like a worthless bag of garbage.

~BOOOOMMMM!!!~

Crashing into the wall, debris cascading around me, I lay defeated.

My body felt heavy and unresponsive, every breath a laborious effort. The pain radiated through every fiber of my being, a testament to the ruthlessness of my adversaries.

[SYSTEM WARNING]

<Your Life Force Has Dropped Below 5 Percent.>

{You will soon die…}

Darkness encroached on the edges of my consciousness as I succumbed to the weight of defeat.

'Am I... going to die here...?'

In that final moment, bitterness and regret mingled with the pain. I had fought with all my strength, but it hadn't been enough.

'No... please...' I couldn't do anything but think desperately to myself.

'I don't want this. I don't want to die now! Not now! Not yet!'

The haunting memories of failure echoed in my mind as I slipped into unconsciousness, my body broken and motionless.

'Anything... anything but death!'

[You Have Died]

<Dream Sequence Has Been Disabled>

{Interference has been detected. <Dream> will not be activated}

<The Conditions Have Been Met>

{Exclusive Skill: <Nightmare> has been initiated}

[Nightmare will now commence]

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading!

Next chapter is going to be bone-chilling and epic!