Sometimes We Have Nightmares -4

My mind races quickly.

Who is this guy, anyway? Have I seen him in the game?

…No, I haven’t.

A monster resembling a white rabbit doll. I couldn’t have missed such a distinctively shaped entity.

That means it’s either an extra or an unmentioned existence.

‘Not an extra… for sure.’

Just looking at how he laughs and extends his hand, I can guess. This guy is not an ordinary extra.

“Who am I, you ask?”

“…”

“Let me introduce myself. I am the Strategy Advisor, Ppyong-Ppyong, of the Demon King’s Regular Army.”

“…What?”

“Strategy Advisor Ppyong-Ppyong.”

My gaze turned to his ears at those words.

Is he named Ppyong-Ppyong because he looks like a rabbit doll?

Anyway, that’s not the important thing.

I glared at him and asked.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, of course. Aren’t you an ordinary part-timer, and also one of the few who achieved S-class as the best villain?”

“…How did you find out?”

“It’s simple.”

Clap! Ppyong-Ppyong claps his hands loudly.

“It’s all thanks to that Bagrude fellow.”

“Bagrude…?”

That orc monster I defeated before.

Why him?

“That guy, despite being thick-headed and part of the irregular army, was quite strong.”

“…”

“When such a guy suddenly died, ah, how could we remain still? We immediately launched an investigation.”

The death of Bagrude must have been quite a shock among them.

Seeing that their investigators, who don’t normally move for trivial matters, took action.

“That’s when we discovered it.”

“…”

“That Bagrude’s essence had gone to someone.”

“And that someone is.”

Ppyong-Ppyong nods.

“Yes, it was you. Wow, it was close. We barely found you.”

“…”

“How can you hide so fucking well?”

I had hidden Bagrude’s essence in Kkomul-i’s nest.

That place where tentacles pop out, it was a kind of subspace.

To think they could even smell what was there.

It seems they detected my identity through Bagrude’s magical energy flowing from my body.

“So, what are you going to do now? Take revenge?”

“Revenge? Why would we do such a thing?”

He extended his hand for a handshake again.

This time it was longer, to the point where it felt sinister.

“Let’s join forces, Mr. Kraken.”

“…What?”

“Won’t you join us in reviving the Demon King and staining this world with amusement?”

A familiar word popped out.

Amusement.

The Demon King sends minions in advance to gather energy for his descent to play in this world.

He creates a world good for playing with the minions he gathered, and when he feels he’s enjoyed enough, he departs for another space.

The problem is that as a result of this amusement, the world becomes devastated.

“It’s fun to be with the Demon King.”

“…”

“You can enjoy whatever you want. Drugs, food, alcohol, sex… isn’t there someone you have in mind?”

“Who are you referring to?”

“Well, this is just a rough guess… if I’m wrong, please forgive me.”

Ppyong-Ppyong bows his head respectfully while saying that.

A dignity befitting an advisor of an organization. It would have been nice if he wasn’t a twisted piece of garbage inside.

I did briefly consider his words. Not for my happiness, but to act as a spy sort of role.

But.

‘It’s not very meaningful.’

Even the Demon King isn’t a fool.

At the very least, during his stay in this world, I would be excluded from most plans. Because I might betray after seeing my world getting destroyed.

So the chance for me to gain the Demon King’s trust and access to important information would only be possible in the next world.

So that offer.

“I decline. There’s no merit in it for me.”

“Is that so. Well, that’s disappointing.”

He shakes his head and steps back.

Surprisingly, he’s withdrawing quietly.

“Well, I thought you might say that.”

“…”

“After all, you… care about Magical Girl Iris, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Don’t pretend. You were present in most places where Iris was. What is this? A twisted love?”

An irritating voice.

What does he know to talk like that?

Even though he was clearly a doll with no expression changes, I had an illusion of feeling emotion from him.

Mockery.

I couldn’t shake the thought that he was mocking me.

To erase this dirty feeling…

“…Still, thank you.”

“Pardon?”

“You saved me the trouble of searching for you.”

I just need to erase the source.

Swoosh!

He made a puzzled sound but soon realized.

“Oh ho… this is quite impressive.”

“Did you think I was just having a conversation?”

Tentacles that had been widely spread around the vicinity emerged from all directions and bound him.

The thin, wire-like strands had the disadvantage of breaking if the opponent was too strong, but.

“I guess you’re not that strong.”

“Yes, that’s right. Embarrassingly, I’m the type who fights with my ability…”

“Ability?”

He nods and snaps his fingers.

Snap, a sound that resonates loudly.

“I fight using dreams. As a bonus, I can also control dolls… but that’s just a subsidiary ability.”

“Using dreams?”

A thought flashes through my mind.

Noah’s dream of her father dying before her eyes. The strange and scary dream Yul experienced.

Could it be.

This guy’s ability.

“Those who fall under my clutches shall fall into my hands once more.”

A voice charged with magical energy reverberates.

An uneasy feeling crawls up from deep within.

“So, what do you think? This is my ability, Dream Walker.”

“…That’s lame, what is that? Chuunibyou?”

“Haha! You seem to think the name Kraken is cool!”

After a burst of laughter, he soon calmed down and said.

“Perhaps Iris and Black Heart. The two of them will have nightmares. Yes, long and painful nightmares.”

“…”

“And if they don’t wake up… they’ll wander in dreams forever and die.”

“…”

“Of course, they could recover with a supply of powerful essence. Or if there’s an incredible healer…”

As he was saying this, he paused.

It seems his words have come true, as he speaks with a slightly annoyed voice.

“…Oh, Black Heart seems to have awakened immediately. There must have been a powerful healer nearby. She’s a lucky child.”

“Natalia is an excellent healer.”

“I see. How unfortunate for me.”

After saying that, he snapped his fingers again.

This time it was a different wave.

As the sound spread, all rides stopped simultaneously and darkness descended.

All electricity in the amusement park ceased, except for one place.

Electricity flowed only toward the large central hall, creating a huge light.

-How long did you plan to keep me locked up…!! An eternal Halloween for the dolls!

A giant pumpkin-headed doll shook the amusement park.

It was so large that it matched the size of a standing Viking ship.

I muttered its name.

“…Pumpkin.”

“Oh, it seems you know this one.”

“…You!”

Swoosh!

Giant tentacles grabbed its limbs and tore it in half.

Cotton burst out like innards exploding, and Ppyong-Ppyong’s body scattered on the ground.

Yet, his uniquely annoying tone didn’t stop and continued.

“Is it anger at yourself for not being able to stop it? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Even if you had killed me here, I would have revived in another doll’s body and carried out the plan.”

“…”

“Is this the time to express your anger at me? While Iris is wandering in a dream?”

“Kuk…!”

I crushed the remaining pieces of him and left the place.

He was about to begin. His amusement in this amusement park, which was like a nightmare.

Even from a distance, his unpleasant voice brushes past my ears.

“Now then, show me. The sight of you all being ravaged by the nightmare I created. That is, for me, the greatest amusement.”

“What is that!”

Taehwa.

No, Stella flew high into the sky and shot star arrows.

Pabababak!

Arrows embedding in the body of the pumpkin-headed doll.

But it didn’t stop.

That was natural.

It was just a simple doll with no life or pain.

The monstrous doll that pulled out the arrows soon began repairs.

Dolls covered in cloth, appearing from somewhere, began to stitch up the holes by sacrificing themselves.

Moderate attacks are useless.

In the end, a decisive blow that can take out that body at once is needed…

“Unnie! Noah… no, Iris!?”

“I’m trying to contact her! More importantly, Black Heart…!”

“Damn…!”

Iris, who could make this possible, is nowhere to be seen, and Black Heart, whom they barely found, has fallen asleep again.

Natalia, who had a serious expression, takes a deep breath.

“Star, please bestow your blessing upon this child.”

Mana draining out and, proportional to it, a vast starlight unfolding. When it gently covers like a spring day’s warmth, soon Black Heart opens her eyes.

“I had… another strange dream…”

“You’ve awakened… phew…”

“Unnie! Are you okay!?”

“I’m fine… just… a little tired. I’ll be fine after resting a bit… for now, let’s focus on that thing first…”

“…Understood.”

Stella loading starlight again.

Black Heart also seemed to understand the situation as she hurriedly draws her sword.

“Can the two of us handle it…”

“It’s annoying…”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it annoying to be intimidated by something like that? Unnie? I want to look strong and cool.”

At those words, Stella snickered.

“You’re right. We can’t be carried by Iris.”

“Yes, we’ll defeat that monster-“

At that moment, a man’s voice was heard.

“Ridiculous. Weaklings talking big… stop it. You can’t win yet with just you all.”

Black Heart turned her head at the familiar voice.

There stood.

“…Kraken!?”

Kraken, who had given her such painful memories.

Stella asked.

“Did you do this!?”

“No, I don’t like commotion.”

“…”

“And think about it. Have I ever harmed innocent people?”

“That’s… true.”

Noah had said it before.

Strangely, he just leaves civilians alone.

Because of that, Stella thought maybe he’s not a bad guy after all, but soon realized.

“Where is Iris? Iris, bring her here quickly. The light of my life, the flame of my existence, my sin, my soul. Iris.”

He’s just a crazy guy.

“Why are you looking for her? If you’re thinking of fighting again-“

“To defeat that monster together.”

“…What did you say?”

“That monster is strong. Probably even she can’t guarantee victory.”

Crack. Kraken clenches his fist.

“I cannot forgive that sight. The only one allowed to claim victory against Iris is me alone.”

“…”

“So I propose, blue-haired magical girl. Could you tell me as much as you know about her location? Then I will gladly become your spear and shield to destroy the enemy.”

“…”

“I do not speak lies.”

Stella entered a state of deep contemplation.

It’s frustrating, but it’s true. Right now, with the three of them… no, since Natalia is in a depleted state, two and a half.

With this force, it’s almost impossible to defeat that powerful monster.

But they can’t go looking for Iris either.

“Hurry! Please evacuate quickly!”

Because the evacuation of citizens is not yet complete.

“Certainly… with just us, the most we can do is temporarily bind its feet.”

“You’re quick to be objective.”

“…Will you really help us?”

“Iris alone cannot defeat that thing either. Even if she wins, she’ll be severely injured.”

“Will you help or not!”

“I’ll help as much as needed. For the day when I defeat her with my own hands.”

“…Fine. I don’t like it, but…”

Stella said with a big sigh.

“The last place we were in contact with her was near the carousel. And the carousel is…”

“Near the monster.”

“You know well.”

“…Thank you, please do your best.”

“Huh? Um…”

Saying that, Kraken quickly disappeared.

“Unnie? What’s wrong?”

“No… it’s probably just my imagination…”

“?”

She probably misheard.

For Kraken to say something like ‘Please… please be safe…’ as he left.

And for his voice to have the atmosphere of a prince going to rescue a princess.

Could it be… does he like Iris too?

That can’t be.

Even if it’s a one-sided love, he’s a pitiful guy.

Noah already has something like a boyfriend.

A wonderful one to the point where you wonder when they’re going to officially date.

…Sigh, what’s the point of thinking about that now.

“…Come on! Draw your sword, Black Heart! We need to hold out somehow until Iris and Kraken return! Got it?”

“Yes! I will definitely hold out!”

I’m in really big trouble now.