Advent of the Three Calamities

"Ukh... I can’t sleep."

I tossed to the side and pushed the pillow above my head while covering my face. I had been like this for the past couple of hours.

’...I should get leaving soon.’

My original plan was to pretend to sleep for an entire night before leaving, but upon further thought, I realized this was a stupid idea.

I didn’t want to sleep because I was afraid he might use the chance to look through my ’dreams’ and ’memories’, but on further thought, if he could really do that, then he’d know if I was sleeping or not. For that reason, pretending to sleep was just a stupid idea.

’The chances of him being able to see my memories is also slim since he could’ve done so before, but I don’t want to take any risks.’

Fwap—

Tossing the blanket away, I sat up and massaged my head.

"I should probably head back."

Casually making my way to the bathroom, I washed my face and adjusted my appearance in the mirror. With that done, I left my room and headed straight for the Citadel’s exit.

Given that I had a map of the entire city on the phone, finding where I needed to go wasn’t hard, but as I headed out of the building, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being watched by over a hundred different pair of eyes.

It left my skin tingling and I tried my best to act oblivious to the entire situation.

’Given my current position, nothing should happen to me, and yet, why does it feel like I’m walking on thin ice?’

Something about my current situation felt off, and my mind raced in overdrive, desperately trying to piece together any bits and pieces that might help me understand the sudden shift in the situation.

’...A conflict between Atlas and the Governor?’

This was possible.

I used to think that the four organizations and everyone within them were on the same page, but it became awfully clear to me that it wasn’t the case.

The only thing the four organizations had in common was the fact that they obeyed one person. Outside of that, they didn’t seem to get along all that well with one another.

Of course, this could very well be wrong.

It was merely a guess I had made given what I had managed to observe in the past.

Whether it was true or wrong, I was still unsure.

"Hoo."

Letting out a long breath and pausing, I looked down at my phone and raised my head back up.

The Citadel was divided into several zones, with the central district being the most densely populated and dominated by towering skyscrapers. As one ventured farther from the Central area, the buildings gradually shrank in size, giving way to smaller, less imposing buildings.

With the Central area containing the ’exit’, I had no choice but to head there.

And the closer I was to the Central area, the more people I found wandering the streets around me.

Their presence made me feel a bit safer, but at the same time, I didn’t let my guard down.

Walking down the pedestrian streets, I remained vigilant while thinking about my situation. In the end, something struck my mind as my steps slowed down.

’What if...’

My heart started to beat faster as a thought crossed my mind.

’...Neither Atlas nor the Governor have any conflicts? In that case, it wouldn’t make sense for the Governor to pay so much attention to me—unless someone else with high enough authority had asked him to.’

The moment my thoughts reached that conclusion, a wave of tension coursed through my body, causing my muscles to stiffen as my stomach flipped uneasily. Memories of the events leading up to my arrival here began to flood back.

A knot formed in my gut, and a low, restless rumble echoed, adding to my growing unease. Pausing in the middle of the street, I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together tightly.

I thought back to the one figure that closely resembled me and my head started to feel light.

’Right, this would make more sense.’

If there was anyone with the authority to command the Governor, she would undoubtedly fall into that category. Though I still lacked a clear understanding of her exact rank within her organization, one thing was certain—her position couldn’t possibly be low.

She was after all extremely strong.

In that case, if she knew of my current location, wouldn’t she try to tell the Governor to keep me?

This idea only worked on the premises that she knew of my presence within the Citadel, but I had an inkling that it wouldn’t be too hard to know.

Then what...?

’What am I supposed to do?’

My mind grew heavier with each second that passed.

Before I knew it, my steps resumed and I found myself before a large slick white building that seemed to stretch toward the sky. I could see people moving to and fro, and as I pursed my lips, I decided to step into the building.

Swoosh—

The doors slid open automatically, releasing a rush of cool air that swept over me, sending a faint chill down my spine.

"....."

The chill only grew the moment I took a step into the building and noticed several gazes fixed in my direction.

’...Something is definitely off.’

I remained composed and calmly looked around me.

In the far distance, I spotted several towering white doors, each marked with a bold number ranging from one to ten. Along the path leading to these doors, an illuminated exit sign stood prominently, casting a faint glow around.

Along the doors, I saw several people in black standing, their backs against the wall as a small line formed.

I swallowed nervously and moved behind the line.

The exit process wasn’t supposed to be complicated. All I needed to do was hand over the phone back and they’d let me pass through.

With the Governor overlooking everything, nothing else needed to be checked.

He knew everything.

"Next."

Overhearing the rough voice of the guard, I maintained my expression while waiting for my turn.

Despite not showing it outwardly, I was quite nervous.

My heart pounded loudly within my mind as I moved forward silently.

I didn’t know what to expect. Would I be able to go out? Was I overthinking things? Was I really being eyed?

Perhaps I was being paranoid, but if there was one thing that I was certain about, it was the fact that I needed to get out of this place.

I had overstayed my stay.

"Next."

My turn came next, and as I eyed the guard, I calmly handed my phone over.

"....."

A heavy silence settled over the surroundings as the guard took hold of my phone, his hazel eyes locking onto mine. The intensity of his gaze felt almost suffocating, as though he were attempting to unravel every secret I held.

"Room five."

Thankfully, this didn’t persist for long, and shortly after, he directed me towards the fifth door.

Although I was confused, I still followed his instructions and headed for room five.

Clank—

A familiar white room greeted me upon entering room number five.

"Hm...?"

I glanced around, hoping to spot something of interest, but all I saw was an endless expanse of white. No decorations, no details—just a plain, featureless white room.

Clank!

"!?"

The sharp click of the door closing snapped me out of my thoughts, and as my head instinctively whipped around, a sudden vertigo washed over my vision. I struggled to maintain my head clear, trying desperately to hold on, but it was no use.

I was powerless, and...

Thump!

I fell face down shortly after.

My vision darkened shortly after.

*

"Uah...!"

I awoke to an air so dry and suffocating that it felt as though it clung to my skin, almost feeling like I was breathing through a plastic bag.

Blinking rapidly, I took in the distant gray sky and the eerie, pale glow of the white sun. It didn’t take long for me to realize—I was back in the Mirror Dimension. Hastily, I pushed myself upright, my gaze darting behind me to find the faint silhouette of a vast dome-like structure looming in the distance.

’...That simple?’

I looked at my hands and clenched and unclenched them repeatedly.

There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with my body.

I expected the situation to turn awry, but somehow, I managed to get out of the Citadel without any problem. Recalling the weird stares and sensations, I started to frown.

’Was I really just being paranoid? Maybe I was being watched more because of my status? Or was I just overthinking.’

Whatever the case was, I did have ways to deal with the situation.

...I just didn’t expect to be able to get out of the Citadel so easily.

Helping myself back up, I calmly patted my clothes and forced myself to look at the sun.

"....."

My eyes started to burn but I persisted through the pain, until...

’It doesn’t seem to be fake.’

I managed to confirm that no eye was lurking behind the very sun.

Still, that was far from enough for me.

What if this was all a trick and I was still in the dream world? I bit my lips and decided to move a little bit further away from the Citadel before finding a small rock to rest on.

"Hoo."

Letting out a long breath, I closed my eyes and patiently waited for time to pass.

’It should come anytime soon.’

And indeed, I didn’t have to wait very long for my confirmation.

A few hours later, a notification blinked into my view, and it was then that I finally let out a long, relieved sigh.

[Puppet Master : You have overcome the event]

"Looks like I’m no longer in the dream world."

But then...

"...Why did I get out so easily?"

Was I really overthinking things?

***

Citadel.

Tap, Tap—

A finger lightly tapped on the wooden table, the rhythmic sound echoing through the silence as a figure leaned forward, his chin resting in his hand.

His pupils flashed with all sorts of images as several projections floated before him.

Eventually, his lips pulled upwards.

"He’s sharp."

The tapping stopped.

Shortly after, another projection flashed before him.

—Why did you let him go?

A deep, authoritative voice pierced the air.

"Hm?"

Governor Dreamist raised his head and looked at the projection. His gaze fell on an obscure figure, and his brow raised.

"...Not sure I foll—"

—We’ve already explained to you the situation. Why did you let him go knowing that we were looking for him?

"Hm?" Dreamist squinted his eyes, pondering for a moment.

Then, after a few short seconds, he shrugged.

"Because why not?"

There was a moment of stunned silence from the figure behind the projection. Before it could utter a word, Dreamist interjected once more,

"I’m but a mere Governor. Provoking two major forces is just not something that I am willing to do."

—You...

"I, what?"

Governor Dreamist’s face transformed abruptly, adopting an icy, detached demeanor. His eyes began to flicker, displaying a series of images while his entire presence grew ever colder.

"I set the rules within this place. I do as I please, and I don’t listen to anyone but Sithrus. If you have a problem with my actions, you are free to come to me or report me to our Lord."

His mouth suddenly curved into a chilling smile.

"However, I must warn you..."

—Uh?

"...Tread carefully."

Dreamist placed his finger over his temple. Stay tuned to

"You might assume ’his’ silence equates to inaction, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. He only remains silent because he doesn’t care enough to act. Don’t mistake his inaction for a sign of weakness."

—Hmph.

Dreamist’s words were met with a mere scoff.

—...Dawn is not someone that I fear.

The projection abruptly cut off, casting a sudden silence over the room.

Staring at the point where the projection once was, Dreamist’s eyes suddenly turned drowsy. He leaned his head over the table, and as he began to close his eyes, he mumbled,

"...Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you."

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