I jolted at a woman’s piercing shriek, whipping my head back toward the source. 

Has it already started…?

My heart pounded as I forced myself to look, eyes widening as I caught sight of the horrifying events taking place just a few feet away from me. 

I saw…it. Something I’d only written -or more like read about. 

My mind raced with memories of the first chapter. Words—scribbles on paper—each 

holding a fragment of his reality, coming together to shape this…nightmare.

Please no…

A crack ripped through the sky, black streaks spreading in all directions like a spider’s webs. It realigned, streaks shifting and concentrated in the center stretching out to form fissures. 

The entrance to the other world…

Soon, joining as a rift opened in the sky, darkness spilling out, swallowing the blue, and replacing it with an ominous red. 

Opening the path for countless terrifying creatures from a dying world…

Black mist poured out from the rift, spreading over the street. Most people in the area were either passed out or hunched over, save for a few—the chosen ones—the ones granted the blessing of the gods and able to withstand the effects brought over by the invaders.  And among them…Daekhui was the strongest.

And he was burdened with the task of closing it and wiping them out…

The prophesied hero—one man destined to save the world and end the invasion. An invasion of monstrous beings, each of whose power surpassed anything this planet could muster. One man… burdened by the deaths of billions, all because the gods decreed him the hero—the gods, created by my hands.

This…is all because of me

I glanced at him, flinching as we made eye contact. I immediately looked away, averting my gaze from his.

To this world…

One after another screams ripped through the air, only to end in sudden, haunting silence. I whipped my head up to see the mist devouring people as it passed — leaving behind nothing more than a carpet of red in its wake. A heavy rust-like smell wafted through the air. The horrifying scene sent a shiver down my spine.

These people…

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Daekui turning to look and reached out to cover his eyes in a panic. I stuttered. ‘D-don’t…please don’t look’

He nodded, turning his head back toward me before raising his arm to remove my hand.

What…have I done?

My chest ached as if a heavy weight was pressing down on it. 

No wonder he hated me so much…

My eyes watered, as the guilt came crashing down on me. I shut my eyes to stop the tears threatening to drip down. But it was useless as they spilled out from the corner of my eyes.

This…all this was done…by my hands. 

I felt a hand clutching my shoulder and straightened up.

And the one who suffered the most from it…is comforting me?

I bit my trembling lip, shakily glancing at him to see his expression.

He parted his lips. ‘Uh…are you okay?’ 

How…could I?

I paused, staring at him for a moment. 

To a man like this…

I pursed my lips before whispering. ‘I…am so sorry’. 

Suddenly, my breath hitched as a sharp pain shot through me — white hot pain piercing through my chest. I found myself hunched over, clutching at the soft fabric of my shirt.

Why…

I opened my mouth to scream, but couldn’t — the searing pain made it hard to get even a word out. I felt nauseous, my head nearly touching the pavement. I took labored breaths, trembling as I felt his hands clutching my shoulders to hold me up. 

this pain…?

I raised my head, trying to look at him through blurring vision.

No…I deserve this…

I could vaguely make out his shape as his lips seemed to be moving but the sound was interrupted by the ringing in my ears as I caught a few words.

‘…you…okay…?

Whatever it is…Let it hurt…

I weakly shook my drooping head when a clear vision popped up before my eyes. My heart raced as I made out the ominous text in the haze.

ERROR! 

What…?

VIOLATION DETECTED!

Why…?

ATTEMPT TO REVEAL REALITY HAS BEEN DETECTED. THIS IS YOUR FIRST OFFENSE AND WILL RESULT IN PUNISHMENT. 

How was that-

WARNING! A SECOND INFRACTION WILL RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF THIS ROUND.

What the fuck?!