“…”
When I opened my eyes, all I saw was the ceiling.
I was lying on a bed.
‘Did I come back?’
For a moment, I wondered if this was still a dream.
But that couldn’t be.
I clearly remembered using Starlight Road to obliterate the old man in the dream.
My imagination had been so vivid that I got caught up in it and lost consciousness midway—but still, I was sure I defeated him.
This world was not a dream. This was reality.
I sat up from the bed.
“Ugh… My body…”
Maybe it was because I hadn’t gotten proper sleep.
The back of my neck was stiff, my shoulders tight with tension.
My arms and legs tingled with a dull ache.
Stretching lightly on the bed, I looked around the room.
“This means I passed the test, right? They didn’t explain a damn thing, so I’m not even sure.”
The room hadn’t changed.
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
Thud!
“…Huh?”
A noise came from the bathroom.
It sounded like someone had slipped and fallen.
I distinctly remembered locking the door before going to bed. If someone else was here—
‘Is it him?’
My mind snapped into focus.
Right. Before I fell asleep, I had thrown the portrait hanging on the opposite wall into the bathtub.
That old man—hiding inside the painting— it must still be in the bathroom.
‘I thought I killed him completely… but now that I think about it, he never dropped a mana stone.’
I reached for my navy blue blade.
Drawing the sword silently from its sheath, I moved toward the bathroom, suppressing every sound.
And then—I flung the door open.
“Kh—!”
“So it was you after all.”
[Monster Encountered]
[Nightmare of the Suite Room – Rank 03 × 1]
Just as I expected, the creature was there.
Its hair, like that of a Baroque-era musician, was soaked and wild, hiding most of its face.
Its body, legless and as though fused with the painting itself, crawled across the floor.
Both arms trembled violently as it tried—and failed—to lift its body.
It looked like it was doing a plank position and failing miserably.
“You’ve gotta use your legs to support your body too. You won’t last long in that pose. Not even good for exercise.”
“Grrrh…”
“See? Should’ve brought your legs out too.”
Unlike the figure I saw in the dream, the old man now looked as decrepit as he had in the portrait.
His arms were thin and frail—weak enough to lose an arm-wrestling match to a child.
With limbs like those, of course, he couldn’t lift himself.
Even worse—
‘The damage from the dream must have carried over to reality.’
He looked like he was on the verge of death.
Dark blue blood leaked beneath him, mixing with the water and running down the bathroom drain. Every cough sprayed a thick, wet splatter of it.
There wasn’t a trace of danger left in this Rank 3 monster.
He’d been reduced to this state by the attacks I landed in the dream.
‘To officially pass the test, I should probably finish him off for real.’
Since this wasn’t a dream, the monster wouldn’t be able to use the kind of power he had shown before.
In fact, he wasn’t even at the level of a Rank 1 monster now.
So, without hesitation, I raised my sword.
“W-Wait!”
Sensing his impending death, the old man raised his trembling voice in desperation.
His expression was full of fear and pleading.
“P-Please… just once… spare me. I’ll never do this again. I’m begging you…”
“…”
“I used to be human… like you… before I became a nightmare. Couldn’t you show a little compassion to someone who was once the same as you?”
“You were human?”
“Yes! I was once human! But then—please… spare this old man…”
“But you’re a monster now.”
A monster begging for its life—it was laughable.
Monsters and humans cannot coexist.
They crave the mana of our existence. They are the enemies of humanity.
Hunters are the ones who kill those enemies. That is the purpose of our existence.
If I truly wanted to be a Hunter, I could never forget that fundamental truth.
“P-Please, I’m beg—ghhk!”
“Sure. I’ll show you mercy. Die.”
Screeeeeeech! You wretch—!
“Now that’s more like a monster.”
You… you’ll die like this someday too…!
“Losers always say that. I’m not dying—certainly not by you. And even if I do, you won’t be there to see it.”
You bastard… you ba—grahk!
Even if he wore the form of an old man, even if he was once human, a monster is still a monster.
I stabbed him over and over again with my navy-blue blade until his body disintegrated into glowing particles of mana.
“…Now he’s really dead.”
Left behind in his place was a large mana stone.
I picked it up and turned off the faucet that had been running all this time.
The painting, now empty, floated listlessly in the bathtub.
The monster had vanished completely.
What should I do with this mana stone?
I stepped out of the bathroom, pondering.
“Should I hand it over to the examiner?”
To prove I had passed the fourth practical test, I’d need to show this as evidence.
The real issue was when to show it.
It was currently around 3 a.m.
The Dreamwalker Hotel’s curfew lasted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
‘I have to stay in this room for at least another three hours?’
That was when—
Knock knock.
“Assistant here. Please open the door.”
Did they know I defeated the monster?
The timing was too perfect.
I opened the door cautiously.
Standing there was an assistant wearing a green armband.
“First of all, I apologize for conducting the exam without any proper explanation. And congratulations on passing the fourth practical test.”
“…”
The assistant bowed respectfully.
Since it wasn’t the assistant who had orchestrated the exam—those were the examiners—and since I had figured out what was going on beforehand, I had no reason to complain.
Instead, I asked something that had just occurred to me.
“How did you know I defeated the monster?”
“The room number placard outside your door turned black, then reverted. When it turns black, it indicates a monster is active inside.”
That explained the uncanny timing.
Satisfied with the answer, I gave a small nod.
“Your results will be recorded at the banquet hall. Examinee 1532, please bring the mana stone and the portrait as proof of slaying the nightmare. Your test score will be logged there. If you’re feeling mentally shaken, supporters are operating a mental clinic on-site. Please visit if necessary.”
“But it’s still a curfew. Can I go now?”
“Curfew doesn’t apply to successful examinees. If you have no other questions, I’ll take my leave.”
With a courteous bow, the assistant turned and left.
I decided to head down to the banquet hall to report my results.
“…After I dry this off, anyway.”
Water dripped from the portrait I had dunked in the bathtub.
I wiped it down with a towel, got dressed, and made my way downstairs.
The banquet hall was a mess.
“You should’ve told us it was a test!”
“A cockroach came out! A cockroach! It was really there, I swear!”
“This isn’t a dream, right? This is real, right? sob…”
“…”
Some examinees raged, furious at being thrown into an exam without warning.
Others, visibly traumatized, were struggling to shake off what they’d seen in their dreams.
And some simply stood there, dazed, unsure whether they were even awake yet.
‘Well… I guess that reaction’s only natural.’
A few examinees managed to keep their composure, but none of them looked great either.
“…”
Pale faces, downcast eyes, trembling lips.
Some bit their lips hard enough to bleed. Others visibly shivered.
That was when—
“Screeeaaaaam!”
“Looks like someone really did get possessed.”
“They’ve been taken by the nightmare! Subdue them, now!”
A newly arrived examinee suddenly drew a sword and attacked.
The monster had taken over their body.
Fortunately, the assistants jumped in quickly, and the situation ended with only minor injuries.
The wounded examinee was treated on the spot by the support staff.
‘If I hadn’t figured out the test, or if I’d lost to that thing in the dream… that might’ve been me.’
I silently wished the injured a full recovery.
Then I approached the examiner who was recording scores.
I handed over the mana stone and the damp portrait.
The examiner checked my examinee number and then said:
“Examinee 1532, you’ve passed the fourth practical exam—Suite Room level. Uh… why is the painting wet?”
“I dunked it in the bathtub.”
“…What?”
“I put it in water. Figured I could find the monster in the dream more easily that way.”
“You mean… you knew what the exam was?”
“More or less.”
I shrugged.
That silent answer was enough.
The examiner looked up at me, momentarily startled.
I ignored the reaction.
“I didn’t sleep properly because of the test. I’m pretty tired. Can I go back now?”
“Ah, yes. You’re free to return. We’ll activate the gate to leave the facility at 11 a.m. The explanation for the fifth test will be held in Dimensional Hall Room 305. Please be there by 2 p.m.”
“Understood.”
It was perfect, actually. I felt like I hadn’t slept at all during the fight in the dream. With nothing scheduled until 11 a.m., I had enough time to rest.
I turned and began walking back toward my room.
That was when it happened.
Tap!
Suddenly, someone pushed through the crowd of examinees and ran toward me.
Rabbit ears. Silvery-blue hair.
‘…Yeon-ha-neul?’
Her face looked like she was about to cry, and with both arms spread, she launched herself into me.
Caught off guard, I reflexively caught her.
“…Ha-neul?”
“It’s really you, Gyeon-woo, right?”
Yeon-ha-neul clung tightly to me, burying her face into my chest.
As she nuzzled into me, her rabbit ears twitched and shook with each movement.
‘What’s with her? Did she have a bad dream?’
She trembled slightly in my arms.
Realizing her condition wasn’t normal, I gently stroked her hair and back to calm her down.
“It’s okay. I’m real. Did another version of me show up in your dream?”
“…Yeah.”
“What’d I say? What kind of dream was it?”
“I… I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Alright. Whatever it was, it was just a dream. Let it go.”
“….”
“I’m right here.”
Yeon-ha-neul gripped the front of my shirt tightly.
I decided not to press her further. I didn’t want to provoke her more than she already was.
‘For her to say she doesn’t want to talk about it… it must’ve been something she really doesn’t want to remember.’
Respecting her silence, I kept comforting her.
“You can hear my heartbeat, right? Just focus on the sound. Don’t get caught up in that dream.”
“…Your voice actually stands out more. So I’ll focus on that.”
“Good. Do whatever helps you feel better. Want me to say something specific?”
“Ha-neul only has you.”
“Ha-neul only has you.”
“Not ‘Ha-neul,’ it’s ‘Ha-neul is.’”
“Right. Ha-neul is only for you.”
“Say it again.”
“As many times as you want. Ha-neul is only for you.”
Somehow, I felt like I understood the kind of dream she had.
I repeated the words again and again.
Perhaps my words were getting through—she slowly began to relax.
She lifted her head from my chest.
“Feeling better now?”
“…A little.”
“Want me to keep going?”
“…Yeah. Again. Keep saying it.”
Tear streaks marked her cheeks.
She forced a small smile.
I smiled back.
“Let’s report the test results first, though. If we don’t, we might run out of time and fail by default.”
“Okay. And… Gyeon-woo.”
“What is it?”
“Just for today… can we sleep together?”
“….”
“I mean, after waking up and fighting the monster, my room’s a complete mess… I feel like I’ll have bad dreams if I sleep there again. So, just for today… can I stay with you?”
Blushing, Yeon-ha-neul tugged gently on my shirt.
She shyly shifted her weight from side to side.
‘…Well, what choice do I have?’
I was momentarily flustered by her request—but in the end, I nodded.
“Sure. Let’s sleep together tonight. But we’ll need to get permission for that.”
“Thank you… really.”
She let out a relieved sigh.
With her expression softened, we headed toward the examiner.
The examiner, who must’ve been watching, spoke up with concern.
“Examinee 5784. You didn’t look well earlier. Would you consider visiting the mental clinic for a session?”
“Ah, that’s…”
“The support staff are trained in mental health care. Sometimes it helps to talk things out—”
“No, it’s okay.”
“…I see.”
“I’m really fine now. I don’t think I need any counselling.”
Honestly, the examiner wasn’t wrong.
But Yeon-ha-neul had no intention of going to that clinic.
She cut him off firmly, a resolute look in her eyes.
Naturally, I had to back her up.
“She didn’t get much sleep because of the test. She’ll feel better after she gets some rest.”
“If that’s what the examinees want, I won’t press further. Examinee 5784, you’ve passed the fourth practical test. Suite Room level.”
“Thing is… I think she’ll only be able to sleep peacefully if I’m with her. Her room was wrecked after the fight with the monster… If she sleeps there again, she might get another nightmare. Is it alright if we share a room just for tonight?”
“You want to share a room?”
“She said the memory of that place might bring the dream back. And she looks exhausted.”
“…That could definitely be a trigger. Very well. I’ll allow it.”
“Thank you.”
The examiner wasn’t without empathy.
He made his decision with Yeon-ha-neul’s condition in mind.
We bowed politely, then turned to head back.
“Make sure you pack your things before you sleep. Or do you want me to get them for you? Just tell me where everything is.”
“No, I’ll go. I can’t ask you to do that too. My pillow is… by the dresser, right?”
“I’ve got plenty of pillows in my room. Or just use my arm.”
“Ugh, don’t tease me. I’m using a pillow.”
We rode the elevator up.
The shadows that had darkened Yeon-ha-neul’s expression were mostly gone now.
And then—out of nowhere—she brought something up.
“Hey, Gyeon-woo?”
“What now?”
“What do you think about… public confessions?”
“Public confessions?”
“You know, where someone confesses their feelings in front of a crowd. With candles on the ground, rose petals, balloons… all that.”
“….”
“What do you think of that?”
Where was this even coming from?
I glanced down at Yeon-ha-neul, who was cautiously watching my reaction.
She didn’t look away.
‘Public confessions, huh…’
If it were me in my past life, I might’ve liked it.
It seemed like a way to show someone how serious you were about them. Something memorable, something big.
I’d never had the chance—I was an orphan, and after ageing out of the centre, I spent every day just working. I didn’t have the luxury of liking anyone. My only fun came from games in my spare time.
But that was then.
Now, living as Do-gyeon-woo, I had changed.
I opened my mouth.
“Everyone thinks differently, but for me—a confession should come after you’re pretty sure the other person likes you back. It’s more like confirming what you both already feel.”
“That’s how I see it too.”
“So if someone confesses without knowing how the other feels, it’s just uncomfortable. And if it’s done in public? Even worse.”
“Exactly. I feel the same way.”
She nodded fervently.
Encouraged by her response, I went on.
“But… if I knew the other person liked me too, I don’t think I’d mind a public confession.”
“…What?”
“I mean, if we’re going to date anyway, and it’s done right… a public confession could be romantic. Memorable. People around you recognizing your relationship—that’s not a bad thing.”
“….”
But then I wondered—why was she bringing this up?
‘Does she like public confessions?’
That was my first thought.
‘…Wait. Don’t tell me she had a dream about someone publicly confessing to her. Who was it?’
That made two things I needed to know.
I couldn’t help it.
Even if she didn’t want to talk about the dream, I had to ask.
Just as I opened my mouth to speak—
“Ha-neul, in the dream—”
“Gyeon-woo.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Yeon-ha-neul looked up at me and—
“Don’t even think about something like a public confession—not even in your dreams. Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not.”
Yeon-ha-neul glared at me with stern eyes, her gaze intense and unwavering.
And then she repeated herself, making it crystal clear.
“…You don’t like it?”
“I really hate it!”
“….”
“I never want to receive one.”
“Even if it’s from someone you like?”
“I think I’d lose all feelings the moment it happened.”
“Seriously? Why though?”
“I mean, well… ahem, I’m not saying I’d really lose feelings. It’s just… that’s how much I hate public confessions.”
“So, bottom line—you’re against it.”
“Things that are moody and romantic? That kind of stuff should stay just between us—no, between two people. As a secret, just the two of us. Got it?”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’ll remember.”
“Good. Make sure you do.”
Yeon-ha-neul made her point like a teacher giving instructions.
I nodded along, accepting her words with a quiet smile.
Before long, the elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid open.
We stepped out onto the floor where the suite rooms were located.
‘Still… who the hell confessed to her in that dream?’
She never did tell me.
One of the assistants patrolling the suite room corridor came to a stop in front of a partially open door.
He checked the room assignment list to confirm the occupant.
Room of Examinee 5784.
“…What is this?”
Through the narrow gap, part of the room’s interior was visible.
Something felt off.
Unable to shake the strange feeling, the assistant peered inside—and his eyes widened with visible unease.
The room was in complete disarray, like it had been ransacked by a burglar.
‘Was the examinee possessed by the nightmare?’
Assistants were required to check on examinees’ conditions in such situations.
He stepped in quietly.
“….”
The state of the room was even worse than it looked from the doorway.
The balcony window had been shattered violently, and nearly everything inside had been reduced to wreckage.
As if someone had gone wild with a blunt weapon.
Meanwhile, water was still running in the bathroom—and blood was pooled and splattered across the floor.
But the blood… was blue.
Monster blood.
“It looks like the nightmare was eliminated. So the examinee wasn’t possessed…”
From the scattered traces, the assistant began to piece things together.
Eventually, he muttered with a stiffened face.
“Then the examinee destroyed the room fighting the nightmare?”
That… seemed a little too extreme.
A faint chill ran down his spine.
A sense of unease crept in.
And the fear that followed—he didn’t dare voice it.
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