Veltis's footsteps—which had sounded close just a moment ago—gradually grew more distant.The soldiers that Veltis and I had killed earlier were probably scouts.
And the fact that the dispatched scouts did not returnmust have drawn even more of them into this area.
Now, Veltis would have to face the fully armed Glaveron soldiers alone.
Even if I wanted to help, in my current condition, I would only be a hindrance—worse, I might put him in even greater danger.
All I could feel toward him was guilt.
I looked at the woman lying unconscious.She—unaware of what was happening—had fainted from the shock of what she experienced today,and for a moment, I envied her.I wanted to help Veltis, but this reality where I could do nothing was unbearably cruel.If there had been a whip before me,I would have beaten myself until I was covered in blood,in proportion to the pain of not being able to help him.
[BANG!]
A gunshot rang out—the battle had begun.The air I breathed felt heavier with every breath.My heart burned hotter than any flame, consumed by anxiety.
[BANG!]
Another gunshot—I was terrified something might happen to Veltis.My hands trembled, my lips quivered.If something happened to him,then surely the next to die would be me and this unconscious woman beside me.
Fixing my eyes on the blazing campfire,I silently prayed for Veltis's safe return.Each spark that rose into the night sky felt like a fragment of my hope.I was restless and anxious beyond measure.
[BANG!]
If something were to happen to Veltis right now,there could be no heavier burden of guilt.I wanted to spring to my feet and run to his side—but I knew with painful clarity that watching the fire burnwas the only thing I could do for him.
[BANG!]
Another shot echoed through the darkness—a sound that reminded me once again of my helplessness.With trembling hands, I pulled out a photograph.It was tattered and worn,but even in its ruined state, I could clearly see my family's smiling faces.I missed them.Remembering the days we spent together,I prayed that they were safe and unharmed.
[BANG!]
While I stared at the photo, another gunshot echoed.Waiting any longer suddenly felt meaningless.I gripped both handles of my twin Guidance Swords and tried to rise to my feet.
At that very moment, my Divine Sense whispered to me—as if in warning.
[Your friend Veltis is strong, so don't worry about him—instead, worry about your injured leg.]
I didn't doubt my Divine Sense.But to worry about a dear friend was, after all, human nature.
"Ghh…!!"
Ignoring the divine warning, I tried to lift myself up,but the pain shooting through my leg was unbearable.A deep groan escaped me before I could hold it back.The pain pierced straight into the depths of my mind,suppressing even my will to move.What I truly wanted was to fight by my friend Veltis's side.
So, I tried again to stand.
"Argh…!!"
This time, it didn't end with a groan—the pain felt as though my leg was being torn apart.In the end, I had no choice but to give up.
"Damn it…!!"
In that moment, I realized there was nothing I could dobut pray for Veltis's safe return.It was miserable, but I had to accept it.I decided to trust my Divine Sense.
Veltis would survive—he would return victorious,and together, we would go home—back to our homeland, the Kingdom of Veldoras.
Just as I wished, he would return unharmed.I had already witnessed his strength with my own eyes.When he charged at me without hesitation that day,I understood exactly what kind of warrior he was.
One second felt like ten minutes—and ten minutes like a hundred.It was as though time itself had stopped—even the heat of the campfire seemed frozen in place.
Again, consumed by helplessness,I tried to look at my family's photo,as if whipping my invisible self into action.
[Footsteps… footsteps…]
From afar, slow and heavy footsteps began to echo.It was unmistakably Veltis's.Relief flooded through me.The tension that had gripped me finally melted away,and I released my grip on the sword.
"That was fun."
I lifted my head and looked up—Veltis was back, just as I had hoped.As expected, he looked like a victor.From head to toe, he was drenched in the blood of Glaveron soldiers—the crimson stains gleamed beneath the firelight like a grotesque armor.
"Ah… refreshing."
Veltis sat down beside the campfire,speaking as if he had just taken a pleasant bath rather than fought a deadly battle.His humor made me smile faintly—he was truly a cheerful man.
But under different circumstances, he could have died out there—still, I thought only a victor could afford to joke like that.
"It was nothing—just noisy.They came at me just because they had numbers on their side.In the end, I killed them all."
He stretched his shoulders as he spoke,his tone soaked in calm confidence.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
"For what?"
"If my leg hadn't been injured, I would have fought by your side.I'm sorry I made you fight alone."
[Tap, tap, tap.]
Veltis patted my shoulder with one hand and grinned.
"No, thanks to your injured leg, I got to have some fun by myself—relieved some stress too."
His words were shocking but honest.
"Actually, I was a little relieved.I kept wondering what I would've done if you hadn't been injured."
He smiled brightly and patted my shoulder again.
"Honestly, that would've been worse.You probably would've taken all the fun of the fight away from me."
[Heh.]
I laughed. My friend Veltis was truly remarkable.I respected him—and above all, I was glad.Glad that someone like him was my friend.
"Let me see your leg."
Veltis knelt and began examining my injured leg.In his hand were medical supplies—I didn't know where he had gotten them.I silently showed him the wound.
"It's a first-aid kit," he said."Got it off one of the guys I just killed. Thought you might need it."
He began treating my leg carefully, trying not to worsen the injury.
"Ghh…"[Thud! Thud!]
"Don't whine. It's not bad enough to cut off."
"Ow!!"
He struck my leg lightly with his palm—just a joke,but even that hurt unbearably.I wanted to grit my teeth and endure it like a proper warrior,but it was impossible.
Maybe he couldn't bear to see me in pain—maybe he just didn't want to watch me suffer any longer.Either way, his hands moved faster as he worked.
[Thud! Thud!]
He tapped my leg again and smiled brightly.
"All done."
Before I could even react, he swiftly jabbed a syringe into my neck.
"Relax. It's just a sedative."
He was truly one amazing guy.I had wanted to let him rest after that battle,but instead, the opposite had happened.As my vision blurred and my body went limp,I grabbed the collar of his shirt tightly.
"No…!!"
I resisted, but it was useless.My consciousness drifted farther and farther away.Veltis watched me sink into deep sleep and smiled.
"Rest well, my friend. I'll see you when you wake."
As my eyes slowly closed,my consciousness began to wander—lost within the rift between reality and illusion.
I couldn't even resist—I simply fell, slowly, into its depths.
If I were to fall asleep now,I would inevitably find myself in that world—where everything was possible,yet nothing could ever be truly possessed.
The Dream Rift.