Chapter 65: Episode 10-Disaster of Lasers (4)
A few hours?
(Wait, that's right, my simulation took seven years to complete, but it happened within several hours.)
As the dream continued, McFarland fully materialized, and I felt sickened. I hated this character with almost every fiber of my being. He was a demented, psychopathic bastard. Perhaps I failed to articulate how much I hated him. If my life became a story, if it transformed into black and white text, maybe I did a poor job of showing how evil he was and why I hated him. I set him up as this significant villain at this point, yet he took a backseat in this story's progression.
(I should probably compare him to someone...)
I know. Mathew McFarland reminded me of Seon Dongsoo from the Webtoon created by Carnby Kim, "Bastard."
(Heh, look at me, instead of showing McFarland's despicable character, I just compare him to someone else...)
He was fully present. I expected him to fly into a belligerent rage and try to attack me. Instead, he just smiled. I shivered. It was so... convincing. That smile was a shield, a sheet of grass hiding the vile ground beneath - his thoughts.
(Ethan.)
(...)
(This seems more stable. All the other times I visited, it was staticky, like a radio. This is so much... clearer.)
(...)
(Are you going to say anything?)
(...)
(Hmph, you decided to stay silent. I understand. It's not every day someone visits your dreams. It must be quite shocking.)
(Why are you here?) I finally asked.
(Oh? He speaks!)
McFarland's grin grew more prominent.
(I'm just here to see how a faithful companion of mine is faring.)
(Don't call me that. I left you and your group a long time ago.)
(Ethan, it's only been a few days.)
(Time feels longer for the young.)
(I can understand why you left. You're afraid. You want to find your mother. You want to be independent in a new world.)
A condescending glint flickered into McFarland's eyes.
(Maybe you think this is all a story. A story where you can be a protagonist and the main character. Still, you have to think beyond yourself. Humanity has to work together to survive.)
As McFarland said this, an almost nostalgic expression painted his face.
(Ethan, I acknowledge you. You helped us survive in the second and third scenarios.)
I froze. The second and third scenario... I didn't want to think about it. I never wanted to remember it. I only cared about the first and the fourth.
(If you didn't convince us to hunt the ground rats, we would've starved. We would've been at a combative disadvantage if you didn't think of using monster bones as weapons. If you didn't propose that we fight together in the third scenario instead of cowering in the green rooms, more people might've died. Ethan...)
(Shut up...)
(We need you. Come back. We can protect you. I've expanded my influence, and my group has grown stronger. I know you killed Cinnamon, but I believe you can repent. The will of God says that anyone can take the path to redemption and free themselves from sin. This is a second chance.)
As McFarland said this, he offered his hand. As he spoke, he inched closer and reached out to me.
[Fragment of the 4th Wall is shouting at you!]
(Get away!)
I threw myself back.
(All of that's rich, McFarland. Redemption? Look in a goddamn mirror and take your own offer. Someone like you needs it more than me. I know what you've done and what you'll do. Don't try to manipulate me into coming back. I waited for the perfect moment to escape from you, and no way in hell am I going back into the lion's jaws.)
McFarland's expression clouded. I would rather rip off my cock than join him.
(Ethan... think carefully about this.)
(Oh, I have. Screw off, you damn pervert. Why the hell are you invading a fifteen-year-old's head? Are you so desperate that you need a child to help you?)
(Ha, I know you aren't a normal kid. It's peculiar how you helped us so well. It's like... you knew what to do and how to do it.)
[Fragment Holders have encountered each other!]
[To gain Fragments of the 4th Wall, kill the opposing Fragment Holder and take their Fragment!]
(I don't know what these "Fragments" are. It's weird. When I took it, I was able to dream of real places. I saw visions of the future that I couldn't decipher. But most of all, I saw you. You've had one since the beginning.)
(I know what you want. You want to lure me into a trap, kill me, and take my Fragment.)
(You're mistaken. I don't understand what they are, but you are invaluable. These mysterious Fragments don't compare to your knowledge.)
(Worthless flattery won't get you anywhere. I'm leaving.)
I turned my back to him, hoping to find an exit of some sort. I peeked over my shoulder frantically, like a person afraid of ghosts. As I walked away, I saw McFarland's face. Chills ran through my body. It was utterly... dead. No mirth. No emotion. Nothing. The word "expressionless" didn't fit. Anxiety grew in the corner of my heart.
(Please, let there be an exit, let me wake up...)
I wished the flaming eye was here. I wished the pure white star could guide me with its light. I wished my Fragment would kick in and protect me. I paced through this void, hoping to leave, but as I struggled, I heard a disappointed sigh.
(Oh, Ethan, tsk tsk. I really tried to give you a chance. You know I can't leave you unchecked.)
(Try me. My power has doubled since the last time we met.)
(Oh, I completely believe that you can protect yourself. Although...)
For some reason, I stopped in my tracks. McFarland's voice carried a smug tone as if he knew my secrets and caught me in a lie. I turned around and-
(Can you protect your new friend George?)
-saw McFarland's disgusting smile that went ear to ear. I wanted to scream and shout, I wanted to ask how he knew, but I would only confirm the truth by reacting. I was about to ask my own question to deflect, but he beat me to it.
(Don't bother lying. I already know he exists. You made him into a companion. You see, I can't explain it, but-)
(Shut up.)
(I saw multiple dreams of myself killing him.)
(Shut UP!!)
(Oh dear, you've become heated! Ethan, you chose to betray and abandon me. The repercussions will come to haunt you. Really, it will be a shame-)
(I said shut up!!)
(-if something happened to your comrade!)
(Don't you dare lay one finger on him, you sick bastard.)
(The choice is up to you! You have control in this situation! One, come back and join us, or two, become our enemy! It's simple! His fate is in your hands!)
[The dream space is growing unstable!]
[The connection between two Fragment Holders has grown unstable!]
[The dream space will disconnect in a short moment!]
Like a weak building suffering from an earthquake, the dream swayed and rocked side to side. Wisps of white fell from above like plaster from a ceiling. As the space between McFarland and me grew cloudy, I saw his fake grin and his gritted teeth forming a false smile. I stared back and felt my face contort in rage. Mustering what little bravado I possessed, I gave him the final message I would say to him in this dream space.
(If God exists... I swear, I will look for you, I will find you... and I will kill you.)
[The connection between two Fragment Holders has been disconnected!]
Afterward, my soul floated freely - untethered, unbound, unshackled. Scenario screens appeared within this void: I saw scenes from my first scenario, second, and third. I looked at the final screen and saw the Toy Dungeon. The screen was split in half - I saw my leap of faith towards the Toy Master, and I saw Darth Vader striking downwards to kill George.
I didn't know these pivotal moments happened in tandem. Even though this was the past, I still held my breath until the Toy Master was killed. As it happened, the animated Darth Vader shrunk until it was nothing but a plastic figure. I saw George pick it up within the screen: the figurine retained its previous damage - it was scarred and melted in places.
(I wonder if he still has it.)
Soon, I felt myself waking up. Before I opened my eyes, though, I saw these messages.
[Incarnation "Mathew McFarland" is being rejected by his Fragment!]
[Incarnation "Mathew McFarland" is experiencing instability with his Fragment!]
[Fragment Holders are resonating!]
[A Fragment Holder is nearby!]
It was time to talk to Preston Doyle.
***
"Ugh."
I felt like shit. Even though I slept for hours, I still felt tired. My eyelids ached, and they felt sore when I peeled them open. I moved my body, which was healing from the [Ellain Forest Essence], but it still felt crappy. I looked to the window and saw it was still nighttime.
(I'm going to have to take over a station today.)
I stood up from the bed, tucked my feet into my sneakers, and holstered my Crimson Mana Sword. I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw it was 3:00 AM.
(How am I going to convince the kid to give me his Fragment?)
Perhaps the upcoming situation ahead would prove more difficult than any scenario I've been in.
***
"Your name's Preston, correct?"
"Mm-hmm."
Right now, I was sipping a can of G-Fuel while he was drinking from a juice box. It was probably the first decent thing he's had in months. He slurped grape juice from the bendy straw while staring at the night sky. The Milky Way was spread out before us, allowing our mortal eyes to feast on its visage.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Preston nodded enthusiastically.
"What did you do after the apocalypse?"
"I was a cook for the bad people."
"What did you make?"
"They only gave me meat. I wasn't allowed to eat it."
If he was talking about the bad people before the slavers, then it meant he was given human meat. I diverted the topic, and we made small talk for a few minutes. After a moment passed, I decided to move on to the most important thing. One of which the stars must never know.
-[Herald?]
-[Yes?]
-[I need you to play some commercials. I don't want the Constellations to overhear my conversation. I also need you to leave as well.]
-[Sheesh, fine. I'll do it and leave. Call me when it's time to broadcast again.]
-[Thank you.]
The Dokkaebi communication went mute, and the eyes of the Constellations couldn't be felt.
"Preston, do you know what the Fragments of the 4th Wall are?"
Preston whipped his head to stare at me. It might've been my imagination, but in my periphery, I thought I saw a blue spark flicker and vanish.
"You know?" He asked innocently.
"Yes. I also have a Fragment."
"I know. I saw it. My Fragment told me."
(Does his Fragment talk to him too?)
"Does your Fragment talk to you?"
Preston looked at me as if I was stupid.
"No, that's silly. You can't talk to a rock. I just see messages."
(Hm. Fraggy, are you the only Fragment that can talk?)
[...]
It seems they intended to ignore me.
"How do you know your Fragment is a rock?"
"I saw it in my dreams."
"Have you seen anything else in your dreams?"
This was an important question. As I asked the young boy, he cast his view to the ground, and darkness covered his face.
"I had this one dream... I saw daddy get killed."
(Oh god.)
Preston looked at me. Did he know?
"I saw you do it."
Yep, he knew.
"Do you hate me?"
"No."
The child's eyes grew misty until full tears cascaded down his face.
"Daddy... he was becoming scary. He wasn't the same... Still..."
The child could barely form coherent sentences from his sobbing.
"I wish he was still here!"
What was I supposed to do? Hug him? Comfort him? Tell him a lie? Act like every adult and try to sugarcoat this serious issue?
"Do you want to know what happened?"
"I already know!"
The Preston's voice raised in anger and resentment.
"Daddy was turning into a monster... He wanted to die."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to console this child. I decided to get straight to the point.
"I need your Fragment."
"I know. You want to take it."
"No. I need to take it. It's the key to our survival."
"I can't give it to you. It protects me."
I didn't know the scope of his Fragment's power. I didn't know how much it protected him. If someone approached me and asked me to relinquish my only security blanket in this cruel world, would I give it to them? It was an easy answer: No. So, who was I to ask the same of this boy?
"Would you give me your Fragment if I promised to protect you in its place? You and these people?"
Preston looked at me with his tearful gaze.
"Adults can't keep their promises," he said sourly. "Daddy said he would survive. Mommy said she'd never leave me. Miss Garcia said I could stay with her."
My ears perked when he mentioned the Wolf Tamer's last name. How could I convince him?
"Well, I'm not an adult. Technically, I'm still a kid, like you. I understand how you're feeling and why you don't trust the grown-ups. I'm not a powerless person in this grim world either."
"..."
Preston stayed silent but asked a question soon after.
"What are you gonna do with the Fragment?"
"I want to use it to become stronger. I want to repeat what I did to this place: I want to use my abilities to save the oppressed. If you agree, I vow to do everything in my power to protect everyone here."
"Really?"
Preston's voice cracked and rose higher when he said, "Really?"
"Yes."
Moments passed until he finally moved. He extended his hand towards me. I mimicked his motion, and just as our hands were about to press together-
"Pinky promise!"
-his small pinky wrapped around mine. I smiled.
"I swear on this pinky promise. I'll become stronger for the sake of my kingdom."
Now clasping each other's hands, we initiated the process.
[Incarnation "Preston Doyle" wishes to relinquish their Fragment.]
[Incarnation "Preston Doyle" wishes for Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" to be the recipient of their Fragment.]
[Do you accept?]
[Yes/y]
[No/n]
"Yes, I accept."
With a flash of sparks, I felt the atmosphere grow heavy. Our interconnected hands lit up with streaks of blue lightning, and the surroundings groaned as if something massive was moving through it.
"Gah!"
[You have acquired a new Fragment!]
[You have partially reconstructed the 4th Wall!]
[Collect other Fragments to fully reconstruct the 4th Wall!]
In the following moments, it felt as if a rock was piercing my cranium. A massive headache assailed me, and my skull grew heavy. I fell onto my knees, clutching my head.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes."
The headache passed, and my mind cleared. I stood up and looked at Preston.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome!"
"Y'know..."
I looked at the garden beds of [Agrigite] flowers.
"The first thing I'll change is this: we're gonna start to growing vegetables. You said you're a cook, correct?"
"Yeah! I have the cooking skill! It's level six!"
"Then you won't just cook meat anymore," I said. "First, we'll have to grow an easy plant, like the ash-stalks, but we could find a variety later on. Maybe we could grow Bok choy if I find any on the Dokkaebi shop."
So, that's how I obtained another Fragment. With joyful smiles, Preston Doyle and I walked back into the building. In truth, Preston didn't just give me a Fragment; he also gave me a new responsibility, heavier than any stone on this Earth.
After making sure Preston was safe and asleep in his designated dorm room, I activated one of the flag's skills.
[You have used the benefits of the navy flag.]
[From now on, you may use the "group chat" with the group members.]
-[Edison Fran and George Machen report to the gymnasium.]
Now it was time to meet the cunning mastermind, Edison Fran.
***
George was rubbing his tired eyes, and his hair was disheveled. I wish I could let him sleep more, but time was of the essence. Plus, it wasn't a negative for him to wake up so early.
[Many Constellations find Incarnation "George Machen" and his bedhead adorable!]
[Many Constellations find Incarnation "George Machen" and his tired yawns adorable!]
[Many Constellations find Incarnation "George Machen" and his morning face adorable!]
[Constellations have sponsored Incarnation "George Machen" with coins!]
The Constellations have multiple desires and want to see various aspects in a broadcast. A stream that could appeal to numerous niches was a successful one.
Edison Fran was also here, but he wasn't as photogenic, so none of the stars cared about his appearance.
"I must say, I've been taking a look around, and I'm very impressed, Mr. Fran."
I looked around the gymnasium and saw how it was converted into a workshop. Instead of a rack of sports balls taking space, there was a rack of steel instead. The complex machinery and simple blacksmithing tools were an Artisans' dream: power hammers, lathes, foundries, bloomeries, and forges dotted the room.
They must've been taken from workshops scattered throughout Seattle or made by hand. An example of a plunderable place was the Tacoma Glass Museum, which had ovens capable of melting the substance. I approached one bloomery and saw its final product. It was a lump of resilient steel, but I could tell it was different. As I grabbed it, system messages showed me the item's description.
+
[Item Information]
Name: Kruk Bone Steel (Impure)
Rating: B+
Description: Pieces of iron were placed into a bloomery filled with bone charcoal. This bone charcoal was created from the femur bones of 8-grade Kruks and was mixed with iron to create a new steel variant. This version is stronger than manufactured Earth variants.
+
It was strange to use guns in this apocalypse. Unlike other post-apocalyptic media, firearms were ineffective against the creatures introduced by the [Star Stream] system. It was a spoken rule in TWSA and ASS, but the more modern the weapon, the less effective it would be. The only solutions are advanced technologies that function within [Star Stream] or an incorporate these fantastical materials with modern creations.
"Mr. Fran, you must've been inspired by the Scandinavians. I presume it isn't well-known, but the Norse had bog iron, which was impure and soft, thus making poor weapons. In the belief of magic, the Norse thought the spirits of the dead resided within bones, and they mixed bog iron with it. The finished product was bone steel."
[Dwarven Blacksmiths from Nidavellir are impressed by your knowledge!]
I looked at the silent man. The emotionless gaze from my helm disconcerted him until he finally spoke.
"Yes, I was inspired by it. I applied that knowledge and made the Kruk bloom you hold right now. That one is unfinished at the moment."
"Is it safe to guess," I bent down to look at one item, "that you made this as well?"
I held the broken rifle, twisted and melted from its backfire.
"You did this intentionally, didn't you?"
"I didn't. It was a malfunction from production."
"Hm, well, that's strange, since that malfunction occurred over a dozen times, killing and wounding several Confederate soldiers. Let's cut to the chase. I order you to tell me the truth. Did you intentionally create a malfunction in certain rifles that would cause them to backfire?"
Edison's Fran face contorted, his lips wriggled as if they were alive, and his head and neck became red from the pain.
"N-n-n-y-y-yes... I caused them to backfire... They backfire after shooting a certain number of bullets..."
He fell onto his knees and breathed heavily as he said it.
"See? That wasn't hard. George?"
"He's telling the truth."
"Thank you for the confirmation. Mr. Fran, why did you do it? Please, speak honestly."
"He was a dumbass getting us killed. Instead of having a mutually beneficial work ethic, he created this slave system. He would've had higher production rates if the workers were willing, but he didn't. His beliefs were sick, and so were his followers. Only the ones loyal to him were given the faulty guns. The people who were on my side, or neutral, were given the untampered rifles."
"What was your plan going forth from the tampered guns? Did you want to become the king? How would you do that?"
"..."
"Answer me."
"I was going to host a demonstration. Steven would be the first to fire the tampered gun and die. I would've taken the opportunity to take his flag. But..."
Edison Fran looked at me.
"But you attacked. Some men who didn't have designated guns accidentally took the tampered rifles and died. N-not all of them were evil. Damnit!! If we had done it my way, no one else had to die but Steven! But now...! Now dozens are dead!"
Edison Fran cried hot tears of grief and shame. Did he regret his decision to tamper with the rifles? I didn't know how he felt, but I knew my feelings. I felt disgusted and guilty.
(If I just waited to attack, could Edison become the king? Could've I negotiated with him to possess the flag?)
Multiple "what if" scenarios flooded my train of thought; each one racked me with guilt. I would've stumbled into my usual depression if it wasn't for Fraggy.
[Fragment of the 4th Wall is repressing your mental shock!]
[Fragment of the 4th Wall is mellowing your emotional state!]
A cool, collected sense of mind washed over me, and my guilt faded away. I didn't even have to use my [Anhedonia] skill.
"Let's not dwell on the past. It's already done, and no one can change it."
[Constellation "General-Slayer" agrees with Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
"I want you to help me, Mr. Fran. I'm willing to work with you. I plan to release the slaves, and create the system you envision. First, you must agree with my terms."
"I've heard that before. When I worked with my old company, I was screwed over. I'm not agreeing to anything."
"I'm not your old company. I don't seek to undermine anyone. I wish to work with you."
"What do you want from me then?"
"I want your help constructing inventions. Weapons, mainly. But I have to make sure you don't tamper with them. Here are my terms and conditions."
I sent Edison Fran the contract I composed.
[Character "Edison Fran" has activated "Contract Scrutinization!"]
As time passed, he sighed out.
"I don't have any other choice. I agree. I won't intentionally tamper with any weapons, and I'll make sure to craft each item with precision. I swear."
[Incarnation "Edison Fran" has agreed with your terms!]
"That's perfect. Now, it's time to move on to the next order of business."
-[Herald.]
-[Yes, I'll play the commercials now.]
The short broadcast was interrupted again with ads, and the muggy air was permeated with streaks of lightning.
-!Tsuchuchuchut!-
Soon, a dark-furred Dokkaebi wearing simple clothing appeared.
"Hello, Ethan."
"Hello, Herald."
As I turned towards Herald, I heard the cocking of a gun. When I looked back, I saw who it was. George Machen - the only humane person I knew - was aiming his rifle at Herald while his face contorted in rage. I wasn't... scared. I was surprised - surprised he could make such a hateful expression.
"You. You furry bastard."
After saying such simple but hateful words, George slowly pressed his finger against the rifle's trigger.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
EnderGolem997
EnderGolem997 Another chapter called "Disaster of Lasers," but the Disaster hasn't shown up yet. (;-;) Guys, I swear, the Disaster will come in the next chapter, and that one will the last one of this arc. I feel like this was pretty boring - just dialogue and stuff.
Anyways, I would like to apologize for not submitting a chapter last week. I finished half of the chapter, but couldn't bring myself to write the rest over the weekend. The work week was really taxing and I felt pretty tired. This week was even worse. It's no secret I'm in school (I'm not telling you my grade), but I've been able to manage my school life with my writing. That was almost impossible. In one week, I was given 2 to 4 assignments PER DAY. I felt a lot of stress, but then Saturday came, along with another episode of my new favorite anime: 86 Eighty-Six.
Aside from that, a thank you for the voters! I'll include last week's voters since I didn't submit a chapter: Haruto1_1, Al12o, Orochimaru76, Daoist6w6ggK, Spectre_Four, MaYeetra, Winter345, Solomon_Burt, Innocent_Florist, chanmonko_catty, sunako, Celebiiiiiiiiiiiii, James_Minh, Djodrake, Ryan_ROBBE, epic_gamer_LXIX,
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