For I Am A Side Character - 109: A Saint's Dream.

They say that dreams are nothing but dreams…

That it means nothing to a man who wakes up the next morning…

They say that it is a way to tell one’s emotion…one’s trauma…and if possible, one’s goal.

But I say otherwise…

Since the day I’ve arrived in this world, I have never dreamed.

I simply close my eyes and wake up the next day with nothing changed…

Its been too long since I’ve dreamt of something…why is that?

***

‘…Hmm, so how do I go about this?’ he asked himself. During this moment, he pondered to himself how he was going to go about this issue.

As of now, John was in the state of trying to sleep while Soril waited outside of his room.

In his idea, he thought of infiltrating John’s dream the same way the fallen angel’s did in the same manner of imitating a vision of sorts done by the fallen angels. Doing this, it might give him the chance to gain some information from the enemy or maybe yet something more.

In his contemplation, he only ever came to one conclusion…

‘Hmm, the only connection I have to someone who is largely knowledgeable about magic is her…and most likely, she’s fit for this kind of thing.’ having thought this, he made his way to the church.

Walking into the church, he found it to be empty, yet the candles were lit and the sound of a small hymn was in the air. As if a ghost was present in the room, but to his observation, it was nothing but the cold wind blowing in the air, passing through the holes in a tone of a whistle.

“…” and there, he kneeled on the chairs, praying forth towards a certain name.

Silence enveloped the room…through the whispers of his prayer, the candles started to wobble in an uneasy manner…

Like that of a moment of pure silence and thought, his mind was solely focused on one name.

And moments later, he felt the presence of a winged person standing before him.

“…You called for me?” she said as her radiant hair glowed in the ever so dark church.

“…Gypsy, For a fallen angel, I thought you wouldn’t show.” he said as he turned to the angel with a cold gaze.

“Hmm, this is the first time you actually called for me in person. Its simply a surprise, that’s all.” she said.

“…So you can still hear prayers?” asked Soril.

“Of course, its one of the ways that you mortals can communicate to God. And yes…we hear every inch of prayer said all over the world.” she said.

“…Even as a fallen angel?”

“Yes, although I may have been kicked out from the heavens, that does not mean that I resent God. Only through my resentment towards him can my ties be cut towards him. I have sinned…I was the one who has done wrong…I regret my actions, and everyday, I pray to be redeemed.” she said.

“…I see.” looking at Gypsy, Soril could see the guilt on her eyes. Even to this day, she has yet to let go of her sins and moved on.

“So you’ve called for me inside a church? For what reason?” she asked.

“Its about John Bishop. I’m sure Adifer has already explained the situation to you?” asked Soril.

“Ah yes, the fact that voices come and go to John’s dreams at night as a sham to be called a vision from heaven. Its sickening…” she said as she looked disgusted by these actions.

“I’m doing this independently from God’s missions. Not once has he yet sent down an order for me to do something about this situation, yet I’m doing this because it connects to what I presume to be an enemy. For whatever reason, they know about the Miller Brother’s importance and they are trying to finish them off. I can’t help but think that they might know something about this ‘story’ then we can assume.”

“You are right to be worried. After all, this has never happened to the original story once. No order was made to kill both the Miller brothers. These voices might be an enemy not written in God’s plan.” said Gypsy.

“Not might, they are.”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Gypsy

“Just this afternoon, John came to me to tell me about the recent visions he had. And to his visions, the voices called to hint that they were connected to the angel that I executed.”

“Hmm if that is the case, we can link that clue to the main issue at hand. Since I know that you’ve already read the second volume, I assume that you already know who the main enemy is in this story?”

“…A Demon Cult that plans to connect our world to the ruined elven world. The Purity Cult.”

“Exactly, and from what I read, there was not a lot of details put into their organization. No ranks, no names, and no leads other than the antagonist who created the initiative to connect the two worlds.” said Gypsy.

“From what I remembered, His name was Jubal…and he’s an S-ranked demon cultist.” said Soril.

“Jubal is Dangerous to the current level of characters, but since during the change that you brought through the missions set out by God, their development has doubled compared to the original flow of the story. At this rate, we don’t have anything to worry about.” said Gypsy.

“That’s good to hear.” said Soril.

“Indeed it is, but going back to the topic, You know nothing of Jubal and the Purity Cult…” she said as she looked to Soril with a rather sly gaze.

“I only know about his goals to achieve a connection between the two worlds, but that obviously failed in the original story. Other than that, I’m blank.” said Soril.

“Hmm, if that is the case, then I must tell you this.” to her words, she looked extremely worried not for Soril, but for herself.

“…What’s wrong?” asked Soril as he saw fear in Gypsy’s eyes.

“I’m not sure if its right to tell you this. God made no such order to reveal information to you yet again. If I tell you this, what if he reveals to you yet again just like what happened in the S-rank dungeon. What if he brings about wrath because of this.” she said worryingly.

And to Gypsy’s expression, Soril saw fear in her eyes…fear towards God’s wrath.

Showing such emotion, Soril sighed and decided to say something.

“…If you are that worried about the information, then don’t tell me. I’ll figure it out on my own. Whoever this Purity Cult is, I’m not afraid to dig into their cult to find an answer.” he said confidently.

“…?!” Gypsy was taken aback by the soft gaze given by this mortal.

“…What did you want me to do?” she asked as she felt guilty for not being able ot reveal the information held in her knowledge.

“…I simply want to know if its possible for me to infiltrate John’s dream while the enemy infiltrates his mind to create the visions.”

“Do you intend to confront the enemy?!” she asked worryingly.

“If its possible, I’ll warn them to stay away from John.”

“…I don’t know how you’ll go about it, but I’ll say this. It is possible to infiltrate a dream as an Angel, as being that works with wonders…its one of the things that angels do to protect certain mortals throughout the world.”

“You protect us through our dreams?” asked Soril in shock.

“Its where the phrase ‘Guardian Angel’ derives from. We protect the people who are fated and are faithful to God’s existence.”

“Its a complex skill so it will be hard for you to make use of it, so I’ll help instead. It is the least that I can do” she said.

Feeling grateful that she accepted my request, we made our way to the John’s room in a heartbeat.

When we arrived, we witnessed his sleeping figure.

“So, tell me, what can you tell me about his dreams. Are the fallen angels infiltrating his mind yet again?” asked Soril.

“…Yes, just as you expected. I can feel an energy similar to that of a angel’s capability. What do you intend to do now?” she asked.

“Bring me inside.” and to Soril orders, Gypsy reached her hand out to touch John’s mind. Her fingers passed through his skull as if she was in a spectral state. And to it, she reached her other hand to that of Soril’s mind.

Once the two minds were connected, she simply used her magic to enclose the space around John’s room with a magical barrier. This skill protected John and Soril from any sort of attack that may come at them since at this state, it was dangerous seeing as how they were left open to be attacked.

“are you ready?” she asked.

“Take me in.” and to Soril’s words, she activated her magic.

Once she did, Soril felt a sting to his mind…as if he was zapped by a volt of electricity which soon disappeared. From this volt of energy, he found himself in John’s mind.

“…” Looking around, Soril could a vast green field that seemed endless, with no mountains in sight.

And by the distance, he could see John… or at least a younger version of his self.

And beside John was the figure of a priest sitting by the field.

With John playing by himself, running around the fields, laughing as a child should, the priest watched with a content smile.

“…Father look! There’s a stranger in the distance.” said John as he pointed to Soril with a cheerful smile filled with innocence.

“…?” and looking to Soril, the priest looked cautious to who seemed like a stranger to the two.

But even to this, Soril simply waited and did not intervene in John’s dream.

‘Even in my dreams, I’m visible to John.’ thought Soril.

As Soril stood and only watched, he soon noticed that as time passed by in the fields, John slowly started to grow from a young child to that of a middle schooler…

“…?” yet to this change, nothing else was affected. Not the priest, nor myself.

And to his change, John turned his way to Soril.

“…You’ve been standing there for a long time.” he said as he looked to Soril with an eager face.

“…” but Soril simply said nothing. To Soril…only a minute has passed inside this dream.

“…Are you here to watch over us? Or is it for something else?” he asked.

“…” but even to the question, Soril remained silent.

And to his silence, John felt ignored so he turned his back and walked away.

The Moment he walked away, Soril noticed that within this second, he felt another presence come by.

When he turned to the skies, he saw it turn dark…a show of weather that signified change yet again.

‘…rain?….no something is in the air.’ feeling cautious, Soril decided to move.

And to his action, the priest who was always stagnant in the field also decided to stand up from where he sat. And he stood next to John who was found scared and shaking under the coming darkness of this field.

The next thing they know, thunder fell from the clouds and crashed down right to where a single flower bloomed.

And before John could see what happened, another visitor came into his dream.

He was a visitor unlike anything John has ever seen before. With a body that stood over two meters tall while covered with armor with the texture of a bleeding silver, the face which loomed over John’s teenage mind, was covered with an unusual shaped helmet. A helmet in the shape of a hammer head shark.

And to this figure, it spoke to John.

”Chosen Saint, blessed by God, flowing with Gold…you must be the prophecy…” said the visitor.

“Come boy, let me take you to a path truly ripe and true.” he said as he reached his hand out for John to hold.

But to his offer, John was hesitant.

“…” and by his side, the priest simply raised his hand and slapped away the hand of the visitor.

*slap*

With nothing to say, all intentions were said in that moment.

Get away from the boy…

Do not tempt the boy…

Beware Devil, for God is by our side…

All of this was said simply by the priest’s gaze alone…

But to his warning, the visitor simply turned to the priest and waved his hand.

The moment he did, the priest’s figure turned to ash…

“!?” John as shocked by this sudden development.

He found fear brought upon by the visitor’s actions.

“What did you do!?” he screamed as he felt threatened by the visitor’s actions.

“…Do not fear, I am your true salvation, your true guide. Abandon all hope to those who have lead you astray, and reach for my hand.” he said again as he reached for a hand to take.

But John was afraid.

Afraid to move, and afraid to go against such a monster.

To this fear brought before the armored visitor, impatience bloomed ever so suddenly like a crashing thunder.

“…We will come again…and this time, you will take our hand.” to his coarse and almost robotic voice, John felt even more fear.

The visitor sent out a threat…

And to this threat, he wanted to set another example.

“If fear is all that your feel when facing your salvation, fear is what I will grant.” he said.

And to his words, he raised his hand above John’s head, and to it, a grand light shined above.

“Let my mercy befall upon you.” he said.

And the light grew brighter.

Before John could act, the light swallowed the very sight of what was capable…

And to this thought, John had imagined he was killed…but to his notice, he was able to open his eyes.

“…?”

And before him stood the first stranger to visit his dream.

That stranger stood with his back turned to John and his front facing the armored visitor.

“…Its you.” said John.

and with his words, he saw that the first stranger was found holding the very arm that the armored visitor was emiting light from.

The arm was decapitated…yet no blood was found dripping to the field.

What only remained then was the sight of two stranger staring at each other, filled with bloodlust that could swallow this world whole.

“…Who are you?” asked the visitor in armor.

“…” but to the visitor’s question, the stranger was simply silent.

But his gaze said it all…

And the next thing he knew, the visitor clinched his fist and threw a punch straight to the armor.

*THUD!*

The thud of his punch was buried deep into armor, leaving the armless visitor shocked and appaled.

‘!?”

And to the force of his fist, the armored visitor was thrown off his feet and down to the other end of the field.

Rolling in dirt and grass, the armored visitor could not held his ground with that single punch alone.

And before he knew it, another attack came from the skies. Like a rolling thunder, the stranger came down and squashed the head of the armored visitor.

“!??!” feeling the pressure of his head being pressed on, he couldn’t help but struggle to keep his distance.

With his chance given, he tried pushing the stranger away.

And he was successful.

By using his long feet, he was able to kick the stranger down at his chest. But the moment his kick made contact, he barely felt the weight of the stranger’s body when he kicked.

Its at that moment when he realized that the stranger simply moved away, avoiding the very force of the armored stranger’s kick.

But it gave him the chance to gather his thoughts. Despite his failed attempt at an attack, he was given space.

‘…who is this person…and how is he here?! is he another creation of the boy’s dream? Is he a guardian? No…that can’t be. I don’t feel anything towards this stranger or his connection towards the saint…still, whoever he is, he is skilled without a doubt.’ thought the armored visitor.

“…Whoever you are, leave! You are messing with a force you are incapable of understanding.” said the armored visitor as a threat.

“…” but even to his threat, the stranger was simply silent.

“Fine, if you won’t take my threat into consideration, then you will perish.”

And to his words, he raised the only arm he had left and conjured a bright light yet again.

“Feel the power of an heavenly angel!” he said.

And he fired this light straight to the stranger…

But before the light could even reach the stranger, all of a sudden, the armored visitor’s view changed.

As if all of a sudden, his head was tossed into the air.

The next thing he knew, his head touched the ground…and all that he could see was his body left standing on the field.

‘…What happened?’ thought the armored visitor…

And to his thought, he witnessed his headless body falling to the ground like a tree.

He could not comprehend what just happened…but the explanation itself was simple.

He was simply executed in the mere moment before the light could touch the stranger’s body.

The stranger’s speed was incomprehensible to his eye…

And the next thing he knew, the stranger was now standing over his head…

And with a strong grip, the stranger lifted his head into the air…

And he whispered.

“You must be a part of the Purity Cult, if I can assume.” said the stranger as he finally spoke.

“…Who are you?” asked the head.

“…I’m the same as you. I’m simply here to tell you and your entire group to fuck off.”

“…”

“…If I ever find a single trace of your group come near this church or this boy’s mind again, I know who you are…and I can easily tear away your club. So tread carefully.”

Those words were filled with malice unlike anything the head could have heard…

And the sheer presence he showed simply by those words meant all the warnings were true and keen.

But even to such words, the head was confident…

Or maybe yet, he was simply arrogant.

“…Ke-hahahaha hehehehe~!!!” the had laughed…he laughed and laughed to the joke said upon by the stranger…

But as he laughed, the stranger said one last thing…

“…You should know, Agifell was a real delight to kill.” said the stranger as he smiled so menacingly.

And knowing that name alone, the head’s demeanor quickly changed.

“You…it was you!” and to his words, the stranger crushed the head all but immediately.

It was at that moment that a message was sent.

A true threat to an entire cult.