Chapter 69: A Disturbance
Yun-ho awoke from a restless sleep, his heart pounding in his chest. The Architect had appeared in his dreams again, his words echoing in Yun-ho's mind with a chilling clarity. The dream was so vivid, so real, that Yun-ho struggled to distinguish it from his waking life.
The Architect's words haunted him: "You are a pawn in a game, a mere simulation." The implications were staggering, and Yun-ho couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeply wrong.
He tried to focus on his daily routine at Eternity Online Academy, but his mind kept wandering back to the dream. He felt a growing sense of unease, a premonition that something terrible was about to happen.
Ethan noticed Yun-ho's distracted behavior. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
Yun-ho hesitated, unsure how to respond. He didn't want to reveal the contents of his dream, fearing that it might drive his friends into despair.
"I'm fine," he finally replied, his voice strained. "Just a bit overwhelmed by everything."
Ethan nodded sympathetically. "We're all under a lot of stress right now. Just try to focus on your training."
Yun-ho forced a smile. "You're right. I need to stop dwelling on the past."
As they went about their day at the academy, Yun-ho couldn't help but think about the Architect's words. He was determined to find out the truth, no matter what the cost.
Later that evening, as they sat in the academy's common room, Yun-ho decided to confide in Ethan. He told him about the recurring dream, but he kept the existence of the Architect a secret.
"I've been having these strange dreams lately," Yun-ho began, his voice low. "It's like I'm being warned about something."
Ethan listened intently, his expression growing serious. "Have you tried to analyze the dreams?" he asked. "Maybe there's a hidden message or a clue."
Yun-ho nodded. "I've been trying, but I can't make sense of it. It's like my mind is playing tricks on me."
As they sat in silence, lost in thought, Yun-ho couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of a major discovery. He knew that the truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered. And he was determined to find it.
Unbeknownst to Yun-ho and Ethan, Kael was eavesdropping on their conversation from a hidden corner of the room. He had been following Yun-ho ever since he arrived at the academy, intrigued by his mysterious aura. Kael realized that Yun-ho was hiding something, and he was determined to find out what it was.