---
"So that's how you met him. Are you sure about trusting him?"
"He did help a lot, and I already promised him. I plan to keep that promise unless he gives me a reason not to."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on him then!" Rem said energetically.
(Big words for someone so small...)
We were walking through the green field we had entered—well, crashed into—after barely escaping from the Wormeater. Once we calmed down, Rem bombarded me with questions about Kran, and I ended up telling her everything. Kran didn't seem to care much. If anything, he seemed pleased to clarify that he wasn't my "bond."
"We need to grab some supplies before we continue, and I definitely need to rest for a while. But most importantly…"
"Most importantly…?" I echoed.
"Food! We haven't eaten anything for so long!"
Thinking back, the last meal I had was the breakfast Shaureen made for me. I had no idea how long I'd spent in the Abyss, but it felt like days, maybe more. All the chaos kept me distracted, but now, hunger was only thing I could feel.
"You said you knew this world, right? Can you tell me more about it?" I asked, hoping for some context.
"Sure! This is the World of Gnomes and Fairies. As the name suggests, it's split between the two races. It's on the outer ring of the second plane, so wanderers don't often visit, but it's more of a vacation world. Both gnomes and fairies turned their halves of the world into places where anyone, from any race, can relax, eat, or just take a break without any trouble."
I frowned, not quite understanding. "What do you mean by that?"
"There are lots of different races in Dreamscape, each with their own unique traits," she explained. "Take my kind, the Nyctrians, for example. We can fly, change our size to up to ten times our original height—well, all Nyctrians except me—and even put people to sleep with our lullabies. There are races much bigger or smaller than humans, and some are completely different. But most of them are roughly human-sized. That's where the problem comes in. Some places aren't designed for races that don't fit that standard. This world is one of the rare exceptions—it's built to accommodate all sizes and needs."
She grinned mischievously, and I had a feeling I was about to see something interesting.
(Talking about eating... you're still going to eat it, right?)
Rem? No. But if you're referring to the Dragonlord's heart, yes. After everything I went through to get it, of course I'm going to eat it. You said there were extra steps involved?
(Exactly. You need some additional materials, and even then, it'd be too much for you in your current state. But don't worry, you've already found the hardest part. Once you refine your core a little more, you'll be able to handle it.)
So, it's not immediately useful. Great.
(You're learning fast for someone from the third plane. You grasped somnium control in just a few days and even managed to change your core's affinity at will. Almost like you were waiting for a chance to throw your old life away.)
Nobody asked for your opinion on my mental state, Kran. I remember the power of Destruction, and I'm nowhere near that yet.
(If you wanted power so badly, why did you refuse to become the Enforcer? It was offered to you, plain and simple.)
I want power, but not the responsibility of it. What's the point of strength if I have to destroy worlds forever, without end?
(I feel like I should give you a moral lesson here, but screw it. I'm not here to lecture—I'm here to see you go toe-to-toe with strongest beings in Dreamscape, not spout philosophy.)
That's... a bit much, but thanks, I guess.
As we walked, something strange appeared in the distance: a massive log moving steadily toward us. Not rolling—just moving. It was bigger than the trees around us. I glanced at Rem, who seemed just as puzzled.
"...Is that one of the gnomes you mentioned?" I asked.
"Nope. Gnomes are small, round, and always wear long, pointy hats. They've got big noses and long beards—not... walking logs. Although, there are treefolk in some worlds, but they don't look like this."
The log came closer, wobbling as if it couldn't decide which way to go. Suddenly, a small, angry figure popped out from under it—a gnome, exactly as Rem had described. He was no more than 30 centimeters tall, half of that height taken up by his ridiculous hat. He shook his tiny fist in the air, shouting in a comically high-pitched voice.
(Pfft! Be careful, you've crossed paths with a ferocious creature.) Kran said, clearly entertained.
I stifled a laugh, which only made the gnome even angrier. His nose turned bright red beneath his hat, and Rem quickly stepped forward, trying to calm him down. Three more gnomes emerged from under the log, helping to pacify the first one with a small cup of water. Finally, after a deep breath, the gnome spoke more clearly.
"You! Big one! You're in our way. Move aside."
(His temper's shorter than he is.)
I can't laugh, I can't laugh... we'll never get out of here if I do.
"Sorry, I didn't realize. There you go," I said, stepping to the side.
Before the gnomes could resume their work, the log collapsed with a heavy thud, revealing more gnomes beneath it, all of them looking exhausted. I counted ten in total, their efforts interrupted by the angry one's outburst. Seeing their predicament, I stepped forward, grabbed the log, and hoisted it onto my shoulder. The gnomes stared, wide-eyed—well, as wide as possible, considering their hats covered their eyes.
"You're in trouble because of me, so I'll help," I said, adjusting the weight.
They exchanged astonished glances before lining up in front of me and bowing in exaggerated fashion.
"Thank you!"
I wasn't expecting such gratitude for something that seemed minor, but they clearly appreciated it. They started leading the way, and I followed, the log resting on my shoulder. Along the way, the gnomes introduced themselves and asked me countless questions. Their names were unintelligible to me, and it would've been awkward to ask again, so I just went along with it.
(Did you notice? Only the angry one had that squeaky voice. The others sound... normal.)
Yeah, I noticed. It's making it even harder to take him seriously.
(Well, I'd be angry at everything too if I sounded like that.)
Despite the oddness of it all, I managed to keep up with their chatter. They asked about where we came from and what we were planning to do. I gave simple answers, leaving most of the conversation to Rem.
As we approached the outskirts of the gnome town, the landscape began to change. The grassy fields gave way to cobblestone paths, intricately laid out with care. The air was filled with the sound of clinking metal, soft chatter, and the constant hum of life. The town itself was an odd but charming mix of sizes and different styled structures.
Buildings lined the streets, some barely reaching up to my height while others soared over our heads, designed for larger visitors. The gnomes had woven their town into a perfect blend of small and large, their cleverness apparent in every aspect. The streets were sized for human travelers and larger beings, but crisscrossing above them were wooden bridges, suspended by ropes and pulleys, specifically made for gnome-sized inhabitants. Gnomes hurried along these bridges, like rivers of tiny hats and beards flowing through the air.
Larger buildings, more suited for creatures of my size, dotted the area as well—inns, taverns, and shops with signboards written in multiple languages, advertising everything from food to magical trinkets. The gnome houses were small, round structures with thick wooden doors, tiny windows, and roofs made of woven thatch and leaves, giving the entire place a rustic, woodland feel. Clusters of mushroom-shaped homes nestled under the shade of enormous trees, which seemed to serve both as decoration and housing for creatures that preferred to live higher up.
Each house had brightly colored lanterns hanging by the door, softly glowing with somnium energy, giving the streets a warm, welcoming glow.
Vendors lined the streets selling all sorts of oddities: glowing crystals, enchanted artifacts, and intricately designed jewelry, all sized for gnomes but with pieces adjusted for larger travelers. The smell of food, rich and fragrant, wafted from an open marketplace nearby, where gnome cooks prepared meals over open flames and steaming cauldrons. The blend of aromas made my stomach grumble—it had been far too long since I had eaten.
In the distance, I could see a large central plaza. In the heart of the square stood a set of gates. They looked nearly identical to the one we used to come here, just natural shapes of the rocks making them different. I could see multiple different people entering and leaving this world through the gates.
Despite its odd mix of proportions, everything in the town felt perfectly balanced. The gnomes had found a way to merge practicality with charm, turning their small world into a vibrant, bustling hub that could accommodate anyone. Just like Rem had said, the entire town was built to cater to various races.
I set the log down where the gnomes directed, and Rem immediately drifted toward the delicious smell wafting from a nearby building.
"If we're done here, we'd better leave you to your work. Could you point us toward somewhere to eat?" I asked.
"Of course! Come, we always have food for our guests!"
I thought they'd just tell us the way, but instead, they insisted on escorting us.
"This way! It's the best place in town. And it's on us, as thanks for your help."
Well, I wasn't expecting this level of hospitality.
(Why complain? Free food!)
We entered a cozy-looking restaurant, the air filled with the rich aroma of cooking. Inside, the space was divided into sections for different-sized patrons—tiny tables for gnomes and fairies, larger ones for human-sized travelers, and even a few for much larger beings. Gnomes buzzed around, operating miniature crane systems that delivered trays of food to the tables with surprising efficiency.
When the first tray was lowered onto our table, I couldn't believe my eyes. A feast lay before us, dishes piled high with vibrant, delicious-looking food. Some of it I couldn't even identify.
(What a terrible day to have no mouth...)
"Is it really okay for us to eat all this?" I asked, overwhelmed by the sheer amount.
"Of course! It's our way of saying thank you—and sorry for earlier," said the once-angry gnome, now much calmer.
"Was that log really so important?"
"It was. A high-ranking guest from the Land of Dreams requested it. We had to collaborate with the fairies to get it. Without you, we would've been in serious trouble. So please, eat as much as you want!"
A guest from the Land of Dreams? I was curious, but I doubted they would tell me more.
(No time for irrelevant details—eat, eat for me too!)
Rem, who had been trying her hardest to be polite, finally lost her restraint and dove into the food. I hesitated only a moment longer before joining her. The gnomes clearly knew their stuff—the meal was beyond delicious,
Sitting there, eating with Rem and the gnomes, my mind wandered back to my home—the home that no longer existed. For a moment, I almost let myself sink into the sorrow of that loss. But I shook the thought away. There was no point in dwelling on it. That life was gone, and I hadn't wanted it to begin with. There was nothing to mourn.
(...)
What? If you've got something to say, just say it.
(... nothing. You'll start the next part of your training tonight.)
Huh? Training? I need sleep. Even I'm tired after everything we've been through.
(Heh. Don't worry, you'll be sleeping.)
Somehow, that made me even more confused, but I didn't press him. Kran had a way of explaining things in his own time.
---
"They even gave us a room! I guess you really helped them with something important," Rem said, her tiny wings fluttering as she floated beside me.
"This much accommodation is starting to feel a bit... excessive," I replied, still in awe of the gnomes' hospitality. "I only helped fix a problem I caused."
The gnomes hadn't left our side since the meal, leading us to a nearby inn that felt far too luxurious given what little I had done. I was starting to feel like I owed them, though I wasn't sure what else I could offer in return.
Rem yawned, her wings drooping. "Yawn... today was exhausting. I'm going to bed. You should rest too. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."
"Good night," I said as she floated off toward her room, already half-asleep.
I entered my own room and found it was equipped with everything you'd expect from a top-class inn: a fresh set of clothes laid out on the bed, a small but luxurious bathroom with a tub, and the softest bedding I'd ever seen. It was like the gnomes anticipated every need. I took a long bath, the hot water soothing muscles I didn't realize were sore, then changed into the new clothes.
Alright, what kind of training are we doing tonight?
(You'll see. For now, just sleep.)
I had a bad feeling about whatever Kran had planned, but my body was too exhausted to argue. The moment my head hit the pillow, I drifted into sleep.
---
When I opened my eyes, I was back in that strange, dreamlike realm—the same one from my ignition ceremony. The water still covered the ground, rippling gently beneath my feet. Above me, the same sun burned brightly, though now it shone with even more intensity, casting long, sharp shadows across the watery expanse.
Kran's voice echoed through the empty space, his tone more focused this time.
(Now, the next phase of your training begins.)
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