The Kingdom of Dreams was a place of infinite possibilities, a tapestry woven from the desires and fears of countless souls. But amidst that chaos, there existed a quiet corner in Bastion.
There, on a small hill overlooking a valley blanketed in wildflowers, stood a wooden café that seemed to have grown right out of the earth. Its walls of polished logs gave off a faint scent of pine that mingled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee and baked pastries. The establishment bore a name painted in golden letters above the entrance: "Wonderful Store: Café and More."
It was a place for those seeking escape from the bustle of life, a sanctuary for lovers of monotony and moments of tranquility.
Outside, a storefront with wrought-iron tables and chairs offered a breathtaking view of the landscape, where the setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and purple. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy and slightly cool—a perfect respite for hot summer days.
The décor was simple but exquisite. Several cream-colored wooden tables were scattered throughout the space, accompanied by red velvet sofas that invited one to sink into them with a good book. In one corner, a glass display case showcased a collection of cakes and desserts that made one's mouth water: fruit tarts, cheesecakes, freshly baked croissants, and a house specialty that no one could replicate.
The counter was the heart of the café. Behind it, a shelf held handcrafted ceramic cups and an espresso machine that seemed as old as Bastion itself. On the counter sat an exquisite-looking black chair, with a high back and leather arms, waiting for its owner. And hanging on the wall, a handwritten menu offered prices so low they almost seemed like a mistake.
A bar with comfortable seating ran along one side of the establishment, perfect for those who preferred casual company while enjoying their drink.
In Bastion, it was night. Darkness fell like a velvet cloak, and the cold seeped through the cracks in the windows. But inside the "Wonderful Store," the warmth of the fireplace crackled softly, and oil lamps cast dancing shadows across the wooden walls.
At the counter, a young man was absorbed in his reading. His face was beautiful—a work of art sculpted by divine hands, with perfect features that didn't seem to belong to this world. His hair, black as a moonless night, fell in soft waves across his forehead. His eyes, the same deep black, shone with intelligence and a spark of amusement as he read. His skin was white and smooth under the dim light, and he wore dark, comfortable clothing that fit his slender figure.
He appeared to be a young man of no more than twenty-five, though those who knew him were aware that appearances could be deceiving.
In his hands, he held a book with an eye-catching cover: "How to Conquer the Duke of the North." Its title was as ridiculous as it was intriguing, and the young man read it with a smile he couldn't quite hide.
That man was Uriel. Or rather, Sun Jin-woo, as he now called himself.
Much time had passed since those days in Ariel's Tomb. Many battles, many losses, many sacrifices. But now, after everything, he had found a respite. A simple life in Bastion, without worries about fighting for survival or saving anyone. Just a humble Awakened with a pleasant and fulfilling life.
There was no need for complex plots or divine conspiracies. No civilization to save or abominations to defeat. Just the scent of coffee, the rustle of book pages, and the sound of the night outside.
Jin-woo slowly raised his cup of black coffee, bringing it to his lips while his eyes continued devouring the words of the novel. The story was absurdly entertaining: a young noblewoman trying to conquer the heart of a cold, distant duke through ridiculous stratagems and comedic misunderstandings. There was something profoundly human about that nonsense, something that made him feel... normal, for once.
And that was exactly what he needed.
The tinkling of a bell interrupted his reading. Someone had entered.
Jin-woo looked up, and a smile spread across his lips as he recognized the newcomer. He was an equally handsome man, with black hair and pale skin, sporting a pleasant expression that concealed considerable cunning. He wore fine black robes, bordered with silver threads that gleamed under the lamplight. His presence was magnetic, almost hypnotic.
It was Sunless. His rival. The owner of the "Brilliant Emporium," an establishment that competed directly with the "Wonderful Store" for Bastion's customers.
"Master Sunless," Jin-woo greeted with a nod. "What a surprise to see you here. Shouldn't you be tending to your own establishment?"
"Master Jin-woo," Sunless replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "My establishment can take care of itself for one night. Besides, I've heard they serve the best coffee in all of Bastion here."
"Rumors sometimes exaggerate," said Jin-woo, though his smile widened slightly. "But if you've come all this way, I suppose you'll want to try it for yourself."
Sunless glided toward the stool closest to the counter, his movement as fluid as a serpent's. "A cup of black coffee. And a slice of your famous lemon cake."
Jin-woo stood gracefully, leaving his book on the counter with a bookmark carefully placed between the pages. He moved behind the counter with the ease of someone who had performed that same motion thousands of times, his skilled hands preparing the drink with surgical precision.
The aroma of freshly ground coffee filled the establishment, mingling with the sweet scent of the cake Jin-woo sliced carefully. He placed the plate in front of Sunless, along with the steaming cup, before returning to his seat and resuming his book.
Sunless studied the cake intently, as if searching for any flaw. Then he lifted the cup and took a careful sip. His eyes closed for a moment, and an expression of genuine pleasure crossed his face.
"The taste is still the same," he remarked, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "That pleasant flavor as always. I don't know how you do it."
Jin-woo raised an eyebrow without looking away from his book. "I prefer to keep the recipe as is. It's fine this way."
Sunless set down the cup and leaned forward slightly, his tone taking on a conspiratorial edge. "You know, I could improve that flavor. You just need to sell me this establishment and work for me. Together, we could dominate Bastion's commercial market."
Jin-woo finally looked up, his expression serene but his eyes gleaming with amusement. "It's fine as it is. This way, I earn an honest living." He paused, and his smile turned slightly mischievous. "I hope you enjoy the cake. I made sure to add extra honey."
Sunless had already brought a piece of the cake to his mouth. He chewed twice before his eyes flew wide open. His face, normally imperturbable, contorted into a grimace of horror, as if he had bitten into a lemon rather than a cake. His hand trembled slightly as he set down the fork.
"What did you put in this?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising a notch.
Jin-woo let out a laugh, loud and genuine, that echoed throughout the establishment. "Of course I tricked you. That's what you get for trying to steal my secret apple pie recipe the other day."
Sunless stiffened, his gaze shifting away with a barely concealed hint of guilt. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't," Jin-woo replied sarcastically, closing his book and resting his elbows on the counter. "Stop playing dumb. I know your tricks, and I'm not easily fooled. Did you think I wouldn't notice when your 'assistant' tried to 'accidentally' walk off with my recipe notebook?"
Sunless fell silent for a moment, and then a sly smile curved his lips. "Well, you can't blame a man for trying. Your apple pie is legendary."
"It's my best-kept secret," said Jin-woo, leaning back in his chair. "And that's how it's going to stay."
Sunless sat back on the stool, picking up his coffee cup with renewed interest. The cake, despite its disastrous first bite, disappeared quickly. It seemed the black coffee compensated for the excess honey.
"You know," Jin-woo commented as he watched his rival enjoy the drink, "it seems you like my café more than your own. You come here quite often, especially on cold nights."
Sunless raised an eyebrow, his pride stung. "It's a pleasant, warm place. Although, of course, my marvelous home is incomparably better. It has a charm that this simple wooden cabin could never match."
"Of course," Jin-woo replied with an ironic smile. "Only a madman would use a devil's echo as a home."
Sunless straightened, his expression taking on a note of offended dignity. "I am a natural creator of memories. I like to innovate, to think outside the box. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of the macabre."
"Whatever you say, Master Sunless."
A moment of comfortable silence spread between them, broken only by the crackling of the fireplace and the whisper of the night wind against the windows. Sunless observed the book Jin-woo had set aside, his curiosity piqued.
"Isn't that the book everyone's talking about lately?" he asked, gesturing with his chin toward the cover. "'How to Conquer the Duke of the North.'"
Jin-woo nodded, picking up the volume with a gesture of appreciation. "Yes, it's doing quite well. I've heard that if it keeps up, they might make a live-action series, filmed right here in Bastion." He paused, his tone turning thoughtful. "It's quickly positioning itself as one of the best books of the moment, alongside that Naruto series everyone mentions."
Sunless frowned. "Wasn't that series discontinued? I remember they stopped publishing new episodes."
"It simply reached the end of the first part of the story," Jin-woo explained. "According to what the author said on their platform, they're taking a break due to health issues. It seems writing about ninjas and secret techniques is more exhausting than it looks."
"What a pity," Sunless commented, and there was a note of genuine disappointment in his voice. "It was a fascinating story. Nymphs with unique aspects, a protagonist who has a Divine-rank noble beast inside him that grants him power..." His gaze turned amused. "Not to mention he had a Divine-rank aspect himself. And such a peculiar way of walking the path of ascension. That's something that truly caught my attention."
Jin-woo laughed softly. "That author was crazy, don't you think? After all, no one in the world possesses a Divine-rank aspect. Much less a Supreme-rank one. Those are things of fantasy, stories for entertainment."
Sunless looked at him for a moment, his eyes gleaming with hidden knowledge. Then, a smile curved his lips, and he steered the conversation with the grace of someone who had practiced the art of deception for centuries.
"The coffee really is excellent," he said, raising his empty cup in a silent toast. "I'll grant you that. Your skill at preparing beverages is... acceptable."
"High praise coming from you, Sunless," Jin-woo replied with irony.
Sunless stood, smoothing his robes with an elegant movement. "Well, I must take my leave. The night is young, and I have matters to attend to." He paused at the door, looking over his shoulder. "Next time, it's my treat."
Jin-woo opened his mouth to protest, his expression indignant. "You're shameless! You come to my establishment, eat and drink for free, and then leave without paying!"
But Sunless had already disappeared through the door, leaving only the tinkling of the bell and a soft laugh that faded into the night.
Jin-woo shook his head, a genuine smile lighting up his face. Despite everything—the years that had passed, the battles and losses—Sunless remained the same.
'At least his personality changed for the better... I think.'
He stood still for a moment, enjoying the silence. Then, he began gathering the cups and plates, preparing to close the café for the night. The scent of coffee still lingered in the air, mingled with that of wood and candles.
When he was nearly finished, the bell chimed again.
Jin-woo looked up, and his heart skipped a beat.
It was a woman of ethereal, almost unreal beauty. Her hair, blonde as molten gold, fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her eyes, hidden by a blue blindfold that fit delicately across her face, seemed to see beyond the visible. She wore robes white as snow, and a sky-blue cape fell over her shoulders, covering her slender figure. Her skin was pale and flawless, like that of a porcelain doll carved by divine hands.
It was Cassia. The Holy Song of the Fallen.
Jin-woo blinked, surprised. What was Cassia doing at his modest food establishment? She was the last person he expected to see there, especially after so long.
He quickly composed himself, his professional smile sliding into place like a well-fitted mask. "Lady Song of the Fallen," he said, his voice neutral but courteous. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Cassia moved with supernatural grace toward the counter. Despite her blindness, she moved with the confidence of someone who knew every step she took. Her fingers brushed the wood of the counter, feeling the marks of time and use.
"I've heard that you're quite skilled in the study of ancient languages," she said in a calm voice. "Is that true?"
"Yes," Jin-woo replied. "I have some knowledge. Is there something in particular you need?"
Cassia nodded, and her fingers searched inside her cloak, extracting a black leather notebook, worn by time. On the cover, marks could be seen as if the owner had tried to destroy it.
"I need someone to translate this," she said, placing the notebook on the counter. "I'll pay well for your services."
Cassia approached the counter, leaving the black notebook on the wooden table.
Jin-woo observed the notebook for a moment, picking it up and turning the first page. His eyes widened like saucers.
'Where the hell did she get this?' Uriel thought, stunned.
What Uriel was seeing was not the language of Runes, nor even English, Spanish, or any other recognizable language. Instead, it was a language that only he knew. A language he had created with his own alphabet, meanings, and everything else.
No one else besides him knew that language.
'Could it be...?'
Uriel looked at Cassia for a moment.
"Lady Cassia, may I ask where you got this?"
"I obtained it by killing a nightmare creature," she said, her voice fading slightly at the end.
'So that confirms it.'
"I see. Well, you've come to the right place. I'm familiar with this language."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's a language of a certain ancient civilization from the Kingdom of Dreams. Before it fell to corruption," he explained, beginning to invent a backstory.
"I suggest you return tomorrow. I'll be able to answer your questions more calmly," he said, returning the book to the desk.
"Alright. Then we'll see each other tomorrow..."
"Oh, my name is Sun. Sun Jin-woo."
"Then we'll see each other tomorrow, Sun Jin-woo."
After that, he watched as Cassia left his store and began to walk away.
Uriel let out a long sigh.
'So Cassia really killed my corrupted nightmare version, huh?' he thought to himself.
'But what the hell happened? Or rather, how was it possible for me to be corrupted? And how did I die at Cassia's hands of all people?'
'Maybe that record can answer my questions.'
He finished closing up.
Uriel began to descend into the interior of his Wonderful Store. Behind a spiral staircase, he descended dozens of meters to a huge warehouse. After placing a bit of essence on a rune, the entire warehouse lit up, revealing enormous shelves of trophies, as well as objects of incalculable value that he used as paperweights.
He observed in the center how there were seven fragments of divine souls, each of the fragments placed upon a large altar that rose above everything else.
Advancing between the aisles, he reached an area full of boxes. Taking one, he opened it and pulled out a notebook. After leafing through it, he smiled, and then left that place.