Volume 1. Chapter 53

Ken stood frozen, not knowing what to say. His mind raced for answers. What is this place? Why is Lily reacting like this? She had never been… so desperate. Her words, her fear — it was all overwhelming.

"No, this can't be the end. Not for us. Not now." He looked at Lily, and his heart ached at the sight of her broken state.

He dropped to one knee beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Lily, we can handle this,” he said softly, trying to sound confident, even though he wasn’t sure he believed it himself. “This isn’t the end. You hear me? Together, we’ll find a way out.”

She didn’t answer, but his words made her lift her head slightly. Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet within them flickered a spark of hope.

"I don’t know what this place is or what’s waiting for us next, but I won’t let her give up. And I won’t give up either." Ken clenched his fists, determined not to go down without a fight.

They sat side by side, surrounded by fog and the cold light of the strange walls. The place was a mystery, but Ken knew one thing for certain: as long as they were together, they had a chance.

“Lily, what’s happening here?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.

Lily took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her voice still trembled, but she spoke.

“It’s an illusion demon,” she said, not meeting his eyes. “We walked right into its trap.”

Ken’s brow furrowed as he took in her words.

“A trap? How do we get out?”

Lily lowered her head again, her shoulders shaking. It was like she was struggling within herself, but then she gathered her strength and answered:

“We… can’t…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “My father told me the only way to escape is to shatter the barrier. But not even skilled and powerful adventurers have been able to do that.”

She looked up at Ken, her eyes filled with pain.

“If I couldn’t break it… that means we can’t. The barrier won’t budge… which means we’re trapped in the realm of illusions.”

“And what does that mean?” Ken tried to stay calm, though his chest tightened.

Lily looked away, her hands trembling.

“The demon will drag us into a dream world,” she continued. “You’ll either die from exhaustion over time, or it’ll torture you with nightmares until you lose your mind. The pain… it’s real. Just like in real life.”

Her words hit Ken like a bolt of lightning. His head spun as he grasped the weight of their situation. Illusions? Nightmares? This place felt like something torn from the worst kind of dream.

But he couldn’t let panic take hold. He looked at Lily— so small, so lost — and something inside him ignited: resolve.

“Listen, Lily,” he said firmly. His voice came out louder and more confident than he expected. “I’m not letting you die. I still expect another one of your amazing dinners, so pull yourself together. I don’t know how yet, but I swear we’re getting through this. Got it? Neither of us is dying today!”

Lily looked up at him, surprise and hope in her eyes.

“We’re getting out of here together, and tonight you’re cooking another legendary meal. Deal?”

Lily stared at him, wide-eyed. For the first time since it all began, her face started to soften. Slowly, she nodded, as if strength was returning to her.

“Yes…” her voice was quiet, but steady. “Yes, you’re right.”

“Good,” Ken smiled at her, though his heart was still pounding. “Now… do you have anything in that bag of yours that might help us?”

Lily thought for a moment — and then her face lit up.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, remembering something. Her hands shot to the pack at her side. “Yes, there might be… something.”

She began digging frantically through her belongings, her movements once again filled with energy. Ken watched her, focused on one thing: We have to escape. We will escape. For her… for us.

The thick fog still curled around them, and the transparent walls remained, an ever-present reminder of the danger. But now, in this sealed world of light and shadows, a glimmer of hope had appeared.