Welcome to Nod

“Well…I guess I’m dead.”

On second thought, I'm just stupid. As the gunshot echoed, I began to reminisce about my life. How foolish of me to think I was the protagonist of some story. I'm so stupid... I can't believe I died just because of something so ridiculous. Inari would probably laugh at me right now. I guess I'll never truly know what my dream is.

“ARGHHHH!”

What was that ? Can you hear screaming when you go to heaven ? Is this hell ?

“DAMN YOU!”

Damn me!? What did I do—wait... I'm still forcing my eyes closed. I'm alive!?

As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the not-so-pleasant sight of the body belonging to the man who had pointed his gun at me.

“Wh-WHAT THE HELL!!!”

I looked up and noticed that the other armed men were also defeated. A gunfight unfolded between the armed boss and a girl with pink hair, her face concealed by a mask. Her jacket matched the pink hues of her hair and eyes.

I was stunned; it felt like watching a scene straight from an anime. The girl displayed remarkable acrobatics, effortlessly dodging bullets. She leaped from the ground to the ceiling with ease, executing a front flip before effortlessly jumping over the boss. She aims her gun, mid-air and yelled,

“CHÆOKU!”

Out of thin air, a transparent creature materialized, resembling a serene monster. Is this what they meant by spirits? She then swiftly dispatched the boss with a single shot from her gun.

As his body falls to the ground, she searches through his pockets, retrieving what I can make out to be a book. After standing up and surveying the surroundings, her eyes locked with mine.

I feel flustered but mostly amazed by her skills. If anyone can help me leave and survive in this crazy place, it’s gotta be her.

The townspeople rose and cheered for her victory, but she swiftly disappeared before staying to receive any reward. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away, so I hastily exited the building and followed her.

“Hey! Wait up!” I called out.

She turned around to notice me. I had been running for a bit to catch up to her so I was fresh out of breath. She pulled her mask down and spoke to me.

“Can I help you?”

As I caught my breath, I regained my composure and locked eyes with her. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, feeling a bit embarrassed that she had witnessed me acting so pathetically up close.

She was also quite beautiful if I do say so myself. I’ve never had a girlfriend before so I definitely don’t know how to talk to women unless they’re family.

“If you don't have anything to say, I'll be on my way.”

“Wait!” I blurted out, grabbing her arm.

“Let go of me!”

“Please! You have to help me get out of here!”

“W-what are you saying?”

Of course, she's from this world, so she'd have no idea what I'm talking about.

“I-I got here, and I don't know what to do. My house is here, and my sister was replaced. I have no powers, and I'm completely useless,” I admitted. “So please... you have to help me.”

She stared at me as little tears dripped from my eyes. Aside from my high school senior years, I’ve never felt so lost in my life. I feel powerless. Does time work here the same as it does in real life? Will Inari be okay without me? I’ve never missed my bratty sister this much before.

“Um…”

“Huh?”

“Can you start by letting go of me?” she asked.

“O-oh yeah sorry.”

“I have an idea on how you might be able to return home, but it’s not guaranteed,” she affirmed.

For me, that was the best news I’ve heard all day.

“Really!? Tell me how!”

“Calm down!” She urged. “Have you heard of the King of Nightmares ?”

“What now?”

“The King of Nightmares is an entity who appeared in Nod not too long ago. He lives in a castle far from where we are right now. His magic allows him to create creatures called Nightmares and curse people with literal eternal nightmares.”

“That sounds fantastical.”

“This has been going on for quite some time now, and many people have suffered because of it. Nobody knows why he showed up or what his goal is. In fact, it's impossible to fight against him without the use of a Chæoku, which are spirits that grant power through a proper contract.”

“So that's what that was about…”

I’ve played my fair share of video games to know what she’s talking about.

“My goal is to eliminate the Nightmares at their source. I'm willing to aid you, but only if you help me. As useless as you are, you could always make some good bait.”

I'll ignore that last part.

“So you'll help me!”

“Don't you feel any shame asking a girl for help!?”

“It's not like I've got any other choice!”

“Well, if you've made up your mind, let's get going,” she said. “We can't afford to waste any more time here.”

This girl has quite a personality, and I don't know how serious she is about using me as bait, but maybe she might teach me more about those Chæoku and Nod altogether.

“Wait, you never told me your name.”

“Neither have you.”

“Ah, fine. My name is Yuuki Katsu.”

“Hahahaha!”

“W-what's funny?”

“Your name!”

“What about my name is funny!?”

“Just wasn't expecting that.”

On second thought, I don't think I like her.

“No need to have such a hostile look, hahaha! Anyways, my name is Kamei Chie. Nice to meet you, Yuuki.”

And thus begins my journey with Kamei. A journey to eradicate nightmares.

                                                                         夢の国 悪夢を消す旅1

                                             (Dreamland: A Journey to Eradicate Nightmares 1)