The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 30: Here Again

The "Noodle Man" once again started its dance.

Lumián confirmed that this mysterious dance indeed prevents the black thorn symbol on his chest from fully activating, meaning that while the symbol appears, the terrifying accompanying sound is almost nonexistent, leaving only faint and indistinct whispers.

This was a great advantage for him in utilizing the "special" aspect of the dream.

However, he also discovered two problems:

First, the dance moves of the "Noodle Man" were extremely difficult, some even defying the structure of the human body. Only a creature with exaggerated flexibility like this one, seemingly without bones and muscles, could perform them. Even though Lumián was an extraordinary individual and a "Hunter" with significantly enhanced physical abilities, he lacked confidence in himself. He felt that if he tried to perform the entire dance, he would either tear a ligament, strain a muscle, or even suffer a bone fracture.

Second, the mysterious dance seemed to truly tap into the natural forces around it, carrying a supernatural aura. After memorizing the dance for a while, Lumián realized that it consumed a great deal of his spirituality.

"I need to rest after this round." Lumián silently sighed as he watched the "Noodle Man" start the "mystic dance" for the third time.

"The spirituality of a 'Hunter' really isn't sufficient!"

After today's experience, he was almost certain that the hidden existence corresponding to the thorn symbol was closely related to this dreamscape ruin.

There were the same black marks as the parish priest had, and the dance monster could activate the thorn symbol. It would be surprising if these things weren't connected to that hidden existence!

Thinking of the similar symbol on the parish priest's chest, and the fact that the dreamscape ruin restarted and fell into a loop along with reality, Lumián became more convinced of Aurore's hypothesis:

The depths of this place might hold the key to breaking the cycle. Even if not entirely, it likely contains a very important part.

So, was that mysterious lady constantly hinting for me to uncover the secrets of the dreamscape ruin? The more Lumián thought about it, the angrier he became. He raised his left hand, which wasn't holding an axe, and made a rude gesture at the black thorn symbol on his chest.

He wasn't worried about provoking the other party. Whether or not that hidden existence could sense it, or even see it, was irrelevant. Just being trapped in the time loop she caused, surrounded by increasingly strange and dangerous people, made Lumián feel that things couldn't get any worse.

After watching the dance for the third time, Lumián rubbed his slightly vacant head, enduring the mild warmth on his chest, and retraced his steps out of the ruin, returning to his home on the other side of the wilderness.

Before exiting the dream, he tried to reinforce the parts of the dance he had memorized, almost twisting his waist, tearing a ligament in his knee, and ripping a muscle on the inside of his calf.

"Damn it, this isn't something a normal human can do!" Lumián cursed, then collapsed onto the bed.

Due to the massive consumption of spirituality and deep exhaustion, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

...

When Lumián woke up, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The sun had not yet risen, and the red moon had lost its glow.

He slowly sat up, feeling a deep satisfaction from the restful sleep, and his drained spirituality was perfectly replenished.

Walking to the window, Lumián pulled the curtains aside, letting the morning light into the room.