The blank space where Uijae's role should have been filled him with an uneasy feeling.
*Whatâs the point of someone with no assigned role? Can I even stay here?* Uijae unconsciously tightened his grip on Sayoung's arm. Sayoung let out a small groan, and only then did Uijae snap back to reality, quickly releasing him. As if on cue, the electric sparks that had been flickering around Sayoung's body disappeared.
âAh, sorry. Are you okay?â
Sayoung straightened up, brushing off his shoulders with a grimace. He grumbled, âIs this really a dream?â
âWhat do you mean?â
âThe system enforces penalties, doesnât it? Like just nowâbreaking the rules got me punished. It all feels too real.â
Now that he mentioned it, Uijae realized the same. Could a dream even be controlled by a system like this? Sure, Yun Gaeul had seen fragments of a ruined world in her dreams, but that was just passive observation. There was no system forcing physical consequences on her.
âYeah, it definitely feels more like a dungeon,â Uijae admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
âWhen I watched the past through the watch, I thought this would be a dream too, like Gaeulâs. I didn't expect something like this.â
âSomething that can impose physical penalties wasnât part of your dreams, right?â
âNo, I just watched them. Like I was sitting in a movie theater.â
â...â
Sayoung didnât respond with a snarky comment, which was unusual. He seemed to be lost in thought, staring off into space. Then, without warning, he leaned his head against Uijaeâs, resting his temple on Uijae's hair. Luckily, no penalty came this time.
*Does this mean acting like a younger brother is allowed?* Uijae grimaced as Sayoung mumbled.