Chapter 6: The Legendary Max-Level Rabbit (1)

* * *

After passing through the Dream of Beginnings and achieving complete awakening as a Dreamer, Ian obtained the title of the top-ranked player, two unique skills, and inherited a 51-level stat at level 1. He also inherited a high-proficiency general skill.

However, Ian was giving the jade rabbit a subtle look, engaging in a staring contest.

'So, this is the hidden reward, huh?'

"Kyoong~"

He thought it was unlikely, but it turned out to be true.

When he returned to reality and the Dream of Beginnings disappeared, for some reason, a small jade rabbit was clinging to his leg, carrying an enormous load that contrasted with its tiny body.

'At least it wasn't an ordinary rabbit. Maybe it could be useful in battle.'

Recalling the incredible strength the jade rabbit displayed in the Dream of Beginnings, Ian felt excited and tried to bring up the status window.

Regardless of its stats, Ian was still level 1. Although it was low, the information about the pet he received as a reward couldn't be read.

Ian knew what this meant.

'The pet is overwhelmingly higher in level than the owner.'

It was a very rare case. After all, summoned creatures also start at level 1. No matter how strong they were, there were no exceptions.

'Wasn't there only one such case in the future? The second-ranked player, who was a Tamer, got a dragon.'

He was also the one who discovered the existence of hidden rewards in the Dream of Beginnings. The person who obtained the strongest summoned creature as a hidden reward and rose to the second rank.

He was so strong that if he had awakened a bit earlier, he might have challenged the top rank.

'The second-ranked player got a dragon, but this one is a rabbit?'

Of course, it was a jade rabbit, so it was a legendary creature in that sense. The feeling was completely different, though.

'A real legendary max-level rabbit...?'

It was such a comical story that it was hard to believe it was real. Yet, it kept coming to mind.

Ian spoke to Boksil with a indifferent expression.

"Hey, Boksil."

"Kyoong?"

"Are you strong? Are you max-level?"

"Kyoong! Knyoong!"

The jade rabbit, now definitively named Boksil, jumped around as if answering. Then, it pulled out a rolling pin from somewhere and took a stance as if ready to swing it.

This was Ian's studio apartment. If Boksil swung the rolling pin in such a small space, everything would be destroyed.

"Alright, alright, put it away. Woah, woah."

"Kyoong~"

Suddenly, he had to take care of a pet. Ian hated troublesome things, but he threw a rice cake he had brought along.

Boksil jumped up and happily ate the rice cake he threw.

'Well, at least it won't cost me anything.'

Even though he acted tough, he wasn't really bothered. In fact, he was quite pleased.

The title of the top-ranked player and a hidden reward like the second-ranked player's. There was no reason to complain.

Moreover, although he initially dismissed it as just a rabbit, he was starting to think it might be a legendary max-level rabbit.

If what he saw in the Dream of Beginnings wasn't an illusion, Boksil must be a very strong high-level summoned creature.

'Somehow, I feel like a minor character. I was a minor character in the future, too.'

Top-ranked players or those with unique skills had strong characteristics, but most average Dreamers were minor characters. Without reliable unique skills, they relied on general skills obtained through hard work to survive.

Ian was like that.

* * *

Ian didn't start selling rice cakes for the time being and focused on preparing for the dream fog that would soon appear.

'The fog of beginnings appeared three months early. There's no reason why other dream fogs and Dreamers won't appear earlier than scheduled.'

Excluding the Dream of Beginnings, which appears before chosen individuals, Ian was targeting the first dream fog to appear in Korea.

'The location is around Gangnam Station.'

The location was such that many civilians were involved, causing chaos. At that time, there were few awakened Dreamers, and since it was unknown, the confusion was even greater.

This wasn't just in Korea; it happened simultaneously worldwide. It took nearly a month to resolve the situation around Gangnam Station.

So, Ian was out in the Gangnam area, holding Boksil, to casually check things out.

His level and skill proficiency were still low, so he couldn't summon Boksil from a distance, and Boksil didn't want to be separated.

"Oh, a rabbit? It's so cute."

"Can I pet it once?"

Boksil, who looked like a typical rabbit, was an instant hit with women as soon as they stepped outside.

Of course, Boksil refused anyone's touch except Ian, showing a prickly reaction.

"Kyoong!"

"Ah, the sound is so cute!"

Most people found it adorable.

Among those who approached to see Boksil, a woman showed interest in Ian.

"Are you waiting for someone? A girlfriend?"

"No, just taking a walk."

When he answered like that, some women would suggest hanging out together.

Suddenly, he became a man using a pet to flirt with women, but Ian politely declined and wandered around the Gangnam area.

'Nothing unusual yet. Maybe I should head back.'

Just as he was about to go home, his phone rang.

"Hello?"

- Hey, where are you?

Jung-tae called at the most unexpected time. He only called to invite Ian for drinks.

"Gangnam Station."

- Oh, with someone? A girl?

"Just by myself. I'm about to go home."

- Wait, wait! I'm near Jamsil, I'll be there soon.

Jung-tae hung up without waiting for Ian's response.

Ian, who was thinking of going home, changed his mind and decided to wait for Jung-tae. Since he was out to check things out anyway, spending a bit more time wouldn't hurt.

Jung-tae arrived faster than Ian expected, confirming he was indeed near Jamsil. Upon seeing Ian, Jung-tae approached and was surprised to see the unfamiliar animal in his arms.

"A rabbit? What's this about? You don't like animals, right?"

"I don't dislike them; they're just troublesome."

"That's the same thing."

Ian believed that in a world where even living alone was a challenge, keeping a pet was a luxury. Knowing this, Jung-tae showed interest in Boksil, saying that anything could happen.

"This rabbit is really cute. Maybe I should get one... Ah!"

Boksil bit Jung-tae's hand strongly as he tried to pet it. Boksil had been in a bad mood for a while.

"Boksil! Bad!"

"Kyoong..."

"Ugh, it looks cute but is really fierce. Is it a male?"

"How would I know?"

As long as it was strong and had high stats, it would be useful in battle.

Jung-tae shook his head at Ian's indifferent response and held his bitten hand. It was a minor injury, but if Boksil had really intended to bite, his finger might have been severed.

"So, why did you call?"

"Haha, you know I only call for one reason."

"Disgusting, disgusting."

The primary purpose was to drink, but the real goal was similar to last time. Otherwise, why would he rush to Gangnam?

"Hehe, with this little guy, it's perfect. Girls will easily show interest!"

"What about the girls we met last time?"

"...I failed to get their contact information..."

"I see."

Ian scolded him but entered the bar with Jung-tae. Despite everything, he wasn't a bad guy.

After settling at a corner table, Jung-tae brought up a strange topic.

"The weather has been really unpredictable lately."

"Really?"

Ian pretended not to know, even though he already did. Jung-tae nodded and continued.

"I saw on the news that there's been a lot of fog this year, and it's part of a global climate anomaly. Is the world really going to end like in your dream?"

"The world isn't going to end."

"No, it's really strange. The strangest thing is you, Ian!"

Jung-tae felt that Ian had changed and had more secrets recently, even though he was always a bit unusual.

"You quit all your part-time jobs, right? The boss was disappointed."

"Yeah, I'll be busy for a while."

"Did you win the lottery or something?"

As a student who worked to support himself, Ian quitting all his part-time jobs was unusual. He had always worked and even took breaks from school due to financial constraints.

Jung-tae, suspecting something, stared at Ian and poked his arm in surprise.

"What's this? Why is your arm so hard?"

"I've been working out while doing part-time jobs."

"Working out? You? Trying to build muscles?"

After his stats were activated, Ian had suffered from muscle pain and aches for a while.

Normally, stats should be increased gradually, but the sudden application of high stats caused side effects.

"Wow... Are you even Ian? What happened to the Ian I know?"

"Is it that surprising?"

If he knew that Ian now had the strength to lift a car, he might faint.

The increased attention from women wasn't just because of Boksil.

At that moment, people outside started gathering and murmuring.

"What's happening?"

"Maybe there's an event?"

"Hey, let's go check it out."

Jung-tae, who was curious and quick to act, stood up excitedly.

"Kyoong, kyoong."

"Why are you making that sound, Boksil?"

After Jung-tae left, Boksil started whimpering. Sensing something was off, Ian followed him outside.

Sure enough, someone in the crowd shouted.

"Someone has collapsed!"

'Someone collapsed? Could it be the dream fog...!'

If the dream fog appeared, Ian would know. It didn't form gradually like the Dream of Beginnings but had distinct symptoms when it appeared.

'Everyone else is fine. Maybe it's just starting.'

"Excuse me, move aside!"

Ian pushed through the crowd to reach the center. He needed to understand the situation.

"Huh? Ian, what are you doing...?"

"Jung-tae, get out of here now!"

"Huh? What?"

Ian's sudden warning confused Jung-tae. He was just watching, so how could it be a big deal?

At that moment, Boksil, who was in Ian's arms, jumped out and disappeared into the crowd.

Then, it reappeared from a distance, moving its long ears as if urging Ian to follow.