In the Game [Echoes of the Fallen Sun], there are 4 difficulties— Easy, Medium, Hard, and... then there's Hell Mode.
Hell Mode is unlocked the moment you've achieved 100% completion on Easy, Medium, and Hard modes—including all achievements, every possible route, and everything the game has to offer in those difficulties.
But for some reason in Hell Mode, the game ends with the world ending. Many speculated that this was the official true end, yet the "True End" achievement didn't unlock.
The title of Regressor is an EX-rank ability that allows players to retain their skills but not their attributes and traits. However, it becomes locked out once Hell Mode is entered. The title manifests at the end of a playthrough—regardless of the outcome—whether the world ends or the protagonist dies to in-game bosses. Its authority comes in the form of a New Game+, and that "+" continues to stack with each completed run, and if it reaches a seemingly random threshold, the game forcibly resets to the beginning of its cycle. Players speculated that this was tied to their choices—something later verified through... unspeakable means.
Many people just called it a gimmick—after all, only a few players have ever managed to unlock Hell Mode, and even fewer have completed it. The requirements are ridiculous, and there's basically no reward aside from being able to retain your skills—which feels useless anyway if the trait Mana Sense and Battle Aura get reset, rendering high-level abilities unusable.
And that was exactly why Nyx had never played the game herself back on Earth.
She just couldn't bring herself to play a game where the protagonist... was simply meant to suffer.
***
In the middle of the night, a bustling crowd filled the streets, illuminated by warm lamplight cascading over buildings made of fine concrete and high-quality wood.
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
Nyx, the Transmigrator, and Cael, the Regressor, sat across from each other inside what appeared to be a luxurious horse-drawn carriage.
Nyx appeared slightly excited, her dark eyes gleaming.
'…Woah, this is certainly different,' Nyx thought, mildly amused.
After all, even though horse-drawn carriages still existed on Earth, she'd never actually ridden one herself.
'Still… cars are way better,' Nyx grumbled internally. 'My butt hurts from all this—'
Bump!
Her thoughts were cut off as the carriage wheels hit a pebble, jolting her body and slamming her into the side—as if the carriage itself were retorting to her complaint.
"...Ouch," Nyx grumbled in pain.
Cael was watching her, amused. He had been listening to Nyx's heartbeat and breathing for a while now, and one thing he had realized was just how expressive she was internally.
As they walked in silence through the streets of the outskirts, he noticed her heartbeat quicken—likely from anxiety. But when they reached the merchant district, it gradually calmed, as if by a sense of wonder.
That alone made him feel slightly embarrassed about what had happened earlier. Still, it also jolted his senses—forcing him to reflect on his actions.
Nyx noticed him staring at her, and her eyes narrowed in irritation—not just because of the gaze, but also from being practically dragged around like luggage.
When she finally had enough, she snapped,
"...What are you looking at? Got something to say? If you want to talk about it here, then go ahead—I don't mind."
Cael slightly hesitated at what he was about to say, but regardless, it had to be done.
"...I apologize for what happened... But I also hope you understand my circumstances." Cael said, his voice low and with heavy regret.
"...It's fine. I did that on purpose to get your attention anyway — and you definitely delivered." Nyx smiled with mischief, yet her voice was undeniably calm—with no trace of teasing. Cael picked up on that, which only left him even more perplexed.
"...I don't get it. I'm speaking seriously, yet it feels like you're teasing me—but at the same time, it doesn't."
After hearing Cael's words, her focus shifted to the bright lights of the bustling crowd in the Merchant District, and the glow cascaded across her face—her black hair softly absorbing the light, making her fair, beautiful face stand out even more.
After a while, her gaze returned to Cael. She let out a gentle smile, though her eyes hinted at complicated emotions.
"...To be honest, I may know that you're a Regressor, but that doesn't mean I understand your pain or burden. Someone as insignificant as I am can only try to make your mood a little better." Her voice was gentle, yet her expression carried a trace of melancholy.
Bump!
This time, the horse-drawn carriage hit an even larger pebble, causing the whole carriage to sway. It snapped both of them out of their conversation—especially Nyx, who, instead of just getting bumped to the side, was momentarily lifted off her seat and slammed harder into the wall.
Nyx appeared to be grumbling from the pain, likely cursing internally at the same time.
"You don't need to belittle yourself just to comfort my mood... For now, let's wait until we reach my family's estate." Cael spoke gently, a small smile forming on his lips for reasons even he didn't fully understand.
Nyx felt slightly flustered for a moment, but quickly dismissed it. Still, she couldn't calm herself right away—so she did what she was best at: changing the topic,
"Ahem... Then... Can I ask something before we reach there?" A slight blush colored her cheeks.
Cael noticed Nyx's composure wavering through the sound of her heartbeat, but chose to let it be. Yet, he felt a strange comfort in his chest—an unfamiliar feeling.
"What is it?" Cael replied after a quick pause.
"What is today's date?" Her voice turned serious.
After all, she had completely forgotten to ask about it earlier this noon due to the embarrassment she experienced at that time.
Seeing Nyx's facial expression and how her heartbeat and breathing stabilized—as if time itself had come to a standstill—Cael understood that this question held great importance to her. So, he tried his best to remember, and after a moment, he said,
"...If I remember correctly, it's the 14th Sun of the 6th Moon."
Nyx's serious expression vanished in a flash and her face instantly contorted. At this point, Cael truly had no idea what was going on.
***
The entire Aldyvorn Dukedom was in complete chaos—maids, butlers, and the estate's security were all in a state of restless panic. But it seemed that was about to come to an end.
In what seemed to be a vast hallway, with large protruding pillars supporting its roof, a man of tall stature and an incredibly well-built body stood, wearing a blue cape adorned with decorations—his icy blue hair standing out vividly. Kneeling beside him, an incredibly beautiful, dark-toned woman with pointy ears in a maid outfit appeared to be deep in discussion with him.
"...Master, we've located the young master in the Merchant District. He appears to be heading toward the mansion on our estate, but..."
The maid's voice was sharp and composed, filled with professionalism—yet, for some reason, she hesitated, as if something unbelievable was happening.
"...Why did you stop your words? Did those bastard factions do something again?"
The man's voice, as cold as ice and filled with overwhelming killing intent, reverberated through the air — the walls shook, and dust began to fall from the ceiling.
The maid lost her composure, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"N-no, it's just that... the young master seems to be with a girl of unknown origins. Her records don't suggest she's from any notable background—a commoner, Also..."
She then analyzed her own body—after all, she was well aware of her beauty. As an elf blessed by the World Tree itself, her features were exceptional. Her gaze briefly dropped to her ample chest, almost as if reassessing herself for some reason.
Then she said something that made the man before her lose all his authoritative presence,
"Maybe the young master is into younger ones?
"...What?"
The man is Cael's father, Awsell Aldyvorn—one of the kingdom's mightiest warriors and one of the few Dukes of the Solarion Kingdom—but his voice is that of genuine confusion, and all the killing intent and pressure he was exerting had instantly vanished.
"We must go quickly! Elaris, open a teleportation portal to our mansion in the Merchant District!"
His voice rushed out, unexpectedly filled with excitement—after all, his son, who had abruptly lost the will to live, had vanished without a word and was now bringing home a girl?
"Understood, Your Grace," Elaris replied, her voice as steady as stone.
"When we arrive, tell all the staff to treat my son's guest with the utmost respect and care. Anyone who mistreats her because of her status will not go unpunished." His voice was ice-cold.
The words that left his mouth were not a threat—they were law itself. And ignorance of the law excuses no one, not even his people. That is how much he valued the unknown girl his son was bringing.
...Neither Nyx, the Transmigrator, nor Cael, the Regressor, knew of the storm that was coming—the overwhelming affection of a doting father, and the rumors that his actions would soon bring.
| Chapter 7 - Unfamiliar Feeling