The pair went to the mall after, an impressive labyrinth of a mall with various stores and stalls lined up. The bay across also served as a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. Kenjiro and Akiko went to various parts of the mall.

From the arcade, the massive food court, and cinemas that lined an entire annex. Akiko pulled Kenjiro on a shopping spree, both held a cup of pearl milk tea in their hands. Kenjiro walked along, looking at their surroundings. Christmas decors also lavished the interiors of the mall, several stores had Christmas sale posters. A sudden wooziness struck Kenjiro. Kenjiro stared off the glass windows of a store, his reflection stared back at him. He wore frown.

At a distance, he heard Akiko's worried voice.

"Are you okay? Did all the wandering finally get to you? We still have some more places to go."

Kenjiro ignored him even as Akiko walked away. He stared at the figures reflecting off the glass, the strangers' faces that passed by were familiar. Kenjiro felt an eerie nostalgia as he recalled an old memory of his mother and sister in the same landscape. The awe on their faces as they experienced the mall's busiest day of the year. Kenjiro clenched his right hand. A sudden jolt passed through his body. He brought his palm close to his shocked face. An omamori laid there in place of the cup of milk tea that was there a few moments ago. The golden lettering on the lucky charm shined under the lighting of the mall. Suddenly, the wooziness that Kenjiro felt was gone. He turned towards Akiko or whoever it actually was and faced its back.

"Hey!"

'Akiko' stopped in its tracks and started to speak, turning just enough to let Kenjiro see his

gaze.

"You know maybe you should rest u-"

Kenjiro interrupted with an angry yell, "Cut the crap!"

"You, you aren't real."

Kenjiro pointed at his surroundings.

"All of this, it's all fake."

Suddenly, everything blurred out into a dark violet haze. The chatter of the crowd. The noise of

the salesmen. As well as the Christmas music. All of it went dead silent. The entity posing as

Akiko Kawa turned. A twisted inhumane smile faced Kenjiro.

A burst of sinister laughter came from the creature posing as Akiko. Its laugh resonated within Kenjiro's

head. The entity's appendages twisted into thin and abnormally long limbs. Its skin melted away, revealing the horror underneath. Corpse-like skin, paler than snow, its bone structure was sharp and thick horns protruded from atop its skull. Its features no longer resembled that of human beings.

Kenjiro's mind became clearer, like a spell that shattered. His memories became unclouded. He glanced at himself and looked at his attire. He wore gear suited for the dispatch team. A green coat, a tactical belt, brown pants, and black boots. Clothes that were suitable for various missions in the apocalyptic setting.

I was searching for supplies with Aiko and all of the sudden, a domain appeared, and this monster came along with it. Seeing that he couldn't see Aiko anywhere, Kenjiro thought that either she went to get a rescue

team or she has...

No, Aiko's strong. She should be okay.

Kenjiro glared at the mystery that stood before him.

A monster. How could a monster talk? It doesn't just blindly attack humans. Maybe... Is it a

demon?

"What do you want from me?"

The demon laughed, its voice ringing inside Kenjiro's head like a radio.

"It's simple. I want you to suffer."

Kenjiro felt chills running down his spine as he stared at the demon with its dead and empty

eyes.

The demon's mouth moved to resemble a grin.

"I'm curious as to how you were able to break free from my illusion. Would a different method work?"