the different layers enclosing the heart.

 

#1

She, who guarded all night, must go.

 

Moon Byulyi's first dream came to her when she was just five years old.

 

Constantly tormented by her classmates and faced with her mother's dismissive comment, suggesting she concentrate on her homework rather than daydreaming about Mr. Crescent and his fleet of airborne rabbits, Byulyi sought solace by the riverside. There, she delighted in observing the rabbits gracefully gliding along the water's surface, occasionally lending her applause to assist them in synchronizing their steps or even tapping along when they found themselves short of dance partners, flawlessly completing their daily routines.

 

Sometimes, when Mr. Crescent felt like it or when his playful spirit stirred, he would join in the fun. Byulyi cherished those moments, as long as she could continue her game of hide and seek with the ever-elusive rabbits.

 

But then came that fateful day.

 

It was a turning point in history—a moment when the boundaries between playfulness and life-altering choices blurred. As more and more individuals discovered the power to materialize their daydreams, the concept of "delusions" took on a new meaning. No one quite knew how to navigate this uncharted territory. The line between what was once deemed imaginary and what became an undeniable reality began to fade, and the "new normal" took shape.

 

 

***

 

 

The waves crashed, their sound lost to Byulyi. Instead, she stood in an empty field, devoid of life, with only scattered trees.

 

Strangely, she reveled in it.

 

No other dreamweaver would willingly choose this place. It stretched endlessly, a blank void waiting to be embraced. And she cherished the emptiness, finding solace in its simplicity.

 

In this dream realm of nothingness, Byulyi found contentment, immersing herself in a state of pure blankness.

 

Beneath the vast, gray sky, Byulyi found solace in leisurely strolls near the river and resting in the hut she had crafted. After a long day of assignments, she was determined to waste time and unwind.

 

As she stood near the river, a stone at her feet defied gravity, floating in the air. Suddenly, the ground shook beneath her. In this desolate land, there was nothing to hold onto. The shaking intensified, causing her to lose balance and fall flat on her face while a swirling cloud of dust swallowed her. Accepting her powerlessness against nature's might, Byulyi gritted her teeth and braced herself as everything faded away.

 

***

 

As Byulyi slowly regained consciousness, a forceful sneeze erupted, sweeping away the inch-thick layer of dust that coated her upper lip.

 

Her eyes stung with unbearable pain whenever she attempted to pry them open. Resigned to this discomfort, she chose to wait, allowing the welling tears to cleanse her irritated orbs. She scrunched her eyes tight and then squinted back and forth, hoping to hasten the relief. 

 

Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, she noticed minimal changes, except for the delicate dust that clung to the trees and rocks, transforming the place into an abandoned haven forgotten over the passing decades. But it was the sight of the clouds amassing above the forest that truly captured her attention.

 

The forest stood at a considerable distance, roughly 5 kilometers away from where Byulyi found herself. Brushing off the dust that coated her clothing and giving her short hair a few pats, she took a moment to blow her nose several times, preparing herself for the journey beneath the dense, ominous gray clouds.

 

***

 

One might wonder why a dreamweaver, capable of conjuring anything, wouldn't simply create clouds or magical rugs to whisk herself away and bypass this obstacle.

 

The truth is, it's not that straightforward. Dreamweaving requires a deep understanding of one's imagination and the ability to shape intricate concepts that can fulfill specific needs or desires in the waking world. While some skilled dreamweavers may possess the capability to create time-traveling machines, the government continually asserts that such devices are mere fantasies. However, the law forbids dreamweavers who didn't know each other before the whole system was created from making contact with one another.

 

In this era, Byulyi lives in a world where the existence of other dreamweavers eludes her. The strict laws and the risk of severe consequences prevent her from knowing how many others share her unique gift.

 

There's a distinct possibility that someone else may be weaving their dream right beside Byulyi, completely unaware and with no chance to share their experiences. Not that she yearns for it, though. The mere thought of it fills her with secondhand embarrassment. Perhaps the law prohibiting contact among dreamweavers serves a purpose after all. Unless fate somehow brings them together, Byulyi will continue to spend her time weaving dreamscapes as a solitary pastime.

 

But now, after what just transpired, will that change?

 

The entire landscape is now covered in a thick layer of dust, settling between her fingers and nails, resisting her efforts to scrape it away. The once pristine surroundings are blurred by dust cakes. After ten steps and a couple of rock hops, she reaches her destination.

 

The explosion has created a clearing at the heart of the forest, devoid of any trees, as if they had been erased. Thin fog obstructs Byulyi's view, but she forges ahead, determined to discover what lies on the other side, despite the uncertainty.

 

Gradually, a white figure takes shape, and suddenly, Byulyi loses her footing and slides into a crater. Covered in red soil on her bottom and back, Byulyi finally comes face-to-face with the unknown subject.

 

It's a woman.

 

Byulyi's attention is immediately drawn to the woman's long, black hair, cascading over her face and slipping between Byulyi's fingers as she holds her by the shoulder, providing support and stability.

 

Above Byulyi, the once-gray clouds begin to disperse, revealing glimpses of the familiar blue sky that has always been a part of this dreamscape, ever since Byulyi first stumbled upon it.

 

Instinctively, Byulyi pulls the woman closer, cradling her in her arms, her thoughts turning contemplative as they exist together in that moment…

 

#2

Less lonely and more abandoned*

*Marguerite Duras, in her description of writing

 

 

"---Boss."

 

The voice, though hushed, manages to capture her attention. If only it were louder, perhaps it could awaken her from this dream.

 

"Boss!"

 

Suddenly, a face mere inches from her own jolts Hyejin awake, startling her. She manages to catch herself, preventing a fall to the side. Her caller lets out a short sigh. "You should go back to your own room, boss. You'll catch a cold sleeping here."

 

Those words bring Hyejin back to reality.

 

Of course, she is the CEO who joined this company excursion as a reward for Team 2's exceptional sales achievements for two consecutive years. She had been assigned the honorary role of observing their eagerly anticipated minigames, which were played with a fervor that both amazed and slightly frightened her. Despite attempts to coax the CEO into joining the festivities, Hyejin knew she wouldn't last long, enduring splashes and blows from water balloons thrown for points. In simple terms, her significance on these excursions was quite diminutive. 

 

More importantly, Hyejin realizes that she hasn't seen her secretary since this morning.

 

The mousy woman, always buried under piles of orders whenever Hyejin passes her desk or enters her office to review the day's schedule. It's taken this long for Hyejin to consider the possibility that this woman might be the one behind the tiger mask, the one who invaded her dreamscape and chose to immerse herself in a stack of books instead of giving Hyejin any attention until their last encounter, their dance.

 

Suspicion replaces the blush on Hyejin's cheeks.

 

As if aware of her suspicions, Byulyi has avoided her the entire time, diligently fulfilling her duties without a single flaw. And now, here they are, in a modest lodging's bath house somewhere in Busan. Excusing herself from the company dinner due to a sudden headache, Hyejin finds herself sitting, allowing her mind to wander aimlessly.

 

"Boss." Once again, Hyejin is snapped out of her thoughts, her attention abruptly captured by the person calling her. Jung Wheein, if Hyejin remembers correctly. She's the leader of the management team and a member of Team 2. Wheein reminds her of a no-nonsense penguin, always pouting when things don't go her way or when she feels unheard. She's managed to win over smiles and warm welcomes from people in various departments. Hyejin recalls that she often hangs out with her secretary during lunch breaks.

 

The bitterness creeps into Hyejin's thoughts as she remembers the last part. Why is she suddenly flooded with these facts? How does she know so much about the manager? She couldn't even recall her secretary's face until recently.

 

"Are you heading to your room now?" Wheein's tone sounds slightly annoyed, likely because Hyejin has ignored her twice in a row, or perhaps it's just Hyejin's own paranoia.

 

"Y-Yes! I will, Wheein-sshi. You can go back to the others now."

 

Wheein gives her a strange look, understandably so, but refrains from asking any questions. As she disappears down the stairs, Hyejin releases her courteous smile.

 

She knows she has to find answers to the questions plaguing her lately. Something deep within her tells her that talking to her secretary is the key. But what exactly is she expecting to uncover? And why does she feel this nagging sensation in her chest—an empty space yearning to be filled with answers she can't comprehend? Absently, Hyejin traces the hem of her lodging robe, mulling over these thoughts. Perhaps the sight of Byulyi will bring relief to this unsettling sensation, even though a part of Hyejin resists the desire to see her.

 

As she resumed her walk, something caught her eye, and she sprinted, finally managing to grab her robe and catching up with huffs and puffs.

 

As Hyejin resumed her walk, something caught her eye, prompting her to sprint and finally grab her robe, catching up with huffs and puffs.

 

The secretary, who had been avoiding her all this time, turned around with a mixed expression, taking the longest possible route.

 

***

 

They stood at a distance from each other, Hyejin crossing her arms over her chest, attempting to conceal her heaving breaths, and projecting a stern demeanor. Silence hung heavily in the air.

 

"Sajangnim, I--"

 

"Why are you avoiding me?" Hyejin interjected.

 

Both of them fell silent. One waited expectantly, while the other struggled to find an answer. Hyejin couldn't help but feel a tinge of satisfaction as Byulyi repeatedly adjusted her glasses, attempting to hide her face and remain unseen. The restlessness was palpable.

 

"You've made a point of never being in the same room as me, even going so far as to handle all the tasks for this event on your own. If I've done anything wrong, please let me know so we can resolve it. I mean, anything." Byulyi began to speak, then abruptly stopped, repeating this several times until the punctilious lady cleared . "The preparations for this event have taken longer than expected, and I've been running around to arrange accommodations, so it's understandable that I've been away from my desk." She added a bow. "I apologize if I have done anything to offend you."

 

"Is that so?"

 

"Pardon?"

 

"Do you genuinely regret it?"

 

Byulyi blinked rapidly, but nodded nonetheless.

 

"Do me a favor." Hyejin's voice dropped to a low tone. "Take off your glasses."

 

Initially, Hyejin believed that the reason she couldn't recall Byulyi's face was because she hadn't paid attention. However, even from this distance, it seemed as if the glasses had done an exceptional job of concealing her entire face. Suddenly, the notion of Clark Kent and his unassuming glasses didn't feel far-fetched at all. How was it possible that she couldn't even see Byulyi's eyes?

 

Hyejin could sense Byulyi's reluctance to comply with her request.

 

"Yes, sajangnim."

 

Huh? Hyejin's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Byulyi's face and the wall. It was ironic how, when the moment came, Hyejin had expected herself to back down, but it was Byulyi who surprised her by saying yes. Her head had been hurting constantly, but this time it felt different. It was as if a crack had split her head open, an exaggerated way to describe the escalating pain—as though someone had screamed loudly into her ear. Byulyi must have noticed how pale she had become, as the next thing Hyejin knew, she was being led to a nearby chair.

 

"Is the pain still there?"

 

Byulyi's words sounded more like she was talking to herself than directly addressing Hyejin. Unlike her usual mousy and avoidant demeanor, she now appeared calm and composed, her palm gently rubbing Hyejin's back. Hyejin chewed on her lower lip, closing her eyes tightly as the pain subsided.

 

"I need to see your back."

 

Those words instantly shattered Hyejin's composure once again. She glanced at Byulyi, searching for any sign of humor, but found none. Timidly, she cast a glance at the pleated hem of her robe, avoiding direct eye contact. "What? W-Why do you need to see my back? Do you even know what I'm talking about?"

 

"It will be quick, I promise."

 

That wasn't the point, but suddenly Hyejin felt utterly exhausted.

 

"Come to my room."


***

 

As the door to the room swung open, Hyejin nearly tripped over a chair placed haphazardly in front of it. Despite her ability to multitask, she neglected to move the chair back to its rightful position behind the table. Byulyi followed her inside, and even without glancing at her, Hyejin could tell that she had noticed the scattered bags of chips and beer cans near the bed. It was a normal sight, but Hyejin felt uncharacteristically self-conscious for no apparent reason. She could picture Byulyi quietly observing the disarray without revealing much emotion, and that's exactly what unfolded.

 

"Take a seat over there."

 

Byulyi closed the bathroom door behind her, discreetly sweeping the remnants of the room under the bed. She gracefully maneuvered around a fuchsia curtain, avoiding any entanglement, and swiftly made her way to the dinette. Returning with a glass of water, Hyejin eagerly gulped it down, unaware of her own intense thirst. When she handed the glass back, she apologized for her haste, to which Byulyi simply replied, "It's okay. It can make anyone really thirsty, one way or another." Hyejin dismissed the remark without dwelling on it, deciding not to entertain any further thoughts.

 

"Now..."

 

Hyejin pulled the hem of her robe, exposing her right shoulder, only to have Byulyi's hand stop her. Byulyi held her hand still for a moment before Hyejin placed it back in her lap. Faced with the perpetual silence and Byulyi's unwavering gaze fixed on her shoulder, Hyejin patiently waited, finally mustering the courage to ask what Byulyi saw.

 

Byulyi could only stare at the black-and-blue pattern imprinted on Hyejin's shoulder, the veiny lines disappearing into her neck. As the gravity of the situation dawned on her, Hyejin turned, about to say something, but abruptly halted.

 

There was a dent between the pillow and the mattress, the kind Hyejin could sweep her hand through, yet it remained immovable despite her attempts to push it. It lay there, an inanimate presence, defying her efforts to shift it.

 

The clock's hands shook incessantly without any sign of rotation, trapped in a futile struggle to move forward from the realm of the lifeless. Hyejin tightened the grip on her robe, rising to her feet and making her way to a plate holding a profiterole.

 

Her gaze intensified as she flung the pastry to the floor.

 

The small, round confection bounced three times, suspended in mid-air without touching the ground, before the fourth impact resulted in a messy splat. Its sweet filling is scattered like evidence at a crime scene.

 

Hyejin turned her attention to the looking glass, only to find a grotesque reflection staring back at her, crossed-eyes and terror etched into its features. When she managed to find her voice, it emerged hoarse and strained.

 

"This is a dream, isn't it?"

 

 

#3

A woman is a flower, and a flower is a dream*

 

*Anita Mui’s ‘Flower Woman

 

Hyejin desperately wished that this was just a nightmare or an elaborate prank orchestrated by Team 2 for some nonsensical reason. However, as Byulyi removed her spectacles and tucked them into her pocket, it became evident that this was far from a joke. Byulyi's presence loomed before Hyejin, causing her to instinctively take a step back, only to collide with the chair.

 

It was the very chair that Hyejin had moved behind the desk earlier.

 

For the first time, Hyejin could clearly discern what lay behind Byulyi's spectacles: a pair of crystal blue eyes.

 

The eyes of a white tiger.

 

"Where am I? Who are you? Why am I here? Hyejin's voice trembled with a mix of confusion and fear.

 

"After the 2SCAPE that I created, where you were a CEO and I was your secretary, there is another scape created to convince you that it is all reality: the 1SCAPE, where you were a dreamweaver who treated daydreaming as your pastime. In this scape, I became..."

 

Byulyi's cheeks flushed slightly.

 

"Kkumie."

 

Hyejin couldn't help but scoff. "So, you finally admit it," she said, still clinging to her defiant demeanor. "And you..."

 

"No one knows who you are. Not even yourself," Byulyi interjected, cutting off Hyejin's attempt to refute. "Tell me your full name."

 

Hyejin's voice faltered, caught in , as she struggled to find the right words. She found herself inexplicably unable to articulate the reason for her hesitation. It was as if the passage of time had eroded her recollection, leaving behind a vacant void where her name should reside. She raised her gaze to meet Byulyi's determined expression.

 

"Either your last name has been taken away from you, or..." Byulyi spoke with an almost elegiac tone.

 

"You're just a dream object: a piece of a dreamweaver's creation left to decay and be replaced anew. Tell me, do you feel like you're in your element right now? Or are you just holding on to a semblance of reality in the real world?”

 

At this point, Hyejin's head throbbed with intensity. What was the purpose of all this? Why would Byulyi bother creating two scapes if she wasn't real enough in either?

 

What would become of her if she turned out to be nothing more than a dream object?

 

The labyrinthine train of thought sliced through her consciousness abruptly, threatening to send her falling backward if not for Byulyi's swift intervention. Byulyi caught Hyejin's arm in the nick of time, pulling her in close.

 

In a sudden twist of events, a crack tore through the sky, expanding in the blink of an eye. As the foundation of this scape weakened under the strain, the 2SCAPE shattered into countless fragments, leaving the pair suspended in nothingness, freefalling against a backdrop of blue. With Hyejin secured in her arms, Byulyi retrieved a notebook and read its contents as best she could amidst their rapid descent. Determining the precise coordinates, she made a daring dive headfirst, her fingers poised to snap eleven times.

 

Snap-snap-snap-snap-snap-

 

A sneeze interrupted the rhythm, causing Byulyi to sniffle and resume, suppressing the urge to sneeze a second time. Snap-snap-snap-snap-snap-

 

Just as her eyes caught sight of a hole with a golden rim, Byulyi twisted her torso, altering their trajectory mid-fall. They plunged into the hole, Byulyi's grip on Hyejin's waist tightening with the final snap.

 

The hole sealed shut, sealing their fate within its depths.

 

***

 

Contacting other dreamweavers besides the ones you knew before the creation of the system is prohibited. Every dreamweaver should leave everything spick and span if they want to continue daydreaming. A consistent sleep schedule will increase the frequency and quality of dream recall and the potential for lucid dreaming. Merging worlds with other weavers for any purpose is strictly forbidden.

 

With so many rules she couldn't be bothered to read, there was no mention of how to create two scapes simultaneously. Byulyi had to make do with what she knew and let her knowledge guide her through the rest.

 

As they landed on a flowerbed, Byulyi carefully lifted Hyejin from atop her, cradling her in her arms. She navigated through the ethereal garden, where vibrant bell-shaped flowers in shades of green, blue, and yellow brushed against her face. Byulyi noticed that the garden had grown even more lush since the last time she had seen it. She remembered because she was the one who had created this temporary sanctuary.

 

Following the familiar rustling sound that indicated their proximity to their destination, Byulyi stepped between the colossal petals of a giant flower, creating a comforting bed where she gently laid