Chapter 130: “Everyone Knows Your Bad Name”

This translation is hosted on bcatranslation.com

As soon as the mysterious voice from the shadows reached her ears, a disorienting “boom” echoed in Shirley’s mind. This wasn’t a sound from her dream or the real world but felt more like an internal detonation, a soul-shaking event. Instantly, the chaotic scenes in her dream — the fiery blaze, the crowd’s screams and panic — vanished as if a thick fog had been lifted from her mind.

In the next moment, Shirley noticed a transformation in her body. She was no longer the child she had been moments ago but had returned to her older self, appearing as she did at seventeen. She wasn’t dressed in the cozy pajamas she remembered but instead wore the black gothic dress she typically wore on weekdays. Even the arm consumed by the dark hound in her dream was intact. From her wrist extended a dark chain leading to Dog, who lay still in a corner.

Quickly sitting up, she stared in surprise and apprehension at the figure seated on the bed.

She couldn’t place this individual, but instinctively, she recognized the entity’s immense power. This was someone or something that could effortlessly bypass the shadowy curse and invade her dreams.

“Who… who are you?”

Rising to his feet was Duncan. In this dreamlike realm, he appeared in his original form, known as “Captain Duncan.” The sheer intensity of his presence made Shirley instinctively pull back.

“It’s natural for you not to recognize me in this form,” Duncan said in a hushed tone. “I sensed you were in distress, in a nightmare. That’s why I’m here.”

Processing his words, Shirley’s expression showed confusion until a flash of recognition appeared. “Wait, you’re…?”

Duncan, with a stern yet regal demeanor, smiled faintly. “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Duncan, Duncan Abnomar.”

His introduction carried no fear of repercussions. Even if Shirley attempted to reveal his identity, he was confident that the chained hound would ensure her silence, one way or another.

“Duncan… Mr. Duncan? Is that really you?” Shirley’s eyes widened in disbelief, but soon a soothing feeling washed over her. “But, I thought you were Nina’s uncle? Why is your last name Abnomar?”

Duncan’s face registered genuine surprise. “…?”

For a moment, he appeared at a loss. Gathering himself, he inquired with a mix of curiosity and disbelief, “You truly have never heard of the name Abnomar?”

After some thought, Shirley shook her head earnestly, “No.”

Realization dawned on her face, quickly morphing into nervousness. “Was I supposed to know it?”

Reading her genuine cluelessness, Duncan grasped that Shirley, despite his vast reputation, had no knowledge of him, the so-called natural disaster of the Boundless Sea. He felt a pang of disappointment, realizing his fame had its limits. “Do you not know how to read?”

Surprisingly, Shirley bowed her head in response and remained silent, a hint of embarrassment crossing her features.

Noting her discomfort, Duncan swiftly changed the subject. “Don’t worry about it. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter,” he commented gently. Taking a moment to assess the surroundings, he noticed the chaos and flames from outside had calmed down, allowing him a clearer perspective on the room they were in. “This seems to be a reflection of your past experiences, correct?”

With her gaze fixed on the ground, Shirley nodded softly, confirming his suspicion.

“I need to apologize,” Duncan began earnestly, “I didn’t intend to intrude. Yet, by entering this space, I inadvertently uncovered some of your private memories.”

Taken aback by his candidness, Shirley stepped back, her eyes widening. “It’s… it’s alright. I mean, why would someone like you need to apologize to me?”

Duncan offered a light-hearted smile. “Regardless of our standing, it’s not proper to pry into a young lady’s dreams, especially someone as delicate as you.” His attention then shifted to the dark hound resting quietly in the corner. “Do you know when he might wake up?”

Uncertain, Shirley looked over at the hound, her voice laced with confusion. “I’m not sure. This dream… it’s never altered in this manner before, and I don’t—”

She was interrupted by an eerie sound resembling bones scraping together. The dark hound, seemingly asleep moments ago, suddenly lifted his skull, his eye sockets emanating a haunting reddish glow. With a sudden jolt, as if roused from a terrifying dream, he rose to his feet.

Spotting Shirley, the hound voiced his distress, “Shirley… I…”

“Relax,” she chuckled, stepping forward to embrace the massive hound’s skeletal face, “You were just in a nightmare, just like me.”

In a shaky voice, filled with remorse, the hound murmured, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…” His skeletal frame trembled, causing the chain attached to him to clink softly. “It must have been painful. Did it hurt?”

Shirley shot him a teasing look. “Don’t become overly emotional now, especially with strangers present.”

“Strangers?” The hound seemed momentarily taken aback, only then becoming aware of Duncan’s presence. Even in the dim light, the hound’s glowing eyes caught sight of the faint green flames emanating from behind Duncan’s imposing figure.

“By the abyss!” The hound exclaimed suddenly, pulling Shirley protectively behind him. His entire skeletal form shuddered so violently, it seemed as if he might crumble at any second. “Isn’t that the infamous ghost captain?!”

Duncan arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “It’s interesting that you recognize me when Shirley doesn’t.”

Shirley, equally curious, asked, “Dog, have you encountered him before?”

The hound’s fiery miasma intensified, indicating his readiness for combat despite his palpable fear. “Meeting him isn’t necessary! Any shadow demon unlucky enough to cross his path would’ve been banished to subspace! He’s known as the roaming cataclysm of the Boundless Sea… why on earth is he in your dream?!”

“The roaming cataclysm of the Boundless Sea?” Shirley’s confusion was evident. “Why have you never mentioned this to me before?”

Dog shot her a sharp look. “Seriously? I haven’t shared every detail about every menace in the world with you. There are countless threats out there. Why would I specifically warn you about a legendary ghost captain, especially when he’s expected to haunt the seas and not the land?”

Shirley was about to pose another question when Duncan intervened, “I always believed that only mortals feared me. I’m quite amused to realize that even shadow demons are wary of my name.”

Retreating a step, Dog adopted a defensive stance, a hint of fear visible in his demeanor. “Perhaps you’ve not grasped the full extent of your notoriety. Every corner of the world, from the oceanic abysses to the realms of men and even among shadow entities like myself, is well-acquainted with the terror of your name. If beings like me possessed hearts, your name would likely be used in eerie lullabies to spook the young.”

Duncan found the analogy slightly odd but chose not to challenge Dog’s narrative. In a way, it was flattering to be so revered and feared, especially after seeing Shirley’s obliviousness to his reputation.

In the background, Shirley picked up on Dog’s frantic thoughts, communicated through the chains that bound them: “Shirley, listen closely. I’ll try to divert his attention. When the moment arises, you need to awaken from this dream. He’s bound to this realm and likely can’t chase you into reality.”

Shirley hesitated, her confusion evident: “And after that?”

Dog continued with urgency, “Immediately go to the next room and seek the aid of the great entity residing there. Plead with him, explain that you’re ensnared by the Vanished. Be sincere, even if it means offering yourself as kin to that being. The stakes are too high to hesitate. It’s far preferable to align with a malevolent god and live than to be banished to subspace.”

There was a prolonged silence on Shirley’s end.

Growing increasingly frantic, Dog pressed, “Shirley? Respond! Now’s not the time to daydream. The best counter to a powerful entity is another of its kind!”

Finally, Shirley replied through their unique spiritual connection, “Dog… the powerful entities you’re referring to, I think they might just be one and the same…”

Dog’s confusion was palpable: “…What?”

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