Before Rosacer could ask the creature more questions, a heavy, swift wind blew through the forest. It was warm, almost burning. He ducked behind a tree for safety.
When the wind finally stopped blowing, he stepped out and called to the creature again. There was no response. He assumed it had left.
He moved deeper into the forest. The trees twisted more the farther he went. High in the canopy, something secretively followed him, watching, judging, trying to understand his motives.
Rosacer continued onward. Rivers and lakes flowed through the forest, yet there was no sign of their origin. Whenever he tried to follow them, he would encounter some obstacle that forced him to go around, making him lose their trail.
He encountered monsters ranging from single eyed wolves to shadow like beings that lived in the canopy. They were far too agile for him to even consider hunting. He kept his distance and slowly moved away.
The criteria for the monster he wanted to hunt were strict. It needed resistance to heat or light. He wanted something as close as possible to the abilities of the sun.
How long can I stay inside the Nightmare Realm… He wondered whether he would be thrown out without any warning.
The system answered immediately.
[Time remaining: 1 hour.]
He thanked the system inwardly.
Suddenly, a voice rang out behind him. He turned sharply.
A creature with tentacles perched atop a tree. Its body was composed entirely of writhing limbs, as dark as the roots gripping the bark beneath it. Six black eyes stared into Rosacer, piercing straight through him.
"You will not be able to subjugate this place by running away."
There was pity in its voice as it spoke.
"What is your name, human?"
Rosacer hesitated, his eyes still struggling to make sense of the creature's morphology.
"Rosacer," he finally said, while slowly moving his hand toward his gun.
The creature laughed, mocking him for even thinking he could kill it.
"Rosacer, the Stinker of Dream. I will let you borrow my power, but I require something in return."
Its voice was commanding. A drift of warm air moved toward Rosacer, pushing his hair back. He could smell the heat radiating from the being before him.
Suspicious and wary, he asked, "What do you need?"
He wanted to accept the offer right away, but he had to be careful. The demon before him was dangerous, even if it did not look like it.
The creature smiled as it stated its demand.
"I need you to name me. And I will be the one choosing the name."
Rosacer frowned. "Why can you not name yourself?"
The creature paused. It did not answer. Instead, it continued calmly.
"Nightmares are not real."
Nightmare creatures cannot stay in reality… or something close to that. He evaluated the statement inwardly.
He asked whether the creature possessed any power or resistance against heat or sunfire.
The creature nodded, telling him it did indeed have abilities related to resisting the sun.
Before continuing the deal, Rosacer asked one more question. "One last thing. How do names dictate how someone evolves, or their future?"
The creature did not mind the extra question. It replied in a steady, firm voice.
"The name of an entity is connected to the realm where it can exist and exercise the greatest power. Certain names can be strong in multiple realms, but there is none that can be strong and exercise its full power in all realms, unless the entity was born with a god's name, or a forbidden name from the dark side of the universe."
"Dark side…?" Rosacer whispered.
The creature heard him and continued.
"Yes. The dark side. Though it is not truly part of the universe. It is said to be closer to a non reality space. Where reality expands and takes its place, the non reality space shrinks, but it is always there."
The creature further added, "I heard a consciousness came out this non-reality space, and ventured into human realm's western continent. But soon was sealed back. It was called Dark Messiah or something."
Rosacer's eyes widened, his breath turning uneven when he heard the name.
He asked quietly, "What do you know about the Dark Messiah?"
The creature refused this time, telling him to sign the deal before asking unnecessary questions. Rosacer understood. He shook his head lightly and said he was ready.
"So, what is the name you want to be called?" he asked.
The creature replied, "Fio—"
Before it could finish, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky, nearly striking the tentacled monster.
"ALRIGHT!! I was joking!" the creature cried, leaping down from its perch.
Then, more slowly, it said, "Arcis."
It continued, "This name is strong in the Scorch Realm. It draws its strength from fire. That should suit you better as well."
Rosacer nodded, then quickly asked about his own name.
The creature sighed before explaining. "Your name belongs to a demon hunter's lineage. In most demonic realms, it carries strength. That alone is more than enough payment for what you are giving me."
With that, the deal was sealed. Rosacer named the creature before him, granting it existence. In return, it would step into reality and aid him.
A glimmer of starlight erupted. The creature convulsed and was thrown several meters into the air as stark fire engulfed its form. Blazing rays burst outward, blinding Rosacer. He raised his arm to shield his eyes.
When the light finally faded, a woman stood where the creature had been.
She had long black hair, and eyes scorched red like molten earth. Across her body, what had once been tentacles had taken the shape of armor, wrapping around her form. They looked more like dark, living strips of metal now, fused tightly to her clothes.
Her lips parted as a melodious voice flowed out. "It feels good to be alive…"
She turned toward him.
"Master, let us go outside." She bowed as she spoke.
Suddenly, the window appeared again before Rosacer.
[Subjugation Complete: Nightmare Creature Tamed.]
[Name: Arcis]
[Class: Reflection Abomination]
[Title: Nightmare]
[Skills: Black Fire, Soul Whip]
[Black Fire: Flame ignited from fear. Burns both the mental and physical state of the target.]
[Soul Whip: Long black lashes that strike directly at the soul, breaking the target's mind and will.]