NOVEL NEXT 103. Worms!
"How do I leave this place?" Karolina asked, her fear slightly easing as she listened to Alex's explanation. After being alone in this bizarre space for so long, the presence of another person brought her some comfort. It was like a drowning person finding a lifeline—Karolina clung to this potential savior, even though she couldn't be sure of his identity. This might be her only chance to escape.
"In essence, this is your mental world. Realizing you're in a dream usually means you're about to wake up. But the contamination remains, making it far from easy to leave," Alex said, scanning their surroundings calmly.
"But you came from the outside, found me, and saved me from those words. Can't you just take me out directly?" Karolina asked, puzzled.
Alex shook his head with a smile. "Taking you out is easy, but without removing the cognitive contamination, you'll remain in constant danger even after waking up. Not just to yourself but potentially to others as well.
"Think of it as brainwashing. Something has invaded your mind without your knowledge and implanted a 'command.' It's like a ticking time bomb. If we don't defuse it, you might become the next Deadpool."
"You mean something is hiding here, altering my perception and controlling my body?" Karolina asked, frowning.
"Yes," Alex nodded. "Have you considered that your actions against these illusions in this world might translate to actions against real people in the real world?"
Karolina shivered. She realized that while she was trapped here, her physical body was still out there. If her attacks on illusions mirrored actions in reality, she'd be no different from Deadpool slaughtering heroes.
Understanding Alex's implication, Karolina widened her eyes in disbelief. "That thing contaminated Deadpool! That's why he went crazy, killing heroes. And now it's contaminating me!"
Alex's silence confirmed her suspicion.
Breathing heavily, Karolina reflected on the countless perilous nights in this space. The relief of finding someone to rescue her mixed with the fear of what she could have become had she given up fighting. If she had surrendered to this space, she would have either died physically or become a murderous pawn like Deadpool.
Meanwhile, Alex lifted his head, sensing something. His gaze penetrated the ceiling. Curious, Karolina followed his gaze but saw only the ceiling. Yet, she trusted that Alex wasn't deceived by illusions.
In Alex's vision, everything around him had transformed into chaotic black shadows. Books, desks, and walls became shifting black liquid, twisted and intertwined like filth. Beyond this space, a gigantic horrific shadow squirmed in the endless dark chaos, spewing inky gas that tainted everything around it.
It was a creature!
Alex's expression turned serious. Initially, he hadn't noticed it when entering Karolina's mental world. But once he interrupted her cognitive contamination and began waking her, the enormous hidden creature revealed itself.
Compared to its vast form, Alex and Karolina's space was as insignificant as dust. Even Alex couldn't fully comprehend its entirety at first glance. It hid in the darkness, within the illusionary world, lurking in every shadowy corner, behind every mirror, and in every fragmented light. It silently observed everything, like a deity toying with ants, infusing the shattered mental world with forbidden knowledge.
"What did you see?" Karolina asked.
"I saw the mastermind behind all this," Alex replied hoarsely.
Upon seeing it, Alex quickly recognized the creature. Its overwhelming presence was etched into his memory, reminiscent of the night sky blanketing countless stars, an encroaching darkness trying to corrupt the universe.
That memory was seared into Alex's mind since his encounter with the star-devouring worms, an experience that haunted him like a nightmare. Perhaps the distance or the sheer size discrepancy initially prevented him from connecting the two. But soon, he realized the creature here felt identical to those worms on the starry giant.
The Sanctum Sanctorum.
Bang!
The Punisher kicked open the door connecting two worlds, holding a submachine gun.
He knew he was an ordinary man unfamiliar with supernatural forces like magic. If Doctor Strange didn't want him to enter, even blowing up the place wouldn't get him in. So, rather than wasting time sneaking in, he decided to enter boldly.
His aggressive entrance quickly caught Doctor Strange's attention—or rather, Doctor Strange had sensed his approach as soon as he neared the Sanctum Sanctorum.
"Frank, what a rare visitor. What brings you here?" Doctor Strange asked, putting down his spellbook and looking at the doorway with interest.
...….
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104. Punisher and Doctor Strange.
105. It.
106. The Wound.
107. Caught Again.
108. Bottomless Universe.