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A chaotic mess where tomatoes are tearing apart the city… No, it’s a tomato disaster.

Yet Anastasia strolled through the scene, seemingly oblivious to the destruction around her, as if she were on friendly terms with the tomatoes. It was as if she were a fairy tale girl wandering in a dream.

Despite the shattered remnants of the city surrounding her, with red and green hues everywhere…she wore a dazzling white dress that caught the sunlight, unmarred by a speck of dust.

“Hehe. Right now, I am… Alice herself…!”

This was not only thanks to Anastasia’s ability but also because of the clothing she wore.

This pristine, frilled dress wasn’t just a tailored outfit from a clothing shop; it was a special item she brought from her dreams, infused with unique powers.

That day probably coincided with a time when the cafeteria of Seoul Specialization High School for Ability Users served dishes like evil mushroom sweet and sour pork that masqueraded as meat, alongside a false chicken dish.

Yes.

Not just one, but two items had deceived her…!

Evil foods, and the wicked nutritionist who summoned these malevolent dishes…!

Unforgivable…!

At that moment, Anastasia had been so shocked by the deception of those two dishes that she had struggled to find words.

Fueled by rage, she practically gobbled up the two devious dishes, subjecting them to a diabolical punishment as they disappeared into her form….

Then, while pretending to enjoy the meal, she praised the nutritionist with words that were anything but genuine: “How could you trick me so thoroughly…! Quite impressive…!” Afterward, she bought a mint-choco pie-flavored pizza jelly from the school shop to cleanse her palate.

Returning home, she wrapped herself in a 2-meter long white cat body pillow to forget about the nightmarish experience of being fooled by a dark lord’s scheme during lunchtime. She covered herself with a warm blanket made from the fur of a foolish and pitiful assassin duck, who had failed to assassinate a goose and ended up dead instead. Then, she rested her head on a pillow stuffed with something akin to marshmallows and drifted off into slumber.

However, that day seemed to be particularly unusual…

When she entered the dream, what she encountered was… a fairy tale-like world!

She found herself in a setting resembling a medieval party, where a blonde girl with roll-bun hair was tormenting a girl with black hair. And remarkably enough, she appeared right between the two!

As if to mediate their conflict.

Anastasia was taken aback.

For about… 2 seconds?

Then she reached a conclusion.

It was time to act on instinct…!

So she did as the Bodyguard Teddy Bear had taught her, firmly planting her feet before launching a punch that struck the blonde girl. Not stopping there, she used the momentum to spin and elbow the black-haired girl as well.

With both girls knocked out at her feet, she raised the champion belt she had brought from her dreams high and declared in a tone befitting a noble lady, “I am the champion!”

At this display of prowess, numerous gentlemen and ladies couldn’t help but admire her, applauding her victory. A man dressed as a designer approached her, stating, “To the champion, I present this!” as he offered her an outfit.

Yes.

What she obtained from the bloody battle was… the very dress Anastasia was wearing now…!

And since this dress was born from a brutal contest, its effects were remarkably powerful.

It became an asset beneficial for wandering through dreams!

…Of course, it cannot be denied that other items are also very effective when navigating dreams.

But this item was a bit different.

It didn’t get stained by time, nor did it become contaminated by any grunge that touched it.

Additionally, it blended perfectly into the bright atmosphere while exuding a fairy tale vibe, serving as a device to shatter gloom, even in dark dreamscapes. Moreover, in dreamlike scenes, it would evoke thoughts of famous fairy tale protagonists like Alice from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” or Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz.”

“While it’s not exactly Alice’s or Dorothy’s dress!”

Though it wasn’t reminiscent of Alice or Dorothy, it bore an aesthetic that seemed plucked from a romance fantasy novel. The reason for associating it with those characters was unclear… but hey, could it be considered a dream if one can think rationally?

Therefore….

Oh? A girl in a dress?

A dress? A girl?

Alice?

Dorothy?

Surely one of them is correct! Maybe I’ve wandered into some strange country!

Hello!

…And that’s how it unfolded.

With the whimsical packaging of a “fairy tale lady” added to the already chaotic dream, it would occasionally render her almost invincible. Sometimes, the elements of fairy tales and dreams would harmonize, resulting in entertaining events where she could acquire items suited to the dress.

The Mary Jane shoes Anastasia wore were one of those acquired items!

They allowed her to walk on water as if it were sturdy ground and required no washing, remaining spotless! Moreover, even on icy surfaces or marshlands, she wouldn’t fall, making them perfect for walks!

Of course, they weren’t without drawbacks. These Mary Janes would often tangle her feet if she wore anything other than white, causing her to stumble. But it wasn’t painful enough to be a true concern—more like the shoes being a bit mischievous.

Oh, and.

“Hello! Mr. Tomato!”

Bam—!

This way, her kicks could gain a bit of extra power.

Although just how much depended on the shoes’ mood.

[A-A-A-I’m-COMING—]

The tomato, over 2 meters tall and struck by Anastasia’s foot, flew into the sky.

It stretched out slightly, as if it were a rocket.

Was it an illusion or did the juice leaking from the cracked skin resemble flames shooting out of a rocket engine?

Perhaps… it was the tears of a tomato.

The tears shed from the pain of Anastasia’s kick.

Or maybe it was the emotional display of a tomato making its first venture into space…!

This is Houston, do you copy…?

Tomatoes are red, and the earth is blue…!

Anastasia gave a light salute to the twinkling star of a tomato.

Then she turned back to face the tomato.

It had stopped its destruction, gazing at her with trepidation…!

Those trembling red city destroyers…!

Ah.

Right now, the girl was both a destroyer and a conqueror.

A warrior instilling fear in evil beings while bringing light to the crumbling city…!

Tomato! Fear us!

Tomato! Surrender!

* * *

A high-tech airship adorned with advanced displays.

LED signs illuminating from every corner.

A space where individuals transformed with machine parts wandered about.

Where it was almost doubtful whether someone was male or female, others had undergone transformations repeatedly.

A dizzying, bright, and chaotic space.

This was the dream realm.

A vast neon sign shining in this dreamlike space named Neo New York.

This dreamlike place was decadent yet filled with aspirations, where people ought to be drowned in the companies’ exploitation. However, because it encapsulated someone’s dreams, they didn’t lose hope; instead, they boldly expressed their desires.

Like peacocks displaying their feathers, they sought companions to spend the night with, flaunting their bodies, charms, or modified features.

Men and women, men with men, women with women, machines, and machines, or others entirely mixed together.

As such, they continued their decadent antics, attempting to sustain this dreamy cyberpunk backdrop…

…Indeed.

If only there were no uninvited guests.

It would surely remain so.

Boom—!

Boom—!

Boom—!

From beyond the towering barrier at the city’s border resounded a grand noise.

A sound like a giant drum being struck.

It shook people’s bodies, and even the poorly constructed buildings trembled…!

With that drumbeat, they made their appearance.

Leading a blood-red body, they arrived…!

Bulbous forms rolling heavily.

Red cannonballs that seemed like they had been shot down from the heavens by gods…!

Those zealots didn’t hesitate to use their bodies as wheels…!

That frightening legion filled the space beyond the barrier.

They displayed the might of their legion, shouting into megaphones.

[ The owner of the rainbow-hued birds, pure and noble existence, ruler of the destroyers of the city, master of the power that reached the heavens, the revered being who remains untainted even after slaughter, that merciful yet capable of boundless cruelty has arrived in this place! ]

Boom—!

Boom—!

A multitude of red orbs—

Specifically, entities referred to as “tomatoes,” but far too massive to simply be called ordinary tomatoes.

A girl in a white dress sat on a gigantic chair made of steel, gazing down upon the city.

Then, before her, a tomato with a face enthusiastically shouted.

[ Surrender! Bow down! We will conquer many spaces today! ]

 

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