My Seven Wives in One Body and Me, her Manager-Chapter 99: Journey to Enter the Core of Darkness

Two days later, the Emerald dome city began entering the core territory of the darkness, approaching Onyx City—which remained within the center of the darkness as the front line for defense and research—the following day. School and all activities within the city came to a halt; the government advised all residents to stay inside their respective homes and not go out unless necessary, because the dome’s simulation of the day-night cycle was turned off to save energy until reaching Onyx City, which also served as a power source for recharging.

Dennis and Daisy, who had prepared themselves by stocking up on their monthly supplies of food, medicine, and clean water, sat relaxedly on the sofa while watching the glow of a portable lamp on the coffee table. Dennis turned to look at the window; outside, it was already dark, with numerous streaks of darkness falling like black rain upon the city’s high dome. He then put his arm around Daisy beside him, who seemed quiet and hadn’t said a word.

"This is our second year together in the darkness, huh honey," Daisy said.

"Yep, true, but back then I was fat and took up all the space on the sofa," Dennis replied.

"Back then was nice—squishy and warm," Daisy replied, hugging Dennis while resting her head on his chest and smiling.

"Oh? You liked me better when I was fat like before?" Dennis asked.

"Hmm... well... not really. Whether you’re fat or not, it’s all the same to me," Daisy answered casually.

"I see. Glad to hear it," Dennis replied, tightening his embrace to pull Daisy closer to him.

Suddenly, a final alarm sounded and a final announcement echoed throughout the city. At this moment, the city of Emerald was already inside the heart of the darkness and would come to a stop next to Onyx City in about ten hours. The government advised the residents once more to stay ready and not leave their homes, as many dimensional cracks were bound to open and monsters would be roaming the streets. After that, the announcements ceased, marking the final broadcast for as long as Emerald remained in the core of the darkness.

Dennis let go of his embrace, stood up, and walked to his fridge. He opened it and grabbed two bottles of water from inside, then sat back down on the sofa next to Daisy, who immediately clung to him again and pulled a blanket over both of them. Dennis handed a water bottle to Daisy; they both drank and then set the bottles on the coffee table.

"This is going to be boring," Dennis said while hugging Daisy.

"Be patient... the boring part is only for a day. Tomorrow we can already walk around outside because we’re hunters," Daisy replied.

"Oh, that’s right. Gary mentioned yesterday that we’re gathering at the school tomorrow, with Ivan and the others too, to patrol around our neighborhood," Dennis replied.

"Yep, exactly. So just relax; it’s actually nice that we can be alone together like this," Daisy replied happily.

"Are we not alone together every day?" Dennis asked.

"But in this kind of darkness, it’s a rare occasion, right?" Daisy answered.

"Haha... you’re right, honey," Dennis replied.

Suddenly, "knock... knock," the sound of someone knocking on their door was heard. Both of them immediately looked toward the door and threw off their blanket. Dennis stood up to open the door, but Daisy grabbed his hand.

"Be careful. Peek first. If it turns out to be a monster in disguise, don’t open it," Daisy warned.

"Yeah, I know," Dennis replied while leaning down to grab a flashlight from the coffee table.

Dennis turned on his flashlight and walked toward the door. He peeked out and saw a flashlight beam in front of the door. He opened the door slightly, but kept the security chain attached. Behind the door stood Jason and Kimberly, wrapped in blankets and carrying a duffel bag and a flashlight.

"Yo dude, sorry to bother you, but can me and my wife stay at your place for a day?" Jason asked.

"Wait, what... what happened to your unit?" Dennis asked, confused.

"My room heater is broken. I can’t get it serviced until tomorrow; no one is working today," Jason answered.

"Huh... that’s why I told you two days ago to call a repairman instead of trying to fix it yourself using VideoTube... you’re hopeless, babe," Kimberly interjected with a scowl. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Quiet, babe. I know my mistake, don’t bring it up again," Jason snapped back.

"Alright then, come on in."

Dennis closed the door and unlatched the chain, then opened the door again to welcome Jason and Kimberly, who were draped in blankets, inside. Daisy, who had been sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up in shock at the sight of Jason and Kimberly entering her apartment. Right away, Kimberly started rambling, telling Daisy everything about how they were forced to evacuate because it was too cold in their apartment, and how they couldn’t call a repairman to fix their heater until tomorrow since services, shops, and supermarkets wouldn’t be operating again until the city stopped next to Onyx City.

Dennis grabbed some drinks for Jason and Kimberly, and then the four of them sat on the floor, circling the coffee table between them.

"I’m really sorry for intruding like this," Kimberly said after taking a sip of her water.

"Relax, it’s fine. Just make yourself at home," Daisy replied.

"We’re gathering at school tomorrow with Gary, Olivia, Ivan, and the others, right?" Jason asked.

"Yep, for patrol," Daisy answered.

"Every hunter will be out securing the city and helping the service workers who have to be ready to assist the public in the darkness," Dennis added.

"Hmm... but give me a pass to go pick someone up to fix my heater, okay?" Jason said.

"Sure, of course—beats the two of you freezing to death in your apartment," Dennis replied.

"Oh right, I brought snacks," Kimberly said.

She immediately opened her duffel bag and pulled out a ton of snacks like Doritos and other stuff, piling them on the table to share. Then, they began eating together while continuing to chat.

"Ugh... still ten hours to go until we arrive. That’s a long time," Kimberly muttered while opening a bag of snacks.

"That’s just how it is, but it’s better this way, right? Quiet and peaceful," Dennis said as he sat back and pulled his blanket tight around his body.

"You’re totally right, dude. This vibe is actually really cozy," Jason replied, leaning back against the sofa.

"Guys are weird, aren’t they? They actually like sitting around in silence like this," Daisy said while clinging to Dennis and leaning against him.

"Seriously. What’s so great about not being able to chat or check social media?" Kimberly added, also clinging to Jason and leaning in to ward off the chill, even though the heater in Dennis and Daisy’s apartment was working perfectly.

"In conditions like this, you actually get to think about life, evaluate yourself, and find a little wisdom in it all," Dennis said.

"Since when did you become a philosopher, you dork. Earlier, before they arrived, you were saying you’d be bored. Typical," Daisy replied, hugging Dennis’s arm.

"I’m just saying. Besides, earlier was earlier, and now is now," Dennis replied.

They laughed cheerfully, and then they began discussing all sorts of things, until suddenly—"grrrk"—a brief earthquake occurred before everything went quiet again. The four of them held onto each other, but they already knew what was happening.

"Finally, we’ve hit the ocean and are hovering over the water," Jason said.

"Yep, exactly. That means we’re on track; about 8 or 9 more hours until we reach Onyx City," Dennis replied.

"So the center of darkness is actually over the ocean?" Kimberly asked.

"Yeah, on an icy continent that serves as the south pole of our world," Jason answered.

Hearing Jason’s words, Dennis’s eyes widened because he knew exactly which continent Jason was talking about. It was a continent that also existed in his previous life and remained a global mystery because not just anyone was allowed to explore it: the continent of Antarctica.

"Hmm... so the center of darkness is in Antarctica," Dennis muttered in his head.

[Correct, Master. In your previous world, that continent was named Antarctica. In this world, it remains nameless because, as a result of the collision and merging of two planets from different dimensions, that continent became the source of darkness. The black snow falling from the sky—it all originates from there.]

"So that’s how it is. What’s actually inside there?" Dennis asked in his head.

[The World Government.]

"Huh... what do you mean, the World Government?" Dennis asked, more confused than ever.

[One day, you will know, because they will reveal themselves to humanity.]

"Hmm... so it’s just like in a game? The palace of the undead god?" Dennis asked.

[More accurately, it is the place of the people who have always controlled the world from behind the scenes and consider themselves gods. Coincidentally, they are the same people from the two worlds that merged, and they existed in your previous world as well.]

"Ugh... this is confusing. Let’s not talk about this anymore. I’m tired of hearing things that sound like conspiracy theories from my old world," Dennis replied.

[As you wish, Master.]

After that, Dennis went back to chatting with Daisy, Jason, and Kimberly without another word about what he had just discussed with Sami in his head, because he really didn’t like thinking about it.