Story

The story of Milthm is told through various Story logs that can be found by pressing on the profile picture at the top right of the screen.

To unlock new Story logs you must attain a specific Immersion level. To increase your Immersion level simply play songs from the corresponding chapter. Once a new log is obtained, a pulsing yellow dot will appear over the profile picture to notify you.

# PROLOGUE - Rainfall Sounds

## 0-1

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 15%

Drip, drop.

Drip, drop, drip, drop...

This city is drowned in the rhythm of dripping.

The rain is unrelenting.

I stand beneath the eave of the rooftop stairwell, countless raindrops pattering to the ground, creating ripples that seem to orchestrate an eternal symphony.

This rain had already started long before I was born. According to the elders, it had been falling even before they came into this world.

The Rain never stops. It falls impartially, touching everything on the ground, taking away anyone it caresses, leading them into the realm of rain. To onlookers, those taken by the rain appear as if they are asleep, locked in dreams that will never end.

People seek shelter indoors, where they take refuge in structures constructed from sturdy, steel-reinforced concrete, and don clothing crafted from thick, waterproof nylon fabric - all in an effort to prevent themselves from getting lost in an endless dream.

I watch them, living in fear under the world of constant rain, carrying out the same tasks every day: gathering food, fixing clothes, and maintaining their houses...

I do not know whether the world within dreams is happier, or the world of reality is. I simply listen quietly to the words spoken by the rain. Pitter-patter. Clatter and roar. I listen in silence.

Drip, drip, drip...

The rain speaks.

## 0-2

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 30%

Aunt Susan in the neighboring cubicle has given birth to a baby.

Everyone gathers around her excitedly, celebrating the birth of this child.

At this moment, Aunt Susan seems to become the *Virgin Mary*. The sweat and blood on her body take on a divine quality, becoming symbols of painful miracles.

The banquet begins. In this building that might be over a hundred meters above ground, people bring the best gifts and food they can find and tribute them beside Susan's metal bed. She gazes weakly at the chocolates, jerky, and clothing - garments that serve no protective purpose but for looks - all of which are typically found only on the surface. A smile graces her face.

For dinner, mushrooms are notably absent. In their place, there's a hearty pot of meat soup, prepared with an array of unidentifiable root vegetables and spices. The fragrance of the soup permeates the entire floor, immersing it in delectable aromas, momentarily dispelling the damp musty scent that clings to the rooms.

One spoonful after another, the hot soup warms their bellies and eases the troubles in their hearts. Soon, the pot is empty. People gather around a fire pit, sipping a special homemade brew - a mushroom-infused spirit - while casually chattering about the things that are only appear in dreams.

The fire eventually flickers out, and people disperse.

But Susan has yet to taste her soup.

## 0-3

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 45%

The joy brought by the banquet has gradually dissipated.

People return to their everyday lives: gathering food, fixing clothes, and maintaining their houses...

If there's anything different, perhaps it's that during lunch, they can enjoy a few bites of leftover jerky and mushroom-infused spirits from the banquet.

Susan is still recuperating in bed, looking burdened by the ordeal of childbirth. Her baby has been placed in another room, safely nestled in a wooden crib. Because Susan is too weak, they've managed to scrape up some powdered formula for the baby to drink.

The baby hasn't been named yet. He suckles on the bottle, his eyes filled with innocence.

Susan's husband, after experiencing the initial joy of becoming a father, is now weighed down by worries. A new addition to the family means another mouth to feed. While they might be able to sustain themselves for now through breastfeeding, where will they find food in the future?

He paces back and forth in their cramped cubicle, suddenly recalling that people on the surface are building some kinds of machines and they need extra hands. Rumor has it that signing up allows one to bring a companion and relocate to the surface to live.

The husband and father sits motionless in a chair, his mind wandering. He looks at the peacefully sleeping baby in the bed. He thinks for a moment, then thinks again before finally rising and walking toward his wife, saying something to her.

Susan's face contorts with pain, but she nods.

The next day, both the child and the husband depart.

## 0-4

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 60%

A week later, Susan can move about on the ground.

Though she still appears somewhat frail, there's always a gentle smile on her face. When everyone sees her, they wear a complex expression, as if there are things they want to say, but in the end, they all just shake their heads and walk away.

Susan wants to occupy herself with something, but everyone, out of kindness, insists she take it easy, clearly pitying this person who has lost her family. Susan's smile freezes under all this goodwill, and a scarcely noticeable trace of sadness emerges, only to be quickly veiled again by her smile.

Another week passes, and still, nobody is willing to let Susan do anything, and her smile becomes less frequent.

At times, you can see her in the corner of the room, facing the wall, her body seeming to tremble slightly. When she turns around, her face still carries the usual smile, but her swollen eyes and tear tracks have already spoken everything.

One day, Susan goes missing, and no one can find her. People search everywhere and eventually discover her on the rooftop. She lies there in the heavy rain, wearing a gentle smile on her face.

## 0-5

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 75%

People dress in heavy rainproof gear and bring Susan back.

They are only a few meters away from her, but everyone must wear protections. It feels like they are just a step away from hell.

People all look solemn, while Susan's face still carries that smile. They place her in isolation, hooking her up to life-support equipment, and then they sigh, leaving the room.

The equipment drips rhythmically, as if she's just fallen into a peaceful sleep.

The rain outside continues to fall. It never stops. Even as it takes another person away, the rhythm of the rain remains unchanged.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I approach her bed, watching her chest rise and fall steadily. There is a look of serenity and joy on her face. She must be having sweet dreams.

What kind of dreams is she having? I'm very intrigued.

As long as I can remember, my dreams have been nothing but darkness. Perhaps they can't even be called 'dreams', just someone crudely painting the canvas of my dreams all in black.

I want to reach out and touch her, but I'm called away by others. They're afraid this illness might spread.

At night, people gather around the campfire and whisper about Susan. Some say she should be sent to the surface, some say she should stay here, and some even suggest turning off the life support. But they argue and, in the end, nothing is decided. People secretly hope the equipment will stop on its own, so they won't have to take any responsibility.

Tonight, I still have dreamless sleep. Perhaps dreams are insulated from me.

I get up and walk over to Susan, watching her, imagining the dream she's having.

Then I get lost. When I come to my senses, I'm standing on the rooftop. The rain falls before me, splashing on the ground, creating ripples.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I take a step forward.

## 0-6

**Unlock Condition**: Immersion level 100%

It's all black. Pitch-black.

A world without rain.

No sound of raindrops pattering on objects, no sound of splashing water.

Still. Peaceful. Silent.

No crackling fires, no incessant chatter, no beeping devices.

A silence that could solidify everything.

So, this is my dream. Surprisingly fitting.

But... after being used to the rain, to the sounds of people, the absence of it all makes me feel a bit lonely.

"Feeling lonely?" a voice arise, gentle and soothing.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"I am you, the you that you can't see."

I realize that it's my own voice.

"You are... me?"

"Yes, we are like two sides of the same coin. I exist because of you, appear as you think. I know what you know. And I know what you want."

"I want... what do I want exactly?"

"Head towards the light. You will find your answers there."

Then the voice dies away.

A tiny glimmer shines in the distance, and I walk toward it.

I step on the ethereal, cotton-like ground, making no sound, not knowing how far I've walked. My feet hurt, my calves are about to cramp, and my breathing grows heavy. The light ahead seems no closer.

I continue walking, throat tastes metallic, vision blurs, and even the effort to raise my head falters. I still continue.

My numb senses suddenly register warmth. I struggle to lift my head. A massive fireball hovers in front of me.

"Touch it." A thought emerges within me, and I comply.

The fireball doesn't scald me; instead, it gently cradles my hand.

Warmth surges into me, accompanied by emotions.

I seek them, venturing recklessly into the fireball until my entire body is immersed within.

Radiance surrounds me, warm currents embrace me, and emotions swirl within, painting the darkness in myriad hues.

Joy, pain, happiness, sorrow, contentment, disappointment, admiration, jealousy...

In the dazzling light, my consciousness is interrupted once again.

The sound of pouring rain.

Raindrops fall on my cheeks, creating a pattering sound.

I open my eyes; I'm on the rooftop. I must have returned from the dream.

I stand up, gazing at the falling rain, letting it wash over me.

Surprisingly, I feel relaxed, even joyful. I let out a light laugh.

"Who are you? And where am I?"

A girl's voice speaks behind me.

I turn around. A young girl in a white dress standing before me. Raindrops fall on her, yet they do not dampen her dress or her white, flowing hair.

Her pale blue eyes are locked onto me.

"Why are you crying?"

She asks.