Parallel Food Space

Suddenly, two timelines overlap. Missing people appear in another world, sharing a space with people from the real world, who go about their lives without noticing them.

On familiar streets, in familiar homes, they spend every day alone, watching their family in the other timeline cry or rejoice, as if watching a silent play.

As news about missing people becomes commonplace, it seems to no longer matter whether they exist in that world or not.

They grow terribly, terribly hungry, desperate to eat something. But no matter how much they eat, they never feel full. Then one person, unable to contain the violence in his heart, kills someone, and suddenly experiences a long-lost sense of satisfaction.

This world grows restless. Countless instances appear, and opening your front door can lead to a feast that satisfies you. Everyone tries to survive by indulging their unspoken desires.

This is a world where desires intertwine. One desire is held back by another, and one desire is brought to an end by yet another. Some people manage to leave this world. Some can't bring themselves to cross the line within and remain here. Others struggle just to keep themselves fed. Everyone is too busy to care about anyone else.

Until one day, a strange person comes to this world.

"I'm here to find my ex-boyfriend, whom I've never met. I heard he came here."

Some people are confused, others mock him, and still others feel a long-lost warmth. Under everyone's puzzled gaze, the young man smiles and shakes his head.

"That's right. We've been dating online for eight years, and we agreed to get married this year. His last message said he had arrived in my city, and then he went missing."

"If I didn't love him, why would I come here of my own accord?"

"I've already come all this way to find him in this godforsaken place. Why do you think he's my ex?"

Some people pity him for being madly in love and offer to take him through the instances with them. Others scoff at what he's doing, but want to see one of the few sources of entertainment around.

Until

The ever-courteous young man smiles viciously as he slams the notorious God of Slaughter to the ground, then says, each word distinct: "I killed my way from the First World to the Eighth just to find you, and you're here listening to Huangmei opera!"

The man on the ground looks at him with indescribable fervor. His smile grows wild. "I finally found you, my never-before-seen fiancé."

His desire had been fulfilled.

Bonus scene (tentative)

Theme: Even when surrounded by darkness, keep moving toward the light.