In the dreamscape of Penacony, originally all the sleeping people in Penacony were connected to the Dreammaster, dreaming their own sweet dreams.
But because the Dreammaster was thoroughly usurped by Propagation, the original connections became channels for the new Bug King to seek food.
In the dreamscapes of ordinary people, the original sweet dreams changed, turning into huge bugs one after another. These bugs were devouring their dreamscapes, and even devouring their bodies within the dreamscapes.
"Save me! Why are there such big bugs?"
"It hurts! It hurts so much!"
"Can't tell the difference, I really can't tell the difference!"
Countless people in the dreamscape were constantly waking up and falling asleep amidst death and pain, while their consciousness became rations for the Bug King, helping it grow rapidly.
While these people's sweet dreams turned into nightmares, Aventurine, who was recruiting people all over the world, also noticed the changes in the dreamscape.
"The dreamscape... has changed..."
While Aventurine said this, the man wearing a plaster headgear was seriously analyzing the situation in the dreamscape.
"These are... Propagation swarms? Why is there Propagation here?"
Veritas Ratio noticed the transformation in the dreamscape.
Although True Stings appeared in some people's dreams, in the sweet dreams they were just objects to be slaughtered at will. But just now, he discovered that the entire dreamscape had changed.
If it was originally a cage of Order, then now this place felt like it had become a dining table for Propagation.
If nothing else, just in the current dreamscape, he saw countless True Stings devouring the dreamscape, and among these True Stings, he saw a huge and terrifying existence.
Very strong, extremely strong, much stronger than the Emanator of Propagation encountered on the Herta Space Station back then.
Veritas Ratio was certain that if this bug appeared in reality, even if the IPC wanted to take it out, they would have to pay a tragic price.
Hearing his 'old partner's' statement, Aventurine, wearing the Master Chief combat suit, laughed: "Heh, who knows? Maybe that person guessed this possibility, which is why he did this?"
Veritas Ratio: "Very likely. Although his mind isn't normal and his behavioral logic differs from ordinary people, it must be admitted that his actions indeed fit some settings of a 'protagonist'. But why was he certain Propagation would be born here? Could it be that the Order and Harmony back then..."
Veritas Ratio began to make bold guesses and careful verifications, combining it with the 'Helldivers', this marvelous organization Pei Guang created to fight for freedom, democracy, and happiness.
Veritas Ratio liked Pei Guang very much.
After interacting a few times, leaving aside what Pei Guang was thinking, his actions were worthy of respect and praise.
And this time in Penacony, after obtaining what he wanted, he actually planned to leave. But considering Pei Guang was here, he treated it as a temporary vacation, eating melon and watching the show while studying the things he obtained.
As for the sweet dream? He himself had seen through the essence of the sweet dream, but he didn't choose to wake up; instead, he chose to study what function this so-called dreamscape could have.
While he was researching, Master Chief Aventurine brought GG Bond Topaz to find Dr. Ratio, and after a round of duping, he joined the Helldivers.
If it were Aventurine's request, he certainly wouldn't bother accepting, but hearing it was Pei Guang's doing, he participated while studying.
Aventurine: "Why worry so much? Since he invited me and I agreed, then from now on I am Master Chief. Heh, resurrection after death, this is something that can only be experienced in a dreamscape, right? But anyway, the feeling of being a hero occasionally isn't bad. Let me use this identity to block these bugs and let more people join the Helldivers~"
Aventurine's consciousness returned to his childhood.
Like countless people in their childhood, he had also fantasized about becoming a 'hero', but growing up a little, he understood that this was a dream, or rather something he didn't even dare to dream about.
Possessing nothing, he could only make no choices under the oppression of reality, betting everything he had to obtain what he could.
But this time, since there was an opportunity to choose, he chose to bet everything he had.
Looking at the high-spirited Aventurine, Veritas Ratio covered his head: "I might be crazy to actually agree with your idea. But it's fine: experiencing this marvelous feeling occasionally isn't bad either."
As he spoke, a shotgun appeared in Veritas Ratio's hand, but unlike ordinary shotguns, this one fired incendiary rounds.
Knowledge in the left hand, truth in the right hand; this made Veritas Ratio feel very energized.
Compared to the two who temporarily abandoned messy thoughts, Topaz asked with a tone of worry: "But here comes the question. Can doing these things in the dreamscape really stop Propagation?"
Topaz had encountered True Stings before.
If those disgusting things could be eliminated so easily, they wouldn't be endangering the universe.
Facing Topaz's question, Aventurine gave a wisdom-filled answer: "Lady GG Bond, I don't know."
Topaz: "Don't call me by that name."
Aventurine: "But Ah Guang gave you this title, and you didn't object, did you? Lady GG Bond?"
Topaz: "Damn it! Alright, enough joking. Although Ah Guang's ability is very strong, facing an endless swarm, even if everyone in Penacony can fight, we can't win, right?"
Topaz was resigned.
Because Pei Guang's naming was too abstract, Topaz's brain hadn't reacted in time, and as a result, she was taken to have acquiesced? Now she didn't even have a chance to refute.
But compared to the title matter, she cared more about the Propagation matter.
These damn Propagation True Stings could reproduce so quickly even in the dreamscape. Just in the time they were communicating, the sky and fields of just this one dreamscape were filled with True Stings.
She didn't know what to do anymore!
Although they had the resurrection ability, the problem was that no matter how much a person resurrected, they couldn't compare to infinitely multiplying bugs.
If they really wanted to eliminate them, they could only use large-scale damage weapons, or restrict their reproductive behavior.
But obviously, they didn't possess these functions right now.
Regarding this, Aventurine spread his hands helplessly, and Veritas Ratio also shook his head.
But just at this moment, everyone in the dreamscape suddenly felt the power of Order. This was the radiance of Order, the hope brought to the people.
[Policy 2: Breeding activities are prohibited in public places]
[Within the Asdana star system, any breeding activities are prohibited in public places]
This policy appeared in the consciousness of all those who recognized Pei Guang almost instantly.
Regarding this suddenly appearing policy, the trio from the Corporation who were present were stunned for a moment.
Topaz: "What the hell? Prohibiting breeding behavior in public places? Is this thing useful?"
Under the plaster head, Veritas Ratio's expression became solemn.
He seriously observed the state of these True Stings in the dreamscape. Originally, these True Stings were also infinitely reproducing in the dreamscape, but the moment this policy took effect, he noticed that the increase in the number of these guys had stopped.
Veritas Ratio: "Truly interesting. Can such a rule even restrict a dreamscape? Does a dreamscape count as a public place? I understand. Because Penacony is a collective dreamscape, everyone's dreamscape is theoretically in one area and doesn't belong to private space, so it counts as a public place. It's just..."