"What is that supposed to mean?" Shun naturally frowned and wanted to dive in to see it himself. A human with the head of an octopus. Obviously, he was curious, but he endured the urge to jump off and dive deeper.
In the water, he was like a bird whose wings had just been clipped.
"No, that's not important. What is its level?"
"Thirty."
Shun grunted in acknowledgement. "Can your pets kill it?"
"I can't. My nightmares have a certain range, and it lived beyond that. I'd need to get closer to defeat it."
Shun paused for a moment. "It doesn't seem worth the hassle to chase it down. We should go back."
Micchan nodded and tapped the turtle a few times. It spun toward land and flapped its limbs, advancing to the island. It took about five minutes to reach shore.
"Are you alright?" Akira asked, handing Shun a white towel.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Where did you get this towel?"
"I've always brought it with me."
She kept the towel in her inventory. Shun didn't bother to ask why and gladly accepted it. He dried his long hair first before drying his body.
After he finished, he looked at the towel and then shifted his eyes to Akira. "I'll clean it."
"No, it's okay. You can have it. I have another."
As much as Shun wanted to ask why she stored two towels in her inventory, he stayed silent. He didn't want to be a busybody.
The towel in his hands turned into dots of light as he stored it in his inventory.
After that, he eyed the result of his hunt and counted inwardly. He had caught ten fish.
"Shun, can you roast this?"
Shun turned his eyes to Micchan, the corner of his lips twitching slightly.
In her hands was the cleaved part of the tentacle. Somehow, she had brought it here.
Shun looked at the body of water and noticed her sharks still circling. Their fins were the only thing visible above the surface.
He returned his gaze. "Yes, it'll be a delicious meal."
As he said those words, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to the source.
"I'm allergic to sea creatures," Akira informed him.
"It's okay, I still have meat."
"Thank you."
After that, they began to cook the food. For the tentacle, Shun threw it into the air and cut it into tiny pieces. Before they touched the ground, however, he had already prepared a clay pot. The pieces fell in neatly.
"I'm impressed you can also make a pot," Akira observed.
"It's easy once you get the hang of it."
Akira nodded in acknowledgement. "You're a mystery, Shun."
Just before he could reply, she continued quickly, "To be able to wield not just one, but two abilities. Not only that, you're incredibly skilled with a blade. Just who on earth are you? How come I never heard your name?"
Shun made an awkward smile and thought to himself, Well, because most of the time I just did odd jobs and hunted small monsters.
Following that, Shun simply shrugged. "Two abilities, three abilities. It doesn't change the fact that I'm still weak."
As he said those words, he began making a few spears and polished them. Afterward, he skewered the cut pieces—five in total—and stabbed the ends into the ground, leaning the tops toward the fire.
"Why haven't you found a Heart yet?"
"It's a long story." Shun smiled faintly and fell silent, pondering something. "I guess it might be okay if I share it with you. There's a Special Class Heart in the Dream Realm."
As he spoke, he continued removing the insides of the fish and cleaning them with water.
"Special Class…" she recited slowly, eyes on her nose as if waiting for a sneeze, then added in shock, "You're not lying."
She quickly asked, "Where is it?"
"It's in the hunting ground of the Dream Prison." Shun returned to the campfire and began skewering the fish. He set them against the fire just like he had done with the tentacle.
"How many people know of this?"
"No one but you."
"Are you certain you want to share such valuable information with me?" Akira sounded bewildered.
"It's okay. Not like I can handle the beast by myself anyway."
"So you're asking me for help? I'm not sure how I can be of assistance. I'm level twenty-two."
"That cannon of yours will be helpful."
"I'm confident it can put any beast to sleep, but one that possesses a Special Class Heart... I'm not certain."
Just before Shun could respond, Micchan interrupted.
"It will work."
"And why is that?"
"I just know it will work."
Akira waited for her body to react, but it was futile.
With this, she frowned slightly, falling into deep thought.
As Shun tried to put himself in her shoes, he understood where her thoughts might be heading. Her progress in the Dream Realm had been smooth, and entering a prison could bring unforeseen events. However—
"Are you certain you will win, Shun?"
"Yes."
"Our chance of winning is less than five percent, you know." Her voice was grim.
"I'm aware."
As soon as he said those words, the wind blew, fluttering his hair and clothes. The fire danced along, and the shade swayed.
After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke.
"Very well, I will join."
"Truly?! I will reward you!"
"No need. The exp I will gain from killing such a creature will be more than enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Certainly."
"Then." Shun reached out his hand. Akira glanced briefly before taking it.
Shun continued with a smile. "A pleasure working with you."
"That goes for me too."
They shook hands and let go.
"Are you not afraid that I'll tell anyone else you have more than one ability?"
"No," he replied. "You don't seem the type to lie."
Akira fell silent for a long while. Her eyes flickered slightly. An epiphany? Only she knew.
After a few seconds of silence, she spoke. "But what if I betray your expectations?"
"Then it's your loss, not mine."
"I understand." She nodded. "I will not betray your expectations."
"Glad to hear." Shun showed a soft smile. He then eyed the food. "Okay, let's eat!"
---
Night descended quietly. The fog came like a tide, quickly blanketing the camp.
The group, full and relaxed, lay down near the fire, staring at the heavens. Though they couldn't see anything through the gray fog, their bellies bulged slightly, making it feel heavy to get up and do anything else.
"Micchan, is there anything that can be used to enter and leave the Dream Realm at will?" Shun asked without warning.
To enter the Dream Realm, one had to go through the fog, and to leave, one had to confront their Nightmare, often ending in a great fight.
If not for his Living Alloy form, Shun would have died a long time ago.
"There is."