Shun raised his torso and looked at her excitedly. "Where?"
"Do you remember when I mentioned each biome has hidden treasures?"
Shun contemplated for a moment. "I see."
"Oh, you're sharp."
"Which biome?"
"The mountain range."
Of course it's gotta be there! Shun exclaimed inwardly.
"Won't this be counted as cheating?" Akira asked all of a sudden.
Shun tried to understand her line of thought. If not for Micchan, they wouldn't know such a treasure even existed.
Basically, Micchan was their golden finger.
"You don't have to always help us, Micchan," Akira continued, her voice filled with bewilderment. She got up. "There is no merit for you. Are you doing this because you're bored?"
"No. This time, because it's interesting."
"Are you seeing us as your playthings?" There was a tinge of rage in her voice.
"Maybe."
Akira's gaze grew colder. She walked over to Micchan, and a pistol materialized in her hand. She quickly pulled the trigger.
Micchan's hair turned into a spear and lunged at Akira's heart. But then, both actions were halted.
The spear was an inch away from penetrating her body, while Akira had already pulled the trigger but the safety was on.
Between them stood Shun. His hands were covered in a yellow aura, one gripping Micchan's hair tightly, the other switching Akira's gun safety.
"Now, now. Let's settle our differences and focus on the matter at hand." He smiled.
Tension lingered as neither wanted to back down. After a few moments, however, they lowered their weapons.
"Akira, whether she sees us as entertainment or not, it doesn't matter. We are still one step ahead of everyone else."
Akira clicked her tongue. "Are you fine with that? Being seen as a toy rather than a human? Does that not make you mad?"
"Why would I?" Shun responded. The aura coating his hands faded away slowly. "We use her for information, and she sees us as her entertainment. I think that's a fair trade."
Akira wanted to say something but struggled. She stuttered in disbelief before letting out a sigh. "Tha– b– sigh. Okay, you know what. You make a great point."
"Thank you."
"But that doesn't mean I'm okay with it."
"So you're not coming with me to the mountain range?"
"That's not what I meant." She shook her head, then eyed Micchan. "I don't like how she sees us. I—we are more than your characters, playthings, or entertainment."
Micchan just scoffed. "Sure."
Akira clicked her tongue lightly.
"Calm down, calm down." Shun motioned his hand up and down and eyed Micchan. "Read the room."
"What? Is it my fault?" Micchan wore a displeased look.
Shun tilted his chin slightly toward Akira. "It wouldn't hurt you to be slightly more compassionate."
Micchan crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine."
She let out a mouthful of breath before speaking. "Akira, I don't see you as playthings."
Shun eyed Akira's nose. It didn't react, and so he nodded in joy. "Good."
Akira followed with a question. "Then what do you see me as?"
"Nobody."
"A nobody, huh?" Akira fell into deep thought. "Okay, I'm fine with that."
"Now you two shall grab hands and—"
"Absolutely not." Both said sternly, interrupting him. They glared at Shun.
"Okay, okay. Things need time."
Akira let out a displeased grunt and took a seat a bit farther from them.
Both couldn't do much and let her process her emotions. Alone.
"How dangerous is the mountain range?" Shun shifted the topic.
"Even with your gifted ability, you wouldn't last a day."
It's that dangerous… Shun thought inwardly, feeling the gravity of the situation.
"Is there a safe route to reach the treasure?"
Micchan didn't say anything, seeming to fall into a trance. Her eyes became blank as slate.
"Micchan?"
Still no response.
Just as Shun was about to call her again, the dullness in her eyes was replaced with brightness.
"There is a safe route, but that also comes with a challenge."
"How safe are we talking about?"
"Maybe around seventy percent chance of survival."
"That's better than nothing." Shun nodded slightly. "That reminds me, what are the challenges?"
"You'll know once you get there."
"Come on, tell me."
"No."
"Alright, fine. So be it. I'll not cook anything for you from today onwards."
She looked at Shun annoyedly while biting her fingernails.
"Alright, you win." She stopped biting her nails. "The challenge isn't that difficult. It's mostly monsters stronger than that sheep. Also, the environment changes unpredictably."
"Like what?"
"The sand isn't different from dirt. A boulder isn't as sturdy as normal but soft like jello. The smaller the animal is, the more dangerous they are."
Shun felt a heartache just hearing those words, but it didn't last long as he had somewhat expected such a trial.
"And may I know why this route is safer?"
"It evades most highly dangerous beasts' territory and goes through the most tame environment."
"What about the fog?"
"It still happens."
Shun grunted in acknowledgement. "How long is the journey?"
"A week."
Following that, Shun pinched his chin as he contemplated. A device that allowed him to leave the Dream Realm as he pleased—it'd be a waste to leave it.
A week didn't seem that long of a journey, better than constantly meeting a Nightmare to leave the Dream Realm to recharge their bodies.
From what Micchan pointed out, as you encounter more Nightmares, the more dangerous it would be.
Then, Shun thought to himself, Considering all of the points above, that treasure seems to be a key to complete this floor.
"You'll help us, right?"
"Sure." Micchan immediately agreed.
"Thank you."
"Don't sweat it. I got nothing to do anyway."
Shun nodded lightly. "Just tell me what you want to eat next. I'll cook it as best as I can."
"That's neat. I'd like to eat chicken then."
"Leave it to me." Shun gave her a thumbs up.
Afterward, Shun walked over to Akira. "You good?"
"Yes. You don't have to worry about me."
Silence descended briefly before Shun opened his mouth. "You need to accept that Micchan is our ally now."
"It's easy for you to say that. She wants to kill me. You don't have anyone that wants you to die."