Chapter 264: Uninvited Guest
The child stepped hesitantly into Alex’s dream, his small frame trembling as he took in his surroundings. This was not what he had imagined. Instead of a lush, flowery dream filled with warmth or serenity, he was met with an oppressive, dark void.
The air felt heavy, and the silence was deafening. Shadows stretched endlessly, swallowing everything in sight, creating a place devoid of life, color, or hope.
In the center of this desolation, Alex stood. Unlike the grim surroundings, his demeanor was startlingly casual, even cheerful. He was engaged in a conversation with a woman of breathtaking beauty.
Her elegance was otherworldly—long, flowing hair that shimmered faintly even in the darkness, eyes that glowed with a dangerous yet captivating allure, and a presence so commanding that it seemed to warp the space around her.
The child’s breath caught as he observed them from a distance. He was unsure whether to approach or retreat. Something about the woman unsettled him. Her aura was cold and unyielding, yet there was an undercurrent of warmth, almost playful in nature. It was as if she were both predator and companion to Alex.
For a brief moment, the woman’s gaze flickered toward the child. Her lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, but the gesture did not feel welcoming. If anything, it sent a shiver down his spine. Her gaze then shifted back to Alex, as if dismissing the child entirely, as though he were no more than an insignificant intruder.
The child gulped, frozen in place. Does she know I’m here? No, that’s impossible... right? This is just a dream! He’s not supposed to notice me.
Alex, unaware—or perhaps completely aware—continued his conversation with the woman. His voice was calm and relaxed, and the words were indistinct, as if muffled by the dream’s heavy atmosphere. Occasionally, he gestured with his hands, and the woman responded with a lilting laugh, a sound both melodic and haunting. It seemed almost too real, as though it wasn’t a mere projection of Alex’s mind but something—or someone—far more tangible.
The child felt the rope tied to his wrist tighten slightly, pulling him forward. His heart pounded as he took another hesitant step toward the two figures. Each step felt heavier, the air thicker, as though the dream itself was resisting his presence.
He couldn’t help but think, What kind of person dreams of a place like this? Most dreams he’d entered were colorful, vibrant, and full of yearning—dreams of loved ones, past memories, or even fantastical desires.
But this... this was nothing like that. It was as though Alex’s dream was a fortress, its walls designed not to protect something precious but to keep intruders like him out.
"I should go to the edge of the dream and cut his spiritual core," the child muttered under his breath, forcing his trembling legs to move. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small enchanted knife given to him by Enmu. It gleamed faintly, as if resonating with the dream’s energy.
Each step he took toward the dream’s edge felt heavier than the last. As he approached, the void seemed to pulse, the air vibrating ominously. Swallowing his fear, he raised the knife and slashed at the fabric of the dream, creating a thin tear.