After capturing Robin's wonderful moment, Pei Guang, conscious of copyright and image rights, looked politely at her.
"Let me ask you something. Is it okay if I handle your photos however I want?"
Robin smiled at the question. "You're quite interesting~ All experiences in this dream will be forgotten. Even if you take photos, you won't be able to bring them out~ If you really have the ability to take them out, then do whatever you want with them~"
Accidentally linked dreams were extremely unstable.
Up until now, there had been no record of anyone retaining their memories after leaving, unless an Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection intervened.
Even for her, it was impossible to preserve this experience.
And since the dream wasn't reality, even if a photo was taken inside, without special technology it couldn't be developed outside.
Robin felt very reassured.
Just like she said—if Pei Guang really had the power to take a photo out, then no matter what he did with it, she couldn't stop him.
What Robin didn't know was that her choice this time would bring endless helplessness to her future self.
Hearing her answer, Pei Guang contentedly put away his camera. "You're not only incredibly beautiful but also open-minded. Don't worry, next time I run into you, I'll prioritize your quests~"
Robin: "Sure~"
Robin didn't refuse Pei Guang's offer.
This dream might not have been a sweet one, but it was the most interesting dream she'd had. Singing together, dancing together, not needing to put up a façade… just doing whatever felt fun.
Pei Guang: "By the way, just for the way you address me… here, take this."
From his storage, Pei Guang pulled out a Belobog trash can. "If you run into a life-threatening situation, hide in the trash can. Remember! Don't let anyone see you going in. If you are seen, just yell: 'Help me! Trash can!' Maybe then a Preservation Emanator will come to your aid."
Whether or not someone would actually come, Pei Guang wasn't sure.
But considering how often trash cans had been tied to crossovers in this world, summoning that trash-can Emanator didn't seem impossible.
It's a game after all: anything can happen!
Looking at the trash can Pei Guang handed her, Robin's expression turned doubtful. She wanted to say something but didn't know how to begin.
Staring at the clean yet timeworn trash can, strange images suddenly popped into her mind.
For example, herself sitting inside the trash can, holding a wine glass of sweet and sour pork, singing for guests from all across the cosmos?
The more she thought about it, the harder it was to shake the image.
All dreams eventually end.
So, after some fun, Robin and Acheron led Pei Guang and Stelle to a corridor. As they walked in, the doors lining it shifted constantly.
With doors opening, closing, extending, and retracting in quick succession, one particular door settled before Pei Guang and Stelle.
Robin: "Open this door and walk through, and you'll wake up. I hope you enjoy your time in Penacony."
Pei Guang: "Thanks~"
Pei Guang and Stelle opened the door, ready to leave. But just as it opened, someone suddenly appeared before them.
"Welcome to the Reverie Hotel. We wish you a memorable vacation! To check in, please proceed straight to the front desk."
The boy who opened the door bowed slightly and politely greeted Pei Guang and Stelle. But right after finishing his welcome line, his memory projection disappeared.
"That gave me a scare…"
Pei Guang was startled at the sudden appearance.
Who would expect someone to pop out the moment you open a door?
Stelle nodded in agreement. "Yeah! But Reverie Hotel… isn't that the one we're supposed to stay at?"
Pei Guang: "Doesn't matter. Come on, let's wake up already, we've got a new map to explore~"
Taking the lead, Pei Guang walked out the door, with Stelle close behind.
Watching their reaction, Robin felt puzzled.
Although these two had different ways of thinking from ordinary people, no matter how different they were, they wouldn't be scared just by opening a door, right?
Logically speaking, it would be good enough if the door wasn't scared by these two weirdos...
"Forget it… no point overthinking. I should go back too…"
But just as the two were about to leave, the always-silent Acheron suddenly spoke.
"Before we part… I have a few questions."
Pei Guang, who had been ready to leave, stopped at her words. "Questions? Go ahead~"
He immediately sensed that this dream experience might offer useful hints for the new map ahead. According to the rules, favorability would be wiped, but if he could get some information beforehand, it was worth it.
After all, he was playing blind, with no guides and no one to consult except Stelle.
And Stelle was still a total newbie, not reliable.
So when key story info came up, Pei Guang was eager to listen.
Acheron looked calmly at him. "It seems you've already formed unbreakable bonds with many people and things. Tell me: do you fear losing such bonds?"
The question made Pei Guang thoughtful.
Stroking his chin, he answered seriously. "Depends~ If someone I value dies and the ending can't be changed, I'll just start a new save. I'm a player. I have the right to play—or not play—the game."
That response left Acheron silent.
After a moment, she asked again: "If at the very beginning of a journey, you already knew where it would end… would you still take that path?"
Pei Guang: "Would you refuse to eat just because you know you'll get hungry again later? Spoilers don't matter. I've played plenty of games after watching the entire story. For me, the only reason to play or not play is whether I'm interested."
Players are an extremely complex group, but regardless of the type, the basis of playing a game is always about whether they themselves are interested.
If they still find it fun even after knowing the story, they'll play.
If they're not interested despite not knowing the story, then they won't.
What? Others say it's fun? If they don't find it fun when watching or playing, then they won't play.
Others say it's not fun? If they themselves find it interesting to watch or play, then they'll play. Being a player… why bother overthinking?
Whether it's a video game or some activity, if you want to play, then just play.
Today you want to kick a ball, then kick a ball. Tomorrow you want to raise a digital wife, then raise a wife. The day after, you want to have a blast, then have a blast.
Everything is chosen purely by one's own will: that's the privilege of being a player.
A game is just a game.
Hearing Pei Guang's reply, Acheron's face showed a faint smile. "I've finished my questions. Thank you for your answers…"
For Acheron, the actual answers weren't important. She could feel Pei Guang's will and his true thoughts.
Knowing that was enough.
Pei Guang: "Since there are no more questions~ then we'll be off~ see you later in the story~"
Stelle: "See you~ see you~"
Pei Guang and Stelle stepped through the door, and in that instant, their consciousness returned to reality.