Weeks had passed, surprisingly or unsurprisingly, I have come to experience things that kept catching me off guard, not in the sense of danger or hidden threats, but in sheer details of my surroundings.
Yes, when I first opened my eyes in this world, I was slightly overwhelmed by what was happening, excitement, heat of the adventurous spirit, worry and fear dominated most of my perception in the beginning.
I had awoken in a police station as a freshly awakened sleeper, I had no idea how, but I was happy. I considered myself to be blessed with endless fortune because I didn't have to face the horrors of the first nightmare.
And obviously when I saw my aspect and my abilities, I was beyond ecstatic but also more worried, because of the nature of my aspect and attributes, but thankfully my worries were unfounded, my abilities were only limited by its rank, and didn't seem to cause any major risks.
Of course, it would lame to say that I wasn't sceptical, awakened with 4 cores, 5 attributes related to the "God Almighty" pathways, with the ability to envision as a sleeper, and more strangely being able to utilize all the abilities without proper use of essence.
It is a given fact that sleepers cannot utilise essence until they become awakened, I did experiment, quite a bit at the academy, but it resulted in a fruitless attempt. I concluded that my low sensitivity to essence is what stopped me from discovering anything new.
After all, only after being awakened can one start to feel essence and start trying to move it. But that was not all, protagonists in transmigration and isekei genres would have accepted this and moved on from here. But I didn't.
Yes. The wall between fantasy and reality may have crumbled, but the reason for a real person 'like myself', was much above the protagonists in stories. While I was suspicious, I decided to enjoy this new experience.
And with the help of police officers, I reached the Academy, I had to confirm something. When I saw it, I was over the 'moon'.
Of course, the reason was none other than Cassie, this was good news for me, it gave me an idea of which point in the story i was located in, and gave me the chance to meet the character I held dear. Perhaps the only one I held dear.
At the same time, I also started planning. I wasn't foolish to believe I could actually survive in the dream realm, but more importantly, I was formulating how I would navigate the story.
At the time, I chose to stick strictly to the main story line for 2 reasons. Firstly, it would give me the advantage of information, by not interfering with the story, I was making sure I could profit from the information of the novel, and secondly, it was safe.
It's impossible to fully stay 100% in the story line, changes will inevitably take place due to my presence, just the act of approaching cassie would have led to new variables, but i surmised it would on a manageable level and not too drastic.
And I was right to some degree, a lot of details, and actions changed due to my slight interference. But not to a degree that it would cause the story to change in a different direction.
The most change that happened caused by my action is without a doubt, Cassie.
When I met her for the first time and spoke to her, I was bewildered.
My [ Spectator ] attribute allowed me to see things with an entirely different kind of vision. It wasn't super natural vision, but just the sheer amount of details I was noticing at once.
The twitching of the eye bros, the most slight movement of the pupils, the twitch of the lips, how they hold a cup, how they sit, how they move their heads and even a strange heat emanating from their body, all together combined into one.
It felt like intuition, and the combined information painted almost a perfect picture of a person's state of mind so clearly that it seemed like it was pasted on their faces.
And when I saw Cassie, I saw death.
The novel only described the air around her to carry the weight of impending death. But that wasn't entirely correct.
It wasn't death, instead it was hopelessness and despair. To explain it with an example, it is common knowledge that if you surround yourself with a happy group of people, you would naturally be happier, and if you're surrounded by a group of exhausted people, you would be exhausted even if you are full of energy.
You are affected by the emotions and actions of surroundings.
So the air around Cassie which seemed like death, is actually not death, but the sheer weight of her hopelessness and despair, and combined with the feeling of distance and abandonment of the sleepers around her, magnified it to resemble death.
And also deteriorating her mind close to the breaking point. Anymore and she would have become mentally broken and unresponsive.
That was how a spectator saw the world, it's hard to describe what I felt at the moment. I felt amazed but more than that, I felt very sad.
I was amazed at the fact that despite all this Cassie persevered and reached great heights and achieved great feats, and I felt sad that she did it without anyone supporting her mentally or emotionally.
Then I decided that I would support Cassie fully, I was already planning too, but now I felt like I had to do more.
And so, I approached her, cheered her up, held her hand guiding her through the academy, greeting her in the mornings, making not so great jokes, and ate meals together, while placating her.
Result?
We grew closer, she started opening up more, and began accepting her situation, but this time not with despair and sadness but with hope.
And fast forward, we entered the dream realm, and as I expected, I also got transported to the forgotten shores, thankfully, my [ Sailor ] attribute was made for the waters.
But that was just what made the horrors more dreadful, granted nightvision, I saw for the first time, the kind of horrors sleepers of the forgotten shore had to face.
By great luck, Cassie was nearby so she didn't have to suffer in the waters. It was from then my suspicion began to bloom even more.
Originally Cassie should have been saved by Nephis instead of me, resulting in her trusting Nephis with everything she had at time, and influencing her to make the most important plot decision.
With me saving her, I had basically gotten 120% of her trust in me, this was quite a dilemma.
I was worried that the future might change and my advantage would be lost.
But I kept this dilemma hidden, I carried Cassie through the crimson labyrinth, luckily our encounters with nightmare creatures were very minimal, and we were able to escape most of them.
It was then, I really began getting clues.
Nephis had arrived, and her actions gave evidence to a very unpleasant prospect.
Nephis true to the novel plot, approached our safe camp, and gave a hand to Cassie, as if offering help.
Her eyes were vacant, almost in a dream-like state, then I understood, I could never change the future to begin with. Everything would have gone according to how the novel went or to be more accurate, how Fate wanted it.
With that evidence I was quickly able to surmise that fate was forcing events into motion, not bothering with any variables.
Soon after more evidences began surfacing, to my horror, my presence was not even registered, people would constantly forget of my being, but strangely the only exception was Cassie, who seem able to remember me, but even she isn't spared from grasp of fate, she would interchange between my real name and true name.
These were all unnerving if I was truly being honest. I had no clue on how to handle these matters.
After much thought, I came to another conclusion, if fate is indeed forcing the events to go in a predetermined order, it wouldn't matter if small minor details changed.
Of course I still didn't come to terms with the mystery of existence, but I at least found motivation and freedom, within its confines.
Using this, I pushed both Nephis and Cassie to move earlier than expected, leading to the duo meeting sunny much earlier, reaching the ashen borrow and the soul devouring tree much much earlier than initially planned, and as expected fate gladly accommodated it.
Although it wasn't easy, and I myself was near death more times than Cassie herself. Granted I was actually fighting as an inexperienced fighter who never once touched a weapon.
The mental state of the other 2 wasn't very good either, but it was still miles better than Cassie's was when I first met her. For my and Cassie's sake I placated them and improved their mental state.
I was also surprised that I unaffected by the soul devouring tree, this was news to me, because there was huge rank disparity, between me and the soul devourer, yet, I remained unaffected for the most part, but my cassie wasn't
She was in fact the first to fall into its influence. I tried placate and other abilities like bardic songs, but it only served to slow it down.
The worst part was this time, she didn't get the required vision to warn sunny, this was important, because it was the instance where trust was being forged and the point where seeds of an unintentional betrayal would be planted.
So I whispered to her, my plans, she was already halfway into being enthralled, but with my help she resisted and managed to warn sunny of "5".
Using this opportunity, I envisioned a life boat, I decided it was pointless to wait and let things play out so, with my superior strength, i subdued Nephis, whispered sunny to climb the tree and finding blood weave, I grabbed Cassie who was offering me the fruits, because maybe she trusts me more now, she didn't fight back.
But it wasn't the same for Nephis, in fact, had I not said "Aster Song Vale", I would have really died with a broken neck.
Once sunny came back I envisioned tnt's and exploded them as we surfed the waves off its shores.
Soon we reached the dark city, and weirdly enough Effie was still present there, so I assumed that was her residence till the moment the cohort reached the dark city in the novel.
Things were progressing just as the original.
We reached the bright castle, and that's when I decided to test out another theory.
Like the original, Sunny and Cassie were supposed to stay in the bright castle while nephis ventured into the slums.
But I intervened and made both of them go, it was hard convincing them both, considering they were very distrustful still despite learning from each other, they gave in regardless.
So I envisioned an entire bag of soul shards, which guaranteed us a few weeks in the bright castle. Harper wasn't present, this time, I assumed he was working, otherwise I would have tried something with him and maybe get more information.
But regardless I told the girl at the desk to keep the change, and took Cassie to our room, strangely she insisted on sharing a single room, even though soul shards weren't a problem.
But in the end she won, or rather I conceded. It was hard to fight against her with her puffed cheeks.
Eventually it was time to eat, and instead of sunny, I guided Cassie.
It was then I noticed gazes.
It was the gaze of a beast in heat. And they were directed at none other than Cassie.
It was no secret that in terms of looks she could go toe to toe with the awakened as well except for masters or saints.
So it was granted that she would be the target of attention, which I expected, but not once did I accept such revolting gazes.
Being sensitive to gazes, and my environment, I felt it all too well. Being away from civilization, constantly at death's door, had caused the beasts in the room to be depraved to new levels, even though they hid it well, they couldn't hide it from a spectator.
They looked like they would jump on her the moment my gaze was away from her, at this point my build was on the tall slender side, i didn't have the weight of my size to look intimidating.
But other than disgust, I felt extreme annoyance and anger. I envisioned a clock that covered Cassie's back and modestly, putting hand on her shoulder, then I turned to look around.
My eyes were that of blazing gold, I glared at the beasts, I kept myself expressionless but my eyes said it all.
Only then did, they all kept to themselves, giving the two of us much needed space and rest.
A week passed, Cassie and I decided it was time to meet up with Sunny and Nephis.
As I expected, Sunny and nephis had yet to get into the awkward relationship they had, perhaps because I forced this moment, causing fate to act against it.
So that means, unless I force it to go as fate wants it, nothing I do will work that well.
And so we moved to tents, I did not interfere much anymore, simply letting things go as they are supposed to, when I saw that apparition for the first time.
I saw myself, or rather something looked like me, if not for the Deep Black hair with gold accents at the roots, and his ornate black clergy men robe.
I went full out, I didn't hold back, as if by instinct but my attacks simply passed through, he explained himself, and then I remembered, Sin of Solace…
It was similar, he revealed himself to be the hanged man version and revealed information that crumbled everything I thought was real.
I was extremely suspicious of him, I neither believed any word he said, but after talking for a while, I felt hope leaving my soul.
At that moment, I saw my memories flashing before my eyes, and I thought to myself, is anything real?
He comforted me with not so helpful words, but at least it killed my bad mood slightly. And so I began to trust and work with myself, to save myself and things that I held dear.
I think so Atleast, I hope I am right.
***
I opened my eyes, I was seated in a lotus position, on top of a corpse of a nightmare creature.
Over the last weeks, I had been training myself to be a better fighter, I had to do at least this much. I had also become less reliant on my envisioning.
It was hard and excruciating, but it was worth it. Of course in terms of fighting power, I would be amongst the weaker sleepers of the forgotten shore but at least I was strong enough to defend myself without relying on excessive cheats. Combined with my abilities and everything in my disposal, I am as strong if not many times stronger then Gunlag and Nephis at their peak.
"HEY! Are you done yet?", a furious voice snapped, jarring me back to reality.
Turning around to see a girl with black hair and limpid eyes, approached me with smokes of irritation fuming from her head.
"Ah you're here? Did you get the memory?", getting straight to the point.
"piece of shit, making me do all the work, why don't you just go and die? HUH? Maybe you should go up your mothers ### and #### you ####" the girl continued to bark out insults that would make even the most hardened of French shed tears of blood and vomit out their entire stomach.
I simply deadpanned, and waited for her insults to drain out, I am not really affected but it does sting, a complete stark contrast to when I first met the girl.
Her name is "reena" from her looks and her skin color I could tell she is of south asian descent. Which explains her sharp tongue, which is made worse by her flaw, which seems to make her irritated and constantly angry.
Because of that, she suffered a lot and could not join any groups or cohorts because he could not help but spew out gut wrenching insults that sometimes even worked against nightmare creatures surprisingly.
She was lonely and barely surviving, when I found her after Cassie's therapy walks. At first even though I was caught in the fire, I would have been the Number 1 advocate of gender equality had it not been for my spectator instincts showing me more than I heard.
She is actually very timid, but her flaw makes it so that any signs of it are impossible to notice and everyone only notices her sharp tongue.
Realizing this, I felt bad for her. In the past weeks I helped her stand on her two feet, and taught her how to navigate through her flaws. Of course she couldn't get rid of them, but she learned to use them.
I then taught her negotiation (via envisioning's help T-T ), as it turned out, she had a neck for it, and her sharp tongue made her a very hard opponent to counter negotiate.
She is now my personal negotiator, I sent her to get me memories.
I smiled, as I waited and in a few seconds, her face had a blush on her cheeks, her flaw did indeed make her look like a wailing ghost, but other emotions like embarrassment and happiness can show itself on her face, only in a bit of a twisted manner. Making her look a bit evil.
"Ugh!! Whatever, I got a sword as you asked, this is the third one this week!! At least get this one right.. Ptui." she spat.
For some reason that spit felt genuine insult…
I closed my eyes and got up, I was tired, fighting an awakened monster with limits on myself is my limit.
The reason I had her get me swords is because of a glaring problem that I realized too late.
From the very beginning I had relied on my envisioning, for weapons, clothes and anything I needed. So I never really had the need for memories.
But once I readied myself to face the dangers and grow stronger without, I was greeted with a truth I could not believe I had not recognized sooner.
Any memories that enter my soul sea disintegrate, or become so worn out that it would shatter against the hides of the nightmare creatures.
I myself could not enter the soul sea, because of the pain I felt the first time, the pain of having nails hammered into your flesh while being roasted alive.
But I never thought that even memories would not be able to remain in my soul.
Because of that, all the memories i thought i had in the journey to dark city, had at one point become unusable trash.
I tried getting higher grade memories, it seemed that stronger memories can last longer in my soul sea, but it would still be damaged and it would gain any healing or self fixing properties of the soul sea.
Sigh
Well there is no point in lamenting. Because there is a small loop hole in this.
"Ok give it to me, i will get it right this time." I assured her as I looked her in the eye.
"Hmph whatever, just get this over with", she snarled as she put out her hand.
I readied myself then..
As soon as I grabbed her hand, I felt a slight tug flowing into me, and immediately, I started summoning the memory.
Particles of light began forming, immediately.
"Quick! Quick! Quick! Quick! Quick!", I desperately pushed out the memory.
In a second the particles solidified into a sword, it was a curved sword, reminiscent of the middle eastern styled swords.
However it wasn't unscathed, there were burned marks, on the handles and on the upper edges of the blade.
Still, it's in much better condition than my previous attempts.
"There you have it! Hahaha!" Reena laughed, relieved that it didn't go to waste.
Yes I am happy as well, as I looked at the runes.
—---------------------------------
Name: Sword of Saba
Memory rank: Awakened
Memory Tier: I.
Memory Type: Weapon.
Memory Description: [ A king sought to conquer the horizon, but his blades broke before the dream. In fury, he cast out his smiths and wandered far. By a lake's edge, he found whispers of a sword beyond dreams. He returned with steel that knew no equal—his armies swept the world. Many chased the secret. All failed.]
Memory Enchantment: [ True Cut ]
Enchantment Description: [ It will Kill ]
—---------------------
So this sword is a replica of those legendary swords, I wonder which part of the dream realm this story took place in.
As I contemplated, Reena nudged at my shoulder.
"Hey! Don't keep me waiting.. Tell me how it is?" she asked dryly.
"It's a very good sword, I am very pleased, thank you for getting this for me"
"You have a good hand for memories as well"
Complimenting her, I took out a bag of soul shards and handed it to her.
"Take this as my thanks and the fee for your efforts"
Reena simply stared at the bag, a rare glint of surprise plastering on her face for a brief moment.
Anyone would be surprised, the bag has enough soul shards to last month and half in the bright castle. In terms of wealth I am the wealthiest here, maybe after gunlag.
As I thought of gunlag, I turned to look at the direction of the bright castle.
Reena fixed her expression, returning to the usual stern expression.
As she was about to say thanks, her mouth moved on its own.
"#### you ##### f***"
That broke me off my sudden stupor, my eye brows twitched and corners of my mouth couldn't help but curl up.
Sensing something was wrong, reena immediately grabbed the bag and ran in the opposite direction, as she did she turned around.
"IF YOU NEED ANYTHING JUST REACH OUT TO ME YOU #####" and with that she ran away in a looney toon manner.
Watching all this, I let out a sigh.
"Ho ho ho"
Just then I heard a chuckle, turning my head to side, I saw a man in a black clergyman robe with gold inlays, his hair was deep black with gold accents in the roots.
It was none other than Hanged Man Adam.
"She is a funny one, though her sharp tongue is.. Well sharp.."
Ignoring his remark. I asked a question.
"Where have you been this entire time?"
Adam was still looking at the direction Reena ran off too, before turning to me.
"Nephis is going out to get the shards, everyone is gathering now."