Back in reality, inside Aleph's hotel room.
Black Swan was much calmer now after her brief exchange with Constanza. As she absentmindedly played with her phone and tidied the place up a bit, she shamelessly stole some of the candies hidden in Aleph's secret stash inside his suitcase.
She couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Isn't this practically the same as stealing candy from a baby?"
The ringing of a call interrupted her. An unknown number appeared on the screen. She frowned, thinking it might be a mistake.
"How curious…" She murmured, accepting the call.
"Hahaha. Tell me, did you enjoy yourself in Penacony, Acheron?" A man said casually. "My bullets will leave you full of holes, impostor. You'd better start looking for a high-quality coffin in what time you have left!"
Black Swan arched a brow, popping a candy into her mouth.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not Acheron. Just a humble Memokeeper in service of the Garden of Recollection."
The man sighed, though he didn't sound truly upset.
"Well. I thought you were that woman. Ha! Not bad—are you her bodyguard or something? Don't worry, I'll save a full round for you. Just make sure your forehead's nice and clean!"
"…My, how intense."
"Hahaha! It's a quality any lady finds charming!"
Black Swan lay back on the bed, legs crossed, enjoying the game.
"Though shouldn't you first confirm whether I'm an ally of Acheron or not, follower of the Hunt?"
The man chuckled low.
"Mysterious little doll, aren't you? Well, doesn't matter to me. I've got a score to settle with that woman. Even if the Galaxy Rangers aren't what they used to be after the disaster, I won't let just anyone use that name as a cover."
Black Swan tilted her head, amused.
"How interesting. Tell me then… what's your name, stranger who dials numbers at random?"
"Boothill. That's what they call me."
The sweets in her mouth suddenly tasted all the sweeter. Perhaps she could make good use of this conversation born from a simple mistake.
******
At the Dream Border, Aleph sighed.
"At this point, it seems like we don't have many options left."
He approached the Hound Family guard blocking the way, ready to talk. But before he could say anything, Stelle suddenly struck him cleanly from behind with her bat. The man collapsed unconscious on the spot.
Aleph, March, and Himeko stared at her in disbelief.
Stelle tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
"What? In the movies, when someone says there are no options left and there's a guard blocking the way, it almost always means somebody has to knock him out."
Before Aleph could reply, a deep laugh echoed.
"I heard quite the ruckus and wondered what was going on… but who would've thought it was you lot?"
Turning, they saw Gallagher approaching. His eyes settled on the group, and he let out a sigh when they landed on Stelle.
"Well, since you're here… how can I be of service?"
Himeko stepped forward, greeting him politely.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gallagher. Though, judging from your tone… it almost sounded like you were expecting us."
Gallagher smiled.
"You're far too polite, Himeko. You shouldn't address me as 'Mr.'"
Himeko blinked.
"Mr. Gallagher… Do you actually know my name?"
He calmly raised his hand as he pulled out a cigarette and lighter.
"It would be odd if I didn't. After all, you're part of the Anonymous—the crew of the legendary Astral Express. And what's more, honored guests of none other than the Watchmaker himself."
His eyes shifted toward Stelle.
"And I already knew you. Naturally, that means I'd already know of the others too."
Stelle tilted her head, confused.
"Did I tell him about Himeko and the others? 'Cause I don't remember that at all," she muttered under her breath.
Himeko pushed aside her curiosity, steering the conversation back to the matter that had brought them there.
"You see… a girl lost her life recently. The Astral Express won't ignore such a fact. That's why we've decided to cooperate with the Family, in hopes of getting to the bottom of it and seeking justice in her name."
Gallagher inclined his head.
"…My condolences for the young lady."
He raised a brow at the mention of cooperation.
"Working with the Family, huh? Now that is a surprise."
March looked at him in confusion.
"Is it bad for us to cooperate with them?"
Gallagher shook his head with a sigh.
"No, girl. Everyone here loves the Family." His tone carried a faint trace of sarcasm that didn't escape Himeko's notice. "No matter how much you try to resist the 'sweet dream,' you'll end up trapped. This place is like an open jar of honey swarmed by flies."
His lips curved as if he couldn't decide whether to find it funny or not.
"Who'd ever want to leave this warm 'home'? Only fools, children… or drunkards whose minds are already gone."
Himeko narrowed her eyes.
"You speak as if you've got something to say on the matter, Mr. Gallagher."
"Me? Not at all." Gallagher spun on his heels. "But if you want details about the case, this isn't the right place to talk. I'll take you somewhere better."
He turned and walked toward a set of double doors painted red.
Confused but with no other options, the group decided to follow him.
*********
When they arrived at Sunday's building, Aventurine and Dr. Ratio were greeted at the doors by a Pepeshian with black hair, dark sunglasses, and a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He immediately coughed, betraying how unaccustomed he was to smoking.
He frowned.
"This is a place of business. Not just anyone is allowed inside."
Ratio stepped forward.
"Mr. Sunday asked me to bring in a suspect. My name is Ratio. You should have already been informed of my arrival."
The guard slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand.
"Ahh, you were Veritas Ratio, right?! Your 'virtual particle clock' is really impressive!"
Ratio blinked in confusion.
"…Excuse me?"
The guard burst out laughing.
"Your head, of course! Though it's nothing compared to mine. I am Hendrick, proud bearer of the pocket annihilator power armor with full motor knights."
Ratio dragged a hand down his face.
"That only exists in your imagination."
Hendrick puffed out his chest with pride.
"Exactly! Only a proud member of the Family can witness the glory of the motor knights."
Aventurine let out a laugh.
"He seems charming enough."
Ratio ignored him.
"The idiocy index in Penacony is alarming…"
....
Soon, Aventurine and Ratio stood before the doors of the Oak Family leader's office. Hendrick escorted them there and stepped aside.
"Wait a few minutes. Mr. Sunday is in an important meeting. He shouldn't be long."
While they waited, Ratio broke the silence.
He crossed his arms while Aventurine hummed to himself, looking far too relaxed.
"Listen. With two deaths inside the dream, the situation is critical. The Corporation and the Family have dragged on centuries of hostility. Don't expect fair treatment. They could use you as a scapegoat and execute you on the spot."
Aventurine smiled calmly.
"How sweet of you to worry about me. Though if I wanted to, with my talent I could even work my way into your prestigious Club of Mediocres."
Ratio arched a brow.
"It's called the Society of Knowledge. And no, even if you squandered your entire fortune on bribes, you'd never make it in." He gave Aventurine a sharp look. "And worried about you? Fallacies and delusions. They say even a perfect fool could have moments of clarity—how is it you've yet to find yours?"
"Always so serious." Aventurine waved his hand as if brushing the remark aside. "You're a terrible player, Ratio. You lack conviction, that's what."
Ratio sighed, waving dismissively, as though he were shooing away a particularly bothersome and persistent fly.
"Conviction without reason is stupidity. And if you're going to sink, try not to drag me down into the mud with you."
Aventurine looked at him serenely.
"I was ready to risk my life from the start. Even if the odds are slim—or close to zero—I know I can win. Three chips will be enough."
And with a determined smile, he added:
"From here on out, it's all or nothing."
The doors creaked open. Aventurine entered first, leaving Ratio behind.
The scholar shook his head, muttering.
"…Foolish gambler."
....
Inside the lavish office, Aventurine was met with Sunday's impassive gaze.
"What a cold welcome." Aventurine bowed with a mocking smile. "I expected a warmer reception from a host known for his hospitality."
"In the first place, this wasn't an invitation," Sunday replied calmly. "It was a summons."
His eyes fixed on him, steady but hard.
"I don't share my elders' prejudices against the Corporation, but neither will I look kindly upon your presence. Especially not when one of the victims was my younger sister."
Aventurine nodded.
"I wouldn't have expected anything less from the head of the Oak Family."
Sunday smiled.
Aventurine frowned.
"Something's not right." He thought as he began scanning the room.
The doors opened behind him. Several Hound Family members entered, blocking the exit.
Sunday placed his hands on the table.
"Now that everyone's here, the interrogation can begin."
A sharp pain pierced Aventurine's head. The air vibrated with a harmonious aura radiating from Sunday.
"Oh soul of triple face." He intoned solemnly. "Burn his tongue and palms with searing iron, so that he may not utter falsehoods or hollow oaths."
Aventurine gritted his teeth, leaning on the desk to keep his balance.
"What… did you do to me?"
Sunday didn't answer. Instead, a Hound Family member spoke.
"Under the light of Harmony, all evil is revealed. At the Oak Family head's request, her radiance descends. From this moment forth, you will answer the questions."
Sunday lifted his gaze toward him.
"You have exactly one hundred and thirteen seconds to prove your innocence and earn my trust."
The pain hammered at him, but Aventurine grinned shamelessly.
"And what if I refuse to answer?"
Sunday regarded him with indifference.
"You can try, if you wish. But don't blame me if you suffer Harmony's 'rejection.'"
**********
After thirty minutes of following Gallagher along the border of dreams—and after taking down a couple of nosy Memes—the group finally climbed what felt like endless stairs until they reached a pair of black doors. Crossing through, they found themselves in a bar dimly lit by red lamps, with soft jazz playing in the background.
Aleph smiled from ear to ear… until he heard Himeko discreetly clear her throat into her hand. When he turned, she was looking at him seriously.
"Don't even think about it. No alcoholic drinks for you."
The boy deflated instantly, prompting Stelle's mocking laughter.
"Poor thing, punished before he could enjoy happy hour fun."
"That goes for you too, young lady!"
Stelle clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Damn."
Behind the counter, a short-haired blonde woman with lively eyes greeted them with energy.
"Gallagher! What a miracle to see you here. What brings you to this forgotten corner?"
"Just looking for a quiet place to talk." He replied with a shrug.
"Then you came at the perfect time. I've got the day off and can run the bar as long as I want."
The woman smiled at the group.
"Welcome to the Bar of Terrors, ladies and gentlemen. We serve a wide range of drinks—everything except Blisswine. Why settle for the most ordinary thing in Penacony when you can taste unique creations? Here we only serve joy and laughter."
Aleph tilted his head, confused.
"Uh… 'our'?"
"That's right." Siobhan chuckled and turned toward the backroom. "Rookie, come say hi!"
A taciturn young man appeared, polishing a glass. He was dressed entirely in black, his blond hair tied back in a ponytail, and a patch covered his left eye.
"…Dainsleif. Bartender apprentice." He introduced himself in a low, monotone voice, then lowered his gaze and leaned on the counter.
A gloomy aura surrounded him, though his face remained impassive.
"Ugh… as expected… I still can't socialize."
A dark cloud literally hovered over his head.
March leaned toward Aleph and Stelle.
"You see that raincloud too, or is it just me?"
"The black cloud that literally started raining on him?" Aleph asked with a raised brow.
"And also makes sounds like a thunderstorm?"
March nodded.
"Yes, we can see it." they both replied in unison.
Gallagher patted Dainsleif's shoulder.
"Cheer up, you'll get there."
Those words alone were enough for the cloud to vanish. The boy nodded, still expressionless, but his eyes sparkled with emotion.
Aleph and March both took a half-step back at the same time, their eyes widening.
"…His mood swings are as volatile as a shōnen protagonist's!" They exclaimed in unison.
Dainsleif covered his face in embarrassment while Gallagher laughed.
"Don't tease him too much, he's trying to get better."
The apprentice slipped away to the far end of the counter to hide.
Siobhan finished polishing the glass and handed out menus.
"All right, what will you be drinking?"
March flipped through the menu with shining eyes.
"Look at these names! Bottled Smile, Lemon Melancholy, Invincible Dream, Bubbly Anxiety, Valentine's Ecstasy…"
Aleph pointed at one.
"Midnight Aurora… hmm, not bad."
"I want Pink Euphoria." March added.
Meanwhile, Stelle had secretly gotten hold of a glass.
Himeko scolded her as soon as she noticed what she was holding.
"Put that down right now!"
But it was too late. Stelle downed the whole thing in a single gulp, and with flushed cheeks, proclaimed her existential question.
"What came first? The bat or the ball…?" She murmured philosophically. But she quickly waved it off and struck a heroic pose. "Doesn't matter! I'll conquer Penacony! The legend of the Galactic Bat will be told to children in every school!"
Aleph and March both broke into a cold sweat.
"She's totally drunk."
Siobhan returned with their orders and, seeing the scene, sighed.
"She had a big gulp of Midlife Crisis. Happens every now and then."
Aleph and March scanned the menu for it.
—1 cup of melancholy, 1 of optimism, 1 of hope, and 1 of inhibition.
They glanced at each other and swallowed hard.
It really was… a peculiar combination.
Looking at their own colorful, bubbly drinks, they exchanged a serious nod before downing their cocktails in one go.
"Wait, you're not supposed to drink those that fast!" Siobhan exclaimed, but it was already too late.
...
At a table off to the side, far from the chaos, Gallagher watched the scene with a smile before turning to Himeko.
"Interesting method to keep the youngsters busy."
Himeko took a sip of her drink and smiled.
"Some conversations are better left between adults, don't you think, Mr. Gallagher?"
In truth, what worried her was how Aleph and Stelle would react if they heard certain names linked to the deaths of Firefly and Robin too soon.
But outwardly, her expression stayed as serene and friendly as ever, without leaving a single opening for Gallagher to exploit.
.....
When they finally managed to get the disaster caused by Aleph, Stelle, and March under control, both Siobhan and Dainsleif were exhausted. Siobhan sighed tiredly as she cleaned glasses, while Dainsleif stayed half-hidden behind the counter, the dark cloud threatening to return.
Himeko, keeping her composure, took a slow sip and let out a breath.
"Your words are… curious, Mr. Gallagher."
Gallagher leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms.
"Curious or not, there's something you need to understand. The Hound Family members can make mistakes—like when they mistook your young friend for a stowaway—but that doesn't mean you can just write them off as incompetent."
From his coat, he pulled out a yellow folder sealed with tape. On the cover, handwritten, were the words Case Details.
"It would've been better to discuss this earlier, while they were still in a… less lucid state." Himeko murmured quietly.
Gallagher heard her but only rubbed his forehead wearily before continuing.
"The real problem starts here. If that girl was truly in Penacony… how is it possible we have so little information about her? Barely more than what you yourselves uncovered."
Gallagher closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a tired sigh.
"And well, that's how it is… whenever we tried digging deeper, we only got bad news—the worst kind. She just disappeared. Vanished. As if she'd never been here at all. Not a single trace left behind, in dreamscapes or reality."
March blinked several times, lost. Aleph and Stelle wore equally confused expressions. Finally, March clasped her hands together, a flash of realization in her eyes.
"I've got it!" She shouted, drawing all attention to herself. "That means Firefly is a ghost!"
An awkward silence followed for a few moments. Gallagher burst into laughter, thinking it was a joke. But when he saw the seriousness in the girl's eyes, the laughter caught in his throat.
"Frankly…" He sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "This case isn't like anything we've seen before."
Himeko leaned closer to him.
"Then… the rumors are true? 'Death' really exists in Penacony?"
Gallagher was silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.
"Even the brightest city has its shadow. And since we're all adults here, I won't sugarcoat it."
At that moment, Siobhan returned with a tray. On it rested five glasses that shimmered with a hypnotic blend of purple, sky blue, and deep blue.
"A gift from the house." She said with a smile, setting them down.
Gallagher raised his glass.
"I drink to you, who are awake, with this cup of Dream within a Dream… and to our ancestors, who dug their own graves."
They all drank.
Aleph sniffed his glass before taking a slow sip. A wave of pleasure rushed through his body, so intense he almost forgot where he was. But instantly, he frowned—something ominous hid beneath all that sweetness, and it was deeply unsettling.
"What do you think?" Gallagher asked, eyes sharp. "It was Mikhail's favorite."
The name made Aleph scratch his head.
"That name… it sounds familiar." He muttered under his breath.
The others shared their impressions.
"The richness and layering of flavors are truly a masterpiece." Himeko declared precisely, dissecting the complexity of the drink. "Especially the components. I can taste the spiced notes, the acidity mixed with a subtle sweetness… fascinating. Though I'd like to know—why did Mr. Gallagher want us to drink this?"
Gallagher ignored her question, focusing instead on the others' reactions.
"It brought happy thoughts… but also strange ones. Definitely more refined than Blisswine." March admitted, tilting her head.
"It's March Special Week all over again." Stelle muttered, arms crossed as she shook her head.
"Don't compare my drink to this!" March protested, offended. "The March Special Week is still in development!"
"Why not? Both cause hallucinations." Stelle seemed genuinely curious.
"Hmph. You'll see—the March Special Week will be famous across the whole cosmos." she said with a pout, arms crossed.
Gallagher chuckled lightly, but soon his gaze locked onto Aleph, who was still nursing his half-finished glass.
"And you? What do you think?"
Aleph nodded toward Himeko, agreeing with her assessment, but added a few more words.
"As you drink… there's this creeping sense of decay. Like deterioration seeping in with every sip."
Gallagher closed his eyes, thoughtful, a smile tugging at his lips.
Himeko seized the silence.
"Who is Mikhail?"
At that instant, Aleph remembered. His first encounter with Acheron… that name had been there, blurry but present. He clapped a hand against the table.
"That's it!"
Everyone stared at him oddly. Aleph faked a cough, embarrassed, and sat back down.
"…Sorry. Guess I got a little carried away."
The tension eased with a few chuckles. Gallagher settled back in his chair and looked at Himeko.
"I'll tell you who Mikhail was. But first, you need to understand something: facing the Family with what you know now is naïve. Death can reach us even in the sweetest dreams, and so what? Incidents like this are rare, barely affecting a handful of people."
His expression darkened.
"If you truly want to solve this mystery… you'll have to aim higher. At the Family's real 'problem.'"
He sighed, rubbing one eye.
"I suppose it's time I told you about Mikhail."
Gallagher leaned back in his chair, pulling out a cigarette he didn't light, just rolling it between his fingers.
"You should have received an invitation with the following message…"
But before he could continue, Stelle raised her hand like she was in class.
"I can guess it!"
Gallagher blinked, confused by the sudden interruption. Aleph and March, on the other hand, only gave her flat, disapproving looks.
"Stelle…" Himeko tried to rein her in. "Behave, this isn't the time—"
"Shhh." Stelle cut her off, pressing a finger to her lips. "Let me think."
Himeko's smile twitched slightly as she silently debated what punishment would be most fitting for such discourteous behavior.
Stelle, wearing a proud expression, lifted her chin.
"I've got it! The message was 'Dear passengers of the Astral Express, please bring the one and only Galactic Bat to save our people and deliver a glorious performance with her groundbreaking bat magic style.'"
The silence was absolute. Stelle folded her arms, convinced she'd nailed it. Nobody spoke—not because they were impressed, but because everyone from Gallagher to Siobhan and Dainsleif at the far end, to Aleph, March, and Himeko, was utterly dumbfounded by such idiocy.
Finally, Gallagher pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"…No."
With elegance, Himeko picked up the words Stelle had trampled.
"The real message said, 'Witness the impossible in the realm of dreams, find the legacy of the Watchmaker, father of Penacony, and the answer to the question: Why does life slumber?'"
Gallagher smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Correct. Those are the exact words."
March blinked, impressed.
"You wrote that? Sounds way too poetic to be official."
"I'm the one in charge of the case. How could I not know?" Gallagher replied seriously. "And make no mistake—that message didn't come from the Family."
His eyes locked firmly onto Aleph's.
"You should've already noticed that the Watchmaker's relationship with the Family isn't as close as it appears."
Himeko frowned.
"How can that be? The Watchmaker is considered the father of Penacony. To say he's at odds with the current leaders sounds… absurd."
"It isn't." Gallagher shook his head. "They've been enemies for a long time. And despite all our efforts to track him down, his only visible traces are the cartoons and characters he created."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"Tell me—how do you think the invitation message reached the outside? Why do you think the Family would allow something like that to leak, luring you here just to drag you into chaos?"
Himeko studied him closely.
"You want to use this opportunity to unmask the Watchmaker?"
Gallagher neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, he shifted the angle of the conversation.
"Now you see why the Oak Family authorized the Nameless to investigate, and why you weren't given all the details." His gaze hardened. "The Watchmaker isn't the hero of the land of dreams. To the Family, he's Penacony's greatest disgrace—and the root of all the anomalies plaguing the dreamscapes."
Aleph rested his elbows on the table, giving him a steady look.
"And what does Mikhail have to do with all this?"
Gallagher stared back intensely.
"Do you really not get it yet?"
Silence stretched for a few moments before he finally said it bluntly.
"Mikhail, the traitor of the Family… is the Watchmaker."
*********
Aventurine couldn't be in a more precarious situation even if he tried. The migraine pounded furiously, reminding him of Sunday's words.
Under the light of Harmony, all evil is revealed. From this moment on, you will answer the questions.
You can try, refuse to respond… but don't blame me if you receive Harmony's 'rejection.'
He clicked his tongue, staggering as he clutched his head. The curse bound him like invisible chains. His lifespan had been cut down to seventeen hours—unless he found the real culprit.
And they claimed the Family was known for warm welcomes and hospitable meetings? Pure nonsense.
"Well, you look pretty pale. Or is that part of your act too?"
Ratio's voice dragged him out of his haze. Aventurine shot him a dry look.
"You've got some nerve, showing up in front of me after betraying me."
He leaned closer with a mocking grin.
"Tell me, oh great genius of the Mediocre Club—did you come to be my undertaker? What an honor."
"That's right." Ratio met his gaze calmly. "I'm sure the Department of Strategic Investments will be informed of your death. And even if you insist on pressing on with this reckless gamble of yours, just let me know when you can't go any further. In the end, it'll fall to me to finish the job."
"Then tell your people Aventurine will be ready to depart in seventeen hours."
Ratio raised an eyebrow.
"How do you plan to complete your task with Harmony's chains tightening around your neck? What gives you confidence when your hands are tied?"
Aventurine chuckled under his breath, even with the pain stabbing at his temples.
"My talk with Sunday made it clear enough—there's a traitor within the Family, hiding secrets of great weight. That's all I need. I'm going to use this opportunity to set everything in motion."
With a cocky smile, Aventurine lifted the bag in his hand.
"They confiscated almost everything, but I managed to grab one of my stashes of money and jewels. I'm just one step away from victory. All you have to do is wait and watch."
Ratio slowly shook his head, closing his eyes in resignation.
"Sounds like a roundabout way of admitting you've already lost."
Aventurine chuckled under his breath at Ratio's remark.
"And what else do you want me to say? I'm not about to spell out my survival plan in detail to the very guy who betrayed me in the first place, am I?"
He turned, adjusting the bag on his shoulder as he began walking away at an easy pace.
"Get ready and do what you need to do. Soon, an entire fleet of IPC ships will be surrounding Penacony." He shot him a sidelong glance with a mocking smile. "You got what you wanted, didn't you?"
Ratio held his gaze, unflinching.
"I did. And tell me—what are you hiding in that bag? An Orbital Support beacon?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no." Aventurine laughed, shrugging. "I'm just a poor bastard about to bite the dust, throwing money around by the handful. Is it my fault if kind folks are willing to lend me a hand for a little incentive?"
Ratio watched him silently, face unreadable.
"…You're an absurdly insane gambler." He muttered with irritation.
"One of my many charms." Aventurine grinned shamelessly.
Ratio sighed. Without another word, he took Aventurine's hand and forced a golden scroll into his palm.
"What's this? A prescription, courtesy of the wise Ratio—?" Aventurine arched an eyebrow, baffled, but when he looked up, Ratio was already gone.
Only a note remained, wrapped around the scroll.
Open it when you're at your limit. You'll thank me.
A sharp pain tore through him, worse than before, forcing him to grit his teeth.
"Typical of scoundrels like him… pushing me to solve a case without giving me a single clue."
...…..
Forcing his body to appear normal, Aventurine moved through the crowd as if nothing was wrong. Using what was left of his funds, he paid nearby informants to dig around about "Death" in Penacony.
After several failed attempts, he ran into a singer devoted to the Path of Beauty. She eyed him with suspicion before asking his motives.
"What do you want that information for?"
Aventurine put one of his best talents to use—lying.
"You see, I'm a rookie reporter looking to go for a somewhat sensationalist angle. So here's what I came up with: what if I gathered rumors and spooky ghost stories from Penacony? As you know, the scarier they are, the more attention they get. Could you help me out a bit?"
The woman hesitated for a moment before sighing.
"It's a sensitive subject. I don't know much, but they say people vanish in dreams… and their bodies are left in comas in reality."
"The Family issued an official statement. They said it was just tourists ignoring the bathtub safety rules—don't eat before entering, don't stay in for more than eight hours… you know, all those precautions." She glanced around uneasily.
"But I don't buy it." She confessed with a hint of sorrow. "Nobody takes their safety that lightly. Something's wrong, but I'm just a weak singer—I can't do anything."
She glanced around nervously before saying goodbye.
"May Xipe and Idrila watch over you."
Aventurine smiled wryly at the name. His current predicament was precisely the fault of Xipe's followers.
But what really stuck in his mind was something else.
A coma… isn't that what happens when someone dies inside a dream?
...…..
Later, after chasing other rumors, he heard there was a way to have a more direct encounter with this "Death." That led him toward Dr. Edward's shop.
He didn't get far. In a dimly lit corner, a small figure was waiting.
The mocking laughter was unmistakable.
"You look like a dog sniffing everywhere, nose to the ground, trying to find the right trail."
Sparkle was watching him with amusement.
"Tell me, is the scent of Death really that tempting to you, my not-so-dear friend?"
Aventurine scoffed, folding his arms.
"Should've expected as much from someone like you. After all, aren't you one of those Masked Fools? Always finding fun in anything."
Sparkle burst out laughing.
"In your case, it's not because you're funny. It's because your stupidity entertains me."
Then she looked at him with a pout.
"I gave you clear, simple hints. And what did you do? You let the Family catch you. Like a dumb mouse avoiding the cheese trap only to fall straight into the clever cat's claws the moment it looks away."
She clicked her tongue, visibly annoyed.
"You disappointed me. Because of you, I lost a bet with that idiot Sampo."
Aventurine gave a wry smile. Not even he knew how to deal with this lunatic.