After Tian Hu excitedly left with his subordinate, Lucian looked around and realized that, aside from himself and those two, Port Gunchao was eerily empty.
A strange atmosphere hung in the air, with only the sound of Lucian's footsteps fading into the pervasive sea fog.
Just as Lucian grew puzzled, a peculiar white cat suddenly appeared beside him.
The sudden appearance startled Lucian, nearly prompting him to swing his Yamato.
"…Meow!!"
The white cat's fur stood on end as it leaped back.
"Don't! Don't attack me, meow!"
Though it was just a cat's meow, Lucian's talent allowed him to understand its words.
The white cat glowed with an odd light, its fur snowy white, but its ear tips, paws, and eyes were a deep, striking blue.
Lucian muttered, "Why would a white cat suddenly appear in the deserted Port Gunchao…"
The cat steadied itself, licking its paw, "I know you. You're Jinzhou's Intelligence Officer Lucian, right?"
Lucian: "Lucian? Who's that?"
"I'm Scar, leader of the Explosive Sky Gang."
The cat gave a disdainful look, "Meow—"
"Don't play dumb. I heard your whole conversation."
Lucian was startled. He hadn't noticed any white cat nearby.
The cat sighed, "Meow—"
"Don't worry, I mean no harm. In fact, I need your help… You're the only one who's entered this dream."
Lucian was confused, "Entered a dream…? What do you mean?"
The cat explained, "Meow—"
"You know there's a mysterious gate on Solaris that leads to a place called the Somnoire."
"The Somnoire holds the dreams of all life on Solaris…"
Lucian frowned, "Holds the dreams of all life? Does such a thing exist?"
"I've never heard of it… And you're saying we dream because of this place, not because of the human brainstem?"
The cat: "…Meow—"
"It's hard to explain too much. The situation's complicated. In short, the Somnoire is having issues…"
"It's starting to invade reality, but for now, it's only affecting Whining Aix's Mire. If it keeps expanding, more people's consciousnesses will be trapped inside."
"I don't know how you got in, but since you entered this dream, you can enter others' dreams too. Please help resolve this crisis…"
"There's a big black cat in the Somnoire that cut off my access. My body's almost out of energy, meow…"
"Luckily, you can understand cat language, or I wouldn't have time to explain… Go to Whining Aix's Mire… I'll be waiting there, meow…"
Without giving Lucian a chance to ask more, the white cat did a backflip and vanished.
"Whining Aix's Mire…"
The Exile mentioned that place earlier…
Since he didn't know how to escape the dream, he might as well head to Whining Aix's Mire…
…
Whining Aix's Mire, Juelin Canyon.
Sure enough, Lucian saw a sealed gate standing in the center of a land surrounded by water.
"Is this the gate to the Somnoire?"
But to his surprise, as he approached, the gate opened abruptly, as if sentient.
A strange red glow burst forth, and an old train, crackling with dark red lightning, shot out.
Lucian instinctively dodged. The train wasn't aiming for him.
It soared skyward, as if bound for the heavens, but before it could leave the land, it crashed with a boom.
Then, a red Tacet Mark-shaped Sonoro Sphere appeared, and several Tacet Discords surged out, charging at Lucian.
These Tacet Discords were mere small fry, no threat to him.
With a few swift slashes, Lucian dispatched them and approached the train, where the peculiar white cat awaited.
"I'm here."
"Meow—"
"You came, as expected."
"You saw those Tacet Discords. If the Somnoire keeps affecting reality and expanding, all of Solaris will be trapped in dreams!"
"So please, enter it and reclaim the access!"
"But because of your unexpected entry, I don't know what changes might occur inside. Be careful, meow."
"Of course, I won't let you help for nothing. Once it's resolved, I'll give you a reward within my power, meow."
With that, the white cat closed its deep blue eyes, as if falling asleep.
Lucian sighed and approached the golden train car door.
"Who can resist when Scar, leader of the Explosive Sky Gang, is so kind? I'll help you out."
The scene shifted, and a massive black cat crouched before a half-moon, close enough to touch.
The starry cosmos was clearly visible. Lucian stood in a pool under the night sky, surrounded by fantastical gates, each displaying a different scene.
"Is that the black cat the white cat mentioned…"
Lucian approached, but a red-eyed pattern blocked his path.
"It's you… I never would've thought… Heh…"
"But… you can't stop me…"
A strange male voice echoed, distant yet near.
The next second, Lucian's vision went black, and surreal images flashed through his eyes…
…
…
"This is…"
Lucian looked around and found himself in Jinzhou's Central Plaza, with the Resonance Beacon standing tall.
The area was empty, making Lumi, rummaging through goods in a corner, stand out.
Her round, full hips, wrapped in tight white pants, were right in Lucian's view, swaying as she searched.
Lucian's eyes lit up, "What an opportunity!"
He crouched and crept closer. It was just a dream—whatever he did shouldn't matter, right?
Some adult thoughts crossed his mind.
Just as he reached out, a familiar voice called from behind, "Lucian!"
Before he could react, Lumi stood and turned, "Lucian?"
She saw Chixia, eyes narrowed, glaring at Lucian from a distance.
Lucian stood with his hands raised, looking sneaky.
"…Intelligence Officer Lucian!? W-What are you doing…?"
Lucian froze as Lumi backed away, waving her hands.
Was that half-step retreat for real?
Lucian coughed and straightened up, "Actually, I just saw a mosquito on your back…"
"You jerk, Lucian! It's been a while, and you're flirting with girls again with such a lame excuse!"
Before Lucian could explain, Chixia's angry voice rang out.