Penacony, the Dream—[Daydream] Hotel
"No wait—we haven't even boarded yet!!!"
Stelle stared blankly at the empty hotel lobby. She'd been careless. The Eternity Church never played by the rules—she should've seen it coming.
"Hehe~ Looks like Miss Freesna played us."
Black Swan chuckled lightly. She'd heard every word of Freesna's praise minutes ago.
"Penacony… seems far less simple than imagined. Even an [Aeon] got involved."
At Black Swan's deduction, Stelle and Acheron looked up simultaneously.
"But… I could be overthinking. I don't know Miss Freesna well—just guessing."
Aside from that world most in the cosmos didn't know existed—one unobservable from outside, only reflected by the Garden—Black Swan didn't think Penacony valuable enough for an Aeon to intervene personally.
And… if any, it'd be [Harmony] Xipe. What business did the [Eternity] Aeon have joining the fun? Teaming up with [Elation] Aha for laughs?
For now… better inform Navigator Himeko first.
"[Eternity] Aeon…"
Acheron and Stelle exchanged glances—everything said without words.
Minutes later, Black Swan returned to Stelle.
"Ladies, I'm back. Stelle, Miss Himeko has a message… bad news and good news."
Black Swan handed over a dream bubble, gesturing for Stelle to touch it with her forehead.
Stelle did. A bone-chilling cold pierced her body, forming clear images.
She saw Himeko and March 7th blocked by the Family—Black Swan at their side, unnoticed.
[I understand the situation. Please get Stelle to safety. Rendezvous later at the [Clockie] statue.]
Himeko's voice echoed in Stelle's ears. The bubble's memory ended.
"So, on Miss Himeko's request, I'll escort you both back to reality. Let's go."
"Miss Black Swan, no… portal or anything?" Acheron turned to ask.
"Hmm… sorry. The [Eternity] Emanator's residual energy restricts me. Convenient travel like that won't work."
Never underestimate an [Emanator]'s influence. Just that casual white light from Freesna left intense heat in this memoria—like something was burning…
Following Black Swan back to the dream's public lounge, they found it… different from before.
"Here… charred remains everywhere?"
"Still smoldering embers. The culprit probably hasn't gone far."
Acheron scanned warily. New enemies?
"Looks like we slow down…"
Stelle examined the charred remains. One monster's carcass had narrow, deep cuts—surrounded by heavy burn marks from intense heat.
Sparks danced within like shattered stars chasing [Nihility] IX.
Another's remains pierced by a blade—tissues inside explosively vaporized by extreme heat in moments.
Stelle couldn't get closer—the steam seeping out would burn her.
The surface seemed normal. She touched it—scalding heat shocked her back like electricity.
No doubt—a raging inferno burned inside, ready to burst.
After assessing the monsters' deaths, Stelle pushed up nonexistent glasses. Only one truth! All killed by thermal reaction!
"Something's wrong. These traces are recent—someone just left… connected to what happened earlier?"
"Hard to conclude from a few clues."
Acheron looked at Black Swan. "Your intuition? You said… [memories] don't lie."
"From these remains' memories… tall, far more muscular than an adult male. Clean, lethal strikes—one-hit kills. Mercenary… or assassin."
"He entered from the lobby door, heading deeper into the hotel. Meaning… he saw everything that happened…"
Black Swan realized something, urgently telling them: "…Scratch that. We must hurry to the domain Miss Freesna was in. With this person's style…"
"If his destination is the same—no clues will remain at the scene."
...
Scene shift—still the dream, [Daydream] Hotel. Stelle's group returned.
"Looks like someone's been waiting. Finally stepping onstage… [Stellaron Hunter] Sam."
Black Swan covered her nose, fanning the scorched air.
Seeing the gruesome monster remains, they'd guessed the culprit. Fate arranged it—removing the [Emanator] Freesna.
But… three on one—the advantage was theirs!
Sam tossed aside charred remains, scanning the three.
"One Galaxy Ranger… and… a Memokeeper."
"Leave now. No one gets hurt."
Sam stepped forward, ready to fight: "Otherwise… you all die."
"The detective game's over. You shouldn't be here."
Stelle reacted first—switching bat to fire extinguisher, spraying Sam's flames.
"You serious?"
"Back in reality, tell everyone—the Stellaron Hunters sent you off."
"I shall… ignite the sea!"
Against Sam's relentless assaults, Stelle barely held—first fire-user she'd faced. Should've borrowed March 7th's ice lance.
Sam was too strong! First real pressure since Phantylia!
This was her first direct clash with a Stellaron Hunter. Nothing in her kit countered Sam… only water-related thing was milk tea.
Wait… yes, milk tea!
Adrian gave her three special ones! Transparent and stardust used—only the amber milk tea left!
Better than her fire lance—shields and extinguishes fire.
Stelle dodged attacks while searching for the amber milk tea.
But…
Huh? Where's my milk tea???
Still wondering when she lost it, Sam charged.
Boom!
Acheron flashed behind Sam, knocking him back with her scabbard.
Stelle snapped alert, ready to help—Black Swan blocked her, producing a tarot card.
"Leave this stage to them, dear."
When she came to, she was back in the public lounge.
"Hahahahaha~"
Stelle whipped around—Aventurine leaned against a pillar, holding her prized amber milk tea.
"…Quite the show… hm?"
Aventurine stood—just as Stelle charged with bat raised.