The Dreamwalking portal shimmered closed behind them, sealing Jimmy and Lana within the endless void of the Dream Realm. This time, it wasn't a mere peek into another world—it was full immersion.
Floating orbs of light drifted past them, carrying fragments of memories and thoughts—some beautiful, others horrifying. Beneath Jimmy's boots, there was no ground, just darkness that pulsed and breathed like a living thing.
Lana clung close, her hand in his, her eyes flickering around with barely contained panic. "Master… where are we?"
Jimmy's voice was calm, steady. "The Dream Realm. The true one. Not a hallucination, not a vision. This is the real thing—where minds break, and gods whisper."
> [System Alert: Dreamwalking – Full Synchronization Achieved]
> [New Path Unlocked: Root of Forgotten Echoes]
Jimmy's silver eyes lit up. "Looks like the Mire creatures left a mark. Let's see where this path leads."
He reached out toward a nearby light—or what looked like one. The moment his fingers brushed it, a pulse of pressure rippled outward, and the scenery violently shifted.
The void became a twisted landscape—cracked earth suspended in midair, upside-down trees with crying faces, rivers that flowed upward and bled light.
At the center of it all was a throne—empty, yet emanating a presence that made even Jimmy's smirk falter.
> [Entity Detected: Dreamborn Sovereign – Status: Dormant]
> [Warning: Interaction not recommended unless mental resistance exceeds Tier 4]
Jimmy narrowed his eyes. "So there is a king of this world."
"Master…" Lana whispered, her voice strained. "I hear something… inside my head… it's not you…"
That's when the whispers started.
"Who trespasses? Who bends the dream?"
Jimmy turned slowly. A shadowy form emerged near the throne—tall, draped in ethereal veils, its face covered by a mask that changed expression every second.
> [Dream Echo – Manifestation of Ancient Consciousness]
The entity tilted its head. "You carry our mark, thief. You took power… and left the gate open."
Jimmy's lips curled. "I walk the dream. I don't steal—I claim."
The mask smiled. Then frowned. Then wept.
"Then prove your claim."
---
Suddenly, Jimmy was alone.
Lana was gone. The landscape shattered into a spiral of mirrors, each showing different moments—his death, his rebirth, the women he corrupted, the monsters he fed on. Each mirror bled fragments of his psyche into the realm.
> [Mental Trial Initiated – Survive the Collapse of Self]
"Cute trick," Jimmy muttered, but his hands were already clenched, his aura flaring.
He activated Mind Wave, sending ripples through the mental plane—but the reflections fought back. Each mirror spawned a version of himself—some pathetic, some cruel, some broken, each whispering doubts and regrets.
"You're just a pervert."
"You manipulate because you fear being unloved."
"You'll never be a god."
"You'll fall, and they'll laugh."
Jimmy growled and roared, "I am the one who rewrites reality!"
He activated Dreamweaver, injecting his will into the reflections—one by one, shattering them with planted false beliefs:
"You are weak. I am strong."
"You do not exist. Only I do."
The final mirror cracked—then exploded.
> [Trial Complete – Ego Reaffirmed]
> [New Passive Skill Acquired: Dream Sovereign's Will – Immune to fear and low-level illusions. Gains resistance to memory-based attacks.]
---
Reality began to reform. Jimmy dropped to one knee, panting. Lana appeared beside him, eyes wide. "Master! Are you alright?"
He looked up, grinning. "Never better."
The Dreamborn Echo hovered above them again, mask now fixed in a neutral smile.
"You are... interesting," it said. "A Dreamwalker with ego unshattered. Rarity. Danger."
Then it extended a hand—no fingers, just a shimmer of mist.
"A gift… or a curse. A piece of my power, if you dare accept it."
> [Dreamborn Pact Available]
> Gain: Dream Parasite – Implant a seed of your will into others' minds. Over time, it blossoms, creating loyal thralls.
> Cost: Memory Fragment – Sacrifice one real memory permanently.
Jimmy didn't hesitate. "Take my childhood. I don't need it."
> [Memory Fragment: Earth - Childhood Core] — Consumed.
> [Dream Parasite Acquired]
---
As the pact sealed, Jimmy felt something grow within his mind—a coiling presence, a new seed of power.
He turned to Lana. She looked terrified… and deeply aroused.
"Master… your aura… it's different."
"Because now," he said, standing tall, "I'm not just walking dreams."
"I own them."
---
As they prepared to leave the realm, a final message rang in his mind.
> [Dream Capture Evolved Into Upgraded Version Dream Parasite: Now able to implant parasites while target is asleep or mentally unstable.]
> [Next Evolution: Dream Throne – Requirements Locked]
Jimmy smirked. "Time to build a kingdom."