The Venon skyline gleamed under the afternoon sun, and Jimmy walked through its bustling market with Lana trailing behind him like a silent shadow. His silver eyes scanned more than the stalls and goods—they saw minds, flaws, and seeds of opportunity in every passerby. With each breath, he felt more attuned to the city's rhythm.
> [Dream Parasite Targets: 14 (Latent)]
> [Dream Synchronization: Lana Rose - 94%]
> [Dream Throne Evolution: Progress 12%]
Jimmy smirked. "This city's almost ripe."
---
That evening, in a secluded inn room, Jimmy stood before a large, full-length mirror. His reflection shimmered with a subtle, otherworldly hue. He extended his hand.
"System. Show me my current status."
> [STATUS WINDOW - OPEN]
>
> Name: Jimmy
>
> Age: 16
>
> Race: Human
>
> Class: Dream Walker (Hidden - Legendary)
>
> Level: 4 Title: None
>
> Corruption Targets: Lana Rose (94%), Others (14 Latent Infections)
>
> Class Skills:
>
> Dream Capture: Transform your blood into a mental link. Allows control of targets connected by blood (Evolved into Dream Parasite).
> Dream Alter: View and manipulate dreams in real time.
> Dream Walking: Open portals to and travel through the Dream Realm.
>
> Upgraded Class Skill:
>
> Dream Parasite: Implant a seed of your will into others' minds. Grows over time into total subjugation.
> (Progress: Slow with passive contact, fast through dreams or weakened states.)
>
> Combat Skills:
>
> Mind Wave (Lv. 1): Disrupts enemy thoughts and movement through psychic pulses.
> Weakness Sight (Lv. 2): Reveals physical, emotional, and sexual weaknesses.
> Dreamweaver (Lv. 3): Implant thoughts, false memories, and suggestions into susceptible targets.
> Dream Eater (Lv. 2): Absorb knowledge and memories from targets.
> Dreamstep (Passive): Grants invulnerability for 3 seconds during dream-phase movement. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
> Mind Leech (Passive): Restore stamina/mana when damaging mentally afflicted foes.
>
> Traits:
>
> Submissive Guardian (Lana)
> Charm (Passive): Irresistible attraction to the opposite sex.
> Mind Dominion: Enhanced potency of mental skills; induces hallucinations in weaker targets.
> Dream Sovereign's Will: Immunity to fear/illusions; high resistance to memory tampering.
>
> Dream Throne Evolution: 12% Progress
> Requirements to unlock next tier: Unknown
Jimmy closed the panel with a mental flick.
"I'm no longer a parasite," he murmured. "I'm becoming the dream itself."
---
Over the next few days, Jimmy hunted more monsters and finished more guild quests, steadily raising his fame among low-rank adventurers.
> [Quest Complete: Sewer Beasts Purge]
> Reward: 7 Silver, One Enchanted Dagger
> [Level Up! Current Level: 5]
> [Dreamweaver: Lv. 4]
> [New Skill Unlocked: Lucid Delirium - Induce waking hallucinations in weak-willed targets. Can be used outside of sleep.]
Lana stood beside him after the latest hunt, blades sheathed, eyes glowing faintly from their synchronized bond.
"Master," she said, kneeling. "You've surpassed even the B-Ranks in efficiency."
Jimmy rested a hand on her head. "I have bigger plans than B-Rank. We need access to stronger foes, deeper secrets... and the mayor's dreams."
---
That night, Jimmy entered the Dream Realm again—not alone, but tethered to the sleeping consciousness of the Mayor of Venon: Lord Algren Vardis.
He navigated the nobleman's dreams like a ghost, slipping through old memories, suppressed guilt, and fragile fantasies. And then he planted the parasite—not with a violent shove, but a gentle whisper:
You want to trust the boy with silver eyes. You want to help him rise. He is the future.
The dream folded inward. Jimmy exited, eyes gleaming.
> [New Target Infected: Algren Vardis (Corruption: 5%)]
Another piece on the board.
---
The city of Venon was becoming his garden.
The seeds were planted. The roots spread in silence.
And the Dreamwalker watered them with whispers.