Returning from the Vault wasn't as simple as walking back. The Dream Realm had clung to him, like a parasite to its host.
Jimmy collapsed on his dorm bed at dawn, his mind alight with visions—screaming stars, dream-ruled cities, gods bound in chains.
> [Passive Condition Gained: Dream Saturation – While active, Dream Affinity increased by 40%, but lucid hallucinations may manifest.]
Lana noticed immediately. She rushed to his side, pulling off his robe. "Master, you're burning up."
"Not fever," he murmured. "Revelation."
He told her everything—the Vault, the book, the truth of Nyxthar.
She listened, then knelt. "What do you require?"
Jimmy stared at the ceiling. "I need to corrupt more. Expand. Grow the Throne. Fast."
> [Dream Parasite Targets: 54 (Latent) | Subjugated: 4]
> [Dream Throne Evolution: 19% → 22%]
He rose. The hallucinations had begun—murmurs of forgotten kings, doors where walls should be. But with each episode, his insight grew.
He could now touch someone's shoulder and glimpse the dream they feared the most.
He tested it on Mira during combat training—her eyes filled with terror as he whispered, "Still dreaming of chains?"
She collapsed mid-swing.
> [Dream Parasite: Mira Varnis - Corruption: 56%]
---
Days passed.
Jimmy spread false dreams across the dorms, planted parasite triggers during lectures, even infiltrated a ritual performed by upperclassmen to ward nightmares—and subtly reversed it.
> [Skill Evolved: Dreamweaver Lv. 5 → Dream Architect – Can now craft long-term illusion scenarios within targets.]
Professor Elira became more unstable. Her dreams now included nightly visits from Jimmy—some loving, some violent.
> [Elira: Corruption: 41% | Subconscious Control Achieved: 12%]
He was no longer manipulating dreams.
He was building worlds within them.
And Nyxthar's whispers were growing louder.
---