The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 01 Days: 13 Hours]

"You know... I could just make you my slave instead."

Hearing those words caused a sharp pang to burst from my heart and head.

'S-slave...?!'

My eyes bulged, and even though I couldn't completely move, my body trembled as I tried to gather my strength to move.

But move to where? How could I possibly escape this woman's grasp?

"You'll be under my compulsion and do my budding. That way, you'll never become a nuisance to me, and you'll never leave my side. Sure, it'll take away your agency and make you less interesting, but I'm sure having a pet like you will be beneficial to me." Stay informed with m-vl-em,py-r

'P-pet?!' I was already getting a dreary feeling from her words.

Seeing her bright eyes and slightly blushing lips made me very scared. She seemed to be enjoying every second of this nightmare.

'Just... what is she?!'

"I shouldn't run out of Energy even while keeping you in Compulsion all day, but even for moments where I don't use it, like when I sleep, I can just keep you sedated. You won't be able to do anything."

"P-ple..." I would have begged, but what was the use?

People like her would only be further encouraged to do what they wanted in situations like this.

'Pleading will only make her more interested in having me!'

I was wrong about her. From the very start, we were very different.

Compared to me, she was already far gone.

"Having a pet slave forever. That does sound appealing, no? And you're just my type too..." She caressed my cheeks, her soft hands were ticklish cold.

Perhaps it was due to being under the effect of Compulsion, but it felt good to have her skin directly touch mine.

... But it was scary regardless!

'I... what should I do?! How can I escape this? I... I can't be her slave!'

This was just like the Lisa situation all over again.

'I told myself back then... that if I was ever to escape, I would never allow something so horrible to happen again!'

My life being controlled by another... playing to someone else's tunes... I couldn't accept it!

'I have to find a way!'

Even if I had to kill myself and activate <Nightmare>, or use some other kind of method.

But...

'As long as she keeps me under Compulsion, I can't even do anything.'

The paralysis was pretty much gone, yet I still found it extremely difficult to move even slightly.

It had to be because of her power.

'She also knows about <Nightmare>, so I doubt she'll let me use it.'

Trying hard and over again to come up with a solution left me with no alternative or method to escape.

I was trapped.

'So this is the power of a Rank three in the Leaderboard...'

What could I possibly do at this point?

"I'm just teasing you, don't worry. I won't kill or keep you." Her lustrous voice suddenly echoed into my ears, causing my eyes to widen even further in relief, but also surprise.

Why would she reveal so much about herself to me, and then wouldn't bother keeping me closer to avoid any complications?

'Could it be that she has something worse planned?'

"I know what you're thinking, but don't worry, Sleepyhead. I've taken a liking to you, so I won't hurt you." She rubbed my cheek even more, and inasmuch as I wanted to resist her smooth touch, I found myself crumbling under it.

"T-thank you..." I managed to mutter, causing her to narrow her eyes and widen her smile.

I thought it was scary, but also... somewhat alluring.

"Of course, I still have more to talk to you about, but I should really get going now. We'll leave the rest of our discussions for next time, kay?"

I couldn't help but nod in approval. The sooner she left, the better it would be for me.

"I have to say, though... you somewhat disappointed me, Mikey."

'Huh?!' Didn't she just say she had taken a liking to me?

What was this all about now?

"When I saw you earlier today, I expected you to have grown much stronger since the last time we met, yet you haven't. Not really."

'A-ah... so she dissatisfied with how weak I was.'

"I can understand you just being a Level 25, but why aren't you investing in yourself using the Stats you obtained from Leveling Up?" Lucy Fer sighed, almost as of she was exasperated.

For a moment, I didn't say anything. Until the effects of compulsion made me reveal the answer.

"I'm saving them... for something big... or when I really need them."

"You're an idiot." Her response was both straightforward and brutal.

"You should take every chance you have to grow stronger. Distribute your Stats properly, buy useful Items with your Currency, and improve your Skills by constantly practicing them."

It wasn't like I didn't think of doing those things, but I just wanted to be more careful with how I spent my resources.

"Didn't you notice the others today? None of them were Rankers, yet they all had pretty decent Items. The highest-leveled one, Byron, was Level 11—and that only happened because he gained more Levels from challenging this Dungeon, yet he and everyone else bought Items to aid them on their journey. Why do you think that is?"

"W-well..." My voice trailed off, and Lucy Fer's face drew closer to me, nearly touching me on my face as she furrowed her brows and spoke with utmost seriousness.

"It's because you want to be as strong as you possibly can in this world. Leveling Up becomes harder as your Level increases, so in order to balance that our, you need to fight stronger opponents. You can't do that if your Stats are disproportionate to your Level."

She used the hand that caressed my cheek to hold it up, forcing me to pucker my lips.

"Listen up, Sleepyhead. I know you can't die because of your <Dream>, but if you keep hiding your strength and playing it safe like this, you're going to be in for a ride awakening."

Something about her tone rang of sincerity and concern. I could only wonder why someone like her would concern herself so much with me.

"There are people who have abilities that will ruin you, even if they won't necessarily cause your death. I am one of such people. Due to your weakness, I could make you my slave, and your <Dream> won't be able to save you then."

Hearing her say that just made me realize how utterly correct she was.

"There are others out there. Not much, but certainly a good amount, that can do something similar. Let's not forget about the possibility of losing the perks of being a Ranker if you keep advancing at this snail's pace."

Why didn't I realize all of this sooner? Had I been so short-sighted, or too focused on other things that I didn't think of simply pouring all my resources into making myself better.

'Sharpening an axe isn't a waste, considering the fact that it'll be faster to cut down a tree with it than with a dull axe.'

I was currently a dull axe, and what Lucy Fer was trying to tell me was to improve myself, or I was just going to be wasting my time.

"You've realized it now, haven't you? You're being too stingy on yourself. Keep this up, and you'll be left behind by everyone."

I couldn't have that! I couldn't afford to be weak in such a cruel place.

'I... I have to grow stronger.'

"You're currently too weak for a Ranker, to be honest. Painfully so. But, there's something about you that makes me believe you can change that."

Lucy Fer's smile returned, and she finally let go of my cheeks and removed the effects of her Compulsion.

"If you don't meet my expectations the next time we meet, I'll just have to mold you into the image I desire myself." She rose to her feet, leaving her squatting position, and began to leave the Dungeon room without me.

"Stay there for a while longer and reflect on everything I've said, Sleepyhead." She said, waving as she walked away from me.

I couldn't even do anything except wait—watching her long hair sway as she took confident strides towards the exit/entrance of the Boss Room.

"Don't disappoint me, Mikey..." Her voice, solemn and chilly echoed across the room, and she turned back to stare at me.

Her pink eyes were glowing, and her sharp teeth were evident through her wide smile.

Mixed feelings coursed through me as I sat there and watched her.

"... Or the next time we meet, I'll make you completely mine."

Silence followed after her words, and I could do nothing else but nod as I saw her leave.

Warring thoughts coursed through my mind, and as much as I felt relief thanks to surviving my encounter with Lucy Fer, I realized something even worse.

"Damnit... I'm so weak."

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[A/N]

Shall we see where Mikey will go from here?

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