The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 17 Days: 12 Hours]

Deadly silence invaded the air as I stood face-to-face with a predator that seemed so impossible to overcome that it became overwhelming.

A bead of sweat fell from my face as an uneasy face formed. I unconsciously took a step back while clenching my fist as our gazes met.

I could feel a multitude of emotions swirling within me.

Fear. Apprehension. Curiosity. Nervousness. Shame.

But… most of all, there was a strange feeling that I couldn't shake off. It was the strongest thing I felt at that point.

It was… surprisingly relief?

"I-It's good to see you again…" I stuttered, staring at her fearless smile.

My heart was racing rapidly, and I felt my body grow hot all of a sudden. Was this the effect of her Skill? Was she doing something to me?

No, it didn't feel that way.

It felt natural. Almost as if… I had been longing for this moment.

This woman standing before me was extremely scary, but for some reason, I wanted to see her. And now that she was standing right in front of me, it felt like everything else had suddenly been suspended.

"Really? You don't look like you are happy to see me, though." Her voice tickled my ears, snapping me out of my very confusing thoughts.

She took another step forward, and I unintentionally took one back.

"W-well…" I didn't know what to say to her at this point.

'What in the world is she doing here? Should I just run away? No, I have the <Prey> Title, so I don't think that'll be really helpful.'

It was better not to annoy her.

It had been quite some time since I last saw Lucy Fer. I could only imagine how strong she was at this point.

"You're Level 48 now. Not bad. Your Stats and Items are also a step up from the last time I saw them. Looks like you really took my advice, huh?"

"Haha… well, yeah…"

I forgot she could check my Status Window. It felt strange, like I was naked as she pierced through my hidden information.

'That's not fair. I too… I can also check hers!'

I decided to activate my <Absolute Appraisal> Skill on her, damning the consequences. Surely, she wouldn't mind… right?

[Skill Failed]

<Target is over 50 Levels above you>

{The Target has over 50 Levels more than you do. You also do not possess enough Energy to settle the cost of viewing the Target's Status Information}

'E-eh? What in the world?!' My eyes bulged as I saw my Skill crumble before my very eyes.

Lucy Fer was over 50 Levels above me? That made her at least Level 99. How in the world did she get strong so quickly?!

"Pfft. Did you just try to view my Status Information? You little creep, that's rude." She snickered, smiling broadly.

"B-but you did the same to me!" I finally protested, overcoming the fear that had been ingrained within me since our last encounter.

My heart began to race faster.

"Oh? Talking back now, are we? Looks like Sleepyhead really grew these past couple of weeks."

~FWOOSH!~

In a flash, before I could even move, I felt her hand on my shoulder and her crushing presence right in front of me.

'W-what? I can't… move…'

"I like it. I find that very hot, you know?" Hearing her soft voice whisper into my ears made me get instant chills.

I immediately forgot about everything else, and only Lucy Fer became my focus.

My heart raced rapidly, almost to the point that I felt I would have a heart attack. Watching her long hair swaying behind her, and taking a whiff of how lovely she smelled… it made me incredibly docile.

'No, what am I doing right now? This woman is dangerous!'

I had just been shown hoe merciless the people of Earth could be, and Lucy Fer wasn't an exception.

She was a Ranker in the upper tier. She wouldn't hesitate to act for her profit. Now that I had gotten a bit stronger, perhaps her purpose here was to… make me her slave?

'She mentioned that before, didn't she?'

"What are you planning? You're going to control me like you promised?" I asked, a glare forming on my face.

"What?" I heard her make an oddly surprised sound.

It made me seem like the crazy one for suspecting that was her angle. But if that wasn't the case, then why was she here? Wasn't it because of me?

"What are you talking abou—"

"ROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!"

The terrifying screech of the wyverns interrupted Lucy Fer's words, and they suddenly appeared in the sky, along with the dragon above.

All thirteen of them, floating in the air, roared and screeched, their wings flapping as they settled their gazes in our direction.

'Why are they looking here? Could it be her?' I stared hard at Lucy Fer, but found her nonchalant about the whole thing.

'No… she was waiting for me at the city square. If she was so obvious, they would have noticed her already. Besides, it seems they're staring at me… or am I wrong?'

I wasn't wrong! They were targeting me.

But why? I was currently invisible, wasn't I?

'Ah! Don't tell me…!' My eyes bulged as I figured out the reason for their sudden focus on me.

The effects of my Concealment Cloak had stopped!

It must have happened when Lucy Fer paralyzed me, making me unable to use any Skills or properly utilize my Energy.

"What the fuck, Lucy Fer? You've doomed us both!" I yelled without thinking, my eyes widening as the flying creatures growled and snarled as they prepared to descend.

I expected her to let go of me so I could teleport us—no, sorry, me—away from danger, but Lucy Fer remained motionless.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" I screamed, watching as they descended with ferocious roars.

The earth trembled, and I could feel the hair standing on my skin. This girl was crazy! She wanted to kill us both!

"Relax, sleepyhead." I suddenly heard her calm voice.

It was so still and sweet that one wouldn't think a bunch of horrifying creatures were on their way to attack us.

"Just who do you think I am?"

"A crazy woman…" was what I would say if my life wasn't in the palm of her hands right now.

"Since you've grown a lot, I guess I should show off a little too. Watch and learn, sleepyhead!"

Stretching her unoccupied hand upward, she grinned widely, her eyes glowing and her sharp teeth evident.

"<Dark Pulse>"

~VWUUUUUUMMMM!!!~

In a moment, a dark wave erupted, with her as the catalyst. It rushed all around her, covering everything around her.

Perhaps it was because she was holding me, but I didn't feel anything particularly after the pulse expanded past me.

However… the same couldn't be said for the creatures of the sky.

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!~

They all collapsed on the ground, their massive bodies creating craters around us. I felt the ground rumble as they landed; though by some miracle, none of them fell on us.

I didn't know if this was another effect of her Skill, or if it was just mere chance.

But, the amazing part was… Lucy Fer wasn't done yet.

"<Bloodwork: Stage 3>"

~FWIIIIISSSSHHHH!!!~

Suddenly, rising from the ground where the dragon and wyverns landed were massive spikes coated in crimson.

They pierced the monsters from the ground up, raising them up as one would a wild beast with a stake.

All thirteen of them were raised by the sharp red pillars, all of them unable to even resist in the slightest.

"J-just like that…?" I murmured, my eyes widening at the sight before me.

The creatures of horror that I had no chance of beating were so easily taken down by Lucy Fer.

'Just how strong is she?!' I found myself asking once again.

"Pretty cool, right?" She chuckled, finally letting go of my shoulders at long last.

"Y-yeah…" I managed to say while gulping down a huge load of saliva.

I knew this world was filled with what many would consider miracles, and that having Skills meant we could do many amazing things. But this… what I was seeing… it wasn't just a miracle.

It was an anomaly!

"They aren't dead yet." Lucy Fer smiled at me, her pink eyes glowing.

"O-oh. I see. They're that strong, huh?" I laughed silently.

"No, it's not that. I held back a little so they wouldn't die. It would be a waste if I was the one to kill them."

My heart thumped as she said that.

"What do you mean?" I asked, watching as her eyes narrowed slowly as she stared at me.

"I'm saying I can let you have the last kill to not only raise your Level, but also make them your Minions."

What? That was… so generous. Too generous.

"W-why? What's the catch?" I asked her, my eyes widening in disbelief.

"No catch, idiot. I told you before, didn't I? I quite like you. Besides, I think that's ample compensation for the tragedy that happened here."

"I… I don't understand…"

This was beyond my comprehension.

It made no sense to me.

Lucy Fer was far more powerful than I was. She was a monster above anything I had ever experienced. She was also ruthless when she needed to be.

Yet why? Why would she take an interest in me and grant me such a huge favor? It… it made no sense!

"Ah, you're such an idiot. You know what? I changed my mind."

"W-wait, no!"

"There'll be a catch, after all." She beamed as she stared at me.

I didn't know if this was her plan all along, or my hesitation was the cause, but something about a catch began to make me feel uneasy.

"What's the catch?" I asked her, my tone sullen as I pondered on what would become of me at this point.

"Well, it's simple… really." She smirked. "I'm sure it wouldn't be too much of a problem for you."

'What is she thinking? Why is she licking her lips like that?' My heart rate increased exponentially.

I saw her lift her hand towards me, her palm outstretched, as a very dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.

What exactly did she want from me? Could it be—?!

"Gimme money. I'm broke."

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[A/N]

Man… call it author bias all you want, but I really like these two interacting.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!