The Dreamer's POV

[00 Months: 17 Days: 13 Hours]

"I'm not sure. I know he's stronger than you, though." Lucy Fer's response was as swift as it was brutal.

"In any case, you should be careful. How do you plan on taking care of things here?"

As expected, Francis was way ahead of me. But that didn't matter. I planned on catching up to him very quickly.

I couldn't tell if Lucy Fer was intentionally hiding more information from me, but at the very least, I knew she wasn't on Francis' side.

That was more than enough for me.

'I don't want to make you my enemy...'

"I plan on helping Theo, the heir of the Lyma Family. We'll rebuild this place and I'll help them in any way to ensure the Lyma Family doesn't fall because of this." I answered Lucy Fer's query.

"Hm? Why, though? They shouldn't matter to you, should they?"

I understood her perspective. To be honest, this ran counter to my goal of becoming stronger.

The fastest, most efficient way to achieve strength was to leave any baggage and try my hardest on Dungeons, fighting Demons and growing stronger.

But...

"I'm far weaker than you are. I wouldn't be able to win against you in a fight, and when it comes down to it, you know more than I do. You could kill me whenever you like, and you could choose to ignore me as well."

"That's all true, but—"

"Yet you're spending time here with me, instead of getting stronger somewhere else. You let me have your prey, and you displayed concern for how I was coping..." My voice was strengthened by the emotions that welled up within me.

"Why would you do that?"

My gaze rested on her slightly surprised face. I had a serious expression on, and I felt like she understood why.

"Because I took a liking to you." Her response was brief, but genuine.

The exact words I thought I'd hear.

"It's the same for me. These people... this Family... I've taken a liking to them."

My lips curled up into a smile, and a twinkle appeared in my amber eyes.

"As long as I can help it... I will help them. That's the current path I want to take in this world."

It sounded idealistic and stupid, especially considering how surviving was meant to be the main priority.

However, just as someone like Lucy Fer kept grooming me, I also wanted to help the ones I cared about.

And that was the Lyma Family.

"I see. I understand your logic." She heaved a sigh, smiling soon after.

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me, Sleepyhead. Just be careful. You have to make sure you're not too attached. Plus, you need to have the strength to protect what's yours."

"H-hold on, are you implying I'm yours?"

A sly smile appeared on Lucy Fer's face as she stared at me.

"Well..." She drew closer to me, her hair brushing past my face.

I could feel my heart racing faster than ever, as I felt her lustrous lips on my ear.

It was... overwhelming!

"... What do you think, Mikey?"

Her soft whisper resounding in my eardrums made me nearly lose my mind.

What was this girl's deal? I honestly could not tell!

"I-I belong to no one!" I blurted out as she pulled away, taking steps back while giving me her usual devilish grin.

"Sure, sure. Keep saying that."

It frustrated me to think she was teasing me like this, but something within me told me she wasn't joking.

"Your cheeks have been red throughout our conversation, Sleepyhead. I wonder why." She licked her lips, making my heart nearly skip a beat.

"I-I didn't notice."

"Sure, you didn't. Pfft! In any case, I should be heading off now."

Raising her hand, she began to wave me farewell.

I was still recoiling from my overwhelming embarrassment, but hearing that she was about to leave prompted words from my lips.

Words I didn't expect myself to utter.

"E-erm... can I call you by your name? L-Lucy?"

I had no idea why I was being so uncool when it came to just asking for her name, but I couldn't help it.

The silence that followed my question was stifling.

It felt like time suddenly stopped, further drowning me in the misery of humiliation.

There and then, I wished the earth would just open up and swallow me whole.

I could hear her giggle slightly, and it further added to my shame.

"Of course, Sleepyhead." Her voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, and looking at how brightly she was smiling made me forget everything else.

"You can call me, Lucy."

"A-ah..."

I didn't know when exactly it got so dark, but seeing her standing right there, brimming with so much color in the blackness of the night...

'She looks so beautiful.'

Those were the thoughts I had as I stared at Lucy.

"When will I see you again?" I blurted out without thinking.

"Who knows? Maybe in the 1st Floor of the Tower. Maybe somewhere else. I look forward to it, regardless." She responded smoothly.

"M-me too. I look forward to it."

"Oh? Look how bold you've gotten. So cute."

I could feel my cheeks grow hot as she made that statement.

"If you can reach Level 100 before our next meeting, I'll give you a present. Don't let me down, okay?"

Level 100? That was a very high goal.

I only managed to reach this Level because of Lucy's help, and growing stronger would be even harder now.

Yet, I had to reach Level 100 before we met again?

"I understand. I won't disappoint you!" I replied, clenching my fist in resolve.

"I look forward to your present!"

What in the world was I even saying? It didn't matter, though.

I was just speaking from my mind.

"Perfect! I look forward to it too."

A bright swirl of energy began to surround Lucy Fer, covering her all over.

The energy distorted the space around her, and everything around seemed to dissipate as a result.

"Take care of yourself, Mikey."

~VWUUUUSSSHHH!~

In that moment, she vanished... before hearing my response to her words.

"Take care of yourself too... Lucy."

My heart wouldn't stop beating, even with her already gone from my sight.

I simply stood there, dumbfounded and smiling like an idiot.

"Ahh..." Continue your adventure with empire

I truly didn't know when and how this happened, but it suddenly struck me now that she was gone.

"... I think I might be in love."

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[A/N]

What do you think of Mikey and Lucy's dynamics?

Is it forced? Is it natural? Do you like it or not?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments.