Chapter 12: Children After the Dream World's Arrival

"Beep beep beep, beep beep beep!"

The alarm sound in his ears woke Qin Chuan up quickly.

He suddenly sat up from the bed, grabbed the phone beside him, and stared intently at the screen.

The time shown on the electronic screen was 8:00, and after a moment, under Qin Chuan's gaze, it turned to 8:01.

The time, not precise, seemed the same as yesterday, but Qin Chuan clearly knew that this time he returned to reality, he was one second late.

During that second, he gazed upon the still Dream World like a god; although he did nothing, he had an illusion of omnipotence.

Is this his golden finger?

Does he have extra lingering time when the entrance to the Dream World closes?

Qin Chuan rubbed his temples, and his thoughts raced.

Since he can linger in that time‑stopped world, he might as well call it Time Stop.

He obtained one second of Time Stop yesterday when he returned to the real world.

At the moment he returned to the real world today, he clearly saw that the Time Stop displayed after the time had increased by another second.

So, does that mean each day, after leaving the Dream World, he can gain one second of Time Stop?

Having used one second of Time Stop this time, if he later accumulates a period without using it, could he then linger for a longer stretch all at once?

Taking a deep breath, Qin Chuan thought of Shui Hua, who like him can move in Time Stop, and the multicolored finch frozen in mid‑air.

Spirit Beasts in the Dream World lack the power to break free of Time Stop.

But Shui Hua, with whom he has a contract, can.

This means that the Spirit Beast he has contracted with can also act during Time Stop.

If this special power is used properly, it could bring him considerable gains, so he must calm down and think clearly about what to do.

After glancing again at the time on his phone, Qin Chuan picked up the outer garment beside the bed and put it on.

Anyway, let's go to class first.

After hastily washing up and tidying himself, Qin Chuan shouldered his backpack and pushed open the door of the rented house.

"Big brother, good morning!"

Standing in front of the neighbor's door were a mother and daughter; hearing the movement, both turned to look, and the little girl, who appeared to be only five or six, had her eyes light up as she smiled and greeted him first.

"Good morning." Qin Chuan stopped his steps, first nodding at the little girl's mother, then smiling at the girl and saying, "Tong Tong, why are you up so early?"

"Because Tong Tong didn't sleep last night!" the girl's face showed fear, "Sleeping hurts!"

Qin Chuan blinked slightly, then realized.

That's right, the Dream World has no age limit; even a five‑ or six‑year‑old who falls asleep during the corresponding period will enter the Dream World.

Children with poor self‑care abilities cannot leave their parents' care in reality, and the situation in the Dream World can be imagined.

"On the first night after the Dream World appeared, Tong Tong was… in the Dream World…" Tong Tong's mother paused, "That experience caused Tong Tong considerable psychological trauma, but fortunately the Special Affairs Group sent a specialized psychologist to provide timely counseling."

"Following the Special Affairs Group's advice, we adjusted Tong Tong's schedule so her sleep time avoids when the Dream World opens." Tong Tong's mother stroked her head, "At least until she grows a bit older, we won't let her come into contact with the Dream World."

"For now, I can only take leave to accompany Tong Tong in adjusting her schedule." Tong Tong's mother spoke softly, "According to the Special Affairs Group, there are many children like Tong Tong."

"So soon there will be dedicated kindergartens, primary schools, and middle school classes for children with reversed schedules, and then I won't need to take leave to accompany Tong Tong."

"I see." Qin Chuan understood, bent down and patted Tong Tong's head, "Tong Tong, don't be afraid; nothing in the Dream World is real."

"I know, big brother!" Tong Tong's expression was serious, "Tong Tong is super brave and won't be afraid anymore!"

"Yes, Tong Tong is very brave." Qin Chuan was amused by the little girl.

"Big brother, have some candy!" Tong Tong fished out a candy from her pocket and handed it to Qin Chuan.

"Thanks." Qin Chuan did not refuse her kindness, peeled the candy in front of her and put it in his mouth, "It's sweet."

"Alright, big brother has to go to class, you also need to hurry and sleep." Tong Tong's mother smiled at Qin Chuan, "Go to class quickly, don't be late."

"Mm." Qin Chuan waved at the mother and daughter, then turned and left.

——

Before morning class even started, in the Senior Year 3 Class 7 classroom, the early‑arriving students' chatter never ceased, with one after another announcing they had contracted a Spirit Beast, drawing continual exclamations.

Yet amid this lively atmosphere, a discordant voice mixed in.

"abandon, desert, forsake."

Xiao Pang earnestly looked at the vocabulary book in his hand, his face full of enthusiasm for learning.

Even Qin Chuan, who continued to study the *Wilderness Survival Guide* and was looking for suitable solutions in shelter‑building cases, couldn't help but lift his head and look at Xiao Pang in astonishment.

This guy, who previously never liked studying, after Blue Star entered the 2.0 era, actually started earnestly memorizing English words?

"Are you okay?"

"Aban… huh?" Xiao Pang's voice paused while reciting the word, he turned to Qin Chuan and gave a hehe laugh, "I'm fine, it's perfectly normal."

Realizing that reciting vocab at this time was highly unusual, Xiao Pang gave a hehe laugh, lowered his voice, and explained, "I met other players in the Dream World, and it was a girl."

"Huh?" Qin Chuan glanced at Xiao Pang in surprise.

"But the other party is a foreigner speaking English." Xiao Pang scratched his head, "You know I'm bad at English, I can only understand a few words."

I was thinking of cramming at the last minute, hoping to communicate more smoothly with her.

"Is there a possibility?" Qin Chuan murmured, "If you encounter a Growth Tier Spirit Beast again, after a reset you won't be able to see her."

"Don't jinx it." Xiao Pang glared at Qin Chuan angrily, "Don't say that—I really came close to deleting my account and starting over."

"I just ate two fruits, got chased all the way by a juvenile Blaze‑tail Squirrel, and it was that girl who rescued me." Xiao Pang grinned foolishly, rubbing his chest, "Qin Chuan, do you know what love at first sight is?"

Qin Chuan: "..."

His fists clenched.

"Let's not talk about that." Xiao Pang sensed a hint of killing intent, silently closed his vocab book, and said, "Qin Chuan, have you contracted a Spirit Beast? I see many classmates have done so."

"Yeah, I already have." Qin Chuan glanced at Xiao Pang, "And you?"

"Not yet, wasn't it delayed by that flame-tailed squirrel…" Xiao Pang scratched his head, "But I already have a target; I should be able to make the contract tonight."

"Keep going!" Qin Chuan was about to continue lowering his head to look at the guide, but Xiao Pang grabbed him.

"Qin Chuan, have you seen the updated information from the Special Affairs Group today?"

(End of chapter)