Chapter 388

Take this.

As Leon followed the red-haired director up the stairs into the Virgin Division's storage facility for anomalous objects, at the heart of a vast black river flowing with countless shattered dreams, a giant cloaked in dense gray mist, wearing a mirror crown, extended his right hand toward the old man before him.

"This is a passage token for the Abyss of Fallen Souls—it will let you move freely through my nightmares, and it'll come in handy against the Blood-Haired Lady."

With the giant's shrill, bizarre voice, its withered, slender gray hand opened over the river's surface; its five blade-like fingers slowly spread apart, and the black nightmare swirling in its palm dissipated, revealing a tiny wooden boat.

"Since this passage token was issued personally by the King of Nightmares..."

The old investigator—or rather, the Aquarius Director—glanced at the delicate, exquisitely carved wooden boat, gently drifting in the gray mist giant's palm in rhythm with his breath, then smiled and pulled the tense female journalist onto the boat with him.

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation."

After both stepped aboard, the gray mist giant's hand slowly dissolved, and the wooden boat floated gently onto the black river, sending ripples of dark water spreading outward.

Yet, as if triggering some mysterious switch, the moment the dark ripples spread, the black river flowing with countless nightmares violently trembled.

Countless human arms, clad in varied attire and of wildly different appearances, surged from the black river like fish spotting bait, standing upright like reeds, frantically grasping at the boat's sides.

"？！！"

Seeing this eerie and terrifying sight, the female journalist tensed and instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to sweep away the grasping hands—but the Aquarius Director seized her wrist first.

"Don't be alarmed."

After signaling the journalist to calm down, the Aquarius Director straightened his slightly hunched back and lightly stomped his foot on the boat.

Immediately, agonized screams erupted from the black water; the grasping hands hastily let go and fled away from the boat like creatures escaping death, retreating back into the dreams of the black river.

"They're just people trying to escape their nightmares. As long as you stand firm on the boat, they can't climb aboard."

After dispelling all the arms surging from the black river, the Aquarius Director looked up at the mist-shrouded giant and smiled at the journalist behind him:

"The King of Nightmares keeps his word reasonably well—at least until our cooperation is fully successful, you don't need to worry he'll turn on us..."

"But once I wake up in the real world, this boat won't be so stable anymore—so remember to get off early, or the consequences might be unpredictable."

"Gagaga~"

Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's words, the gray mist giant laughed like it had heard the funniest joke, its towering gray form twisting as its robe-like mist parted slightly, revealing countless withered arms intertwined within.

"You're such a nuisance in the Clearance Division—you've ruined so many of my plans."

The face obscured by mist tilted slightly downward, aligning its suspected eyes with the two, and the elusive King of Nightmares roared with laughter:

"But since you defected from the Clearance Division, I've found you much more agreeable—your words and actions suit me perfectly... Hmm... How about this: would you like to settle in the Dream Realm and become my apostle from now on?"

"No thanks."

Facing the King of Nightmares' sincere invitation, the Aquarius Director chuckled and shook his head:

"I have no objection to becoming a being of the Dream Realm—but are you truly willing to make me your apostle?"

"Hmm... you're right—I truly dare not."

Hearing the Aquarius Director's retort, the gray mist giant paused, then nodded slightly:

"Your ambition is too great—even the Clearance Division can't contain you. If you became my apostle in the Dream Realm, I'd be constantly anxious, wondering if you're plotting something behind my back, and I'd never sleep soundly again."

"Forget it—I'll take back what I just said. It's better if we just remain partners."

"Agreed."

After nodding calmly, the Aquarius Director gazed at the gray mist giant's face and said with serene composure:

"Also, although I've already arranged to transfer the Clearance Officers from the Virgin Division ahead of time, the Blood-Haired Lady isn't without allies."

"That black-haired, black-eyed Level-3 Clearance Officer beside her—Leon—keep a close eye on him. You'd better eliminate him early, before he interferes."

"A Level-3 Clearance Officer?"

Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's warning, the gray mist giant's form shifted slightly, suddenly appearing beneath the boat in the black river.

Its enormous, water-drenched head rested silently on the boat's stern; the King of Nightmares' mist-covered eyes fixed steadily on the Aquarius Director's back, then asked curiously:

"You're not lying... I'm curious—why would a mere Level-3 Clearance Officer merit such attention from you?"

"Extremely so."

The Aquarius Director turned slowly, placing himself between the journalist and the giant, and said with serious caution:

"I'm reduced to allying with someone like you solely because of him. Leon's power is negligible, but there are far too many strange things about him."

"My advice: when you encounter him, never underestimate him—but more importantly, don't be curious."

"If you don't want to be mysteriously destroyed by some bizarre reason, crush him instantly with the fastest, purest force possible—don't give him a chance to speak or scheme!"

"Is that so? How interesting~"

After hearing the Aquarius Director's repeated warnings, the gray mist giant's mouth-like region split open into a downward-curving, crescent-shaped gash; its rows of shark-like teeth, dripping thick black fluid, clashed together sharply before it grinned with a grotesque, menacing smile.

"That doesn't make sense."

"If you truly wanted me to avoid him entirely and kill him outright, you shouldn't have said this."

The massive head drifted eerily around the boat, observing every detail of the two aboard, before the King of Nightmares spoke with a colder tone:

"The origin of dreams lies in ignorance and curiosity toward the world, giving rise to unfettered fantasies beyond the bounds of will. Curiosity is the instinct of all Dream Realm beings."

"You know I can't resist curiosity—yet you deliberately give me this advice... Could I not assume you're hoping I won't kill him immediately, so he might have a chance to kill me instead?"