Chapter 791: I

"Take this."

Just as Li Ang followed the Red-haired woman up the stairs and entered the storage room of the Virgin Division holding anomalous objects, at the center of a black river flowing with countless shattered dreams, a giant shrouded entirely in deep gray mist, wearing a mirror crown on his head, extended his right hand toward the old man before him.

"This is a boat pass for traversing the Abyss of Fallen Souls—it will let you move freely through my nightmares, useful when dealing with the Blood-Haired Lady."

With the giant's unnaturally shrill voice, its withered, slender gray palm opened flat upon the river's surface; its five fingers, sharp as blades, slowly unfolded, and the black nightmare trapped within swiftly dispersed, revealing a tiny wooden boat.

"If this is a boat pass issued personally by the King of Nightmares..."

After glancing at the small wooden boat—its lines soft, its carvings exquisite, gently drifting in the gray mist's palm in rhythm with his own breath—the old investigator... or rather, the Aquarius Director, smiled, then stepped onto the boat, pulling the tense female journalist along with him.

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation."

After both had boarded the small boat, the gray mist giant's palm slowly dissolved; the wooden vessel floated gently onto the black river, sending out ripples of dark water.

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, scrambling to cling to the boat's hull.

"?!!"

Seeing the eerie, terrifying scene, the female journalist's expression tightened slightly; instinctively, she stepped forward and reached out to sweep away the grasping hands—but the Aquarius Director seized her wrist first.

"Don't be tense."

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

Immediately, as if scalded by a red-hot iron, a chorus of agonized screams erupted from the black water; the grasping hands hastily let go, fleeing as if terrified, retreating back into the dreams within 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."

Having used the boat's own power to dispel all the arms surging from the black river, the Aquarius Director looked up at the towering gray mist giant before him and smiled at the female journalist behind him:

"The King of Nightmares' word still holds some weight—at least, before our cooperation succeeds completely, you needn't fear he'll strike at us..."

"But once I awaken in the real world, this boat won't be so stable anymore. Remember to get off quickly then—otherwise, who knows what might happen afterward."

"Gak gak gak~"

Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's words, as if he'd told an uproariously funny joke, the gray mist giant let out a cackling laugh; its towering gray form twisted twice, the robe-like mist parting slightly to reveal countless withered arms locked together within.

"You, my friend, were truly detestable when you were still in the Clearance Bureau—you ruined plenty of my plans."

The face obscured by mist tilted slightly downward, aligning what seemed to be its eyes with the two of them; the elusive King of Nightmares laughed heartily:

"But since you defected from the Clearance Bureau, I've found you far more agreeable—your speech, your actions, they suit me perfectly... Hmm... How about this: would you be interested in settling permanently in the Dream Realm and becoming my apostle from now on?"

"No thanks."

Facing the King of Nightmares' sincere invitation, the Aquarius Director shook his head with a smile:

"I have no objection to becoming a being of the Dream Realm—but do you truly dare make me your apostle?" "Hmm... you're right. I truly don't dare."

Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's counter-question, the gray mist giant fell silent for a moment, then surprisingly nodded slightly:

"You're too ambitious—even the Clearance Bureau couldn't contain you. If you came to the Dream Realm as my apostle, I'd always be worrying you had ulterior motives, and I'd never sleep soundly again."

"Forget it. Let's just leave that remark unspoken. It's better we remain partners."

"Naturally."

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

"Also, though I've already arranged to transfer all Clearance Officers from the Virgin Division out in advance, the Blood-Haired Lady isn't without allies."

"The one named Li Ang—black hair, black eyes, a Level Three Clearance Officer—pay special attention to him. Best to eliminate him before he interferes."

"Level Three Clearance Officer?"

Upon hearing the Aquarius Director's warning, the gray mist giant's form flickered slightly—and suddenly appeared beneath the wooden boat, in the black river.

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

"You didn't lie... I'm curious—why would you care so much about a mere Level Three Clearance Officer?"

"Very much so."

Turning slowly, the Aquarius Director placed himself between the female journalist and the giant, then said with solemn seriousness:

"The reason I've been reduced to allying with someone like you is entirely his doing. Though Li Ang's power is negligible, there are far too many strange things about him."

"My advice: when you meet him, don't underestimate him—but more importantly, don't be curious."

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

"Is that so? Interesting~"

After hearing the Aquarius Director's repeated warnings, the gray mist giant's mouth—where a mouth should be—split open into a downward-facing crescent; two 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 speaking to him and just kill him outright, you shouldn't be saying this."

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

"Dreams are born from ignorance paired with curiosity—unbound, aimless fantasies. Curiosity is the instinct of all Dream Realm beings."

"You know I can't control my curiosity—and yet you give me this advice... Can I assume you want me not to kill him immediately, but to give him a chance to kill me instead?"

(End of Chapter)