Fantasy Clock～Dream Ruler～

At the entrance of the Core Research Association, Su Huilin looked hesitantly at the modern building in front of him. She took a few steps back, just as she was about to find out the flaws in the building and took the opportunity to sneak in, when someone silently covered her mouth behind her.

Su Huilin quickly stretched out her hand to hold the opponent's arm, exerted a little force inward, and then turned around to suppress the opponent in one go, but when she saw the person behind her, she couldn't help letting go of her hand.

Standing behind her was a woman with the same long golden hair as her. It's just that Su Erin tied her blonde hair into a long double-tailed braid.

"Mom? Why are you here?"

"I should ask you the same thing."

Su Huilin's mother raised her right eyebrow and asked her back. She glanced back at the Core Research Association beside her, sighed, then pulled Su Huilin, who was still out of condition, to her car, and gently closed the door.

"Little Rin, what are you doing here?"

"I happened to be passing by here. Hmm."

"There's no need to force yourself to do something you're not good at, right?"

"What, I'm not good at lying!"

"..."

Seeing that she somehow admitted the fact that she was lying, Su Huilin ruffles her ponytail at a loss.

"Okay...it's because of Su Ruoyang..."

"Su Luoyang? Didn't you remind him to be vigilant?"

"I don't know." Su Huilin's tone was quite complaining.

Her mother rubbed her temples irritably, her arms resting on the steering wheel, but she seemed disoriented.

"Su Eirin. Although I don't want to admit it, I must tell you that the current situation is not as optimistic as last time."

"What does it mean?"

"We don't have the help of the Anonymous Virgin this time, so we can only engage in single-handed psychological warfare with the association. If you rush in, no one can save you."

"I don't need anyone to save me."

"But it's not just reality here, you know."

Rongtan Street is the common point between reality and dreams, and Su Huilin also understands that according to her performance in the dream world, there is no chance of winning at all. Dreams are the most direct reflection of the dreamer's self-knowledge. In Su Huilin's heart, she doesn't think she is superior, and the resulting cognition makes her nothing more than that.

Even though Su Huilin desperately denied it, she knew her mother was right. If such a person breaks in, it will only be the worst ending.

"However, we are not without a chance of winning."

Su Huilin raised her head hesitantly, and she found that her mother's eyes were fixed on her eyes.

"Since it's a world where dreams and reality are connected, we need people who can handle it well in this world. This is our 'chance'."

The mother's ambiguous words made Su Huilin let out a "huh", and she tilted her head in confusion.

"Don't you understand, Su Huilin? Su Guokai and I don't want you to simply step into the dangerous pool, but if there is indeed a treasure worth exploring in the depths of the pool, then it is not useless. Prove to us Well——"Domination War" is not a useless, dangerous abyss."

The noun that has long been closely linked to their destiny, "Domination War", is their current chance of winning. Su Huilin suddenly understood what her mother meant.

Rongtan Street is a world with a very high synchronization rate with the dream world. In other words, the rulers may be able to play their respective roles here.

Her mother asked her to go to the partners who ruled the war for help. Now, Su Huilin can only rely on those dream rulers who can do whatever it takes for their wishes, and only they are willing to do things to compete with this level of authority.

"I see."

The moment he fell into a deep sleep, his vision turned to a blood-red sky. Clocks of different styles hang in the air, turning the same time. Su Erin put away the dark wings behind her back, and walked into the other end of the world gate leading to Elus' dream world.

...

In a tavern in another world, Lin Yu sat alone at the dining table, pouring the beer in the glass into his mouth sleepily. But if you count the tea cat napping on his shoulder, he's not alone here.

As if noticing Su Huilin's appearance, Lin Yu raised his head slowly and looked at her in a daze. After the two looked at each other for a few seconds, Lin Yu suddenly vigilantly turned to his side with the wine glass in his hand. He looks like an old man who is stingy with the wine made by his winery.

"If you want to drink, I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible!"

"Who on earth told you that I was going to drink...and why do you always have strange paranoia in such inexplicable places..."

Um. If Su Luoyang was also here, then he would definitely find this inexplicable dialogue very familiar.

Su Huilin angrily pulled out her chair and sat opposite Lin Yu. She hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward slightly.

"Have you seen Su Ruoyang?"

"Who knows. The one who was sitting in front of me just now... he disappeared in a blink of an eye."

After hearing this, Su Huilin was stunned. She didn't know if this matter would have anything to do with the Core Research Association taking Su Ruoyang away.

"Could you do me a favor? Well... To be precise, it's actually a favor for Su Luoyang."

"I said, all of you? If you are looking for help, please explain the specific help first, okay?"

"Oh..." Su Huilin was about to speak when she suddenly noticed something, "No, what did you mean by 'one by one' just now?"

Lin Yu's brown eyes slowly turned to the corners of his eyes, and looked at Su Huilin who was at the opposite table, and he gave a doubtful "hmm".

...

The outdoors of the tavern. The adventurers sang Su Eirin's unfamiliar tune and laughed around the bonfire, as if celebrating a difficult task that had just been completed.

In a remote corner, the rulers sat around the barbecue seat borrowed by Elus, enjoying the food from another world.

"Come on~ this is "Iron Slime"~"

Eluth giggled, and handed a bunch of freshly baked skewers to Su Eirin who was beside her. The smell of meat wafted from the skewers, and the smell of pepper sprayed evenly and just right. Su Huilin noticed this strange short-legged creature on the skewers, and while hiding a trace of embarrassment on his face, he took Got skewers.

"Ah...thank you."

When Elus was finally able to sit down, Xia Yinci stood up and looked around at the rulers sitting around the fire. There were five people present plus myself. After the dinner just now, the black cat and the white cat disappeared, and Xue Xueer disappeared with them; Charte stayed on the ruler clock to guard against enemy attacks, and Su Ruoyang suddenly disappeared when he was with Lin Yu. disappeared.

"Hmm... please listen to me while enjoying it~"

Su Huilin's eyes shifted from the strangely shaped skewers to Xia Yinci who stood up and spoke. She did not expect that the other person Lin Yu mentioned was Xia Yinci who asked them for help. Of course, she was also curious about why she put Everyone gathered together, did you think the same thing as yourself?

"Tell me quickly." William glanced at Xia Yinci, and the thoughts in his eyes seemed to be telling him "I hope it's not too troublesome".

"There are two things I want to say: First, the Dream Thieves have already launched operations similar to those before the start of the domination war."

"You mean..the way they killed the Ruler in reality to achieve the 'victory before the start'?"

"Well, everyone must be vigilant about this matter."

"It's not surprising that the group of Dream Thieves would do such a thing... Rather, I didn't expect them to act in this way until now."

"What about the second thing?" Su Huilin raised her right eyebrow and asked with a hint of urgency in her tone.

"The second thing I want to say... has to do with Su Luoyang who was in danger due to the actions of the Dream Thief."

When Elus heard Su Luoyang's name, like a rabbit that saw a carrot, she immediately raised her curious eyes. The pointed hat tilted to one side at the movement of her head.

"You mean... this kid is the first among us to be targeted by the dreamer?"

William stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, doubts flashing in his eyes.

Before Xia Yinci responded to William's question, Su Huilin stood up and said:

"I'm not sure if he was the first to be targeted...but Su Luoyang was not killed or taken away by them."

"So what happened to him?" William asked.

"...I don't know if everyone knows the name 'Core Research Association'."

"Core Research Association? This kid was taken to that ghost place again?"

Lin Yu frowned unhappily when he heard the words, and the mist that filled his eyes due to drunkenness instantly dissipated.

Unknowingly, his tone was exactly the same as William's before.

"Hmm..." Su Huilin moved her head lightly, her voice also contained helplessness. If she had known it would turn out like this, she would never have left because of the dispute between Su Ruoyang and Xia Yinci... In that case, Su Ruoyang would not be targeted by these two forces just because she placed an order .

Xia Yinci next to her gently disturbed her hair, and her eyes moved to Su Huilin's body unhurriedly: "When I woke up just now, I was already in Shuguang Hospital. I accidentally heard the doctor's words in the corridor. They said, "The child who was admitted to the hospital at the same time more than ten years ago was sent in on the same day today...Although the boy is at the headquarters of the association." I think they are referring to me and Su Luoyang. ?”

Su Huilin frowned, and said: "When I arrived at Rongtan Street, there were actually two groups of dream robbers chasing Su Ruoyang. But in the end, no one found him, as if he suddenly disappeared. I think , it should be the Core Research Association who took him away...the result is the same.”

"Is that really the case..." Xia Yinci took a deep breath. In fact, she didn't confirm the matter until then, and it was just speculation before that. A few seconds later, she seriously bowed to everyone, and said in a pleading tone, "I think, please go to the Core Research Association with me and rescue Su Luoyang!"

Su Huilin stared in surprise at Xia Yinci who sincerely begged everyone. Not only did she not expect that Xia Yinci, who has always been proud, would be willing to do this for Su Ruoyang, but she also did not expect that Xia Yinci would think of having a relationship with her mother. The same method proposed.

Suddenly there was the sound of a heavy scepter hitting the ground, and Elus, who had been silent just now, moved her fist to her mouth and coughed lightly.

"Well~Since Su Luoyang is in danger, and because he has helped me before, I can only reluctantly agree~"

"Really? Why do I think you are very happy?" Lin Yu complained.

"I'm sick of you, talking like you're not going!"

"Of course I will go...but I went as his teacher?"

"Where are these two twisted breeds of Tsundere..." Su Eirin muttered softly, revealing a slight smile.

"Stop...wait a moment... I also know where the "Core Research Association" is. I went there for an internship before..." At this point, William glanced at Xia Yinci, then changed the topic and said, "But, That’s where the real world is, right? We can’t use the control ability, can we?”

"This matter cannot be discussed as a coffin~"

Suddenly there was an unexpected voice. I saw the tea cat on Lin Yu's shoulder stretched and jumped down skillfully. When she landed, she had turned back into a tea-haired girl in a gauze skirt, and sat beside Lin Yu with a light manner.

"The Core Research Association is located in a place that resonates in every world, whether it is a dream or a reality - that is a place called Rong Tan Street. Of course, in different worlds, its appearance is different Yes. And between the dreams, the street near Xinghai at the edge of the world is Rong Tan Street."

"What do you mean...you will be able to reach Rongtan Street, which is common in the real world, through Xinghai Tavern?"

Lin Yu turned his eyes to look at the tea cat. At this time, the tea cat's eyes also turned to the corners of the eyes. The clear eyes and the tear moles at the corners reflected the feminine beauty.

"Well... But the key point is the same as last time. You must keep a clear mind and cross over so that you can meet in the real world. Otherwise, you will be scattered back to the place where you fell asleep, or there will be a subtle synchronization Rong Tan Street, where the rate is skewed, once it is like this, we will not be able to meet each other.”

"Can't you use the world gate that you took us to Sato Kazuhiko's world?" Su Erin asked.

"After the war of domination began, the synchronization rate of each world layer had a large deviation. I can't pinpoint a certain world as accurately as before. If I use it rashly, I may lose my way and never find myself again. The present world that originally belonged to."

"So, when Su Luoyang and I were investigating the collective nightmare, there was also a reason for your refusal to take us through the World Gate, isn't it?"

Lin Yu's question made the tea cat nod its head slightly. However, just as the atmosphere fell into a brief silence, a figure in a detective suit suddenly appeared in the tavern, which was incompatible with the surrounding adventurers. Chart walked in front of the crowd and stopped.

"Are you all right?"

"We... what's wrong with us?" Tea Mao blinked his eyes in confusion, and the words he answered unconsciously seemed a little silly.

Chart stretched out his hand so that the knuckles of his thumb and forefinger clamped the brim of his hat, and turned around to look in the direction of the tavern.

"I don't know what's wrong... just now, the hour hands of all the ruler's clocks suddenly turned half a circle counterclockwise without warning, and it's the same situation as last time."

"Is that the case again?"

Among the people here, only William was present, like Chart, when the hands of the clock had an unusual movement before. Xia Yinci, who was next to her, showed a faint smile, knowing but remained silent. Su Huilin gently raised her hand, and interjected:

"That... this may be caused by Su Luoyang."

"Su Ruoyang? Why can't I understand what you mean?"

Hearing this, Xia Yinci smiled gently, and replied instead: "The situation Chalt described was actually caused by Su Luoyang's dominance ability, the 'Phantom Clock'."

"Then before Su Luoyang showed the so-called "time stillness" before...?"

"Hmm. That's actually because of his wrong perception of his own control ability, which produced the phenomenon of 'time stillness'."

Lin Yu slightly frowned, and exchanged a glance with the tea cat. It sounds similar to his misuse of "one person with thousands of faces" as "mind reading".

"Is it the ability to control the hands of the ruler's clock..." William whispered softly as if thinking of something.

"Okay.. Now that everything has been explained.. Can you guys come with me?"

"Of course I'm going~" Eluth raised her hand and agreed readily.

"I said it just now...in the name of his teacher." Lin Yu's response made Chamao smile softly and lazily.

"No... what does this mean? Where are you going?" Chart asked puzzled.

Everyone's eyes fell on William, who hadn't spoken yet. William raised his head silently, and his eyes drifted to Chart with his thoughts inadvertently.

If it does not involve the Core Research Association, and it is purely for Su Luoyang, then William can naturally make a judgment. But the problem is that Chart has been under their sole responsibility since he fell into a coma. Although it took a long time, William also realized that they only used Chart as an experiment, and wanted to get rid of them...

——[Wait... Since you want to get rid of them...! 】

"Okay... I have no objection either. Whether it's "time stillness" or Xia Yinci's so-called "fantasy clock", these are the controlling abilities we need. What's more, Su Luoyang also took me from Inception rescued from the hand of the murderer."

"That's how I agreed to save Su Ruoyang..." Xia Yinci expressed a somewhat dubious tone, "It's really not like William's behavior~"

"But I'll trouble Chalt to stay here and watch over the ruler's clock. After all, Xiao Lulu, Xiao Luoluo and that newcomer are not here, so the ruler's clock can't be left unattended, right?"

"Why did I stay? What happened to you?"

"I'll explain it to you when I get back. If something happens that I can't handle, I'll definitely go to Arquette and the others for help."

After William answered his question, he brushed his shoulder and walked into the tavern. Lin Yu also put down the empty wine glass, and stood up after him.

"Okay...Brother William really likes to show off the prestige of the "leader (leader)", and this guy took the lead again."

When William was about to step into the World Gate, Xia Yinci quickened his pace to catch up with William and walked to his side.

"Hey, why did you choose to keep Chart?"

William's footsteps seemed to have paused because of this, and he turned his gaze to Xia Yinci, before stepping into the world of the ruler clock on the other side.

"I just choose the most suitable candidate, I have no other intention."

"No, why do I think you don't want Charte to be in danger?" At this point, Xia Yinci deliberately paused, "Or, is it actually related to the "Core Research Association"?"

William was taken aback for a moment, he turned around quickly, his sideways glance at Xia Yinci became sharper, and he put his hand on her shoulder and pushed her aside. The second hand of the clock brushed Xia Yinci's shoulder.

"Xia Yinci, stop exploring me."

"I'm not interested in exploring the private affairs between you and Chalt~ I just don't want your involvement with the Core Research Association to affect our actions."

Xia Yinci disturbed her hair, her icy blue pupils flashed with vigilance.

At this time, the rest of the people have also arrived nearby. William glared at Xia Yinci, let go of his hand, and then jumped directly off the Dominator's clock.

"Um... I should complain about Brother William's unexpectedly positive attitude..."

Hearing Lin Yu's nervous speech, Xia Yinci adjusted her expression and turned around.

"There is one thing that people other than William may not know. I think it is necessary to remind you that if you keep consciously crossing from here to reality, you will get there as the ruler of the dream world." Tea The cat’s tone was still weak until now, “For example——you can use the body of the dominator to see your sleeping self in reality. So after you finish what you want to do, you need to pass through as soon as possible. Time's entrance back here."

"What if we don't get back in time?"

"Your ruler's body will stay in reality. After a long time, your physique will adapt to the environment there, and you will start to reject the dream, so you can never come back. By the way, Rongtan Street is a little different from reality, and the ruler can't leave The range of Rong Tan Street."

"So...if you fail to return in time, you will be imprisoned in that street forever, unable to return to reality or go to dreams, right?"

The tea cat nodded in response to Su Huilin's question.

"Then... let's split up from now on," Xia Yinci said, "to avoid being too ostentatious and being spotted by other clock rulers. We can also leave some time for each of us to prepare well."

"Well, it's more reasonable to do so now," Elus agreed.

After everyone separates. Xia Yinci held the handle of the World Gate left on the Dominator's clock, and Chalt just happened to come out from the other side of the gate.

"They're all gone, where are you going now?" Charte frowned and asked Xia Yinci.

"Well..I want to meet Su Ruoyang before that." Xia Yinci smiled lightly, and said while crossing the world gate whose destination has been switched to Su Ruoyang's dream world, " After being scolded for a few words, he became decadent, and then he was targeted by the Core Research Association... I want to question him about this anyway."

the other side. When the porcelain white automatic door was opened, there was the sound of several rollers sliding in unison. When the bearded man walked into the room, the automatic door closed, and it could almost be described as a seamless fit. If you come here for the first time, you will never see that this is the place where the gate is placed.

The president in the center of the room pushed his feet back against the ground, and the swivel chair underneath followed this force and drove from Su Guokai's side to Su Ruoyang. She quickly tapped the keyboard of the computer connected to the device on Su Luoyang's head. Not only that, she was even muttering something in her mouth.

"You don't need to feel sad or painful, you should feel honored, Su Luoyang. ——Because it is your mission to be born into this world to let the "Holy Infant" meet the "Holy Maiden" who created it."

Feng Chenghuan, who hesitated for a long time whether to disturb the chairman, finally pushed the swivel chair to the ground again and the chairman who pushed the swivel chair to Su Guokai's side spoke first.

"Say something quickly."

While talking, the president looked at the sleeping Su Guokai with distorted gentle eyes, without even looking at Feng Chenghuan.

"President... the dream image of experiment number 015 has been successfully observed."

"015, it's Chant.Andres, right...how is his situation? Can you bring the rulers here?" The president moved the control panel, and Su Guokai in the screen was guided by the intruder and was drawn in unconsciously When you arrive at the secret palace that you never want people to know, all this will also be presented on this screen.

"Hmm. To be precise... I found something interesting—some people in the gaps in the dream wanted to come to our side."

"Really? After all, this is not the first time this has happened."

"No! No...this time is different from before."

The president raised his head slightly, and there was a little curiosity in his eyes. Feng Chenghuan's face was also filled with abnormal excitement.

"These people... are planning to 'visit' us in their dreams!"

——At the same time, "Star Sea". The masters of Clock No. 2, who managed to break through the encirclement of the evil spirits, gathered at the door of Xinghai Tavern from all directions. Su Ruoyang and Xia Yinci, who were sent to the neighborhood earlier, looked at the visitor. For some reason, when Elus saw the two of them, her eyes trembled slightly.

"What are you... planning to do?"

With his back facing the vast sea of ​​stars, Su Ruoyang followed Xia Yinci who was gradually moving away from him with a suspicious look. She walked towards the rulers, and Su Luoyang looked at the rulers who were holding each other's palms and making a gesture of going into Xinghai Tavern together, the confusion in their eyes began to turn into uneasiness.

"Answer me, where are you going?"

Just like the one, two, three wooden figurines she played when she was a child, Xia Yinci stopped after hearing Su Ruoyang's words, but she immediately broke the rules of the game and turned around lightly.

"Of course, let's save you~"

A gentle smile filled her tear-filled pupils. The boy instinctively took a few steps forward, but the girl was pulled into the blank entrance of Xinghai Tavern by the people around her. Soon he was the only one left around.

"Hey. If one day I am in danger, you must come and save me."