『 "What exactly is a Clockwork?" Stelle asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"I'll show you right now! Close your eyes—"
Stelle complied, shutting her eyes tight. Suddenly, a rhythmic chiming, like the tolling of a grandfather clock, echoed within her mind. The vibrations were so sharp she was forced to snap her eyes open.
"Tick-tock! Now we're two souls in one body! Can you feel the power surging through you?"
Clockie pointed toward the gang leader and urged Stelle, "Go on! Head over to that angry boss man—perform a Clockwork on him. Pump him full of good vibes and—bam! Mission accomplished!"
"But remember: never use Clockwork for mischief. We are the guardians of Dreamville, tick-tock!" 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: With her personality, I doubt she'd do anything truly malicious, but…
〘Dan Heng〙: Let's observe three seconds of silence for the tourists of Penacony.
....
『 Stelle nodded to show she understood, then immediately slipped behind the gang leader and tapped him on the shoulder.
The man spun around, snarling at her, "Scram, brat! Don't get in my way! I'm gonna make that woman realize she picked a fight with the wrong man!"
Stelle gazed at him in silence. Before long, a compass materialized before her eyes, its face etched with four distinct emotions: Calm, Anger, Delight, and Sadness. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: So it really is that kind of ability. Though it's limited to just four emotions.
〘Hanabi〙: That's more than enough! Dial him up to Anger and then pivot straight to Sadness—it'll be hilarious!
〘·HSR· Welt Yang〙: This doesn't look like a clock at all; it's a compass.
〘Screwllum〙: It appears Clockie, much like Misha, possesses secrets that have yet to be unearthed.
....
『 Stelle studied the four emotions and flicked the needle toward Delight. She then stared at the mob boss with curious intensity.
Suddenly, the man clutched his stomach and erupted into boisterous laughter. "Hahaha! Hahahahaha!"
"You did it! But why did he turn out like that?" Clockie asked, looking at the hysterical boss with confusion.
"I don't know… Did I do this?" Stelle asked, scratching her head.
"I… suppose so? I mean, why else would he start laughing like a maniac?" Hotaru added, watching the man as he nearly doubled over from the sheer force of his mirth.
"It's just… oh, he looks terrifying—like he's actually turned into Boss Stone during one of his mood swings." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Whoa, so the adjusted emotion is like… the absolute extreme of that feeling?
〘Dan Heng〙: A terrifying capability.
〘Belle〙: Imagine being in the middle of a fight, and suddenly your opponent starts wheezing with laughter…
〘Ju Fufu〙: Yikes, that's such a cursed image. I can't even.
〘Yixuan〙: Hmm? Fufu, shouldn't you be training right now? Add another set to your routine.
〘Ju Fufu〙: Crap! I forgot Master could see this.
....
『 After the boss had laughed his fill, he bent over to catch his breath for a moment. He then straightened up and beamed at the group, shouting, "Oh, hello, everyone! Please forgive my rudeness! Welcome to the Land of Dreams, Penacony!"
He turned to his lackeys and bellowed even louder than before, "Boys! Fall in! Give our distinguished guests a proper welcome!"
Though the henchmen looked bewildered, he was still their boss. They lined up and looked toward Stelle and the others.
"Ready—and!" the boss conducted.
"WELCOME TO THE LAND OF DREAMS, PENACONY!" the lackeys shouted in unison, bowing deeply.
"You may rise," Stelle said with a grin, waving her hand dismissively. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: How does that old Xianzhou saying go, Blade?
〘Blade〙: Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.
〘Silver Wolf〙: Oh, right, that's the one!
〘Silver Wolf〙: You're really pushing your luck there, Stelle.
....
『 "Whatever you command! You are our most honored guests!" the henchmen shouted back before straightening their backs.
"Oh, my! It seems you carry quite a bit of weight with them now. Since that's the case, do you think you could ask them to leave?" Clockie suggested to Stelle.
Stelle nodded and looked at the boss. "We appreciate the hospitality, but could you give us some private space?"
"Of course, of course! Your word is law! Boys, scatter! Don't disturb our guests while they enjoy their leisure time!"
"Yes, Boss!"
With that, the lackeys followed their leader and departed.
Misha looked at Stelle, who had just resolved the crisis, and smiled. "We meet again, Guest! Was it you who helped us settle the trouble?"
"Misha, what's going on? Do you know this gray-haired friend?" Clockie asked, puzzled.
"She is a distinguished guest—we became friends not long ago. I mentioned her to you, remember?"
"Oh, so it's her!" Clockie said, realization dawning on him.
"In any case, thank you! If you hadn't arrived in time, things would have turned into a real mess…" Misha expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you. I didn't expect us to cross paths again so soon," Acheron said, looking at Stelle.
"Don't mention it, it's only right," Stelle replied with a casual wave of her hand.
"The chaos just now… I heard a group of Masked Fools was causing trouble in the streets and disrupting the order. I was passing through and was stopped for questioning. During that process, some… misunderstandings occurred. As a result, I've troubled you again," Acheron said apologetically.
"Is this lady… also an acquaintance of yours?" Hotaru asked Stelle.
"We aren't exactly acquaintances, but we've met once before. She helped me at the hotel previously; she is a kind soul," Acheron answered for Stelle, providing her with a bit of social backup.
"It is also a pleasure to meet you, beautiful lady."
Hotaru's face flushed at Acheron's compliment, and she stammered, "B-beautiful lady…" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: SO CUTE!!!
〘Stelle〙: Argenti, I'VE FOUND MY VERY OWN IDRILA!!!
〘Hotaru〙: Eh? Eh? EHHH?!!!!!
〘Silver Wolf〙: That is a straight-up confession right there…
〘Argenti〙: Is that so? My dear friend, I am truly happy for you.
....
『 "However, what did you just do to that gentleman? His sudden shift in emotion… was quite extraordinary," Acheron asked, her eyes fixed on Stelle.
"I wanted to ask that too… what exactly happened?" Hotaru added, equally curious.
"It was talk therapy. I used talk therapy." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Would it kill you not to meme for five minutes?
〘Stelle〙: If I don't meme, I suffer!
....
『 "What are you talking about! It wasn't talk therapy, it was Clockwork!" Clockie protested loudly.
"I suspect it isn't that simple," Acheron said with a faint smile.
"I'm guessing… does it have something to do with that… Clockie character, only you can see?" Hotaru shared her theory.
"Clockie?" Acheron asked.
"Yes, that cartoon character… he seems to have appeared in reality—well, I mean, in the Dreamscape."
Hotaru turned to Acheron to explain, "Though I haven't quite figured it out myself… she said that only those who are straightforward, innocent, and childlike can see him…"
Acheron let out a soft chuckle upon hearing this, then sighed. "It seems I have long since passed that age."
"But if this Clockie truly exists, then many things would start to make sense."
"Wait, can you see me too?" Clockie asked, turning to Acheron in surprise.
Acheron looked toward where Clockie and Misha stood. "I can sense that there are things, neither here nor there, accompanying you. Unfortunately, I cannot communicate with them as you do."
"Perhaps we both react to the Memoria, allowing us to perceive the wonders within this dream. Though your senses are far sharper than mine."
"I thought perhaps that elegant Memokeeper had left something in your mind, but it seems there are quite a few existences in this dream as unique as she is."
"An elegant Memokeeper?" Stelle asked.
"Shortly after we parted ways, I inadvertently stepped into a ball. A lady draped in a black veil invited me to dance. It was my first time dancing… a truly unforgettable experience."
At this, Acheron shook her head and sighed. "Regrettably, I forgot to ask for her name… I only know she hailed from the Garden of Recollection." 』
『 ....』
〘Black Swan〙: My, they're talking about me.
〘Hanabi〙: Yup, yup, they're definitely talking about you.
〘Stelle〙: Why do I get the feeling you're barely holding back a laugh while typing that?
〘Hanabi〙: Pfft, really? You must be mistaken. Hanabi-sama is a trained professional; she generally doesn't laugh.
〘Hanabi〙: Unless she can't help it! Hahahahahahahaha~
〘Black Swan〙: It seems there was something fishy about that dance. I wonder if Miss Acheron would care to dance with me in reality sometime?
〘Acheron〙: I wouldn't mind, though I'm not quite sure where I am at the moment…
〘Belle〙: Totally in character.
〘March 7th〙: Totally in character.
〘Hanabi〙: Character in totally.
....