The Dreamer's POV

Time Left: 30 Days, 5 Hours]

<Current Number of Participants: 9,201>

"My name is Fitz. I am a Professional Explorer, and you, young man, have my profound gratitude."

I nodded silently, keeping my wary gaze on this so-called lost traveler named Fitz.

So far, nothing about him seemed out of the ordinary. He seemed harmless and friendly enough after getting over his initial shock that he was riding a dragon—albeit a common one.

He had the fragrant smile of a youthful adult, and his bubbling personality, while excessive, didn't strike me as odd. His dirty adventurer attire—the brown jacket and stained white shirt underneath, with his black trousers and large brown boots—also granted credence to his story.

However, despite all of these factors, I was plenty cautious around him.

Why?

Read exclusive content at empire

'His Status Information isn't showing. That's very odd.'

I couldn't eliminate or abandon him because of the Quest, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to be guarded around him.

"You have no idea how thankful I am, young man!" He continued to gush over me like a child, his eyes sparkling so brightly that I didn't want to look.

"What were you doing here, to begin with?" I asked with a sigh, ensuring there was enough of a distance between the both of us as we conversed.

The dragon was still stagnant in the air, which made talking from a considerable distance feasible. I didn't want to be too close to this guy.

Not when I didn't know how he avoided my Absolute Appraisal.

"I am an Explorer. It is my job to search the world and uncover its mysteries. This place is called the Whispering Forest, and it is home to many treasures and wonders. It holds many amazing things just waiting to be found!"

In essence, this place was like the wet dream of any Explorer.

"So, where are the other Explorers?" I asked, one of my brows raised.

Of course, I knew there wouldn't be any Explorers. This guy was most likely just a prop placed by the System in order to fulfil the Quest.

'That would explain why he doesn't have a Status Information too. He probably isn't real…'

Since every other participant had the same Quest in the First Floor, it made no sense that every single one of them would have to rescue someone who was in the same predicament as Fitz.

'In the end, this is just what the System wants.'

However, even if I knew that, it wasn't wise to tell Fitz anyway. Rather, it would be pointless.

'Plus, I think I saw it somewhere that you aren't supposed to inform an unaware person that they aren't real in Lucid Dreams. It makes them violent once they discover this…'

This wasn't a dream for me, but the principle still applied here.

'Why don't I just let sleeping dogs lie? Besides, since he hasn't vanished ot anything after I rescued him, maybe he can provide me information regarding the next location.'

That was the only reason I was letting this guy run his mouth.

"W-well… we got separated, and… I think they all died." Fitz murmured, his voice low, and his face sullen.

His acting was pretty good. Or rather, the System's effort at a backstory was admirable. It could make almost anyone sympathize with him.

Not me though.

"I see. My condolensces then…"

"Haha, thank you. Yes, thank you, young man." He forcefully reverted to his cheery personality, though someting about the crease in his brow suggested he was still thinking about his dead comrades.

That wasn't good.

'I have to steer the conversaton in a direction that favors me. And fast.' My thoughts echoed within me.

"You mentioned this place housing treasures and mysteries before. What does that mean?"

Upon asking, Fitz seemed to brighten up and the sparkle in his eyes resumed. Just as I expected, it seemed he was designed by the System for some purpose.

And by asking the right questions you could procure the right answers from him.

"There are many rumors surrounding this place. However, most importantly, I learned of a book locked in this very forest. A book with the ability to see into the future itself."

"The future, huh?" I murmured as I watched Fitz gush with excitement.

"Yes! I also heard there are other powers here that can change the world, all to be found within this forest's embrace."

That seemed like a lot of good stuff; if they were all legit, that it.

'The problem is that this is just the First Floor. There's no way powerful stuff like that would exist so early on… right?'

Come to think of it, I had vague memories of the Floors, particularly the top ones, but even then I didn't think any book granting the ability to see the future or change the world was ever found in any lower floors.

Then again, it wasn't like I could rely on fuzzy knowledge.

'Plus, since he's a prop of the System, he can't be lying. I'll take this as a clue somewhat.'

"You know, if you're also searching for the treasure, we should team up!" Fitz suddenly spoke, dragging me out of my thoughts.

"What?"

"Think about it!" The man loudly spoke, flapping his hands in the air. "Me and you. Both of us actively searching for the treasures."

This guy was already suspicious enough, but now he was suggesting a team up? My level of alertness was instantly dialed up to eleven.

'No, Mikey. Relax. Maybe this is what the System wants. Could it be… this guy is sort of like a guide?'

"As you know, I am an expert on this forest. However, I lack the brawn to get past the numerous hazards within this place. If you could help with that, I'm sure you'll find this arrangement very beneficial to you."

The way he put it made his proposal more reasonable the more I considered it.

"I'll even allow you to take the first share, young man. Since you saved my life, it's the least I can do. I've also lost all my colleagues, so it would be nice to have someone to travel with."

This entire arrangement seemed very convenient. However, since this was just the way it went in the First Floor, I had no reason to refuse the offer of the System's prop.

In fact, it would be foolish of me to do so.

"Alright, Fitz. Let's team up. I'll be honored to journey alongside you to find these treasures." After giving a generic answer, I stretched out my hand and shook his.

"Glad to hear it. You won't be disappointed, young man."

Oh, I planned not to be.

This Fitz fellow was my guiding lamp to the treasure existing here, after all. Whether this was a hidden Quest, or was just a consequence of the Second Quest, it worked to my benefit.

'It could also end up being a distraction, so I should still keep my guard up. Let's see where this leads, though…'

With that in mind, we shook hands and I maintained my smile with Fitz, my new Explorer buddy.

********

[Moments Later]

A map was spread out in Fitz's grasp as he constantly looked at the piece of parchment, only occasionally raising his head to the area around him.

My dragon had already started moving, causing most of his words to be drowned in the wind lashing at our faces. As a result of this, he had to raise his voice to speak.

Thankfully, I didn't have to move any closer thanks to my heightened senses.

"Yeah, just keep going straight ahead for a while." Fitz yelled over the howl of the cool early morning wind.

I sat behind him, so all I had to do was control the dragon to do as Fitz said.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

To be honest, I had initially thought we would have a bit of a struggle locating the treasure. However, I never expected Fitz to have a map.

'With my dragon's help, and Fitz' map, this will be nothing but a breeze.' A smile spread across my face as I looked below to observe the rustling sea of trees.

"Ah, I forgot to mention this earlier, but legend has it that we need three runes hidden within the forest to open the doorway to the treasure room." Fitz spoke, his worry traveling with his voice.

Normally, that would have been a problem for anyone.

"Don't worry about it." I smiled, looking at the three runes warbling on my palm.

I had already gotten the keys a long time ago.

'So this is related to the third Quest. Perfect!'

Once I completed the third Quest and got the treasures, I would finally be able to deal with the annoying whispers that echoed in my head.

It wasn't too strange that Fitz didn't seem to hear any whisper since he was a System prop, and I was the one with the Runes, so I never bought it up.

'I just want to be done with this already.'

And with that thought, my dragon picked up pace, leading me to my ticket out of this place.

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!