Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Daziel listened to Aventurine's words, laced with hidden meaning, and his gaze sharpened, his thoughts a tangled mess.

Indeed, ever since he first saw that dazzling songstress, an indescribable sense of unease had quietly settled in his heart… The feeling was vague yet real.

Aventurine's casual retort further confirmed Daziel's suspicions.

An image of the Halovian singer flashed through his mind. Although still as radiant and stunning, so perfect she hardly seemed real, Daziel had noticed the subtle unnaturalness in her eyes.

Aventurine caught Daziel's momentary silence, and the playful curve of his lips deepened.

He turned slightly, cleverly avoiding the wariness and scrutiny in Daziel's eyes, yet his gaze, tinged with amusement, flickered over to Himeko, who stood quietly to the side.

"You also think her eyes are… a bit too vacant, don't you?"

Aventurine deliberately lowered his voice, which seemed to possess a certain magic, luring one deeper into the web he was weaving.

"Especially after that little 'accident' today, when your lively Miss March 7th was chatting with her."

Aventurine strolled a few steps forward leisurely, his distinctive iris-hued eyes glinting with unconcealed calculation and shrewdness.

"It's obvious, that power comes from her brother, Sunday. That effortless composure of someone who has everything under control, as if the entire world moved according to his script."

"The power of Harmony, they say, can resonate with people's hearts, but if you think about it differently…" He paused, his tone growing deeper, "could it also… manipulate them?"

Aventurine's insinuation shot through Daziel's spine like an icy current.

Sunday using the "tuning" power of Harmony to secretly control his own sister, Robin?

The thought was shockingly audacious and steeped in a chilling darkness.

"This fine wine of Penacony, filled with dreams, may be sweet and intoxicating at first sip, but what settles at the bottom is a sediment of countless secrets and deadly dangers." Aventurine's tone remained light, as if merely chatting, but the content was somewhat heavy.

"It's far more complicated than you imagine, my friend."

Just then, Himeko, who had been observing silently, suddenly spoke, her voice clear and sharp, instantly dispelling the alluring atmosphere Aventurine was trying to create.

"Mr. Aventurine, you seem to be showing an extraordinary enthusiasm for Penacony's internal affairs."

Himeko's gaze was like a torch, unflinchingly meeting Aventurine's eyes that seemed to pierce through one's very soul. "As a high-ranking executive of the Interastral Peace Corporation, visiting so late at night, I presume it's not merely to find a Nameless to verify this sensational speculation of yours?"

The trademark smile on Aventurine's face froze for a split second, but he quickly regained his usual air of effortless control.

"Miss Himeko is indeed sharp-eyed and observant down to the smallest detail."

He spread his hands elegantly, with a perfectly measured touch of helplessness. "Alright, I won't deny it. The Corporation… does indeed have some special interest in this tempting cake that is Penacony."

"More accurately, we just want to retrieve something… that should have belonged to us a long, long time ago."

His gaze refocused on Daziel, filled with undisguised assessment, scrutiny, and a subtle hint of temptation.

"As for cooperating with you, my dear friend, it's naturally because this big business requires a partner who is strong enough, special enough."

"Upon completion, the remuneration will definitely satisfy you. And…"

Aventurine tilted his chin slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Being able to receive the additional blessing of the Aeon of Preservation, for a Trailblazer, is always a welcome bonus, isn't it?"

Daziel didn't respond immediately. His mind was racing, carefully weighing the truthfulness of Aventurine's words and the potential benefits and risks hidden within.

Aventurine seemed to see through his hesitation and struggle. His tone became more serious, no longer as flippant as before.

"Don't misunderstand, Daziel. I'm not deliberately flattering you."

His gaze was intent, as if trying to see right through Daziel. "You are special. Of this, I am absolutely certain."

Aventurine snapped his fingers lightly. The crisp sound echoed in the quiet room, like the confident flourish of a shrewd gambler before revealing his final hand.

"You might as well consider Penacony a grand poker game. The Family, the Corporation, guests each harboring their own ulterior motives… all are players at the table with different agendas."

"And you," Aventurine's gaze was fervent, filled with an almost fanatical certainty, "you are the most uncertain factor, the one capable of changing the course of the game, even… flipping the entire table… The one and only variable."

Daziel's expression was grave as he stared intently at Aventurine, his mind clouded with doubt.

Aventurine hadn't explicitly stated whether the source of power he was referring to was the restless Stellaron within him, or the inner world system that assigned tasks and rewards.

Could it be that the Interastral Peace Corporation, like Herta, like Elio, had glimpsed certain futures through some channel?

Daziel couldn't be sure, and alarm bells were ringing in his head. After careful consideration, he finally spoke in a deep voice, "So, what's your plan? What do you need me to do?"

"Some things are probably not convenient to discuss here."

Aventurine glanced meaningfully at Himeko, who stood beside them with a calm expression, his smile once again tinged with ambiguity and mockery.

"Why don't we… find another place for a detailed discussion? Within a dream, perhaps, is more suitable for some… private exchanges."

He deliberately emphasized the word "private." "After all, some details of the transaction are probably not suitable for the Express's 'matriarch' to overhear, are they?"

Hearing this, Daziel's expression turned a little strange.

He had a faint feeling that whatever scheme Aventurine was cooking up, it was definitely nothing good, and the so-called "transaction" details were likely shady.

"No hurry, you can take your time to consider. It's not too late to recall me in your dreams."

At this point, Aventurine seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, right, The Reverie Hotel. Although it specializes in dream services, its real-world amenities are certainly not lacking. Perhaps… in that nightstand, you'll find something you'll need next."

Daziel subconsciously stood up and, puzzled, pulled open the nightstand drawer. He looked inside—and there lay a small bottle of translucent liquid labeled "Lubricant," with a few… foil-wrapped condoms conspicuously tucked beside it.

"Have a wonderful time, you two."

Aventurine winked, his tone full of mockery and teasing.

"I won't disturb your quality time any longer. See you later in the dream, Mr. Daziel!"

He casually picked up the two items and placed them on the low cabinet by the door, his face wearing that trademark, inscrutable smile. He turned and departed with a dashing air.

"Click."

The heavy room door closed, completely shutting out Aventurine's unsettling presence, yet leaving behind an even thicker, stickier ambiguous atmosphere, and an unsolved mystery.

The room instantly fell into a suffocating silence.

Daziel looked at the two particularly glaring items on the nightstand, his cheeks involuntarily burning. His perception of Aventurine instantly became more complicated and wary.

This guy is a walking trouble-maker and a total mood killer!

What exactly will the content of his proposed transaction be…?

"People from the Interastral Peace Corporation, from the tips of their hair to the tips of their toes, every pore oozes with blatant self-interest."

Himeko was the first to break the silence, her voice having completely regained its usual calmness and composure.

She slowly walked to Daziel's side, her ruby-like eyes as calm as still water, clearly reflecting his currently somewhat contemplative face.

"Aventurine's words cannot be fully trusted, but the information he revealed cannot be completely ignored either."

"Cooperating with the Corporation is tantamount to bargaining with a tiger; the risks are enormous. But until they've completely squeezed every last drop of your usefulness, at least, you're temporarily safe."

Himeko's analysis was sharp, calm, and objective, pointing out the practical pros and cons for Daziel, whose thoughts were in turmoil.

Daziel took a deep breath and nodded. He was about to say something when Himeko's next words stopped him short again.

"However…"

Himeko tilted her head slightly. Those ruby-like, translucent eyes once again locked firmly onto Daziel. Deep within them, besides the lingering trace of embarrassment from the earlier interruption, there was now an added… more distinct, more fervent anticipation.

The room's ambiguous lighting softly outlined her graceful silhouette. Her slightly disheveled hair and the still faintly visible mark from her shoulder strap silently spoke of the interrupted, titillatingly ambiguous moment from before.

"It seems… we still have some unfinished business to discuss?"

Her voice was not loud, even carrying a barely perceptible tremor, yet it drilled into Daziel's ears with absolute clarity, carrying an undeniable, heart-pounding heat.

The air seemed to solidify again, becoming viscous. An invisible ambiguity, like silently encroaching vines, once again tightly wound around Daziel's heart, which had only just begun to calm.

Facing Himeko's close-range questioning, feeling that unique, deadly attraction of a mature woman mixed with shyness and boldness, Daziel's heart, once again, hopelessly lost its original rhythm and began to pound wildly.

Since it's come to this, there seems to be nothing left to hesitate about…

Dragging this out any longer would be somewhat impolite.

…

The air in Hotel Reverie's suite, once filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that Himeko had prepared for the two of them as they talked, now thrummed with a different, rawer tension. Inside the open bathroom, the sound of the shower mixed with wet noises and ragged breathing was audible—they had decided to clean themselves under the spray to avoid dirtying the Dream Pool.

"Yes!~ Daziel, do you like them?" Himeko's ample, soft breasts filled Daziel's hands, the heat and stiff peaks of her nipples pressing against his fingers.

"They're perfect."

"Well… They're all yours today~ 💞" Himeko murmured, throwing herself into Daziel's arms, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

Daziel's lips explored hers with a tenderness that quickly ignited into hunger, and Himeko—the elegant navigator of the Astral Express—responded with a urgency that surprised even herself. Her hands, so often occupied with complex instruments and star charts, now traced the broad expanse of his back, pulling him closer.

"Daziel…" She moaned between kisses, his name a hot whisper against his mouth. He was younger, her "junior" in so many ways, but the admiration in his eyes stripped away any pretense of formality.

The touches deepened. Daziel's deft fingers continued kneading Himeko's full breasts and flawless, round ass, and she made no move to stop him. Instead, she encouraged him, her breath growing heavier. He watched her as if she were the rarest, most dazzling constellation he'd ever discovered.

Admiring the way her rosy, heavy breasts swayed with the slightest movement, Daziel held his breath. Himeko felt heat creeping up her neck, but a bold glint sparked in her brown eyes. She wanted this. After so many nights listening to muffled echoes of pleasure through the Express's corridors, her own body ached to be explored.

His hard cock rested against Himeko's stomach, nudging her belly as if begging for where it truly belonged.

With a sudden decision that made Daziel gasp, Himeko guided his hand to his own throbbing length beneath his pants. "Let me… take care of this first," she whispered, her voice rough in a way he'd never heard before. Her fingers, surprisingly skilled, wrapped around him, stroking in a slow, teasing rhythm as she watched his expression twist with pleasure. Her gaze held a mix of scientific curiosity and newly awakened desire.

Seeing the effect she had on him, Himeko smirked—a small, satisfied, almost mischievous smile. She lowered herself, pausing for a moment to admire the thick, erect shaft before her. Daziel shuddered as her warm breath ghosted over his tip.

Himeko didn't wait. She pressed her lips to the head of his cock, already glistening with precum, and despite her lack of real experience, her maturity and theoretical knowledge told her exactly what to do.

Daziel's legs trembled as Himeko kissed the tip lovingly, her pink tongue flicking playfully against his slit.

Soon, her wet tongue traced his length before she took half of him into her soft mouth.

She sucked with determination, trying to take more with each bob of her head, her movements passionate as she gazed up at him with lust-darkened eyes.

"Since you like them so much… how about this?~♡"

After teasing, she leaned further forward, and Daziel felt the heat and softness of her breasts pressing against his cock, beginning a slow, tantalizing titjob. He groaned loudly, his head falling back. The sensation was divine—Himeko using her curvaceous body to drive him to the edge of madness.

"Let's… move to the tub," she panted, her own body burning. "The Dream Pool is ready."

The ambient light of Hotel Reverie's suite, which Himeko had rented, illuminated the special tub dubbed the "Dream Pool"—designed to relax guests, making it easier to slip into dreams. The water lapped at their naked bodies as Daziel stepped in first, the heat enveloping him. Himeko hesitated for a moment, the image of the woman she'd always been—controlled, impeccable—warring with the woman she wanted to be right now.

Then, with the determination that defined her, she entered, the water rising past her thighs and stomach. Daziel reached for her, and she took his hand, settling into his lap, facing him. The contact of bare skin, the warm water surrounding them—it was electrifying.

He kissed her again, deep and hungry, as his hands explored her generous curves. Himeko guided his thick cock to her entrance, taking a sharp breath. "Be gentle… It's my first time."

"Whatever you want, my redhead," Daziel whispered, voice thick with emotion and need.

He pushed in slowly, and Himeko hissed—a brief sting of pain. She gripped his shoulders, face tense. Daziel stilled, kissing her cheeks, her red hair fanning across the water. "You okay?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "Just… keep going. Slowly."

He obeyed, and Himeko began to rock tentatively, testing the rhythm, her body learning this new language. The initial pain faded, replaced by a strange, throbbing sensation that soon melted into pleasure. With each movement, the friction built, and low moans spilled from her lips.

His thrusts grew more confident, his kisses messier, more desperate. His hands roamed her back, her waist, her full breasts floating in the water. Then, suddenly, he gripped her tightly and stood, lifting her with him. Now they fucked face-to-face, standing in the tub, water sloshing around their joined bodies. Himeko wrapped her legs around his waist, taking every inch of him. The angle was deeper, more. She arched her back, head thrown back, a scream tearing from her throat as her first orgasm hit like lightning—intense, overwhelming.

Without giving her time to recover, Daziel carried her, still trembling, out of the tub and pressed her against the cold marble sink. He entered her from behind, her hands splayed on the icy surface. His thrusts came fast and deep, only slowing to turn her face toward his for a feverish kiss, tasting her pleasure on his lips. Himeko could barely breathe before a second climax shattered her, even stronger than the first.

"Daziel!" she cried, legs buckling.

He caught her effortlessly, fucking her with relentless intensity as he held her. His gaze drank in her expression—her melted pleasure, her parted lips releasing rough moans, her half-lidded eyes. The sight of her, this beautiful redhead, her voluptuous body, her heavy breasts swaying, her soft, plump ass meeting every thrust—it was too much. He couldn't hold back. With a guttural roar, Daziel came deep inside her, his cock pulsing as he spilled his hot seed. At the same time, Himeko climaxed a third time, her body convulsing around him, filled with his warmth.

Exhausted, they slid to the bathroom floor, Daziel still inside her. They stayed there, panting, savoring the aftershocks.

Minutes later, catching her breath, Himeko looked at Daziel. A new fire burned in her eyes. Feminine pleasure, once a distant fantasy, was now a vivid reality. She leaned in, kissing him, tongues tangling as they remained intimately connected.

"I want more," she whispered, her voice dripping with a shamelessness that surprised even herself.

She shifted in his lap, turning with newfound agility to face away from him—reverse cowgirl. The sight of her deliciously round ass bouncing against his hips was hypnotic. Daziel groaned, hands gripping those soft cheeks.

Unable to resist, he surged up, still inside her, and gently pushed her forward, making her brace against the sink as he fucked her from behind with renewed vigor.

Himeko stared at her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back had disheveled red hair, flushed cheeks, swollen lips, and an openly lewd expression—almost depraved. She was being taken wildly from behind by Daziel. He was supposed to be her junior, someone she guided and protected. Yet here she was, surrendered, claimed. She couldn't judge herself. She'd always considered herself pure, but day after day of hearing pleasure-filled moans from nearly every room on the Astral Express had awakened long-repressed desires. She'd fantasized countless times about what it would be like to have sex with Daziel, but her composure and role had held her back.

Until today.

Today, she'd reached her limit. And now, she'd let all her pent-up desires be satisfied by him.

With that resolve, Himeko turned her head slightly, meeting Daziel's gaze in the mirror. "Fuck me harder, Daziel," she begged, voice rough with lust. "Like you want to own me."

Her words were fuel to Daziel's fire. He obeyed, pounding into her with even more passion, his thrusts brutal yet worshipful. He fisted her beautiful red hair, tilting her head back, her expression growing even more debauched.

Seeing she wanted more, he slid a hand to her throat, squeezing just enough to restrict her breathing—a light choke that made her gasp, a smirk spreading across her lips. She loved this controlled savagery.

Daziel understood. In one swift motion, he looped his free arm around her neck, locking her in a makeshift chokehold as he continued drilling into her from behind. The pressure on her throat, combined with the deep, rhythmic invasion, made Himeko even tighter, her senses exploding. She felt his cock throbbing inside her, each thrust striking the depths of her soul.

"Yes… ah… Daziel…!" she moaned, her voice muffled but brimming with ecstasy.

A few more brutal, rapid thrusts, and their world dissolved into white-hot light. Himeko screamed, a guttural cry of pure rapture, as her body was wracked by a devastating orgasm. Daziel roared with her, coming with such force it left him shaking, her inner walls milking him to the last drop.

Himeko's legs gave out completely. If not for Daziel's strong arms holding her firmly, she would've collapsed. He held her there for a moment, both panting, their sweat-slick bodies glued together, the scent of sex thick in the air.

When their breathing steadied and the aftershocks faded, Daziel—with surprising tenderness after their animalistic coupling—adjusted her in his arms. He lifted her in a princess carry, as if she were the most precious thing in the universe, and carried her back to the Dream Pool, sitting at the edge with Himeko nestled in his lap, the warm water soothing their feverish skin.

Himeko was still floating, recovering from the mind-shattering climax. Her head rested on Daziel's shoulder, eyes closed, a tired but satisfied smile on her lips. Daziel kissed her forehead softly, then her parted lips, again and again.

"You're so beautiful, Himeko," he whispered, voice rough with emotion. "So incredible."

She opened her eyes slowly, meeting his adoring gaze. A new warmth filled her—not just desire, but a deep connection. The woman who once hesitated, who buried her passions under layers of duty, now felt free.

And hungry.

Himeko shifted in his lap, a subtle movement that made Daziel suck in a breath. She felt him, still half-hard inside her, stirring back to life. A slow, sensual smile curved her lips.

"I think… we're not done yet," she murmured, her voice velvet with promise.

With renewed energy that surprised them both, Himeko rose over him, finding the perfect angle. She began to ride him—slowly at first, savoring every sensation. Her eyes locked onto his, a silent dance of desire and understanding. The Dream Pool's water rippled around them, steam rising, blurring the edges of the room, making everything feel even more intimate.

Every descent was a tease, every rise a promise. She rolled her hips, his tip brushing her sweet spot, drawing soft gasps from them both. The pain from before was a distant memory, replaced by a growing need, a delicious tingling spreading through her body.

Then, after seconds of this torturous pace, her rhythm changed. Himeko began slamming down harder, faster, as if possessed by urgency. Her moans grew louder, higher, mingling with his. She threw her head back, her damp red hair clinging to her back, her full breasts bouncing with each frantic movement.

"Fuck, Himeko… just like that—" Daziel groaned, hands gripping her waist, helping her move, matching her pace. He lifted her, meeting every powerful thrust, their slick skin making every touch even more intense.

It was a frenzied dance of pleasure. Their hips clashed with wet, obscene sounds, water splashing around them. Himeko rode him with abandon, deeper, harder, chasing that peak once more. Daziel matched her, driving upward, lost in the way she clenched around him, taking him like her life depended on it.

Moans became ragged cries, bodies tensing, hurtling toward the edge. Himeko felt the coil in her belly tighten, that familiar, delicious pressure. She locked her legs around him, trembling. Daziel felt his own release approaching, watching ecstasy twist her features.

"Come with me, Daziel!" she begged, voice raw.

And then—they shattered together. Himeko arched, a long, sharp cry tearing from her lips as waves of pleasure wracked her violently. Daziel roared, spilling inside her again, his body convulsing in sync with hers. For an eternal moment, the world stopped—nothing but the sound of their ragged breaths and the gentle lapping of water.

They collapsed against each other, Himeko falling onto Daziel's chest, utterly spent but grinning. The Dream Pool's agitated water cradled them like a warm embrace. Himeko's awakening to pleasure had been nothing short of spectacular. And judging by the satisfied look on Daziel's face—he wholeheartedly agreed.

…

Steam filled the air from the in-room Dream Pool, blurring their vision. The warm water gently enveloped every inch of skin, attempting to soothe nerves still tense from the earlier excitement. The water rippled slightly, reflecting the hazy, soft glow of the ceiling lights.

Beneath the surface, two figures embraced. The water within had quietly become somewhat murky, witnessing an unknown indulgence. Himeko was curled up, her lithe body leaning lazily against the smooth wall of the pool, her drenched red hair clinging to her snowy, delicate neck and rounded shoulders.

Glistening water droplets, unwilling to be ignored, trickled down her undulating, graceful curves, finally dripping into the water and creating circles of ripples. A faint, alluring blush remained on her exquisite face, her eyes hazy and watery, carrying a languid satisfaction. Her chest heaved gently, her breathing not yet fully calmed.

Daziel was the same, sitting close beside her, his gaze fixed on the rippling water, his mind filled with myriad thoughts. The scorching aftermath of their intense entanglement and unreserved indulgence moments ago seemed to linger in the humid air, tantalizing every nerve.

"It's… about time…" Himeko's rosy lips parted slightly, her voice husky and languid with satiation. "We should enter the dream, Daziel."

Daziel nodded silently, his Adam's apple bobbing, but said nothing.

Himeko, however, snuggled closer on her own initiative, her soft head naturally resting on Daziel's broad shoulder, her slender arms, still warm, gently wrapping around his waist. Her warm breath brushed his neck, bringing a slight tickle.

"What a pity…" Himeko sighed softly, a hint of almost imperceptible wistfulness in her voice. "Only here, at times like this, can I hold you so unreservedly, to slightly alleviate that indescribable emptiness and… find solace."

"Once we're back on the Express, I'll have to put on the facade of the impeccable navigator, the ever-reliable 'matriarch' again."

A stir in Daziel's heart. He instinctively pulled her soft, smooth body closer into his embrace, feeling that breathtaking touch and that brief yet real sense of attachment. He pondered for a moment, then responded in a low voice, "If… Himeko, if you still need it… you can always send me a private message. We can find another place…"

Himeko, however, gently shook her head, nuzzling against him in his embrace, her tone tinged with self-deprecation and clarity. "No need. This sort of thing, just once in a while, indulging in this special atmosphere, is enough…"

She paused, her voice even lower, "Any more… and it would just make me seem like I don't know when to stop, just asking for trouble."

Daziel sensed the complex emotions in her words and didn't insist further. The two embraced quietly in the warm water, feeling each other's body heat and heartbeats, slowly closing their eyes, adjusting the rhythm of their breathing.

In their ears, the hotel system's meticulously designed female voice-over, so gentle it seemed it could drip water, sounded at the right moment, like the most effective lullaby, guiding their consciousness.

"Please relax your body and mind, feel every subtle rise and fall of your body…"

"Please focus on your breathing, imagine a paradise that belongs only to you…"

"Imagine… that land of dreams you long for."

Under the gentle guidance of the sweet voice, Daziel's thoughts seemed to merge with the steam filling the room, flowing slowly, gradually transcending the constraints of reality, and sinking towards the dreamscape meticulously constructed by Memoria.

Daziel's consciousness felt like it was plunging into an infinite deep sea; a complete sense of weightlessness enveloped every cell in his body.

It felt as if he had trekked arduously through endless darkness for a long time, or as if he had penetrated layer after layer of invisible yet resilient thin membranes.

Finally, the view before him suddenly opened up, and light pierced through the darkness.

Daziel came to his senses and found himself standing at the beginning of a corridor so long it seemed endless. The corridor was dimly lit.

The walls on both sides were adorned with blurry murals, their content grotesque and bizarre, exuding an indescribable weirdness.

Not far away, a young bellboy in a standard hotel uniform, with strikingly conspicuous short blue hair, stood quietly before an ornate door carved with intricate patterns, seemingly waiting specifically for someone.

Daziel's eyes narrowed slightly. He instantly recognized the other person—it was Mikhail's avatar in this dreamscape, Misha.

Although Misha, at this moment, looked no different from an ordinary, even somewhat timid hotel attendant.

Upon seeing Daziel, Misha's face immediately broke into a shy yet friendly smile, and he took the initiative to approach.

"Welcome to the Corridor of Memories! Honored guest, you can understand this place as the entry passage into Penacony's dreamscape, and my duty is to provide necessary guidance to distinguished guests like yourself."

Daziel forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart caused by knowing the other's true identity. His face remained impassive as he simply nodded and got straight to the point.

"I need to go to the Golden Hour. Please tell me which way I should go."

"No trouble at all! Not at all!"

Misha quickly waved his hands vigorously, his smile appearing exceptionally pure and innocent.

"You just need to bravely pass through that ornate door over there, and you will smoothly arrive at the dazzling Golden Hour—Misha sincerely wishes you an unforgettable and wonderful dream experience in Penacony!"

Daziel said no more. He gave Misha a deep look, then strode towards the door that emanated a strange luster.

The moment he passed through the doorway, a peculiar sensation of breaking through an invisible boundary swept over his entire body.

In the next second, an overwhelmingly dazzling light, deafeningly loud music, a cacophony of dense human voices, and air mixed with countless cloyingly sweet fragrances…

Like a burst dam, it instantly engulfed and submerged Daziel completely!

A brief sensation of weightlessness and intense dizziness struck him abruptly.

In the original plot, the protagonist lost their balance and fell headfirst to the ground, and was coincidentally seen by Robin and Sunday…

Daziel, who was mentally prepared, naturally wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.

Daziel subconsciously steadied himself, channeling the power within his body, quickly adapting to this bizarre, reality-defying dreamscape.

Before him unfolded a street shimmering with vibrant colors that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Bizarrely shaped buildings that defied logic soared into the sky, piercing the heavens.

On the road, huge, walking billboards tirelessly ran around, loudly reciting their respective advertising slogans in exaggerated tones, their voices rising and falling.

Countless people dressed in glamorous attire, their faces bearing unchanging, radiant smiles, moved like a tide through the streets. The entire world was immersed in a never-ending, almost frenetic carnival feast.

Undoubtedly, this was one of Penacony's twelve dreamscapes—the Golden Hour.

Daziel skillfully opened the Express crew's internal communication chat interface, his fingertips quickly scrolling through the constantly appearing new messages.

As he had expected, after entering the dreamscape, everyone had indeed been randomly teleported to different areas, separated from each other.

Welt Yang, Himeko, March 7th… their messages came in one after another.

It seemed they were all relatively safe for the time being and hadn't encountered any particularly troublesome issues. Instead, they seemed genuinely captivated by the dream's splendor and had each begun to enjoy a rare "vacation."

Daziel sent a few simple replies, assuring everyone he was fine, and then closed the communication interface.

That cunning gambler, Aventurine, hadn't appeared immediately. There was no telling what tricks he had up his sleeve.

Since that's the case, an idea struck Daziel, why not first go find that Akivili Dream Bubble Himeko mentioned earlier, the one that might hold crucial clues?

Daziel called up the dreamscape's built-in map navigation system. With a slight mental nudge, he quickly pinpointed the exact location of the "Dream Emporium."

He passed through several bustling streets teeming with people, turned a brightly lit, almost garish street corner covered in flashing neon signs, and finally found his destination.

The shop's sign wasn't particularly large or eye-catching, but beneath the sign bearing the shop's name hung an enormous, slowly rotating eye pattern, which was exceptionally attention-grabbing, even exuding an indescribable sense of eeriness and prying.

That must be the symbol of that mysterious shopkeeper, "Dr. Edward."

Daziel stood at the shop entrance, took a deep breath of the air mixed with sweet fragrances and some strange energy, composed himself, and reached out to push open the seemingly ordinary shop door.

The lighting inside the shop was much dimmer than the street outside. Countless tiny, shimmering specks of light, like fireflies on a summer night, floated in the air.

All sorts of bizarrely shaped containers of unknown materials were densely arranged on towering shelves all around. Through the translucent walls of the containers, one could vaguely see many colorful, peculiar objects resembling soap bubbles floating inside.

A strange entity with no physical form, only an enormous eye seemingly made of pure light, floated in mid-air. It slowly turned its "gaze" to focus on Daziel.

"Welcome to the Dream Emporium, Mr. Daziel, Trailblazer from the Astral Express."

The giant eye emitted a specially processed, slightly flat, mechanical synthesized voice, directly revealing Daziel's identity.

A slight chill ran through Daziel. This fellow is indeed as reputed, able to directly read a visitor's basic information, even analyze their intentions and some of their thoughts.

Knowing my name and origin is within expectations.

Perhaps…

Even the secrets I've deliberately hidden are laid bare before this entity…

This feeling of being seen through at a glance, with no privacy whatsoever, was truly unpleasant.

But Daziel also understood that for a non-human entity like Dr. Edward, which transcended conventional life forms, so-called "privacy" was perhaps merely a stream of data to be analyzed and processed. It probably had no interest in casually divulging others' secrets.

"Mr. Daziel, you can experience all sorts of novel and interesting dream experiences in our shop—from commercial blockbusters meticulously produced by Clockie Studios to private, hidden memories donated by anonymous individuals, we have everything here, all-encompassing!"

Dr. Edward, with its emotionless synthesized voice, diligently promoted its "products."

Daziel, however, couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush with it. He directly raised his hand to interrupt its sales pitch, his tone calm. "Spare me the pleasantries, Dr. Edward."

His gaze was fixed on the giant eye, unflinchingly declaring, "You should know what I want…"

"…That Dream Bubble concerning Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze."