Pritt Kingdom, Upper District of Igwynt.
Early in the morning, in an apartment on Southern Sunflower Street, Gregor slowly wakes from his sleep. Sitting up in bed, he looks at his hands, recalling the events of last night’s dream.
“Thanks to Mr. James and the others, my spirituality increased quite a bit last night. If I keep this up, it won’t be long before I accumulate enough spirituality for advancement.”
Gregor thinks to himself. Over the past two months, he has been venturing into the Dreamscape every night to hunt Dreamscape creatures and absorb their spirituality in preparation for his advancement.
At first, when he was alone, he could only catch small creatures like rabbits and mice, and the rate of spirituality accumulation was painfully slow. However, after his colleagues started helping him, they were able to hunt larger Dreamscape creatures together, significantly speeding up the process.
“I need to keep pushing forward... The sooner I accumulate enough spirituality, the sooner I can go to headquarters for my advancement... and the sooner I can see Dorothy again. I can’t help but worry about her being alone in Tivian…”
With these thoughts, Gregor gets out of bed, changes his clothes, and heads to the living room. After washing up in the bathroom, he brings in the breakfast prepared downstairs and places it on the coffee table before starting to eat alone.
As he eats his sandwich and grilled sausages, Gregor glances around the spacious living room, his eyes landing on a closed door on the wall—the room that once belonged to Dorothy.
“It’s been just me lately…”
Gregor thinks to himself, feeling a pang of loneliness as he looks at the empty room. He recalls the days when he and his sister used to have breakfast together. The apartment, rented with the assumption of two people living there, now feels too large and empty with just him.Gregor eats his breakfast leisurely, feeling relaxed. With the backlog of work at the bureau gradually cleared and no major incidents occurring recently—especially after the Eucharist, the source of turmoil in Igwynt’s mysticism world, was destroyed—Gregor has been living a relatively stress-free life.
Gregor hasn’t worked overtime for three weeks now, and even during work hours, there’s not much to do. Compared to the days of endless overtime, this newfound ease feels almost unfamiliar.
“When Dorothy was here, there was always so much work, and I barely had time to spend with her. Now that things have calmed down, she’s gone. What a shame.”
With this thought, Gregor finishes his breakfast, tidies up, and leaves his apartment. He walks down the stairs and heads to work as usual.
Soon, Gregor arrives at the Cypress Fir Tower. Entering the lobby, he approaches the front desk and greets Ada.
"Hey, Miss Ada, good morning."
"Oh... Good morning, Gregor. By the way, James wants to see you. Head to his office after you go downstairs," the elderly Ada says as she hands Gregor his keys. Gregor takes them, looking puzzled.
"Mr. James? What does he want to talk to me about?"
"I’m not sure. Maybe it’s about your advancement. You’ll find out when you get there."
"Alright, thanks, Mrs. Ada."
With that, Gregor takes the keys and heads off, entering the Igwynt Serenity Bureau through a hidden door beneath the building.
Once inside, Gregor greets a few colleagues before making his way to James’ office. As he passes James’ old large office, he waves at the vine-like plant swaying behind the glass window, and the plant rustles its leaves in response.
Arriving at James’ office, Gregor straightens his collar and gently knocks on the door. After hearing a response, he enters, closes the door behind him, and addresses James, who is sitting behind his desk.
"Mr. James, you wanted to see me?"
"It’s about your advancement. Have a seat," James replies. Following James’ instructions, Gregor sits down across from him. James looks at Gregor and asks.
"Gregor, how’s your spirituality accumulation coming along?"
"Not counting the auxiliary spirituality the headquarters will provide, my main spirituality, Shadow, is about halfway there. The Dreamscape boar we hunted last night gave quite a bit of spirituality. If we can hunt four or five more like that, I think my Shadow will be fully accumulated.
"If I had known I’d get an advancement opportunity this soon, I would’ve focused on accumulating spirituality earlier. Things would’ve been easier now."
Gregor responds. He became the captain of the Igwynt Hunter Squad and an Apprentice-rank Beyonder just a year ago. At such a young age and with limited experience, it’s theoretically impossible for him to have a chance to advance to Black Earth rank so soon. In the Pritt Serenity Bureau system, Black Earth rank is enough to become the head of a regular city’s bureau. There are many Apprentice-rank captains in their forties or fifties who have been working for decades without getting a chance to advance.
So, when Gregor first became an Apprentice, he didn’t even consider the possibility of advancing further. In his mind, he would need at least ten years of experience and some achievements to even have a chance. That’s why he didn’t focus much on accumulating spirituality. But who could’ve predicted that an opportunity would fall into his lap after just a year? This was something Gregor never expected.
Because he hadn’t been focused on accumulating spirituality, he now finds himself short on it despite having an advancement opportunity. Although, with the help of the bureau director and his colleagues, his spirituality has been accumulating quickly over the past two months—especially after last night’s group hunt of a fairly strong Dreamscape creature—he’s still far from having enough.
"Hmm... It’s indeed difficult to accumulate so much spirituality in such a short time. When I got my advancement opportunity, I also didn’t have enough spirituality. It took me half a year of seeking help from various sources to accumulate enough.”
"Large Dreamscape creatures aren’t easy to find. A boar like the one we hunted last night isn’t something you come across every day. Most of our bureau members aren’t active in the Dreamscape and aren’t familiar with its conditions. Finding such creatures again will likely be difficult."
James says to Gregor, who frowns upon hearing this.
"That’s true... Dreamscape creatures suitable for our hunts are rare... Some are too strong for us to handle, while others are too weak to be worth the effort. Accumulating spirituality in the Dreamscape is indeed troublesome. I wonder how long it’ll take to gather enough."
Gregor says with a hint of worry. Then, James speaks again.
"You don’t need to worry too much. I can tell you that the Tivian Headquarters has a dedicated Dreamscape Hunting Team. They’re familiar with the Dreamscape and are highly skilled at tracking and hunting Dreamscape creatures. The team was specifically formed to help gather spirituality. Newcomers with advancement needs can join them on hunts. With their expertise, the rate of spirituality accumulation is much faster than if we were to do it ourselves."
"A Dreamscape Hunting Team? Headquarters has something like that?" Gregor asks curiously, and James responds with a hint of surprise.
"Yes. Since most of our bureau’s Beyonders are Shadow-path Beyonders, having a dedicated hunting team in the Dreamscape is essential.
"Often, members of the hunting team are sent out to guide individuals from various branches who have advancement opportunities, helping them accumulate spirituality. And right now, I happen to have such an opportunity for you."
As he speaks, James looks at Gregor more seriously and continues.
"Gregor, I’ve already applied for you to join the hunting team for a week of Dreamscape hunts to accumulate spirituality. The request has been approved. Starting next week, you’ll be able to join the headquarters’ hunting team in the Dreamscape. If you’re lucky, you might accumulate a significant amount of spirituality in just a week."
James says slowly. Hearing this, Gregor’s eyes light up, and he immediately responds with excitement.
"Really? That’s amazing! Thank you so much, Mr. James. I don’t know how to repay you for your guidance and support!"
Gregor says with genuine gratitude. James has been a great mentor to him, not only reporting his achievements to headquarters but also securing this opportunity for him. Gregor is deeply grateful.
"No need for thanks. It’s my duty to identify and nurture talented individuals for the bureau..." James says as he pulls out a Dream Anchor Sigil from his drawer and hands it to Gregor.
"This is the Dreamscape coordinates for the next gathering of the hunting team, as well as the starting point for their next hunt. The gathering time is tonight at exactly 10 PM. The passphrase is ‘Frontier.’ The hunting team members from headquarters will lead the qualified individuals from various branches on the hunt. Make sure to perform well—the better you do, the more spirituality you’ll gain. Don’t embarrass Igwynt."
James says straightforwardly. After listening, Gregor takes the sigil, nods seriously, and responds.
"Understood, Mr. James!"
…
Time flies, and the sun quickly sets below the horizon. Soon, day turns to night.
After finishing work, Gregor, who hasn’t been working overtime lately, heads home early. After a quick meal at a nearby restaurant, he returns to Southern Sunflower Street and enters his apartment building.
Back home, Gregor takes a shower, makes himself a cup of black tea, and relaxes on the sofa, reading a novel he bought from the bookstore. During the busy period, he would come home and collapse into bed, with no time for such leisurely activities.
Gregor reads until around 9:30 PM. Checking the clock on the wall, he stretches, puts the novel away, changes into his pajamas, and prepares to sleep.
Lying in bed, Gregor places the Dream Anchor Sigil James gave him on his forehead. After activating it, the sigil burns away, and he covers himself with the blanket, closes his eyes, and quickly falls asleep using the Dream Entry technique.
In his dream, Gregor wakes up in his dream room. After reciting the incantation he learned at the bureau, his body rapidly transforms, and in a flash of light, he becomes a black hunting dog.
In his Black Hound form, Gregor barks loudly into the air, opening a portal to the Dreamscape. Passing through the portal, he arrives in the Dreamscape Forest, standing on his Dream Cocoon. In front of him is another portal, opened by the Dream Anchor Sigil he used earlier.
Without hesitation, Gregor, in his Black Hound form, leaps into the portal. After a dazzling flash of light, his paws touch solid ground, and he finds himself in a new location.
This place is still part of the Dreamscape Forest, on a vibrant grassy field beneath towering trees. As soon as he arrives, Gregor is greeted by a large number of black hounds, just like himself.
There are about a dozen black hounds sitting on the grass, resting. When Gregor arrives, some of them turn their gaze toward him. Their expressions vary—some are wary, others curious. Gregor, too, looks around with curiosity.
“So many black hounds... Are these all individuals from various branches of the Serenity Bureau with advancement opportunities? There are quite a few…”
As Gregor observes the scene, a sudden gust of wind catches his attention. Looking up, he sees a black figure rapidly descending toward him. Gregor tenses, but upon closer inspection, he realizes it’s a black hound with wings.
This hound’s form is similar to Gregor’s, but its size is nearly twice as large, making it look more menacing. On its back are a pair of large, bat-like wings.
"Which branch are you from? What’s your name? Who recommended you? What’s the passphrase for this hunt?"
The winged hound asks sternly. Gregor is momentarily taken aback by the imposing presence but quickly responds.
"I’m Gregorius Mayschoss from the Igwynt Branch. Our bureau director, James, recommended me. The passphrase is ‘Frontier.’"
"Igwynt? Hmph... That’s quite far. My name is Frandi, from the Tivian Headquarters. I’m the captain of this group hunt. From now on, follow my orders. Don’t try to act on your own, unless you want to be torn apart.”
"Now, go rest over there. The hunt will start soon, kid from Igwynt."
The winged hound, Frandi, commands. After confirming Gregor’s identity, he flaps his wings and flies up to perch on a tree branch, keeping watch over the gathering spot.
Watching Frandi fly away, Gregor pauses for a moment, then walks over to the grass and lies down to rest. He glances at the other black hounds around him, then looks up at the proud figure on the tree branch.
"So this is what people from headquarters are like? Hmph... Quite full of themselves..."
"Yeah, they’re full of themselves. It’s a bit annoying, but annoying or not, don’t disobey his orders. It could be dangerous."
A voice comes from beside Gregor. Turning his head, he sees another black hound calmly looking at him.
"And you are..."
"Thomas from the North Calde Branch. Nice to meet you~" the hound says, and Gregor quickly responds.
"Nice to meet you too. I’m Gregor from Igwynt."
"Oh, Igwynt? I’ve heard the red leaf wine there is quite good. I might buy a couple of bottles someday."
"Red leaf wine? Haha... Go ahead and buy as much as you want. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed," Gregor says, making small talk with the unfamiliar hound before steering the conversation back.
"By the way, you said disobeying Frandi would be dangerous? Do you mean he’d punish those who don’t follow his orders?" Gregor asks Thomas. Frandi’s threatening tone during their earlier interaction left a bad impression on him.
"Punish? Yes, if you make him angry, he’ll definitely do that. But it’s justified. Not only is he the most advanced among us in terms of Mimicry, but he’s also the most experienced in hunting in the Dreamscape Forest. The forest is full of dangers, especially in this area. If you don’t want your Mimicry destroyed, lose your spirituality, and end up bedridden for over a month, it’s best not to defy him."
Thomas continues, and Gregor asks with even more curiosity.
"Is this area of the forest particularly dangerous?"
"Of course it’s dangerous. Why do you think so many of us are here? It’s because there are a lot of Dreamscape creatures here. With danger comes opportunity," Thomas replies, and Gregor nods.
"I see... So the Dreamscape creatures here must be quite strong..."
Hearing Gregor’s words, Thomas pauses, glances around, and then whispers to Gregor.
"It’s not just that the Dreamscape creatures here are strong. There’s also an unknown danger in this area."
"An unknown danger?" Gregor asks, puzzled, and Thomas continues mysteriously.
"Yeah, let me tell you, this area is quite peculiar. It’s said that in the past, there weren’t so many Dreamscape creatures gathered here. The number of creatures here suddenly surged a few months ago."
"Suddenly surged... Why is that?"
"The exact reason isn’t clear yet, but according to some guys working at headquarters, the sudden increase in Dreamscape creatures here is likely due to them being driven here..."
"Driven here?"
"Yes. Some have noticed that many of the Dreamscape creatures here migrated from the same direction in large numbers. It seems they were fleeing out of fear, trying to escape something."