At those words, Stelle's eyebrow shot up. She was just short a tour guide.
"No performances today, and guide work isn't constant… Most visitors here are top-tier VIPs with their own escorts."
"Sigh~ Even the Planet of the Festivities is pretty realistic…"
"No, no!" Firefly waved her hands. "Penacony is where dreams converge—the grand banquet never ends! It's just… with the festival approaching, the pressure's a bit high…"
"Are you a Family member too?"
"Me? No, not yet… I'm just working for them…"
As she spoke, Stelle noticed Firefly lower her lashes and glance around, especially at the noisy crowds, as if something was hiding among them.
But soon, Firefly composed herself and turned her gaze back.
Everyone in Penacony was an anti-surveillance master. Stelle, armed with divine artifacts, wasn't intimidated—getting a local scoop wasn't a bad idea.
"…Anyway! Let me show you around town… let's go!"
For most people's first stop after entering the dream, it had to be [Oti Mall]. The Dreamscape Vendor there was famous.
Just minutes ago, Stelle had experienced a unique dream bubble. She'd save the Nameless one for later.
Beyond that, luxury goods, clothing, trendy toys, even car dealerships—if your [Alfalfa Credits] were enough, you could buy anything.
These items circulated in the dream and could be [taken back] to reality with extra services. Find a certain mysterious milk-tea-drinking man, and even your dream car might appear in the real world.
...
Oti Mall… nearby plaza. Sparkle knew she'd get no fun from Adrian, so she bounced away.
Masked Fools came for fun—becoming the fun wasn't enjoyable.
After sending off the Masked Fool, Adrian watched Acheron—who hadn't gone far—return to the milk tea shop.
No reason for that. Had HIS [Eternity] blessing expired? Lost again?
Whatever. When fate sends a guest, settle them in. In these few minutes, he'd teach Acheron how to become an excellent milk tea shop employee.
"Perfect timing. Since fate brought you back, let's make the most of it and discuss how a [Nihility] self-annihilator… can quickly transition into an outstanding milk tea shop worker?"
...
Minutes later, Stelle and Firefly stepped into the open-air plaza outside Oti Mall. Dazzling dream lights outlined elegant architecture.
Their gazes landed almost simultaneously on a brand-new milk tea shop.
"Weird… when did this open…"
Firefly tilted her head, clear eyes filled with genuine confusion. She'd scouted the area yesterday—no sign of this shop.
"Hiss… For some reason, this milk tea shop feels so familiar."
Recalling the rundown decor of that Luofu milk tea shop versus this vibrant one—she couldn't connect them.
Better cut back on Adrian's milk tea. It was giving her hallucinations.
"The name's quirky too. Elation Milk Tea Shop?"
"Excuse me, do you sell Penacony specialties? Like Clockwork Pizza, Oak Cake Rolls, Alfalfa Salad?"
Acheron shook her head and handed Firefly a menu. She was only helping Adrian sell milk tea—everything else was uncertain.
"Hmm… Pick anything, my treat!"
Firefly pulled out twenty thousand credits, only to catch Stelle's pitying glance.
Just twenty thousand? This girl's daily life must be tough—every credit spent bled her heart. Could Stelle really make such a cute girl blow a whole day's budget?!
Stelle scanned the menu: eight flavors of Dream Cones, Oak Cake Rolls, Clockwork Pizza, and… Aeon (scratched out) Penacony Wonder Toys?
Something was off. Wasn't this a milk tea shop? Where were the milk tea drinks?
"Ahem! Then… two Oak Cake Rolls?"
...
Leaving the milk tea shop, Firefly led Stelle to the next must-see Penacony spot.
"A milk tea shop that doesn't sell milk tea? What kind of false advertising scam is this? If I find out who the owner is, they're in for it."
Stelle popped a bite of cake roll into her mouth. Taste was meh, but it had a weird milk tea flavor.
"Look, this statue is Penacony's famous cartoon character—[Clockie]!"
"From Penacony's longest-running, most iconic animated series—about Clockie and his friends adventuring in Dreamville. Over ten thousand episodes and counting!"
Stelle offered her critique: "Very abstract clock."
"Uh… maybe the art style's retro. But did you know? Clockie's prototype is supposedly the legendary [Clockmaker]!"
Stelle snapped out of critiquing the milk-tea-flavored cake roll. Firefly just dropped something important—listen up!
Firefly was about to continue when a sudden voice interrupted.
"Ahem… Dear audience friends, hello! How's everyone enjoying [The Golden Hour]?"
Stelle twitched her ears. That voice sounded way too familiar…
Following the sound, Stelle and Firefly spotted the familiar face.
On stage, Adrian cleared his throat, grabbed a megaphone, and addressed the crowd.
"Now… I reveal a secret! [Order]'s Ena wasn't actually assimilated by [Harmony] Xipe—THEY fell dormant after the Swarm Disaster."
"So, Pathstriders of [Order], rejoice freely!"
"But that's not the point! Open your eyes wide—THE [Order] Aeon stands before you, delivering a grand speech!"
"However, having just awakened, I'm still a bit lost about the universe's affairs, so I urgently need credits!"
"For every ten thousand credits donated here, you'll help me counter-kill [Harmony] Xipe. Success means you become the new [Order] Emanators!"
Below the stage, Stelle's brain lagged for seconds, trying to process if this was performance art, a new scam, or Aeon-level humor beyond her comprehension.
"Uh… This gentleman's marketing is quite novel. A bit exaggerated."
Firefly stayed calmer, leaning close to Stelle's ear in a whisper only they could hear.
She'd heard from Silver Wolf about this guy Adrian. Silver Wolf warned: don't be fooled by his Nameless status—he's actually an [Eternity] Emanator!
Just like Freesna! Her Entropy Loss Syndrome was cured thanks to his… uh, one bottle of milk tea.
Stelle recovered and instantly opened her phone camera, snapping a photo to send Adrian.
[Stelle: [image.jpg]]
[Stelle: What live are you pulling now? Is this actually you?]
Almost the instant she sent it—
[System: Message failed to send]