Episode 8
[Maybe it’s faster if I check the people around him?]
The problem was who exactly is around Luminis? Even if I try the nearby doors, this one is too far apart.
‘Too bad there’s no GPS function.’
I looked at the nameplate above the brightly shining door and let out a small sigh.
The plate read 「Luminis」, beautifully engraved.
I was going to make one myself if it didn’t exist, but it made itself perfectly. Well, he already recognized his name, so maybe that was natural.
On the other hand, this also meant no one had ever really called him by his name until now.
[The world is going crazy…]
End times. Everything should just collapse.
But I didn’t say it out loud. Usually, whenever I said stuff like that, it was me who got into trouble.
Luminis’ matter was personal anyway. Now, it was time to focus on real “work.”
I had strayed for a bit, but today’s goal was Patrick Johnson.
I’d spent more time talking to Luminis than expected, so I needed to hurry. Otherwise, Tina might wake me up.
[Ah, I forgot to ask if it’s okay to change the scenery.]
I got used to the dark being around me. Next time, I’ll ask first before changing the scenery.
After making this small promise to myself, I threw the paper plane with Patrick Johnson’s name on it once again.
It wobbled a little, then flew steadily.
Looks like he’s still asleep. I was worried he might wake up early like that giant last time.
After some time, the paper plane reached a door and dropped. I checked the nameplate and cleared my throat a few times.
I thought it would be as bright as his father’s door, but it wasn’t.
The giant had been gone for months, and news about the treasure map hadn’t appeared, so this was expected.
I took a few steady breaths and opened Patrick Johnson’s door without hesitation.
What unfolded was a completely different scene from Luminis’ dream, a decadent and indulgent chaos.
In short, it was a mess.
[What are you doing! Without more drinks and meat!]
Patrick Johnson shouted, heavily drunk. He didn’t even notice someone had entered his dream.
…That was kind of funny. Not noticing someone in your dream.
Anyway.
I quickly gathered myself and snapped my fingers.
Patrick’s dream shook violently, and my pajamas changed instantly.
Of course, I now looked like Patrick Johnson’s father, the giant Lorain Johnson.
The background was fancy too, so a little halo effect made it perfect.
I surrounded myself with light and shouted:
[Nay-nooom! Nooom Nooom Nooom―]
The echo and power were perfect. Patrick froze, looking around in panic.
[What! Who… ah, Father?]
[Even here, lost in indulgence, and you didn’t notice your father!]
[Y-Yes… it really is Father…]
I shouted again. Patrick stepped back, looking for a place to hide.
Everyone else around him had already vanished.
I had just improvised, but judging by his reaction, Patrick seemed used to hearing this from his father.
Welcome to hyper-realistic dreams. First time, huh?
I continued scolding him, keeping up the momentum.
[Do you expect me to watch your pathetic behavior even after death?!]
[S-Sorry, Father!]
[Even the inheritance I left is being wasted, tsk!]
[That…]
Patrick couldn’t speak, just bowed his head. Wait… this was just a joke, but he lived like this?
Even if Lorain came in now, Patrick couldn’t argue. Maybe he’d even be grateful to me?
…No. Lorain would grab me and ask why I leaked the treasure map info.
[We’re just trying to make a living, so cut him some slack.]
[Eh? I didn’t hear you right…?]
[What?]
[Ah, nothing!]
I raised an eyebrow slightly. Patrick panicked and dropped to the floor.
I didn’t mean to scare him this much, but a little guilt crept in.
Now, time to get to the point.
[You’ve already seen my will, right?]
[Y-Yes.]
[But there’s still no news, so this is my last masterpiece yet to be revealed.]
Lorain left instructions for anyone qualified to access the treasure map.
I thought by now, someone would have started decoding it. But thinking back, I wondered:
‘It’s been months since his death. Why no word about the will?’
…Maybe he didn’t reveal it?
Yes. That had to be it. Otherwise, Patrick wouldn’t look so guilty.
[That… giving the family inheritance to someone else…]
[If you don’t want it stolen, then decode it and claim it yourself!]
[I-I am trying my best!]
Patrick lifted his face, looking frustrated for a moment, then dropped it again as soon as our eyes met.
Honestly, I understood his wish not to give the inheritance to anyone.
He had to keep the treasure map secret, so he could only decode it himself.
But seeing him flounder in indulgence, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Lorain, who raised him.
Partly, it was Lorain’s fault.
If he wanted people to know, he should have announced it before dying—through newspapers, magazines, or even someone else.
He never imagined Patrick would just bury it all.
[Son, son, son…]
Whatever. My goal was still the same.
I called Patrick in a gentler voice. He carefully looked up at me.
I smiled faintly.
[He never smiled at me like this when alive.]
I straightened my face and said firmly:
[Listen and remember what I say. It will help you decode the map.]
Don’t forget. I could come back to remind him, but it’s annoying and uncool.
Patrick looked noticeably bright, then tilted his head like something was off.
[But, Father…]
[Yes?]
[If you’re helping me, why not just tell me the treasure’s location?]
This kid has no shame. Does he think he can get it easily?
I gave him a cold, serious look. He swallowed and lowered his gaze.
I smiled secretly when he wasn’t looking.
If I needed money, I might have told him. But now… I wasn’t in a rush.
Plus, if he’s like this, he might try to sneak into the mine and take it.
That can’t happen.
[Time is short. Let’s start.]
I had more dreams to visit, so it had to be quick.
Don’t worry, Lorain. I won’t let one person monopolize this mine—or the treasure.
The more competition, the better. More bidders mean more money for me.
That’s a win-win for everyone.
Even if we never see the treasure, oh well. Believing in dreams was a mistake.
If you’re unhappy, come find me in a dream!
As soon as I left this last dream, I collapsed like my soul had been wrung out.
[Wow, I’m dead.]
It wasn’t my body, it was my mind.
How can someone forget so much? Even when fed, he couldn’t remember.
‘I almost swore at him.’
I spent all my energy coaxing, scolding, and teaching Patrick to decode the map.
[Okay, this is a familiar type of code. What word does it translate to?]
[T-This code came before?]
[Test, you idiot. This is the tenth time!]
I didn’t want to belittle him, but there’s no way he could solve it alone.
If he failed, the treasure might have been lost forever. Lorain would have hit the floor in the afterlife.
After that, I visited other dreams randomly and dropped hints: “The Johnson heir has the treasure map.”
Luckily, no one woke up mid-dream.
[But something feels strange.]
