Reflection

After brushing past Catherine, William paused briefly at the next corner, folding his arms as he recalled what had just happened.

The Nightmare aura released by Catherine had undergone a qualitative increase. Even merely passing by her had left quite a few Nightmare Factors clinging to William's body... If he did nothing about them, he would definitely have a terrifying nightmare tonight.

"Catherine's rate of growth during this period is probably even faster than mine, but the method she's using to grow is 'malignant.'

But that can't be avoided. From the moment she entered the circus and became the Sub-Clown, she was destined to be unable to escape this malignancy. After all, as long as Art remained alive and wasn't expelled, he would always be her superior.

It's the same as my relationship with Nash. We inevitably come into contact during the preparation, rehearsal, and Formal Performance of every show. Moreover, Art occupies the dominant position, so she's constantly shrouded in malignancy.

It's only because of Mr. Gian's intervention that she found a point of balance and didn't fall completely into it.

But my arrival seems to have ruined that balance...

The only relatively good thing now is that no matter how Catherine develops her malignancy, it will always be centered on her own nightmares. Her dreams and octopus structure remain her core.

Her bodily structure hasn't changed to resemble Art's, nor has she absorbed his Malignant Tumor.

The main thing affected should be her Inner Heart—or rather, she deliberately allowed her Inner Heart to fall into it.

It seems I'm really not very good at handling interpersonal relationships. I still haven't figured out how to reconcile with Lorien, and now there's a problem with Catherine too.

I'll think of a way to resolve it slowly. Catherine's past experiences are