Hobart struggled to grab the black cane, but the ropes bound him tightly. No matter how hard he tried, he was always just a little short of reaching it.
The steam train drew closer and closer, and it was actually still accelerating. In another two or three seconds, it might crash into him.
Hobart forced himself to calm down and tried to materialize the Living Corpse Soup Spoon. This Mystical Item, which he had recently kept on him often, appeared in his left hand almost immediately.
With the Living Corpse Soup Spoon's enhancement, Hobart became much stronger. His hand finally stretched that little bit farther and grasped the black cane.
Hobart closed his eyes. The steam car he was riding in turned into a cardboard cutout with a car design on it, while the ropes binding him became thin threads.
He suddenly lunged forward and finally broke free.
The instant he left the tracks, the train roared past. The cardboard cutout was shredded beneath its wheels, and the rumbling train sped by close against Hobart's back.
Woo—ah—the train whistle once again became an unwilling roar.
Hobart gripped the cane tightly with both hands and began to meditate.
When he opened his eyes again, he was lying in a luxurious room in Ganalier's inner city. His body was twisted into an uncomfortable sleeping posture, and one hand was clutching the Wax Seal and Pocket Watch Key made from an Order Crystal on the bedside table.
Hobart adjusted his position, easing the aches throughout his body. He thought, Good thing the Wax Seal was on the bedside table.
The Country of Disorder's power helped me retain my awareness in the dream world and gave me the strength to alter the rules of the dream.
As for why he had grabbed the Wax