Acheron: [Acheron Crying]

Especially those Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection, you won't see them even if they're right in front of you, unless they want to.

Lin Shuang's dedication to her affairs and her remarkable efficiency surprised and reassured the Firefly.

Perhaps Lin Shuang really can uncover the secret behind all of this.

Firefly was increasingly convinced that inviting Lin Shuang to Penacony was the right decision.

"No... they came to us on their own initiative... I don't know what their purpose is."

Lin Shuang still believes that the Black Swan actually intended to harm her.

Lin Shuang carefully recalled the plot related to Memory Bubble, and that's when she remembered the Herta Space Station.

Those scattered Memory Bubble were secretly created by the Herta, and they were done without the knowledge of the Garden of Recollection.

Although the game's description was rather ambiguous and it was uncertain whether Garden of Recollection truly felt the worst, Lin Shuang tentatively assumed that it was the worse side.

"So, what clue did the Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection give you? A Memory Bubble?"

"No, it's a Light Cone."

Lin Shuang tried to take out the Light Cone in her dream and found that she could.

So he handed the blurry Light Cone to the Firefly.

The Firefly had been somewhat hopeful, but after seeing the Light Cone and even picking it up to examine it closely, her heart sank.

"This... the Remembrance in this Light Cone are too blurry. Besides the background resembling Penacony, I can't make out anything else..."

"Of course, this Light Cone is still a work in progress."

"... That doesn't seem like it will be very effective."

The Firefly wasn't discouraged. Although the images were blurry, they still had some visual appeal. If it could find the locations corresponding to those images, it might be able to find some clues.

It's better than being a headless fly.

Seeing this, Lin Shuang smiled and put the Light Cone away again.

"It's alright, there should be progress by tomorrow at the latest. Just rest and relax tonight."

"Lin Shuang, do you have any ideas?"

The Firefly looked over curiously, while Lin Shuang winked mysteriously.

"Give it a try."

Seeing that Lin Shuang didn't seem to be comforting her, Firefly inexplicably gained a bit more confidence.

"I understand. Then I'll wait for good news."

After their conversation, Lin Shuang and Firefly parted ways for the time being.

Lin Shuang exited the Dreamscape and returned to her room at the Reverie.

Feeling the persistent, lingering sense of unease, Lin Shuang attempted to activate the Teleportation Gate.

And after stepping inside, they returned directly to their residence on Azur Star.

Lin Shuang felt a little relieved for the time being.

"It seems... it really is just an anomaly caused by the environment? At least there are no problems getting in and out of Penacony."

As Lin Shuang went out to comfort Bella, who had been left at home to look after the house, she pondered the matter of Penacony.

Just then, Acheron's message arrived perfectly, as if he had timed it precisely for Lin Shuang's return home.

[Acheron: Have you arrived in Penacony yet? Are you adjusting well to the environment there?]

Lin Shuang took out her phone and looked at Acheron's message, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.

[Lin Shuang: It's alright. I felt a little dizzy when I first arrived in the Asdana Star System, but I got used to it after resting for a while.]

[Lin Shuang: Speaking of which, I just arrived in Penacony today and ran into the Memokeeper of Garden of Recollection and the Masked Fools of the Tavern.]

[Lin Shuang: This Charmony Festival is quite a mixed bag.]

[Acheron: Why is the Memokeeper looking for you? And what's the Masked Fools's name? Is she alright?]

Looking at the message Acheron sent, Lin Shuang felt that when she asked for her name, she was actually planning to stab her later.

[Lin Shuang: What could possibly happen? Don't worry, there was no conflict.]

After finishing speaking, Lin Shuang tidied her words slightly and recounted to Acheron the events of the day, including the Black Swan event and the Sparkle display.

Then it became clear that Acheron's mood had soured.

[Acheron: It seems your presence has attracted quite a bit of attention. Be careful lately, and don't make a scene until I arrive.]

Acheron realized that Lin Shuang might be even more attention-grabbing than she had anticipated.

This isn't a good thing. If all these people are keeping an eye on Lin Shuang, things could get complicated in a place like Penacony, where all sorts of people mingle.

Acheron knew that Lin Shuang had gone there ahead of time because she had been asked by Miss Firefly to investigate something.

But now Acheron wants Lin Shuang to postpone the commission for a while.

Otherwise, even if Lin Shuang summoned her to that godforsaken place, Penacony, it wouldn't be long before she could provide support into the Dreamscape.

[Lin Shuang: Hey, have you been paying more and more attention to me lately?]

[Acheron:...]

[Acheron: We're talking serious stuff, stop fooling around.]

Looking at Acheron's reply, Lin Shuang felt an inexplicable urge to tease him.

Especially after Acheron said "I don't know" last time, but his actions clearly showed that he was torturing himself.

Lin Shuang always wanted to see if Gepard's usually cold face would show any complex emotions.

[Lin Shuang: How is this not important? You know nothing when I ask you anything, and you're the most stubborn person ever. That's a perfect description of you.]

[Acheron:...]

[Acheron:...]

[Acheron: Open the door.]

Lin Shuang knew exactly which door Acheron was referring to, but the thought of Lin Shuang Acheron's expression on the other end of the phone made her unable to resist taking advantage of the situation.

[Lin Shuang: It's open, but someone doesn't seem to be at the door.]

[Acheron:...]

After waiting for a long time, Lin Shuang watched as the name Acheron was displayed as 'typing...' for quite a while.

The result was just an ellipsis.

Lin Shuang laughed happily.

I'll stop teasing her and just open the Portal. Besides, I want to see what Acheron's expression is like right now.

Thinking this, Lin Shuang called out:

"Help me, Gepard ~"

As soon as the words fell, the Portal opened, and a white figure appeared instantly, arriving in front of Lin Shuang like a hurricane and pressing her into the sofa.

Acheron stared down at Lin Shuang with a cold expression.

It's like they're watching their 'prey'.

Clang--

The long sword was slightly drawn from its sheath, held in place by fingers. Acheron leaned down, almost touching Lin Shuang's face.

Why don't you ask me again now how I feel?

"..."

Lin Shuang looked at Acheron, who seemed serious about cutting her, and twitched the corner of her mouth.

No, are you serious?

"Are you angry?"

Upon hearing Lin Shuang's words, Acheron actually smiled slightly.

"Yes, you guessed right. So, are you ready for that long-awaited sparring session?"

"Um... can we do it next time?"

Lin Shuang broke out in a cold sweat. "No, you've already drawn your knife! Are you sure you want to train me, and not try to kill me?"

"No, that won't do. I don't want people to think I'm all talk and no action."

"..."

Volume 1: Chapter 205 Acheron: [Acheron Weeping]

Lin Shuang stared at the long sword standing beside her and blinked obediently.

Raise your little hand and gently move the long sword away a little.

"Well... you see, we don't have a suitable venue, how about next time..."

Lin Shuang is now quite certain that Acheron, while claiming it's a live-fire exercise, is probably harboring some malicious intentions.

That person is dishonest.

What people say and what they actually do often don't match.

Especially now.

Lin Shuang even felt that this guy was planning to draw his sword and then stab her.

However, it was clear that Lin Shuang's weak and feeble resistance had no effect other than making Acheron 'excited'.

"There's no time like the present. In a place Penacony, every bit of improvement you can make is a bonus. Let's go."

Acheron released Lin Shuang, then pulled her up, his bright red eyes staring straight at Lin Shuang.

Although they no longer spoke, the meaning was self-evident.

"..."

"..."

"Okay, okay, let's practice, stop staring at me like that."

As she spoke, Lin Shuang raised her hand and shoved Acheron's shoulder, pushing her into the Portal.

Returning once again to that desolate planet from when we first met.

But Lin Shuang felt no joy in revisiting the place.

As soon as she landed, Acheron's sword sheath came crashing down on Lin Shuang's head with a whistling sound.

Boom--!!!

Lin Shuang barely managed to summon her Greatsword, holding it horizontally in front of her as flames erupted, before being sent flying by the sudden burst of immense force.

It crashed straight through several ruins.

"Oh my... are you serious? Ouch..."

Amidst the billowing dust, Lin Shuang struggled to her feet.

However, before she could judge Acheron's next move, suddenly—

Clang--

With a crisp sword cry, Lin Shuang instantly felt the entire world turn into black and white.

Time seemed to stand still, leaving only that sharp crimson hue, carrying a dense, Nihility power, surging towards Lin Shuang!

"--?!!"

Holy crap, are you serious?!

The crimson blade flashed incredibly fast; Lin Shuang didn't even have time to speak.