Gloom and Unease

Without a doubt, this is the enemy.

Linsey's only encounter with the Hallucination Dream was with that Light-Horn Cub that blocked the entrance to the world last time.

The materials dropped by the other party have now become the camera in Linsey's hand.

At this moment, the [Decryption Game] module is still running.

Linsey's gaze sharpened: [Black Horn Herder —robust creatures with powerful physiques and the ability to manipulate fire, filled with malice towards humans.]

"Call--"

Linsey took a deep breath.

At the same time, the Black Horn Herder's face contorted in rage, and Yao Xing's eyes widened.

In the blink of an eye, before anyone could react.

His left foot slammed heavily onto the ground, and the next second his body was propelled by a powerful force, appearing in front of the Black Horn Herder as if by teleportation.

Linsey waved her empty right hand out of thin air.

The air shrieked as crimson lava flowed through the air, accompanied by flashes of sharp blades.

The Black Horn Herder's body was instantly torn apart.

Just moments ago it was threatening, but now its upper body has fallen backward to the ground, leaving only its two legs and lower abdomen standing in place, with a faint aroma of roasted meat wafting from them.

"..."

Linsey glanced at the Hunting Notes.

[Black Horn Herder: 1/50]

The kill count has been confirmed.

Linsey stepped forward to collect materials from the corpse, and at the same time turned to the dazed Yao Xing and said:

"This thing looks scary, but its strength should be around the Third Stage or Fourth Stage. And its intimidation just now... Do all the creatures in this Hallucination Dream world speak in such an elegant and classical way?"

Yao Xing then realized what was happening.

A clearly powerful monster was killed by Linsey just like that!? This was completely different from the scenes she had witnessed Linsey fighting before.

Perhaps this is the real life-or-death struggle?

"These are some of the oldest Hallucination Dream in the City of a Thousand Sails. From today's perspective, naturally..." Yao Xing's hands were still trembling as she tried to find an adjective, "Naturally, they are quite characteristic of our time."

Linsey frowned and asked, "Are all the other creatures inside this Hallucination Dream at this level?"

Yao Xing replied, "Ordinary soldiers, or local Lord, are only at the level of 3 to 5."

"However, the Demon God who was portrayed as Demon King definitely possesses abilities at the Seventh Stage!"

In the world of creation, life in Seventh Stage can emerge.

Is this what Eighth Stage awakened being can do?

Linsey shook her head slightly and continued, "How do we leave this place?"

Yao Xing was very clear about this:

"Leave this Hallucination Dream, and you can find the entrance to leave freely; or slay the Demon God and complete the world's theme script."

Kill the final boss of the seventh tier.

Even though Linsey's abilities have improved significantly.

But an enemy of this caliber is still extremely difficult to deal with, so he naturally chose the former. "Yao Xing, where is the passage to enter and leave this Hallucination Dream?"

This time, Yao Xing couldn't provide an answer:

"I only know what's going on in this world through hearsay, and I don't know the specific entrance."

"..."

Linsey frowned and lowered her head to ponder.

Yao Xing misunderstood Linsey's emotions, thinking he was worried about their safety:

"Linsey, don't worry, we'll be fine."

"The Art Association definitely has people to handle things like this, which involve Hallucination Dream and even affect the entire city. We just need to stay here, ensure our safety, and wait for rescue."

Linsey immediately shook her head:

"This is tantamount to handing over one's fate to others."

"And the so-called rescue—if we were ordinary people, facing those Black Horn Herder just now, do you think we would have a chance to escape and wait for that so-called rescue?"

Yao Xing's tone was puzzled:

"But we are Awakened Ones!"

Linsey replied, "In the context of a world."

"We are no different from ordinary people, and we have no control over when danger comes."

"..."

Yao Xing opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything more.

Reason told her that Linsey's analysis was sound; but the habits she had developed from living in the City of a Thousand Sails for over twenty years created a contradiction within her.

"If this is an accident, then it's fine; but if someone deliberately planned it, then if we stay here obediently, what we might get is not rescue, but misfortune."

Linsey then explained something to Yao Xing.

He then promptly opened the skill panel, poured in a large amount of Essence, and rapidly expanded the reconnaissance range of the [map] to a distant location.

Mountains, rivers, and land—all the topographical details are on full display.

Linsey's idea was simple and straightforward.

This Hallucination Dream world is a classic, traditional scenario of challenging the Demon King.

So the place where people enter is definitely not in front of the Demon King's Castle, but should be near the beginner village.

Therefore, finding a way to enter and exit the world might be a solution.

The map reconnaissance was swift and efficient; Linsey soon discovered a village to the west, with numerous markers indicating neutrality and friendliness.

Linsey's intuition told her that this was the place where they would leave this world.

"Found it!"

Linsey waved to Yao Xing.

They led the way in the corresponding direction.

He casually opened his bag, and the materials that the Black Horn Herder had just contributed were quite unique.

[Rare Item: Black Flame Poison Blood]

[After merging with the body, there is a chance to increase the Black Horn Tribe's bloodline, significantly affecting appearance, while also enhancing Constitution and gaining a fire-related talent; it can also be used as material to craft other items.]

[A peculiar blood sample with special properties, but of low value.]

Linsey checked the synthesis formula.

Mixing Black Flame Poison Blood with water and Dragon Beard Grass, and adding a Glass Bottle, can create a potion called Blasphemous Flame.

This stuff can be used directly as poison.

It can also be applied to weapons to increase fire and poison damage during attacks.

Seeing Linsey take action, Yao Xing followed.

Her preconceived notions of living in the City of a Thousand Sails made her acutely aware of the dangers of the Hallucination Dream, and her face showed deep concern. "Linsey, isn't it too dangerous to act rashly?"

Linsey's footsteps never stop:

"Yao Xing, the timing of the Hallucination Dream's outbreak was too perfect."

"Such a big incident on the first day of the Art Festival —I think it's more likely that it was intentional than an accident. Not to mention, we've experienced similar things before."

Yao Xing was even more puzzled:

"There are several Eighth Stage Awakened in the City of a Thousand Sails, as well as guests from other worlds."

"At a time like this, who would dare to plot against them?"

Linsey countered, "Do you think Fallen Artist would dare to do something like this in order to create some twisted works?"

"..."

Yao Xing could not deny this possibility.

With a worried expression, she could only follow Linsey westward.

Linsey led the way, a gloomy feeling settling over her.

The Eighth Stage actor, Fenna, suggested he stay at the theater before leaving.

But now that I've been sucked into Hallucination Dream, does that mean I'm still in the theater?

And Hilude is currently unconscious.

What fate did she alter while she was fully capable and of sound mind? Could it be related to this Art Festival?