Dream Visitor

"Oh, Luther, it's you."

Benson spotted Luther outside the door and greeted him warmly.

"Good evening, Benson."

Luther smiled and returned the greeting.

Benson Moretti, the eldest of the three Moretti siblings, had steadfastly taken on the burden of raising his younger brother and sister after their parents passed away. Not only had he ensured they had food and shelter, but he had also made sure they could attend school. As an elder brother himself, Luther greatly admired him for that. Moreover, Benson Moretti was experienced in dealing with society and had a way with words. He had provided Luther with plenty of help when Luther rented his home, and Luther was deeply grateful to him.

"I heard from Klein that you're going on a business trip with him tomorrow. Did you come to discuss the trip with him? Come in and have a seat. He'll be out once he's finished cooking."

Benson sent the young maid home, then smiled at Luther and invited him inside.

Unlike Luther, Klein's family did not know he was a Nighthawk. They merely believed that Blackthorn Security Company was an ordinary company involved in antique protection, so Luther could not casually reveal anything in front of them.

"No need, I still have things to do." Luther declined. "Besides, I'm not here to see Klein. I have something I'd like to ask of you."

"Me?"

Benson asked curiously.

"Yes, it's like this. If I go on the business trip, Cecilia will be alone at home, and I'm a little worried about her." Luther frankly voiced his concern. "So I'd like to trouble you to look after my sister a little. You don't need to take care of her daily needs, but if anything happens, I hope you can help her..."

"I understand. You shouldn't even need to ask me to do something like that."

Benson smiled. "What a coincidence. I was actually just thinking of asking you... Klein only graduated from university not long ago, so he isn't very familiar with the ways of society yet. For this business trip, I was also thinking of asking you to look after him a little..."

The two elder brothers had thought of the same thing.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

Since he still needed to hurry and buy suitcases, Luther did not stand on ceremony any longer. After hurriedly saying goodbye to Benson, he left No. 2 Daffodil Street. He went to a luggage store on the shopping street and bought not only a suitcase for himself, but also a smaller, more portable suitcase for his sister Cecilia, along with a good-quality calfskin handbag.

After returning home, he hastily packed his things and ate dinner. Luther left Cecilia enough money and reminded her to be extra careful before returning to his bedroom and going to bed.

Luther dreamed hazily. He dreamed that he was in the rented apartment from his previous life, drinking soda and scrolling through videos, with a television and game console around him. Things he had not touched in so long filled him with immense nostalgia. Just as he wanted to turn on the console and play a few rounds, the world suddenly shook. The dream, hazy as mist, rapidly became clear, and the surroundings were familiar—the living room on the first floor of No. 6 Daffodil Street, the place he rented.

I'm dreaming?

Strange, I know what I'm doing...

Luther clearly realized that he was dreaming.

I've felt like this before. When was that... Ah, right, when Captain Dunn forcibly pulled me into a dream... Luther thought instinctively, but when he looked up, he was startled.

Dunn was pressed against the windowpane, staring intently at him!

What does the captain want?

What should I do?

While Luther's thoughts ran wild, Dunn had already gone around to the door, pushed it open, and barged in without the slightest courtesy. He hung his top hat and black windbreaker on the coat rack behind the door, nodded to Luther, and walked straight to the sofa opposite him before sitting down.

No choice. I can only play along with him.

Luther pretended to be asleep and asked, "Captain, what's wrong?"

"Am I not welcome?"

Dunn raised an eyebrow and smiled.

In someone else's dream, he seemed less stern than usual.

"Uh, of course you're welcome."

Luther's head was pounding. He could only serve Dunn some tea from the table. Yet Dunn did not leave immediately. Instead, he kept studying Luther, as though he himself could not decide what to do.

Could he be trying to act as a Nightmare...? Whatever it is, hurry up and finish acting. Don't disturb my sleep—I still have a business trip tomorrow!

"On this business trip, pay close attention to your safety."

Perhaps Luther's inner grumbling had worked, because Dunn suddenly spoke on his own.

"Huh? Oh, I understand."

"Be careful of Lanevus. He has a grudge against you, and he still hasn't been caught."

"Understood..."

"Watch out! He's over there."

At that moment, Dunn suddenly pointed behind Luther.

Luther instinctively looked back. Sure enough, Lanevus had appeared. Wearing his trademark mocking smile, he brandished his claws and fangs behind Luther.

"Uh..."

Luther stared at this "Lanevus," who looked exactly like the image in the newspaper, at a loss for what to do.

This illusion had been created by Dunn, so he did not understand the real Lanevus. The real Lanevus hated Luther so much that, upon seeing him, he would probably tear Luther apart alive. Why would he harmlessly try to frighten him like this?

Facing "Lanevus," Luther could not help glancing at Dunn from the corner of his eye, only to find that the other man seemed to be waiting for something.

The captain wants to scare me.

Should I cooperate with him and pretend to be frightened?

No. If I pretend, it won't provide any "feedback." It won't help the captain digest it, and it might even affect his understanding of Acting...

In that instant, Luther reached a conclusion.

Give my most genuine reaction!

"Lanevus, you bastard!"

He cursed, grabbed the teapot from the table, and smashed it over "Lanevus's" head with a bang. Shards clattered across the floor.

Dunn and "Lanevus" froze at the same time.

They froze, but Luther did not. Taking advantage of the moment, he rushed to the coat rack and grabbed the cane placed there.

Cecilia had bought him this cane earlier because she thought a gentleman had to have one. Luther had carried it with him for a few days when he went out, but it had felt a little off, so he had tossed it by the coat rack. Now, it was finally useful!

Smack!

He charged over and brought the cane down hard on "Lanevus's" head!

"Lanevus" fell to the ground in response.

Smack! Smack!

"You're got some nerve coming back to find me!"

Luther shouted furiously and continued his assault on the fallen Lanevus, swinging the cane as if it cost nothing and savagely striking his head, waist, and back. Lanevus clutched his head and howled.

Seeing that the other party had lost the ability to fight, Luther swiftly drew the revolver from the holster at his waist and aimed it at his head...

Whoosh—

A fierce wind wrapped in black mist howled in, sweeping away everything in the world. When Luther opened his eyes again, the dream had returned to chaos, and both Dunn and "Lanevus" had vanished without a trace.

They're finally gone...

Luther gave a bitter smile. Captain, you should go torment Klein instead. He's two doors down from me...

After an unknown amount of time, he finally felt sleepy again. He let the dream swallow him up and fell into a deep sleep.