Dream Lord (Two-in-One)

Another group of players disappeared in the Bai Guang.

The scorched, devastated flower field was restored, transforming back into a tranquil sea of white blossoms.

A gentle breeze was blowing.

Only Lu Xiu remained in the flower field.

She stood still, began to take deep breaths, expanded her chest to its limit, and then slowly exhaled. Suddenly, she shouted, "I don't want to play anymore!"

This is so agonizing!

In this Class Contest Instance, she felt the most tormented was being the gatekeeper mentor herself.

In the first few rounds, Lu Xiu was very enthusiastic, especially when she encountered some talented players.

Although it was mostly a fixed routine, she was still very interested in demonstrating her understanding of blood and qi manipulation as the Berserker Progenitor when someone could break free of the blood-red threads as quickly as Jian Li. She might not have been as careful as when facing Jian Li, but she still had a lot of fun.

But as one game followed another seamlessly, wave after wave of eager players sprouted from the flower field like an endless supply of leeks.

Lu Xiu was so exhausted from all the appearances that everyone was numb.

In the end.

She had lost count of how many matches she had played and how many people she had hung up; all that remained in her mind were mechanical, repetitive actions—taking off, draining blood to hang people, and using her ultimate move to force them into a corner.

It turned into a heartless assembly line machine.

"What kind of cyber-mechanical screw-driving game is this? The original intention was to torture players with frustration, but unexpectedly, in the end, it tortured the players themselves instead!"

Lu Xiu reached out and gently patted her cheeks, trying to cheer herself up.

But at that moment...

A crisp system notification sounded, and a window popped up in front of her.

[Bite!]

[There are currently no players waiting for the trial!]

The Berserker Class Contest Instance has ended!

[Settlement will be processed shortly, please wait.]

Looking at the message on the panel that there were no more trial players waiting, I saw...

Lu Xiu's previously tense shoulders instantly slumped, and she didn't want to stand for even a second longer, so she sat down in the flower field without any regard for her image.

Finally!

It's finally over!

If even one more round were to occur, she would vomit blood and die instantly without the players even lifting a finger.

"I'm never coming again—"

With a numb expression that suggested she would never experience joy or sorrow again in this life, Lu Xiu bent her long legs, reached out and hugged them, then buried her face in her knees, curling up into a small ball.

A gentle breeze ruffled her long, loose hair, and white petals drifted down from above, making her look frail and pitiful, completely unlike the powerful demon king who had effortlessly slaughtered top players while suspended in the air.

certainly.

Players might not think that way.

[Dear Architect! The dungeon you've created is beyond imagination! And you've perfectly fulfilled your role as a mentor!]

[System is generating an evaluation]

"----You're going to swear?!"

Upon hearing the second system notification, Lu Xiu immediately looked up. If this was going to involve cursing, then she was really going to have to argue with the system.

However, surprisingly...

Surprisingly, the system's evaluation this time wasn't sarcastic or obnoxious.

[Comment: All the challengers who stepped into this sea of flowers full of hope only truly witnessed what despair is when they faced you directly.]

Players from Vast Firmament, under your guidance, have witnessed what Berserker is. With astonishing efficiency, you have forced countless people to glimpse the true essence of the vampire clan— the Berserker —under extreme torment!

[Summary: They gaze at the stars, attempting to shoot them down, but you are the Blood Moon hanging high in the sky, forever unbearable.]

Overall rating: Perfect.

[Please check the settlement page for related rewards.]

[Transmission is about to begin.]

A flash of Bai Guang.

Lu Xiu returned to the Construction Space.

"It's rare for him to speak like a human being—"

Lu Xiu returned to the Construction Space, sat down again, and looked at the unusually normal evaluation in front of her. For a moment, she was even a little flattered.

After all, she had been subjected to sarcastic remarks every time a dungeon session ended, and she was used to it.

This happened so suddenly.

That's really surprising----

She felt she was about to pull herself together again.

However, Lu Xiu quickly shook her head, dispelling the strange thoughts in her mind. She reached out and scrolled past the review, then looked at the newly popped-up window.

[Copy verified!]

[Construction rewards are being settled [Construction Experience +1380]]

[Spirit attribute points +9]

[You have been promoted to Level 12 Architect!]

[Special rewards for the Constructed Instance are being calculated—Congratulations! Based on your performance during the dungeon verification, you have obtained the exclusive skill [Life Is But a Dream]!]

"Life Is But a Dream?"

Lu Xiu was slightly taken aback.

Still, the skill names are weird.

I don't know what the effect will be.

As she pondered this, she reached out and tapped the skill icon.

[Special Skill: Life Is But a Dream]

[Rating: SSS]

[Type: Rule/Actively Triggered]

[Ability Description: 1: Actively activate the skill, using one's own Mental Strength as the source and Visual Mindscape as the guide, to create an illusion around the target and within the perception range.]

In the illusion, everything you perceive through your senses, everything you see, is determined by your will; for example, you can create things out of thin air.

To create a non-existent wall, a non-existent enemy, or another version of yourself.

2: The illusion does not overlay reality, but exists in parallel with reality. The target can still perceive the real environment, but the information from the illusion will be superimposed on the real senses, with two sets of perceptions inputting at the same time.

3: Damage caused by illusionary creations will not reduce health points, nor will it leave real wounds on the real body, but the pain feedback is completely real. The psychological suggestion and mental pressure experienced by the target in the illusion will be determined based on their actual Mental Strength.

4: The lower the target's Mental Strength attribute, the weaker their resistance to illusions, and the harder it is to distinguish between reality and illusion. If the target's Mental Strength is significantly higher than yours, the operation of the illusion will lag.

5: During the duration of the illusion, the target within the illusion will continuously accumulate [Mental Stress Bar]; when the stress bar reaches the threshold, the target will be forced into a state of fainting.

6: This skill's rating and rank will advance as the player's Mental Strength attribute grows.

[Activation Requirements: None]

[Skill Range: The target must be within the range of Mental Strength perception or line of sight.]

[Duration: Depends on Mental Strength consumption and target status; can be manually canceled.]

[Cooldown: None]

[Consumption: Depends on the player's Mental Strength.]

[Note: Do not use this for strange things! I said! No!]

Lu Xiu looked at the skill description in front of her, her red lips slightly parted, completely at a loss for words.

After about two seconds of stunned silence...

She stood up, looked at the pure white Construction Space in front of her, and activated her skill. Just like Constructed Instance, she began to use Visual Mindscape to construct an illusion.

As soon as she had a thought, a strange ripple, like water, suddenly appeared in a corner of the originally tranquil Construction Space without any warning.

Next.

The space began to distort and fold, the pure white Construction Space blurring rapidly like a faded oil painting, transforming into a dark forest with towering ancient trees and a faint mist.

It is the Witch Forest ----

This process was extremely fast, almost instantaneous. The reason there was a sense of spatial distortion and folding was mainly due to the vast difference in the scenery, plus Lu Xiu being the one who initiated the skill, which gave her a more direct perception.

If this were done by an outsider, with proper guidance, it probably wouldn't feel out of place at all.

Because not only the visuals have changed, but even the earthy smell in the air, the faint rustling of leaves in your ears, and the sensation of stepping on damp moss have been perfectly replicated.

Lu Xiu stared blankly at the Witch Forest that had been created out of thin air, frozen in place.

After a long while.

She then realized what was happening and murmured, "Illusion, sensory manipulation, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, happening silently—isn't this just Kyōka Suigetsu?!"

Good heavens!

That works too!

In that instant.

Lu Xiu wanted to get herself a pair of glasses, cut her hair short, and always have hair gel on hand so she could style it in a slicked-back look if needed.

After deceiving someone, you then ask, "Since when did you start having the illusion that I didn't use 'Kyōka Suigetsu '?"

It reminds me of a famous scene from Bleach in my past life.

Lu Xiu couldn't help but chuckle. This had already become a meme, but the reason this line became a meme was precisely because the horror of "Kyōka Suigetsu" had indeed left a deep impression on people.

It controls a person's five senses, causing the victim to perceive things that do not exist as if they do, or things that do exist as if they do not exist. The victim is often completely unaware of this.

The enemy believed the battle only began at a certain moment, but in reality, from the moment they had the idea of not using their abilities, they were already in a state of illusion.

That's incredibly powerful.

Lu Xiu never imagined that one day she would acquire such a skill.

"Interesting—but why not just call it 'Kyōka Suigetsu '?"

The look of utter despair on Lu Xiu's face had completely faded, and her beautiful eyes brightened slightly.

The system did not respond.

Lu Xiu didn't mind and continued reading the skill descriptions, liking them more and more as she read.

Although she can now easily defeat most players using her combat skills, this skill is still very powerful.

When facing other Apostle, it might have a surprising effect—after all, they are the best in their respective regions, and their combat skills are certainly not lacking.

But with this skill—in addition to regular combat—she can also harass others.

As long as her Mental Strength is high enough.

She could turn any place into her own territory, or even create a hundred versions of herself to unleash their ultimate attacks at once, leaving the enemy guessing what to do!

Most importantly.

This skill can evolve!

"This round of cyber-screw-driving—not a loss."

Lu Xiu said softly, "I just don't know how effective it will be against the enemy. Let's test it out in front of Shen Nian and Jian Li later."

I think it will be very interesting----

As Lu Xiu pondered this, she closed the skill panel with satisfaction and opened the next window.

You have perfectly fulfilled your responsibilities as a mentor!

[Rewards being settled--]

[Experience Points Gained: 2810, Survival Points: 5600]

[Items/Equipment Obtained: None]

[Special Rewards: Mental Strength +11, Strength +7, Agility +6]

[Perfect rating reward: Dream Lord's Vessel]

Settlement completed.

"---- The Dream Lord's Vessel?"

Lu Xiu took out the reward and found that it was a pair of earrings. The earrings had extremely small studs, and at first glance they looked like two inconspicuous obsidian fragments. Only upon closer inspection could one see that the surface was engraved with indistinct patterns, and they felt cool to the touch.

Props? Equipment?

As she pondered this, she checked the attributes.

[Item Name: Dream Lord's Vessel]

[Rating:???]

[Type: Unknown]

[describe:???]

[Usage Requirements: Prerequisites insufficient, cannot be activated at this time (Key elements are currently missing; players are encouraged to explore on their own)]

[Note: When I enter a dream—the world will tremble.]

Lu Xiu stared at the row of glaring question marks, her expression, which had just improved thanks to the Life Is But a Dream" skill, instantly darkened again.

What does that mean?

The reward for a perfect rating is questionable in terms of both rating and effect? They didn't even clearly state the activation conditions, just dismissing it with a simple "explore on your own"?

Could it be that the system itself didn't even anticipate the desired effect?

Looking at the panel, Lu Xiu couldn't help but mutter a curse in her heart.

But then she thought about it again and realized it was unlikely.

If the effect wasn't well thought out, there's no way they would have written out such a strange name as [Dream Lord's Vessel] -- it seems this thing is similar to the previous Lord Soul Fragment, both requiring specific timing to trigger, and will likely be useful in the future.

Is this note a coincidence?

Emerald Dream?

never mind.

I don't understand----

I don't know if I need to wear this all the time.

Lu Xiu looked down at the two obsidian-like earrings in her palm, hesitated for a moment, then raised her other hand and gently touched her earlobe.

She has a shallow ear piercing above her earlobe.

As for when I got it—based on my memory, it seems like it was when I had just turned 18, but I only wore it once, thankfully it didn't completely heal.

Should I put it on now?

Lu Xiu held the cold earring in her hand, thought for a moment, and finally shook her head, dismissing the idea.

never mind.

Let's ask Shen Nian and the others after we go out.

Although the earring was small and not noticeable on her ear, she still felt something was off about it.

Since the prerequisites aren't met right now, wearing it would probably just be a decoration anyway, so it doesn't matter whether I wear it or not.

Thinking of this...

Lu Xiu put the Dream Lord's Vessel back into the corner of her backpack.

After doing all this, she dispersed the Witch Forest that had appeared around her, looked at the pure white Construction Space that had been restored, breathed a sigh of relief, and stretched her arms.

It's finally completely over-

After working non-stop for so long, I can finally go back to reality and take a break.

Um.

While we're at it, let's try out the newly acquired Kyōka Suigetsu technique on Shen Nian and Jian Li.

Lu Xiu lowered her hand, pondering as she exited the Construction Space.

At the same time.

Reality.

forum.

As the last batch of players participating in the final trial were teleported out of the instance, the forum, which was already bustling with Class Contest Instance among different classes for the instance, completely exploded.

Countless posts with the prefix "newly released dungeon" appeared like mushrooms after rain, flooding the forum.

I'm out! I finally survived that hellhole!! Of all the dungeons Lu Xiu has done, this was truly the most agonizing! Even now that I'm out, I can almost hear a baby crying! Was this even conceived by a human?

[Awesome----]

[Difficulty aside, Lu Xiu is indeed a genius—the more you know, the more terrifying the world becomes; this idea is truly brilliant, but I can't let it go! This dungeon is just too torturous!]

From the Beast Disease to the Blood of the Great Ones, from the Healing Church to Byrgenwerth, the plot twists and turns, each more intricate than the last, reveal that what seemed like a hunt for wild beasts turned out to be the entire breeding ground for the Great Ones Yharnam. This masterful integration of despair and a deeply ingrained worldview into every inch of the map and monster mechanics is truly impressive.

[The monsters inside are truly disgusting—although I've said it countless times, I still want to say it: thoroughly investigate Lu Xiu's mental state.]

[I only half understood the plot, but the world in the instance was so despairing. Everyone met a bad end, especially the little girl, who was so pitiful. And then her sister too. Everyone really went insane. How did Lu Xiu design such a plot?]

[Seriously, have you all finished the game? Is that Beasthood Erosion gameplay even something players can handle? The dungeons are just torture! I transformed into a beast in my very first battle— Lu Xiu clearly doesn't want players to become Berserker, does she?]

[To the person upstairs, this only shows you're not suited to be Berserker. You'll see as you play further. If you find it too torturous...]

All the rules are related to the Berserker; in short, all the mechanics force players to understand the core logic of the Berserker.

Although I didn't complete the game or get the Profession Certificate, it was the first time I realized how useful the Mental Strength attribute was.

[Indeed, even without obtaining the Profession Certificate, going to this dungeon wasn't a loss. After I came out, I tried Blood Control again and found that it worked too. I thought that the Mental Strength attribute was useless except for converting it into Strength and Agility through skills. I didn't expect Lu Xiu to be able to develop such a use.]

[This is truly genius-level—dungeon construction, concept design, Mental Strength utilization, the Berserker —everything is somehow connected. I have a feeling this dungeon might bring about a transformative change in many players.]

[I really envy those of you who didn't get your Profession Certificate. Right now, when I close my eyes, all I see is Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower and Lu Xiu above the flower field----]

[Wait! What does the person upstairs mean? A pro player who cleared the game has appeared? Are we really going to face Lu Xiu at the end of the dungeon? Did anyone scream "Mom!" on the spot?]

[----If you're willing to acknowledge a mother who can hit you six times in a second, you can try calling her that.]

What the heck???

[He means he got tortured. That guy was one of the unlucky ones who made it to the final trial, right? Don't even mention it, I get PTSD just looking at flowers, thin threads, and the moon.]

[Wait, what exactly did these top players who made it to the final trial go through? The guys who were eliminated before only cursed the monsters for being inhuman, so why do you guys who made it to the end seem even more devastated?]

Don't ask! The answer is psychological trauma. Have you ever seen people hanging neatly like dried meat? I have.

[Upstairs, please stop talking. I need to sleep tonight—I don't want to dream about being hung up.]

[Wait, what's going on, guys? Even the top players from other servers are acting like they've eaten shit. What happened to you guys?]

[----]

On the forum.

Almost all the posts are related to the Bloodborne Dungeon.

There were those who praised, those who accused, those who vented, and those who went mad.

It's easy to imagine how deeply this dungeon left an impression on players.

The most outrageous thing is...

Every player can find a sense of resonance within it—whether it's a player who becomes a beast at the start of the dungeon, a player who fails halfway through, or a player who reaches the final trial.

Inside the Wooden Cabin in the Witch Forest.

Shen Nian browsed the forum, looking at the posts that kept refreshing. She saw that other players who had entered the final trial were also being hung up, which made her feel a little better.

As expected.

Like previous dungeons, Bloodborne is a dungeon that players both love and hate – they hate it because it's difficult, but they love it because, although the dungeon is grueling, it does make them stronger.

As Shen Nian pondered this, she turned her head to look at the other side.

On the sofa.

Jian Li was sitting quietly with her knees together, her eyes closed.

A wisp of crimson blood energy was floating in front of her. Although it was not as easily controlled as in the dungeon, it still condensed and did not dissipate under the guidance of her Mental Strength.

Seeing this, Shen Nian lowered her eyelids slightly.

Even after returning to the more restrictive real world, Jian Li had already achieved a basic level of Mental Strength Blood Control.

However, she had only touched the threshold of Blood Control and still felt that there was a thin layer of paper separating her from it. She didn't have a clear idea of how to break through that thin layer of paper.

so--

Should I switch directly to Berserker?

As Shen Nian pondered this, she took out two Profession Certificate from her backpack.

The one on the left is the Berserker Profession Certificate she just obtained from the Bloodborne Dungeon.

The one on the right was Sword Attendant she had already obtained.

Shen Nian looked at the two Profession Certificate in her palm and gently pursed her lips.

To be honest, personally speaking, Shen Nian would actually prefer the Berserker over the Berserker.

As for why, it's mainly because----

Squeak.

Just as Shen Nian was staring blankly at the two Profession Certificate in her palm, the door to the second-floor room was suddenly pushed open gently from the inside.

Shen Nian snapped back to reality, quickly putting away her Profession Certificate and clearing her mind of the chaotic thoughts. She looked up at the stairwell and called out, "Lu Xiu, come out here—"

Jian Li, who was not far away, immediately dispersed her qi and blood, opened her eyes and raised her head.

However.

Before Shen Nian could say the last word "" in his mouth, his voice suddenly stopped.

Jian Li was also stunned and stood there.

Because two identical Lu Xiu walked down—

This scene wasn't exactly terrifying.

After all, it wasn't some female ghost that came down the stairs, but a real, beautiful young woman.

Lu Xiu was the kind of person whose looks alone would attract attention even if she wore the most ordinary clothes and walked down the street.

Then, two identical girls walked down the stairs and stood side by side, looking like a pair of stunningly beautiful twin sisters, truly a sight to behold.

After a brief moment of surprise...

Shen Nian's eyes lit up.

Jian Li's beautiful eyes instantly sparkled.

The two stood up almost simultaneously, quickly walked to the stairwell, and then looked at the two Lu Xiu.

They saw the two of them walking over.

Lu Xiu on the left suddenly pointed at her other self next to her, and said with a serious expression, "Be careful, there's someone else in my room. She's impersonating me, she's fake!"

Before he could finish speaking...

Lu Xiu on the right echoed, "Don't listen to her nonsense. I'm the real one; she's the ghost—she's the ghost in disguise."

The two Lu Xiu began to sing in unison, performing the classic trick of the turtle soup.

The two women look and sound exactly alike; if anyone unfamiliar with Lu Xiu were standing here, they would likely be thrown into confusion.

However.

Shen Nian and Jian Li ignored Lu Xiu, who was about to continue her acting on the left, and stepped forward one on each side, reaching out to hold Lu Xiu's left and right hands respectively.

"Lu Xiu! How did you do that?"

Shen Nian held Lu Xiu's soft hand, curiously looked at the fake Lu Xiu next to her, and then looked at the real Lu Xiu, her face full of curiosity.

"----They're all very beautiful."

Jian Li then gave a direct evaluation.

Lu Xiu, who had originally planned to let the two play a game of "guess who's real," looked down at her hands, which were being held by one on each side, and instantly couldn't continue the act.

She looked at the two people standing side by side in front of her, who were equally impressive. "Wait, how did you two spot me at a glance?"

I even simulated the breathing sounds and body temperature!

"----It's very realistic."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian knew she had guessed correctly and couldn't help but chuckle, "But that Lu Xiu next to you, you just sculpted her from your own memory, didn't you?"

"Yes, is there a problem?" Lu Xiu blinked.

"This is a big problem."

Shen Nian's eyes crinkled into a smile, "As expected—the way you see yourself is completely different from how we see you—"

The fake body you just created, although it looked exactly like you and was very beautiful, was too lifeless and didn't resemble the real you at all.

Jian Li, standing beside her, nodded slightly and said, "It's different. The real you is very expressive—your eyes can speak."

"--..--"

Lu Xiu's lips twitched slightly.

What does it mean for eyes to speak?

How come I didn't know?

However, I should be more careful when using the "Life Is But a Dream" skill in the future, and try not to deceive acquaintances with myself.

Otherwise, it's useless if it's obviously fake.

Lu Xiu stood there, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Jian Li and Shen Nian were still sizing up the two Lu Xiu.

After watching for a while...

Shen Nian seemed to suddenly remember something, turned her head and exchanged a glance with Jian Li, then winked mischievously.

Jian Li silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

The next second, the two of them released Lu Xiu's hand in unison.

Lu Xiu immediately snapped out of her daze and looked at the two of them.

"Since the one next to it is fake—"

Shen Nian smiled and took half a step back, then suddenly asked, "Then you shouldn't mind if we do something to the fake one, right?"

Lu Xiu hadn't even had a chance to speak.

Shen Nian then turned to look at Jian Li.

Jian Li immediately raised her fair arm.

Suddenly, crimson threads spread from her fingertips, wrapped around the wrist of the fake Lu Xiu beside her, and then lifted her up.

Brush!

The fake Lu Xiu was suspended in mid-air by blood-red silk threads.

Because her hands were pulled high up, her previously loose white T-shirt was instantly tightened, leaving her suspended in mid-air in a shameful position.

"Hahahaha----I've wanted to do this for a long time!"

Shen Nian looked up at the scene, recalling the humiliating experience of being hung up and swayed in the flower field, and laughed, her body trembling with embarrassment.

Although Jian Li didn't laugh out loud, she pursed her lips slightly as she looked at Lu Xiu hanging up, seemingly quite happy as well.

Lu Xiu glanced at herself, hanging in mid-air in a shameful position beside her, then at Jian Li and Shen Nian in front of her, and laughed in exasperation.

You just came out of a dungeon and learned a little bit, and you dare to talk back to your mentor?

Reversing the Heavenly Gang!

With a thought, Lu Xiu dispelled the illusion beside her, then raised her hand in a swift motion.

More solidified crimson threads appeared, wrapping around their wrists and then hanging Shen Nian and Jian Li in mid-air!

"?!"

Accompanied by gasps of surprise.

Shen Nian's body suddenly rose into the air.

Her smile froze instantly. After a moment of stunned silence, she glanced down at her nightgown, which was stretched taut. Her fair face flushed crimson, even her ears turning pink. She immediately said, "Lu Xiu, Lu Xiu, we just finished showering after we came out. We weren't wearing underwear—"

Jian Li's body tensed slightly, her fair face flushed, and her gaze shifted somewhat awkwardly to the side.

"----ah?"

Lu Xiu was stunned upon hearing this. She subconsciously looked up, then her mind went blank, and her face flushed red. She hurriedly and clumsily removed the bloodstains and put the two of them down.

Both feet landed on the ground again.

Shen Nian and Jian Li subconsciously reached out to adjust their clothes, while Lu Xiu also looked away guiltily.

The atmosphere inside the Wooden Cabin suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Thankfully, it happened just then.

A communication window popped up in front of Lu Xiu, breaking the awkward silence; it was a message from Yan Fushou.