—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hu Tao: "Dreamscape Sales Store?"
Hu Tao: "From the name, it seems like a place that sells dreams?"
Furina: "Can dreams also be sold at a clear price?"
Furina: "That's too cool!"
Paimon: "Are there any dreams of endless delicious food??"
Robin: "Delicious food dreams? There should be."
Paimon: "WOW!!! I really want to experience such a food dream!"
Lumine: "Paimon, all you know is eating, you're such a little glutton!"
March 7th: "Hehe, being a little glutton is pretty good. I also love eating delicious food!"
....
『 Stelle glanced at the map a few times. After confirming the location of the Dreamscape Sales Store, she started walking towards it.
After walking for a short while, she arrived at a staircase. On both sides of the staircase, she saw two strange billboards.
However, she didn't pay attention, and directly walked up the stairs.
However, after only a few steps, she heard movement behind her. Turning around, she found that the two billboards were wiggling and walking towards her. This startled Stelle.
[ Stelle: You scared me, these billboards can move?! ]
Stelle looked at the two billboards, feeling somewhat bewildered.
[ Mr. Herring Billboard: "Mr. Herring," ride the waves with your taste buds! Esteemed guest, come and try "Mr. Herring" Lemon Tart! ]
One of the billboards looked at Stelle, and spoke first.
[ Stelle: It seems kind of weird...]
The talking billboard surprised Stelle, and when she saw the promotional image on the billboard, she found it even more bizarre.
[ Mr. Herring Billboard: Guest, are you worried about the herring in the picture? Don't be afraid, we stopped using such ingredients a long time ago. ]
[ If you want to experience it yourself, you can always buy our products at a nearby grocery store! ]
The Mr. Herring billboard thought Stelle was scared by the herring in the promotional image, so it explained. Stelle nodded, then looked at the other billboard waiting for her attention.
[ SoulGlad Billboard: What's special about SoulGlad? Whoever answers correctly will get SoulGlad for free! ]
This billboard, seeing Stelle look at it, joyfully sang out an advertisement slogan.
[ Stelle: I can't go about a day without drinking it. ]
Stelle thought for a moment and just blurted out a random guess.
Unexpectedly, by a stroke of luck, she actually got it right.
[ SoulGlad Billboard: Well said! You're clearly a loyal fan of SoulGlad! Here's your SoulGlad. We've always treated our loyal customers well. ]
The SoulGlad billboard was very satisfied with Stelle's answer, and directly gave Stelle a free bottle of SoulGlad. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Good heavens, the billboards have become spirits?"
March 7th: "They can actually promote things themselves!"
Stelle: "I know, they must be mature billboards!"
Stelle: "However, I think this herring billboard is not as sensible as this SoulGlad billboard."
Stelle: "The SoulGlad billboard knows how to give gifts to attract people, but this herring billboard only uses abstract promotional images to scare people!"
Paimon: "It is a bit scary, that big fish head, such a weird feeling."
Hu Tao: "Oh dear, I also wish I had such a mature billboard."
....
—✦In Between✦—
In the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—
"Wouldn't the performance of my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor then just skyrocket?"
Hu Tao looked at these two self-promoting billboards, and was practically drooling with envy.
Such sensible billboards, if placed at the entrance of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to attract customers, wouldn't she save a lot of trouble?
—
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Lumine: "Uh… Hu Tao. You wouldn't be thinking of using such billboards to promote your Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's second tombstone half-price, would you?!"
Hu Tao: "Haha, as expected of my closest friend, you truly understand your Master!"
Zhongli: "..."
....
—✦In Between✦—
"Hu Tao actually plans to do that! Hasn't she considered that it might scare people to death?"
"Passing by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… two eerie billboards directly follow you… and then promote the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's grand opening special, buy one get one free, second tombstone half-price?! Just thinking about it is enough to make people collapse, isn't it!"
Lumine saw Hu Tao's statement, immediately simulated the scene in her mind, and then, she was silenced.
That scene was too beautiful, simply unbearable to look at!
....
『 After the interference from the billboards was gone, Stelle drank SoulGlad, while walking up the stairs.
By the time she finished her SoulGlad, she had just arrived at her destination.
[ Stelle: From the map, that's the "Dreamscape Sales Store"… Is that… a giant eyeball? ]
Stelle glanced at the map again to confirm, then looked at the target location.
But found a large eyeball. So, Stelle, with a hint of curiosity, came before this large eyeball.
[ Welcome to the "Dreamscape Sales Store," Trailblazer of the Astral Express! ]
As soon as Stelle arrived, the large eyeball spoke.
[ Stelle: How do you know who I am? ]
The large eyeball spoke her identity as soon as it opened its mouth, surprising Stelle.
[ Dr. Edward: It's the magic of psychoanalysis, Madam, Dr. Edward is happy to assist you! ]
[ Here you can experience all sorts of novel and interesting dreams—from those produced by Clock Studios to private donations, we have everything! ]
[ If I'm not mistaken, this is your first time in Penacony, correct? ]
The large eyeball named Dr. Edward spoke continuously, answering Stelle's question.
[ Stelle: I am. ]
Stelle nodded.
[ Dr. Edward: Don't worry, Dr. Edward will provide you with meticulous assistance, helping you choose your first dream and fully enjoy the audio-visual feast that can only be experienced in dreams— ]
[ —Analysis complete! I think you'll definitely like this Dream Bubble. ]
[ It comes from a private anonymous donation, and it's said that the memories within… belong to the fallen Aeon Akivili! I can assure you, this Dream Bubble is absolutely perfect for you! ]
Stelle hadn't even had a chance to state her needs, when Dr. Edward directly recommended a Dream Bubble to her.
[ Stelle: How many Credits do I owe? ]
Upon hearing that this Dream Bubble was related to Akivili, Stelle immediately felt a stir of interest.
[ Dr. Edward: You don't need to pay! Dr. Edward promises that every new guest can experience one Dream Bubble for free! ]
[ Alright, let's begin—please close your eyes and press your forehead against the Dream Bubble. ]
After Dr. Edward explained, he placed a Dream Bubble in Stelle's hand. Stelle stared at the Dream Bubble for a while, then carefully placed it on her forehead.
Subsequently, she only felt her mind go blank, and then saw this scene.
[ Pam: …Trailblazer of the Astral Express, do you plead guilty, Pam? ]
In the carriage, Pam stared at Stelle, asking in a stern tone!
[ Stelle: ??? What's going on? ]
Stelle looked at the fierce Pam, feeling a bit confused.
[ Dr. Edward: I will not make any explanatory or suggestive comments on the content of this Dream Bubble. In this Dream Bubble, you will share the memories of the Dream Bubble's owner, personally experiencing what they saw and heard. ]
[ As for the blurry parts in the Dream Bubble, your subconscious will actively extract similar concepts to complete them. ]
Dr. Edward's explanation echoed in Stelle's mind.
[ Pam: The sins you've committed are beyond pardon, but I respect every individual's right to carry out volunteer work... ]
[ —Give this place a thorough cleaning! PAM!! ]
Pam roared directly, startling Stelle! Then, she realized that the owner of this Dream Bubble she was sharing couldn't speak.
[ Stelle: Do I have to do the voiceover for Akivili myself? ]
Stelle was a bit confused.
[ Dr. Edward: My apologies. When I received this dream bubble, some of the audio tracks were missing... Perhaps, even the memoria is unable to transmit the voice of Akivili. ]
[ But to enhance the experience, I can adjust this Dream Bubble, which means you can choose to voice it with anyone's voice—as long as you are familiar enough, I can perfectly reproduce your subconscious! ]
Dr. Edward explained.
[ Stelle: Can it be anyone's voice? ]
Stelle found this feature interesting, so she asked curiously.
[ Dr. Edward: No, it must be someone you are familiar with—unless you have no requirements for the fidelity of the voice. ]
[ Alright, please make your choice! I will try my best to meet your needs. ]
Dr. Edward denied, then let Stelle choose her preferred voice source.
[ Stelle: I choose March 7th! ]
Stelle only pondered for a moment before making up her mind!
[ Dr. Edward: Alright! Reproducing for you now….. ]
[ Reproduction complete! You can now better enjoy the dreamscape. ]
Dr. Edward's prompt sounded.
[ Pam: Do you, as well as the other passengers, take responsibility for the following malicious conduct— ]
[ You rode snowmobiles into the Taikiyan Stadium and disrupted the match, causing the match to be suspended. Because of you, Twenty Trailblazers were forced to repair the severely damaged exterior of the stadium for three months without pay— ]
[ —Do you plead guilty to this accusation, Pam? ]
[ ...Yes, I plead guilty.. ]
March 7th's somewhat listless voice sounded.
[ Pam: You sneaked into the Hyai'i Zoo and splurged half an Amber Era's crew budget on 250 Nosewalker cubs. You kept them in the restroom, where they were left to breed and multiply uncontrollably, causing other carriages to be filled with sewage— ]
[ —Do you plead guilty to this accusation, Pam? ]
[ ...Yes, I plead guilty.. ]
March 7th's tone this time was full of helplessness.
[ Pam: You barged into the kitchen of the dining carriage, claiming that the whole area needed disinfection. This resulted in the loss of 42 Crispy Crumbly Pam Pies. And because you also took the last serving of the Express Special in the fridge, I was left starving— ]
[ —Do you plead guilty to this charge? Pam? ]
As Pam said this, her tone became even more agitated!
[ The first one is clearly a result of your own doing... But I do admit to consuming the last serving of the Express Special. ]
March 7th only admitted to one item this time.
[ Pam: Cough cough. Don't get ahead of yourself, this is only the beginning of your list of culinary offenses! Pam! ]
[ There are cases of entire entries disappearing from the Express data bank, the plants in the Parlor Car being watered with SoulGlad, disrupting the conductor's rest with noise, and a break-in to the conductor's exclusive snack vault... ]
Pam gritted her teeth, rattling off a string of egregious crimes!
[ Stelle: What do all these have to do with Akivili? ]
Hearing this, Stelle could no longer hold back, and couldn't help but ask.
[ Dr. Edward: Let me reiterate that I won't make any explanatory or leading comments on the content of this dream bubble. ]
Dr. Edward replied, the implication being, whether this was Akivili's Dream Bubble or not, it did not guarantee!
[ Pam: And that's not even half the list! There are a total of 46 cases of malicious conduct! Do you admit to being the culprit in every case? ]
Pam's angry voice continued to sound.
[ Sorry... I am indeed the worst Nameless in the universe. ]
March 7th lowered her head, her tone full of shame.
[ Pam: …No, you're not, Pam! ]
Pam shook her head in denial.
[ Huh? Could there be anyone worse than me? ]
March 7th was very surprised.
[ Pam: Of course there is. ]
[ Who? ]
March 7th asked curiously.
[ Pam: That guy who blew up the train into two pieces, Pam! ]
Pam said this through gritted teeth. Subsequently, the scene began to cut off.
Stelle returned to Dreamscape.
[ —The content of this Dream Bubble ends here. How do you feel? ]
Dr. Edward inquired.
[ Stelle: That's it? ]
Stelle felt somewhat unsatisfied. Whether the scene was real or not was another matter, but it was quite interesting.
[ Haha, this is the Dream Bubble that best matches your subconscious desires! If you want to enjoy it repeatedly, you can also pay Credits to buy it— ]
Dr. Edward smiled slightly and began to promote.
[ Stelle: So that "first dream bubble for free" was just a sales pitch, huh? ]
Stelle raised an eyebrow, feeling that Dr. Edward was finally dropping the act.
Just now he said it was free, now he's directly asking her to pay for it.
So it was just a means of inducing consumption, right?
[ Dr. Edward: I admit this Dream Bubble is not cheap—you can reconsider! ]
[ How about it? Do you plan to buy it? ]
Dr. Edward had a self-assured look. Seemingly confident that Stelle was hooked.
[ Stelle: …I'll buy it! ]
Stelle originally didn't want to buy it, but she thought about it, the things inside were very interesting, perhaps she could show it to Pam.
So she spent 100,000 Credits to buy it. Anyway, she often took on private jobs, and wasn't short of these 100,000 Credits.
[ Dr. Edward: Thank you very much—we look forward to your next visit! ]
[ Oh, that's right! Since this is your first time experiencing a Dream Bubble at our store—this "Commemorative Sticker" is for you! You can use it to decorate your Dreamscape Passport and record your unique journey through Penacony! ]
Buying a Dream Bubble and getting a sticker, Stelle expressed that this was so thoughtful it made her want to cry. 』
『 ....』