"Master Jet, it's been so long!" I said happily.
"Huh? Do we know each other?" she asked, studying me.
"How cold. You already forgot the Sleeper you brought to the Academy two years ago? I knew Sunny was your preferred one..." I said dejectedly.
"No way. You should be stuck in the Dream Realm, and yet you are clearly a—"
"Oh yes, I came back recently. I had to challenge my second nightmare. It was one hell of a ride, I must say," I interrupted her.
"Hmm, good job surviving. What's the situation here?"
"As you can see, the first wave is done, but you know better than me—it's not over."
"Okay, the government will take over from here."
I just nodded and changed the subject.
"Anyway, I heard a storm is coming. I wonder if you could open some doors for me. I want to go there."
She instantly tensed.
"What are you talking about?" she asked cautiously.
"You know what I'm talking about. You'll leave in a few days, at most a week later."
"Where did you hear that?"
"Would you believe me if I said I just feel it?"
"No."
"Well, then I can't say anything."
"It must have been Sunny and his loose mouth..." she grumbled.
"I can assure you it wasn't the little Stalker. But anyway, would you be willing to lend a hand? You know, I reconfirmed my conviction. So I must go there."
"That is?"
"You surely know my true name. Now I'm sure that I have to go there. Even if I can save just one more person, it's worth it."
"You just came back from hell, and you already want to enter another?"
"How could I just sit here, knowing full well that I can protect them?"
"I'll look into it."
"Then you have my thanks."
Just as we finished our talk, a bespectacled man who looked like a journalist broke through the blockade and asked in a hurry:
"Excuse me, could it be that you are Sleeper Christopher, who was stuck in the Dream Realm for two years? The hero who sacrificed himself so the other Forgotten Shore survivors could escape? Please don't deny it—we only know of one person with eyes like shining stars."
I didn't even have a chance to answer the first question before he asked the second and assumed I would deny it unnecessarily.
"First question: I am Master Christopher. Second question: that would be me. And why would I even deny it?" I said calmly.
"Master... Could it be that you conquered your second Nightmare as a Sleeper?"
"I didn't really have another choice, you see. I couldn't find another citadel after almost two years of wandering there."
"When did you come back? There has been no news about it yet."
"Not even a week has passed."
"And you're already fighting after your traumatic journey?" he asked, concerned.
"Hahaha, it was certainly hard on me, but what can I do? I am an Awakened—a shield that protects humanity and a spear that pierces every Nightmare creature that threatens them. I am King of Men," I said, radiating utmost confidence in myself.
"Okay, that's enough. This is still a Gate Outbreak site," Jet cut in, ending the interview.
[You have been acknowledged by Awakened human Doyle.]
[You have been granted a tribute.]
.
.
.
[You have been granted a tribute.]
Afterward, I finally reached Nephis's house and went inside, only to find an angry Nephis waiting.
"Hi, you're home faster than expected."
"And you're later than expected. What were you doing?"
"Me? Nothing special. Just took a stroll around the city, chatted with a friend of yours, and helped contain a Gate Outbreak."
She was about to say something when her communicator rang. After reading the message, she looked even angrier than before.
"Oh... what happened?" I asked, worried.
"Your bravado reached a rather unpleasant person, and they want to meet you."
"Who is it that you don't like that much?"
"Morgan of Valor."