"Let's hear it."
Sparkle was somewhat curious about Fu Zhu's plan, wanting to know how he intended to bring about death, an impossibility within the dream.
"First, let me share my perspective."
A rare desire to explain himself welled up in Fu Zhu, and he was eager to share his thoughts with someone, even if that someone was Sparkle.
"First and foremost, the fact that death is impossible in the world of a beautiful dream is a universally accepted concept. To change this deeply ingrained belief, we must deliver a sufficiently powerful, paradigm-shifting psychological impact."
Sparkle hummed in agreement. Fu Zhu's view on this point was more or less the same as hers.
"To achieve this, we need to accomplish the following: one, a victim who dies a gruesome death; two, eyewitnesses to the entire event; and three, a psychological shock so potent that it convinces them the person is truly, irrevocably dead. If we can accomplish these three things, we should be able to create the 'death' we need."
Sparkle hummed her agreement once more, then realized that after all that analysis, Fu Zhu still hadn't revealed the most crucial part of the plan.
"So, what about your Upper, Middle, and Lower Strategies? Spit it out, quickly!"
"Lower Strategy: Find an Emanator of Destruction that everyone recognizes and have them make a move. Even if this is a dream, people will surely believe that the methods of an Emanator of Destruction are more than capable of utterly annihilating someone."
Sparkle's eyes lit up. She balled her little fists and nodded her head vigorously in approval. "I like it! Let's just blow Penacony sky-high!"
Fu Zhu shot a speechless glance at the overly excited Sparkle. This little imp truly had a vicious personality.
"What about the Middle Strategy? Middle Strategy!"
Sparkle waited for a long while, but Fu Zhu didn't continue, so she nudged him impatiently.
"Middle Strategy: I'll just flatten the entire world myself."
Fu Zhu nodded, feeling this idea wasn't too bad either. Unlike the Lower Strategy, this plan would be executed by them, giving them a greater sense of accomplishment.
After hearing both strategies, Sparkle once again felt that she and Fu Zhu were perfectly in sync, truly two souls favored by the God of Elation. At the same time, she grew even more expectant of the plan Fu Zhu would choose as his Upper Strategy.
"So, what's the ultimate Upper Strategy?"
When Fu Zhu finally heard Sparkle ask about the Upper Strategy, he looked at her with a half-smile, which gave Sparkle a strange, uneasy feeling.
"Upper Strategy: Utilize that pillar of light from before to turn Miss Sparkle of the Masked Fools into the nightmare of the dream world—a serial killer. Simultaneously, have someone else hide the victims' real bodies, making it impossible for anyone to contact them, thus solidifying the fact that those chosen by the light will die permanently."
After hearing the entire plan, Sparkle thought it was quite good, but why was she the one who had to become the serial killer!
Sparkle puffed up her cheeks and glared at Fu Zhu. "If you do this, I'll be driven out by The Family! Worse, I'll be a wanted criminal across the cosmos! And I won't have even found any fun yet!"
Fu Zhu just shrugged cheerfully. "This is my plan. Why should you get to monopolize the fun? Naturally, I'm the one who gets to enjoy it."
In truth, Fu Zhu had intended to use the Upper Strategy from the very beginning. The other two were just thrown out to tease Sparkle.
"Alright, it's decided. We're going with the Upper Strategy."
Fu Zhu made the decision on the spot, giving Sparkle no chance to object.
Sparkle shot him another glare but didn't say anything more. Instead, she stood quietly to the side and asked, "So what do we do next?"
Her uncharacteristically compliant behavior made Fu Zhu glance at her with some surprise. This little imp was definitely not up to any good.
Knowing Sparkle's temperament after their few brief encounters, Fu Zhu was certain she was not the type to quietly follow orders. Her current silence meant she was probably plotting some kind of grand, unpleasant surprise for him.
However, Fu Zhu wasn't too worried. At worst, he could just reload a save.
"What now..."
Fu Zhu glanced into the distance, where Trailblazer and Firefly were happily playing arcade games together, then said, "We wait. We wait for that pillar of light to appear, and then we make our move."
Sparkle was puzzled. Since Fu Zhu said he would utilize the pillar of light, it meant he should know its pattern of appearance, or perhaps he was the one creating it in the first place. So why did they have to wait now?
"Isn't that pillar of light your handiwork?"
Fu Zhu didn't answer, instead asking another question. "Where's Silver Wolf? Contact her. I'll need her help later."
"I'm here."
Silver Wolf's projection suddenly appeared beside them, her tone flat as she greeted them.
Fu Zhu turned around, annoyed. "Can you give a warning next time you show up? Also, have you been listening in on our conversation this whole time?"
---o---
Silver Wolf retorted, a hint of indignation in her voice, "Aren't we on the same team? Why call it 'listening in'? You make it sound so unpleasant..."
"Whatever."
Fu Zhu decided not to press the issue and instead gave Silver Wolf her instructions. "Silver Wolf, in a moment, I need you to help me record a video. Then, do everything you can to make the 'Serial Killer Sparkle' persona famous—preferably so famous that everyone in the entire dream world knows about her."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Sparkle started to panic and quickly objected, "Isn't a small group of people knowing enough? Is it really necessary to make me that famous? Are you really not going to consider my situation at all?!"
Fu Zhu ignored her, his gaze fixed intently on Silver Wolf. "Can you do it? This is related to your commission."
Silver Wolf tilted her head back confidently. "Of course. Don't underestimate me! While I may not be on the level of geniuses like Herta and Screwllum, I, Silver Wolf, am still a hacker of considerable renown throughout the cosmos! A small matter like this is no problem at all."
"Good. Then all that's left is to wait."
Fu Zhu and Silver Wolf stood side-by-side, watching Trailblazer and Firefly play in the distance. Behind them, Sparkle stomped her foot in frustration.
"Hey! Why is no one listening to me!"
---o---
On the Golden Hour's grand avenue, Admi hummed a little tune as she walked towards her residence, her arms laden with shopping bags. Although the streets were quiet, she felt completely safe here in the dream world. The Family would manage everything perfectly.
Just as she was humming her tune, a pillar of cerulean light descended from the heavens, enveloping her completely.
The sudden appearance of the light gave Admi a fright, but she quickly realized she wasn't harmed in any way. In fact, her body felt unusually light and refreshed. Even the ache in her ankles from a full day of shopping had vanished!
"What is happening?"
Admi was baffled. She looked up at the sky but couldn't see the top of the pillar. Tentatively, she took a step to the left, and the pillar of light stuck to her like glue, moving with her.
While Admi was studying the pillar, the streetlights began to go out one by one. Soon, the once resplendent golden avenue was plunged into darkness, with only the cerulean glow emanating from her body remaining, making her stand out conspicuously in the gloom.
This bizarre change filled Admi with an inexplicable sense of dread. She felt as if something was watching her from the darkness.
The few pedestrians who had been on the street were also confused by the sudden blackout and began running towards a part of the city where the lights were still on. Admi was about to follow them when an eerie girl's laughter echoed around her.
"Hehehehe..."
"No, your laugh isn't scary at all. It actually sounds more like some kind of pervert!"
"Then how should I laugh?"
"It should be like this, listen... Eeeheehee... heehee... The pitch needs to be sharper..."
"Got it."
"Eeeheeheeheeheehee..." x2
Hearing such a creepy laugh, Admi couldn't help but shrink back. Mustering her courage, she shouted in the direction of the sound, "Who are you! Stop this prank, or I'm going to call for help!"
"Eeeheeheeheeheehee..." x2
The only response was the same eerie laughter.
Admi stumbled backward, planning to put some distance between herself and the source of the voice before making a run for it. But just as she took a step back, she felt a cold breeze on her neck, as if someone was breathing right on her.
"Ah!!!"
Terrified, Admi swung her shopping bags behind her, but they met only empty air. It was as if the sensation had been a mere illusion.
"Ah!!!"
Admi couldn't take it anymore. She spun around and bolted towards the still-lit district in the distance, the creepy laughter pursuing her like a shadow.
"Eeeheeheeheeheehee..." x2
Just as she was about to step into the brightly lit area, the streetlights there also began to go out one by one, until the entire district was consumed by darkness. The surrounding crowd started to panic.
Admi, on the verge of a breakdown, began swinging her shopping bags wildly in every direction.
In the darkness, Sparkle watched Admi's frantic state and turned to Fu Zhu beside her. "Aren't you going to make your move yet?"
Fu Zhu, keeping an eye on the markers on his minimap, replied, "Be patient. The Hound Family members haven't arrived yet. While there are some witnesses here, they don't have the ability to confirm if the victim's real-world body is alright. So, we wait a little longer."
A minute later, Fu Zhu saw members of the Hound Family finally appear at the end of the street. A grin spread across his face as he turned to Sparkle. "Showtime."
With that, Fu Zhu took a single step and vanished. When he reappeared, he was already behind Admi. Leaning in close, he whispered into her ear.
"Congratulations, lucky one... you have been chosen. I will bestow upon you an experience impossible in this beautiful dream. Aren't you excited?"
Admi froze, every muscle in her body tensing. She could only stammer through chattering teeth, "Wha... what are you going to do? What impossible experience?!"
"In a beautiful dream, the most impossible thing is, of course... death!"
---o---
The next second, Fu Zhu drew his SlashBlade and thrust it through Admi's throat in a single, smooth motion, allowing her to see with perfect clarity the sharp blade protruding from her own neck.
Admi let out two terrified gurgles before her body disintegrated into shimmering motes of light and vanished completely. The members of the Hound Family, rushing to the scene, witnessed the entire thing.
Although the street was devoid of lights, Admi had been enveloped in the pillar of light, making her face clearly visible. But the moment she "died," the pillar vanished with her, plunging the street back into darkness.
"Quick! The culprit can't have gotten far! Find them!"
The leader of the Hound Family squad immediately switched on his flashlight and began searching the area.
At that moment, four dazzling torches materialized out of thin air in the darkened street. Standing among them was a girl with black hair and a red dress, a faint smile on her face as she looked toward them.
The members of the Hound Family reacted instantly, moving to surround "her."
"Who are you!"
The "girl" let out a soft laugh. She gathered the hem of her dress with both hands and performed an elegant curtsy for the group.
"Masked Fool, Sparkle. By the will of the God of Elation, I bestow upon the lucky children of this dream world an impossible experience. Farewell now, little puppies~"
The next moment, the girl's figure vanished abruptly, leaving only the four dazzling torches, which continued to burn with a steady light.
The members of the Hound Family exchanged grim looks, their expressions grave.
"Two of you stay here and guard the scene. The rest of you, go and restore the lights immediately. I'm going to report this!"
PS: This chapter contains the content that was missing from yesterday. My apologies, I fell asleep directly yesterday.