Chapter 339: Penacony Arc 『 Part Thirty-four』, The Bottomless Pit of the Penacony
「 …
When Stelle opened her eyes once more, she found herself gazing at Black Swan—the lady who had come to her rescue within the dreamscape.
"You're awake, little sleepyhead. It seems you had quite the pleasant dream." Black Swan offered a faint smile. "Well? Did you happen to dream of me?"
"Is this… heaven…?"
"Welcome back to reality—The Reverie Hotel—the place you know best, and the safest harbor available. I am glad to see your mental state remains intact; you weren't corrupted by that 'Primal Dreamscape.' You have quite the luck."
"Hotaru… did she make it out?"
"Hehe, you certainly care for that young lady, don't you? It is understandable. Even when facing [Death] itself, she did everything in her power to ensure your safety… Even I found myself a little moved."
"I know your head is full of questions, but do not be impatient. Before we address them, you should let your worried companions know you are safe."
Stelle followed Black Swan toward the lounge area on the first floor. Before they even descended the stairs, they could hear March 7th and Himeko deep in discussion.
March 7th stood with her hands on her hips. "It's so suspicious… there's no way it's just a coincidence. That woman is definitely bad news."
Himeko shook her head. "But she did find Stelle and save her—for now, we have no choice but to listen to what she wants…"
As the two rejoined the Astral Express crew, March 7th rushed over with a face full of concern the moment she spotted Stelle. "Stelle! Are you okay? We couldn't find you in reality or the dream; I was worried sick!"
After a brief explanation of the situation, Stelle learned that Himeko and Black Swan were already acquainted, having crossed paths during their respective dreamscape investigations. 」
「 ..... 」
〜Mob Psycho 100 World〜
"Wait… what does she mean they couldn't find her in reality or the dream? Did Stelle's physical body just vanish after she went to Penacony?"
Dimple was sweating bullets. Dreaming to the point of physical disappearance… even for a spirit like him, such a thing was horrifying.
Penacony had originally been marketed as the Planet of Festivities, a dreamland that promised happiness and beauty. But as time went on, this 'beauty' was becoming increasingly eerie.
"I don't think so."
Reigen shook his head, lost in serious thought.
"I don't think the body vanishes just by entering Penacony. It's likely what happens after entering that 'Primal Dreamscape'… That dream must have some kind of mechanism that causes the physical body of anyone who steps inside to fall along with them."
"Then, if Stelle had been killed by that monster in the Primal Dreamscape…"
The teacup in Mob's hand trembled slightly.
"Yeah, there's a high probability she'd be dead for good."
Dimple couldn't help but click his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… The Family's methods are certainly clever. On the surface, they're the benevolent 『 Harmony 』 faction, but in reality, they're hiding a malicious heart—luring people to Penacony under the guise of 'sweet dreams' and 'vacations' just to kill them…"
"No, this is purely the personal conduct of a Masked Fool; don't pin this on the Family just yet. The Family wouldn't have the guts to drag someone into the Primal Dreamscape in broad daylight. And even if they were going to drag someone in… they'd have to deal with the 『 Destruction 』, 『 Preservation 』, or 『 Elation 』 crowds first."
"『 Destruction 』…?"
Dimple tried to recall.
"Reigen, are you sure? It didn't look like Duke Inferno showed up, did he?"
"…"
"Actually, Master, it seems Duke Inferno really didn't show up for this festival."
Reigen scratched his head, looking equally puzzled.
"…That is strange. Didn't they receive an invitation?"
—
「 Stelle recounted the events leading up to her entry into the Primal Dreamscape to Himeko and the others.
Welt looked thoughtful. "So, the one who attacked you was a woman dressed in red, a master of illusions capable of shifting her appearance to match others…"
"Her name is Sparkle, a Masked Fool who has infiltrated Penacony…" Black Swan seemed quite familiar with the twin-tailed girl. "…Rest assured, that girl won't be bothering you for the time being. She likely thinks she's succeeded and is off gloating somewhere."
"You seem to know her well."
Black Swan nodded with a smile. "Of course. I know everyone here. In Penacony, anyone can lie… but Memory does not."
"Thus, I must clarify one fact: Miss Sparkle's tricks can trap one in hallucinations, but that bizarre dreamscape has nothing to do with her. It originates from Penacony itself."
"Penacony… itself?" March 7th didn't quite understand.
"Haven't you realized yet?" Black Swan chuckled, shielding her mouth with her hand. "The so-called 'Dreamland'… is actually the result of the Family's meticulous maintenance through unknown means—a carefully designed sweet dream."
"And that Memory Zone she fell into—that is what the dream truly looks like. Chaotic, dangerous, mysterious… a shifting labyrinth inhabited by the beasts of memory…" 」
「 ..... 」
〜One Piece World〜
"The Family has truly spun a massive web of lies…"
The night over Mary Geoise was as deep as still water. Fujitora stood on the terrace, leaning on his gravity blade. The light from the heavens fell upon his closed eyes. After seeing Black Swan reveal the true nature of the dream, Fujitora let out a long, heavy sigh.
"So what?"
Ryokugyu, leaning nearby, didn't seem to care. He bit down on a tender twig, looking utterly relaxed.
"If a lie can be maintained for a thousand years without a single leak, doesn't that just prove the Family's skill and control? I actually admire those fellows. To think they're only just now showing their tail…"
"Admire them?"
Fujitora's expression darkened instantly, his cane-sword thudding lightly against the floor.
"The Family's actions are egregious in the extreme. I fail to see what there is to admire. Placing a 'Sweet Dream' atop the 'Primal Dreamscape' is equivalent to making ordinary people dance on the edge of a blade, with nothing but a thin wooden board to hide the steel beneath their feet… Once that board breaks, it means the destruction of millions."
Ryokugyu shrugged.
"So, the Family just needs to make sure the board doesn't break. Maybe a few people fall into the Primal Dreamscape and vanish forever… but so what? As long as this dream that brings happiness to millions doesn't show its cracks, it's fine."
"…How absurd."
"Don't be so serious, Fujitora."
Ryokugyu sneered.
"In Penacony, the truth might be more lethal than a fake dream."
—
「 Himeko questioned the others about the scenery they saw when entering the dream, only to find that everyone's visions were nearly identical.
Clocks, schools of fish, the deep sea… even the method of reaching Penacony was the same: passing through a painting or a mirror in one's room to reach theGallery of Thoughts, the transit station before truly arriving at Penacony.
"I've heard from some regulars that the first stop after entering the dream is the hotel within the dream. However, due to some 'accidents'… the hotel is currently undergoing renovations."
Black Swan asked with a smile, "Tell me, under what circumstances does a building require renovation? Combined with what she just experienced, the answer is clear."
"The sweet dream of Penacony is sinking, returning to its original form… falling into the deep sea of the Memory Zone." 」
「 ..... 」