After finishing his conversation with Axel, Cipher couldn't shake the excitement and apprehension swirling in his chest. The reality of his new role hit him harder than expected. He had spent most of his previous life alone, so the idea of being alone on his journey didn't bother him—except for the fact that it would be... different this time. It wouldn't be just the silence that had always accompanied his solitude before.
This time, he had DEM.
The thought was comforting. Even if DEM was only a voice in his head, it gave him a sense of companionship as he prepared to step into the unknown. Still, a sliver of doubt lingered. Would DEM be enough?
Cipher focused inward, calling on the system.
"DEM, do I have enough points to upgrade the system?"
A mechanical hum vibrated through his mind.
"Yes. You have 200 Dream Credits. The first upgrade will cost 100 Dream Credits. Would you like to proceed?"
Cipher's curiosity sparked. "Yeah, let's see what the upgrade offers."
A soft, high-pitched ding filled the air. Moments later, a screen flickered into existence before Cipher, displaying a list of the new features. His eyes widened.
System Features Unlocked:
Upgraded Library and Analysis FunctionUpgraded System Interface (Agility will be added next time stats increase)
Upgraded Mapping System (Area of view has been increased)
Appraisal Skills Added (Can appraise items, weapons, and monsters by looking at them. Values displayed as Class levels: E-Class, D-Class, C-Class, B-Class, A-Class, S-Class)
Magic Shop - Unlocked
Item Shop - Unlocked
Armor Shop - Unlocked
A slow smile spread across Cipher's face. "This is perfect. I can actually use these new features."
"I'm glad to hear you're pleased," DEM said. "You'll find them quite useful. Anything else you'd like to explore before heading out?"
Cipher hesitated, scanning the options. Armor Shop, Magic Shop, Item Shop—so many possibilities. But exhaustion weighed on him, and the reality of tomorrow's journey loomed overhead. He needed sleep. Still, he decided to make one small purchase.
"I want to check the Armor Shop. I'm heading out tomorrow, and it would be nice to have something more comfortable."
"Understood. I'll help you browse."
Cipher scrolled through the available items, each more impressive than the last. His gaze settled on a pair of waterproof boots—simple yet practical. What caught his attention was that he could choose the color at no extra cost.
"I'll go with these boots."
With a soft confirmation from DEM, his Dream Credits dropped by 25 DC. Moments later, the boots materialized in his dimensional storage. Cipher retrieved them, inspecting the smooth, silvery material. They were sleek, comfortable, and practical—just like the jacket from Sol. Slipping them on, he felt a slight hum of energy as they adjusted to his feet. Lightweight, breathable, and surprisingly flexible.
"These are perfect. Let's see what else I can find."
"Your next items?"
Cipher added a black shirt with silver trim, a pair of black pants with silver accents, and a belt in similar colors. As they were added to his storage, a strange sense of satisfaction settled over him.
"I'm ready now. I'll get some rest."
"Sleep well, Cipher," DEM said. "Tomorrow will be an important day."
Cipher woke the next morning with a rush of excitement. Today was the day. He would leave the Church and embark on his first mission. Nerves and anticipation tangled together, but this time, there was something else—a sense of purpose. A goal.
After a quick shower and breakfast (which he almost choked on), Cipher made his way through the Church, searching for Axel. He found him in the courtyard, arranging pieces of armor across a stone table.
Axel glanced up as Cipher approached, his expression unreadable.
"I see you're ready," Axel said. "Good. I have something for you."
He gestured to the armor—greaves, gauntlets, vambraces, and a breastplate, all shimmering light silver to match his jacket.
"This is your first set of armor," Axel explained. "It's Lower B-Class, so it'll protect you against most Nightmares. Once you earn more Dream Credits, you can upgrade. But don't feel obligated to keep this just because I gave it to you. Your safety is more important than anything."
Cipher's gaze flickered over the armor pieces. Before Axel could finish, he had already started putting them on. The armor fit perfectly—light yet sturdy, providing a sense of security he hadn't realized he needed.
"This is great, Axel. Thank you."
Axel chuckled softly as Cipher adjusted the fit of his gauntlets.
"Now, your first mission," Axel continued. "You're to find and eliminate a B-Class Nightmare variant that's been causing chaos in a place called Future City in Future Land."
Cipher blinked. "Future Land? Really? That's the name of the place?"
Axel raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Yes, it's called Future Land. And I didn't name the city, so don't blame me for its name. DEM has the coordinates, so you won't get lost. But be careful—this area is within the Land of Nightmares. Stick to the path, and don't wander off."
"Coordinates confirmed," DEM chimed in. "I'll guide you."
Cipher took a deep breath, flexing his fingers against the cool metal of his gauntlets. This was it. His journey was about to begin.
No turning back now.