The Dreamer's POV

[12:21 PM; Saturday, 29th of April, 2024]

I did it!

I told Lisa everything about my dreams, how long I had been having them, and even how everything connected to this new world we found ourselves in.

I told her of the nature of my <Dream> Skill, and how it functioned. I told her how I had experienced this reality so many times already, and how I just wanted to survive this time around.

The food I had stocked within this hotel was more than enough for me. Even with the both of us, I didn't see a problem with our feeding.

I made sure to stock up more than enough for the Tutorial phase, after all.

After telling Lisa everything, I awkwardly watched as she struggled to make sense of everything I was telling her. I knew it was a lot, but I also trusted in her ability to quickly grasp the information presented to her.

"W-wow. That's a lot, Mikey."

"Yeah. I know, right? Of course, thanks to the limitation, I can't voluntarily use <Dream>." That meant, if anything happened, I would need to die by someone hostile—or by accident. That worked too.

'I think even choosing to die by Demons could amount to 'intentionally' dying. I didn't know what constituted the 'intention', so I had to assume that I couldn't 'want' to use the Skill when it would be used.

Or, at least, I wouldn't premeditate my own death.

'Ah, my brain hurts again.'

"This is amazing, Mikey. At least, you can be assured that you're immortal. If you take the right steps, it doesn't matter how many times you try, you'll eventually reach the end goal."

"It's not as grand as you're making it sound. Trust me." I laughed a little awkwardly.

"I'm serious. I'm a little envious." Lisa swiftly responded.

Now that I thought of it, I still didn't know what Lisa's Skills were. She most likly had only one. As for Titles, I couldn't be sure.

"What are your abilities?" I finally asked.

Once I asked, a brief moment of silence enveloped the two of us, and I could feel a sort of awkwardness permeate the environment.

"W-well…"

"Come on. Say it. I already told you mine." I urged.

"It's a bit embarassing. Haha…"

"Just say it. Don't worry, I'll understand."

"Okay. Okay. I'll talk."

And so, Lisa told me her Status Information.

*****

"Pffft! Really? <Anime Fanatic>? That's crazy!"

I broke my pact with Lisa the moment I heard one of her Titles was Anime Fanatic. It was hilarious. I could see her pouting at me, but I couldn't help it.

"Sorry. Sorry. I totally get it."

That Title was actually what allowed her to be so collected when the world became like this. It was a very useful Title to have.

'As expected, though, she only has one Skill. It's <Mind Communication>. That was how she could talk to me through my mind.'

Her Role was different from mine, a <Communicator>, and her Authority was <Thoughts/Words>. It made sense for her, now that I thought of it.

Unlike me, though, it seemed she never really had any experience that linked to this reality in the past. I used to have dreams since I was ten, but nothing of the sort happened to her.

Not even related to her Role.

'Oh well…'

Other than <Anime Fanatic>, she had two other Titles. One was the <Chosen One> that seemed to belong to every one who didn't get turned into monsters. As for the last Title, it was <Confidant>. Apparently, the effect was that people would have an inclination to confide in her.

'That's a weird Title, but it also explains things, I guess.'

I did feel like my secrets were safer with her, and she was a very nice person. It had only been a few hours since we started talking, yet it felt like we had known each other since forever. In no time at all, I was completely open with her.

And thankfully… she was the same with me.

'At the very least, I hope she survives this hell.' It was only the first day, but I had already found someone I cared about.

Someone I had formed a strong bond with.

"Let's do our best to survive together, Lisa." I smiled at her, nodding my head.

"Likewise, Mikey."

******

After our long conversation, I guided Lisa to the bathroom where she showered and changed into one of the only set of spare clothes available—mine.

It felt a little weird seeing her come out all changed in my clothes, but we had no choice but to resort to this arrangement.

Of course, I also freshened up. We talked for a bit more, until it was eventually time to rest.

My suite was large enough to have three bathrooms—one being a general one, and two others in the respective bedrooms. That was how we could take our time doing our business without feeling any sense of awkwardness.

'It's perfect. We get to have our private space. Different bathrooms. Different bedrooms.'

… Or so I thought.

"I… I can't sleep alone. Could I stay with you? Please?"

Imagine my shcok hearing that from Lisa, who was dressed in my shirt that was obviously too big for her, and nothing else covering her legs.

She did have her underwear on, and my clothes were big enough to cover a good amount of her laps… but not all of them!

In the end, I could still see lots of flesh peeking out.

I wanted to resist, but her insisntence made me give in. I was going to sleep on the floor, or something, but she made me sleep on the bed with her.

Of course, we maintained proper distance with each other, so it was still appropriate—albeit loosely.

"Thank you, Mikey… honestly. I can't thank you enough." I heard her whisper as she succumbed to sleep first.

Lisa must have been exhausted, considering she slept mere minutes after collapsing on my bed.

I made sure the sheets properly covered her body, and I found myself smiling while watching her sleep. It felt strangely warm inside, and considering this was my first time experiencing such a thing, I couldn't properly place my feelings.

'I am also thankful you survived, Lisa.' My thoughts echoed, and then I finally found my way beside her and slept after trying very hard to do so.

******

[7:30 AM; Sunday, 30th of April, 2024]

"U-uhhh…" I stirred as I slowly woke up from my sleep.

Even without an alarm, I had an internal clock that would make me wake at exactly 7:30 AM, so I assumed that to be the time as I felt stiff and groggy all over.

I tried to yawn, but I felt myself unable to, and even as I tried to stretch my body, I felt completely stuck.

Slowly, as sensations began to get restored to my body, I felt tinges of pain course through me and confusion swelling.

'What is… happening?' I asked, my vision still blurred.

"Still enjoying your sleep, huh?" I heard Lisa's voice dance in my ears, causing me to feel a little relieved.

"What's going on? I feel stiff all over." I wanted to say, but found myself unable to speak.

It wasn't until my vision, and my perception, completely cleared that I realized what was happening.

'A gag? My mouth is being covered by a gag?' From what I could feel, the soft, yet firm material belonged to what would be my bedsheet.

What was it doing as a gag?

My body was also tied to te bed I was sleeping on. Thin, yet thick layers of fabroc zig zagged around my body, covering it in many angles to prevent me from moving the slightest bit.

It was an absolute restraint.

'H-hey… what's going on here? Why am I being tied up?' I strained my sight, moving my head as much as possible so I could get a clear view of Lisa, who was currently seated on a chair right beside me.

'Lisa, answer me! What's happening?!'

I saw a completely stoic expression on her face, and her legs crossed as she comfortably sat on the chair my head was currently turned to. She didn't seem at all disturbed to see me this way.

'N-no. Don't tell me…'

I didn't want to believe it, but the moment I saw her completely cold, detached gaze, and her emotionless eyes, I already began to suspect what was happening.

I…

"Apologies, Mikey. But this is the only way I can secure the life of my real friends."

… Had been betrayed…

"You were a great help." Her usually pleasant voice was now sullied by something else; something darker.

… By Lisa?

Suddenly, I remembered my earlier thoughts when I peered through the peephole back then. Back when I saved her from the inevitable death…

'DON'T DO IT!'

I had thought the voice was warning me about the Demon that appeared soon after. But I was wrong.

The enemy was never the Demon.

All along… it had been Lisa!

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[A/N]

I guess some of you must have seen it coming. Well, there you have it.

Keep reading to find out just what this woman's deal is… and the fate of our Mc.