Episode 7. Eagle Vision (1)
Lately, Aiden hadn't been able to dream normally. It wasn't that he saw nothing. The voice mostly revealed itself strongly in form and intent within his dreams. But he couldn't call them normal dreams.
"Long time no see."
But tonight, he could dream normally.
"What's this about?"
In the dream, Aiden greeted the person addressing him warmly. He couldn't quite make out the other's face, but the two smiled at each other like old friends.
Yet Aiden had no idea who it was. Even if the face was blurry, he should have been able to tell from the impression or build—but he'd never seen anyone like that before.
Then... a Player? That seemed right.
In the end, it wasn't a proper dream today either.
"……."
The Player opened their mouth and said something to Aiden. But for some reason, even with gestures, the words didn't reach him. The lively, strong, friendly person's voice wouldn't come through.
"Traveling together? Sure, I'm in. What mischief are you planning this time?"
In contrast, dream-Aiden heard perfectly and accepted the proposal. As requested, Aiden stood beside the Player, and when they stepped forward, he followed.
"It's getting hotter the further we go."
At some point, dream-Aiden turned to the Player and spoke. No reply came. No lip movement.
But now closer, the face sharpened into focus.
...Sephirah again.
Red hair. Unusual pupils. A height too small to call merely petite. The hand wielding a wand, performing tricks with flicks. A tiny star glowing at the wand's tip from magic, a quiet smile on her lips.
As dusk fell, scattering those small stars like fireflies to light the surroundings—simple.
Meeting her eyes revealed the exact shape of her pupils.
"I think I know where we're headed."
The Player—Sephirah's eyes held stars.
Aiden woke fully alert but didn't rise. He always stuck to his schedule, no matter sleep deprivation or leisure, but today he needed time to think.
The face in the dream was definitely a Player's.
...Sephirah?
The more he learned, the more confusing it got. Thinking of this Player Sephirah felt familiar. A face he'd never seen even in death memories.
Think again. Have I really never met her?
It resembled the death memory from the start. Himself friendly with Players. Too vivid for a dream, memories lingering intensely. Events unexperienced becoming 'memories'—the disconnect.
...Were we really strangers?
The difference? This experience wasn't unpleasant at all.
Aiden squeezed his eyes shut, pondering the Player again.
Sephirah... No clue.
Until yesterday, a name unheard of. Yet it felt called a thousand times.
Not a surname, barely a name. Even as an alias, no origin came to mind.
A woman with star-shaped pupils.
Likewise, until yesterday, no similar appearance recalled. But that unique look felt natural. Odd described verbally, yet her eyes struck as distinctive personality.
When, how, what relation?
Aiden and Sephirah weren't close. Yesterday was first meeting; names unexchanged.
But per memory, Sephirah knew Aiden long before; he learned of her only yesterday.
Like paths from different worlds.
Guess I need her help...
Aiden rose, summoning the help menu mentally. No room left for suspicion.
As the voice wished, he'd meet Sephirah for a long talk.
I'm moving as you want—any help?
The voice's owner first sought encounter with the unknown. Demanding action first, perhaps a true guide.
Unlock genres and systems that may help depending on the situation.
Genres and systems. He recalled them bundled as 'establishment' before.
RPG, Fast Travel, Sandbox. Other 'genres' and 'systems' name-only glimpsed.
Not just granted—could unlock himself.
Then, a system helpful for finding Sephirah?
Unlock helpful systems. Such advice now meant it could help.
Question confirmed.
Activating help menu.
The emotionless voice paused. Then, oddly overlaid on his vision, strange icons appeared in corners.
Top-left: angular red shape filled.
Top-right: mini-map of surroundings.
Bottom: icons of consumables and weapons held.
This is the world Players see.
This was... how Players constantly reminded themselves of needed info. Remaining stamina. Precise location. Missing items. Critical data eye-captured without hindrance.
Perfectly unobtrusive despite full info.
Then Sephirah predicting yesterday's attack—thanks to such a 'system'?
No, this alone couldn't suffice.
Question confirmed.
Temporarily activating part of the system.
That instant, his view darkened. Overlaid info unaffected, only this room blackened.
Not mere dark—world inverted to black-and-white.
Something wrong? What after blinding him—
"This is..."
Looking around, Aiden spotted glowing in the dark. Floor below: two different-sized footprints blue-glowing everywhere.
Door ahead: silhouette circling it.
Each move rippled waves from feet, sounds sharpening.
Senses visualized intuitively. The voice showed such power.
You can now unlock one of the Player's functions.
Experiencing fully, the voice got to the point. Promised harmless, urging to grasp aid from behind.
Not to my liking.
Helps but hides intent. Warns of Players but won't explain. Like enjoying self-discovery.
FOCUS
Enhances senses to perceive what normally can't be seen or felt.
Also visualizes all info gained through senses.
Once, outlaws and detectives awakened this sense through talent alone.
It became so natural.
Even now, Aiden distrusted every word.
"Oh, hey! Mister!"
Finishing thoughts and prep, Aiden opened the door to the familiar morning greeting.
Popping out mornings with "Hey! Mister!"—impossible not to habituate.
The circling figure was Claire.
"How long will you call me 'Mister'?"
"Forever. You're a mister, aren't you?"
"Aigoo."
Normal name-calling seemed distant. 'Mister' wasn't odd. Plain. No better nickname popped up. If she wouldn't use his name, this was fine.
Still... the emphasis irked slightly.
"Today we find her, right?"
"Rest if bothersome. It's my task."
"No, not that... How? She vanished poof instantly."
Claire raised her ongoing worry. 'Teleportation' seemed useful but fantasy stuff. Maybe for top tiers. But Aiden's 'Fast Travel' or Sephirah map-vanishing? Rare.
"On that... I was pondering until moments ago."
"Huh? Solved now?"
"Experiment needed, but a method emerged."
"Wah, no role for me then."
"Time will tell."
"Tch."
Claire disappointed oddly. Should he say if new power tracked Players? She seemed to have her own idea.
"Not sure. Hasty method—might need you."
"Mister, sounds reluctant."
How'd she know? Honestly, doubted major aid here.
Aiden changed tack.
"Why wait?"
"Huh? Wasn't waiting. Passed by, door opened, greeted."
"Didn't you circle the door?"
Claire's eyes widened, shoulders shook. Caught red-handed reaction.
She forced a smile.
"Pfft, why wait out front? Nothing to say."
"Why wait?"
"……."
"No need if reluctant."
Claire glanced away, back.
Too late to feign. Unsure how caught, she'd confess.
"Ah, yeees. Woke early, waited out front. Can't roam alone without known spots. Yeees?"
"Hm……."
"What!!"
"Next time, knock to wake."
"Siii……."
Claire glared sidelong.
Why mention? Embarrassing.
Woke early today, didn't know safe solo spots—waited. Couldn't he pretend ignorance?
The little nun thought so but lacked courage to argue.
"Won't wait anymore."
Claire vowed caution.
