Transforming Succubus: Almost Doomsday

The trait seemed to be the earliest distortion.

Not every pioneer possessed an innate trait; most pioneers only acquired a trait after their corruption value reached one hundred.

But those who did possess a trait were guaranteed to become pioneers, though when they would be summoned was unknowable.

Among the many traits, the trait of inconsistent waking dreams was undoubtedly very distinctive.

In dreams, unaware one is merely a guest, a trait concerning dreams.

The real name of 'Inconsistent Waking Dreams' was Duan Kun. Due to his love for sleeping and often being listless with continuous yawns, he was also referred as Duan Sleepy.

Sounds cute, right? But in reality, his life trajectory during those delinquent years resembled that of Mitsui Hisashi from the famous fiery manga 'Slam Dunk'—riding motorcycles, sporting long hair, getting tattoos, and constantly finding trouble and fighting.

Aside from loving to sleep, his favorite activity was sleeping.

Of course, it wasn't until he became a pioneer and encountered 'Peerless in the World' that this lazy person truly came alive.

On the 2.0 version of Nightmare Bridge, this lethargic, sleep-loving individual exploded with astonishing power and in the final evaluation, achieved the title of "Legendary Pioneer."

No one doubted that a person like 'Inconsistent Waking Dreams' would become one of humanity's strongest forces in some future version.

About five hours after 'Inconsistent Waking Dreams' entered the Black House Area,

'Peerless in the World' and Guang Tongchen, among others he had chosen, realized a possibility—'Inconsistent Waking Dreams' might not return.

The select few had already returned to the original world, prepared to enter the dream. They had agreed that upon escaping the dream, they would immediately head to the transfer station to exchange information.

Inside the luxurious suite, 'Peerless in the World' said to Huan Liuyan,

"Some areas are unreasonable, just like the time Jiang Xianwu went to the Gu Tower... Although we lack his perspective, through Snow Demon, we can understand that the mortality rate there is very high."

"Fleshly bodies entering there are almost certainly doomed. 'Inconsistent' also entered with the thought of certain death. Liuyan, as we have both been chosen, it's inappropriate for us to enter the dream together. When it comes to entering perilous places, I won't insist on 'ladies first.' Four hours after I fall asleep, please make sure to wake me up."

Huan Liuyan nodded gravely.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Linxiang City, Zhou Baiyu was also preparing to enter the dream.

Before leaving the transfer station, Zhou Baiyu contacted Ling Hansu, who had also been summoned there by the beacon smoke flute.

Because he feared he might not be able to wake up for real.

The pitiful and obedient Ling Hansu, who had been forced to leave Linxiang City the day before, immediately flew back to Linxiang City at a word today.

He rushed back in haste.

At this time, various discussions about the Black Mist Lotus had already spread throughout Longxia.

Before long, a large number of people would likely come to investigate.

On social media right now, several experts and professors had begun to use strange scientific theories to try to reassure the public.

But if the black mist continued to spread, and Zhang Haoyun's affected area grew ever larger, all these explanations would crumble on their own.

And from the appearance of the demon lord-level domain until now, in less than twelve hours, many people had begun to mention the viewpoint of an end-times update.

The human imagination always carries a certain foresight.

Inside the rental room, right after Ling Hansu arrived in a flurry, Zhou Baiyu simply explained the situation:

"'Inconsistent Waking Dreams' the elder, among the last chosen, selected me. Next, I will take sleeping pills and go to sleep. The duration of a dream isn't too long... Remember, four hours later, no matter what means you use, you must wake me up."

"Big brother Zhou... could you really not wake up?"

"If I don't wake up, it must be because you're not shouting loudly enough."

"Oh, then that's good, I'll shout loudly!"

Despite the inappropriate occasion and Zhou Baiyu meaning otherwise, after Snow Demon said this, her face inexplicably turned red for a moment.

Zhou Baiyu took out some sleeping pills, swallowed several haphazardly without even using water — just a gulp and they were down.

He closed his eyes and quickly began to fall asleep.

...

...

"Ke Zhongye! Wake up! Dammit, don't make me hit you!"

An hour later, at the Milan Sky Hotel in Linxiang City, Guang Tongchen slapped Ke Zhongye across the face.

Lying on the luxurious waterbed, Ke Zhongye showed no response.

Blood seeped from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Although it was still not the agreed four hours, based on the circumstances, Guang Tongchen judged that if this continued... Ke Zhongye truly wouldn't be able to wake up.

He couldn't care less now, his slaps came faster and faster...

Even though several guild leaders actually had some conflicts of interest, even 'Peerless in the World' had once declared that after humanity regained control of the world, these leaders, as well as those pioneers abroad, would definitely vie for the ultimate position of power.

But at least for now, everyone still had a common enemy, and Ke Zhongye was undoubtedly the most outstanding warrior in the entire Dragon Summer Pioneers' world.

"Damn it, as a warrior, dying while intercepting monsters is what you call honorable, dying in a dream counts for what?"

After these words, another slap came from Guang Tongchen, and this time, Ke Zhongye finally woke up.

He suddenly sat up, gasping heavily:

"Shit, damn it, was that a bit of personal vengeance? Why so harsh? I almost lost my gold tooth! Wow—"

Before he could finish speaking, Ke Zhongye spat out a mouthful of blood:

"Damn, I, Ke the Cannon have roamed the martial world for so many years, and I almost died in a dream..."

Guang Tongchen furrowed his eyebrows, the nightmare Ke Zhongye had experienced was tormenting...

Then, considering Huan Liuyan personally entered the Black Mist Zone... the odds were probably grim.

"What exactly happened?" Guang Tongchen asked?

Ke Zhongye's expression also turned solemn:

"I can't say for sure... perhaps everyone's nightmare is different, but in this dream... my past beloved ones, they all became distorted and abominable... No, it was like they were horrific demons, I felt like I was living through a completely desperate life..."

"If it wasn't for my body being relatively far from that eerie black mist... I might have turned into a monster."

Ke Zhongye sighed:

"The situation inside the black mist is likely even more dangerous than the dreams..."

"We... probably have no choice but to let it spread."

...

...

Coming to a similar conclusion was also He Who Stands Alone.

Half an hour after He Who Stands Alone fell asleep, his expression turned painful.

Unlike Ke Zhongye, who treasured loyalty and friendships, He Who Stands Alone also valued his subordinates, but he had the ruthlessness to cut off any relationship.

Thus, once the figures in various memories became distorted... he decisively abandoned them.

In He Who Stands Alone's standards for friendship, there could only be like-minded friends, no friends with differing opinions.

But even so, there were absolutely indispensable people in He Who Stands Alone's heart.

In his journey towards the black cocoon, he still faced strong resistance, and eventually, unable to advance or retreat, Huan Liuyan had to awaken him with a needle prick.

When He Who Stands Alone woke up, he said little, only talking to Huan Liuyan:

"The situation is worse than expected, let's head to the transfer station. I failed; let's see how the others are doing."

...

...

At the transfer station.

Before He Who Stands Alone appeared, Ke Zhongye, Guan Canghai, and Guang Tongchen had already started discussing.

Guan Canghai, like Ke Zhongye, had his expression turn fierce and terrifying about an hour after falling asleep.

From their discussion, they both came to a conclusion... they couldn't make it to the position of the black cocoon.

Everyone's hope seemed to rest on He Who Stands Alone.

But unfortunately, when Huan Liuyan and He Who Stands Alone arrived later, they brought the same message.

"I didn't make it to the cocoon... from what I've concluded in that dream, those who are closer to us tend to become more twisted and horrifying, posing greater obstacles to us."

"Unless... no one cares about us, and we care about no one, or in other words, genuinely don't want any human connections, otherwise it's very difficult for us to reach the end of that passage."

"And at the end of the passage, there's something that looks like a black cocoon, which might be the core of the corruption."

"Guys... imagine, if a demon lord-level monster breaks out of the cocoon... what kind of existence would that be?"

The words of He Who Stands Alone made everyone tremble with fear. Even though all involved were legendary pioneers, they could not imagine how humanity would respond if demon lord-level or even higher creatures appeared in the real world?

This wasn't some desolate frontier, this was a densely populated city, and humanity's top, most destructive weapons... simply could not be deployed in Linxiang City.

"This is still just a nightmare, the real Black Mist Zone is undoubtedly more terrifying. Huan Liuyan probably won't come back... because he entered what's likely a B+ level corrupt zone, where humans can potentially become corrupt beings."

The conclusion by He Who Stands Alone sunk everyone into silence.

But soon, Guang Tongchen spoke up:

"The ones participating in Huan Liuyan's dream weren't just us several, were they? It seems... we've missed someone?"