It was precisely because he had been observing this unusual existence that Clockie knew just how absurd Pei Guang really was.
He had only just arrived in the dream world, and yet acted like he was at home, able to do anything he pleased.
He didn't even need to learn any of the clockwork tricks: he just poked around here and there, flipped a few things, and with a quick puff of a cooking pot, managed to make a drink that could help people regain their sense of self.
Still, through these little "clock tricks," Clockie had come to understand what kind of things this peculiar Trailblazer liked.
"Tick-tock~ My dear friend," Clockie began confidently, "once you find the key, you'll be able to open the door leading to the deepest part of Dreamville. There are countless treasures hidden there! But if you reach the deepest part by… unconventional means, there will be no treasures waiting for you."
As Clockie spoke, Pei Guang's eyes lit up. "Really? What kind of treasures? Can you elaborate a bit?"
Clockie chuckled. "Hehe~ of course! These are treasures that can grant wishes within the dream world—wealth, power, health… wishes that can't be fulfilled in reality, this treasure can make them come true."
Pei Guang inhaled sharply. "Hiss—nice! Looks like we can't skip class after all. If we do, we'll get soft-locked out of the quest and lose all the rewards. That'd be a huge loss."
Stelle frowned. "Granting wishes… why does that sound so familiar?"
For some reason, hearing about wish-granting gave Stelle a strange sense of déjà vu, though she couldn't quite recall why.
Pei Guang said, "Belobog. The Stellaron. Maybe this treasure is a Stellaron."
Stelle replied, "But if it's a Stellaron, can it really grant wishes? Don't they bring disasters to worlds instead?"
Pei Guang shrugged. "No clue. Maybe it actually can. Anyway, since that's what the quest says, we'll just follow it as written. A shame, though—I thought we could skip the grind this time. Guess we have to do it properly. So, where's this key, anyway?"
Hearing the question, Clockie took a deep breath.
He had only been thinking of how to make Pei Guang give up on blowing up Penacony: he hadn't actually thought of where the key was.
After a moment's thought, an idea came to him.
He turned toward Firefly and Sparkle. "Hehe! The key lies with one of these two!"
To make his words sound more convincing, Clockie thumped his chest and continued, "You think your meeting was a coincidence? Not at all—it's all a test from Dreamville! Help them, make them truly come to love Dreamville, and you'll receive the key to reach its deepest depths: the true Dreamville."
He then went on: "However, obtaining the key won't be easy. Only through perseverance will you earn it. My friend, I believe you can find the key and claim the treasure. Trust me—the key to the deepest part of Dreamville will appear in your hands when the time is right."
As Clockie spoke, the gears inside his clock body spun faster with excitement.
Everything he said, except for the part about the key, was true. The treasure did exist; if one could pass the trials, they could indeed obtain it.
But the key? That was completely made up. There was no such thing as a key.
What's that—lying to him? No big deal. Clockie had ways to guide Pei Guang into a deeper dream anyway.
Based on his observations, Pei Guang might even manage to enter one on his own before any "key" was given.
And if he couldn't? Well, Clockie would make sure to lend a hand when the time came.
Pei Guang and Stelle listened attentively as Clockie issued the "quest."
When he finished, Stelle turned to look at Firefly and Sparkle. "The key's with one of them? Who do you think it is?"
Pei Guang looked at Firefly. "I think it's Firefly."
Stelle crossed her arms. "I think it's Sparkle."
Pei Guang smirked. "Oh? You looking for a little competition?"
Stelle put her hands on her hips. "That's right! Whoever guesses right gets to decide how the treasure's divided, deal?"
Even though quest rewards were usually distributed by need, Stelle couldn't resist turning things into a competition whenever these moments came up.
Seeing how fired-up Stelle was, Pei Guang couldn't help but feel nostalgic. "You weren't like this before."
"Before is before, now is now, my dear~ I've grown! So let me chase you down, surpass you, replace you—and next time, you'll be the one clinging to my leg, begging me to carry you through the quest!"
Stelle tilted her chin proudly, grinning from ear to ear.
Facing the smug girl, Pei Guang's expression turned cold. "Hmph? You? A little newbie who's learned a few tricks and already thinks she's hot stuff? I'll show you what a veteran player can really do. Let's split up then—you take the one you think has the key, I'll take the one I picked. We'll see who gets to the deeper dream first."
Stelle grinned. "Wanna bet on it?"
Pei Guang snorted. "Heh, once was enough."
Stelle clicked her tongue. "Tch, what a shame."
She had hoped to trick Pei Guang into a wager: given his "always-lose" gambling luck, she'd have an easy win. But no such luck this time.
And as for why she thought Sparkle had the key? She didn't, not really: she just chose the opposite of Pei Guang for fun.
They were both Trailblazers; exploring together was fun, sure—but competing and trolling each other along the way? That was way more entertaining.
Firefly and Sparkle hadn't caught the details of what Clockie said, but seeing the sudden tension between the two Trailblazers left them confused.
Firefly asked cautiously, "Um… are you two okay?"
Pei Guang replied, "We've just found a lead to the deeper dream. But she wants to compete—to see who can get there first. So we'll be splitting up."
"Oh? Splitting up?" Sparkle's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Hehe~ darling~ take me with you, won't you? I'll behave~ and I can even find you some fun things along the way~"
She bounced over to Pei Guang's side, tugging lightly at his sleeve, looking up at him with a pitiful expression.
Pei Guang sighed. "What a shame. You're with Stelle, she chose you. As for me, I chose Firefly. Firefly, are you willing to come with me to search for the key to the deeper dream?"
Firefly hesitated. "Can I?"
Pei Guang nodded firmly. "Of course you can! I believe the key is with you. Will you team up with me to find it? The two of us will get that key—and rub it right in her face!"
He shot a fierce look toward Stelle, who smirked and teasingly curled her finger at him in challenge.
"Alright, okay… I'll go," Firefly agreed softly.
As she did, Sparkle pouted in dissatisfaction. "Huh? The little gray-haired one? Hm~ fine then. Little gray-hair, I'll leave him to you~"
Stelle glanced at Pei Guang. "Teams are set, but how exactly are we supposed to find this key? It didn't give us an exact location."
Pei Guang explained, "My guess is that to get the key, we'll probably have to experience something with them first, something that triggers bonds or friendship or whatever. Then the key will automatically appear nearby. That's a pretty common setup."
Stelle nodded. "So basically, we just hang out and it'll show up?"
Pei Guang shook his head. "Not exactly 'hang out'—more like follow their lead and play along with what they want."
As Pei Guang and Stelle discussed the quest logic, Sparkle and Firefly could only understand bits and pieces.
Sparkle didn't mind not going with Pei Guang, though. Whether she went with him or not, there was always fun to be had.
In her mind, Pei Guang's theory about the clue to the deeper dream being real was probably correct, but she couldn't help wanting to tease him. He'd just said she could help them enter the deeper dream herself, and now he'd forgotten already?
Firefly might have a unique identity, but Sparkle didn't think she had the means to enter a deeper dream—or at least, not right now.
She was curious: when she and Stelle reached the deeper layer first and found new clues, what expression would Pei Guang make?
Would he be frustrated? Regretful? Or maybe… impressed?
She really wanted to find out!