Ring, ring, ring—
The wind chimes tinkled softly as Stelle entered the bookstore Dan Heng had mentioned. The shop wasn't large, maybe seventy or eighty square meters, with eight or nine bookshelves taking up most of the space. Even someone as slender as Stelle could barely squeeze through.
Stelle glanced at her phone and gently tugged Clara's leg. "Boss Clara, can I borrow the phone for a sec?"
"Oh, alright, fine."
Though reluctant to part with the magical device, Clara, ever the big sister, handed it back.
Stelle checked the message from Dan Heng, which read: Stelle, just find the shop manager when you get to the bookstore. Say you're picking up the books left here for someone with the pen name 'A Fleeting Dream.'
Stelle replied: You have a pen name? Don't tell me you've got a secret writer identity?
Buzz, buzz.
Dan Heng: …Something like that. The stories of the Nameless are often so wondrous they surpass imagination. With a bit of polish, publishing them can earn a decent manuscript fee.
Stelle: Polish?
Dan Heng: Artistic embellishment. Don't ask too much.
Stelle: Can I read them?
Dan Heng: Sure, you can…
Stelle: Love you (Pom-Pom emoji).
Stelle pocketed the phone and walked to the counter. The bookstore seemed to have only one staff member, who was likely the manager juggling multiple roles.
But… during work hours, why was she sleeping?
The manager's head rested on her right arm, her long navy-blue hair covering her face. Through the strands, Stelle could faintly see the desk damp with drool.
"Youth is something else…"
Stelle sighed, then tentatively called out, "Manager?"
"…"
"Manager?" Stelle raised her voice slightly.
"…"
Stelle poked the manager's arm. "Got a customer?"
"…"
Clara, watching her subordinate act foolishly again, shook her head helplessly. She knocked on the counter. "Please wake up."
"…"
Though the manager didn't wake immediately, Stelle could tell her breathing rhythm had changed, signaling she was on the verge of waking.
Stelle used to love sleeping too—high school was exhausting, and after the college entrance exams, she'd slept for two days straight as revenge. She knew people in deep sleep hated being jolted awake, so she tiptoed closer, whispering near her ear like a mosquito, "Man~a~ger~"
"Ugh, Lynx, don't run, aim for the jeep!"
The manager's eyes snapped open, blurting out dream-talk before jerking her head up—
Bang!
Both recoiled, the manager clutching her head and arm (which had gone numb from being slept on), while Stelle painfully covered her nose.
The manager hurriedly put on her glasses, looking around in a panic. "Who are you two? W-what are you here for?"
Dark circles hung under her eyes, her hair uncombed, looking every bit like a college girl who'd just woken up.
Well, that description only fit her vibe. Her height, figure, and age clearly didn't match.
Stelle, holding her nose, recognized her instantly as Pela. She just hadn't expected to meet her like this.
What a painful encounter…
Pela calmed herself, slowly separating dream from reality, and immediately stood to bow in apology. "I'm so, so sorry, you two. I-I-I was too sleepy and didn't notice you, and I accidentally bumped into you… Anyway, I'm really sorry!"
Stelle waved it off. "It's… it's fine, I…"
Before she could finish, Stelle noticed her hand was covered in red, and her brain short-circuited.
Five minutes later.
Pela hung a "Temporarily Closed" sign on the shop door and said to Stelle with a guilty expression, "I'm really, really sorry."
Stelle silently wiped the blood from her nose. "It's fine, just a small injury, a small injury… Oh no, it's bleeding again."
"You two, I'm the manager here, Pela. If I've caused you any trouble, I'll take full responsibility," Pela said with a wry smile. "I'm so sorry, I got too caught up in my dream."
Stelle, still wiping blood, said, "I'm Stelle, and this is my boss, Clara. We're here to pick up some books a friend left here."
"Books a friend left here?"
Stelle nodded. "You're probably familiar with his pen name—'A Fleeting Dream.' You know it, right?"
"!"
To her surprise, Pela's body jolted at the name, the friendly smile from a second ago replaced by intense fervor. "You're saying… 'A Fleeting Dream' sent you to face me?"
Stelle: ???
Face her? Wait… Pela, what's going on? There's no wind indoors, so why's your hair suddenly billowing? Who added special effects?
"Wait, wait, wait, wait… Is there some misunderstanding here? I mean, like, a language comprehension issue!" Stelle said hurriedly.
Pela smiled faintly. "This 'A Fleeting Dream' you mentioned—is he a black-haired person?"
A giant question mark flashed in Stelle's mind, but she tentatively nodded—
"Exactly, that's him! The only opponent 'All-Seeing Eye' acknowledges! Since you're here in his place, you must be ready to face the challenge, right?"
Stelle's eyes widened. "Big sis, calm down! There are tons of black-haired people in the world. You didn't even ask if it's a guy or a girl—how can you be so sure?!"
Pela nodded. "You're right. So, tell me, is this 'A Fleeting Dream' you're talking about male or female?"
Stelle froze. "Male, but that's not what I meant…"
"Exactly! Black hair, male, matches the characteristics of 'A Fleeting Dream'!"
"No, big sis, that's way too hasty!"
Though Stelle knew they were likely talking about the same person, she couldn't help but throw in a few more complaints before sighing helplessly. "Alright, fine, I admit it. But can you first explain what you mean by 'a duel between you and him'?"
"And what's with that 'All-Seeing Eye' title?"
"Hm?" Pela's face turned serious. "Doesn't it sound cool?"
"It's cool, sure, but it doesn't fit your vibe… Ugh, we're getting off track. What's this duel about?"
Pela adjusted her glasses. "It's a long story. It all started a few days ago…"