Shadow Slave

Some time later, Sunny saw Rain out, watched as she walked away, and then calmly closed the door.

As soon as she did, however, his placid expression evaporated.

"What the hell! How come I didn't know about this?!"

Hastily taking out his communicator, he accessed the network and searched for information about the Dream Tournament.

A few minutes later, he sat down on a chair, a little stunned.

"What is this insanity?!"

Sunny knew, of course, that Dreamscape duels were a popular form of entertainment — both among the Awakened, who participated in them, and among the mundane humans, who followed their favorite duelists and created boisterous fan clubs.

However, he had no idea that even the Great Clans paid attention to the illusory game.

Apparently, the creator of the Dreamscape held a big tournament each year, and each year, one of the Great Clans — either Valor, Song, or Night — sponsored the prize pool. Participants who managed to achieve good results were able to receive cash prizes, Memories, and even Echoes.

The rewards for the finalists were especially generous, and came directly from the Great Clan's armory. They were also of the Ascended Rank.

Sunny trembled, his eyes burning with avarice.

no… think about it

unaffiliated Awakened. But did it matter? Sunny had already failed to keep

was there to even think

goodies! That's

for the tournament, Sunny got completely absorbed by the prospect of receiving Memories free of charge.

enough, there was another reason for why this tournament now seemed very alluring to

was to absorb as many styles as possible, to reinforce the foundation of Shadow Dance and make it more efficient. This way, he hoped to achieve

others were complex and unique. The more unique a style was, the harder it was for

not like he had a magical ability to peer into the very essence of a style… this ability of his was more

capacity to discern the patterns of more complicated ones with sufficient speed. After all, all styles were constructed out of the same basic elements. The

opponents in the Dreamscape arenas was not that high… for obvious reasons. True talents had better things to do

Renown only served to make the enemy aware of your weaknesses. In that regard,

worthy opponents he could find were a few rare eccentrics

not only about physical movements and mindset anymore. They weaved unique patterns of essence control into the technique, too, which Sunny couldn't perceive and was only able

time in the Dreamscape were bound to show up, lured by the scent of rare Memories and Echoes. Even people from lesser Legacy

weapon or armor could change

two birds with one stone. Compete for these prizes and enrich his library

it! I'd be a fool to miss

would be to bring even more exposure to Mongrel, Sunny couldn't let such an opportunity

everything he

***