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

were obviously after a straightforward goal — keep an eye on the rising talents among the unaffiliated Awakened. But did it matter? Sunny

to

That's what

previous disdain for the tournament, Sunny got completely absorbed by the prospect of

Memories weren't enough, there was another reason for why this tournament now seemed very alluring to

of duels in various arenas. His goal 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

and unique. The more

a style… this ability of his was more or less mundane, based on his own talent, mastery, and sensitivity

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

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

strength and talent were not something to boast about. Renown only served to make the enemy aware of your weaknesses. In that regard, hidden tigers of the Legacy clans were very much like Sunny, remaining in the shadows until it was time

his progress had stalled lately. These days, the only worthy opponents he could find were a few rare eccentrics and a rare gem here and there, not nearly enough to satiate Mongrel's hunger

into the technique, too, which Sunny couldn't perceive and

into the mix, people who would usually not waste time in the Dreamscape were bound to show up, lured by the scent

armor could change their

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

be a fool

more exposure to Mongrel, Sunny couldn't let such an opportunity go. Plus, he had some free time while Effie and Kai were

through the feed, he started reading everything he could find about the

***