The pre-dawn mist clung to Venon like a lover reluctant to part.
Jimmy stood on the balcony of his upgraded guild suite, silver eyes scanning the sleeping city. Below, the streets were empty save for the occasional patrol – knights whose minds now hummed with the faint, latent pulse of his Dream Parasites. Nine seeds planted, nine minds slowly bending toward his will. The mayor's dreams last night had been particularly fertile ground, filled with anxieties about bandit raids Jimmy could conveniently "solve."
Knock. Knock.
Lana entered, her assassin's gait silent but her presence a warm thrum in Jimmy's awareness through their Shared Vision bond.
She carried a tray – steaming black tea and honeyed pastries. "Master," she murmured, setting it down. "The guild receptionist, Elara... she requested an audience. She seems... unsettled."
A predatory smile touched Jimmy's lips. Unsettled? After the night he'd given her? More likely, the Dream Parasite he'd subtly implanted during their passionate encounter was taking root, amplifying the addictive echo of his touch. "Send her up. And Lana… observe. I want to see how deeply the parasite integrates through your senses."
Minutes later, Elara stood nervously in the suite. Her platinum-blonde hair was slightly mussed, dark circles faint beneath her eyes – the mark of intense dreams, not fatigue. Her usual stern professionalism was frayed, replaced by a flustered energy.
"Jimmy," she began, avoiding his gaze. "About last night…"
"Was it not satisfactory, Elara?" Jimmy asked smoothly, leaning back in his chair. He activated Weakness Sight (Lv. 2).
[Elara: Weaknesses - Fear of inadequacy, repressed desires, deeply affected by Dream Parasite (Integration 35%)]
"It… it was overwhelming," she admitted, cheeks flushing. "But that's not… I mean…" She took a shaky breath. "There's a new posting. Urgent. Rank D. It appeared pinned to the board this morning, written on… strange parchment. It feels… cold." Her hand brushed the quest slip she held – a piece of leathery hide that seemed to absorb the light.
Jimmy took it. The script was jagged, unsettling.
Quest: Investigate the Shifting Tower in the Whisperwood Marsh.
Rank: D (Potential escalation likely)
Reward: 15 Silver + Unknown Artifact (Retrieved)
Details: A crystalline tower has materialized overnight in the marsh. Local wildlife exhibits erratic, dreamlike behavior. Scouts report whispers on the wind. Investigate source and neutralize if hostile.
"Interesting," Jimmy mused. A tower appearing overnight? Resonating with dream energy? It screamed opportunity. "We'll take it."
Elara fidgeted. "Be careful, Jimmy. The marsh… it's not natural. People get lost. They hear voices… see things." Her concern felt genuine, twisted by the parasite's influence – a mix of duty and burgeoning, manipulated affection.
"Voices and visions are my specialty, Elara," Jimmy replied, his voice low and hypnotic. He subtly activated Dreamweaver (Lv. 3), reinforcing the seed within her: 'You care for him. His safety matters. You want him to return… to you.' "We leave within the hour. Ensure our departure is logged discreetly."
As Elara left, visibly calmer but with a new, deeper preoccupation in her eyes, Jimmy turned to Lana. "What did you see?"
Lana's gaze was distant, focused inward on the Shared Vision. "Flickers, Master. Fragments of her dream last night… replaying moments with you. Stronger than normal recall. The parasite… it's weaving your presence into her subconscious memories, making them feel more real than reality. Her fear is being overwritten by… longing."
"Perfect," Jimmy grinned. "The mayor's influence should smooth any guild inquiries while we're gone. Pack light, Lana. We hunt bigger game today."
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