Chapter 166: First Conversation (1)

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For a long moment, she stayed perfectly still.

Fidgeting with her sleeve, scratching at a button with her nail—silent.

Only when Riley patted his thigh again did she finally, hesitantly, move. Slowly shifting her weight, she settled lightly onto his lap.

Eyes half-lidded, she let her body relax against his chest, watching as his hands worked at her clothes. The ribbon came loose, buttons undone—effortless.

And the undergarment beneath was ordinary this time, unlike yesterday’s. One with a back clasp.

“How do I do this?”

“Ah… Just… lift it up…”

So he gripped the hem of her undergarment and carefully drew it upward, over her chest. Gentle, to avoid hurting her.

“…Ngh.”

A tiny sound escaped—whether from the slight sting or just nerves, she wasn’t sure.

Soon, she was bare. Riley didn’t comment, didn’t tease, didn’t even react. Just opened the ointment jar. Maybe he was trying to be considerate.

He dipped his fingers in, then brought them to her skin.

“Mmn…”

The cold ointment made her shiver.

But his warm hands smoothed it over, neutralizing the chill.

“Ah… Nn…”

The pain made her whimper. It ached, like pressing on sunburnt skin at the beach.

His touch was gentle, but clinical, no lingering. Just applying the ointment, nothing more.

The contrast to last night was almost funny. When she glanced down, the memory superimposed itself over the present, twisting her stomach.

And under the mix of sensation and imagination, she began to stiffen again.

“…”

“…”

His hands paused.

Sugar’s face burned.

“I-It’s a physiological reaction…!”

Not that anyone had asked. Riley didn’t reply, just resumed his task.

Rub, rub. The absurdity of the situation—her childhood friend applying ointment to her chest—left her emotions tangled.

He’s the one who caused this in the first place. No, wait—she was at fault too, wasn’t she?

“Hah…”

She exhaled softly, melting fully against him. Eyes closed, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Honestly, it was… nice. Comforting. And it made her think.

‘I’m… really far gone, aren’t I?’

Even after what he’d done, her affection hadn’t shrunk. Even his darker tendencies—she’d accept them.

Because it was Riley. Because he was her childhood friend.

The shame still coiled hot in her chest, but it wasn’t entirely… unpleasant.

If it were any other man, the mere thought of being touched would’ve made her want to cut off their wrists. But with him—somehow, it was permissible.

‘But no further. Absolutely no further.’

She had to stay sharp. If she indulged him too much, she’d be dragged into the depths with no return.

She was still his family, his friend. This was only allowed because of their extreme closeness.

Anything beyond this was unthinkable.

“Sugar.”

“Y-Yeah?”

Lost in thought, his voice startled her.

“Done. Should I pull your clothes back down? It might smudge.”

“Ah… Yeah. It’s fine.”

So he carefully dressed her again—adjusting her undergarment, buttoning her blouse.

As he worked, he said:

“I’ll be gentler next time.”

“Huh…?”

Next time?

There’s going to be a next time?

You’re going to touch me like this again?!

—‘WHAT ARE YOU EVEN HOPING FOR?!’

The realization made her jolt.

‘Are you a slave to lust? Have you lost your mind?! Get a grip! Feeling like this toward your childhood friend is already weird enough!’

Riley—well, she got it. He was a man. She’d been one once, so she knew how hard it was to control.

But she was a woman now. Supposedly more mild, more detached about these things—or so she insisted. And yet here she was, writhing in frustration.

Lost in her internal crisis, she didn’t notice Riley clicking his tongue.

“You’re thinking weird stuff again.”

“I am NOT!”

“Just call Ian already.”

“…”

There’d been a delay—thanks to the ointment jar falling earlier—but now that that was dealt with, Sugar finally pulled out the communication crystal and tried reaching Ian. Her expression was sour, but she obeyed.

…

“…No answer. What’s she doing?”

“Try again later.”

“Ah, connected. Ian, do you have a minute?”

[Sorry. I’m talking with Ianne right now. I’ll call you back later.]

“Ah, my apologies. Enjoy your conversation.”

[No, wait—before you go. Are you free tonight? Let’s all have dinner together, Leon included. Bring Riley if he’s feeling well enough.]

“Tonight?”

Sugar glanced at Riley, who nodded.

“Got it. Call me later.”

[Yeah. See you then.]

The connection cut off.

“Perfect. We can talk about the auction then.”

As he spoke, Riley yawned widely. Maybe it was from holding her earlier, but his body felt oddly languid, heavy with drowsiness.

“Did you not sleep well?”

“I slept fine… Weird.”

“What were you doing all night that kept you up?”

“I said I slept fine.”

His tone was suspicious. Sugar narrowed her eyes.

“You. You’ve gotten really bold lately, huh? When did you forget how to watch your mouth?”

“Ah, right. I did.”

“What do you mean, ‘Ah, right’?!”

She headbutted his chest, and Riley wrapped his arms around her, pulling them both down onto the bed.

“But all I asked was why you didn’t sleep well. What did you think I meant?”

“…I’m sleepy. Gonna nap.”

She closed her eyes and went limp. Arguing with him was futile—better to just sleep.

‘He’s gotten so cocky… Back when we were kids, he wouldn’t dare talk back…’

Cradled in the arms of the boy who’d grown up like this, she drifted into an early afternoon nap. The rhythm of his heartbeat, his scent, his warmth—it all lulled her like a lullaby.

‘Why am I… so sleepy…?’

The gentle pats on her back slowly carried her consciousness away.

…

…

…

When she opened her eyes, she recognized the dream immediately.

A quiet forest. A warm, flowing breeze.

‘Sunset…?’

The red hues spreading across the sky were mesmerizing. She’d fallen asleep in the morning—was it already evening? The dream world’s time often mirrored reality, so she wondered.

It had been a while since she’d entered this dreamscape. Not since the Evil God’s trial.

Perfect timing. There was something she’d been hoping to check. She hurried down the forest path.

‘Break through the wall… Break through the wall… What wall? Not some metaphorical ‘wall of life’, surely.’

For Sugar, one thing came to mind when she thought of a “wall.” She quickened her pace, stepping lightly until she reached the familiar clearing.

And there it was—as always. A moss-covered white stone wall, standing imposingly, blocking further passage. Only whispers could be heard from the other side.

“Am I supposed to break this…? Probably. But how? And what happens if I do?”

Muttering to herself, she ran her fingers over the surface.

Then—she felt a presence.

“Hello.”

“…!”

A voice.

Serene yet deep, clear and lovely.

Sugar whirled around.

There, on the previously empty wooden bench, sat someone.

A person. A woman in a white hood and robe, her skin just as pale where it peeked from beneath the fabric.

“Who are you?”

She’d never seen her before in these dreams. She’d glimpsed something in the past, but never a person.

Someone who can enter dreams… A dream demon?

“…Ah! So that’s it! Those weird dreams lately—switching between lewd and nightmares—it was you, wasn’t it? You damn dream demon!”

The alternating erotic and horrifying dreams. How much mental torment had they put her through?

Sugar’s eyes flashed as she lunged. Today, I end this.

“Impressive deduction. But I’m no dream demon.”

The woman’s calm reply gave her pause.

“Huh? Then what?”

“I’m a traveler.”

Sugar tilted her head.

“The dreams were just a little mischief. You two were progressing so slowly, it was frustrating to watch.”

Excuse me?

Sugar scowled.

“…I don’t care who you are. Get out. This is my dream.”

“Now you say that? I’ve been here all along.”

“What?”

“I’ve greeted you every time we met. You just couldn’t hear me. I’ve always been here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You have heard me at least once—”

Then—

“—Raise your grade.”

The moment the words hit, it was like a bell ringing in her mind.

A monochrome something—white and black, formless, unrecognizable.

“Ah…”

“Congratulations. You’ve finally reached a certain level.”

“Me?”

“You can see me now. You recognize me and are speaking to me.”

With a light smile, she continued.

“Beings of higher divinity cannot communicate through ordinary means. Most people wouldn’t understand—it’s like placing candy in front of an insect. Could a mere insect ever comprehend where the candy came from, who gave it, or why?”

Sugar vaguely understood. Now she knew why she’d been told to raise her grade.

So communication is impossible with those who aren’t on the same level.

“I received a ‘trial’ from a god not long ago. Does that mean…?”

“It had a significant impact. That god must’ve wanted to get closer to you.”

Through the trial, she had accumulated spiritual resilience—and that was what elevated her grade.

“…I also heard a message: ‘Break through the wall.’ Do you know what that means?”

The traveler giggled softly before answering.

“Hmm. Well, since this is our first proper conversation, I’ll give you one piece of advice—don’t even think about what lies beyond that wall. It’s for your own good.”

“That just makes me more curious…”

“Then go break it. See it with your own eyes. Walk a path from which you can never return. I won’t stop you.”

Her ominous words made Sugar press her lips together.

“Now then, let’s properly introduce ourselves. I am a traveler of the starry skies. I’ve passed through countless dreams… and arrived here. I’ll be staying for a while.”

She added, as if offering candy to a child:

In return, I’ll help you with whatever you need—just ask.

Sitting primly, her small lips moved calmly, her voice strangely mesmerizing.

“Ah, did you receive the lantern? I lent it to you. Since you let me rest here, consider it one of my thanks.”

Sugar hadn’t allowed anything—this woman had settled in without permission.

Well, it’s fine. As long as she doesn’t interfere with my real life.

She decided to ask what she really wanted to know.

“You travel the starry skies? How?”

“I’ll tell you when you stand on the same plane as me.”

Despite her grand claims, the traveler looked unassuming—a small woman in plain white robes.

Sugar narrowed her eyes slightly.

“…How did you end up here?”

“After passing through so many dreams, I grew tired. I wanted to rest.”

“Why do you travel?”

“Why do you live? It’s the same question.”

Sugar fell silent.

A strange premonition made her choose her next words carefully—but the traveler spoke first.

“No more questions?”

“…Why are you pretending not to know?”

She decided to be direct.

Suppressing the prickling unease, she asked:

“You interfered with my trial… didn’t you?”

The traveler’s otherworldly aura, her tone, her demeanor—something about her made Sugar certain.

“You were the one who brought Riley into it, weren’t you?”

Her instincts told her: No one else could’ve done such a thing.

Perhaps impressed by her boldness, the traveler’s lips curled.

A smile that didn’t feel human.

And then, utter nonchalance.

“Thanks to me, you passed safely, didn’t you?”