Aurora Emberlyn was both a [Superhero] and a [Savior].

  As a Savant with a blue Ego Core at level 12, those two Aspiration Classes supported her claim of being the strongest Sleeper on the First Layer.

  The scarecrow wasn’t sure if he could win against her himself, even without having fought her. The single ability of being able to see a “light” inside other Sleepers would put a big wrench in most of his fighting habits. Not to mention a full head-on strategy might as well be a coin toss against such heavy hitting Aspiration Classes.

  Even if he was naked, he wasn’t too confident he could come out on top.

  Not that I would ever fight her in that state… The thought alone made him shudder for his reputation.

  Nevertheless, he also similarly knew for certain she wasn’t the strongest Sleeper on the Abyss of Lethe.

  That title likely belonged to John Doe. It was becoming more and more clear to Somnu that the Blood Fiend must be at the end of the Savant rank, or one rank higher already. Either that, or Somnu was still missing something crucial.

  Either way, Aurora was a Sleeper that had perfect balance between combat, healing, and support. The few skills she had disclosed to Somnu made his insides boil with envy.

  In comparison to his tricky and bothersome skills that he constantly needed to find uses for mid-battle, hers were a direct cheat to victory.

  At the very least, he could count on her to pull her own weight if it came down to it.

  Mo was both a [Fireman] and a [Firefighter].

  It was almost funny, but those Aspiration Classes both allowed him to control fire, and defend against it. That meant he had both fire and water attacks, while at the same time able to rescue and protect nearby allies.

  All in all, with a blue Ego Core at level 9, there wouldn’t be a need to worry about him too much during a fight. For some reason, Somnu believed having Mo and Mathros team up would increase both of their strengths. The lizardman’s control over wind could likely boost the fireman’s flames further, he assumed.

  Leyna was a [Seamstress], but she wouldn’t disclose her second Aspiration Class.

  She wasn’t being secretive, just shy. Later, Mo had told his brother it was likely a [Supermodel] Aspiration Class. In the end, no one knew her better than the overprotective brother she clinged to.

  With that assumption in mind, and her own affirmations, her Aspiration Classes allowed for good combative skills, but overall focused more on trapping and distracting an enemy.

  Mo and Aurora supported her claims, having been with her as she ranked up to Savant and currently stood at Ego Core level 1. Drawing too much attention to herself was never her thing in the waking world, but aspiring to be something different than yourself forced your hand in the Nightmare Realm.

  In the end, wasn’t that exactly what the Dreamscape existed for? To face one’s fears, and strive to become the person one aspires to be?

  Lastly, Arman was a [Doctor] and a [Researcher] according to the three Somnu had asked.

  No one had seen him in combat, but the head doctor had helped heal and treat many wounded who could no longer treat themselves with level ups and had injuries the System took too long to regenerate. The Luscairna followed his lead, respecting him as much as they did their Fortmaster, and he helped keep order and peace within Mirewalker Fort.

  Additionally, according to him, he was the leader of the Dream Chasers, an organisation that had tried to prepare for the sleeping disease currently plaguing all Sleepers, from earth or otherwise. Some of those Dream Chasers had been in the recent meeting, and were ready to support both Arman and Aurora at any time.

  Knowing all this does ease my mind a bit… Somnu thought, having reviewed most of the new information he had gathered.

  At the moment, he was sitting alone in his new residence. He had stubbornly requested to be given a room on his own, and despite everyone arguing against it, they eventually gave in to respect his privacy.

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  They probably think I’m still hesitant to be with them… But I have to do this.

  The tightness in his stomach ever since he saw the expression darken on their faces was still aching.

  Despite trying to think of another way to not make them worry, he couldn’t come up with any possibility that allowed him to prepare everything he needed to while being around them.

  He refused to risk having them see him in a helpless state. Especially not the most horrific sight he will be reduced to every night.

  Once again, he grabbed onto the translucent crown and dug it into his skull.

  The piercing pain behind his eye sockets immediately made him shudder and grab onto his stick.

  Sweat ran down his bare body as if he was melting ice, dripping all over the ground he was sitting on, quickly creating a small pool that could easily be mistaken for something else.

  He gritted his teeth, controlling his grip on the stick so he wouldn't break it.

  I need to take control of this… I can do this…

  He kept resisting, not allowing Veilbinder’s Diadem to show him an vision, nor stopping the attempt. This was the same pain that had cost him his two eyes, and despite his growing strength, it never got easier to deal with.

  The only thing that kept him sane was the constant intake of Terror Cores, relying on the brief boosts in rejuvenation to keep going.

  If he had the choice, he would have first got through the entire night before leveling up. Every time the rejuvenation stopped, he was pulled back into the same horrifying agony. The back and forth was arguably more harm than good, but it allowed him to not claw out any more body parts.

  After another long night, morning finally dawned.

  After a few level ups and a shower, he slumped down on his coach, fairly certain that at any second-

  “Hey! Open up!”

  “...”

  ‘Master! There is someone at the door! I think it’s your brother!’

  ‘... thanks, Naga.’

  ‘Anytime, master!’

  With his serpent familiar’s help, the scarecrow dragged his body to move again before it had time to relax or recover properly. Having had to guard the door all night, Naga was repeatedly nudging Somnu’s cheek.

  He put on a bathrobe his sister had given him and opened the door.

  “Yes?”

  “Everyone is here, let’s go have breakfast!”

  As soon as he opened the door, Mo bumped his own chest while the girls were chatting behind him.

  “Even Leyna got up early and got ready for this, so move it.”

  “Aurora… you were up too!”

  “Guys, it’s probably like 5 am in equivalence to our time on earth, I need rest.”

  “Pish posh, Somnu friend! Let’s go!”

  “...”

  Looking down, they all finally noticed Bro’Ski, having popped out of nowhere again.

  Somnu, keeping his eyelids closed, pinched the inner corners together.

  “I… didn’t sleep that well, let me change.”

  “We’ll wait for you inside!”

  ‘Master! We found another one!’

  ‘!’

  ‘He might be after another Sleeper!’

  Crow-shit, why now?! Somnu cursed inwardly, making way for everyone to enter his home.

  Despite his siblings feeling emotional at the fact they were finally answered at the door and brought in after the countless attempts a few years back, the scarecrow couldn’t be as joyful in that moment.

  Not when John Doe was on the move, and Somnu was still recovering his strength. On one hand, he could possibly win with his current power, but on the other hand, it might drain him completely to the point where he would need to explain himself to his siblings.

  Should I tell Aurora to do this…? He considered briefly as he rushed into his unused bedroom under the guise of wanting to put on clothes. No, they are… happy. Telling them would only ruin their morning. I can do this myself.

  At best, he might have a few minutes to kill another Savant he had no information on. After being silent all night, this could easily be a trap from John Doe to bring him out.

  The thought of abandoning the targeted Sleeper had crossed his mind, eliminating all risk entirely, but despite his hesitation when he first started his plan, he couldn’t bring himself to do that.

  ‘Naga, let’s go!’

  ‘Yes, master!’

  The things that took the least amount of energy were his Dream Catcher and Mementos. He could summon them and use them almost freely, with the exception of Eclipsed Requiem’s skill that took a lot from him.

  Thankfully, he had already ranked up Wistful Daystar, the Memento Benji had entrusted him with. That had been the upgrade that helped him win against the last assassin Sleeper he went up against.

  He would need to rely on those again to reduce the amount of energy cost.

  Just to be on the safe side, he stayed in the nude.

  He hoped at least his Personal Titles would channel him something he could use.