Chapter 403

Compared to the nightmarish places like the misty deep forests of the Human-Faced Forest Spirits, the mirrored skies and green wave sea monsters, or even the endless deserts of the Sand Dune Giant Worms, the barren reed lands stretched by the Swamp King Snake might seem plain at first glance. But make no mistake, it’s absolutely the most dangerous of the six dream layers.

In this nightmare realm, the marsh doesn’t follow the rules of the real world but instead leans toward the imagery associated with marshes in dreams. And once a marsh appears in a nightmare, it usually signifies an inescapable “sinking.”

So, within this vast expanse of pitch-black marshlands, aside from the white reeds that tower over any adult human male, nothing else can stand on its surface. Any force directed in any direction will pull you downward.

To exaggerate, even a single wisp of wind passing through would be drawn down into the dark mud, with no escape possible. The faster you move, the quicker you sink—no exceptions.

No matter which direction he chose to go next, Leon would be swallowed bit by bit by the black mud that devoured everything, slowly dragged deeper into the marsh by countless aquatic reeds.

“Damn humans, you’re done for!”

…

Weird, her emotions seemed to suddenly spike? Glancing at the Snow Maiden whose clear features couldn’t hide her joy and who appeared revitalized, Leon couldn’t help but give her a curious look before asking:

“Is this the nightmare world created by the Swamp King Snake? Is the Scorpion Bureau Director on this layer?”

“Hmph!”

“…”

Oh right, she doesn’t have to answer.

Looking at the Snow Maiden who turned away, ignoring him, Leon simply reached out and tapped her shoulder, then ordered directly:

“Fine, just take me to him!”

“Not possible.”

Glancing at Leon’s shoes already sinking into the marsh, the Snow Maiden, brimming with glee, humphed and said:

“When we were outside, I was a spectator and could barely sense some things; now that you’ve dragged me into the dream, it’s like being inside the belly of the Swamp King Snake. Everything around is the essence of the Swamp King Snake, how am I supposed to help you find anyone?”

So they couldn’t immediately rendezvous with the Scorpion Bureau Director? After hearing the Snow Maiden’s words, Leon, whose vision was severely obstructed amidst the towering reeds, immediately pulled out the Sheep Head and gave it a touch.

Desolate…

At least within a two-kilometer radius, there wasn’t a trace of soul fire. In this bizarrely windy black-and-white marsh, it seemed there weren’t any creatures present.

It looked like the Scorpion Bureau Director might not be on this layer. Even if he were, he must be quite far from Leon’s current position. Finding him would likely take some time.

Thinking about this, Leon couldn’t help but frown slightly.

After drawing so much hate earlier, once the Nightmare King escapes the Bureau Director’s control and enters reality, it’ll probably dive straight into the sixfold nightmare to hunt him down.

As the master of nightmares, entering the nightmare is like returning home. Finding his location would be ridiculously easy, and whether or not [Alcohol Immortal] could handle him was uncertain.

His best advantage here was the Scorpion Bureau Director trapped in the sixfold nightmare. Only by meeting up with the director before the Nightmare King found him could Leon truly be safe.

Looks like it’s time to race against the clock.

Realizing what he needed to do, since his view was completely blocked by the white reeds taller than a person, Leon instantly pulled out the long-neglected Witch’s Broom and mounted it with one leg.

The range of this nightmare world was really extensive. The Sheep Head’s soul vision couldn’t fully cover it, so finding traces of the Scorpion Bureau Director would depend entirely on his own eyes.

Considering the strong winds constantly blowing across the marsh, visibility was decent, so relying solely on sight, he should be able to see more than ten kilometers… Hmm?

Leon had only ascended less than a meter when he was pulled downward by a strange suction force, splashing back into the reeds.

But this time, the result was worse. He hadn’t even risen half a meter before plummeting headfirst into the marsh, covered in mud.

Strange… Could there be some kind of no-fly restriction here?

“Don’t bother struggling, you won’t be able to fly.”

Watching Leon, who had fallen twice and was already knee-deep in the marsh, the Snow Maiden, still tear-streaked, couldn’t help but smirk smugly: “Even though you dragged me out of the snowy mountain, you’re only at the level of a regular Level 3 Cleaner, unable to resist my memory concealment. Once inside the barren reed land, you naturally become bound by its rules.

In the barren reed land of the Swamp King Snake, except for these white reeds, nothing can stay on the marsh, and the faster you move, the quicker you sink. You’d better just stay still!”

Nothing but reeds can stay on the marsh, huh?

After hearing the Snow Maiden’s words, Leon blinked and asked:

“So, if I weave these reeds into a pair of shoes, would I be able to stand on the marsh?”

“Ah?”

Caught off guard by Leon’s question, the Snow Maiden subconsciously blinked her ice-blue eyes, her smile freezing momentarily.

Only reeds can stay on the marsh, so weaving them into shoes… This… This…

“Don’t just stand there, get to work.”

Not getting an answer from the Snow Maiden, Leon didn’t hesitate. Instead, he took out a small knife, cut two bundles of reeds, handed one to the bewildered Snow Maiden, and asked:

“Do you know how to weave shoes?”

“No…”

“Then follow my steps!”

“…”

Looking at Leon crossing the white reeds horizontally and vertically, actually starting to weave sandals, the Snow Maiden couldn’t help but feel frustrated, regretting speaking too much.

Unfortunately, words spoken are like water spilled, and it was too late to regret now. Unable to defy the [Unfair Snake Contract], she could only begrudgingly mimic Leon’s movements, awkwardly weaving the sandals.

Damn! How dare you make me make shoes for you… I’ll weave the prickliest ones! Stomp on them and hurt yourself! With full malice, the Snow Maiden viciously tugged at the reeds in her hands, wishing they would instantly turn into cacti and pierce the feet that would step on them later.

However, as she gritted her teeth and worked on the reeds, she noticed Leon pausing momentarily, looking at her curiously.

“Weren’t you saying that anything other than reeds would sink?”

Looking down at her delicate feet standing on the black mud, Leon frowned and asked:

“Why aren’t you sinking into the marsh?”

“Why should I sink?”

The Snow Maiden huffed and replied:

“Even without the nightmare core, I’m on the same level as the Swamp King Snake and the other Nightmare Messengers, so of course, I’m unaffected by the barren reed land… You… Why did you throw away the sandals? Why are you looking at me? Don’t come near me!”