The Dreamer's POV

[7:47 AM; Sunday, 30th of April, 2024]

Lisa Scofield gave a heavy sigh as soon as she shut the door behind her.

A conflicted expression played on her face, but she tightened it so her expression depicted a frown that distorted her charming look.

'It's for the best. It's what everyone decided.'

Lisa knew within herself that she could never have made such a horrific decision by herself. The truth was that she had been in telepathic contact with her friends throughout the time she was with Mikey.

She had also told them of her thoughts, and they unanimously agreed on the current decision she had to undertake. Lisa had to wonder if it was ideal to do so, but she also knew the odds of survival if she didn't take this path.

'Besides… that 'Guiding Thought' has never been wrong, has it?'

Ever since she awakened her abilities and went through her Status Window, she had been privy to the thoughts of many people in the hotel. She had witnessed how many of them died, thanks to their dying thoughts.

For those who lived, she was able to sense their location and also hear how scared they were. It was extremely frightening for her too. She actually thought she would die, surrounded by so much noise and death.

That is… until she heard the 'Guiding Thought'

She was still unsure of the identity of the voice, but the thought was there to comfort her. It told her everything was going to be okay, and then it told her what to do.

It taught her how to use her Skill to communicate with those around her, and use them as bait to distract the Demons in her vicinity. That was how she was able to escape them and reach the first floor where she met Mikey

Back when the Demon was pounding on the door, almost grabbing the attention of more of its kind, she had appealed to it for help. It was the one that told her to convince another survivor to come out of their suite, thus distracting the Demon and allowing it to leave theirs alone.

Her survival thus far was all thanks to the Guiding Thought, and it was its wise advice that gave her the strength to do what was necessary. Even the groundwork for her current plan was all thanks to it.

'I still don't know who they are, but…' Lisa decided to put off her thoughts of Mikey, and all her regrets, and simply focus on the job she had to do.

First things first… she had to use her actual Skill.

"<Mind Link>"

In an instant, she was able to connect to all four of her friends.

"Okay, guys. I've secured him. I'll use my ability to sense the presence of the incoming Demons and guide you so you can make it to this room safely. Remember the plan. Follow everything as detailed as possible."

The static in her head formed voices, and the relieved sounds of her friends echoed.

~For real? Sweet!~ One cried out, obviously masculine.

~You did great, Lisa. Thank you so much!~ Another voice, more sullen and calm echoed in her head.

~We can finally leave this place. Thank Goodness…~ Yet another friend's fleeting thought was heard.

~Thanks, Lisa. We're counting on you.~ The last of them responded.

For a moment, Lisa paused and listened to their replies. A smile of relief formed on her face, until she finally heaved a heavy sigh.

"Alright, then. Let us begin."

Her mission was simple, yet complex. The lives of her friends were hanging in the balance, and she was their only hope—their guide.

'I have to do this! No mistakes allowed!'

As heartless as she could be to strangers, she could be just as loving to the small circle that mattered to her.

'Lorna. Lily. Kame… and Jake. Don't you worry! I'll definitely protect you!'

In the end, as long as she and her loved ones survived this madness… that was all that mattered.

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Lisa Scofield

- Race: Human

- Level: 1

- Life Force: 1/1

- Energy Level: 1/1

- Combat Ability: 1/1

- Stat Points: 0

- Currency: 100

- Role: <The Witch>

- Authority: <Mindscape>

- Titles: <Anime Fanatic>, <Manipulator>, <Chosen One>

- Skills (Exclusive): <Mind Link>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Nil>

- Items Equipped: <Nil>

- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

[Additional Information]

You possess a strong will to survive, and with your ability to get in and out of the head of those around you, you could become a force to be reckoned with. See to it that you do not become too conceited, though.

[End Of Information]

***********

[8:09 AM; Sunday, 30th of April, 2024]

"Haa… safe at last!"

The first to collapse on the ground like a bag of fallen groceries was also the only male in the group—Jake Wester.

His blond hair scattered all over the clean, soft rug as he sighed heavily.

Not long after he did so, the remaining three girls with him also sat on the floor in relief, all expressing both physical and mental fatigue. They made tired glances at Lisa, who was busy securing the door they had used to enter the room.

Once she confirmed it was safely locked, she moved towards her exhausted friends.

"Glad to see you all made it safe and sound. You must be tired." Lisa smiled brightly. It wasn't a false front, or a facade like what she put on with others.

When she was with these people, her true emotions welled up, and even tears seemed to show in her eyes. True relief surged from the bottom of her heart.

"Damn straight. Haaa… fucking exhausted. Communicating with you for too long puts the brain in a lot of strain, you know?" Jake murmured, his breaths getting more stable as he took more time to breathe in fresh air.

"Haha! Is that so? Well, sorry for the inconvenience." Lisa laughed, and the others joined her as well.

It was clear that Jake had been rude. His entitled tone should have caused at least some level of discomfort among the girls, but none of them showed any sign.

Jake was usually like this, after all. And the four of them tolerated it, even becoming close inseparable friends who had an unshakeable bond.

How could such an ill-mannered person get away with so much of his insensitivity and lack of tact? Well…

"I'm fucking starving! You said there was stuff to eat, right, Lisa?"

"Oh, yeah! Let me go get it for you real quick. You all must be hungry too, right? What do you want?" Lisa's skin jumped at his words.

Even though she was feeling even more exhausted than they were, since her powers drained more of her mental strength than the four could even imagine, Lisa showed no sign of weakness.

She couldn't afford to!

"At this rate, I'll take anything."

"M-me too…"

"I'll have anything you give me…"

The three girls, as expected, showed no sign of being picky. But what about Jake?

"I want Rameon! Cola! Is there cheese? There's gotta be cheese, right? What of meat? Hope that guy wasn't a cheapskate…"

"We're supposed to be conserving food, you know?" Lisa sighed, staring at Jake with a false set of prickly eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I was just kidding. Bring me whatever is available too." He chuckled, dismissing what he said earlier as a joke.

Once more, all the girls laughed.

Despite what was said, they all knew that Lisa would do her best to ensure his needs were met with as much accuracy as possible. Even if she couldn't indulge him too much, she would do her best.

No, not just her. All of them would.

Why? Why would they all go that far for Jake?

Perhaps it had something to do with his 'Role' and 'Authority', or maybe it was just a natural inclination the girls had toward him. One thing was certain, though.

All four girls had feelings for Jake!

*****

[9:51 AM; Sunday, 30th of April, 2024]

It didn't take very long for the friends to begin talking casually.

They shared their experiences in detail, the four telling Lisa how frightened they were in the previous room they were trapped in.

If it hadn't been for Lisa, they would have most definitely met their end, either due to starvation, or death by the monsters that lurked around the scary hallways.

The relief they had when she first contacted them was indescribable. They were able to make sense of the situation and act accordingly. It took them a while, but the group was finally reunited.

"You girls are the best!" Jake laughed, happily enjoying his third bowl of Rameon.

A 1-liter cola was by his side, and he was happily chatting with the girls, who were snacking on the supplies they were able to get their hands on. All of them laughed happily, in relief and fellowship.

… All ignoring the fact that there was one other person in the suite with them.

"Don't worry, girls. I'll protect you all!" Jake declared with enthusiasm. He twirled his blond hair and flashed his teeth, sending sparkles of attractiveness permeating his body.

"Sureeeee!"

"We believe you, Jake."

"We're counting on you."

"Let's hope that never happens."

Though mixed with playful sarcasm, it was easy to tell that the girls were all relying on his words. Even though they all had unique abilities, in the end, they still saw Jake as the strongest among them.

He was special. Their expectations and thoughts of him were simply that.

And what did this blonde think? What was Jake's disposition in this scenario?

'Heck yeah! So this is how it feels to be the main character!' He grinned internally.

Yes. That was what Jake thought about himself, and the entire scenario.

He was the Protagonist!

As an avid Gamer and Anime Weeb, he had always fantasized about this kind of scenario. A perilous time when the world's system was at a standstill, and the ones who previously occupied positions of power became obsolete.

In such a world, nothing like 'the government' or 'businessmen' mattered anymore. The 'chosen one' who traversed the lands and had the overpowered ability to get the job done would be recognized as the Hero.

That role belonged to him!

However, this was simply just one side of the coin. What about the other side?

'Hihihihihi! This is awesome! I already have four members. I can't wait to build my harem even further!' Jake's thoughts echoed deep in his heart.

That's right! He was about to have a Harem in this Apocalypse.

That was his grand plan as the protagonist in this new world!

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Jake Wester

- Race: Human

- Level: 1

- Life Force: 2/2

- Energy Level: 2/2

- Combat Ability: 2/2

- Stat Points: 0

- Currency: 100

- Role: <The Hero>

- Authority: <Salvation>

- Titles: <Anime Fanatic>, <Ladies Man>, <Chosen One>

- Skills (Exclusive): < Charisma>

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Nil>

- Items Equipped: <Nil>

- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

[Additional Information]

You have been privileged with the greatest kind of power The ability to influence others and utilize their aid. Much can be said about its application. With great power comes great responsibility.

[End Of Information]

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading, everyone. Much appreciation!

Please continue to support me!