Published at 15th of November 2026 6:35 am

Chapter 3378: Preparations Before the Battle

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When Uriel’s "Dreaming" state dissipated, although there was still confusion in his eyes, this confusion was different from the state of "Dreaming".

In the "Dreaming" state, Uriel was confused about everything around him, seemingly wondering whether he was in a dream or reality.

However, as a gifted person, Uriel’s confusion was more about why he was sitting in front of the table... and wondering how Luigi came to the second floor.

Uriel rubbed his slightly swollen head, and some memories surfaced in his mind.

Oh, he remembered.

Luigi performed a marvelous piece of music and won his approval.

He then thought of ways to pave the way for Luigi and even wrote a challenge letter to his old colleague, Gulaimo...

These memories were actually the actions of the "Dreaming" Uriel. As a gifted person, Uriel didn’t know about the "Dreaming" Uriel possessing him, but the memories remained.

Uriel rubbed his forehead and said wearily, "I’ve already written to Gulaimo, and barring any surprises, he should arrive soon. At the latest, it won’t be more than two days."

Uriel turned his head to Luigi: "To avoid missing the time, you had better stay here until he arrives."

"There are two rooms next door, you can choose one to stay in for now."

After speaking, Uriel no longer paid attention to Luigi and instead went to the piano and silently played a piece of music.

This piano piece was none other than the recently performed "Black Sheep Confession Song" by Uriel.

As Uriel played, Luigi also received the enchanted realm notification for the task completion.

"Special Dreamland ’Uriel’s Choice’ Main Quest 4, Challenge Successful."

"Evaluation: I am myself, not a substitute for anyone. Rather than choosing the shortcut of crawling, it’s better to stand tall and forge through obstacles."

"Main Quest 4 has been completed, and Main Quest 5 will begin after the reward settlement."

"Reward Settlement: This task has no rewards, but you can collect the saved reward of Main Quest 3."

"Saved Reward: The Recommendation Letter from the Chief of the Imperial Orchestra."

This Main Quest 4, though seemingly simple, is indeed quite simple. No matter how you answer, it can always push the main quest further.

However, judging from the evaluation given by the enchanted realm notification, because he did not choose the "shortcut of crawling", he will need to "stand tall and forge through obstacles".

Just from the literal meaning, it can be seen that the road ahead may be very difficult. Gaining the approval of Chief Charlotte is not so easy.

Moreover, the enchanted realm notification also indicated one point.

The Uriel Dungeon has not completely ended. After he retrieves the saved reward of the recommendation letter, Main Quest 5 is likely to be issued.

"A dungeon with such a small area, yet the task process is so long..." Luigi sighed while settling the rewards.

Soon, "The Recommendation Letter from the Chief of the Imperial Orchestra" was in Luigi’s possession.

This recommendation letter, although marked as an "enchanted realm task item", did not have an independent fairyland space, leaving Luigi with no choice but to tuck the letter inside his robe.

With the letter stored away, the Uriel Dungeon opened the fifth round of the main quest.

"Special Dreamland ’Uriel’s Choice’ Main Quest 5—Challenge Letter: Engage in a duel with the visiting Gulaimo through a harp performance."

"Please note, after Gulaimo’s arrival, he will enter the ’Dreaming’ state."

"Please note, this task has only one chance for a challenge."

"Please note, to achieve victory, be sure to prepare strategically beforehand."

In fact, before the new main quest began, Luigi had already roughly guessed that the new main quest would certainly be related to Gulaimo. It turned out to be a duel with Gulaimo.

Therefore, Luigi was actually not surprised, the only thing worth his attention was one sentence from the enchanted realm notification: "To achieve victory, be sure to prepare strategically beforehand."

Strategic preparation, what does this mean?

Does it mean continuing to collect more sheet music to cope with it? Or something else?

Luigi was somewhat puzzled, so he went aside to quietly ask Angel.

Angel had also already analyzed the new enchanted realm notification, but unlike Luigi, he was not concerned with "strategic preparation", but another phrase: Gulaimo will also enter the "Dreaming" state?

This surprised Angel greatly.

The Dreaming state, simply put, is when real creatures dream into the immortal realm through unknown channels.

Uriel is able to enter the Dreaming state, most likely because of some unknown level of entanglement between the ’Uriel’s Choice’ dungeon and the real Uriel?

In other words, the dungeon and Uriel are deeply connected.

But "Gulaimo" is different, he is a side character triggered by Luigi in Main Quest 4.

If Luigi had chosen to "accept the Joker’s identity", this "Gulaimo" would not have appeared at all. It means this is a variable self-evolved within the sandbox game.

Since it is a variable unrelated to the main quest, it certainly does not have much association with the ’Uriel’s Choice’ dungeon.

Yet, even so, it is possible to drag "Gulaimo" into the Dreaming state, how is this so?

Has Wonderland of Dreams’ authority grown so strong that it can casually draw people across the Pan-Dimensional Plane?

Angel was very confused.

The authority of the Wonderland of Dreams is indeed strong and deep, but Angel doesn’t think it could be so strong as to draw people at will across the Pan-Dimensional Plane.

The "Dreaming" state must have other running logics unknown to him.

Thinking of this made Angel feel itchy with curiosity.

He was so curious about the rules of "drawing people", if it truly could draw people at will, wouldn’t that mean he could drag his mentor Sanders into the instance from across the world?

Of course, Angel personally felt it’s not that simple.

But it didn’t stop him from imagining.

Since there’s nothing to do now, perhaps he could take this opportunity to search for related information in the Ability Tree?

As Angel was eager to give it a try, Luigi’s inquiry came to his ears: "The enchanted realm notification told me to prepare strategically, what kind of preparation do I need to make?"

Due to Luigi’s question, Angel temporarily suppressed his desire to search the authority, and instead, pondered his question.

After a long while, Angel chose his words and replied: "In my view, so-called strategic preparation basically boils down to two types: either trap others or improve yourself."

The purpose of strategic preparation is? To win in the decisive battle.

And to improve the victory rate in non-battle times, either use unfair tactics or hasten to improve oneself.

Unfair tactics mean trapping your opponent.

For instance, before a final battle, exert external force on the opponent, causing them to feel distracted, or even make them ill, leading to physical problems... This can significantly weaken the opponent’s abilities during the decisive confrontation.

For Luigi, however, this is extremely difficult.

After all, Gulaimo is currently an NPC who hasn’t appeared on stage in the instance, so Luigi has no place to use such tricks.

Since he can’t resort to such tricks, he must focus on improving himself.

Improving oneself includes: enhancing musical skills, finding better instruments, discovering more scores that can be used... and so forth.

Any learning that benefits the final battle belongs to self-improvement.

Luigi scratched his head: "Refining musical skills feels like it’s already too late. Finding better instruments also seems impossible before the main quest concludes, as I can’t leave this instance... So, does that mean I can only continue searching for scores now?"

Angel: "Searching for scores is one approach, but there are other methods for self-improvement, such as targeted training."

Mentioning targeted training, Luigi immediately recalled that in order to gain Uriel’s recognition earlier, he asked Angel to help find scores and invited Jon to review his performance. He even got assistance to analyze Uriel’s micro-expressions to confirm Uriel’s preferences, leading him to find more suitable scores.

Securing the third seat in the Empire Orchestra confirms that targeted training is indeed a very good method.

However, according to the Wonderland hints, his final battle with Gulaimo offers only one opportunity.

There’s no way to analyze Gulaimo’s preferences, let alone conduct targeted training!

Upon hearing Luigi’s query, Angel couldn’t help but smile.

Jon often said, "The insider is confused, but the observer is clear." Angel used to find this somewhat exaggerated, but looking at Luigi’s expression now, he realized Luigi had fallen into the "maze" as an insider.

"Analyzing Uriel’s micro-expressions was a prior task that’s over now. Additionally, we conducted targeted training against Uriel because we were unfamiliar with Uriel, starting small to find weaknesses."

"But Gulaimo is different..."

Luigi looked puzzled: "Gulaimo is different? How is he different? I don’t know Gulaimo either..."

Angel sighed: "You not knowing doesn’t matter, but Uriel does."

Uriel previously clearly stated there was a rift, even hatred, between him and Gulaimo. Angel once heard that: the person who knows you best isn’t always a close friend, but often your enemy.

This saying might be somewhat absolute and biased, but in most environments, it can be considered a proverb.

Luigi doesn’t understand Gulaimo, that’s certain.

But equally certain is that Uriel definitely understands Gulaimo.

Hence, Wonderland’s hint specifically noted "Prepare well before the battle," and perhaps it’s not about Luigi gathering more scores but finding ways to understand Gulaimo.

Uriel is the best conduit for understanding Gulaimo.

"Additionally, since Uriel has a rift with Gulaimo, perhaps he also keeps some records about Gulaimo," Angel says, "You can check the attic and look for more information."

Uriel temporarily let Luigi stay in the attic, partially for rest, but possibly for other reasons.

Uriel himself can serve as a medium for Luigi to understand Gulaimo, and perhaps the newspapers and books in the attic can also provide intelligence on Gulaimo.

Collecting these pieces of intelligence, materializing Gulaimo’s image, and conducting targeted training might be the solution to Main Quest 5.

After hearing Angel’s analysis, Luigi suddenly understood.

Indeed, isn’t the biggest intelligence agent Uriel?

Previously, he and Uriel had a relationship akin to "interviewer and interviewee," and it was virtually impossible to get intelligence from Uriel.

Now that he passed Uriel’s "interview," they are somewhat "colleagues" in a sense.

Asking as a colleague, Uriel is likely not to refuse.

Moreover, judging from Uriel’s attitude and his current playing of "Black Sheep Confession Song," Uriel is quite appreciative of him.

He’s even willing, as a form of endorsement, to write a challenge letter to Gulaimo for Luigi.

He certainly doesn’t wish for Luigi to lose to Gulaimo.

After all, it’s his endorsement, and losing would tarnish his reputation.

Under these circumstances, if Luigi asks Uriel for information regarding Gulaimo, Uriel is sure to be obliging.

Once Luigi understood this point, he immediately set about "searching the room" and "strategizing with Uriel."

Meanwhile, Angel seized this opportunity to delve into the Ability Tree.

He needed to search for more insider notes concerning Gulaimo’s "Dreamseeing" state.

...

In the distant temporal space.

Dusman Empire, Dawn City.

The morning light slowly awakens the city after a night of slumber. Dull gloom is pierced by golden rays, suffusing the entire city with warmth.

In a corner of the city, on the second floor of a dusty attic.

Summer morning light filtered through a tattered window, illuminating Uriel’s face.

Under the warm glow, Uriel slowly opened his eyes, waking from sleep.

He raised his hand instinctively to block the light outside, then sat up from the bed, looking tired...

He stared into space for a full three minutes until the morning hymn from the Glory Church brought his thoughts back.

The children’s choir naturally carries the effect of purifying the spirit. Even though Uriel doesn’t like many of the Church’s deeds, he enjoys listening to the church’s thrice-daily devotional music.

While listening to the faint hymns, Uriel stretched lazily.

His peripheral vision caught something; he noticed the piano opposite the bed had become extremely clean. Usually, it was filled with piled-up sundries and a layer of dust.

Why does it seem so clean today with a faint scent of piano oil in the air?

With a bit of thought, Uriel recalled Butler Cha’s visit last night and the extraordinary musical dream?

In that dream, he heard a piece of music that he deemed nearly perfect for religious protest.

No, it wasn’t just a dream!

Uriel felt that after Butler Cha left, he fell asleep again and had a second dream.

In this dream, he vaguely remembered learning the name of the dream music from a musician.

"It seems to be called..."

"’Black Sheep Confession Song’?"

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