Early morning sunlight spilled softly through the curtains of Mino's room, filling it with a warm, silvery glow.

"Hnn~…"

Mino blinked her blue eyes open. The first thing she saw was the sleeping figure beside her—her beloved Big Sis, Mia.

Last night, after taking a bath, they had talked for hours—about the past, about the city, and about Luciel—until both drifted into sleep, exhausted and comforted.

It had been a long time since Mia had slept so deeply.

Her body had been worn down by days of travel and battle; her shadow power hadn't yet fully recovered. The fatigue had finally caught up with her, and now, she slept soundly—like someone who hadn't rested in years.

Mino tilted her head slightly, gazing fondly at the older girl's peaceful face. Then, with a mischievous grin, she reached out and brushed Mia's soft cat ears.

"Hnn~…"

The cat ears twitched. Mia frowned slightly, murmuring in discomfort, her expression tightening as if she were lost in a nightmare.

"Big Sis?" Mino's playful smile faded. She gently shook her shoulder.

Mia's eyelids fluttered open, her crimson eyes hazy with confusion. For a moment, she just stared at the ceiling, lost in the boundary between dream and reality. The softness of the bed beneath her and the faint scent of flowers made it hard to remember where she was.

"Big Sis?" Mino leaned closer, worry in her voice.

Mia slowly turned her head. When she finally focused on the small, anxious face beside her, her gaze softened.

"I'm fine," she said quietly, her voice hoarse. "Just… had a dream."

A dream. No, a nightmare.

In it, she had been hunted by shadows—by orcs, vampires, and beasts of all kinds. Each pair of fangs and claws seemed to belong to someone she had once angered, someone whose treasure she had stolen or whose pride she had wounded.

She exhaled slowly, forcing a small smile.

"Dreaming about something bad?" Mino asked carefully.

"No," Mia replied, shaking her head. "It was just… strange."

Mino didn't press further. She smiled faintly, lifted the quilt, and swung her legs out of bed. "Come on, Big Sis, let's get up. I'm already late, and Sophia must be preparing breakfast alone."

As she stood and stretched, the morning light caught her golden hair, making it gleam like threads of silk. Mia followed her, rising reluctantly.

Now that the room was bright, Mia noticed something she hadn't the night before.

The walls were covered in paintings—sketches, house plans, and vivid landscapes. Some were rough, others so finely drawn that they seemed alive.

"You drew these?" she asked curiously.

Mino shook her head with a small, proud smile. "No. These are all drawn by Luciel."

She walked over to the wall and began pointing them out one by one.

"This one's my favorite," she said softly, eyes glowing with tenderness. "It's the first painting Luciel ever gave me."

Mia stepped closer. The painting depicted a village nestled among forests and lakes, bathed in the glow of a distant moon.

"Our tribe…" Mia whispered, recognizing it instantly.

Mino nodded, her voice tinged with warmth and nostalgia. "Luciel drew it so I wouldn't be sad. He called it 'Hometown'."

Her small hand moved to another canvas—a depiction of a small wooden house, sunlight streaming through a window.

"And this one," Mino smiled, "was our first home here. My second favorite."

Mia watched her little sister's bright expression and couldn't help but smile herself.

"Luciel is amazing," Mino went on proudly. "He even drew you, Big Sis. I just described what you looked like, and he captured it perfectly."

She giggled, completely absorbed in her own small collection. Mia listened quietly, her heart swelling with both pride and a strange ache. Mino had changed—no longer the timid, dependent little girl she once knew.

"Alright," Mino said finally, stretching her slender arms until her back arched. "Let's go to the dining room. The others must be waiting."

Mia nodded and began changing her clothes. When both were dressed—Mino in her tidy maid outfit and Mia in a simple dress—they left the room hand in hand.

The dining hall was already lively when they arrived. The aroma of freshly baked bread and hot soup filled the air.

Sophia was bustling between the kitchen and the table, laying out dishes with practiced grace.

Luciel sat at the head of the long table, with Mirean and Agne Moon beside him. He glanced up from his cup of tea as they entered.

"Mino hasn't gotten up yet?" he asked lightly.

"I'm here~~!"

Mino's voice rang cheerfully through the room as she entered, tugging Mia along.

"Sorry for being late," she said, a little embarrassed.

Luciel smiled. "It's fine. Sit down."

Mia hesitated for a moment, her crimson eyes flicking across the room. Most of the others wore half masks or veils, and their composed silence made the atmosphere feel formal.

Still, she followed Mino's lead and took a seat.

Luciel glanced around. "Ariel didn't come again?"

Sophia replied softly, "Miss Ariel is still in the research institute. I've already brought her breakfast."

Luciel sighed. "She should really take a walk once in a while. Staying inside all the time isn't good for her."

"Easier said than done," Alina murmured with a wry smile. "We tried convincing her. She just won't listen."

Luciel chuckled helplessly, then turned his attention to Mia. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Mia straightened slightly, avoiding his gaze. "Yes… very well."

He nodded. "Good. Eat freely, no need to be reserved here."

She offered a polite nod in return and reached for her chopsticks. The first bite of sautéed sweet potato leaves brought a faint smile to her lips.

Before anyone could continue the conversation, the sharp sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Tap, tap, tap.

Everyone turned toward the door.

Elara entered, clad in ghost armor that clinked softly with each step. The faint gleam of her silver eyes shone from behind her visor.

She approached Luciel's side and lowered her voice. "The intelligence from Asuka City has arrived."

Luciel gestured calmly. "Read it."

Elara nodded and began to report, her tone crisp and steady.

"Asuka is located within the Dunes—a labyrinth of lonely peaks and steep ridges. Countless fierce beasts inhabit the forest, and bones litter the ground. That's where the name comes from—the Forest of Ten Thousand Skulls.

For ordinary people, entering it is suicide. Yet Asuka City was built atop one of those isolated mountains."

Luciel's black eyes brightened. "A forest filled with beasts… sounds promising."

He already imagined what could be found there—rare creatures, perhaps even ancient species. If he could tame them, the gains would be tremendous.

Mino's heart tightened. "Luciel, that place sounds too dangerous! Maybe we shouldn't go."

Mia's expression turned serious. "You're planning to go to Asuka City?"

Luciel gave her a brief, reassuring look. "You know it?"

Mia nodded slowly. "You shouldn't go. The Bird City lies deep within the Dunes. To reach it, you must cross the forest itself—and that forest is death for anyone who can't fly."

She hesitated, then added, "There are seventh-tier beasts there. Some say even eighth-tier. Once you enter, your chances of survival are slim."

Her warning wasn't entirely exaggerated—if anything, she hoped the danger would dissuade them.

Mino gasped softly. "So dangerous…"

Her eyes darted back to Luciel. "Are you really going?"

Luciel smiled faintly, resting his chin on his hand. "I am. The more dangerous a place is, the more opportunities it holds. And eighth-tier beast cores…" His eyes gleamed. "Those are worth a fortune in evolution points."

Mino opened her mouth to protest but fell silent. She knew that tone—once Luciel decided something, persuasion was useless.

Mia frowned. She had seen reckless men before, but not like him. There was something different in Luciel's calmness, something that made her uneasy.

"Don't worry," Mirean said lightly, sipping her soup. "Luciel always has his ways."

Elara waited until the conversation quieted before continuing, "There's another matter—news about Nijisha."

Luciel's expression sharpened. "Is she ready?"

Elara nodded. "Yes. She plans to lead her people to defect. She hopes we can provide support—three days from now."

Luciel's gaze deepened. "Understood. I'll make preparations."

He paused, then asked, "Anything else?"

"Nothing further."

"Good work," he said gently. "Sit down and eat."

Elara smiled faintly, removing her helmet and replacing it with her silver mask. She took a seat beside Mirean as Sophia poured her a bowl of hot soup.

Mia's crimson eyes flickered, her mind restless.

If the Black Tortoise's forces moved toward Asuka City, Oasis would notice. The Oasis network had a contact point there, and those people would never ignore Black Tortoise's movements.

Her heart twisted painfully. Between the city that had sheltered her sister and the organization that had once saved her life, she was caught in a storm she couldn't escape.

Should I warn him?

She clenched her chopsticks, her pulse quickening.

But after a long moment of hesitation, she said nothing. Revealing the existence of the Oasis now could endanger everyone—including Mino.

She decided to stay silent and observe a little longer.

Mino, noticing her distracted look, leaned closer. "Big Sis, are you alright? You don't like the food?"

Mia blinked and forced a smile. "No, it's delicious. Really."

If even Black Tortoise's meals couldn't please her, then perhaps nothing in the world could.

She picked up another bite and quietly chewed, eyes lowered—lost in the uneasy warmth of family, loyalty, and secrets yet to unfold.

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