If Nymeria had asked me this question any other day, I would've teased her to no end.

But that night, seeing how depressed she looked, there were only two words I could come up with.

"Come inside," I said, stepping aside.

Without looking at me, she walked in and sat at the corner of the bed.

"Sit beside me. I need to tell you something important," she ordered in a low tone.

As soon as I sat, she began, "The Forlorn City is situated on the northern border of the Forest of Gumiho, and there are three more cities built on the western, eastern, and southern borders of the forest. The name of the country we're currently in is called the Abandoned Land, and these cities are the only places where law and order still exist. So you can't carelessly leave the city."

"This geography lesson came out of nowhere," I chuckled.

"Listen carefully. This is important," she nagged, pulling the sleeve of my blazer.

"Okay, pretty lady, please continue."

"Similar to this city, the others are also ruled by a mayor from a noble family assigned by the Emperor. But that is just a façade. In truth, the entire Abandoned Land, along with these four cities, is ruled by a criminal organization named El Dorado."

"A criminal organization!?" I gasped. "But isn't the city way too peaceful to be ruled by criminals?"

"Unless necessary, they don't bother the city's people, to show some face to the Emperor."

"But why doesn't the Emperor just get rid of these people?"

"Because it's not worth it. The Soulforce in this country is so thin that no one can even break through to the Mid-Tier Realm. The Emperor doesn't want to waste his resources on such a place. Moreover, this land is used as banishment for criminals and fallen nobles, so the Emperor doesn't care what they do here."

"Does that mean the mayors..."

"What you're thinking is indeed true. These mayors are from fallen families and were banished here. I'm telling you all of this because I want two promises from you."

"Promises?" I asked.

"Will you accept my request?"

"Depends on what you're going to ask of me."

"Why? Are you afraid I'll ask too much?"

"It's not that… What if I can't fulfill it? I don't want to make empty promises."

"You've passed the test," she replied with a warm smile. "I would've been disappointed if you agreed without hearing the terms, because that would mean you weren't serious about the promise."

Nymeria drew a wooden mask from her pouch, similar to the one Doran was wearing, and handed it to me. "The first promise you need to make is that you won't let anyone know you're a Thunderbane unless I tell you otherwise."

Ding…

"You have received a Rare Item: Face Changing Mask.

Face Changing Mask

Rank: C

Class: Rare

Description: Once worn, the mask can change the user's face into the desired appearance.

Note: The appearance can only be selected once and cannot be changed again."

"You want me to hide my forehead mark with this mask?" I asked. "Can you tell me the reason?"

"I can only tell you that your life would be in danger if it's leaked that a Thunderbane is still alive."

"Alright, I got it, but I still need to use my lightning abilities. Won't people know then that I'm a Thunderbane?"

"Have you forgotten what I told you in the forest? Someone born in a Bane family can only awaken an elemental attribute predetermined by blood. So, a person carrying the blood of the Snowbane can only awaken a snow attribute. But that doesn't mean others can't have elemental attributes. Elemental attributes aren't exclusive to us—it's us, the Banes, who are exclusive to elemental attributes."

"Hmm, so you mean there are people with elemental attributes who don't carry the mark."

"Precisely. Don't you already know someone like that?"

"I do?" I murmured in confusion.

Then, with a sudden gasp, I exclaimed, "You mean Ume!"

"Indeed. Her attribute is Plum Blossoms, a subcategory of the Flower attribute of the Flowerbanes."

"Fine then, I promise that I'll hide my identity until you want me to reveal it," I agreed with a sigh before asking further, "What's the other promise I need to make?"

Nymeria's expression turned absolutely serious as she ordered, "You mustn't leave the Forlorn City at any cost until you reach the Essence Realm."

"That's an easy promise," I chuckled, shaking her hand.

"I thought you'd throw a tantrum for this one, but you agreed rather easily," she murmured, confused.

"Why would I leave the city when you're here with me? Haven't we decided to travel Vyoman together?" I replied with a smile before adding, "But your behavior is scaring me today. You're nagging like you won't be with me anymo—"

Before I could finish, she suddenly leaned her forehead against my chest, her hands clutching my blazer as she whispered, "I'm sleepy."

"Oh, y-you want to sleep? Here? Now?" I blurted, completely flustered. "Should I move to your room?"

"No, I want to sleep with you," she whimpered, raising her face and gazing into my eyes. "Is that too much to ask for?"

How could someone possibly say no to that face?

"I-it's fine. We've already slept together before," I replied, embarrassed.

We lay on the bed, and—obviously being shy—I turned to the other side to avoid her gaze.

"Good night," I said, taking off my blazer and turning off the lamp.

"Why are you looking away?" Her voice came from behind, her hands tugging on my shirt. "Are you uncomfortable with me?"

From the moment she entered the room, her behavior had been strange. She was definitely hiding something weighing on her heart.

I turned to her side and found her eyes brimming with tears.

"Do you want to talk about what's hurting you?"

She shook her head, refusing to say anything.

"It's fine, come here," I said, pulling her closer to me by the waist.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, buried her face in my chest, and began sobbing heavily.

"It's alright, I'm here with you, Nymeria," I whispered, patting her head.

After crying for several minutes, she fell asleep in my arms, hugging me tightly.

Before I knew it, I also drifted into sleep.

---

"Ny-Nymeria," I murmured, waking up the next morning.

As I became fully conscious, I realized Nymeria wasn't there. My heart was filled with an aching emptiness, and my lips were wet, carrying the faint scent of Nymeria.

I pulled myself into a sitting position and found a letter in my hand.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.