"It's alright," Nina said gently. "Just make sure you protect yourself tomorrow. Stay safe."
Mona nodded, clutching the items tightly before hurrying off to prepare.
. . .
Inside the City Lord's Residence — Barbarian City
The dungeon was cold, damp, and steeped in darkness.
Zena sat imprisoned within a shadowy stone cell when Yosan stepped inside.
"So," he said coldly, "Zena… I never expected you to betray your master."
His gaze was sharp, merciless.
"He granted you power—and this is how you repay him? Are you tired of living?"
Zena let out a quiet, humorless breath.
"He was never my master. We only made a deal."
She had long grown weary of living like this—trapped in a city, forced to do things she despised.
Perhaps death would be a release.
Only… it was a pity she might never see Nina one last time.
Not long after Nina had left, Yosan had surrounded her home.
She'd known then—she had been exposed.
