That ritual isn't a joke.
It's dangerous.
I have to enter the Mist Layer alone… and I'm responsible for bringing food back for my wife.
That's why the palace was cleared of servants. Even my father left me on my own.
If I succeed, it proves I'm a man worthy of marriage.
A man who can be trusted with someone's daughter.
To be honest… I've never entered the Mist Layer before.
Even though it's considered dangerous, it's still possible to run into a third-tier creature there.
But the good thing is… There are no leaders.
No fourth-tier beings.
The only reason I avoided it until now… was because I planned to enter after reaching mid–second tier.
While I was lost in thought, Sera placed her hand on my chest and rested her head on my shoulder.
"Are you going?" she asked.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment.
"…Yes."
"Are you ready?"
I turned my head toward her.
"I won't lie to you… I'm not ready at all. The marriage ruined my plans. It forced everything forward."
She studied my face quietly, then said,
"Do you want me to help you… secretly? You know I'm experienced in that layer. With me there, no one could threaten you."
It was a tempting idea.
It would help a lot.
Sera was already third-tier.
But I asked instead,
"And how would you see me after that, Sera?"
She fell silent for a moment, tracing small circles on my chest with her finger.
"…Does it matter?"
"It matters. A lot."
"Honestly?"
"Yes. Honestly."
"…Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
She exhaled softly.
"Then you'd look like a coward hiding behind his mother."
She paused.
"I'm sure that's what I'd think in the future. Even if I don't feel that way now."
Her voice remained calm.
"And later… the moment we have any problem, I'll use it against you. I'll remind you that you're a coward."
I was genuinely stunned by her bluntness.
"That's exactly why I have to do it," I said.
"But why did you say in the future?"
She shifted her position, lying the same way I was, staring up at the ceiling.
She raised her hand, studying her wedding ring in silence.
Then she spoke, her voice quieter now.
"Theo… I don't know if my condition will get worse."
"For now, I feel like myself. And right now, I don't think I'd despise you for avoiding this."
She paused.
"But I don't know what I'll become later."
"…So I want you to go. Finish it."
Strangely… I felt relieved.
Even after those harsh words.
I lowered her hand and kissed it.
"Alright. I'll get ready and head to the teleportation circle."
But she stopped me.
"Theo… before you go… can I ask for something?"
"Of course."
She smiled.
A teasing, tempting smile.
"Why don't we do it one more time… before you leave?"
A flicker of hesitation hit me instantly.
Along with something else… a faint, uncomfortable pressure building low in my body.
If it weren't for that awkward talk I once had with my father, I wouldn't have known it was normal.
Just… fluid buildup.
At least that day turned out to be useful.
I immediately fled.
There was no way I could explain it to her.
Too embarrassing.
I locked myself in the bathroom and started washing up.
…
In the end, I said goodbye to Sera.
Even though her farewell came in the form of a brutal kick to my backside… I chose to take it as something romantic.
A sign she didn't want me to leave.
Damn that girl…
My backside was still throbbing. She didn't need to be that rough.
I headed toward the centre of town, where the teleportation circle was located.
The streets were empty.
It was still sleeping hours.
I got off the carriage once I arrived.
The first thing I saw was guards in intimidating armour.
Their presence alone carried a strict, oppressive aura.
Third tier?
They recognised me quickly and let me pass.
Inside, I was greeted by a wide courtyard.
At its centre stood a large black circle, filled with intricate geometric patterns.
Three men were already there, standing in a line.
I quietly joined them.
They glanced at me cautiously.
I understood why.
Among the clan, nobles' sons were known for being arrogant… and unpredictable.
So I waited in silence.
Eventually, someone entered.
A woman, likely in her thirties.
The moment she stepped in, a small side door opened.
And from it…
Someone emerged, riding a magical creature.
I almost burst out laughing.
Because that "magical creature"…
Was a donkey.
Yes.
A donkey.
I held it in and stepped forward with the others.
We all stood inside the circle.
The man didn't even bother getting off his donkey. He looked half-asleep as he began chanting.
Then he took something out of his pocket and placed it at the centre.
In the blink of an eye—
The circle lit up with a bright red glow.
And just like that…
We vanished.
The moment I opened my eyes, I smelled something fresh.
The scent of rain-soaked forests.
Towering mountains stretched before me.
A vast forest filled with tall, ancient trees.
The sight alone stirred something deep inside me.
A quiet… unsettling feeling.
Raindrops fell against my skin.
Cold. Constant.
Just as I'd heard—
This layer never stops raining.
Despite its beauty…
I couldn't relax.
Something about it felt wrong.
I steadied myself.
I need to stay alert.