It's midday.
Yet no sunlight pierces the sky, as if it were sunset, veiled by smoke, raging fires, and debris scattered everywhere.
Somewhere in Vingard Colony, specifically on the northern side near the colony wall gate,
Anas stands with a small girl at his side.
He lifts the sewer cover, producing the clang of metal striking metal.
He removes the piece of his coat that had wrapped around his head and touches the back of his head, noticing the wound has partially closed.
His hair falls slightly over his forehead. He glares at the coat he holds, frowning slightly, then looks at the girl beside him: "Do you know how long it took me to buy this coat you tore?"
The girl stiffens, lowers her eyes to the ground, and says: "Sorry… you were in bad shape, and I didn't know what to do, so I used your coat to bandage you. (She lifts her pink eyes to meet his.) I know in stories the girl tears her dress to bandage the boy. (She spreads her arms to show her clothes.) But as you can see, this isn't even a proper dress, it's dirty, and I wanted to help, not make it worse. You can punish me if you want—I'm used to punishment anyway."
Anas lowers his head, sighing wearily: "Ah, kids… maybe I shouldn't have accepted you, you annoying little thing."
The girl lowers her head further, whispering: "Will… will you just leave me because I tore your coat? I'm more useful than this coat."
Anas raises his head and looks at her flatly: "Who said I would leave you?"
The girl quickly lifts her head, searching Anas' eyes for deceit or lies, but sees only his cold black eyes staring back.
He continues, scanning the surroundings: "I don't go back on my word. You are my companion now. But there are conditions for staying with me: first, you obey me when facing danger. Second, you don't annoy me, especially when I sleep. Third, I don't read minds, so you will tell me if something bothers you or if you need something. I won't say I'll understand before you speak, but you must tell me. Agreed?"
The girl remains silent, her eyes widening, then she smiles: "Thank you."
Anas tilts his head slightly: "Thank me for what?"
She meets his gaze directly: "Thank you for everything. In fact… you're the first person to ask me to tell him what I want without expecting anything in return. I don't even know what to say now."
Anas suddenly turns his face to the side, a faint flush appearing, then gestures toward the sewer: "Come on. Get down."
The girl moves quickly, descending cautiously, placing her foot on the metal ladder and stepping carefully to avoid falling.
While she climbs down, Anas scans the ruins around them: destruction, ash, and debris.
The scent of blood fills the air.
Then he notices the hole in the colony wall.
Nearby houses are broken, and monsters slip through at a slow pace.
Anas thinks: 'The monsters are probably scared of the explosion. But why aren't there rocks scattered from the wall inward? Could it—'
"Anas! Come on, won't you get down?" the girl interrupts, already at the bottom. He places his hand over his face, groaning: "Ugh, you're annoying, Naivy. Fine, fine, I'm coming."
He turns toward the sewer entrance, steps down, placing a foot on the ladder to steady himself, pulls the cover closed, and continues descending.
At the bottom, he glances at Naivy: "Don't stray too far, okay?"
She nods and starts following him.
The place is dark except for faint light. Murky water beside them spreads the swampy stench.
The gray, dirty tiles are the only decoration here.
After a few steps, Anas suddenly stops and turns: "Food."
Naivy gasps, hurrying to keep up: "You forgot about the food because you were talking to me? I'm sorry."
Anas quickly climbs the stairs, lifts a manhole cover, narrowing his eyes, reaching for the dagger he found earlier.
He sees his coat filled with supplies, but also notices a boy with gray hair and purple-tinged eyes, and a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes standing beside him.
The girl wears a slightly nice white dress and black shoes, the boy a white shirt, brown pants, and brown shoes.
Their clothes are decent but slightly dirty. The boy's pants have a red stain on one leg.
Clink… clatter…
Anas slowly opens the cover, producing a noise.
The boy and girl turn suddenly.
The boy steps forward, extending an arm in front of the girl, lowering his body slightly.
Anas steps out very slowly and stands.
Naivy notices the shift in his expression and quietly climbs behind him, holding his coat.
The boy opens his mouth to speak, but Anas interrupts with a hollow voice: "Those things are mine."
The boy responds: "You weren't with her when I found her, so she's not yours. If you want to fight, I warn you—I train with a sword every day."
Anas doesn't change posture or expression: "Oh? You're foolish enough to tell me that?"
The boy blushes slightly, shouting: "Oh. So you think you're clever? Shouldn't you be afraid, scoundrel? Or are you arrogant enough to call someone skilled with a sword a fool?"
Anas runs a hand through his hair and…
"Heh, heh heh, hahaha, hahahaha, hahahaha."
He suddenly laughs. Naivy lifts her head, staring at him in surprise.
After a moment, he stops laughing, draws his dagger, expressionless.
Naivy releases his coat and steps back.
Anas begins walking calmly toward the boy. The boy stares, thinking: 'This person is strange… why doesn't he attack or rush in?'
While the boy is lost in thought, golden hair suddenly falls across his vision.
The girl who had been standing behind him now steps in front, spreading her arms: "Why fight? Can't we find a compromise?"
The boy grabs her shoulder: "Leona! What are you doing? This is dangerous for you!"
Leona ignores him, standing firm, eyes challenging Anas, who continues advancing, tilting his head slightly: "Like what?"
Her question hangs in the air.
Leona looks at him, eyes darting briefly side to side, then quickly says: "How about we share the food fairly? That way, everyone gets food, and no one gets hurt."
Anas keeps walking as if he hasn't heard, saying: "Why would I share anything with you, you filthy lovebirds? I collected it. Everything is mine."
Leona clenches the edges of her white dress, trembling as she struggles to find a solution.
Her gaze falls on Naivy standing behind Anas: "Do you want this?! Both of you would get hurt if a fight broke out, maybe even die! Will you just watch?!"
The girl's scream pierces Naivy's ears, who trembles behind Anas.
Her fists clench tightly: 'What do I do? What should I do?'
Suddenly…
Naivy lunges toward Anas, grabbing his arm and pulling him back.
Anas halts abruptly. His lethal gaze disappears, and he looks at Naivy, who speaks softly but clearly: "Anas, I've lived my whole life with no home, no one to accept me. Are you going to make me lose it now that I've found it? Think carefully—do you really have to fight?"