There was a medium-sized hall with no windows. It was illuminated by a strange lantern that levitated at its center, radiating a bright and steady glow.
Sunny was almost done choosing the absolute worst Memories among them all. Now, he just had to choose a discarded suit of armor lying in a corner, covered by a thick layer of dust.
The ancient plate armor was jet black, its design intricate and solemn. It radiated a feeling of dark resolve and stalwart, adamantine grace. Every part of it fit perfectly with the others, creating an almost seamless barrier of seemingly impenetrable steel.
[Mantle of the Underworld.]
Sunny hid a smile. 'I can repair it with Serpent's help, though it will take a bit of time.' As a Sleeper, his essence potency was low, which was why it would take some time—but not too much.
With this, he purchased fifteen useless Memories in Kai's name. He wanted to buy more, but that would raise suspicion.
As they left the castle, Sunny felt both excited and a little upset.
Excited to meet all his friends and be reunited with them—not Caster. Upset because he would have to repeat all his dialogues and actions all over again, and that is...mentally exhausting.
The two of them finally reached Nephis's headquarters. Inside, many people were busy with various tasks. The rot of hopelessness was almost gone from their eyes, replaced with energy and vigor.
As they were approaching the lodge, Kai suddenly leaned towards him and whispered, asking.
"Sunny... why did you want me to come with you, really?"
Sunny linger for a moment before whispering back.
"My plan was to bring you here with me, so you can tell me if I'm being lied to. They almost all my friends but still, I was thinking to not take a risk."
Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Kai shrugged and followed Sunny into the lodge.
Sunny went straight to the reception desk, where a girl greeted him.
...
He opened the door and went inside, Kai closely following behind.
Inside the room, a wide window opened onto an eerily view of the Dark City. On the wall beside it, a map of the ruins was littered with various markings that contained valuable information.
There was a large wooden table near the window, surrounded by seven makeshift chairs. Currently, only two were occupied.
Effie was sitting on one of them, her feet unceremoniously resting on the table. As always, she looked extremely comfortable and relaxed. On the chair next to her, a beautiful blind girl cradled a cup in her delicate hands. It was Cassie.
Nephis and Caster stood near the map, discussing something with each other.
Well... it was more of a one-sided discussion. Caster was trying to say something or offer suggestions, while Nephis simply nodded or replied with one-word answers.
When the two of them entered the room, all eyes turned toward them.
Seeing them, Sunny grinned and said,
"Oh, so many familiar faces. Hi, everyone. No need to say how much you missed me. Anyway, this is Kai. Kai, say hi to everyone—these are Cassie, Caster, and Effie. You already know Nephis."
The charming archer smiled dazzlingly and said in his stupidly beautiful voice,
"Uh... hello. Lady Nephis, Cassie, Caster, Huntress Athena... it's very nice to meet you."
Cassie giggled.
"Good to se—...good to hear you again, Sunny. And you won't believe it, guys, but I thought I just heard Night from Nightingale say my name. Crazy, right?"
Kai blinked.
"Oh, sorry. I am Night from Nightingale, actually."
Cassie's face, meanwhile, grew deathly pale. An expression of utter terror appeared on it. Her hands trembled, and the cup she was holding fell from them.
Catching the cup just a moment before it hit the floor, Effie sighed and shook her head.
"Every time... this happens every time..."
The same thing that had happened in the past happened again, though Sunny was thinking about something else...thinking nonsense.
'Why didn't any girl in the past react like this to me? I'm not narcissistic, but... I'm pretty sure I was cute. Aren't girls supposed to like cute guys or bad-boy types according to webtoons? Anyway... maybe it's because the world wants me to have the best girlfriend in existence instead of some random girl!'
The conversation continued the same way as before. Until... the final part came, where it was no longer the same.
Nephis looked around the room and then said,
"Then, after that, as planned, I fight Gaulang and defeat him. Afterward, we have to stop the war that will happen once the castle loses its leader. There, we have to stop them. And I have a plan for that."
Hearing this, everyone looked at her curiously, except for Caster. Sunny acted as if he didn't know and also surprise.
Caster looked more... annoyed. In the previous days, when Nephis told him she had a plan, he had tried many times to ask about it, but she always ignored him.
Effie asked curiously, "A plan? What plan? Princess, what do you plan to solve it?"
With an indifferent expression, Nephis shook her head and leaned back slightly.
"Don't worry. There is a reason I can't tell you my plan, but... just trust me."
Effie sighed exasperatedly but nodded. No one else asked about her plan, trusting her. Kai just shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wondering why he was even part of such a high-level meeting.
Nephis then explained her next plan, which was also different from last time.
...
They all nodded as they listened to her plan—except Kai, because... he didn't think he was part of the team.
Nephis's plan was good and completely reasonable, something she had made together with Sunny. The plan is...
...
Everyone left the room, leaving Sunny and Nephis alone to talk. As the door closed, a heavy sigh escaped from both of them.
Sunny leaned back in his seat, feeling as though the conversation had physically drained him.
"Repeating...every word, every action... it's suffocating. Ah, how I'd prefer to stay in the Dark City. How do you even maintain yourself?"
She shrugged as she sat on the table, her hands resting on either side of it.
"Did you forget that I used to travel completely alone in the Dream Realm for two entire years?"
Sunny's face darkened a little upon hearing how she had been alone for... two years.
She then added with a small smile, "Plus, I'm not alone right now. I have you by my side, talking to me every hour."
He returned the smile as he stood up. "Same for me. I also have a tiny bit of experience being all alone for two to three weeks. So... it's better to be here together than to be here alone, I guess."
He walked over to where she was sitting and kissed her. With a quiet moan, she melted into the kiss—her arms winding around his neck as she pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, becoming hungry, her fingers tangling in his hair. His hands wrapped around her, resting on her back as they roamed sensually there.