An hour passed. Then, a knock on the barrier.

A young woman stood outside, dressed in pristine white robes, a leather bag slung over her shoulder. Her dark, curly hair framed a warm but cautious smile.

“Sir Niles!” she called, her voice carrying over the quiet. “I’m the assigned doctor for our expedition. I’ve been sent to check on the health of your party—if you’ll allow me inside.”

Niles, taking in her professional attire and gentle demeanor, smiled back. “Of course! Just a second!”

He quickly opened his Host Protocol window.

Meanwhile, Winston and Felix flanked him like bodyguards, ready to intervene if he did anything reckless—like, say, accidentally throwing himself into another duel.

“Just a second,” Niles repeated as he scrolled through his guest access list. A new name appeared. He reached out to drag it—

“Wait, Sir Niles.”

Winston’s voice was calm, but firm.

Niles froze mid-motion. “What?”

Winston raised his voice slightly. “May I ask your name, miss?”

The woman beamed, tilting her head in a way that made her eyes nearly shut. “Hanna!”

Niles exhaled, shaking his head. “You worry too much. Her name’s right here on the screen.”

He reopened the guest access window.

“My apologies, Sir Niles,” Winston said softly. “She’s a high level—I just wanted to be certain.”

“High level? What level is she?” Asked Niles who was about to grant her entry with the same blind confidence people on Earth use when accepting terms and conditions without reading a single word.

Winston didn’t hesitate. “Level 20.”

Niles’ hand stopped mid-swipe.

A doctor? Level 20?

From the other side of the barrier, Hanna called out, her voice still kind but a little firmer. “Please hurry. I need to check your party’s health.”

Niles leaned in, whispering. “Why would a doctor be level twenty?”

Winston shrugged. “That’s why I wanted to check her name—see if it matched your protocol.”

Niles scoffed. “Well, she’s clearly looks like a doctor.”

He dragged his finger to grant access—

Then stopped cold.

The name on the screen wasn’t Hanna.

It was similar. Something you wouldn’t react to if you were in a hurry. It said Hyena.

A chill ran down his spine.

“What’s taking so long?” Hanna—no, Hyena—asked sweetly.

Felix, who had been quietly observing, suddenly whispered, his voice urgent. “What’s wrong?!”

Niles swallowed hard. “According to my barrier, her name is Hyena”.

Felix’s expression darkened. “Xargian guards don’t have real names. They’re assigned beast titles—like the helmets they wear.” His voice dropped lower. “Your protocol must be revealing her real name.”

He hesitated, then exhaled sharply.

“Hyena is the name of an assassin from the Xargian Guard.”

Niles tensed.

On the other side of the barrier, the woman’s posture remained perfectly relaxed. “Is something the matter?” she asked, voice soft and patient.

Felix met Niles’ gaze, his expression hard. “I don’t know what her skill is, but we can’t let her in. None of us would stand a chance against her.”

Niles felt his hands tremble slightly.

Winston and Felix stepped in on either side of him, their voices low.

“What’s wrong, Sir Niles?”

Niles blinked away the nervous moisture in his eyes. He swallowed, then whispered, “Guys, you’re the best. Without you, this would’ve gone very badly.”

Winston sighed. Felix smiled.

“Well,” Felix muttered, “we still have to do something.” He looked toward the woman, then raised his voice.

“Excuse me, Hanna, but could you prove to us that you’re a doctor?”

From the other side, she nodded happily, voice dripping with warmth and innocence.

“Of course! What would you like to know?”

The three of them edged closer to the barrier. Felix spoke first.

“Would you mind opening your bag for us?”

The woman’s smile never wavered. “Absolutely.”

She unzipped her bag and turned it toward them. Inside were ointments, bandages, utensils, herbs, vials of liquid.

The trio examined it closely.

Niles furrowed his brows.

Felix nodded. “Looks genuine to me.”

Winston studied it, then sighed. “Same.”

Niles exhaled. “Alright. Time to go full airport security on this.”

He stretched his fingers, then squared his shoulders at the woman.

“Did you pack this bag yourself?”

She smiled. “Yes, I did.”

Niles nodded. “When did you pack it?”

She tilted her head, puzzled. “Before the voyage?”

Another nod. “Does everything in the bag belong to you?”

She blinked. “Yes?”

Then, Niles narrowed his eyes.

“…And how’s your love life?”

Her expression changed.

The warmth in her eyes vanished.

“…Private.”

Niles scratched his head furiously, like he could physically force his brain to work.

Felix leaned in. “What was the point of that last question?”

Niles groaned, muttering under his breath.

“I don’t know! I should’ve paid more attention to airport security workers!”

Even though no one in the group besides Niles knew what an airport was, they played along. As Niles mulled over what to ask next, Winston took the lead.

“Good questions, Sir Niles,” the former court assistant remarked.

Niles blinked in surprise. “Wait, for real? Even the love life one?”

Winston exhaled sharply and chose to ignore him. Instead, he turned to the woman, locking eyes with her. “You said you packed the bag yourself,” he began.

“Yes!” the woman—Hyena, according to the system—replied with confidence.

“Well then,” Winston continued, “would you kindly name every herb in your bag and explain their uses?”

Her demeanor shifted. The cheerful warmth drained from her posture, replaced by something cold and rigid. Her gaze narrowed. “Why?” she asked sharply. “Why waste time?” She pressed on their perceived weakness. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about your injured friends inside the barrier? It looks like they need immediate medical attention.”

Winston remained unmoved. “Miss, if you could list the herbs and their purposes, please.”

She attempted to steer the conversation away. “Shouldn’t you be worrying about—”

But Winston was relentless. “The herbs, miss. Their names and their uses.” His tone left no room for negotiation. “Since you packed the bag yourself, you should know exactly what’s inside.”

The woman who called herself Hanna but was identified by the system as Hyena clenched her teeth. Then, with a sudden shift, she exhaled and pressed her palms together in feigned regret.

“Oh, my apologies! I must have grabbed the wrong bag,” she said smoothly. “I’ll return shortly with our other doctor. This must be his. Sorry for the confusion!”

She spun on her heel, striding away from the barrier and seamlessly blending into the ranks of Xandrian soldiers. From the crowd, Bear—still in his beastly form—stomped forward on his hind legs, his towering presence unmistakable.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” he roared. “If you refuse our doctor, then the negotiation is off! That means it’s our turn to search inside the barrier for the Holy Crystal!”

Niles exhaled sharply. “Then send a real doctor and keep your end of the deal.”

Something in Bear twitched at that, his dark eyes burning with rage.

Niles smirked, twisting the knife. “And behave yourself, or I might just send you flying again!”

Bear pointed a massive clawed paw at him, bristling. “FIGHT ME OUTSIDE THE BARRIER INSTEAD!”

Niles immediately mimicked his stance, jabbing a finger forward. “FIGHT LIKE A MAN INSTEAD!”

The two locked in an intense pointing battle, their arms stabbing the air at each other. Then Niles suddenly tilted his head. “By the way—where’s Elephant?”

Bear scowled. “Why do you care?”

Niles waved his arms. “BECAUSE IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE AT LEAST SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE BARRIER WHO’S ACTUALLY HONEST FOR ONCE!”

That did it. Bear let out a furious snarl, thrashing against the barrier with tooth and claw, but the magical wall held strong. “YOU DAMN JESTER!” he bellowed.

Before the situation could escalate further, a new figure stepped forward. Dressed in pristine white robes, an older man with a frail frame and thinning hair stood before the barrier.

Niles squinted at him. “What’s your name?”

“Doctor Palmer,” the man replied, his voice calm and even. He placed his hand on the barrier.

Niles opened his guest protocol window, scanning for the name. It matched.

“Level 1,” Winston muttered beside him—far more in line with someone expected to be a doctor.

Niles gave a slight nod but didn’t drop his guard. He raised a hand. “Before I let you in, I want Elephant to confirm your identity.”

Bear groaned. “WHY ALL THESE EXTRA DEMANDS?!”

Niles shot back, “Because he’s the only person outside this barrier I have somewhat of a reason to trust.”

Bear exhaled sharply, looking utterly exasperated. “Fine! Get Elephant over here!”

It didn’t take long. Elephant strolled up to the barrier with his usual calm demeanor. “Hello, Sir Niles. How’s everything going?”

Niles cut straight to the point. “Elephant,” he said, gesturing toward Palmer. “Is this man the doctor for your expedition?”

Elephant glanced at Palmer, then back at Niles. “Yes. That’s Doctor Palmer. He’s served the Xargian Guard for a long time, and I can personally vouch for his skills and knowledge.”

Niles nodded and pressed further. “Is Hyena one of your comrades?”

Elephant confirmed without hesitation. “Yes.”

Niles narrowed his eyes. “Would you consider Hyena a doctor?”

Elephant crossed his arms, appearing to weigh his words. “She likely knows more about medicine than most of us… but if you’re asking who I’d trust for medical care? I’d go with Doctor Palmer.”

Niles took a moment, then asked one final question. “Can I trust you?”

Elephant met his gaze and, with absolute sincerity, answered, “On my honor, yes.”

Niles exhaled, letting his guard down slightly. “Good,” he said with a small smile. “I’ve decided to trust you.”

Turning to Palmer, he adjusted the guest protocol settings. “You can enter now.”

The moment Niles granted access, Palmer took a cautious step forward, and the barrier allowed him through.

Bear, ever defiant, slammed a paw against the barrier to test if he could follow—but it rejected him outright.

Niles leaned toward Felix, lowering his voice. “Can you use your skill on Palmer?”

Felix gave a slight nod. “I was already planning on it, Sir.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As Doctor Palmer stepped deeper into the barrier, Niles extended his hand.

“This is how we greet each other in my homeworld,” he said. “And when we introduce ourselves.”

The doctor’s lips curled into a polite smile. “How interesting.” He reached out, and Niles clasped his hand firmly.

“I’m Niles, the most hilarious guy in Niceland.”

Palmer gave a short nod. “I’m Doctor Palmer, the medic overseeing the Xargian Guard.” He then greeted Winston and Felix in the same manner before adjusting his bag. “I’ll tend to the injured now.”

He strode toward the center of the barrier, where Lina and Vulcan lay on the ground. Kneeling beside them, he introduced himself.

“I’m Doctor Palmer. I’m here to assess your injuries.”

Lina carefully peeled back part of her clothing, revealing her burned skin, while Vulcan’s chest was already bare. Palmer leaned in, his expression darkening as he muttered, “It looks infected.” Without hesitation, he opened his bag and began laying out his medical tools on the ground.

A few feet away, Felix lowered his voice. “Niles.”

Niles turned his head slightly. “What’s the verdict?”

Felix exhaled, his eyes filled with quiet concern. “It’s not much, but… he leans toward the wrong side.”

Niles’ brows furrowed. Felix’s skill wasn’t absolute—it only gauged whether a person leaned toward good or bad, not their precise intentions. Still, a tilt in the wrong direction was enough to raise alarms.

Winston whispered, “What do we do?”

Niles sighed, keeping his expression unreadable. “We’ll be curious and civil, of course.”

Then, without missing a beat, he bent down and picked up a rock.

“Real civil,” he muttered under his breath, his fingers rolling the stone absently.

With casual ease, Niles squatted next to Doctor Palmer. “Hey, Doc. Mind walking me through the process?”

Palmer barely glanced up, focused on his supplies. “Of course. But first, a question.” He gestured subtly toward the wounded. “Many of you have visible injuries, yet there’s a shimmering green light around them. Is that a form of healing?”

Niles grinned. “Sharp eye, Doc! That’s one of our passive skills—inside the barrier, we heal 1% a day.”

Palmer’s eyes widened slightly. “Well, that’s…” He rubbed his chin, mulling it over. “Not much, but still…” His voice trailed off, deep in thought. Then he looked at Niles. “Sir Niles, how much do you know about healing?”

Niles puffed up his chest, feigning confidence. “Oh, loads! Some might even say everything.” Then, with a smirk, he threw Winston under the proverbial bus, pointing at him. “But my friend here might need a little lesson.”

Palmer chuckled, continuing to arrange his medical tools. “Healing—like all magic—is incredibly rare.” He paused briefly, then asked, “Have you met Dragon? The leader of the Xargian Guard?”

Niles nodded. “Yeah, she even healed me after the ambush at the ball a few days ago.”

Palmer gave a knowing nod. “Roughly speaking, healing magic mends external wounds. But it won’t cure diseases or ‘internal’ injuries like infections.” He leaned down, pressing his ear gently against Lina’s back. “She had her lung pierced by an arrow, didn’t she?”

Niles confirmed with a nod.

“That will heal in time, thanks to the passive healing,” Palmer explained, “but at 1% a day, it’s going to take a while. And she’ll have to endure the pain throughout the process.”

Niles grinned. “You’re sharp.”

Palmer rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Well, I’ve seen all kinds of wounds in my time serving the military.”

The doctor retrieved a small vial from his bag. “This will help ease her pain.”

He gently propped Lina up, his expression calm but focused. “The taste is a bit sour, but you’ll feel better soon.”

Before Lina could respond, Niles perked up. “Oh! Sounds tasty. Can I try some too?”

Palmer hesitated. “Well… you seem fine, but sure, if you’d like.” He then turned to the rest of the group. “It also helps with dehydration, so if anyone else wants some, please, there’s enough to go around.”

Niles nodded, then tilted his head. “Would you take a sip too, Doc?”

Palmer chuckled, shaking his head. “No need. I only use it when necessary, but I appreciate the thought.”

Niles smiled back. “No problem.”

Then, with that same easy grin, he stepped toward Felix. “Grab Lina.”

Felix obeyed, steadying her. Meanwhile, Niles approached Finn and leaned in close, whispering, “Cover your ears and look away.”

The boy hesitated, but seeing Niles’ expression, he did as he was told.

Then—

THWACK.

A sickening sound, sharp and final.

A wail followed.

Tesla, who had been walking toward the barrier, froze mid-step. “What the—” He turned.

Doctor Palmer lay on the ground, writhing in pain. Blood trickled from the back of his head, darkening the dirt beneath him.

Niles stood over him, a rock still clutched in his hand.

Felix tightened his grip on Lina.

From beyond the barrier, an uproar erupted.

“DOCTOR PALMER!”

The Xargian guards and Xandrian soldiers shouted in alarm, their voices a storm of fury. They surged against the barrier, their weapons striking uselessly against the invisible wall.

Bear’s voice boomed above the chaos. “NILES! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO OUR DOCTOR?! YOU’RE BREAKING YOUR PROMISE! LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

But Niles didn’t flinch.

Instead, he knelt beside the fallen doctor, his voice eerily calm. “I’m sorry, Doctor Palmer. I must have slipped.”

Palmer groaned, rolling onto his back, his breathing ragged. His eyes darted to Niles—who was still holding the vial, dangling it in front of him like a cat teasing a mouse.

“Please, have a drink,” Niles said, his tone light, almost playful. But his gaze? His gaze was dark.

Palmer gritted his teeth. “Let me go,” he muttered. “This… this is no way to treat a man of medicine. I was only trying to help your friends.”

Niles exhaled, his eyes drifting upward, watching a lone cloud drift lazily across the sky. His voice, when it came, was almost wistful.

“Do you find it strange, Doc?”

Palmer winced, one hand pressing against the wound on his head, but he didn’t answer. He only grimaced, his body squirming against the dirt.

Niles tilted his head, studying him. “You’d rather take a hit to the skull than drink from the very vial you offered us.” His smile was gone now, replaced by something unreadable.

“Why is that?”

Niles loomed over Doctor Palmer, his voice dripping with menace. “Tell me why you won’t drink it.”

The doctor gasped for breath. “It’s wasted on me. Medicine should always go to those who need it.”

Niles sighed, shaking his head. “No problem.”

His tone darkened.

“I’ll make you need it, then.”

Palmer barely had time to react before Niles’ fist crashed into his face.

“Stop!” the doctor sputtered, raising his arms to shield himself. But Niles didn’t stop. He drove his knuckles into Palmer’s defenses, forcing them apart, making sure the doctor felt every blow.

Outside the barrier, the Xandrian soldiers screamed in horror, their pleas forming a desperate chorus.

“LET HIM GO!”

But one voice cut through the noise like a blade.

“SIR NILES!”

It was Elephant.

“STOP THIS AT ONCE!”

Niles paused, his fist still raised in the air. He turned his head, his expression unreadable.

“Elephant,” he said, almost casually. Then, tilting his head, he asked, “Would you like to taste the liquid instead?”

“Yes! Just stop this!” Elephant shouted.

But before he could say more, Bear strode over and shoved him aside.

“There’s no need for that,” Bear growled. “Let our doctor go, and you won’t face further punishment.” Then, lowering his voice, he muttered, “Stay quiet, Elephant. Don’t interfere.”

Elephant hesitated, confused.

Niles noticed.

“Fine.”

For a moment, everyone thought that was the end of it. The Xargian guards. The Xandrian soldiers. Even Palmer himself.

Then Niles spoke again.

“Felix, Winston. Hold his arms.”

The two obeyed, gripping Palmer by the wrists.

Niles knelt beside him, the vial still in hand. “Would you like your medicine now?”

Palmer’s eyes were dazed but defiant. “I don’t need it.”

Niles exhaled through his nose. Without another word, he uncorked the bottle and poured its contents into Palmer’s mouth. The doctor gagged, twisting his head to the side, spitting it onto the dirt.

“I guess that’s it, then.”

Niles’ fist slammed into his jaw.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Palmer’s face split open under the barrage, blood streaking down his skin. His voice cracked. “Please… stop… have mercy—”

But his pleas only seemed to stoke the fire in Niles’ limbs. The strikes came faster, harder.

Until finally—

“Felix. Turn him over.”

Felix hesitated but obeyed, rolling Palmer onto his stomach.

Niles stood, brushing the dust from his clothes, then stepped toward Palmer’s arm. He gripped it tightly, pressing his foot against the doctor’s elbow.

The realization hit Palmer like a second impact.

“No…” he breathed.

“Last chance.” Niles’ voice was quiet. “Would you like to drink?”

Palmer clenched his jaw, saying nothing.

Outside the barrier, the crowd grew frantic. They pounded against the invisible wall, screaming, begging for it to end.

But there were no good times in Niceland today.

Only bad times.

Niles pulled.

The doctor’s arm bent the wrong way.

The crack of breaking bone echoed like a felled tree in a silent forest.

Palmer’s scream tore through the air.

Niles stepped back, giving him space. “Have you changed your mind yet?”

Palmer lay gasping, his body trembling. Then, barely managing to nod, he rasped, “Just… give me a moment to breathe.”

Slowly, shakily, he forced himself to his feet. “One moment,” he pleaded.

Niles said nothing.

Instead, he bent down, picked up a goblin war club from the ground, and turned back to the doctor.

“Of course, Doctor.”

Doctor Palmer gasped for breath, pain surging through every inch of his body, inside and out. A faint green glow flickered across his battered flesh—the passive healing trying to mend the damage.

"You'll be good as new in a hundred days," Niles said, his voice eerily calm. "If you decide to stay, that is."

Palmer didn't respond. He turned and ran.

He moved fast, despite his injuries, sprinting toward the barrier, toward freedom.

Felix tensed, ready to chase, but Niles held up a hand.

"Wait. I got this."

Without hurry, he accessed the guest protocol, altering Palmer’s clearance.

The doctor, nearly at the barrier’s edge, screamed over his shoulder, "YOU MADE A MISTAKE! YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE! THE POISON WOULD ONLY SPEED UP THE PROCESS!"

On the other side, Bear stood with his arms outstretched, ready to catch his fellow expedition member.

Palmer never made it.

He slammed into the barrier like a bird against glass.

The impact sent him reeling, his body crumpling to the ground. He scrambled up, disoriented, pressing his hands against the invisible wall that had just moments ago been his escape.

His face drained of color.

Slowly, he turned, eyes wide as he saw Niles and Felix advancing toward him.

"I—I was just joking," he stammered.

Bear sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Damn it. Well, it was worth a try."

Elephant’s head snapped toward him. "Poison?!"

He marched forward, his heavy steps shaking the ground.

“What’s the meaning of this?!”

Before Bear could react, Elephant drove a fist straight into his snout.

Bear staggered back, growling. "We’re doing everything we can for our king and for Xandria!"

But Elephant wasn’t listening.

"You’ve sullied the honor of the Xargian Guard!" Another punch. This time, blood trickled from Bear’s nose.

Bear wiped it away, eyes burning with frustration. "Elephant, you’re naïve! The success of the mission is our top priority!"

Elephant activated his skill. His entire body turned to iron, gleaming under the dim light like a walking fortress.

"Our mission was to find the Holy Crystal," he said coldly. "Not to poison civilians."

The two clashed—Bear in his monstrous form, Elephant a solid wall of metal, an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

“The lives of ants are nothing compared to the honor of a dragon!” Bear roared in his fight with Elephant.

Palmer, still dazed from his failed escape, scoffed. "That’s right!" He pointed across the barrier. "None of you would miss that one anyway." His lips curled in a sneer. "Just look at her—dressed like a street whore."

Silence.

Niles crouched beside Palmer. He didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just stared.

Judging him.

Palmer smirked, thinking he had the last word.

He didn’t notice Felix until the soldier grabbed him by his blood-stained robes and yanked him up like a ragdoll.

A second later, Felix slammed him into the barrier.

The impact was sickening, a wet crunch of bone and flesh.

Palmer’s face—already ruined—became something unrecognizable.

The brutality of it made even Bear and Elephant stop mid-fight.

"Let him go! Now!" Bear barked.

Niles didn’t respond.

"Our king will hear about this!" Bear warned.

Still, Niles remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the blood smearing down the barrier’s surface.

Then, softly—so soft it was almost a whisper—he said, "Shut up."

Bear’s fur bristled. "You worthless—"

"I said shut up, you fucking furry."

Bear blinked.

"Furry?"

Niles stood up, dusting off his hands. Then he turned to Bear.

"Do you know what a leader’s top priority is?"

Bear didn’t answer.

"A leader’s top priority is to guarantee the safety of his friends and colleagues."

Niles grabbed Palmer by the hair, yanking his head back.

"THIS," he hissed, slamming the doctor’s face into the barrier, "IS YOUR FAULT, BEAR! LOOK!"

Palmer’s mangled body hit the ground with a struggling thud.

Niles exhaled. Then, as if discussing something routine, he said, "His legs."

Felix understood. He found a solid rock and positioned Palmer’s legs over it.

Palmer whimpered, trying to crawl away.

Niles stomped down.

The kneecap shattered instantly.

Palmer shrieked—a raw, piercing sound of pure agony.

Niles gazed down at him, eyes dark.

"Shut up"

Tesla watched everything unfold, his stomach twisting into knots. Then, unable to hold it back, he vomited. The scene was too much—too raw, too brutal. He wiped his mouth with a trembling hand and turned toward the barrier, his steps slow but determined.

Hyena was waiting there, standing just beyond the shimmering divide, beckoning him forward. She was still dressed in pristine white robes, her expression welcoming.

Goblin, his summoned familiar, followed close behind. But as they neared the barrier, Goblin suddenly twitched, his movements jerky and erratic.

"What the hell are you doing?" Tesla muttered.

Then, everything happened at once.

First—Tesla walked straight into the barrier, colliding with it like a half-asleep scientist slamming into a lamppost.

Second—Goblin flung his spear, only for it to be stopped cold, restricted by the same unseen barrier force.

Third—Tesla looked up and saw Hyena standing there, a dagger pressed against the barrier’s surface.

"Oh dear," she murmured, a smile curling at her lips. "I really thought you’d be able to walk through."

She chuckled, tapping the dagger against the invisible wall. Then, her eyes locked onto Tesla’s, dark and predatory.

"My mistake," she said sweetly. "I’m so sorry. Please, why don’t you step outside? Freedom is waiting."

Tesla felt his throat close up.

Something about the way she spoke—the sheer wrongness of it—made his legs shake. He stumbled backward, fear hitting him in full force.

Then, he screamed.

"NILES! THEY TRIED TO KILL ME! THEY’RE BADDIES!" His voice cracked, the panicked wail of a man who fully expected to be forgiven for everything he'd done.

Niles, still dragging Doctor Palmer’s battered body, barely spared him a glance.

"Yeah, no shit, Sherlock," he muttered.

Palmer, barely conscious, let out a weak cough.

"I’ll never drink it," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "I’ll spit it out!"

Niles ignored him completely.

"Lina," he said, his tone light, almost casual. "It’s time for you to level up."

Like he was offering a afternoon snack.

Winston stepped forward, pulling out a small glass vial.

"Open it," Niles instructed.

Palmer thrashed weakly, but his limbs were useless, too broken to resist. Felix and Winston forced him down, pinning him against the dirt.

"Lina, go ahead," Niles said.

Lina hesitated, the vial trembling in her grip.

She tilted it, ready to pour—

—but Palmer clamped his mouth shut, his whole body straining in defiance.

Niles sighed.

"Alright," he muttered. "The hard way, then."

He moved behind the doctor, looping his arms around Palmer’s throat, locking him into a rear-naked choke.

"I’ll see you in a bit," Niles murmured, and then he squeezed.

"STOP IT!" Bear roared.

But Niles didn’t even flinch.

Palmer’s body jerked—fighting, resisting—then slackened.

Unconscious.

Niles pried open his jaw. Lina, still trembling, poured the contents of the vial down his throat.

Niles massaged Palmer’s throat, coaxing the reflex to swallow.

"Good boy," he murmured, his tone eerily soft.

A minute passed. Then another.

Palmer jolted awake with a ragged gasp, like something yanked him back from the brink.

"Welcome back," Niles greeted, spreading his arms as if welcoming an old friend. "We were worried about you."

Palmer coughed violently, his body convulsing.

"I—I’ll never drink the—"

Then he saw the empty vial dangling from Niles’s fingers.

Palmer’s face twisted in horror.

"The antidote!" he shrieked. "Quick! I need the antidote!"

Niles tilted his head, feigning confusion.

"Antidote?" he echoed. "Against dehydration? Surely you must jest."

Palmer’s breath hitched. He turned, eyes wild, searching the other side of the barrier.

"BEAR!" he sobbed. "PLEASE HELP ME!" His voice cracked, pure desperation bleeding through. "PLEASE! BEAR, DO SOMETHING!"

Niles extended a hand lazily.

"I’m willing to negotiate," he called out. "There’s still time."

Bear stood still, measuring his response. His expression unreadable.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"Thank you for your service, Doctor Palmer."

Palmer froze.

Bear nodded once, solemn. The other soldiers did the same.

Palmer’s breath came in short gasps. "No—no, please—"

Bear exhaled.

"If possible," he said, "try to kill yourself."

Palmer’s eyes widened.

"Don’t let yourself become experience points for them."

Then Bear turned, his voice hardening as he barked new orders.

"BUILD UP THE CAMP! WE’LL SURROUND THEM AND STARVE THEM OUT! MAKE WALLS ON BOTH SIDES!" His voice thundered over the field. "PATIENCE WILL REWARD US WITH VICTORY!"

The soldiers of Xandria moved swiftly, gathering tools, lumber, and whatever supplies they could salvage from the ship. They worked with grim determination, their every movement driven by a quiet but unshakable desire for vengeance.

Felix sat down beside Lina.

"When you level up, put your stats into strength," he advised. "Even a small boost will help with your vitality and health regeneration."

Lina nodded, though exhaustion still clung to her—body and soul—worn thin from yesterday’s chaos.

They didn’t have to wait long.

Doctor Palmer suddenly convulsed, a violent fit of coughing wracking his battered body. White foam bubbled from his lips, his limbs twitching. Then—his body stilled. His empty, unblinking eyes stared into nothing.

A cold silence followed.

[You’ve defeated a human – You’ve received 58 EXP.]

[Level increased: 1 → 3. Please select which stats to increase.]

Lina swallowed hard.

"Strength," she said. Then, after a beat, she repeated, "Strength."

The glowing status board hovering beside her acknowledged the input.

[Strength increased by 1.]

[Strength increased by 1.]

As soon as it was done, the tension in the group eased. A heavy breath escaped Niles as he let himself fall back against the dirt.

"Well," he muttered, staring up at the sky. "That was dark."

He exhaled again and turned his head toward Winston.

"Be honest," Niles said. "Do you think I’m a bad person?"

Winston, who had never been in a real fight with humans—let alone witnessed something this brutal—hesitated.

"My father used to say there’s no such thing as bad people," he murmured. "Only people who do bad things."

Niles hummed, thoughtful. "And what does that make me?"

Winston considered it, then gave a small, knowing smile.

"Anyone who protects his friends can never be a bad person in my book," he said. Then, after a pause, he added, "But you’re definitely more like a demon."

For a beat, there was silence.

Then Niles burst out laughing. Felix followed. Even Winston chuckled, if only because the laughter was contagious.

They laid there, resting in the aftermath of it all.

Niles, Felix, Winston, Vulcan, Lina.

A little ways away, Finn sat beside his older sister. His voice was quiet when he spoke.

"How are you feeling?"

Lina managed a tired but genuine smile. "Better."

And for the first time in a long while, Finn felt some comfort in that.

Then, from where he lay, Niles lazily called out, "Tesla."

Tesla flinched, half-expecting some kind of insult.

Instead, Niles’s voice was low, almost sincere.

"You’re welcome to join us. You’re our precious engineer, after all. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess, but I promise I’ll do whatever I can to keep you safe."

Tesla hesitated, then scooted over and sat with them. He muttered, "Thanks," before adding, "But I’m still planning to leave when I get the chance."

Niles waved a dismissive hand.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, unconcerned.

And as they rested, Bear and his soldiers continued their work—raising palisades, fortifying their camp, and sealing off every possible exit.

A siege of Niceland, the area of the barrier, had begun.