Within the shadowed infirmary, Nim lay wide awake—while those around him hadn't been given the luxury of choosing between sleep and wakefulness. Darkness had claimed dominion over the room, smothering everything in still silence.
(Master, why don't you sleep? You need rest. I can feel how drained you are—your vitality's nearly spent, your Ice Body has pushed your limits, and your core is exhausted from using too much essence. If you were an ordinary Bound, you'd be dead.)
The voice of Ira broke into his thoughts, gentle but insistent.
Nim responded lazily, "First of all, it's not that I don't want to sleep. But this darkness… it gives me chills. It's like when I'm on watch at the walls. I feel like something's staring at me from the other side."
Ira shifted atop his lap, still curled in her fox form. (You think too much, and you reflect even more. Remember—not all burdens are yours to carry. Some responsibilities belong to others. And as for this darkness… who doesn't see through it in the City of Fading Light? Rest now, Master. Think later.)
Nim let out a mental chuckle. "You really are wise sometimes. I used to think you were just a child, but now you sound like an old sage."
(Hehehe, Master, no need to flatter me. But seriously, your thoughts are useless right now. If you'd been sleeping like you should, you'd already be healing. But nooo, my Master's an old man who likes to sit and ponder like he's at death's door.)
"Fine, fine. I'll sleep. But quiet now—you're getting chatty too."
Taking her advice, Nim slid one hand beneath his pillow and let the other fall to his side. His eyes closed. Sleep came.
But it didn't last.
Something jabbed him in the ribs.
"Ira?" he muttered groggily. No answer. Either she was playing dead—or genuinely asleep.
"Boy."
A voice emerged from the blackness. It came from behind him—right behind him.
Nim froze.
"Oh… uh… who's there?"
"No need to pretend ignorance now," the voice answered calmly. "It's me. Flora."
Nim jerked with a yelp. "I knew it! I knew someone was staring at me from the shadows! You were giving me insomnia, you—"
He stopped himself just in time, remembering who he was talking to.
Commander Flora stood just behind him, though her presence was more a shadow than a shape.
She chuckled. "Hahaha… you're amusing, boy. Yes, I was checking on you. I heard you faced a Cursed Beast. That's quite an achievement. But don't do anything that reckless again. From your report—and the reports of the other soldiers—the beasts were already wounded and exhausted when they breached the wall. That's why you were able to kill one. But know this…"
She paused.
"…Sometimes, you'll face a Cursed Beast at full strength. It'll be at least twice as powerful as the one you fought. If it's a pack leader—you'll die."
Nim blinked. "Wait… Commander Flora, what is a pack leader, exactly? I've heard the term, even from you, but I only have a vague idea."
"It's not a secret, just uncommon. A pack leader is a high-tier Cursed Beast—one of the lower ranks within the greater hierarchy of cursed creatures. They're stronger, larger, and command units of fifty or more beasts. That's why you don't hear of them often—there aren't many times when fifty beasts group together near the city."
She gave him a moment to absorb this.
"They're also smarter than the beasts they lead. That's why they command. They can siphon strength from their pack by consuming parts of their corrupted cores. I even have a theory that more loyal packs sacrifice part of their life essence to help their leader evolve into a greater rank."
"I see…" Nim pondered in silence, then carefully chose his next words.
"Commander Flora… may I ask what brought you here?"
She didn't hesitate. "Of course. I came, first, to check on your sorry condition. Sadly, I was disappointed—you've only got some fractures and serious wounds."
Nim's jaw practically hit the floor, but Flora ignored him and continued.
"…And second, Gina and Lester are taking their trial tomorrow. I thought I'd let you know, since they won't be able to visit for a while."