[Yes - No]
Finally.
Finally, he could be free of this broken, paralyzed body.
'Yes! Do it now!' Neryon shouted inwardly, pouring every ounce of longing into those words.
Ding!
[Operation approved by the host. Please remain still in a relatively safe location to complete the energy absorption process and activate the Origin Bloodline System.]
'Okay... So it's not as simple as pressing a button after all.'
Neryon sighed inwardly. This wasn't just a click-and-go process. The system's warning made it clear—it needed care and safety.
"Darling?" Mia's voice was soft, noticing his silence.
"Ah—sorry, Mia. I got a little too excited. This thing... it's priceless, right?" he said, smiling gently.
"Even if it is, you're worth far more to me," Mia replied, her eyes brimming with affection.
Neryon returned a faint smile but remained quiet.
Though he liked women, his cultural upbringing had shaped his views. Raised in Egypt, he wasn't used to such open affection—especially from women. No girl would flirt so boldly, not like this.
'Cultural difference, huh?' he mused, noting how close Mia stood, as if personal space didn't exist between them.
'This isn't just attraction,' he thought, watching her closely.
"Mia, when can we rest? I'm not sure if the minotaur told you, but... I was poisoned. That's why I'm so weak. It's not dangerous now, but I need rest," he explained, already expecting her reaction.
And there it was.
"What?! Poisoned?! When? How?! Are you in pain?! Oh no! We need to move quickly! Don't worry, darling, the Nature Empire is close. We'll be there in thirty minutes—a healer can treat you! Just hang in there!" Mia cried, panic overtaking her voice, eyes tearing up as her hands trembled.
"Calm down, Mia. It happened a while ago. I had stomach pain, passed out for two days, and then you rescued me. I'm okay—just tired. That's all," Neryon reassured her, his tone calm.
Gradually, she relaxed, sensing his sincerity. Then, shyly, she leaned in and kissed his left cheek.
Her face turned crimson. She averted her eyes, focusing ahead.
'Did she just kiss me? Seriously?! At least ask first,' Neryon thought dryly, watching her avoid his gaze.
He didn't hate it. Of course not. But...
Neryon wasn't new to love. In his past life, he'd been married before his untimely death in his forties. Born to an *Iraqi* mother and *Egyptian* father, he'd been raised with traditional values—ones that honored emotional bonds as sacred, not casual.
Even after living in more liberal societies, he saw that those values weren't chains—they were armor. Protection against heartbreak. He'd seen how fleeting relationships left wounds, how people accepted betrayal with cold indifference. No fights. No passion. Just detached words.
In time, he understood: emotional purity wasn't backward—it was a virtue.
So when Mia kissed him, it felt sweet... but wrong.
"Mia, this might sound strange, but I have boundaries. We just met, and... what you did crossed them. Unless you see things differently?" he said gently but firmly.
"I... I'm sorry, darling. I shouldn't have done that without your permission... I'm really sorry," Mia said, her voice trembling. Even though she was confident in her beauty, this was the first time in her life she had ever gotten so close to a man like that. She wasn't used to rejection—most men were either thrilled or tried to get even closer. So she hadn't expected such a cold response.
"Darling Neryon... do you hate me? It was just a kiss. Why did you reject me so coldly? Even if you don't like me, you didn't have to..." she whispered, still running while carrying him.
Neryon met her gaze, calm and steady.
"Mia, I do find you beautiful. But I don't let desire control me. That's dangerous. I'm not afraid of feelings—but I won't be ruled by them. If I am, I could lose everything."
He paused, then added with quiet firmness, "Just because a feeling is pleasant doesn't mean it's right to follow it blindly. Letting emotions lead without thought can pull you away from your goals, your values—your very purpose. I've seen too many people throw their futures away for fleeting pleasure, living like animals driven only by instinct and desire. I won't live like that. I choose control—not because I'm cold, but because I know what I'm fighting for."
He looked to the sky, as if recalling past scars.
"So... you *do* think I'm pretty?" Mia's voice brightened with joy, clinging to that one point.
Neryon paused.
Then—
"Hahahahaha—"
He burst out laughing. Deep, genuine, uncontrollable laughter.
"Oh god, Mia... you're just too adorable!" he laughed until tears streamed down his face.
Mia froze.
The distant, serious Neryon was now laughing freely. And he'd called her adorable—something no one had ever said to her.
But what truly stunned her was his laugh—it was beautiful. Deep, warm, and genuine, it echoed in her ears like the sweetest melody she had ever heard. It wasn't just the sound—it was how alive he looked, how the corners of his eyes crinkled, how his whole face lit up. To her, it was the most wonderful laugh she had ever seen or heard. She could've listened to it forever.
Her heart raced. She was already drawn to him, but now—now she was completely captivated. Obsessed, even. The way he laughed, the way he smiled through the tears—it was perfect.
She smiled widely and giggled, unable to hold back her joy, gently wiping away his tears as their laughter wrapped around them like a warm embrace.
He let her.
When they calmed down, Mia asked:
"So... when can I kiss you all I want, Neryon?" she asked, affection overflowing.
Neryon felt uneasy at how quickly she grew attached but hid it. The more she loved him, the less of a threat she was.
Right now, she was all he had—in this new world, in this humiliating state. And Neryon wasn't ungrateful.
He wasn't like those who chased ambition and forgot those who helped them. Even the weak might one day become your only ally. Life is unpredictable. Neryon preferred to be a king among beasts, not a lone wolf. Not from fear—but caution.
Experience had taught him—life isn't a fairy tale. Plans fail. Setbacks come. Be ready.
He smiled.
"Time will tell, Mia. Whether we're meant to be... or not. No need to rush."
Poker face.
His expression was unreadable. Happy? Sad? You wouldn't know.
That was Neryon. Always had been. Rarely showing emotion—not from coldness, but from disinterest.
That's why he loved novels, psychology, archaeology—which, well... led him here.
But that's another story.
Now, they neared the Nature Empire. A wall loomed ahead.
'That is about....Thirty meters tall?!'
(For reference: The Great Wall of China stands 6–7 meters tall, with towers 10–12 meters.)
"What the hell?!" Neryon gasped.
A dark wall, stained with dried blood, lined with endless towers. Each tower—fifteen archers?
'How many?'
He counted towers across the horizon, soldiers patrolling nonstop.
Hundreds of thousands... just for guard duty?
"Insane. Even Earth's strongest forts had 300–500k troops at most. And this wall—from just one elf empire—could crush them all!"
His mind reeled. In this world, intellect might be a curse.
Mia saw his stunned face and smiled.
"This is the Wall of Ilarisen—ancient, bloodied, and steadfast. Built by the elves—noble among dragons, phoenixes, vampires, humans, and more. But noble races are few compared to the countless beings of Elderas Plains."
Neryon's awe grew.
"Is this... the first defense line of the living?"
Mia chuckled.
"First line? No, darling. All noble races have walls—some greater. Even the elves have a far grander fortress, in their Grand Empire."
"Grand Empire?" Neryon echoed.
"The central command of all elven kingdoms—in war and peace. All others serve it."
She sprinted toward the massive gates, guarded by armored knights. Some lacked armor, but Neryon dismissed it.
Or... didn't notice?
"Wars? Bring them on!" Neryon was ready. He wouldn't waste this second life.
"Shall we go in?" Mia asked.
"Let's go," he said, eyes ablaze.