Morning sunlight filtered through the cabin's small window, casting a soft glow over the wooden interior. Eren stirred from his seat by the fireplace, where he'd spent most of the night, sharpening his dagger and keeping an eye on Lira. She was still asleep on the makeshift bed, her breathing steady, though her brow furrowed occasionally as if haunted by her dreams.
Eren's mind was far from restful. The Survival System's latest mission weighed heavily on him. Lira's sudden appearance and cryptic words had disrupted his carefully constructed routine, and now it seemed fate—or the system—was forcing him to delve into her problems. He wasn't thrilled about the idea.
As if sensing his thoughts, Lira stirred awake, blinking at the unfamiliar surroundings. Her gaze fell on Eren, who was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed. His cold, calculating eyes met hers, and she sat up quickly, clutching the satchel she'd carried.
"You're awake," he said flatly. "Good. Now talk."
Lira hesitated, her fingers tightening around the satchel's strap. "I… I told you last night. I can't say anything here. It's not safe."
Eren's expression didn't waver. "You're in my cabin, surrounded by forest. The only people who know this place exists are me and the wildlife. If you think you're safer at the academy, feel free to leave."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she glanced toward the door as if considering it. But after a moment, she slumped slightly, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the faint chirping of birds outside. Finally, Lira spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's a group at the academy. Powerful, untouchable. They control everything from the shadows—students, faculty, even the council. If you cross them…" Her voice faltered, and she looked away. "You disappear."
Eren's brow furrowed. The Sovereign Chronicles hadn't mentioned anything about a shadowy organization within the academy. Was this one of the deviations caused by his presence? Or had this been a subplot he'd overlooked while focusing on the main story?
"And you crossed them?" he asked, his tone neutral.
She nodded, her fingers trembling as they clutched the satchel tighter. "I found something I wasn't supposed to. Something they'll do anything to keep hidden."
Eren's gaze flicked to the satchel. "What's in there?"
Her arms immediately wrapped around it protectively. "It's better if you don't know. The less you're involved, the safer you'll be."
A bitter smirk tugged at Eren's lips. "You showed up on my doorstep. Safe isn't an option anymore."
Lira flinched at his words, guilt flashing across her face. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go. Everyone else is either too afraid to help or already under their control."
Eren let out a low sigh, running a hand through his hair. This was exactly why he avoided getting involved with the academy's politics or its people. Yet here he was, stuck with a frightened girl and a system that wouldn't let him walk away.
"Fine," he said after a moment. "You can stay here for a while, but don't get comfortable. I'm not your protector, and I'm not interested in fighting your battles. You deal with your mess, and you leave. Got it?"
Lira nodded quickly, relief flooding her features. "Thank you. I promise I won't cause any trouble."
Eren didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention to the Survival System, silently accessing the mission log.
Mission Progress:
Objective: Uncover Lira's secret without alerting her.
Progress: 20% (Information Obtained: Existence of shadow organization)
Next Hint: Investigate Lira's satchel.
Eren's eyes flicked to the satchel again. The system was making its intentions clear, but he wasn't about to risk blowing his cover by prying into her belongings while she was awake. He'd need to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.
"Get some rest," he said coldly. "You'll need it."
Without waiting for a response, he stepped outside, letting the door shut behind him. The crisp morning air greeted him, and he took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. Whatever storm Lira had brought with her, he would weather it—on his terms, and with his survival as the priority.
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