[Rain's Mansion, Twilight City, Mythosia]
The hall room of the mansion was silent except for the soft rustling of curtains and the occasional creak of floorboards.
Two figures sat across from each other in comfortable armchairs, their expressions serious and contemplative.
Veronica's fingers tapped against the armrests of her chair, while Rain's gaze wandered absentmindedly around the room.
Despite the tense mood, a third figure, Casper, couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the amusing exchange between Veronica and Rain.
Veronica leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Rain. "What is your name?" she asked, her voice steady but insistent.
"Thanatos," Rain replied his tone calm and measured.
Veronica shook her head, a small frown creasing her brow. "No, not your in-game username. I mean your real name."
Rain's expression remained blank as he replied, "This is the seventh time you've asked me that question, and I'm saying it again: I won't answer it."
Casper bit his lip, trying to suppress a chuckle at the exchange between Veronica and Rain.
Apparently, after the spar between Casper and Rain ended. All of them came here to have a "conversation".
Veronica persisted with her line of questioning, despite Rain's obvious reluctance to share anything personal. "So, what do you do for a living?"
Rain raised an eyebrow as if amused by the question. "I wander in the forest."
Veronica frowned, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. "That's not a real job."
"It is for me," Rain replied simply.
Veronica sighed and shifted in her seat. "Can you at least tell me where you live?"
"In my home," Rain said, his tone remaining cool and distant.
Veronica rolled her eyes, growing increasingly frustrated. "Fine, then. What kind of girl is your type?"
Rain's lips quirked in a sardonic smile. "Not someone like you."
Veronica bristled at the comment. "Oh my~ you are bold, boy."
Rain shrugged nonchalantly. "Just that we don't seem to have much in common."
"Are you even human?" Veronica asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Rain's lips quirked in a wry smile. "Wanna check my body?"
Veronica's cheeks flushed at the suggestion. "Sure." But there was a smile on her face.
Rain chuckled softly, his expression turning serious. "Nah, I'm not interested in showing my body to some stranger."
Veronica bristled at the rejection. "I'm not just some stranger! We're having a conversation, aren't we?" She tried to tease Rain further.
Rain raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "That doesn't mean I owe you anything. You're free to ask questions, but I'm also free to decline to answer."
Veronica fell silent, recognizing the truth in his words.
She crossed her arms defensively and cast a glare in his direction.
She asked, "Tell me about your family."
Rain replied with a softened expression, "I don't have a family. At least not anymore."
Veronica's eyes widened with sympathy. "I'm sorry. What happened to them?"
Rain's eyes narrowed, a coldness creeping into his voice. "It's none of your business."
Veronica backed off, sensing that she had touched on a sensitive subject. "Okay, I understand. I won't pry anymore."
Rain let out a sarcastic chuckle, tilting his head to the side as he said, "Dear Dragon Princess, are you trying to find a partner for me?" His tone dripped with sarcasm as if he was mocking her.
Veronica raised an eyebrow, giving Rain a scrutinizing look. "Oh my, how do you think so?" She replied, trying to hide her confusion.
Rain responded, leaning back in his chair. "You keep asking questions like some matchmaking agent."
He was amused, finding it entertaining to tease Veronica.
Casper chimed in, grinning mischievously. "How can she find a partner for someone else? She is still single, never even got in a relationship."
He was trying to add to the conversation, but it was clear he was joking.
Veronica rolled her eyes at Casper's comment, unimpressed. "As if you have a partner," she retorted, her tone sharp.
"Hah." Casper scoffed, trying to defend himself. "It's because I never tried." He sounded almost defensive.
"Even if you have tried, the result would be the same. With your voyeur personality, who likes to enjoy shows eating melon seeds, there is no way someone would like you," Veronica shot back, her tone biting.
Casper was taken aback by Veronica's harsh words, and he couldn't think of a comeback. He sat in silence, knowing that Veronica had won this argument.
He hung his head in defeat, feeling a wave of shame wash over him.
He had always struggled with his shadow element, often using it for purposes that he now regretted.
In the past, he had used it to sneak a peek into forbidden areas, hoping to catch a glimpse of something he shouldn't.
But he had been caught multiple times, and the shame of those moments still weighed heavily on him.
"Ahem." Veronica cleared her throat, changing the subject. "So how did you know about the plan of the evil organization?" Her tone was more serious now, and she leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Rain.
She knew she couldn't pry about Thanatos, as it was a sensitive topic that Rain may not be willing to talk about. She wouldn't have resorted to asking these questions if the tracking on him worked, but she couldn't track him down.
"Oh, finally you're asking something serious," Rain leaned forward, a glint in his eye. "I have an information network." He sounded proud of his connections as if it was a significant accomplishment.
Veronica couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in surprise, her mind racing with questions.
She knew how difficult it was to establish an information network, especially one that was reliable and secure.
The risks were high, and the consequences of getting caught could be catastrophic.
People had been known to disappear overnight, their entire lives destroyed by a single mistake.
And yet here was this guy, with his unknown origins and unremarkable rank, claiming to have just such a network.
It was hard to believe, but something in his tone suggested that he was telling the truth.
Perhaps it was the confidence in his voice or the way he carried himself, but Veronica found herself starting to believe him.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder about the risks involved.
If he had indeed offended someone and gotten caught, then surely he would be in even greater danger now, with the stakes even higher.
Was he really prepared to take that risk, just to share this information with her?
Despite her misgivings, Veronica couldn't deny that the prospect of having access to such a network was tantalizing.
It could give her an edge in her fight against the evil organization, a way to stay one step ahead of their plans.
And if this guy was really willing to help her, then it would be great.
Although she wanted to ask more about it, it was a sensitive topic, and the guy opposite her would surely not disclose any information.
"Okay, then when will you collect those scrolls?" She asked, trying to get a sense of when they would meet in person.
"In one or two years," Rain answered, sensing the hidden meaning behind the question.
"On whose side are you?" She asked seriously, her eyes fixed on Rain. This was the most important thing.
Although she could say that Thanatos wasn't on the evil organization's side, she couldn't trust him completely.
He might be trying to scam her after coming closer to her.
She had faced many betrayals in her past world, and these kinds of cheap tricks weren't new to her.
"I am on my own." Rain answered. His eyes were filled with determination.
"Only time will tell," Veronica interjected.
She stood from her chair, a smile on her beautiful face.
It was a shame that her lower face was still hidden behind the veil. "I hope I meet you soon again," she said, her tone friendly and warm.
"Me too," Rain replied, also standing up and extending his hand for a handshake.
As they shook hands, a spark of connection seemed to ignite between their eyes.
"Just wait, I will reveal all of your secrets and make you my slave," Veronica thought inwardly, a hint of determination in her voice.
"Hehe. You are going to be another variable to increase the plot progress. Nothing else," Rain smirked as he thought, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Casper stared at both of them.
'I don't know what these people are thinking. But I am sure things won't go their way. After all, isn't that always happen in every novel?"
He strengthened the muscles in body and controlled himself from laughing.
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