Mika froze, her mind clouded with confusion. ''Was there always grass in this tunnel?'' she wondered.


    She couldn''t be sure. Everything felt off, as if reality itself was shifting around her.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. “Mika? Are you alright?” Jarred asked, his tone tinged with worry.


    Startled, she turned to face him. His eyes searched her face, clearly concerned. At first, she didn’t respond, her thoughts still tangled.


    Then, after a long pause, she muttered, “I... I guess?”


    Before Jarred could reply, Creselya approached, her crimson eyes calm but seeking. “Would you like to take a break before we continue?” she asked, her voice polite yet firm.


    Mika forced a weak smile and shook her head lightly. “I’m fine... it’s just... my head.”


    Azrael stepped closer, his face etched with concern. “What’s wrong with your head? Does it hurt?”


    Straightening her posture, Mika quickly dismissed his worry. “No... no, it’s fine. Let’s just keep going.”


    Creselya studied her for a moment before nodding. “As you wish.”


    The group resumed their walk, leaving the Punishment Tunnel behind.


    Mika trailed behind slightly, her thoughts refusing to settle. ''What’s happening to me? Am I forgetting something? Or is my own mind playing tricks on me?''


    The questions grasped at her, but she couldn’t find any answers.


    The tunnel itself felt strange, unsettling, even. Thick roots clung to the walls and ceiling, intertwining like veins of some ancient, slumbering entity.


    They ranged in size, from massive, twisting roots to delicate, thread-like strands.


    The floor beneath them was covered in lush, green grass, soft, vibrant, and identical to the greenery in the previous room.


    Small flowers bloomed sporadically along the tangled vines, adding splashes of color to the otherwise monochromatic greens.


    Even the light bulbs overhead were partially wrapped in tiny leaves, their glow diffused but still bright enough to illuminate the tunnel.


    The cell bars, too, were adorned with vines and thin roots, giving them an almost enchanted appearance.


    Despite the organic growth covering them, the bars retained their polished and ornate design, enhancing the tunnel’s surreal beauty.


    It was like stepping into a dungeon from a fairy tale, both elegant and otherworldly.


    After several minutes of walking, they finally emerged from the tunnel. Mika’s breath hitched as the scene before her came into view.


    The space was vast and breathtaking. It mirrored the tunnel’s transformation but on an even grander scale.


    Vines snaked along the walls, their leaves cascading like emerald waterfalls.


    The ground was covered in soft grass that stretched endlessly, dotted with vibrant flowers in full bloom.


    An earthy, fresh scent filled the air, calming and invigorating all at once.


    Mika’s eyes widened as she took in the ethereal landscape. ''This doesn’t feel real...'' she thought.


    The entire place seemed like a world separate from anything she had ever known, a hidden paradise concealed within the confines of the Punishment Tunnel.


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    Mika hesitated, the words escaping her lips almost unconsciously. “W-wow... this... is so beautiful.”


    The group froze, their gazes sweeping across the breathtaking surroundings.


    Even Mika, who moments ago had been consumed by doubt, now believed in the reality of what she saw.


    The sheer beauty of the place was undeniable, captivating every member of the group.


    As the group took in the wonder around them, Creselya suddenly stopped, a confident smile spreading across her face. “Alright!” she declared brightly. “Let’s get started with work!”


    *


    The group worked tirelessly throughout the day, each assigned to their own unique tasks by Creselya.


    Mika joined the team called the "feeders," responsible for feeding the children at designated times: ten in the morning, two in the afternoon, and six in the evening.


    Jarred, on the other hand, was assigned to the "cleaners," tasked with tidying up the children''s beds each morning as they woke from sleep.


    Azrael''s role was that of an "organizer." His responsibilities included preparing the children’s dining area, a massive space in the center of the grounds large enough to accommodate every child.


    He also had the joyful task of playing with the kids, keeping them entertained and happy.


    The workers were divided into three groups for each role, feeders, cleaners, and organizers, with each group consisting of twenty members.


    Azrael joined the second group as the twenty-first organizer, while Mika and Jarred ended up in the first group, although assigned to different roles.


    Despite the initial uncertainty, none of them found the work challenging.


    Their colleagues were kind and cooperative, making the tasks smooth and manageable.


    In fact, Azrael befriended someone on his very first day, a girl around his age named Eba.


    Eba shared her story with Azrael, revealing that she was an orphan taken in by the Kent Family.


    They had cared for her since the moment she arrived in Tancki Valley, helping her find a place in this secretive orphanage.


    Her calm demeanor and resilience intrigued Azrael, sparking a quick bond between them.


    Creselya had her reasons for choosing workers with good hearts. She wanted to ensure the children were cared for by people with genuine warmth and kindness.


    Anyone with a bad temper or malicious intentions wouldn’t be welcome.


    Azrael, in particular, was proving to be an excellent addition, effortlessly connecting with the kids and taking care of them with compassion.


    *


    On the balcony, Dabric stood silently, his gaze fixed on the scene below. It was mid-afternoon, around two o’clock, and the children were preparing to eat.


    He watched as Azrael, Mika, and Jarred performed their respective tasks, each absorbed in their work.


    Nearby, a petite girl with striking crimson eyes and hair reclined on a sofa.


    She held a wine glass delicately in her left hand, bringing it close to her nose to savor the aroma before taking a small sip. Her movements were graceful, almost regal.


    Dabric approached her and settled beside her, pouring himself a glass of wine. With a calm tone, he asked, “How’s everything going?”


    Creselya’s mouth twitched slightly, a sign of irritation. “Tch! This is frustrating,” she muttered.


    Dabric looked at her curiously. “Why?” he asked, his brow furrowing.


    She set her wine glass down and crossed her legs, her voice tinged with annoyance. “That woman. She’s different from the other two. She’s interfering with my work.”


    Dabric sighed, a carefree smile playing on his lips. “Don’t worry,” he said confidently. “From what I’ve seen, there’s no issue with her. She’s doing her tasks just fine.”


    Creselya closed her eyes briefly, exhaling as if attempting to calm herself.


    When she opened them, her irritation was still evident. “That woman keeps asking so many questions. She’s overly observant, like she doesn’t trust what’s happening around her.”


    Dabric’s expression softened as he replied, “We’ve already got her here. There’s no need to worry about her now.” He paused, his thoughts wandering before he asked, “If I’m not mistaken, there were four of them. Where’s the other one?”


    Creselya glanced at him, her irritation giving way to mild exasperation. “He’s on the first floor. I assigned him some paperwork. That one’s... strange. More strange than you,” she added, her tone slightly teasing.


    Dabric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “strange? What do you mean? Is he strong or something?”


    Creselya hesitated, her crimson eyes flickering with uncertainty. “I... I don’t know either,” she admitted, trembling slightly. “There’s just something strange about him.”


    Dabric shrugged, his casual demeanor unchanged. “I think it’d be wise to keep him away from here as much as possible. Just to be safe.”


    Creselya leaned forward slightly, her tone sharp. “What if he asks his friends about what happened here today? And what if their answers don’t match?”


    Dabric’s smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. “As long as he doesn’t come down here, there won’t be any problems,” he said firmly.