A day had passed since the group returned from the forest.
With no way to obtain identification, everyone had reached a dead end.
While Levi searched for another solution…
Carter chose a different path.
He decided to return to the one place he had sworn he would never visit again.
Home.
Or at least…
What used to be home.
Although Carter came from a wealthy family, he had run away years ago.
The reason wasn’t poverty.
It was his stepmother.
She was the kind of woman people only believed existed in fairy tales.
Cruel.
Manipulative.
And impossible to please.
After Carter’s father died, every one of his assets was left to her.
His father had been a hopeless romantic who chased countless women throughout his life.
Unfortunately for Carter…
He looked exactly like him.
Every time his stepmother looked at Carter…
She saw the man she hated.
Returning meant swallowing his pride.
It meant begging.
But for the sake of the Vanguard…
He was willing to do it.
Before leaving, Carter quietly sent a message requesting an audience.
Her reply contained only two words.
Come back.
High atop a mountain in the First District stood an old wooden mansion.
Despite its age, the estate remained beautiful.
Several armed guards stood outside its gates.
After searching Carter for weapons, they allowed him inside.
The moment he stepped through the front door…
His heartbeat quickened.
The smell of cigarette smoke lingered throughout the room.
At the far end sat his stepmother.
Gruad.
She wore a crimson dress that hugged her figure elegantly, with a long slit running up one side.
One leg crossed over the other as she slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.
Without being told…
Carter dropped to both knees.
He lowered his head until his forehead nearly touched the floor.
He couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes.
“You’re late.”
Her voice was calm.
Far calmer than Carter remembered.
“I…”
He swallowed nervously.
“I took the long way around to avoid the monsters.”
She let out a quiet laugh.
“A coward.”
“Just like your father.”
Carter clenched his fists.
But he said nothing.
Years of experience had taught him one lesson.
Arguing only made things worse.
She rested her chin against one hand.
“So…”
“What do you want?”
Carter took a deep breath.
“I need you to sponsor me for an identification card.”
For a moment…
Silence.
She burst into laughter.
The sound echoed throughout the room.
“You ran away.”
“And now you’ve come crawling back.”
“What makes you think I’d help you?”
“I won’t challenge the estate.”
“I don’t want Father’s inheritance.”
“I only need identification.”
She studied him carefully.
Finally, she smiled.
“Very well.”
“But first…”
“You’ll sign everything over to me.”
“I will.”
“After you sponsor me.”
She motioned toward one of her bodyguards.
The guard stepped forward carrying an ornate chest covered in jewels and silver engravings.
When he opened it, a crimson booklet marked with the System’s crest rested inside.
She whispered something under her breath.
The booklet floated into the air before landing at Carter’s feet.
His hands trembled as he picked it up.
His eyes immediately searched for his name.
Name: Carter
Age: 20
His heart pounded with excitement.
Finally…
He had identification.
Then his eyes moved lower.
Noble Status: DOG
The color drained from his face.
A dog.
In the Dryland…
That wasn’t an animal.
It was another word for a slave.
This identification didn’t grant him freedom.
It branded him as property.
As long as he carried it…
He belonged to Her.
He slowly closed the booklet.
His expression remained calm.
But inside…
Something broke.
She smiled.
“Now.”
“Sign.”
A servant placed several documents before him.
Without another choice…
Carter signed every page.
She watched with satisfaction.
When he finished, she stood from her chair and walked toward him.
Stopping just behind his back, she spoke softly.
“Good.”
“Now…”
“Please me.”
Carter’s body froze.
He already knew what she meant.
His hands began shaking.
Slowly…
He removed his shirt.
Old scars covered his back.
Some had faded with time.
Others never would.
She smiled as she traced one of them with her fingers.
Outside the room…
The guards stood silently.
No one dared interrupt.
The mansion remained quiet throughout the night.
But every so often…
A muffled cry echoed through its halls.
By sunrise…
Carter finally walked back outside.
His shirt was back on.
His face showed no emotion.
Only the tight grip around his new identification booklet revealed what the night had cost him.
Without looking back…
He began the long journey toward Levi and the others.