The bunker fell into a heavy silence after Nami's words.
"You will be tamed."
Those four words didn't just echo outside—they settled deep inside the space between her and Stefan. Even he hadn't expected her to say it so directly, so coldly.
For a moment, there was no response from outside.
Only the distant sound of wind… and something moving far away in the ruins above.
Then—
A shaky voice returned.
Unknown Man: "…Tamed…? What does that mean…?"
Nami didn't immediately answer.
She glanced back at Stefan, her eyes asking something without words.
Are you ready?
Stefan didn't respond verbally.
But he didn't stop her either.
That was enough.
Nami turned back toward the door, her expression firm.
Nami: "It means you'll form a contract with him. You'll live. You'll be protected."
She paused slightly before continuing.
Nami: "But you'll have to follow his commands."
Silence.
Longer this time.
Heavier.
The man outside was breathing fast now—they could hear it clearly through the metal door.
Fear.
Confusion.
Desperation.
All mixed together.
Unknown Man: "That… that sounds like slavery…"
The word hit hard.
Stefan's jaw tightened.
Nami didn't react immediately, but her fingers curled slightly.
Nami: "Call it whatever you want."
Her voice didn't shake.
Nami: "But the world outside is worse."
She stepped closer to the door.
Nami: "Out there, you die."
A distant growl echoed faintly, as if proving her point.
The man flinched audibly.
Unknown Man: "…I…"
He hesitated.
Struggled.
Because deep down—
He knew she was right.
Nami softened her tone just a little.
Nami: "We're not asking you to become a puppet."
She looked briefly at Stefan again.
Nami: "You'll stay yourself. You'll think, speak, live…"
Then she added quietly—
Nami: "…but you'll follow him."
Stefan felt something shift inside him hearing that.
Responsibility.
Weight.
Not just power.
The man outside spoke again, his voice breaking.
Unknown Man: "If I say no…?"
Nami didn't hesitate.
Nami: "Then we don't open the door."
Silence.
No hesitation.
No false hope.
Just truth.
Seconds passed.
Then—
A distant scream echoed somewhere far outside.
Not close.
But close enough.
The man panicked.
Unknown Man: "WAIT—WAIT!"
He hit the door weakly.
Unknown Man: "I'll do it! I'll accept it! Just—please—don't leave me out here!"
Nami closed her eyes for a second.
Then exhaled slowly.
Decision made.
She turned to Stefan.
Nami: "He accepted."
Stefan stepped forward.
His heartbeat began to rise again.
This would be his first time.
No idea what it would feel like.
No idea what could go wrong.
But there was no turning back now.
He stood in front of the door.
Stefan: "Open it."
Nami nodded.
She signaled Rex, who moved closer, flames faintly flickering around his mouth, ready to attack if anything went wrong.
Slowly—
The bunker door unlocked.
CLANK.
Then opened just enough—
For a man to stumble inside.