Chapter 124: 124:Leaving.
The first rays of sunlight filtered gently through the thin canvas of the tent, replacing the warm glow of the lantern that had long since burned itself out.
Silver stirred first. For a brief moment, he simply lay there with his eyes closed, listening.
The soft chirping of birds was finally returning to the forest after days of chaos, and the occasional murmur of Association personnel beginning another day’s work.
It felt... strangely peaceful. His eyes slowly opened, and he turned his head.
Ravenna was still asleep beside him.
Unlike the previous night, the tension that had been permanently etched onto her face had eased. Her breathing was slow and steady, and a few loose strands of white hair rested across her cheek.
Silver smiled to himself.
"...Good morning," he said it so quietly that even he barely heard it.
Careful not to wake her, he quietly slipped out from beneath the blanket and stretched. Every muscle protested, but in a good way.
His shoulders ached from overusing Short-Step, his legs still felt heavy after running through the botanical gardens, and even his mind carried the dull fatigue left behind by repeated uses of Spatial Sense.
Yet, compared to yesterday, he felt refreshed. It was amazing what one uninterrupted night’s sleep could accomplish.
As he quietly gathered a change of clothes, Ravenna slowly opened her eyes. She blinked several times before looking around the tent.
"...Morning."
"Morning."
She sat up slowly before rubbing her eyes.
"I actually slept."
Silver laughed softly.
"So did I."
She looked almost surprised.
"I don’t remember falling asleep."
"You were exhausted."
"So were you."
Silver nodded.
"...I was."
For a moment, neither of them spoke; then Ravenna smiled ever so slightly.
"...We survived."
Silver returned the smile.
"Yeah, we survived."
After folding their blankets and packing away the few belongings scattered around the tent, they stepped outside.
The evacuation camp had already become lively. Association vehicles moved steadily between rows of temporary shelters. Medical teams continued checking on unconscious survivors. Contractors repaired damaged equipment while logistics personnel distributed breakfast.
Unlike yesterday, there was purpose in the air. People were now finally going back to normal and had started to rebuild.
Silver inhaled deeply.
Fresh morning air.
There was no strange pollen or the oppressive scent carried by invisible spores, just good old normal air.
"I almost forgot what clean air smelled like."
Ravenna nodded.
"I was thinking the same thing."
The communal washing area had been set up near the edge of the camp using portable water tanks supplied by the Association. The men’s and women’s sections were separated by temporary partitions.
Silver washed away layers of dried blood, dirt, and dust that had accumulated over the last fight. The cool water stung against countless small cuts covering his arms.
Yet somehow, it felt satisfying, as though the nightmare was finally being washed away alongside the grime.
When he finished, he changed into a clean set of clothes before returning toward their tent.
Ravenna hadn’t returned yet.
"...Still getting dressed." He smiled to himself. "I’ll wait."
The early morning breeze drifted gently through the camp. Silver walked a short distance away from the tent and found a small patch of wildflowers growing near a broken stone wall.
Despite everything that had happened, nature had already begun reclaiming the edges of Detroin just as fast.
He crouched down.
Among the tiny flowers... one pale blue blossom caught his attention. It was simple, small, and beautiful. He carefully picked it before brushing away the remaining dirt from its stem.
"...Much better than yesterday."
He quietly laughed. Yesterday, flowers had nearly killed them, but today, he simply wanted to make someone smile.
Just as he turned back toward the tent, a familiar chime echoed inside his mind.
[Delayed Notifications Processing...]
{Processing Complete.
Quest Completed:
『Survive the Moonlight Flower Incident』
Status: Completed
Evaluation: Excellent
Additional Objective Completed
• Identified source organism.
• Prevented further colony maturation.
• Assisted civilian evacuation.
• Preserved team survival under catastrophic conditions.
[Rewards Granted]
• 600 Affection Points
• Mental Resistance +2
• Spatial Sense Lv2 Proficiency Greatly Increased
• Target Synchronization Proficiency Increased
• Utility Item Obtained:
Field Camouflage Projector
A compact device capable of reducing visual and thermal detection around a small campsite.
Effective against beasts and long-range observation.
[Bonus Reward]
Field Analysis Lv1
A passive utility skill.
Allows the host to identify recent traces left by beasts, humans, and environmental anomalies with greater accuracy.
Silver’s eyes widened slightly.
’That’s actually useful.’
Unlike combat skills, both rewards were exactly the kind of abilities someone travelling through dangerous zones needed.
Another notification appeared.
Mental Resistance
4 → 6
A third screen quietly appeared.
{Target Synchronization
Proficiency Increased.
Current Compatibility: Synchronization Efficiency: 42%
Coordinated combat effectiveness increased.}
Finally, one last notification.
[Affection Updated]
Target: Ravenna Arkland
34 → 38
Reward Granted
100 Affection Points
Silver smiled.
"...Only four."
He wasn’t disappointed, quite the opposite. After everything they’d experienced together, the number no longer felt particularly important.
Their relationship wasn’t measured by the System. The System merely recorded it. He closed every notification with a calm expression.
"...Slowly is fine."
"Silver?"
He turned. Ravenna had stepped out of the tent. She had changed into clean travelling clothes, her long white hair neatly tied back.
For a brief second... Silver simply stared.
She tilted her head.
"...Is something wrong?"
He walked over before holding out the small blue flower.
"I found it while waiting."
Ravenna looked down at the flower before looking back up at him.
"For me?"
He nodded.
"I thought, after everything yesterday... today should start with something nicer."
For a second, she simply stood there, then a gentle smile spread across her face, one softer than any he’d seen before.
She carefully accepted the flower as though afraid she might damage it.
"...Thank you."
She lifted it closer, admiring its delicate petals.
"I like it."
Silver scratched the back of his head.
"I wasn’t sure."
"I’m sure."
She tucked the flower carefully behind one ear.
"...How does it look?"
Silver’s eyes widened slightly, then he laughed.
"I think it suits you."
Her smile widened ever so slightly.
"So flowers are becoming a habit?"
"Maybe, as long as they aren’t trying to kill us."
That earned him a quiet laugh. After packing the last of their equipment, Silver walked toward their vehicle. The spare tyre remained firmly in place. The temporary covering over the shattered rear window had survived the night.
He checked the engine, oil, fuel, and suspension. Everything looked surprisingly good. He closed the hood with a satisfied nod.
"We’re ready," he said to Ravenna, who was on the opposite side of him.
Brian approached with Jonah and the remaining survivors. Each carried their own equipment. It looked as though they, too, would soon be leaving.
Brian extended his hand.
"So, this is where we part."
Silver shook it firmly.
"I guess so."
Brian smiled.
"If you ever reach Delta Four, look us up. I owe you a proper meal."
Silver chuckled.
"I’ll hold you to that."
Jonah folded his arms.
"And next time, cook before the disaster."
Everyone laughed, even Brian.
Ravenna stepped forward and bowed her head slightly.
"...Take care."
Brian returned the gesture.
"You too." Then his expression became serious. "And... thank you. Ooh, and don’t forget to claim your bounty."
Neither Silver nor Ravenna replied. Some things didn’t need words. After one final wave, they climbed into their vehicle, and the engine rumbled to life.
The ruined camp gradually disappeared behind them as the road stretched toward Delta Four. For several minutes, only the sound of the engine filled the silence, then Ravenna looked out the window.
"...Silver."
"Hm?"
"The place you mentioned before, where you said you wanted to go. Aren’t we supposed to stop there?"
Silver remained quiet for several seconds. He watched the empty road ahead, then slowly shook his head.
"...Not anymore."
She looked at him curiously.
"You changed your mind?"
"I did."
He smiled faintly.
"Before Detroin... I would’ve gone without thinking. I believed being prepared meant carrying enough supplies."
He paused.
"Now I know better."
He glanced toward her.
"There are things stronger than us, there are things smarter than us, and there are dangers we won’t even notice until they’re already trying to kill us."
Ravenna nodded quietly.
"So... We wait."
Silver smiled.
"Exactly. The research station is only about four hours from Delta Four. It isn’t going anywhere. I’d rather reach Rank Two first, get stronger, and then come back knowing we have a better chance."
Ravenna leaned back in her seat.
"...I think that’s the right decision."
Silver laughed softly.
"A week ago, I would’ve called myself a coward."
"And now?"
He looked toward the long road disappearing into the horizon.
"Now, I think surviving is harder than being brave."
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