Chapter 132: 132:Dinner.
By the time Silver and Ravenna finished organizing the remaining beast cores and carefully placing the Soul Harmonization Crystal back into its protective case, the last traces of daylight had already disappeared beyond Delta Four’s towering walls.
The room had grown noticeably dimmer, illuminated only by the warm electric lights hanging from the ceiling and the countless lights scattered throughout the city outside the window. Looking down from the fifth floor, Silver could see streams of contractors moving through the streets below.
Restaurants had become crowded, merchants were closing their shops after another profitable day, and supply vehicles continued moving between warehouses despite the late hour. All sanctuaries never truly seemed to sleep.
Silver stretched his arms above his head before letting out a long sigh.
"I don’t know about you... But I’m starving."
Ravenna looked up from the table where she had been carefully repacking their supplies.
"I was wondering how long it’d take before you said that."
Silver laughed.
"I’ve absorbed fourteen beast cores today, I think I’m allowed to be hungry."
She smiled as she stood.
"I suppose that’s true."
The Fire Cores had left a pleasant warmth flowing through her body. Even after the absorption had ended nearly half an hour earlier, she could still feel tiny currents of fire circulating naturally through her body.
It was different from before. Previously, controlling her flames had required deliberate effort. Now, it felt almost instinctive.
Silver noticed her quietly opening and closing one hand.
"You can still feel it?"
She nodded.
"My control."
She looked at her palm before igniting a tiny flame no larger than a candle. The flame burned steadily. Even after several seconds, it showed none of the instability she had struggled with before.
She extinguished it and smiled softly.
"...It’s strange."
"What is?"
"I used to think controlling fire meant forcing it to obey." She paused thoughtfully. "But now... it almost feels like it’s cooperating."
Silver leaned against the table.
"Maybe that’s because you’re not fighting it anymore."
Ravenna looked at him.
"The elemental cores didn’t just make you stronger; they helped your affinity become more complete. So instead of forcing the fire... you’re guiding it."
She remained silent for a few moments before nodding.
"I like that explanation."
Silver smiled.
"I’m glad."
After locking away their more valuable belongings, Silver picked up the room key.
"Come on, if we wait any longer, all the good food will disappear."
Ravenna laughed quietly.
"I think you’re exaggerating."
"You’ve never seen hungry contractors after a successful hunt; they’re terrifying."
She shook her head with amusement as they left the room together.
The contractor hotel was noticeably livelier than it had been when they checked in earlier that afternoon.
Groups of hunters sat together in the lobby discussing the day’s missions while reception staff hurried between guests carrying luggage and fresh linens.
Some contractors still wore bloodstained armour, clearly having returned only moments ago from the Green Zones. Others laughed loudly over mugs of beer, celebrating successful hunts with teammates. Nobody looked twice at Silver and Ravenna.
The dining hall occupied almost the entire ground floor. Unlike ordinary restaurants, this one had been designed specifically for contractors.
They served large portions, high-protein meals, fresh beast meat, and everything on the menu existed for one purpose.
Helping hunters recover.
The rich aroma of grilled meat, roasted vegetables, and freshly baked bread filled the air the moment they stepped inside.
Silver inhaled deeply.
"Now this is what I’m talking about."
Ravenna rolled her eyes.
"You sound happier than when your skill level increased."
"Food deserves respect."
"I’ll remember that."
They found a quieter table near one of the large windows overlooking the street. Outside, the city continued glowing beneath countless lights. Inside, warm conversations mixed with the clatter of dishes and occasional bursts of laughter.
A waitress approached.
"What can I get for you?"
Silver looked over the menu for barely five seconds.
"I’ll have the grilled Stonehorn steak, herb potatoes, vegetable soup, and fruit juice."
The waitress nodded before turning toward Ravenna.
"I’ll have the same."
Once the waitress left, Ravenna looked at him.
"You really didn’t need to order the expensive meal."
Silver shrugged.
"We’re celebrating."
"We are?"
"We survived Detroin, reached Delta Four, and became stronger. I’d say that’s worth celebrating."
Ravenna couldn’t argue with that.
The food arrived surprisingly quickly. The portions alone were enough to satisfy even experienced contractors. The Stonehorn steak had been grilled until its outer surface carried a light char while the inside remained tender and juicy.
Silver cut into it before taking the first bite. His eyes widened slightly.
"...Worth every Point."
Ravenna tasted hers a moment later.
"...You’re right."
For several minutes, neither of them spoke very much; they simply enjoyed the meal. It had been days since either of them had eaten without constantly listening for danger. That alone made the food taste better.
Eventually, Silver placed his fork down.
"I’ve been thinking."
Ravenna looked up.
"About tomorrow?"
He nodded.
"The beast cores gave us more strength, but strength alone isn’t enough anymore."
She waited for him to continue.
"Back in the Green Zones, we could rely on raw improvements. Most Tier One and Tier Two beasts couldn’t really challenge us anymore, but eventually we’ll reach stronger opponents."
He leaned back slightly.
"If I keep depending on getting stronger physically... I’ll hit a wall. So I need to master what I already have."
Ravenna immediately understood.
"Space Slash."
He nodded.
"I’ve neglected it. All my skills have improved in proficiency, but not that. My conscience can’t stop reminding me that."
She smiled faintly.
"Scolded by your own abilities."
"Pretty much."
They both laughed quietly. Ravenna rested her chin lightly on one hand.
"What about me?"
Silver looked at her.
"You should keep improving your control. I noticed it during the absorption, your flames don’t fluctuate anymore."
She nodded slowly.
"I noticed too. They’re easier to shape and maintain. It almost feels like they respond before I consciously tell them what to do."
Silver smiled.
"That’s exactly why we’ll use the training rooms. There are no distractions or beasts. We can practice until it becomes natural."
She agreed immediately.
"I’d like that."
---
After finishing dinner, they remained seated for a little while longer. Neither of them seemed eager to rush back upstairs since there was no pressing objective waiting for them.
Silver looked through the window.
"You know... I’ve spent so much time chasing the next objective that I almost forgot what slowing down feels like."
Ravenna followed his gaze toward the lights outside.
"...Maybe slowing down isn’t a bad thing."
"No, it isn’t." He smiled. "It reminds you what you’re actually fighting for."
Eventually, they stood. The dining hall had become slightly quieter as more contractors finished eating and returned to their rooms.
Silver paid the bill before they slowly made their way back upstairs. Neither of them spoke much. Comfortable silence had gradually become something they shared naturally.
Back inside the room, Ravenna prepared for bed while Silver checked that their equipment remained neatly organized for the morning. Everything rested exactly where it should.
Satisfied, he switched off the main lights, only the small bedside lamp remaining. The room immediately became quiet.
Silver lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
"...Gym first."
Ravenna’s sleepy voice answered from the other bed.
"Then breakfast."
"Then the Association and after training..."
Silver smiled into the darkness.
"...our date."
There was a brief pause.
"...Don’t forget."
"I won’t."
Another few moments passed. The comfortable silence returned. Outside, Delta Four continued bustling beneath the night sky, while inside the hotel room, the exhaustion they had ignored all evening finally caught up with them.
Within minutes, Silver’s breathing became slow and steady. Across the room, Ravenna had already drifted to sleep.
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