I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 145: 145:Leaving.

Once their clothing and supplies were packed, they turned their attention to their equipment. Silver lifted his sword from where it rested beside the bed.

The polished blade reflected the afternoon light as he slowly inspected its edge. The spar earlier that morning had left only faint scuff marks near the guard.

Satisfied, he slid the weapon smoothly back into its sheath before fastening it securely at his waist. His handgun came next. He removed the magazine, checking each round.

He confirmed the chamber was empty, then reloaded it before securing the pistol inside the holster attached to his belt.

Across the room, Ravenna performed similar checks. She carefully cleaned her blade with a soft cloth before returning it to its sheath. Her pistol was inspected just as thoroughly. Everything received the same careful attention.

Neither of them treated their weapons casually. Contractors who neglected their equipment often didn’t live long enough to regret it.

Silver crouched beside his backpack once more. There were a handful of smaller items he preferred to keep close at hand: a folding multi-tool, a flashlight, several spare batteries, a lighter, and a compact map of the Green Zone surrounding Delta Four.

He quietly slipped a few particularly valuable items into his personal storage. The movement was so natural that Ravenna didn’t pay it any attention as she finished adjusting the straps on her own pack.

She had long since learned that Silver liked keeping his belongings organized. Silver stood and slung his backpack over one shoulder.

"That should be everything."

Ravenna looked around the room one last time. Nothing had been left behind. The beds were neatly made, the bathroom was clean, their chargers had been unplugged, and even the curtains had been drawn slightly to keep the afternoon sun from heating the room unnecessarily.

She nodded.

"We’re ready."

Silver picked up the room key. Before leaving, his gaze briefly settled on the two flowers resting together near the window.

The deep blue flower from yesterday and the white rose from today. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"We’ll be back before they wilt."

Ravenna followed his gaze.

"I hope so."

With that, Silver switched off the lights. The two of them stepped into the corridor before locking the suite behind them. They took the elevator back to the lobby, where several guests were checking in while others prepared to depart.

The receptionist looked up as they approached the front desk.

"So you’re heading out now?"

Silver nodded.

"Our mission starts now."

She smiled warmly.

"I hope everything goes smoothly."

"So do we."

Ravenna inclined her head politely.

"Thank you for looking after us."

"It was our pleasure."

The receptionist handed Silver a small envelope.

"You almost forgot this."

Silver blinked.

"Our receipt? You left it at the front desk after checking in today."

He accepted it with an embarrassed smile.

"Thanks."

"It happens more often than you’d think."

After exchanging a few final farewells, they stepped outside. The afternoon breeze greeted them immediately.

Silver unlocked the freshly repaired vehicle with a press of the key fob. The lights flashed once in response.

He placed both backpacks into the rear compartment before walking around to the driver’s side.

Ravenna settled comfortably into the passenger seat, her sword secured beside her within easy reach while her handgun remained holstered.

Silver climbed into the driver’s seat a moment later. He adjusted the mirrors before starting the engine. The vehicle came to life with a smooth, steady rumble, much better than before.

He smiled.

"The mechanic really did good work."

Ravenna fastened her seatbelt.

"He did."

Silver rested one hand on the steering wheel before glancing toward the towering walls of the sanctuary visible beyond the surrounding buildings.

Beyond those walls... The Green Zone waited with another opportunity to grow stronger.

He shifted the vehicle into gear.

"Ready?"

Ravenna met his eyes and nodded once.

"Let’s go."

The car pulled smoothly away from the hotel, joining the steady afternoon traffic as they made their way toward the massive gates.

Silver guided the vehicle smoothly through the traffic, following the main avenue that led toward the Sanctuary’s southern gate.

The city gradually changed as they drove.

The busy shopping districts gave way to broader industrial roads lined with warehouses, supply depots, and contractor logistics centers.

Transport trucks loaded with construction materials rumbled past in the opposite direction while armored convoy vehicles prepared to escort resource teams beyond the walls.

The closer they came to the gate, the more contractors they saw. Some rode modified motorcycles equipped with reinforced frames and weapon mounts.

Others drove armored trucks bearing the insignias of established contractor squads. A few simply walked, their weapons resting across their backs as they chatted with teammates heading toward nearby patrol routes.

Every one of them was preparing to leave the safety of the sanctuary behind. Silver rested one hand comfortably on the steering wheel.

"It feels different driving out this time."

Ravenna looked out the passenger window.

"Different?"

"It’s like we’re going right back to where we belong, you get it... Okay, I sound so cringe right now."

Back then, every trip beyond the walls had been filled with uncertainty. He had been inexperienced. Every beast encounter had felt like a struggle for survival.

Now, while he certainly didn’t underestimate the dangers outside the Sanctuary, he no longer felt overwhelmed by them.

They had both grown stronger. Their spar that morning had reminded him just how much progress they had made.

Ravenna chuckled lightly, then nodded gently.

"We’re more prepared now."

"We are."

The towering outer wall soon dominated the horizon. Compared to the heart of the city, the atmosphere here felt far more serious. Vehicles formed several orderly lines leading toward different inspection lanes.

Silver eased into one of them.

"It shouldn’t take long."

Ahead of them, contractors presented identification cards while inspection teams verified mission registrations, checked vehicles, and ensured no unauthorized individuals attempted to leave the Sanctuary.

Although the Green Zone was considered the safest region, strict procedures remained in place. Eventually their turn arrived.