Just when you think things are getting better, life slaps you and says, "In your dreams."
After a full day of searching, Lin and Sakura found no trace of the others. The island was exceptionally large; one day was nowhere near enough to explore it all. Lin estimated they hadn't even explored a quarter of it. As darkness fell, they had to return to camp.
Is there an unknown island this large in the Mu continent's southeast waters?
The peculiar island weather made the temperature much higher than at the climate-controlled headquarters. This was nothing to Lin, since he couldn't feel it, but it was uncomfortable for Sakura. She had good endurance, but this wasn't a mission; this purely unlucky experience was just painful.
Even though they had chosen a dry spot, insects still harassed them. Especially her long ears; with so many nerves, a single flying insect getting inside would make her shiver.
Lin added some damp wood to the fire to make it burn longer. They didn't need much light or warmth, but it would deter beasts to an extent, and others on the island might see the glow.
Crack.
The sound of wood popping echoed in the camp. The atmosphere was just like when they had teamed up before—nothing special, two familiar strangers sitting together passing the time.
While grooming the fur on her ears and plugging them with cloth, Sakura would occasionally glance at Lin. She felt this wasn't a bad feeling. This man was always so calm, giving everyone who interacted with him the same sense of peace.
"Is everything okay with Rin?"
As Sakura mind wandered, Lin asked out of the blue. She snapped back and said softly: "It's fine. I told her if I didn't contact her for a long time, it meant I was doing work that didn't allow for external communication."
Sakura lies were so casual, and it was lucky Rin never thought poorly of her; she still hadn't noticed any issues.
Lin was somewhat talkative today. He was making a fishing rod by the fire. The only thing he found in the wreckage was hemp rope, perfect for a rod. As he wound the line, he asked: "Ever thought about what you'll do after the Honkai ends?"
"Do... what?"
Sakura truly hadn't thought about that day. She was once an assassin living on the edge of a blade, and now she was a half-beast MANTIS. Neither version of her was someone the "normal" world could accept. Recalling the conversation with the person who picked her up after a mission, she lowered her head in a daze, silent.
Does a genuine monster have the right to consider a future?
The flickering firelight danced across her face.
"I want to build a cemetery in the future, to commemorate those who died in the Honkai."
The cold voice made her look up. Lin was staring calmly at her, then looked up at the star-studded sky. "It would be too tragic if no one remembered them."
His expressionless face somehow conveyed a deep, compassionate sorrow.
"...I don't know either." This made Sakura feel even more ashamed. She couldn't even find a direction for her future life.
"I actually envy you a bit."
"Hmm?"
Lin said something unexpected, making Sakura look at him curiously.
"Before you found your own goal, someone was already there to support your conviction." Lin smoothed the fishing line, testing the feel. "It took me a long time to find my own future, and even longer... to find someone to support my conviction."
"I'll probably spend an immeasurable amount of time before reaching the future I want."
He envies me for that? Sakura knew a bit about Lin background. He hadn't joined Fire Moth out of hatred for the Honkai, but he had no one he could call family. He had been alone from the start, swinging his blade only for the goal of protecting humanity.
Was he once such a hollow person?
"Would you be interested in being a gravedigger at my cemetery in the future?" Lin threw out a strange question.
"Me?"
"I'll pay a salary."
"...It's not really a question of salary."
If that day truly came and the Honkai vanished, returning to a normal life would be difficult for MANTIS due to their features. Lin felt that being a gravedigger wouldn't involve frequent contact with others, which might be better.
Moreover, Lin had a premonition. When the Honkai was gone, how would Fire Moth—and humanity—treat the remaining MANTIS, who possessed the power of supermen? Would they be heroes, or...
"If such a day truly comes..." A longing color filled Sakura eyes.
She wanted so much to take Rin to an amusement park again, to live with her without worries, without hiding, without killing anyone, and without keeping any secrets from her. At that time, Sakura would tell Rin the whole truth.
Splash!
Suddenly, a heavy rain fell without warning, drenching Lin and Sakura. The fire, which Lin had expected to burn all night, was extinguished.
"..."
"..."
The island weather was fickle. They had no choice but to find a temporary shelter. Fortunately, there was a cave nearby. They ducked inside immediately, no longer caring about dampness since they were both soaked through.
Unfortunately, restarting a fire was a massive pain; wet wood doesn't light easily, especially since Lin was using the hand-drill method.
"It looks like it won't stop tonight." Lin stood at the cave entrance, pulling his long hair back to reveal most of his face. He deduced the rain wouldn't let up soon. Luckily, the cave wasn't the type to collect water inside.
Turning to speak to Sakura, he saw her staring at him. He asked, "What is it?"
"Uh... no, nothing."
"..." Sakura was still as indecipherable as ever.
Actually, Sakura was looking at his face. Although she had seen it a few times, he had a cool new hairstyle now, and it looked...
She suddenly noticed a tiny, almost invisible patch of white hair at the tips of his long hair. She asked in confusion: "Lin, your hair..."
"Ah, I dyed it."
"..." Lin was still as indecipherable as ever.
Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the darkness of the night.
"ROOOOOOOAR————————"