The desert wind slowed as the group finally stopped to rest. Leo took a deep breath, then pulled out his device and made a call.
"…She better pick up."
After a few seconds—
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
The loud shout almost blew his ears off.
Leo pulled the device away. "I just said hello…"
Chen Wei laughed quietly in the background.
Leo sighed. "The gloves you helped me make… they're damaged."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
"Do you even KNOW what kind of materials I used to make those?!" she snapped again.
Leo scratched his head awkwardly. "…Sorry?"
Her tone suddenly changed, becoming thoughtful. "Wait… damaged, not destroyed?"
"…Yeah."
"…Good."
Her voice calmed down. "That gives me an idea. I'll evolve them and send them to you using a drone. By the time you reach the next temple… they should arrive."
Leo smiled slightly. "Thanks."
"And don't worry," she added, "the khukuri you asked for… I'm almost done with it."
For a brief moment, the scene shifted—
A blade rested on a workbench.
A Nepali khukuri.
Its shape was perfect, but what made it terrifying was the design—
A roaring lion carved along its edge, as if it was alive.
At its core… a glowing blood crystal pulsed.
That blood… belonged to Leo.
In this world, a new concept had emerged—Weapon Consciousness.
When a weapon is fused with its master's blood crystal, it evolves beyond a normal weapon.
It gains awareness.
It can communicate with its master.
And no matter how far it is thrown…
It will always return.
Back in the desert, the call ended.
Chen Wei stretched his arms and dropped onto the sand. "I'm done. I've been acting like your personal water supply this whole time."
Leo smirked. "You're doing a great job."
"…Say that again and I'll stop giving you water."
"…I'm sorry."
Yuna looked at the sky. "We camp here tonight."
Slowly, darkness took over the desert.
A small campfire was lit.
On one side, Leo was trying his best to talk to Lily.
"Look… I'll do whatever you say. Just talk to me."
No response.
"…Please?"
He looked like he was about to cry.
On the other side, Chen Wei and Yuna were sitting quietly when Sahara walked up to them.
She glanced toward Leo and whispered, "Why is he acting like that in front of her?"
Chen Wei smirked. "Because that's called love."
Sahara blinked. "Love?"
Yuna nodded calmly. "They're married."
"…WHAT?"
"And they have a child," Chen Wei added casually.
Sahara froze.
"…At this age?"
Chen Wei scratched his head. "What can we do? That's fate."
Sahara looked shocked. "I thought—"
Chen Wei interrupted, "And don't even think about getting close to him. Lily will kill you."
Sahara waved her hands quickly. "No no! I see him like a big brother!"
Chen Wei and Yuna both went silent for a second.
"…Good answer," Yuna said.
Sahara then looked at them curiously. "What about you two? Are you married?"
Chen Wei and Yuna both replied at the same time—
"Yes."
Sahara's jaw dropped. "…What is wrong with your generation?"
They ignored her.
Soon, they started preparing food.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Leo was sitting alone, holding a water bottle…
And drinking it like alcohol.
"My love for you… has made me infamous in front of everyone…
It has turned me into a slave of this intoxication…"
He sang dramatically while drinking water like it was liquor.
Chen Wei walked up and smacked his head.
THAP!
"Stop drinking water like it's alcohol!"
Leo looked at him sadly. "Bro… I'm heartbroken."
"You're not heartbroken. Your wife just isn't talking to you."
"That's worse!"
Chen Wei sighed. "I'm already tired from making water… and you're wasting it like this?"
Leo immediately sat properly. "…Sorry."
Both of them moved a little away from the others.
Chen Wei looked at him seriously. "It's your fault."
"…I know."
"You shouldn't have gotten that close."
"…I know."
"I've never seen Lily that scary before."
Leo sniffed, almost crying again, and took another sip.
"Can you stop drinking like that?!"
"…Okay okay, I stopped."
"Good. Now listen."
Leo leaned closer. "Tell me how to fix this."
Chen Wei smirked.
"Simple."
"…?"
"Tell her Sahara is like your sister."
Leo blinked. "…That's it?"
"That's it."
A few minutes later—
Leo walked toward Lily nervously.
"Lily…"
She didn't look at him.
"Sahara is like my sister."
Silence.
"…And you're the only one for me."
Lily slowly turned her face away… hiding a slight blush.
"…Idiot."
Leo's eyes widened. "…Wait."
"Are you… not mad anymore?"
"…Maybe."
That was enough.
Leo immediately pulled her into a tight hug.
"Finally! You forgave me!"
"Let go—!"
Too late.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Everyone around the campfire went silent for a second…
Then—
Chen Wei burst out laughing.
Sahara covered her mouth, shocked.
Yuna shook her head.
And under the quiet desert night…
Laughter filled the air.
Later that night, when everything calmed down, Lily quietly came and sat beside Leo.
Without saying anything, she gently held his hand.
Her expression was soft… completely different from before.
The cracks on his hand were still visible, faint but painful.
"…Idiot," she whispered softly.
He stayed silent this time.
Carefully, she began applying a light healing touch over his injured hand.
A faint glow started to form.
"I've only healed your bone cracks a little…" she said quietly.
A soft energy flowed from her hand into his.
"It's not completely fixed."
Leo looked at her, slightly surprised but smiling.
"To fully recover… it'll take at least three days."
She tightened her grip slightly, her voice becoming serious.
"So until then… don't fight. Okay?"
For the first time, he didn't joke.
"…Okay."
Lily gave a small nod, still holding his hand.
And under the silent desert sky…
the two of them stayed like that. 🔥