Chapter 14: Candy

"So that's how it is."

Jack rested his chin on his hand, his thick brows furrowing deeply. He stared at the stone floor, trying to piece together the fragmented memories.

After calculating for a moment, he looked up, his bloodshot eyes boring into Long:

"So to summarize, we triggered a poison gas trap in the General's room and collapsed on the spot. And you... just happened to walk in and carry us out here?"

The captain's gaze drifted toward the pitch-black corridor, the tunnel gaping like a monster's throat leading back to where they had just escaped death. His voice dropped low:

"And all our weapons and equipment... are still back there?"

Long scratched his head, putting on an apologetic face:

"I'm sorry. The situation was urgent, I only prioritized saving people. Besides..."

He glanced at Jack's rippling muscles and gave a forced laugh:

"...Dragging you all out here took everything I had."

Smack.

Jack's large hand slapped hard onto Long's shoulder, nearly making him stumble. He laughed heartily, a carefree sound that masked the fleeting regret in his eyes:

"Ah, don't worry about it! You're right. As long as we're alive, we can get more gear. Keeping this life is lucky enough."

"Where is Bor?"

Lily's question shattered the fragile atmosphere that had just been established. The small girl tried to push herself up, her golden eyes scanning the familiar faces in panic.

Jack. Lucas. Arwen.

Her gaze stopped at the empty space beside Jack. The place where a big guy carrying a shield should have been standing, grinning foolishly.

"I... I don't see him." Lily's voice began to tremble, wavering with fear. "Where is Bor?"

No one answered.

Lucas lowered his head, the toe of his boot digging into the stone floor as if trying to excavate a hole to crawl into. Arwen turned away sharply, biting her lip, her hand gripping the edge of her cloak until her knuckles turned white.

Even Jack fell silent. He stood there frozen, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, but no words came out. His gaze slid past Lily's shoulder, staring into the black void behind her.

The silence pressed down on everyone's chest like lead.

Lily understood.

Her small hands slowly came up to cover her mouth, stifling the sob that threatened to burst out. Her thin shoulders shook violently. Tears spilled through her fingers, falling drop by drop onto her white robe stained with mud.

"No... it can't be..."

Lily looked up, her tear-filled golden eyes now burning with disbelief and anger. She screamed, her voice cracking in the cold cavern:

"How can you all be so calm!?"

Her tiny hands balled into tight fists, fingernails digging into her palms until they drew blood.

"Even if Bor wasn't that close to everyone... he was still our teammate! He just died for us!"

Arwen stepped forward, placing a hand gently on the trembling girl's shoulder. The archer lowered her eyes, avoiding Lily's accusing stare, her voice heavy and low:

"In this line of work... you just have to accept it, kid."

That sentence was like pouring oil on fire. Lily's delicate brows knitted together into a painful knot. She slapped Arwen's hand away, pointing straight at the faces of the others:

"Accept what? All I've seen you do is ask about that pile of scrap metal! You care more about those lifeless pieces of equipment than a HUMAN LIFE!"

Jack scratched his head, his expression full of awkwardness.

He didn't argue. He knew Lily was right, at least according to her logic.

Lily was a Priest.

Unlike the wandering hunters selling their lives for money like them, this girl lived by faith. She possessed moral principles so pure they bordered on stubbornness, and she always placed human life above any treasure.

In this slimy and cruel dungeon world, Lily's soul was like a blank sheet of paper that had never been stained. Innocent, holy... and completely out of place.

Damn it, I suck at this.

Jack groaned inwardly. Reflexively, he glanced at Arwen, intending to signal for help. Surely women could talk to each other more easily.

But then he stopped immediately.

Seeing the way Arwen stood with her arms crossed, face cold as stone, eyes sharp as daggers glaring into space... Jack suddenly remembered a brutal truth: In terms of gruffness and manliness, this archer might even surpass him.

Ask her to comfort Lily? She'd probably slap the kid to make her stop crying.

Fine, I'll handle it myself.

A hand touched Jack's shoulder lightly, signaling him to step back.

Long stepped forward. He said nothing, simply kneeling down on one knee in front of the sobbing girl.

From his belt pouch, he pulled out a tiny object, completely out of place in this dark, blood-scented dungeon: A strawberry candy wrapped in pink foil.

Long held out his hand. The bright pink color resting in his palm immediately caught Lily's attention.

Just as her teary golden eyes registered what it was, Long suddenly closed his hand tight. He flipped his fist over, using his other hand to rub the back of it in a circular motion as if casting a spell.

Then he slowly opened it.

Empty. The candy had vanished without a trace.

Lily blinked, her hiccups stopping mid-way in sheer surprise. She stared blankly at Long's empty palm.

The corner of Long's lips quirked up slightly. He reached behind Lily's ear, gently "catching" the candy from her long black hair, and placed it back in front of the little priestess.

Lily's eyes widened at the candy as if seeing a treasure, then she looked up at Long, her voice still trembling but now filled with awe:

"Do... do you know Space Magic?"

Long shook his head slightly.

"It's not magic. Just a little trick."

He said, his long fingers deftly peeling off the cellophane wrapper. A small rustling sound echoed in the quiet space.

Long took the pink strawberry candy and placed it gently into Lily's still-trembling palm. The warmth from his fingertips touched her cold skin.

"This is for you. Eat some sweets, you'll feel better."

Long withdrew his hand, his gaze softening, no longer holding the sharp wariness he had shown Jack. His voice dropped, carrying the empathy of someone who had also stood before the death of a loved one:

"I'm sorry. Back then... I wasn't strong enough to save your friend too."

He looked straight into Lily's watery golden eyes, his words firm:

"But what's done is done. Now we need to calm down. Survive first, and then we'll find a way to bring him back for a proper burial. Okay?"

She put the gummy candy into her mouth. The sweetness penetrated straight to her brain, giving her a sugar rush that made her eyes light up, her face softening visibly.

Jack rushed over, draping his massive arm around Long's shoulder, whispering in his ear with a sly tone:

"Not bad, kid! With that innocent face, you must be a real lady-killer, huh? Where'd you learn that trick?"

Long could only offer a wry smile, but before he could explain, a cold draft swept past.

Lia's long black hair brushed lightly against his face. She didn't say a word, silently turning on her heel and walking toward a shadowed corner of the cave, her back radiating obvious sulkiness.

A strong force pressed into Long's back, shoving him forward.

Jack winked, flashing the grin of a man who's seen it all:

"What are you standing there for? Go after her. The 'boss' is on fire."

Using the momentum from Jack's push, Long hurriedly followed Lia to a secluded spot, a distance away from the hunters.

Seeing her standing with her back to him, he reached out to place a hand on her shoulder to explain.

Smack.

His hand barely touched the fabric of her dress when Lia slapped it away hard. She spun around, her violet eyes glaring furiously, her voice dropping to a freezing whisper:

"Don't touch me. If you like it so much, go back and hold that girl's hand."

Long reached out again, seeking her small hand. Lia struggled to pull away, her voice huffy:

"I said no—"

Before she could finish, her whole body was yanked forward by a strong force.

Thud.

Lia's back pressed against the cold rock wall. But her head didn't hurt. Long's hand had cushioned the back of her neck just in time, separating her soft black hair from the rough stone.

His other hand interlaced with her struggling fingers, pinning them against the wall. absolute dominance.

Long leaned down, bringing his face close to Lia's scowling one, whispering:

"Are you jealous?"

Lia huffed coldly, turning her face away to avoid his gaze, her small mouth pouting:

"Hmph! Who cares..."

Smooch!

A sudden warm sensation pressed against her cheek.

Long had taken advantage of her turning away to kiss her. Lia's cheek was so soft that his kiss sank deep into the smooth, bun-like skin.

Lia's body went stiff as a board.

Her spine straightened instantly. Her violet eyes widened to their limit, trembling violently. This was the first time... Long had initiated a kiss without any warning or permission.

Her usually pale face instantly flared up a bright red that spread to her ears. Her small lips moved repeatedly as if wanting to say something, but her throat choked up, unable to form words.

"You... don't you dare try anything..."

Lia tried to regain her composure, turning back to scold him.

But the moment she finished speaking, a shadow descended.

Smooch!

This time it wasn't her cheek.

Long's lips pressed directly onto her parted ones, silencing every complaint. The kiss came suddenly and carried a clear possessiveness, making Lia's mind go completely blank for a second.

Long pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers, his hot breath fanning her flushing face:

"I love you."

Smooch!

Before she could recover, he kissed her lightly on the lips again.

"Only you."

Smooch!

Lia's body melted like hot wax. Her legs could no longer support her, and she slid down slowly, her hands only able to clutch at Long's tunic to keep from collapsing.

She was completely pinned against the cold stone wall, helplessly enduring the barrage of kisses and sweet words raining down on her. The jealousy from earlier had evaporated completely, leaving only a heart pounding wildly in her chest.

"Hey, do you guys have a light—"

Lucas's excited voice rang out, then choked off mid-sentence as if someone had grabbed his throat. The boy stood frozen, his face draining of blood as he realized he had just committed a cardinal sin: Being a third wheel while the lovebirds were in the heat of passion.

Lia slowly turned her head. Her violet eyes, which had been dreamy and misty with love just a moment ago, now bulged, sharp as razors and blazing with murderous intent.

She didn't say a word, simply raising her small hand coldly toward the intruder.

Whoosh!

An invisible force field exploded, slapping straight into the poor boy's face.

"AAAAAHHH...!"

Lucas screamed miserably. He and the bundle of dry firewood in his arms were blasted backward like a kite with a cut string. He flew a good distance away.