As the group finally reached their base, the exhausting desert journey came to an end. The moment they stepped inside, the tension in the air slowly faded.
Without wasting a second, Sahara ran forward.
Sahara: "Mom!"
She hugged her tightly, almost as if she had been holding everything in for days.
Sahara: "I missed you so much… I thought so many days had already passed…"
Mei Lin gently placed her hand on Sahara's head, her expression soft yet slightly emotional.
Mei Lin: "I'm sorry… you know after my husband passed away, I had to take care of Chen Wei alone… that's why…"
Her voice carried both warmth and guilt.
On the other side, Raika casually held her guitar and smirked.
Raika: "So… should I sing something for this emotional reunion?"
Mei Lin instantly turned toward her with a sharp look.
Mei Lin: "Do you think this is the time for singing? You all are extremely important for this world. Go to your rooms and rest. Both of you."
Raika raised her hands slightly, and Sahara nodded. The two of them left toward their rooms.
Now only Leo, Chen Wei, Lily, and Yuna remained.
Lily looked around, her expression changing slightly.
Lily: "Where is Leon?"
Mei Lin gave an awkward laugh.
Mei Lin: "He's probably… playing somewhere around here."
But inside her mind—
Oh no… I forgot to take Leon out of the gravity chamber… I'm dead…
Lily's eyes sharpened instantly.
Lily: "Leon! Leon!"
Her voice echoed through the base as she began searching everywhere, panic slowly building inside her.
Leo also started looking around, his expression turning serious.
Then suddenly, he stopped in front of a glass window.
Inside—
Leon was there.
Playing.
Laughing.
As if nothing was wrong.
Leo's eyes narrowed.
Leo: "Leon… what are you doing in there?"
At that exact moment, Lily rushed over—and froze.
The dial on the chamber—
20 KG.
Her face turned pale.
Without thinking even for a second—
CRASH!
She smashed through the chamber and rushed inside, immediately picking Leon up into her arms and bringing him out.
She held him tightly, her hands slightly shaking.
Leon, however, was still smiling happily… completely unharmed.
Lily slowly turned toward Mei Lin, her eyes filled with anger and fear.
Lily (shouting): "Are you trying to kill my child?! He's just a baby! What if something happened to him?! How could you leave him inside something like that?!"
The entire room went silent.
Leo stepped forward slightly, his expression dark as he looked at Mei Lin.
Chen Wei rubbed his forehead in frustration.
Chen Wei: "Mom… seriously…"
Mei Lin scratched her cheek awkwardly, giving a nervous laugh.
Mei Lin: "I… might have forgotten…"
After some time, the tension slowly calmed down. Everyone gathered around a table where a map was spread out.
Leo placed his hand on a marked location.
Leo: "Next mission… Water Temple."
Chen Wei leaned forward, focusing on the map.
Chen Wei: "China… inside a city, right?"
Leo: "Yeah. A water park. The temple is hidden inside it."
Yuna crossed her arms.
Yuna: "Then we move fast this time. No more walking."
Chen Wei smirked slightly and glanced at Leo.
Chen Wei: "Yeah… no more 'adventure walking.'"
Leo looked away, slightly annoyed.
From the hallway, Raika's voice echoed.
Raika: "If we're going, I'm bringing my guitar this time!"
Sahara's voice followed.
Sahara: "Focus, Raika!"
A small smile appeared on everyone's faces, but it quickly faded as they looked back at the map.
The next destination was clear.
And this time—
They couldn't afford any mistakes.
---
Author Note
Hello guys,
I'm really sorry that chapters will come a bit slowly from now on. As you all know, I left school after fifth grade, and now I have to go to India for work.
But don't worry, I'll continue the story.
Also, I'll be doing live streams every Sunday on YouTube 🎮
Channel name: MK No jutsu
I play Free Fire, Blood Strike, and Mobile Legends—but in live streams, I'll do whatever you guys want 😄
So make sure to join and support… and don't forget to subscribe 🔥