Chapter 258:Sleep.
Silver smiled.
"Maybe."
"Don’t."
He looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because if you start staring at everyone like you’re trying to see through them, someone will notice, especially this people. They’re just as perspective as you are, they’ll definitely feel you trying to see. You don’t want trouble do you?"
Antony laughed.
"She’s right but what’s this Insight you’re talking about?"
Silver sighed.
"Just a better version of a perception skill, I got it from a beast I integrated it was a bonus free skill," He leaned back. "Besides, I don’t need to know everyone’s stats, I was just curious."
Ravenna smiled.
"Good, I don’t want to take you to the infirmary because you got beat up."
"Have some faith in me, Ravenna."
A few moments later, the doors of the dining hall opened. The same group Silver had noticed earlier entered the room.
The subjugation team.
This time, he got a better look at them. There were seven people.
All of them wore dark, reinforced combat equipment designed for movement rather than defense. Their weapons were secured carefully, and several carried equipment cases that looked extremely expensive. One person had a large rifle strapped across his back, while another carried what looked like a compact medical container.
The leader was a tall woman with short black hair. She didn’t look particularly old, perhaps in her early thirties, but her eyes immediately caught Silver’s attention.
They were cold and filled with experience. This were the kind of eyes belonging to someone who had seen enough death that it no longer shocked them.
She stopped near the entrance and spoke quietly with one of the facility personnel. Silver couldn’t hear the conversation but he saw the person hand her a tablet.
She checked it, then nodded.
"We leave in ten minutes."
The rest of the team immediately stood.
Antony leaned closer.
"They’re leaving."
Silver nodded.
"Looks like it."
"Where do you think they’re going?"
"Probably the red zones."
Antony grinned.
"Obviously, or maybe there is a breach somewhere and they’re going to catch it. I can’t wait for us to create one of this teams."
Ravenna gave him a look.
"Right, I’m they make a lot of money from all the beasts they kill." She turned to Silver." Well be untouchable."
"Right, I could get with anyone I want," Antony said enthusiastically.
Silver shook his head but didn’t answer. He knew they would all go down a rabbit hole if he engaged with both of them.
The team began checking their equipment. One of the contractors approached them. He was an older man with grey hair and a thick beard. His eyes moved across the dining hall before settling on the subjugation team.
"Heading out?"
The woman nodded.
"Retrieval."
The man frowned.
"How deep?"
"Far enough, probably into the two digit sectors we’re not sure where they are."
He sighed.
"Be careful."
The woman gave a faint smile.
"Always."
That exchange told Silver more than the words themselves. Whatever they were retrieving, it was dangerous enough that experienced people were concerned.
The woman eventually turned toward the exit with her team following. As they passed Silver’s table, one of the members briefly glanced at him.
Their eyes met. For a moment, Silver felt something, pressure. It was subtle but it was there. The contractor looked away.
Silver’s expression remained neutral.
Ravenna noticed.
"Strong?"
"Very."
"Rank?"
"I couldn’t tell."
She nodded.
That was enough. The doors closed behind the team. Antony stared at them.
"I want to join a team like that."
Silver looked at him.
"No."
Antony frowned.
"You didn’t even think about it."
"I did. Didn’t yiu say you want our team to be like that. You guys are migrating fast."
"And?"
"We’re going to be that team."
"I like your confidence. How many years would that take,like ten years or something?"
"Just be quiet, let’s forget I ever brought it up."
Antony looked offended.
"Don’t tell me to be quiet."
Ravenna laughed. Silver joined her.
"You’re proving my point."
Antony muttered something under his breath. The three eventually left the dining hall. The observation centre had become quieter as the night progressed.
Silver and Ravenna walked back toward their room. Antony followed behind them until they reached the door.
He stopped.
"Goodnight."
Silver nodded.
"Goodnight."
Antony turned toward his own room. Ravenna watched him disappear behind the closed door.
"He isn’t as annoying as I thought."
Silver looked at her.
"You’ve known him for barely any time."
"I know." She smiled. "But he’s growing on me."
Silver sighed.
"That’s unfortunate."
Ravenna laughed as they entered their room. Silver locked the door. The moment the door shut, the sounds from outside became muffled.
The room was quiet.
Ravenna sat on the edge of the bed as Silver removed his jacket and placed it over the chair.
"You seem tired."
"I am."
"Want to sleep?"
Ravenna looked at him.
"Not yet."
Silver smiled.
He sat beside her. For a while, neither spoke. There was something strangely peaceful about being inside a proper room after so many nights in the wilderness.
Ravenna leaned against him. Silver wrapped an arm around her.
"You know," she murmured, "this trip has been strange. We left Delta three thinking we were going to train just a little and go to the academy..."
Silver smiled.
"And instead?"
"We’ve crossed multiple zones, fought countless beasts, nearly got eaten several times, entered Death Row Valley, and killed a giant goat."
Silver laughed.
"When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."
"It is ridiculous." She tilted her head. "Are you regretting coming alone instead of waiting for your family?"
"No, I have you. Why would I ever regret anything? You’re the best thing that has happened to my boring life."
The answer came immediately. Ravenna smiled.
"That’s reassuring."
Silver looked at her.
"Are you?"
"No." She was quiet for a moment. "Actually, I’m glad I came. You’re important to me too and I enjoy your company."
Silver’s expression softened.
"Me too."
Ravenna leaned closer. Silver rested his chin lightly against her hair. Neither needed to say anything else. They had already talked about things that would have broken most relationships, and somehow, they were still here.
Together.
Eventually, Ravenna stood.
"I’m going to wash up."
Silver nodded.
"Take your time."
She disappeared into the bathroom and Silver sat alone. He looked toward the window. Beyond the reinforced glass was nothing but darkness.
His mind wandered again. He had been thinking about the stone since the moment they entered the valley. According to the story, Dillain’s group would eventually discover one somewhere in this enormous region.
The problem was that Silver didn’t know exactly where and that was the frustrating part. He knew the future but he didn’t know enough.
The more he interfered with the story, the less reliable his knowledge became. Silver rubbed his forehead. He couldn’t simply search the entire valley. That would be impossible.
They would need to rely on information; maybe the expedition team, maybe the people at the eastern border or maybe the researchers.
There had to be clues.
His thoughts were interrupted when Ravenna returned. She had changed into more comfortable clothes.
She looked at him.
"You’re lost in thought again."
Silver smiled.
"How do you always know?"
"You get that expression."
"What expression?"
"The one that makes you look like you’re planning something. You wouldn’t know cause you can’t see it but you have this distinct expression you where when you’re lost in thought."
Silver laughed.
"Maybe I am."
Ravenna sat beside him.
"Tell me."
Silver hesitated.
"Later."
She narrowed her eyes.
"That’s suspicious, we’re playing secret games again."
"I promise I’ll tell you."
She studied him for a few seconds, then she nodded.
"Fine."
Silver smiled.
They eventually settled down.
The facility remained active for another hour. Vehicles occasionally passed outside, people walked through the corridors and orders were shouted.
Then, slowly, the sounds diminished. Silver remained awake for a while since he had become accustomed to sleeping lightly.
His time as a soldier in his previous life had taught him that. Even before coming to this world, he had never been a particularly deep sleeper. Now that he possessed heightened perception, sleeping deeply was even harder.
But eventually, exhaustion won and he closed his eyes. The night passed without incident. At least, inside the observation centre. Outside, Death Row Valley continued living.
Something screamed in the distance and something else answered. The sound was followed by a heavy impact somewhere beyond the walls.
Nobody inside reacted. The soldiers stationed on the watchtowers simply adjusted their positions. They had seen worse.