Chapter 199:Leaving.
The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, painting the room in soft shades of gold. Silver’s eyes opened almost immediately. For a few seconds, he simply lay still, listening to the quiet atmosphere surrounding the inn.
Outside, the checkpoint woke slowly. There were no bustling crowds yet, only the distant footsteps of soldiers changing shifts along the walls and the occasional rumble of a military truck leaving through the eastern gate.
Beside him, Ravenna remained asleep. Her long white hair was spread loosely across the pillow, and her breathing rose and fell in a slow, peaceful rhythm.
Silver smiled unconsciously. After everything they had gone through, moments like this had become surprisingly precious.
He quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her. Stretching his stiff muscles, he moved toward the window.
The checkpoint was already beginning to stir. Contractors emerged from inns carrying packs over their shoulders. Supply stores opened their shutters. Smoke rose from several restaurants preparing breakfast for travelers heading deeper into the wilderness.
Everything felt... peaceful.
A gentle knock sounded behind him.
Silver turned.
Ravenna was sitting upright on the bed, rubbing one eye before letting out a small yawn.
"You wake up quietly but sleep deeply."
She smiled sheepishly.
"I guess I do."
After washing up and changing into fresh travel clothes, they headed downstairs together. The inn’s dining hall had only begun filling with guests.
Most tables were occupied by contractors planning the day’s routes. Others quietly ate breakfast while studying maps or checking their weapons one final time.
Silver and Ravenna ordered a simple meal consisting of eggs, bread, smoked beast meat, and hot tea.
Neither intended to stay long. Once breakfast was finished, Ravenna looked toward him.
"Association first?"
Silver nodded.
"We might as well finish everything before leaving, and sell the cores afterwards."
"Okay."
The morning air was cool as they stepped outside. Checkpoint Fifteen looked completely different beneath daylight. The previous night’s floodlights had been replaced by warm sunlight spilling across the streets.
Soldiers continued their patrols while merchants called out to passing contractors. For such a remote outpost... It was surprisingly lively.
Their first destination was the Association Branch. The building wasn’t large, but it carried the familiar Association emblem above its entrance.
Inside, the atmosphere was calm, with only a handful of contractors standing in line. The receptionist immediately recognized Silver.
"You must be Mr. Ruddington."
Silver blinked slightly.
"I am."
She smiled warmly.
"Captain Harris informed us you’d be coming. If you’d follow me, please."
She led them past the reception area into a private office. Waiting inside was a middle-aged Association officer wearing a dark blue uniform decorated with several commendations.
He stood immediately.
"Mr. Ruddington. Miss Arkland. Please, have a seat."
Silver and Ravenna exchanged a glance before sitting opposite him. The officer folded his hands.
"My name is Victor Law. I’ve been assigned to process yesterday’s incident." He opened a thick folder. "First... I’d like to thank both of you. Our recovery team reached Ashwood Town shortly after receiving your report."
Silver listened quietly.
"The prisoner?"
"He was recovered alive."
Lawson nodded.
"He has have already begun cooperating. It appears your assumption was correct; he is providing information."
Silver wasn’t particularly surprised. People like him rarely remained loyal once defeat became inevitable.
Lawson continued.
"The evidence you photographed matched everything our investigators found. The stolen contractor property, the vehicles, the weapons and the camp."
He smiled.
"Your documentation significantly accelerated the investigation."
Ravenna looked relieved.
"So everything worked out."
"It did."
Lawson reached into a drawer before placing a black payment card onto the desk.
"As for the bounty... The Association has already authorized an advance payment."
Silver looked at the card. Lawson slid a small document beside it.
Captured Criminal Organization
Primary Target: Brian Dinland
Status: Captured Alive
Additional retrevealed Members( deceased) : 15
Evidence Submitted: Complete
Reward Approved
Silver scanned the final number. His eyebrows lifted slightly. There were two million four hundred thousand Sanctuary Points. It was easily the largest single payment he had ever received.
Ravenna leaned slightly closer before quietly inhaling.
"...That’s... A lot."
Lawson chuckled.
"The reward reflects five years of accumulated bounties, and the fact that the leadership was captured alive. Our investigators believe we’ll dismantle several connected criminal groups because of the information they provided."
Silver accepted the payment card.
"Thank you."
"The thanks belong to you." Lawson stood. "I sincerely hope the remainder of your journey goes more smoothly."
Silver smiled.
"So do I."
After leaving the Association building, Ravenna looked sideways at him.
"...We’re super, duper rich."
Silver laughed.
"I wouldn’t go that far."
"But..."
"We’re definitely in the rich-rich category for our age."
She couldn’t stop smiling.
"That was worth stopping."
"It was."
Their next destination lay only a few streets away. Checkpoint Fifteen’s Beast Resource Exchange. Compared to the Association, this building was far busier.
Contractors entered carrying backpacks full of beast materials before leaving with considerably lighter loads and much heavier wallets.
Silver and Ravenna joined the queue. When their turn arrived, the appraiser carefully examined every beast core.
"Rank One, and it’s good quality."
He continued sorting, one after another. The pile gradually grew smaller. Silver had deliberately kept every Rank Two and Rank Three core. Only the Rank One cores were placed on the counter.
The appraiser finished counting before entering several figures into his terminal.
"Current market rate..." He nodded. "I can offer three hundred and twenty-eight thousand Points."
Silver looked toward Ravenna. She smiled.
"Sounds fair, we’ll take it."
The transfer completed almost instantly. As they packed away the remaining cores, the appraiser smiled politely.
"Traveling toward the Yellow Zone?"
Silver nodded.
"Be careful; activity has increased recently."
"What kind?"
The appraiser shrugged.
"More beast sightings, nothing unusual, but enough that most contractors are traveling in convoys now."
Silver thanked him for the warning. Outside, Ravenna unfolded the map once again.
"Looks like everyone had the same idea."
Silver followed her gaze. Long lines of vehicles had already begun gathering near the eastern gate. Contractors rarely entered the Yellow Zone alone unless they were extremely confident in their strength.
Traveling alongside others wasn’t an official rule, but it was common sense. Silver looked at the growing convoy.
"We’ll blend in."
Ravenna nodded.
"Less attention, and more eyes watching the road."
After topping off their fuel tank and purchasing several days’ worth of fresh food, they returned to their vehicle one final time. Silver loaded everything carefully into the storage compartments.
Everything was checked twice, and only when he was satisfied did he close the rear door. Ravenna climbed into the passenger seat.
"Ready?"
Silver looked once toward the checkpoint behind them. They had only spent a short time here, yet... They had eliminated a dangerous criminal gang, earned enough money to significantly ease the rest of their journey, and prepared themselves for the next stage ahead.
He smiled faintly.
"Ready."
The engine started. One by one, the vehicles ahead rolled toward the eastern gate. Massive steel doors slowly opened. Beyond them, the landscape changed.
The dense forests of the Green Zone gradually gave way to rougher terrain. The road became narrower and the hills steeper. Even the vegetation looked darker somehow.
A large warning sign stood just beyond the gate.
WARNING
YELLOW ZONE BEGINS
TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN RISK
Silver drove forward with the rest of the convoy. The checkpoint slowly disappearing behind them.