The streets of Stone Dragon City glimmered under the evening lights. Lanterns flickered along the cobblestone roads, casting warm glows on merchant stalls closing for the night. The team moved together, a rare sense of relief lingering after the Ironfang Devourer's defeat.
Cyberius stretched his arms and let out a dramatic sigh. "I swear… my shoulders haven't forgiven me yet. Next time, I want a quest where the most dangerous thing is a squirrel."
Optimus_Prime smirked. "You'd still manage to get chased by it."
Nyx chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of pink hair behind her ear. "You two sound like you've been through a lot already. I'm impressed."
Blade remained quiet, walking slightly ahead. The Tactical Awareness skill in his headgear was now idle, but his mind still scanned the street in subtle patterns. When the group reached a small, warmly lit bar tucked between two buildings in the Noble Layer, he paused.
"This way," he said.
The interior smelled of spiced ale and roasted meat. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, and patrons murmured in low tones over drinks and games. It was cozy, unassuming—a stark contrast to the chaos they had left in the Ironfang Wilds.
Cyberius dropped onto a bench with a satisfied groan. "Finally… chairs that don't move when I shoot at them."
Optimus_Prime leaned against the bar counter, eyes scanning for possible trouble but clearly relaxed. "Feels good to just… breathe for a second."
Nyx glanced at Blade. "Where do you usually go after missions like this?"
Blade paused, then shrugged slightly. "Depends. Usually somewhere quiet. Somewhere to think."
Without a word, he reached up and unclipped his headgear. The visor lifted, sliding off his face, revealing sharp features beneath the silver hair that fell lightly around his eyes.
Nyx blinked.
Her eyes widened, and a faint flush crept across her cheeks. She stumbled slightly on her words. "Y… you—"
Blade's piercing gaze met hers, calm and calculating. "Why are you staring?"
Her heart skipped a beat. "I… I wasn't…"
He tilted his head slightly, expression almost amused. "It's fine. Just curious, that's all."
Her blush deepened, and she looked down at her drink, trying to hide it. Blade's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, and for a moment, the world outside the bar—the city, the forest, the monsters—felt distant.
Cyberius clapped his hands loudly, breaking the tension. "Ohhh! First blush moment! About time someone noticed!"
Optimus_Prime rolled his eyes, smirking. "You two really need to stop hiding behind swords and guns all the time."
Nyx shot him a glare, but her smile betrayed her. Blade's hand rested casually on the table, fingers brushing the strap of his gun, yet the intensity in his gaze softened.
"You fight well," Nyx said quietly, glancing up. "Better than I expected."
Blade's eyes flicked briefly to hers. "You did too. Fast, precise… nothing wasted."
Cyberius groaned again. "Can you two stop complimenting each other long enough for me to drink my ale?"
Optimus laughed softly, shaking his head. "Let them have this. It's rare, watching a team actually connect off the battlefield."
Nyx finally met Blade's eyes again, her voice low. "I… I've never fought alongside anyone like you."
Blade's smile widened slightly, a rare, human expression. "Neither have I."
The rest of the evening passed in quiet conversation and laughter. Cyberius recounted exaggerated tales of his revolver skills, Optimus_Prime teased him endlessly, and Nyx slowly opened up about her travels before arriving in the Stone Dragon City server.
Blade listened, occasionally interjecting with calm, dry humor, letting his personality peek through behind the usual cold precision.
For the first time in a long while, surrounded by warmth, laughter, and the faint clinking of mugs, he felt… normal.
And Nyx, glancing at his unmasked face across the table, couldn't help the quiet thought that maybe the most dangerous thing about Blade wasn't his guns or skill—it was how he could quietly dominate a room without saying much, leaving her heart unexpectedly off balance.