Zap—Zit—Zit!
What was that?! Leo screamed internally before Amanda grabbed him from the back.
"Sam and Claire will be proud of you," she whispered, her head resting on Leo's shoulder, her hands gripping his arms.
Leo's stiff frame slowly relaxed. A small smile crept onto his face. "Thank you, Amanda."
Ranna approached them, dust still settling from the adventurers' departure. The farm owner's weathered face split into a knowing grin. "You two seem inseparable. Makes me wonder what Sam and Claire would say!"
She slipped into their conversation easily.
Too easily.
Cris silently hissed from the crowd's edge, watching Amanda and Leo with narrowed eyes.
Amanda immediately let go. "Ranna! Don't start with me!" Her arms waved animatedly through the cooling air.
That strange buzzing lingered at the back of Leo's mind. Something electric. Something waiting. He brushed it off, forcing his wandering thoughts back to the present.
I need to make Amanda realize that I'm also a man.
He scratched his head.
Pretended not to notice.
Why does she keep hugging me like that? Heat crawled up his neck. Doesn't she realize what she's doing to me?!
His cheeks burned. An image started to grow in his mind before he forced it aside.
The basket.
Right.
"Ah, I ruined most of them." Leo stared at the crushed berries, their juice staining the woven reeds.
Amanda heard him. She grabbed his arm and peered inside. "Good thing we're making sweetened bread, or you'd owe Mila some serious picking time." Her light laugh carried across the field as she ran toward the old lady and her grandchild.
They were still sobbing.
"I like your boldness, kid!" Ranna's raspy voice cut through his thoughts. She crossed her arms, scanning him from head to toe.
Measuring.
Approving.
She strode to the center of the field. "Listen up everyone!" Her voice carried authority earned through years of managing both crops and crises. "You can go home early today. These Black Wolves are running amok due to unknown reasons."
The workers stirred uneasily.
"Pack your things up and get ready to depart immediately."
"These adventurers will escort you back to the village."
Sharp claps punctuated her words. Everyone started moving at once.
"Black Wolves are fairly low-level monsters compared to these adventurers. No need to stress yourselves."
Ranna nodded to one of the adventurers. He signaled his party. They moved toward the preparing workers with practiced efficiency.
"We need to stay vigilant."
Her gaze lingered on the workers' retreat before returning to the two. Amanda walked back from comforting the little girl.
"And you two lovebirds, I'm sure you can take care of yourselves here, no?"
She held Ranna's arm, the steel guard pricking her skin slightly. "Stop teasing Leo, Ranna!" Her smile softened the protest. "The artifact you placed inside the house is still working. Although its effective range has greatly weakened over the years, it should still provide some protection."
"Ah, I remember that artifact." Ranna stroked her jaw thoughtfully. "It covered the whole farm the first time I placed it. Now, I am forced to hire adventurers to patrol the surrounding forest."
She stretched.
Paused.
Breathed out slowly.
"I need to get going too. Preparing for the merchants' arrival from the capital often requires heavy documentation." Another sigh escaped as she scratched her head vigorously. "Oh! Happy birthday Leo!"
Leo smiled and nodded.
Her arms swayed as she walked toward her office above the hills.
Silence descended.
Deafening after the chaos.
The workers faded behind tall trees, their voices echoing briefly before distance swallowed them. The little girl turned back, still holding her grandmother's hand. She gave them a shy wave between quickened footsteps.
Leo waved back.
Earth and destroyed vegetation hung in the air. Thick motes of light drifted where Black Wolves had disintegrated. Amanda stood beside him, returning the wave with warmth that never seemed to dim.
The tension had settled.
But the shift in the wind?
No one could ignore that.
The field emptied completely. Leo and Amanda walked toward their wooden house at the farm's edge. Cool air brushed against their skin as they approached. Cricket songs mingled with the faint hum of magic crystals casting warm streaks across their path.
Home.
Leo exhaled slowly. He opened the door and held it for Amanda. Inside, he moved to their small kitchen. The basket of damaged berries clattered softly as he set it down.
Spices tickled his nose.
Sweet crushed berries.
Sautéed herbs waiting to transform simple ingredients into something more.
"Mind if I take a bath first?" Amanda's voice rose above the gentle clattering of pots.
"Sure. Go ahead."
Water splashed behind the bathroom door. Steam escaped through the cracks. The entire house filled with fragrances. Herbs simmering in soup, berries releasing their essence, the comfortable scent of home after a long day.
The splashing stopped.
The door creaked open.
"I'm done, Leo. Wash yourself, and I'll take care of the sweetened bread."
Heat rushed through Leo's body. His vision blurred. A faint glow appeared before him, and the buzzing from before returned.
Louder.
Clearer.
Demanding attention.
Leo turned to Amanda.
He froze.
Zap—Zit—Zit!
Pale crystal light illuminated her damp skin. She stood there, drying herself with a thin towel that barely covered her undressed body. Water droplets caught the light as the fabric swayed.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Leo gasped. The ladle slipped from nerveless fingers. It clattered onto the floor, splattering stew across worn wood.
"Leo? Are you—" Amanda looked up.
He stood straight as a log.
Staring.
Unable to look away.
Little did she know that something profound had just happened.
I've been waiting for you for years!
The thought exploded through his mind.
The world shifted.
Everything changed.
Nothing would be the same.
[System Notification] Congratulations, you have received a system!