Chapter 105: Ambushed
By the time Khione returned to camp, Nero was already folding his tent, methodically packing his belongings with practiced ease. The early sunlight shimmered faintly on the dewy grass, casting long shadows beneath the towering mountain range.
"Morning, Khione!" he greeted, offering her a warm smile that contrasted the grim tension in the air.
"Morning, Nero. Something doesn’t feel right." She didn’t hesitate, her voice calm but firm as she shared the unease that had been gnawing at her.
Nero didn’t look surprised in the slightest. His expression remained composed, a quiet affirmation that he too had sensed the strange stillness.
"I felt it too." He looked toward the forest, his gaze sharp. "Everything’s too quiet. No beasts, no birds, not even insects. We’ll move cautiously today—and let’s stay close. It’s safer if we move together."
The unspoken understanding between them was clear—their personal competition would have to wait.
Khione nodded without objection, her icy expression unchanged. "What are we eating for breakfast this morning?" she asked with a touch of deadpan curiosity.
Nero smirked faintly, already turning toward their supplies. "It’s a surprise."
With that, he took it upon himself to prepare their final breakfast at this campsite. While he worked, Khione walked toward the river, disappearing behind a veil of mist and trees. She quietly undressed and entered the cool water, the rising steam swirling around her figure before the forest swallowed the rest—leaving everything to the imagination.
Back at camp, Nero used what little they had left. A few eggs, thin slices of dried meat, some rice, and a handful of wild herbs he had gathered earlier. With meticulous care, he combined everything in a small pan over controlled flame, crafting a meal both hearty and fragrant. The scent of seared meat and aromatic herbs filled the crisp morning air.
By the time Khione returned, drying her silver hair with a small towel, breakfast was ready. They sat on opposite sides of the small fire, sharing the meal in silence. The food was simple, yet satisfying—the kind of meal that soothed the stomach before a long journey.
Khione set down her bowl and looked at him, her face unreadable. "It was good."