They all headed back home. It was already late at night, and while the others seemed ready to rest, Sana found herself unable to sleep. Her mind was restless, heavy with thoughts she couldn't shake. Quietly, she left her room and wandered into the study.
The room was small, with a table, a few chairs, and a bench tucked against the wall. Shelves lined with books and scattered study materials gave it a comforting, lived-in feel. The silence was profound, broken only by the faint creaks of the house settling.
Sana sat down in a chair, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the table as her eyes drifted to the ceiling. Her thoughts swirled relentlessly, refusing to settle. Titans. They loomed large in her mind, terrifying and unrelenting.
Her heart clenched as she remembered what lay ahead. They were going to the surface someday. She knew that. And with that realization came the most haunting thought of all—Farlan and Isabel. Their deaths played out vividly in her mind, each moment piercing her like a blade.
Her breath quickened. She couldn't let it happen.
No. She wouldn't let it happen. She had to save them.
Time passed unnoticed as she sat there, lost in the torment of her thoughts. The house was so silent it seemed like no one else was awake.
"You're still up?" a voice cut through the quiet, startling her.
She turned to see Levi standing in the doorway, holding two cups of tea.
"I just don't feel like sleeping," she said, her voice subdued. "I'm not tired at all tonight."
Levi walked over, setting one of the cups in front of her. "Drink," he said simply.
She wrapped her hands around the warm cup, grateful for the gesture. "Why did you all let me live here?" she asked softly, her eyes fixed on the tea.
Levi leaned against the table, his expression unreadable. "That's a lame question to ask," he replied, taking a sip of his own tea.
Sana sighed, her thoughts continuing to churn. She couldn't figure out how to explain the storm inside her mind.
"What's troubling you?" Levi asked, his voice quieter now.
She hesitated, then gestured to the table. "Can I use this stationery?"
"Take anything you need," Levi replied. "This is your home too."
Encouraged by his words, Sana stood and gathered a large sheet of plain paper along with pencils, pens, and other materials. Finishing her tea in a few quick sips, she spread the sheet out on the table and began sketching.
At first, her hand moved aimlessly, her mind unfocused. But as the minutes passed, a clear shape began to emerge—a gun.
Levi, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Are you trying to make a gun?"
His words jolted her out of her thoughts. She blinked, realizing what she'd drawn. "Oh... yes," she replied. "I'm designing one."
She sat back in the chair, her mind calmer now, and resumed her work with renewed focus. The design began to take form: an AS-50 sniper rifle.
"That's a rifle?" Levi asked, his curiosity piqued. "I've never seen anything like that."
"It's a very special rifle," Sana said, her voice growing more confident as she explained. "If I can complete it, it will be a game-changer. It can fire around 250 rounds per minute with an effective range of 1,500 meters."
Levi's eyes widened slightly at the numbers. "How's that even possible?" he asked, leaning closer to examine the design.
"It will be possible," she said with determination. "Just wait and watch."
Levi didn't reply, but he stayed nearby, watching her work as she sketched out every detail of the rifle. The night wore on, and eventually, Levi left, leaving her to her task.
By morning, the design was nearly complete. The desk was littered with papers, each filled with intricate drawings and notes. Sana stretched, exhaustion finally catching up with her.
After a quick bath, she joined the others for tea and breakfast. Isabel helped her prepare the meal, and the group sat together, sharing a rare moment of peace.
"Oye, Sana, have you finished that thing you were working on?" Levi asked, setting down his cup.
"Yes, I did," she replied, her tone resolute. "But I need to visit the shopping district today."
After breakfast, Sana headed to the blacksmith's workshop. Inside, a middle-aged man was hard at work, hammering metal with practiced precision. The air was thick with heat and the smell of molten iron.
"Excuse me, sir," Sana began. "Could you help me with something?"
The man glanced up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You new here?" he asked.
"Yes, I came here recently," she replied.
"Alright," he said, setting his tools aside. "Explain what you need."
Sana carefully described the parts she required, deliberately avoiding any mention of the gun itself. She included specific details about the alloys and dimensions, ensuring the pieces would be functional without giving away her plans.
The blacksmith began working immediately, heating and shaping metal with expert skill.
"You're with Levi, aren't you?" he asked casually as he hammered.
Sana nodded. "Yes, they've taken me in. I think of them as my family now."
The blacksmith chuckled. "That so? Levi's famous around here—for a lot of reasons."
He kept the conversation light, telling her stories about the underground while he worked. Despite the intense heat and labor, he didn't seem to tire.
By the end of the day, a few of the parts were ready. Sana asked how much time and money it would take to finish the rest.
"It'll take about a month," the blacksmith said. "As for the cost... I'll keep it reasonable."
Relieved, Sana thanked him and headed back home.
Outside the house, a group of people—Levi's subordinates—were gathered, talking quietly. Sana greeted them before stepping inside.
"You're back, Sana?" Isabel asked as she set the table.
"Yeah," Sana replied, stretching. "It was a tiring day. I'll need to visit the blacksmith regularly for the next month."
"Did you meet him?" Levi asked, his tone neutral.
"Yes. He seems nice," Sana said.
The month passed quickly. Sana visited the blacksmith almost daily, forming a good rapport with him as they worked together. She grew closer to Levi, Isabel, and Farlan, their bond deepening as they spent more time together.
Finally, the parts were ready. Sana brought them home and began assembling the rifle. It was painstaking work, requiring careful adjustments and precise measurements, but she poured all her focus into the task.
At last, it was complete. The rifle gleamed in the dim underground light, its sleek design a testament to her efforts. Sana felt a rush of pride as she held it in her hands.
She ran downstairs, calling for the others. They gathered around, inspecting her work.
"It's incredible," Farlan said, clearly impressed.
Levi picked it up, testing its weight. "Lighter than I expected," he remarked.
"Let's test it," Levi said, his tone decisive.
They hid the rifle beneath their capes as they made their way to a secluded area. Once there, Levi fired the first shot. The precision and power of the weapon left everyone stunned.
"It was worth the money," Levi said simply, though the slight curve of his lips hinted at approval.
Sana couldn't stop smiling. The rifle worked perfectly.
They returned home quickly, careful not to draw attention, and Levi secured the rifle inside the house. With the weapon complete, they took off on their 3D maneuver gear, the wind rushing past as they soared through the underground.