The group finally came to a stop in a spacious cavern illuminated by faintly glowing crystals embedded in the walls. The air was cool but not uncomfortably so, and the silence was broken only by the occasional drip of water from stalactites above. They had been walking for hours, the weight of their journey settling heavily on their shoulders.
"We'll rest here," JC announced, his voice calm but firm.
Without argument, Mark, Angel, and Jackson dropped to the ground, exhaustion overtaking them almost immediately. Mark leaned back against a rock, his axe propped beside him, while Angel sprawled out, muttering something about her aching feet. Jackson set JC's old staff beside him before curling up and closing his eyes.
---
A Protective Barrier
JC stood a short distance away, his marks glowing faintly as he extended his hand. The air around them shimmered, and a transparent barrier materialized, encasing the group in a protective dome of light.
The barrier hummed softly, its edges glowing with a soft golden hue. It was impenetrable, shielding them from any monsters that might wander their way.
"There," JC said quietly, turning back to the group.
As he approached, he noticed Lissy hadn't settled down like the others. She was sitting against a rock, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her green eyes were focused on her item box, a holographic display hovering in front of her as she sifted through her inventory.
---
A Quiet Moment
JC sat down beside her, his movements slow and deliberate. She glanced at him and offered a small smile before returning her attention to the items in her inventory.
"You should rest," JC said softly.
Lissy shook her head, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders. "I'm not tired. Besides…" She looked at the others, a fond smile playing on her lips. "They need it more than I do."
JC leaned back, his crimson eyes scanning the glowing barrier above them. "The barrier will hold. You don't have to keep watch."
"I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But… I feel better staying awake with you."
---
Exploring the Item Box
Lissy's fingers moved through the holographic interface, her inventory filled with various items—potions, weapons, materials, and treasures they'd collected over their journeys.
"Look at this," she said, pulling up a small orb that glowed with an iridescent light.
"What is it?" JC asked, leaning closer.
"An Echo Orb," she explained. "I found it in that last dungeon we cleared. Supposedly, it can record memories and play them back."
JC raised an eyebrow. "That could be useful. Or dangerous."
Lissy chuckled. "I thought the same thing. But… I've been holding onto it. Just in case."
She set the orb aside and continued scrolling. Her inventory also contained a Moonlace Pendant, several high-grade mana stones, and a pair of enchanted daggers.
"You've been hoarding," JC teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You're one to talk," Lissy shot back, nudging him playfully. "I'm sure your inventory is even worse."
---
Cuddled Close
As the minutes stretched on, the silence between them grew comfortable. Lissy eventually set her item box aside, leaning against JC's shoulder.
"Do you ever think about what we're really doing here?" she asked softly.
JC glanced down at her. "What do you mean?"
"This whole journey," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Fighting monsters, clearing dungeons, chasing after… what exactly? Power? Purpose?"
JC's gaze softened, and he rested his chin lightly on her head. "For me, it's about protecting the people I care about. That's always been enough."
Lissy tilted her head up to look at him. "And for you, that's enough?"
"It is," JC replied, his voice steady. "But what about you? What keeps you going?"
Lissy hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
JC blinked, his stoic mask slipping for a brief moment as her words registered.
"I mean," she added quickly, flustered, "all of us. The group. You've kept us together, kept us alive. Without you…"
"You'd still be strong," JC interrupted gently. "Stronger than you think."
She smiled, her face softening as she rested her head against his shoulder again. "Maybe. But it's easier with you here."
---
Quiet Resolve
As the others slept soundly under the barrier's protection, JC and Lissy sat together, their quiet conversation filling the cavern.
JC's thoughts briefly drifted to the system window and the secret he carried—the locked skill, the power he sought. He couldn't tell her about it, not yet.
But sitting here, with Lissy leaning against him, he felt a rare sense of peace.
One day, he thought, I'll tell her everything. But for now… this is enough.
Eventually, Lissy's breathing evened out as sleep overtook her. JC wrapped an arm around her protectively, his crimson eyes scanning the darkness beyond the barrier.
Even in rest, he remained vigilant, the weight of his responsibilities never leaving him. But for now, he allowed himself this small moment of solace.