Sienna clapped slowly.
"Look at that. The unarmed beggar is about to get an upgrade."
Taiga turned her head.
"You really love provoking people, don't you?"
"It's my gift."
Taiga looked back at Marcus.
"Want to hear the good part?"
Marcus waited.
"Mixing this with your blade won't make a normal sword."
Her eyes turned serious.
"It'll make a weapon that can take it."
Marcus nodded, silent.
Sienna crossed her arms.
"See? I said I'd bring you food when you were struggling… but I guess you're skipping that phase."
Marcus sighed at last.
"Unfortunately."
Sienna smirked.
"Too bad. I already picked out a stale loaf."
That's when Jay opened his inventory and set the golden shield on the counter.
"Boss drop," he said. "Can you adjust it so I can use it day to day?"
Taiga glanced at the shield, already evaluating.
"Yeah. It'll take time."
Jay nodded.
"Good. I'd rather it does."
Taiga pulled the shield closer.
"Leave it with me."
Ethan stepped up to the workbench.
He didn't say anything at first. Instead, he opened his inventory and began placing additional items beside the shield, one after another.
[Fio Angelical Téry]
[Solar Core Luminaris]
[Arcane Nebulite Ore]
The materials settled across the table, each carrying a distinct presence. The atmosphere itself seemed to thicken, as if the space around them was responding.
Taiga froze.
No smile.
No joke.
She rested both hands on the bench and studied the items in silence, long enough for the pause to become uncomfortable.
"…Alright," she finally said. "That changes things."
Her gaze lifted to Ethan, eyes reflecting both excitement and restraint.
"I'm not making any promises yet," she went on. "But if there's a way to make these materials work together… I'll find it."
She picked up a rag, slowly wiping her hands, then added with a faint smile:
"Just don't rush me. The best materials always punish impatience."
Taiga grabbed her hammer.
"Now get out," she said, gesturing toward the exit. "I've got work to do."
Marcus smirked.
"Thanks."
That was when Elenya spoke up:
"Alright, let's go take a real bath now!!"
The bathhouse of Saharim felt like a refuge outside of time. After days under the sun, sand stuck to skin, and constant tension, the hot water forced their muscles to loosen.
Marcus stood under the water longer than he needed to.
When he stepped out, his body felt heavy… and strangely light.
Jay sat on a bench, resting his shield against the wall.
"I don't think I've ever been this tired," he said.
"Or this alive," Ethan replied, drying his hair.
On the other side of the divider, Sienna's voice echoed:
"Hey, Marcus."
"What?"
"Just so we're clear." Pause. "You're still without a sword."
Silence.
"Yes."
"Good." she said, satisfied. "Just checking."
He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth almost smiled.
After the bath, clean clothes and empty stomachs, the group headed to the main tavern.
The tavern was crowded but comfortable. A constant hum of voices mixed with cutlery, clinking mugs, and the laughter of people still processing the victory. Marcus sat, relaxing for the first time since the battle, staring idly at the table.
Two women at the next table were laughing loudly until they noticed the group. They stood up and walked over.
They arrived together, cups half full in hand.
"It's really you," the first said, pulling up a chair without asking. "Front line guy."
"The psycho who charged the Guardian," the second added.
"You were insane when you broke your sword."
Marcus blinked, unsure what to say.
"I… just did what I had to."
"Look at that," the first laughed. "He talks normal."
Sienna, seated beside him, rested her chin on her hand.
"That's just how he is," she said. "He thinks he's serious, but he's just shy."
Marcus turned his head.
"I'm not shy."
"You are," Sienna said without looking at him. "You're red right now."
"I'm not."
"He is," one of the women agreed, laughing. "It's actually kind of cute."
Sienna tilted her head.
"See? He's entertainment now."
"You're mean," Marcus muttered.
"We're honest," the second woman replied. "But seriously… you fought really well."
"We saw everything," the first added. "You didn't back up even when the floor cracked."
Sienna smirked.
"He's stubborn," she said. "Thinks he can solve everything by moving forward."
"It worked," the first said.
"For now," Sienna replied.
They both laughed.
The mood was light. Loose.
One of them leaned closer to Marcus.
"You're really strong."
She reached out and touched his arm, squeezing lightly.
"Really strong."
Her hand didn't finish the motion.
Sienna caught her wrist midair. Firm. Calm.
"No need to touch," she said.
The smile was still there. But her eyes… weren't.
All three froze.
"Huh…" the second blinked. "And what are you to him?"
"Friend," Sienna answered.
"Just a friend?" the first raised an eyebrow.
"Just."
A brief silence.
"Then it's not a problem," the second said, shrugging.
She tried to touch Marcus's arm again.
Her hand stopped again.
Sienna held her wrist. This time, no smile at all.
"He doesn't like people touching him."
"Oh…" the first laughed, awkward. "That's something he should say."
Sienna turned slowly toward Marcus. Her gaze changed. Serious. Direct.
"Do you like it?"
Marcus felt the weight of the moment. He swallowed.
"N-no… I don't."
Sienna released the girl's wrist immediately.
And then… she smiled. A light smile. Almost gentle.
"See?" she said. "That's all."
The two women exchanged looks, a little embarrassed.
"Sorry," one of them murmured. "We didn't know."
"It's fine," Sienna said, relaxed again. "Just respect it."
"Good fight," they said, raising their cups. "Seriously."
"Thanks," Marcus replied.
They walked away, laughing and chatting between themselves.
Marcus stayed silent for a few seconds.
"You didn't have to…" he began.
"I know," Sienna answered too fast.
She rested her elbow on the table again.
"But someone did."
He smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
Sienna looked away.
"Don't get used to it."
She nudged his knee lightly.
"And learn to speak up by yourself next time, BIG GUY."
Marcus turned red.
"Stop…"
Sienna laughed. For real.
And she stayed right there. Very close.
The women drifted back, taking it in good humor as they returned to their table. The tavern noise swallowed any remaining tension.
Jay let out a short laugh.
"Drunk people are always like that," he said. "They get way too excited."
"Good thing they took it well," Marcus replied. "Could've turned into a mess."
"Not here," Ethan said. "Saharim's in party mode."
Sienna stayed seated, drinking, staring forward like nothing had happened.
Elenya sat beside her. Close.
Without turning her head, she spoke low, almost into Sienna's ear:
"You were quick."
Sienna replied at the same volume, automatic:
"Normal."
"Normal?" Elenya murmured. "Hm… sure."
Sienna frowned slightly.
"What." She shrugged. "I just think you don't touch people without knowing them."
"Uh-huh…" Elenya drawled. "Sure."
Sienna turned her head a little, eyeing her from the corner.
"Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything."
"You are."
"Okay."
Silence.
Sienna took another sip and looked forward again.
"It was just normal," she repeated, more to herself than to Elenya.
Elenya didn't answer. She just stayed there, wearing that same quiet smile of someone who heard… and kept it.
Across the table, Jay laughed at something Ethan said. Marcus breathed easier, finally eating.
The night went on.
No side conversations.
No explanations.
No one turning it into something bigger than it was.
Because for Sienna… it really had been automatic.