**** Billion's PoV:
I extended my perception, scanning the aftermath of the blast.
I had counted close to a hundred crawlers before the attack, but now….not a single one remained. Only scorched earth, smoldering patches of fire, and a massive crater marked the place where they once stood.
I turned slowly, eyes moving across the battlefield until they settled on the soldiers of Unit 02.
They were all staring at me. Not fighting. Not moving. Just frozen, as if the world had stopped for them. Even the crawlers among their ranks had paused, some mid-motion, as if they too were stunned by what had just happened.
The corner of my mouth twitched.
"I guess I made a pretty good entrance," I muttered under my breath.
With a casual flick of my wrist, I raised my staff and swung it in a wide arc. The lingering flames died out instantly, the air cleared of dust and smoke as if swept away by an unseen wind.
Then I stepped forward.
That seemed to snap everyone out of their daze. The soldiers blinked, adjusted their stances, and turned back to the crawlers still within the front lines. Battle cries erupted once more, blades swung, and arrows flew.
I scanned the chaos briefly before spotting Steve.
He finished off the crawler in front of him with a clean, fluid motion and ran toward me. He stopped a few feet away, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Clicking his tongue, he sheathed his sword and crossed his arms.
"You know," he said, "this whole raid was supposed to help us level up. Refine our techniques. Build pressure. And you just wiped out half the damn map."
I scratched the back of my head, feeling a bit guilty.
"My mind was somewhere else... I didn't really think it through."
Steve raised an eyebrow.
"I don't believe you for a second. You just wanted to show off."
I shrugged.
"Maybe."
He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath, but I could see the smirk he was trying to hide.
I asked.
"So how have things been on your end?"
He replied,
"Pretty chill. Some training here, some training there."
I nodded casually, then I heard a sharp roar behind me, followed by the whistle of wind slicing through the air.
A wind blade.
But my perception was still extended, locked on the battlefield. I already knew who it was.
My lips twitched as I turned and casually swung my staff, dispersing the incoming attack with a single sweep.
My eyes locked onto Sarah.
"What is wrong with you, woman?" I asked, genuinely confused.
She didn't respond.
Instead, she charged at me without hesitation, raising her greatsword overhead and swinging it straight at my head.
I brought up my staff and blocked it with ease, then raised my leg and kicked her backward. She stumbled, catching her footing just in time.
My eyes narrowed.
"What was that for?"
She scoffed, planted her sword in the ground beside her, crossed her arms, and snapped.
"Where is your shirt?"
I blinked.
"…Sorry, what did you just say?"
Through clenched teeth, she repeated,
"I… said… where is your shirt?"
I glanced at Steve. He just shrugged like he wanted no part of this.
I honestly had no idea what my lack of clothing had to do with this girl's sudden aggression.
"It got destroyed while I was training," I replied.
She scoffed again, louder this time.
"Stop lying. You're just walking around shirtless to show off."
"Show off?" I tilted my head. "Show off what, exactly?"
She jutted her chin toward me.
"This."
I almost laughed.
"This? You're gonna have to be more specific."
She jabbed a finger at my chest.
"This body. You're flaunting it to lure innocent girls!"
My mouth dropped open.
What was even going through this girl's head?
Not once, not once, did I think about removing my shirt to seduce someone.
I cleared my throat and said.
"You've got the wrong idea about me, Sarah. I'm not that kind of guy."
She shook her head as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"There's no kind. All boys are the same."
Steve suddenly jumped in.
"Absolutely false. Gotta disagree with you there, Madam Sarah. There is no way I'm anything like this brute."
I threw my hands up in exasperation.
"Wow. Really? You just tossed me under the cart like that?"
Sarah turned to Steve.
"You keep your mouth shut, lackey."
My eyes widened.
Did she just call him a lackey?
Steve looked just as stunned.
"Who are you calling lackey? You better take that back."
Sarah grinned, drew her sword again, and pointed it straight at him.
"Or what, dumbface?"
I grinned and turned to Steve.
"Ooooooh… she just called you dumbface."
Steve narrowed his eyes.
"You take that back, or I'll make you take it back."
Sarah didn't even blink.
"Make me? You, who looks like he hasn't eaten in a decade? I'll break your chicken legs before you even touch your sword."
I clapped slowly and turned to Steve again.
"She called you chicken legs, man."
Steve shot me a look.
"I can hear her, Billion."
I nodded, crossing my arms.
"Just checking."
Steve placed a hand on his sword, dead serious now.
"Of all the girls in Unit 02, you're the one who's offended by him not wearing a shirt? Sounds like you just want him for yourself."
"What?!" I snapped. "Dude! Why are you dragging me into this?!"
Sarah's eyes flared.
"What did you say? Take that back, blondie! As if I'd ever go near a brute like him!"
I threw up my hands.
"What the hell is going on?! Why are both of you calling me a brute?!"
Just as I was about to yell back at both of them for calling me a brute again, another voice cut in soft, but sharp enough to slice through the chaos.
"Can someone explain why everyone's screaming like kids outside a candy shop?"
I turned my head and saw North walking toward us, bow in hand, quiver strapped to her back. A little blood on her sleeve, a smudge on her cheek. She looked like she'd just finished off a few crawlers without breaking a sweat.
Sarah straightened immediately. Her stance shifted, sword lowered just a bit.
North's eyes bounced between the three of us.
"Seriously? What's going on?"
Before I could speak, Sarah stepped forward.
"It's nothing. Just your usual man and their tantrums. You know how they get."
Steve and I exchanged glances.
North raised an eyebrow.
"Well, as long as no one is seriously fighting…"
Sarah smiled—smiled—a rare sight.
"Don't worry. I'd never let them touch your pretty face."
I blinked.
And Steve spoke up beside me. "What?"
Sarah's smile vanished.
"Nothing. I meant like… you're the best archer here. Can't let anything happen to our best damage dealer. Stay away from them ok."
North tilted her head.
"Right…"
I watched Sarah fumble for words. It was kind of hilarious.
She quickly turned away.
"Anyway, I've got some crawlers to slice. Later, losers."
And just like that, she walked off, casually brushing her hair back with way more drama than necessary.
Steve watched her go, then leaned in close to my ear.
"Hey," he whispered. "I think she likes North."
I blinked. "Huh?"
He gave me a smug little grin.
"Yeah, man. I think she was mad about the no-shirt thing because that 'innocent girl' in her rant was North. You've got a rival."
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded, and whispered.
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
Steve clapped a hand on my shoulder and walked off, laughing.
I stood there, trying to process everything. I didn't want to believe him… but as I thought back to all my encounters with Sarah, a part of me started to wonder if he might actually be onto something.