As we crept closer toward the center of this wasteland, the more we could see just to what degree the Overflow affected our barren surroundings. The rugged buildings on each side were a lot taller, revealing without shame to what extent they were damaged through the verdant fissures running over their surface. If the peculiar way in which nature was consuming everything didn't impress, within some structures, good chunks of cement had already fallen to the ground, indicating just how frail those constructions were in comparison to their prior sturdiness and what we had seen on the edges of the district.

All of that meant that the danger we faced on our expedition had grown to a whole new level. Scavenging was bound to be more difficult, given the possibility of some buildings collapsing on us.

Edward was at the head of our party this time, strolling with the crossbow at his side through this otherworldly scenery. In silence, maintaining a distance of about a meter or so from the tip of our formation, Mara and Logan followed—while Lucas and I trailed shortly at their backs. The fact that we failed to find anything at all was weighing heavily on everyone's psyche.

What surprised me the most was our party leader's attitude, who hasn't cracked a joke or one of his sarcastic remarks in the last couple of hours. It was an actual miracle if you were to ask me. Our hissy scouter was more or less the same, wearing only an impassive mask, but that was only to be expected. She was hyper-focused on any threats that might pop our way. That was the logical conclusion I reached by a glimpse, yet I couldn't help but feel there was something else causing her to behave in this manner.

The only one that didn't seem to be affected by this bizarre phenomenon was our glassed companion. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be enjoying the lasting silence that has befallen us. Typical, introverted Edward. Not that I should be the one criticizing others' social behavior.

Everyone must've sensed it by now, but the odds of success were drastically lowering as we marched further and further into the remains of this district. Our morale was plummeting at an equal rate. If nothing changes, we might have to give up before we reach our target. As the possibility of failure crept through my skin like a serpent, a brilliant notion came into my mind as I looked toward the one beside me.

"Hey, Lucas," I said. "Did you know that Logan's wife used to wield a spear back in her heyday?"

"I didn't know," he muttered with a weird expression, returning his gaze from the sky to match mine, as though he had a bad feeling about where this conversation was heading. Yup. It isn't your imagination, buddy.

"But you said you wanted to gather some experience while you're here..."

"No, I didn't," he denied as he glared at me, wondering just what the hell I was up to this time.

"You were drunk at that time," I deflected, engaging him in a different kind of warfare. A psychological one. "It's not surprising that you can't remember."

Although I felt a little bit sorry for what I was about to do, I still glanced at Logan's humongous back, who was completely oblivious to what was going through my brain and readied myself for the next stage in my master plan of raising our morale.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

My unfortunate victim's not-so-impressive musculature stiffened as he uttered: "Don't tell me you—"

"Logan," I called.

He turned around, raising a brow. Logan's instincts must've kicked in as he asked: "What is it, Gray? Do you need to take a piss again or something?"

At his blunt question, Mara only shook her head with a sigh while murmuring something I couldn't discern. She was probably complaining about him having no tact.

"Grey, don't—" whispered the beast tamer.

Shut it, I thought. You may dislike it now, but it's for your own good. Our good.

"Ava's weapon of choice was a spear, am I right?" I probed, despite knowing the answer to that question. "How about you spar with Lucas for a bit, he seems kind of rusty."

Mara's eyes shone like the jewels we were hoping to find as she realized what I was up to. She was quite mischievous by nature. Meanwhile, panic took a hold of Lucas as he imagined fighting a man twice his size, but we ignored it.

"It's kind of difficult without Ava and Natasha here," Mara complained, flapping her arms wildly around. "Not only am I the only woman here, but I also have to trust my back to someone I barely even know."

"Hey..." muttered the beast tamer.

"I don't really care how you feel though," Logan said so with a shrug, squinting his eyes at her abnormal reaction. Both of us knew she'd rather keep those kinds of thoughts to herself.

"But don't you want to figure out just how skilled Gray's friend is?" she asked, fully aware that she hooked Logan.

He clicked his tongue as he leaned the axe on his shoulder: "How do you and Ava know exactly how to push my buttons?"

"Who said I was the one that pushed your buttons?"

He blinked, staring at me for some sort of explanation. The barbarian often had a hard time understanding others' feelings, especially women. That resulted in numerous fights with over because he simply misinterpreted them. With that being said, there was no need for him to know I was the one that orchestrated the whole thing.

"Well then, Lucas," I tapped him on the shoulder, wishing him luck. "Hope you make it out alive."

"Can I run away?"

"Nope," replied Mara, wheeling around him in order to block his escape route. "It's kind of dangerous in these parts, so walking alone is not really an option."

"Can I deny this 'opportunity to gain experience' that you gave me?" he probed, still trying to get away.

Both, me and Mara gave him a pitying look.

"Don't worry," Logan intervened with a hearty smile. "Both weapons are wrapped, so there shouldn't be any severe injuries."

Even if the weapon's covered, the blunt impact will do some damage. Not lethal, though.

"'There shouldn't be'..." repeated Lucas, grasping the spear's handle in his hand.

"Yup," Logan confirmed, rolling his shoulder. "Gray can patch you up nice and tightly."

"What about me?!" hissed Mara, pointing a finger toward herself. "Aren't I the best person to choose if you have to patch up someone?"

Yeah. Even I had no other choice but to admit that Mara was the best alternative.

"Oi," called Edward, probably understanding the actual reason why we wanted to fool around was due to our everlasting depression. "If you want to spar for a bit, fine. But we should at least take some cover. Let's not do it in the middle of the street, if possible."

"Sure thing, Eddie!" exclaimed Logan. "You're as wise as always, Great One. What we could've possibly done without your gracious presence."

Mara glanced the other way but didn't bother to hide her chuckle. Even my lips crept upward, and from the looks of it, Lucas wasn't faring better than either of us. Logan had a way to get under Edward's cool exterior. I personally felt glad I wasn't the barbarian's target this time. Let's hope that'll be the case in the future as well.

"I told you to stop calling me that," he snarled. "On top of that, you should stop getting on my nerves, you behemoth."

Insults aside, no one had a problem with that arrangement.