Chapter 61 to Chapter 65
Skyfather level.
That term immediately brought a name to Leon's mind.
"Keisha, send me the captured footage," he commanded.
"Yes, it has been transferred."
Boom!
In his mind, a series of memory images appeared. The scene showed the vast, black vacuum of space with Earth floating quietly in the distance. Suddenly, the space around the planet rippled violently, waves spreading out like shockwaves.
Cirrus clouds, swirling in dark colors—black, purple, and green—appeared out of nowhere. But in the next second, there was a sound like shattering glass, and the swirling mass of energy vanished instantly, leaving the area calm once more.
It was as if nothing had ever happened. But Leon knew better—this was no illusion.
As Keisha froze the frame, Leon saw a figure: a bald woman in a yellow mage's robe, holding a folding fan. She appeared and vanished along with the cirrus cloud. The sight of her confirmed Leon's suspicions.
The Ancient One—the Sorcerer Supreme, guardian of Earth for thousands of years. And the dark, sinister presence could only mean one thing: Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension.
It was clear now: Dormammu had attempted to break into this universe, only to be dragged into the mirror dimension by the Ancient One.
"Keisha, can you track them?" Leon asked.
"Yes, I can send you into the mirror dimension using micro-wormhole technology," Keisha replied. "However, the energy there at the moment is extremely intense and chaotic. The captain's physical body may not withstand it. If needed, you can deploy the module defense barrier using Sky Blade, but doing so will alert the participants."
Keisha's ethereal voice echoed in Leon's mind as he contemplated his next move.
If possible, he wanted to witness the battle firsthand. Observing the fight would give him a clearer sense of how wide the gap was between his current power and that of the Skyfather level. But doing so would almost certainly draw the attention of both Dormammu and the Ancient One.
Dormammu was one thing—Leon could deal with being noticed by him—but the Supreme Sorcerer's reaction was what really concerned him. Who knows, perhaps even Odin might notice the disturbance.
Leon's eyes flickered with determination. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Keisha, can the Sky Blade No. 7 support me in launching a god-level strike in that dimension?"
"Absolutely," Keisha responded.
"That's all I need. Send me there."
"Yes."
As soon as Keisha's words faded, Leon's figure disappeared from the rooftop in an instant. When his vision cleared, he found himself in a world unlike anything he had seen before—a different dimension altogether.
The world around him was bathed in dark, suffocating hues of black, purple, and green. The atmosphere felt oppressive, filled with a sense of evil and terror that weighed heavily on his chest. But Leon's gaze was locked far ahead, where the real horror unfolded.
In the distance, a colossal head, made of swirling black energy, spanned tens of millions of kilometers. It emanated an aura of dread so intense, it bordered on despair. The slightest movement of the surrounding dark clouds caused massive ripples that swept across the dimension like a black torrent, threatening to destroy everything in its path.
And in front of this massive, terrifying presence was a lone figure—a woman in a yellow mage's robe, her head covered by a hood. She floated in mid-air, her hands weaving intricate golden magic arrays that shimmered with unimaginable power. These mystical shields clashed fiercely with the dark energy, creating shockwaves that rocked the entire dimension. The sheer force of the battle made the dimension tremble, as if it were on the verge of collapsing.
Leon floated at a distance, shielded by a honeycomb-like defense barrier generated by Sky Blade No. 7. The barrier absorbed the energy blasts that washed over him, keeping him safe from the cataclysmic forces in front of him.
"Recording all data and beginning analysis," Keisha's voice echoed in his mind, pulling Leon from his shock.
As he stared at the titanic battle unfolding before his eyes, he was struck speechless by the sheer scale of it. This was a conflict at the Skyfather level, far beyond anything he had ever encountered.
The energy emanating from the battle was powerful enough to obliterate a planet. At this level of combat, not only would ordinary mortals be instantly annihilated, but even Leon himself found it difficult to just observe. His ability to manipulate elements gave him near-invulnerability on a physical level, but the powers at play here were operating on an entirely different scale—manipulating the very fabric of reality.
The vast torrents of energy could easily disintegrate him in an instant. Despite this, the defensive barriers supported by Sky Blade No. 7 were holding strong, shielding him from the destructive forces surrounding him.
"This is the Skyfather level," Leon thought. The gap between his current power and this monumental scale was clear, and yet, feeling the battle's intensity first-hand filled him with excitement. He realized why beings like the Ancient One scarcely bothered with the affairs of the mortal world—it was beneath their concern.
As Leon silently observed the clash between the Ancient One and Dormammu, something shifted. Both combatants paused, as if by mutual agreement.
Across the vast distance of dozens of kilometers, the Ancient One turned her head, her hooded gaze settling on Leon. A flash of surprise flickered in her eyes.
"It's him... How is he able to appear in the mirror dimension? And that energy... It's unusual." she mused.
From the other side, Dormammu's deep, reverberating voice echoed throughout the dimension. "Oh? Another human? But so weak... as insignificant as an ant."
The Ancient One looked back at Leon, her voice speaking directly into his mind, "Mr. Leon, you are not ready to face power of this level. Leave now. Dormammu has noticed you."
Leon's eyes widened in response, just as Dormammu's wild laughter erupted through the void.
"Hahaha! A mere human, daring to step into this realm. Your courage and talent are commendable, but it's a pity—you must die here."
Boom!
An explosion of dark, malevolent energy erupted, sending a devastating wave of darkness crashing toward Leon. The sheer magnitude of the dark torrent, blotting out the sky, was almost suffocating, a force so overwhelming it seemed to bring with it pure despair.
The Ancient One remained calm, her expression steady as she prepared to intervene against Dormammu's attack. But then, her eyes widened in sudden surprise.
She saw Leon's lips curl into a slight smile as he raised his right hand.
"Keisha, activate Flare Bombing."
Boom!
Instantly, an intense, searing energy gathered above Leon's palm. The power was like a miniature star created with the help of his Glint-Glint Fruit, blazing with a radiant heat that dispelled the consuming darkness in the dimension. The energy rippled outward, and the star Leon had summoned stretched for millions of kilometers in diameter, its heat so extreme that it warped the very fabric of space around it.
As part of the advanced angelic civilization, Sky Blade No. 7 was equipped with fundamental star-drive technology, and flare bombing was a powerful manifestation of that technology. The remote control harnessed the power of a star to create a flare bombardment, an attack of unimaginable power.
Supported by Sky Blade No. 7, Leon swung his right hand forward.
Boom!
In an instant, the entire sky turned red as a torrent of red energy exploded outward. The devastating force engulfed the dark energy unleashed by Dormammu, evaporating it on contact. The explosion swallowed every trace of darkness.
Ancient One's eyes narrowed as she sensed the danger. She quickly rendered her form illusory, severing the connection between the mirror dimension and the real world.
Dormammu, who had dismissed Leon as insignificant, was caught completely off-guard by the sheer force of the flare bombardment. His massive form, once composed of dark energy, was consumed by the explosion.
"Impossible! You're just a human—how could you wield such power?" Dormammu's thunderous voice echoed as the mirror dimension itself began to shatter under the weight of the attack.
Leon watched as Dormammu's energy-based head disintegrated in the blast, forcing the dark lord back into his own dimension.
Crack! Crack!
The mirror dimension, now unstable, began to fracture and collapse. Realizing this, Leon swiftly activated the micro-wormhole transportation technology and vanished from the crumbling world.
In a flash, he reappeared on the rooftop of his manor.
"Keisha," he called out.
"The combat module has been recorded. Unknown magic systems and dark magic detected," Keisha responded. "Estimated analysis time: thirteen days."
Leon smiled, satisfied. This encounter had been more rewarding than he expected. The most valuable prize was Sky Blade's ability to record and analyze the Ancient One's mystical magic and Dormammu's dark sorcery. Once fully analyzed, it would be ready for his use.
Even though the magic of the Vishanti is notorious in the mystical world—like dealing with loan sharks—it can't be denied that many spells within this system are incredibly useful. Take the mirror dimension, for instance: it's a key skill for dealing with enemies discreetly.
The strength of Angelic Civilization lies in its ability to absorb the best attributes and systems from various civilizations through recording and analysis, constantly optimizing itself. The star-drive technology of Merlot Star is a prime example—Sky Blade No. 7 integrated this by studying and learning from their advancements.
As Leon stood reflecting, a gentle voice spoke from behind.
"Mr. Leon, I hope you don't mind me dropping by."
Leon wasn't surprised. Turning around, he saw the Ancient One standing there. Smiling, he gestured for her to sit.
"Ancient One, please, have a seat."
Without hesitation, the Ancient One sat on one of the balcony chairs. A small tea table appeared between them as Leon lightly tapped the surface, conjuring two glasses of juice.
"I apologize, Ancient One. I don't have tea here—only juice."
The Ancient One smiled softly. "Juice is rich in vitamins and very healthy."
The Ancient One removed her hood, revealing a weary expression. She didn't seem bothered, though. She picked up her glass and took a sip, blinking softly as she met Leon's gaze.
After a brief silence, she spoke softly, "Mr. Leon, you have surprised me."
"How so?" Leon asked, glancing unconsciously at the glowing green gem necklace—the Eye of Agamotto—hanging on her chest.
"Since you left that test base, I've noticed that the established flow of history has taken an unexpected turn," the Ancient One said, her eyes focused on Leon.
A few years ago, she had sensed a sudden shift in the course of history while at Kamar-Taj. This unsettled her, as she had long been able to glimpse into the future and maintain the Earth's protection by ensuring that events stayed on their destined path. But Leon's presence—and the arrival of his companions—had thrown this delicate balance into disarray.
The Ancient One explained that history had now veered off course at three significant points, and with each divergence, the changes were becoming more profound. Most recently, the timeline had been affected so dramatically that the future had become fragmented and uncertain. Leon was the focal point of this upheaval.
Listening closely, Leon quickly understood that the three points the Ancient One referred to were tied directly to his sign-in rewards: the Glint-Glint Fruit, the Breathing Technique, and, most notably, Sky Blade No. 7.
The first two had created relatively minor ripples in the timeline, as their powers, while significant, had limited long-term impact. However, the acquisition of Sky Blade No. 7 was a different story entirely. With the Skyfather-level combat power it granted, and its advanced technology far beyond the Earth's current capabilities, Leon now possessed the ability to gather and enhance himself with the genes and technologies of other civilizations. This meant his potential for growth had become nearly limitless.
As a result, the disruption to the future was much greater than the Ancient One had anticipated.
From the Ancient One's perspective, the future was now fragmented, and although she could sense the changes Leon had caused, she couldn't fully see why or how he had triggered them. Leon, of course, wasn't about to explain it to her. The Ancient One understood this well and didn't press him further.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Especially after witnessing the power Leon had just displayed, she realized he was now someone she had to treat as an equal. Strength, after all, is the ultimate measure of everything. If before she had been merely observing him, now she had to acknowledge him on equal footing.
"What was that being earlier?" Leon asked, though he already knew the answer.
As expected, the Ancient One answered readily, "He hails from a realm called the Dark Dimension. His ambition is to devour all worlds, turning them into sources of darkness so that he can transcend the multiverse and become eternal."
She paused briefly before continuing, "Our universe is just one of his targets. We've been fighting against him for thousands of years."
"'We?'" Leon questioned.
"Yes, us," the Ancient One confirmed. "For millennia, sorcerers have guarded this world from the shadows, fending off those with ambitions to consume it."
Leon nodded, genuinely moved. "The Ancient One and all sorcerers truly deserve respect."
He meant it. No matter their intentions, their actions spoke volumes. The Ancient One and the other sorcerers had been risking their lives to protect the Earth from the monstrous threats that sought to conquer it, and that was worthy of admiration.
The Vishanti's system of magic is notoriously difficult to master—essentially a form of magical "loan-sharking." Upon death, the sorcerer's soul and magic are often reclaimed by the mystical entities. Whether or not all sorcerers are aware of this isn't clear, but it's undeniable that many have sacrificed their lives for this power.
Leon nodded thoughtfully, his expression sincere. The Ancient One noticed and gave him a subtle nod in return. "Although I'm surprised by how much you've grown, I am pleased," she said gently. "However, now that you've caught Dormammu's attention, his cultists may cause you trouble."
Dormammu's dark presence naturally attracts followers—people who are lured into darkness, seduced by its power. These loyal cultists worship Dormammu, believing the world is corrupt and only he can purify it. They are convinced that by serving him, they can gain eternal life and all the rewards they desire.
Essentially, they are brainwashed.
Leon knew this well. He was also aware that among the Masters of the Mystic Arts, an Order of Dark Sorcerers known as Zealots had formed, secretly working against the Order in hopes of bringing Dormammu to Earth. Most of these Zealots were sorcerers nearing the end of their lives or those lacking strong resolve. However, once they embraced darkness and tapped into its power, they became ruthless, doing anything necessary to allow Dormammu's arrival and eliminate any who stood in their way.
Leon posed a particular threat to Dormammu. For thousands of years, the Ancient One and the Sanctums had prevented Dormammu's entry into this world. Now, a new figure—Leon, who held the potential to reach Skyfather-level power—was on the rise. Dormammu's attempt to kill Leon in the mirror dimension was not just an act of rage, but a calculated move to stop Leon from growing too powerful.
Leon listened carefully to the Ancient One's warning, but his thoughts went in a different direction. Rather than merely defending himself, Leon had already begun considering how to eliminate the threat at its root.
Leon wasn't the type to wait for trouble to come knocking at his door. If he sensed any threat or potential danger, he preferred to eliminate it before it could grow. This approach had rubbed off on Sergei and others around him; they had come to adopt this ruthless mentality as well.
While Leon's thoughts were already racing ahead to the idea of tracking down and wiping out the Dark Sorcerer's Order, he still responded calmly to the Ancient One. "I'll keep an eye out for them. And if they do show up, I'll deal with them."
The Ancient One smiled faintly. "The premise being that they manage to reach you first."
She didn't know exactly what Leon was thinking, but his cautious expression reassured her. Though Leon's methods were unconventional, his ability to unleash Skyfather-level power was undeniable. The threat posed by the Dark Sorcerer's Order might not be as great as initially feared.
After their brief conversation, the Ancient One took her leave. Before departing, she kindly invited Leon to visit Kamar-Taj when he had time, offering to share a special tea—Dahongpao—brought by Master Yipin from the East. Leon accepted the invitation, though his true interest lay more in Kamar-Taj's vast library of knowledge.
Once the Ancient One was gone, Leon vanished from the rooftop and reappeared in the grand hall of the Sky Blade No. 7 Battleship, also known as the Immortal Palace.
The hall was magnificent, its floor adorned with intricate circular patterns that depicted an epic battle. In the design, a beautiful angel wielded a flaming sword, leading an army against formidable enemies. Keisha's holographic figure materialized before him.
"Captain Leon," she greeted.
"How's it going?" Leon asked, getting straight to the point.
Keisha remained calm, waving her hand to reveal an image that resembled a holographic projection, but far more realistic. The image displayed a glowing green gem—the very one sealed on the Ancient One's chest.
It was the Eye of Agamotto, containing the Time Stone.
The Time Stone held immense power, capable of controlling the past, present, and future. It could manipulate time in all its forms—accelerate, reverse, travel through it, and even trap someone in a time loop. The stone could also freeze timelines and alter reality with near omniscience. But those who tampered with its powers risked unimaginable torment, trapped within time until they could create a "perfect" moment, which would then exist for eternity.
"I'm sorry, Captain Leon," Keisha said. "When we tried to record the gem's properties, it was blocked by an unknown force. Cracking it will take more time than anticipated."
"Just as I thought," Leon muttered to himself, unsurprised by the results.
The Time Stone, hidden within the Eye of Agamotto, was crafted by ancient sorcerers as both a container and a protective barrier. This powerful artifact could only be unlocked by the specific spells known to the Supreme Sorcerer. Even with Sky Blade No. 7's advanced capabilities, which allowed it to peer through the dark matter plane and observe the essence of things, it wasn't enough to fully penetrate the magical defenses of the Eye of Agamotto—at least not right away.
"While we couldn't gain direct insight, I can sense that this gem holds extremely unique rules and immense power, affecting the fabric of the real world itself," Keisha reported.
Leon nodded, his gaze fixed on the projection of the green gem in front of him. "That's right. These gems hold the most powerful forces in the universe. When brought together, their combined energy is beyond comprehension."
He stared at the hologram, eyes gleaming with fascination. Infinity Stones—each one held almost limitless energy and unique properties related to time, space, reality, and more. Through Sky Blade No. 7, Leon could analyze the essence of these stones, potentially integrating their characteristics into the technology of the angelic civilization. It was a golden opportunity for optimization and advancement.
Mastering the Infinity Stones' powers would be a tremendous feat. Even if it took time, it would result in technologies that could reshape entire worlds. And Leon knew that the ultimate prize, gathering all six Infinity Stones, would lead to untold power, worth any struggle or conflict.
With Sky Blade No. 7's computing power, it was entirely possible to trace the stones' origins and adapt their properties. Leon stood to benefit immensely, but one thing was clear: this would inevitably lead to a confrontation with a certain "purple potato" who fancied himself a cosmic enforcer of balance. Leon smirked at the thought of Thanos.
"Looks like I'll have to find an opportunity to kill that guy," Leon mused. "And while I'm at it, maybe I'll take the Eternals' genes too—those would be useful."
…
On a Texas Highway.
A sudden downpour flooded the dark Texas night. The rain fell hard, splashing against the ground with sharp, rhythmic beats. The once oppressive heat began to cool as the storm raged on, turning the dry, desolate land near the highway into a blurry, rain-soaked landscape.
In the middle of it all, a red pickup truck roared down the road, its headlights cutting through the storm like the glowing eyes of a dragon. Inside, the soothing tones of Hotel California drifted through the speakers, the classic guitar melody blending with the sound of the rain, creating a peaceful yet haunting atmosphere.
Pietro was at the wheel, driving lazily with one hand. His elbow rested against the window, chin propped on the back of his hand as he tilted his head slightly—his pose almost effortlessly cool. Though he'd never admit it, he was imitating Leon. He'd seen his boss drive like this several times before, looking flawlessly handsome from every angle, especially in profile. It was a look Pietro tried to emulate, though at this moment, there was no one to admire it.
Wanda sat in the passenger seat beside him, dressed in tight black leather pants and white sneakers. Her long legs stretched out in front of her, resting on the dashboard. With a baseball cap pulled low, she scrolled through her phone, looking entirely disinterested.
In the backseat, a figure lay stretched out, but in the darkness, they were barely visible.
"Ugh, still over a hundred kilometers left," Pietro groaned, glancing at the GPS. The glowing map showed they still had 137 kilometers to go, and his mood darkened. He had already been driving for three hours since dinner, and it looked like they still had over two more to go.
Bored and exhausted, he sighed, wondering how much longer he could endure the monotony.
Pietro glanced at the person sleeping peacefully in the backseat, and his frustration flaring. How is this guy sleeping through all this? He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to pick up the entire truck and sprint the rest of the way himself.
"Still no sign of him?" he asked, exasperated.
Wanda, still scrolling through her phone, replied calmly, "Don't worry. He's probably just enjoying the city like a tourist. According to social media, he's still there, as long as he hasn't skipped town." She absentmindedly pulled a lollipop from her sweater pocket and popped it into her mouth, her eyes never leaving the screen.
"That guy really knows how to disappear," Pietro grumbled. "Too bad we don't have Natasha backing us up this time."
Finding their target wasn't about brute force; it was about tracking him down first. Dark creatures like him had a knack for staying hidden, and sometimes they even had the help of official agencies covering things up to avoid causing mass panic. Traditional methods wouldn't work—they couldn't just walk in and demand answers.
What they needed was hacking, something Natasha excelled at. Over the years, Pietro and Wanda had picked up some basic skills, enough to hack into street surveillance or access local police networks. But those networks usually had firewalls that were tough to crack.
Natasha, though? She was on a whole different level. Her hacking skills were top-tier, and with her enhanced body and mind, she'd gotten even better. She could easily break through the toughest defenses, acting as their secret weapon on missions like this.
But Natasha wasn't here. She was off reconnecting with her family.
Pietro sighed. Another day of missing Natasha.
The pickup truck sped down the highway, splashing through the muddy, rain-soaked road. It was dangerously slick, and the truck could easily skid off-course if Pietro wasn't careful. But, as usual, he didn't care, pushing the limits of control with his foot firmly on the gas.
If the truck ever came close to flipping over, Pietro could instantly react with his super speed. From his perspective, everything around him would slow down by a hundredfold, allowing him to make corrections with ease.
The tires spun rapidly on the slick, uneven ground, spraying water into the air. The surroundings were shrouded in darkness, with heavy rain misting the air and filling their lungs with dampness. Both Pietro and Wanda had a fondness for rainy and snowy days—it reminded them of their time together in the Ural Mountains, where they grew up.
There, it seemed to rain or snow endlessly, and they would often sit outside their wooden cabin, lulled to sleep by the rhythms of nature. Now, as Hotel California played in the truck, Pietro swayed slightly to the music while Wanda, with a lollipop in her mouth, scrolled through her phone, focused on reading the latest news.
Time seemed to drag on as they drove, the road mostly deserted. But as they passed a road sign, something shifted. Both Pietro and Wanda's heads snapped up simultaneously, and the person who had been napping in the backseat sat up, alert and tense. His youthful face was shadowed, giving him a somber look.
Pietro pressed down on the brake pedal, gradually slowing the pickup truck. It rolled forward for another hundred, maybe two hundred meters, before coming to a full stop.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, lighting up the dark world in a flash. Thunder roared overhead, the sounds overlapping and creating an eerie atmosphere. The heavy downpour slammed against the truck's roof, each drop like a barrage of bullets.
The headlights illuminated the dirt road ahead as the truck stood still on the highway. Not far behind them, a green billboard loomed in the distance, barely visible through the curtain of rain.
In the car, Wanda and Pietro both frowned, scanning the area through the front windshield, the side windows, and even the rearview mirror as if searching for something. From the backseat, Sumarokov leaned forward into the light, his face emerging from the shadows.
Glancing left and right, he muttered, "What the hell? I can't see anything, not a trace. What are we dealing with?"
"Yeah, it's strange. The three of us are on high alert, and we still don't see a thing," Pietro said from the driver's seat. He leaned forward against the steering wheel, his eyes darting around cautiously. "Feels like something's locked onto us."
Wanda, still holding her phone, closed the page she was on and tucked it into her pocket. She leaned against the window, unfazed by the rain dripping onto the brim of her cap. Turning slightly, she looked behind them.
A few kilometers away, an RV was slowly making its way down the road.
Tilting her head, she rested her chin on her arm and whispered, "Someone's coming."
Not long after, a white, medium-sized RV pulled up behind the pickup truck. When it came to a stop, the driver switched on the hazard lights. While parking on the highway, especially in heavy rain, is against traffic regulations, in the desolate stretches of Texas, where a vehicle might not pass for hours, the rules were more flexible.
Honk! Honk! The sound of a car horn pierced the rain. A young boy leaned out of the RV's window, waving enthusiastically.
"Hey guys! Did your car break down? Need some help?" he shouted over the storm.
Inside the RV, several girls poked their heads out through the windows, shielding themselves from the rain and curiously peeking over at the pickup truck.
"Wow, what a nice group of people," Pietro muttered to himself, his eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and appreciation. Having been a wanderer for much of his life and later enduring harsh experiences at the experimental base, he understood the risks of stopping to help strangers in a remote area, especially in this weather.
Yet, the boy had done just that. There was no malice in his voice or actions, and Pietro, with his heightened awareness, could sense the boy's genuine kindness.
That kind of goodness shouldn't just vanish in a place like this, Pietro thought, a cold light flashing briefly in his eyes.
He exchanged a glance with Wanda, who nodded slightly. Pietro leaned out of the window and called back, "Hey man, you're right—our car broke down. Could really use a hand."
"Wow, that's rough! This weather's been crazy! Luckily, our RV's got a tow hook. We can pull your car if you need," the red-haired boy shouted back, eager to help.
Pietro immediately responded, "Thanks a lot, man, you're really an angel."
The boy laughed, "Haha, yeah, I'll be your angel tonight."
Clearly a social butterfly, the boy showed no shyness or caution toward strangers. After responding enthusiastically to Pietro, he hit the gas, maneuvered the RV in front of the pickup, and stepped out into the rain with an umbrella.
The side door of the RV opened, and three women and one man followed him out, all young and of varying heights. The girls were strikingly attractive, each holding an umbrella. Seeing them approach, Pietro, Wanda, and Sumarokov got out of their pickup as well, umbrellas in hand.
The first meeting between both groups went smoothly. Wanda's flawless figure and stunning features, along with Pietro and Sumarokov's handsome looks and visibly toned muscles beneath their short sleeves, made a good impression.
The curly-haired boy initially inspected the pickup but decided that, with the heavy rain, it was easier to just tow the truck rather than investigate the problem. He hopped back into the RV's driver's seat, hooked up the tow line to the pickup's bumper, and stepped back out, clapping his hands, pleased with his handiwork.
"All done!" he said with a grin. "Hey, why don't you guys join us? We couldn't sleep anyway and were planning to play some games. There's plenty of room in the RV."
Pietro exchanged a glance with Wanda, who shrugged.
"Sure, why not," Pietro said.
"Yoho! That's awesome!" The group cheered happily, splashing in the puddles. Watching this lively scene, Pietro, Wanda, and Sumarokov couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. It was a moment that reminded them of family.
Afterwards, Pietro and Wanda grabbed the large bags of snacks, drinks, and fruits they had bought and carried them from the pickup truck into the RV. Seeing all the food, the group of boys and girls inside the RV cheered excitedly.
They were just a group of students and close friends who had decided a year ago to buy an RV and travel together during the holidays.
To make it happen, they had saved money for a whole year, living frugally and working part-time jobs during their vacations.
With a bit of financial help from their families, the five of them finally spent $80,000 on the RV, which included the custom interior they had designed together. The result was a space that reflected their youthful creativity.
The RV was surprisingly spacious. Near the front, there was a foldable bed above a small TV that they had only kept because it was cheaper to leave it in rather than replace it.
They also used a projector for watching movies. At the back of the RV was a large bed big enough for all five of them, along with a shower, toilet, and a small kitchen.
In the middle of the RV were two rows of seats and a spot for their computers.
The two boys were Jeff, the curly-haired and enthusiastic driver, and Adam. The three girls, from tallest to shortest, were Lena, Siri, and Sylvia.
The group of students were all from West Virginia, attending Marche University. Pietro, Wanda, and Sumarokov pretended to be students from New York University.
Since everyone was young, lively, and full of energy—and with plenty of snacks and drinks to go around—the atmosphere inside the RV quickly became fun and cheerful. They played various small games, which helped them bond even more.
At one point, the three girls surrounded Wanda, hugging her and occasionally brushing their cheeks against hers, acting like close friends.
Adam, one of the boys, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. He had developed a crush on Wanda the moment he saw her, but with the presence of Pietro and Sumarokov—both strikingly handsome—he kept his feelings to himself.
As the RV continued down the highway, towing the pickup truck behind it, the sound of laughter and playful banter filled the vehicle. But amidst the fun, Wanda, Pietro, and Sumarokov remained on alert. There was still an unknown and mysterious threat lingering in the background, though they hadn't been able to detect it yet.
Sumarokov, sitting near the window, appeared to be enjoying the games with the group, but his sharp eyes kept scanning the surroundings outside. Pietro, sitting nearby, quietly muttered to Wanda, "That thing is really patient."
"We're not far from the city," Wanda whispered back. "It'll definitely make a move soon. Stay ready."
"Yeah," Pietro nodded.