Skyrail: Over The Horizon

"Oh God... wow!"

A girl's voice echoed through the air, calling out, "Leader!"

A sigh followed, deep and weary, before a woman's voice responded with palpable irritation, "What is it now?"

The girl hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Don't you think it's time for you to relax a little? I know you're still young, but you've been working day in and day out since you came out of training. Don't you think you'll burn yourself out?"

There was a long pause, the air was heavy with tension. Finally, the woman's voice came, more resolute than before. "I'm cementing myself as a protector for the weak. For those who can't defend themselves. It's what gives me life now. It's my new resolve."

The girl sighed softly, her voice tinged with concern. "I know… but there's more to life than just that. You came from a rough place, and you didn't even take time to unwind. You have to give yourself a break sometimes."

The silence stretched longer this time, and the air turned colder. A feeling of unease settled in, a sense of something dangerous lurking just beneath the surface.

The girl's voice wavered, growing panicked. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"

The woman's voice softened but carried the weight of years of resolve. "Apology accepted. You're just showing concern for me, and that's something that even makes my work worthwhile. But don't worry, I won't lose my temper again."

The girl, feeling a mixture of relief and awe, spoke up, "You really mean that, huh?"

The woman's voice grew a touch warmer. "Of course. You're the first one to show such care, after all."

There was a long silence after that, pregnant with the unspoken words between them. Then, with sudden curiosity, the girl asked, "So… about that boy you want to neck…"

A sharp gasp sounded in the air, followed by a flare of anger in the woman's voice. "Seriously? You're still asking about that?"

The girl's voice shot up in fear, her words rushing out in a frantic apology. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you—"

A quiet pause lingered in the air as both voices went still, the tension hanging heavy in the space between them.

---

Kelson stood with his luggage in hand, taking in the sight before him. Eva gestured grandly toward the villa, exclaiming, "Ta-da!" Her voice brimmed with pride, her confident smile lighting up the scene.

The structure before him was stunning—a luxurious beachfront-style villa, though no ocean was in sight. The clean lines, expansive windows, and modern design hinted at opulence. Kelson's eyes sparkled as he tried to grasp how something so extravagant could exist here. "This place could easily go for 4.5 billion anywhere else," he muttered in amazement.

Eva crossed her arms with a smug grin.

"So, how much is your job actually paying you?" Kelson asked, turning toward her, half-joking, half-curious.

Eva winked. "Enough to live comfortably," she teased before adding, "But this beauty wasn't from my paycheck. I entered the Gomax raffle a while back and, well, got incredibly lucky."

Kelson's jaw dropped. "Wait, those raffles? People would sell their souls for this kind of prize!"

She laughed lightly. "I know, right? It's kind of surreal. But here we are."

Still amazed, Kelson asked, "What about your old house? Are you keeping it, or did you already sell or rent it out?"

Eva shrugged casually. "I'm planning to rent both out. Honestly, I spend most of my time at the hospital's accommodations anyway. But I wanted this villa ready for when you visited—it's my way of giving you the best of both worlds."