Falling for them (love and deepspace X OC )

Soul Time

I thought finding a suitable hideout would take a lot of effort.
But Sylus knows exactly where to go. He quickly leads me to a vintage automobile repair shop near the arena.
Two vintage street lamps flicker inside. A desert highway backdrop and bullet holes decorate the entrance. It's quite fitting for our situation.After making sure we weren't being followed, I breathe a sigh of relief and pull up a chair to ease my pain.

"EVER just won't quit. Isn't there a way to deal with them once and for all? The arena fights are bad enough as it is." I said

"The ones we took out were only minions receiving commands.For signals to be distributed simultaneously, there must be a leader carrying the central control unit." Sylus said. "Take out their control unit and we can disable the entire group."

"Speaking of which, I detected an unusual Metaflux fluctuation when I encountered them."

Sylus turns around to look at me. "What makes it unusual?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it... Maybe it's connected to that control unit you mentioned."

"Heh, they've really been busy behind the scenes. They're using Protocores like they're toys."Sylus averts his gaze and turns away. He walks to a corner of the shop. Change of plans. We need to step up our game"

"What?"

"Find the leader, neutralize them, and extract the control unit."

We're going to do reverse tracking...? That might work. I'll use those unique fluctuations to locate them."Sylus crouches down by the decorative bar counter along the wall. The sound of rummaging soon fills the air. "What are you doing? Oh, are you looking for weapons?"

"I'm hungry, so l'm looking for food."I sit up. My interest is piqued. "Is this place one of your properties?"

"Maybe.Those with refined tastes know how to seek out places that match their standards. The vehicles outside are enough to prove the owner's discerning eye.Tch, I spoke too soon."After retrieving a bag of food from the cabinets decorated like wooden crates, Sylus returns to the small table. A look of displeasure is on his face."These are emergency rations. If you're not picky, try to eat as much as you can"

"Canned food? That's not too bad. I thought it'd be much worse considering how you acted"

"Weren't you the one who kept asking for more home comforts at the base?"

"The base is for living, but this place is for surviving. The standards are different.But seriously, have you thought about making your chefs develop canned foods?With their skills, we could have a gourmet canned food experience next time we end up in a situation like this."While I keep rambling, the cans are opened and arranged. Sylus gives me a look but doesn't argue. "What?"

"How's your wound? No amount of talking will change that pain."

"I'm starting to think the medicine wasn't normal. It hurts even more now that l've stopped moving."I take a huge bite out of the canned luncheon meat. I try to distract myself from the pain by chewing.
As I reach for the energy drink, his hand hovers above the can. He sprinkles a medicinal powder over it.I stare in disbelief. "Did you just spike my drink right in front of me?"

"Are two painkillers going to be enough to knock out Linkon's finest Hunter?"

"No..."

"I know you want to stay alert. You're worried the extended-release painkillers will slow your reactions.Keeping you safe for half the night will be easy. I'm here, which is more than enough."He picks up the can and moves the luncheon meat aside before setting it down in front of me.The small table becomes a chessboard once again, but this time my opponent sends his pieces into my territory to supply his "queen." "As for whether you want to let your guard down for half the night... That's up to you, kitten."