"You're right, it is faint, but I can see something there. Is it some kind of bird?"

Latanya was currently taking short glances at the sky as Nisha and Van told her about the Observer's Eye floating above them. "Wait, what exactly does it do again?" Latanya said as she squinted her eyes, trying her best to look at the Observer's Eye subtly. They were covered by a tattered roof, but still, it was best to be careful.

​​

It was starting to get dark, and so it was hard to see it now with the naked eye even if one knows where it is. Only Enhancer-types like Nisha were able to spot them due to their enhanced eyesight and hearing.

"It transmits what it sees to somewhere else," Nisha answered Latanya's questions, "Someone is probably watching our base right now."

"Shouldn't we destroy it?" Van lightly cleared his throat as he joined in on the conversation.

"Interesting…" Latanya placed her hand on her chin, "What's the chance that they know we've figured out that they are spying on us already and know of this… Observer's Eye's existence?"

"Zero," Nisha said without hesitation, "They are probably not expecting anyone to see it. Observer's Eye is meant to be used as a spy tool due to its small size. My previous guild uses them for scouting High Ranking Portals, and even the monsters there would have a hard time seeing it."

"I see," Latanya muttered, "Can it not hear us?"

"It's called an Observer's Eye for a reason, not Observer's Ear."

"..." Van could not help but let out a short breath as he was completely ignored.

"Then let them watch us for now," Latanya said, "Let them see what we want them to see. We'll plan what to do with it later. For now, alert Gil and the others."

"Alright," Nisha nodded.

"..."

"Also, Van…"

Nisha and Van were about to leave, but before they could even take a step, Latanya called for Van.

"How did you know that this Observer thingy is watching us?"

"...I saw it earlier," Van said as he looked straight in Latanya's eyes, "I just thought it was some kind of bird."

"The three of us know that's not true," Latanya quickly let out a sigh, "The two of you suddenly disappeared and didn't return for a long time. Why didn't you tell it to me first?"

"...She is lighter than you," Van muttered, "So I chose to carry her so she can help… protect me while I focus my senses."

"..."

"..."

Nisha could not help but widen her eyes. What kind of reasoning is that? She thought. For a guy that lies almost every hour, Van's lies were starting to get rusty… or maybe he was actually telling the truth?

Nisha was also quite curious as to how he suddenly knew of the existence of the Observer's Eye after his sudden breakdown earlier… Could it be some sort of Skill?

Hearing Van's reasons, Latanya could only shake her head in disappointment, "...Why?" She muttered, "I am probably the person that knows you and what your System is capable of the most here now, you should have chosen me."

"...I think it's not that big of a deal," Nisha chuckled awkwardly. Just what is Latanya trying to say so suddenly?

"Do you like her more than me?"

"!!!"

Once again, Nisha's eyes widened even further. Just where is this conversation suddenly going!?

"I…"

But as soon as a word came out of Van's mouth, Nisha could not help but feel a slight nervousness fluttering inside of her.

"...don't like anyone," Van said.

Hearing Van's words, Nisha quickly let out a short breath as she shook her head. Just what exactly was she thinking just now? Being flustered from a boy probably 10 years younger than her.

"We have more important things to worry about," Nisha let out a monotonous voice before clearing her throat, "Since the Circle is watching our base, their… cavalry is most likely not too far away and we still have no idea how many they are. They are probably waiting for us to let our guard down."

"Hm," Latanya nodded in agreement, "But that goes both ways, they also don't know our true number."

They still have more people inside the Pit. Some refuse to leave their homes or are just not interested in seeing the outside world. But Latanya was sure of it, once they smell a whiff of the air outside, their feelings would instantly change.

Although most would probably not be too useful in war, they would at least be useful for supporting those who are since they were the defending party.

"If that's all," Nisha then nodded, "I will report our findings here to the rest of the group. I'll have them gather here in an hour subtly. We don't want the people from the Circle to be suspicious."

And with that, Nisha swiftly left, not even bothering to look back as another weird conversation might once again resurface.

"..." Van, on the other hand, just stood there without doing anything.

"What are you still doing here?" Latanya could not help but ask.

"...What do I do now?" Van muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"...Do you have any orders for me?" Van said.

"What? Why would I order you around?" Latanya blinked a couple of times, "You're free to do whatever you want. You're still the President of this little nation, maybe try seeing your people?"

"..."

Van could not help but squint his eyes as his head slightly turned downwards. He was truly at a loss as to what to do. He knows he could leave if he wanted to, he was already outside. Maybe he could find Harvey and the others, like what he planned when he first wanted to escape, or go to the other countries to find the other Olympians in their Pits... that is if Van's theory was right and they truly were there.

But the thing is… he had no idea where to start, Van thought as he let out a long and deep sigh.

'Just… what should I be doing right now?'

Without anyone telling him what to do… he was completely at a loss.

Van always thought that he could be alone since that was his situation back when he was still living in the Relic Graveyard. But this past year… he realized that wasn't the case at all.

Andrea had always been there for him, he just couldn't see it since he was too busy and too engrossed trying to think that he needed to survive on his own.

And when he got to the Academy, Harvey, Beatrice, Victoria, and Ms. Elton were there for him if he had questions about things he doesn't know about.

In the Pit, there was Gil, Nisha, and Latanya. One way or the other, he always had a person to rely on…

...He came to know that he had never truly been alone. And now whenever he thinks of leaving, he was afraid that he was truly going to be alone.

Although Van was still full of doubts. But when Hercules said that Van was the human embodiment of his brother, Hermes; and when he mentioned that Hermes had family out there scattered somewhere, the first thing that came to Van's mind was to search for them.

Van… craves for family. A family he was never able to have in the first place.

"!!!"

Van then suddenly blinked numerous times as he felt something soft and heavy hanging on top of his head. And then, he felt arms suddenly crawling their way around his body.

"...What are you doing?" Van could not help but let out a whisper as Latanya suddenly embraced him from behind.

"You have that expression again," Latanya's soft tone pierced Van's ears.

"Ha? What expression are you talking about?" Van slightly furrowed his eyebrows.

"An expression I expect someone your age should always show."

"...You know I am older than I look, right?" Van could not help but scoff at Latanya's statement.

"You're still just a child," Latanya rebuked.

"I am already 16."

"You're just a child," Latanya once again repeated as she tightened her embrace.

"...I suppose with your age, anyone is a child." Van let out a small smirk, seemingly satisfied with his comeback, "Now can you please let me go, Miss Latanya?"

"Pft…" Latanya quickly burst out in laughter from Van's words, causing her gigantic bosom to jiggle on top of Van's head, "Then do you know how I would perceive you not as a child but as a man?"

"...How?"

"Sleep with me," Latanya said. Her usual flirtatious tone that usually accompanied her seductive words was nowhere to be found, instead, only her tight embrace remained fleeting around Van.

"Why?" Van let out a short breath, "If you're really that lonely, then why don't you build your… house again?"

"I used that to control people," Latanya said without any hesitation, "But I don't need that now."

"So… you're saying you want to control me?" Van once again scoffed, "I already said no a couple of times now."

"It's the other way around," Latanya then let go of Van, walking in front of him before kneeling on the ground.

"What?"

"I want you to control me," Latanya said as her hands slowly slithered on Van's lips, "...For some reason, I… I have truly grown attached to you… and this is the only way I know how you can't get away from me."

"..." Van's eyes could not stray away from looking at Latanya's face. Although he looked calm, the beating of his chest showed his vulnerability. And soon, that vulnerability was reflected in his stuttered breaths.

"I…" Van could not help but gulp as he felt a sudden warmth growing inside him.

"Prove to me you're not a child," Latanya said as she slowly leaned in closer towards Van.

Van's breath quickly stopped as Latanya's lips were only a few inches away from his. And, as if his body was moving on its own, he leaned forward.

"!!!" Latanya's eyes widened in shock as she suddenly felt a warm feeling on her lips. She opened her eyes, only to see nothing but Van's face, his lips connecting with hers.

In truth, she was just teasing Van… but to think he would truly do it. Her heart seemed like it jumped as she let her body take over, closing her eyes once again as her tongue slowly went inside Van's mouth. She had a lot of experience with men, as well as women... but for some odd reason, what she was feeling for Van was different. Something that she could not explain on her own.

It was... a weird attraction.

"Hm…"

"Van?"

"!!!"

Van then quickly pulled away. Opening his eyes due to a familiar voice suddenly calling for him. And slowly, his head turned towards the owner of the voice…

...only to see a familiar face that he hasn't seen in a long time-- a face he longed to see.

He should be glad… but why… Why was she here at this exact time? And how!?

"V… Victoria?"