Chương 87: [87] Bonds Forged in Chaos
"Yo, Levi!" Billy greeted cheerfully. "You're just in time. Check this out—I just finished my latest weapon!"
Levi glanced briefly at the rifle in Billy's hands before walking past him toward the small kitchen in the corner of the room. "You really can't sit still, can you?" he replied in his usual monotone, setting his bag of groceries on the table.
Billy feigned a wounded expression. "Oh, come on, Levi! At least give me some praise or something! I spent two hours on this, you know!"
Levi turned to him, his cold expression unchanged. "Good. Now we can use it if trouble shows up. Done."
Billy laughed, spinning the rifle in his hands before setting it back on the table. "You're such an icicle, Levi. Is there any excitement in you, or were you just born with that frozen face?"
Levi sighed deeply, crossing his arms as he stared at Billy, who was now fiddling with the rifle again. "I just don't have time for jokes, Billy. We're in the Strife Zone. This place isn't made for messing around."
Billy grinned mischievously, shrugging nonchalantly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. We're here on assignment, right? Helping Lord Roland expand his domain as part of the unification plan. Oh, and stamping out those pesky little rebellions, too."
Levi arched an eyebrow at him, his expression unchanging. "You know, you really have a talent for making something complicated sound like a weekend picnic."
Billy leaned back in his chair, still smiling. "Hey, I'm just trying to make everything sound a bit more fun. No one likes hearing about hard work all the time. You've gotta find the silver lining, right?"
Levi exhaled again, this time more briefly. "Silver lining? We're in a region full of armed rebels where one wrong move could mean the end of us. I don't see much of a silver lining here, Billy."
Billy tapped the rifle with confidence. "That's why we've got this! And our brains. If we work together, I'm sure nothing can beat us."
Levi stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "You know what, Billy? Sometimes I wonder how you've survived this long."
Billy flashed a wide, toothy grin. "Because I'm smart, handsome, and ridiculously lucky, of course."
"Sure," Levi replied dryly, rolling his eyes with an exasperated sigh. It was practically a reflex at this point, every time Billy leaned into his antics.
Unbothered, Billy chuckled, setting the rifle aside before clapping his hands. "Alright, Levi, time for dinner. I'm starving!"
While Billy was known for his humor, meals were something he took seriously. Together, the two began working in their small kitchen, unpacking the groceries Levi had brought. Unlike most in the Strife Zone who subsisted on bland oatmeal or scraps, Billy and Levi knew how to turn their simple supplies into a feast.
Billy expertly chopped vegetables and meat while Levi prepared spices. Soon, the tantalizing aroma of a hearty soup filled the room, making their stomachs growl in anticipation.
"At least you've got a knack for cooking," Levi commented, tasting the soup as it simmered. "I'll admit, you really know how to brighten things up."
Billy grinned. "Of course! You can't fight on an empty stomach. Good food is the secret weapon."
As they sat down to eat, the front door creaked open. Both turned simultaneously to see Aleksander Ryback—or Alex—stumble in.
He looked as though he had just emerged from a battlefield. His clothes were caked with mud, his dark hair disheveled, and his sharp bangs partially obscured his crimson eyes, which glowed like embers.
"I'm back," Alex announced, collapsing onto the nearest chair. The pungent smell of sweat and earth filled the room instantly.
Billy recoiled in mock horror, pointing a spoon at Alex. "Good grief, Alex! You smell like a swamp monster that's been dead for three days! Go take a bath before you ruin our dinner!"
Levi pinched the bridge of his nose, returning his attention to his plate. "For once, he's right, Alex. Please, clean yourself up before sitting here any longer."
Alex snorted, his ever-energetic grin unshaken despite their complaints. "I just finished training, okay? For your information, I found a massive boar out there. Dragging it back here was more important than a bath!"
Billy approached him dramatically, pinching his nose with one hand as he gestured wildly at Alex with the other. "Boar or not, buddy, you're a walking stink bomb! Go shower now, or I'm dragging you there myself!"
Laughing loudly, Alex raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! You win! You two are worse than my drill instructor!"
As Alex headed for the bathroom, Billy flopped back into his seat, shaking his head. "He's like an energy machine that doesn't know when to quit. How's he still alive in a place like this?"
Levi replied flatly, "Maybe his boundless energy is why he's still standing."
Once Alex returned, fresh and clean, the trio finally settled down to eat. Billy served a rich boar stew, complete with roasted vegetables and warm bread.
Alex took a large spoonful, his eyes lighting up. "This is amazing! Billy, you're a genius. I could eat like this every day."
Billy leaned back smugly. "Yeah, yeah, I know I'm great. You don't have to remind me."
Levi, eating quietly, chimed in, "At least he's good at something."
Alex turned to Billy curiously. "Why do you always show off your cooking skills? Don't you have another talent, like, I don't know, fighting?"
Billy chuckled, pointing his spoon at Alex. "I'm good at both, my friend. But unlike fighting, cooking doesn't get you injured."
Levi gave him a pointed look. "But if you don't stop talking, I might be tempted to fix that."
The table erupted in laughter, the warmth of their camaraderie filling the space despite the dangers looming outside.
As the plates were emptied, the mood grew more serious. Alex leaned forward, his fiery eyes glinting with determination. "So, what's the plan? I'm ready for something big."
Billy raised an eyebrow. "You really can't sit still, can you? We're here to support Lord Roland. That means doing whatever it takes to stabilize this region."
Levi added, his tone measured, "The rebellion here isn't just about power. Many involved are fighting because they have no other choice. We're not just here to fight—we're here to understand what's happening."
Alex nodded, though the fire in his eyes remained. "Alright, I get it. But when the fighting starts, put me on the front lines."
Billy clapped a hand on Alex's shoulder, grinning. "Don't worry, you'll get your chance. But remember, it's not just about fighting. We've got to stay alive, too, buddy."
Levi glanced between the two, his expression as neutral as ever, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "At least you two can agree on that."
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