It had been ten days.
Ten days since he left her side.
Ten days since he walked into a battle with the greatest threat to humanity.
Valerie couldn't sit still anymore.
She looked at the others. They were fast asleep in their sleeping bags.
As promised, the system was taking care of everyone's basic needs within the resting zone.
A separate zone for the washroom. Three meals a day, some arrangements for beverages.
But even with food and shelter, none of them were truly at ease.
They were worried—anxious about what was going on outside.
No one asked too many questions, neither to her nor the system.
But Valerie could still sense it in their eyes. The quiet unease. The tension.
And more than anyone else, Valerie was the most restless.
She wanted to know where he was.
She missed him.
Even a single word from him would be enough—just something to let her know he was okay.
But each time she asked the system about him, it gave the same reply:
