I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 198: 198:Checkpoint.

The checkpoint gates closed behind Silver’s vehicle with a heavy metallic groan. For the first time since leaving the Sanctuary that morning, both Silver and Ravenna allowed themselves to truly relax.

The tension that had lingered since the ambush gradually melted away. Inside the walls, the checkpoint felt like a miniature city built solely for contractors.

The streets were narrower, but they were alive with activity. Uniformed soldiers patrolled every intersection while contractors moved between shops carrying freshly harvested beast materials.

Mechanics worked beneath raised vehicles in open garages, their tools ringing rhythmically against steel. Restaurants gave off the aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread, attracting weary travelers who had spent days in the wilderness.

The entire checkpoint revolved around one purpose. Preparing people to leave, or helping them recover after returning, it was making sure everyone was as comfortable as possible.

Silver drove slowly through the main street until they reached the accommodation district.

The checkpoint inns were simpler. Most were built from reinforced concrete and steel, designed more for durability than comfort.

A wooden sign hanging above one entrance read:

Traveler’s Rest Inn.

”It looks decent,” Ravenna said.

Silver nodded.

”It should be enough for one night.”

He parked outside before the two of them climbed out. The receptionist looked up as they entered.

She was a middle-aged woman wearing the checkpoint’s employee uniform and greeted them with a professional smile.

”Welcome, are you staying the night?”

Silver nodded.

”Just one.”

She reached beneath the counter and produced a registration tablet.

”Single room or double?”

Silver instinctively looked toward Ravenna.

”What kind of room do you want?”

Ravenna blinked. She hadn’t expected him to ask. For several seconds, she simply stood there in thought. Her grey eyes shifted briefly toward him before returning to the counter.

”...One bed should do.”

The words were spoken quietly, almost carefully. Silver froze for the briefest moment.

”...One bed?”

Ravenna’s cheeks warmed slightly. She maintained a composed expression, but the faint blush around her ears betrayed her embarrassment.

”We’ve... shared worse situations.” She cleared her throat. ”We trust each other, and it’ll cost less.”

Silver suspected the final reason wasn’t actually the real one, still... A smile slowly appeared on his face.

”If you’re comfortable with that...”

”I am.” She answered almost immediately.

Silver turned back toward the receptionist.

”Then we’ll go with that.”

The receptionist’s smile became just a little wider.

”Certainly.”

She completed the registration without another word before sliding a keycard across the counter.

”Third floor, room 312. Breakfast begins at six if you’re still here.”

Silver thanked her before picking up the key. As they walked toward the stairs, he couldn’t help glancing sideways at Ravenna.

She noticed almost instantly.

”...What?”

”Nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes.

”You look happy.”

”I am.”

”...Why?”

Silver chuckled softly.

”I was just surprised, that’s all.”

Ravenna looked away, pretending to inspect the hallway instead.

”I simply thought...” She paused. ”...it would be strange if we still acted awkward around each other.”

Silver couldn’t disagree. After everything they had experienced together, sharing a room no longer felt unusual.

The room itself wasn’t luxurious. It contained a single large bed positioned against one wall, a small desk, a wardrobe, and a bathroom.

One wide window overlooked the checkpoint’s eastern wall, where floodlights illuminated the road leading toward the Yellow Zone.

It was simple, clean, and exactly what traveling contractors needed. Silver placed their luggage beside the wardrobe before stretching.

”...This feels nice.”

Ravenna smiled.

”It’s like we’re getting luxury in the middle of war or something worse.”

She laughed.

”I was thinking the same thing.”

After washing away the dust from the day’s journey, both changed into clean clothes. Silver emerged from the bathroom wearing a simple black shirt and comfortable trousers.

Ravenna had changed into a white sweater and dark pants, leaving her long hair loose over her shoulders. Silver paused for a second.

She noticed.

”...Again?”

”You look beautiful.”

The compliment came so naturally that Ravenna blinked. A faint blush colored her cheeks.

”...Thank you.”

Silver smiled.

”You don’t have to thank me; I’m just stating a fact.”

She rolled her eyes, though the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

”...You’re getting smoother each day.”

”I’ve been practicing.”

She laughed.

”I can tell; keep it up.”

A few minutes later, they left the room together and headed downstairs. The checkpoint’s dining hall occupied most of the ground floor.

Compared to the quiet hotel above, it buzzed with conversation. Contractors discussed missions over steaming bowls of food.

Soldiers laughed together after finishing their shifts. Several mechanics sat in one corner eating enormous portions after spending the entire day repairing vehicles.

Silver and Ravenna found an empty table near one of the windows. A waitress approached almost immediately.

”What can I get you?”

Silver looked at Ravenna.

”You choose.”

She thought for a moment.

”...Grilled beast meat, rice, and vegetable soup.”

Silver nodded.

”The same for me.”

The meals arrived surprisingly quickly. Neither spoke much at first; both were hungry after everything that had happened. The grilled meat was seasoned simply but cooked perfectly.

After finishing nearly half his meal, Silver finally broke the silence.

”We should sell most of our Tier One beast cores tomorrow.”

Ravenna nodded.

”We don’t really need them anymore. They’re useful for beginners, but for us, the value is better as money.”

She took another bite before continuing.

”We should probably keep the Tier Two cores.”

Silver agreed.

”They’ll still be useful, and the Tier Three cores. We might need them later.”

Ravenna nodded.

The conversation naturally shifted toward finances. Between the laboratory expedition, the beast cores, the tiger, the invisible snake, and today’s bandit camp, their income had increased considerably.

Silver mentally reviewed everything they currently possessed.

”...We’re in a much better position than when we left Delta Four.”

Ravenna smiled.

”We actually made more money despite us spending quite a bit. It’s like we’ve gotten everything we used in the sanctuary back.”

”We actually did, with extra, and the bounty should help even more.”

She looked thoughtful.

”What do you think you’ll spend it on?”

Silver answered honestly.

”Probably supplies, maybe a spatial item if I ever find one.”

”They’re rare.”

”They are, but worth watching for.”

Ravenna nodded.

”I’ll probably buy more ammunition and an extra sword.”

Silver smiled.

”You’ve already started planning.”

She shrugged.

”Traveling makes you think ahead.”

”It does.”

Dinner ended with both feeling pleasantly full; instead of returning immediately upstairs, they took a short walk around the checkpoint.

Night had fully settled. Floodlights illuminated every major road while patrols continued moving along the walls.

The atmosphere felt calm and safe, a welcome change after the dangers of the day. Eventually they returned to their room.

Silver checked the locks out of habit before setting his sword within arm’s reach beside the bed.

Ravenna noticed.

”You’ll one day end up knocking it away while asleep when you put it so close, or it will come out of the scabbard.”

”That’s too hypothetical; I don’t think I’m that unlucky.”

She smiled knowingly before placing her own sword beside the opposite side of the bed. The room fell quiet. Silver switched off the main light, leaving only the soft glow from the bedside lamp.

Ravenna slipped beneath the blanket first.

”...Goodnight.”

Silver lay down beside her, leaving a respectful distance between them.

”Goodnight.”

For a while, neither slept. The events of the day lingered quietly in their thoughts. Finally Ravenna spoke into the darkness.

”...Thank you.”

Silver turned his head slightly.

”For what?”

”For saving me and everything.”

He immediately knew which moment she meant. His expression softened.

”I’ll always save you if I can.”

She smiled to herself.

”I know.”

The room became silent once more. Within minutes, Ravenna’s breathing gradually became slow and steady. She had fallen asleep.

Silver listened to the quiet rhythm for a moment before closing his own eyes.