NOVEL WEB Chapter 48: Desire
This was day three of their survival and the twenty-seven remained out of original one—hundred squad members.
The squad walked slowly across the huge, empty desert. Sand stretched around them with no end in sight. Their clothes were dirty and heavy, and their boots sank into the soft ground with every step.
The sun was beginning to fall, but the heat still clawed at their backs. One knight kicked at the sand in frustration, sending dry grains scattering.
"We don't have any water," he said angrily,
The mage with storage magic died from the chaos in the forest. They had relied on him. His magic kept their supplies cool and hidden, protected from desert beasts and heat.
Gabby had given the squad his last supply of food and water, but it wasn't enough for all twenty-seven of them. Hunger gnawed at their stomachs, and the heat only made it worse.
Von glanced down at the worn map in his hands and said, "The waterfall should be nearby."
One of the knights suddenly shouted, pointing ahead. "Look! There's a lake!"
A loud cheer broke across the squad as they saw the lake glimmering ahead, like a miracle tucked between sunburnt hills. Feet that had dragged for hours now moved faster, some knights even broke into a run, laughing hoarsely.
"It's real!" one shouted, nearly tripping in the sand.
Tharos knelt at the edge of the lake, cupping both hands together and dipping them into the water. His eyes sparkled with hope, a small smile forming as the cool surface touched his skin.
But before he could raise it to his lips, Von's hand shot out, gripping his shoulder firmly.
"Wait," Von said, voice low and steady. "We can't trust a lake in the middle of the desert."
He added, "There was something off. Too perfect and calm. And in this cursed desert, miracles never came without a price."
His companion nodded slowly, realizing Von's point made sense. There hadn't been any rain, and the sun earlier was scorching hot. A lake suddenly appearing in the desert didn't feel right. But there was no way to know if the water was safe unless someone was brave or foolish enough to drink it.
Kalen was a knight with an average look at best. A jagged scar ran from just above his brow, slicing diagonally down to his cheek. It was the same scar that reminded him every day that he wasn't handsome.
During his childhood, he had been bullied for his rough face—and that scar was one of the cruel results. From then on, he trained his body relentlessly and made a promise to himself: one day, he would "reverse bully" every handsome person he met.
He didn't consider Gabby handsome mostly because of Gabby's long hair and bangs and never saw his face. But what Kalen hated most was being defended by Maya. It made his pride sting in a way no blade ever could.
Kalen saw a chance to stir trouble. He slung his arm around Gabby's shoulder and said with a sly grin, "Gabby's willing to drink it, right?" His eyes narrowed into a glare.
Maya stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Leave him alone, Kalen. I can't believe you're still holding onto that grudge. He's not drinking that water."
Kalen clicked his tongue and let go of Gabby's shoulder.
Gabby thought to himself:
"I developed immunity to poison through intense training and constant exposure to venom and toxins. At first, it was grueling, and I felt like I could die. But each time I survived, my aura slowly adapted.
Eventually, it gained the ability to detect poison the moment it touches my skin, enters my breath, or reaches my bloodstream. Once detected, the poison is neutralized instantly. Because I've faced so many life-threatening toxins, my aura learned to shield my cells directly.
Now, poison can't reach my cells before my aura intercepts and destroys it. It acts like a natural antidote. I believe this is because I have a green aura, which has a strong connection to poison."
He raised his hand and spoke in a quiet voice, "Actually, I'm thirsty. Is it okay if I drink from this lake?"
Maya tried to protest but was stopped by Kalen holding her wrist.
Gabby walked past Maya as his eyes willed in tears as he quitely said, "I'm sorry!"
He thought to himself, "A dramatic touch as he slowly scoop a mouthful of water with his both hands and gulp a mouthful of water.
"The water didn't taste poisoned. If anything, it was just bitter. Still, I had a bad feeling about it."
After five minutes, Kalen asked, "Gabby, how do you feel? What did the water taste like?"
I replied, "It tasted bitter, but that's expected from a desert lake with sand grains. I think it's safe to drink."
Without hesitation, the rest of the squad lifted their gourds and happily scooped up the water, except for the squad leader, Von, who refused to drink.
Amber, on the other hand, vomited the water immediately. Her restriction made everything she ate taste like garbage.
And so, they continued their long journey across the desert, searching for the waterfall said to lie at its end.
As they walk. Gabby felt groggy and tipsy.
He thought to himself, "I'm tired and with constant walking a sickness as a restriction. Makes me feel sleepy."
Then suddenly—his heart started beating fast. Too fast.
He stopped.
There was someone ahead. A figure standing still in the heat haze. Gabby's eyes widened. He knew that shape. That presence.
It was night but the desert was still hot, the air thick and dry. Sweat clung to his skin. The stars above offered no comfort.
It was him.
The person he hated more than anyone else. The one who filled him with anger, pain, and the need for revenge.
The Chief Commander of the South.
The South's Strongest Sword.
One of the Kingdom's Top Ten.
An ascended Hero who reached the Grandmaster tier.
The man who killed his father.
Darius Foxsen II
The man he swore to kill was right in front of him.