MY HIDDEN TALENT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE HEAVENS-Chapter 120: STEAM BEFORE THE FEAST

Chapter 120 — STEAM BEFORE THE FEAST

The lanterns inside the lodging had been dimmed to a warm amber glow. Armor lay stacked neatly near the entrance. Weapons rested within arm’s reach of their owners, a habit too ingrained to ignore even in a grateful village.

Colby had just stretched out fully on his mat when the knock came.

Three measured raps against stone.

Zehell’s eyes opened instantly.

Colby groaned. "If that’s another King-tier, tell it to come back tomorrow."

Zehell crossed the room in two silent steps and opened the door.

The village head stood outside, smiling awkwardly, hands clasped behind his back. Two young villagers held lanterns behind him, their faces bright with excitement.

"Forgive the interruption," the old man said warmly. "But I did not know hunters retire so early."

Colby sat up. "Retire? We were dying peacefully."

The village head chuckled. "We have prepared a proper feast. The least we can offer. But before that... you must wash away today’s burden."

Ryn blinked. "Wash?"

"Hot springs," the old man declared proudly. "Natural mineral springs. Just beyond the eastern ridge. They ease the muscles, clear the mind."

Marek looked tempted.

Darius simply stood.

Colby was already halfway to the door. "Lead the way."

Zehell hesitated a fraction of a second. Her gaze swept the horizon beyond the doorway. Quiet. Stable.

"Forty-five minutes," she said. "No exceptions."

The village head beamed. "This way."

—

The springs were nestled into a shallow rocky depression, steam rising in soft white ribbons into the cool desert night. Smooth stones had been arranged to form separate enclosed basins. Lanterns hung along the walls, their reflections dancing on the water’s surface.

The air smelled faintly of minerals and something herbal.

Colby stepped in first.

"...Oh."

His entire expression melted.

"This," he declared, "is civilization."

Marek slid in more cautiously, sighing as the heat soaked into him. "I take back every complaint I’ve ever made about this village."

Darius entered with methodical calm, lowering himself until only his shoulders remained above the water. "Efficient muscle recovery," he muttered approvingly.

Ryn dipped one foot in, flinched slightly, then sank down fully. "Okay. I admit it. This is... nice."

Long Hao stepped in last.

The warmth wrapped around him immediately, dissolving the lingering stiffness from the earlier fight. The tension in his chest eased. His breathing slowed.

Steam blurred the lantern light, softening the world.

Colby leaned back, eyes closed. "If we fought a King-tier every day and ended like this, I’d never complain again."

"You complained five minutes ago," Marek pointed out.

"That was before enlightenment."

Darius cracked one eye open. "You are loud."

Colby splashed water toward him lightly.

Ryn laughed. "Careful. He’ll spear you."

Long Hao listened quietly, letting the banter wash over him. It felt... strangely normal. No ancient anchors. No fragmented logs. No subterranean pulses.

Just heat. Steam. Voices.

"Hey," Colby called suddenly, pointing at Long Hao. "You’re too quiet. That mean you’re thinking something dramatic?"

"No," Long Hao replied calmly.

"That’s worse."

Marek smirked. "He’s plotting."

"Against hot springs?" Long Hao asked.

"Never underestimate water," Ryn said solemnly.

Colby scooped a handful and flung it toward Marek.

Steam exploded upward as Marek retaliated immediately.

Within seconds, the controlled relaxation dissolved into splashing chaos.

Darius attempted to maintain composure.

Failed.

Ryn slipped slightly and grabbed Colby’s shoulder, dragging him halfway under in the process.

"Traitor!" Colby sputtered.

Marek ducked beneath the water entirely, resurfacing behind Darius like some aquatic ambush predator.

Darius finally snapped, shoving Marek back with controlled force.

Water sloshed over the stone rim.

Laughter echoed off the walls.

Even Long Hao felt a faint smile tug at the corner of his mouth.

From the other side of the stone partition, Zehell’s voice cut through the noise.

"Is the spring under attack?"

Colby froze mid-splash.

"...Negative."

"Then lower your volume."

"Yes, Captain," three voices answered at once.

Colby scooped another handful of water and launched it toward Marek with exaggerated precision.

"Headshot."

Marek ducked just in time, the splash hitting Darius instead.

There was a pause.

Darius slowly turned his head.

The look he gave Colby was not angry.

It was disappointed.

Colby raised both hands immediately. "Strategic miscalculation."

Ryn snorted. "Your entire life is a strategic miscalculation."

Darius, without warning, submerged fully under the water.

Colby frowned. "Where did he—"

A powerful shove from below launched Colby half out of the spring.

Water erupted everywhere.

Marek burst out laughing so hard he choked on steam.

"Ambush successful," Darius said calmly, resurfacing like nothing had happened.

Colby wiped water from his eyes. "You can’t just disappear like that!"

"I can," Darius replied.

Ryn leaned back, grinning. "You know what this means."

"No," Colby said immediately.

"Yes," Marek answered at the same time.

All three of them lunged toward Colby at once.

For a few seconds, it was pure chaos—splashing, laughter, someone slipping against smooth stone, Colby attempting to defend himself while loudly accusing everyone of betrayal.

"Captain!" he shouted toward the divider. "Morale exercise underway!"

Zehell’s voice came dry and unimpressed. "If the spring cracks, you’re paying for it."

Colby froze mid-splash.

"...Understood."

—

On the other side, Zehell stepped into the spring with deliberate calm. Steam curled around her shoulders as she lowered herself into the water.

The mineral heat seeped into her muscles, easing the strain from the Tyrant engagement.

She exhaled softly.

Her green hair, tied loosely earlier, fell around her shoulders, darkened slightly by the steam’s moisture.

Ryn peeked instinctively toward the partition and immediately turned his head away.

"I’m guarding," he muttered quickly.

Colby snorted. "Hero of integrity."

Marek elbowed him lightly.

Zehell ignored them all.

She leaned back against the stone, eyes half-lidded.

For a rare moment, she allowed herself to relax.

The heat softened the edge of vigilance without dulling it entirely.

Long Hao, separated by stone and steam, closed his eyes.

The warmth pulled him inward.

Memories did not surge this time.

No fractured logs.

No corrupted archive warnings.

Just breath.

Just presence.

Colby’s voice drifted through the steam again.

"You think the feast will be good?"

"It’s a village," Marek replied. "Not a palace."

"After today, I’d eat sand if it was cooked."

Darius hummed faintly in agreement.

Ryn stretched lazily in the water. "We should do this after every raid."

Zehell’s voice floated over calmly. "Focus."

"Yes, Captain," Colby said automatically.

Silence settled again.

The steam rose steadily into the night sky.

Lantern light flickered softly against damp stone.

For the first time in days, Bronze Squad allowed themselves to simply exist—no battle stance, no calculation, no imminent threat.

Just warmth. Just laughter.

Just the quiet hum of survival.

And beyond the springs, beyond the village walls—

The desert wind moved patiently across the dunes.

[Chapter ENDS]