Not because of the weather — but because Dan Heng hadn’t said a single word since the mission ended.

You walked beside him through the dimly lit docks, your footsteps echoing against metal platforms. You weren’t sure what part of the fight upset him… until you remembered the moment you fell.

Just once. One misstep. You slipped on shattered jade tiles, and the enemy’s spear grazed you before Dan Heng drove his own spear through it with frightening precision.

He’d grabbed you by the arm so tightly you could still feel the phantom pressure.

Now he was silent, distant, jaw clenched.

You finally stopped walking. “Dan Heng.”

He halted, but didn’t look back.

You took a step closer. “Can you talk to me?”

His shoulders rose slightly… then fell.

“You could have died.”

The way he said it — low, almost hoarse — hit harder than the wound itself.