"Captain, what's wrong?"
The rescue team had loaded up with supplies again and gathered at Ink City's gate, ready to depart.
Every one of them had bloodshot eyes. Clearly, they hadn't had a proper rest in a long time.
In the distance...
Several Reserve Corps soldiers hurried back from the Wilderness, carrying a small box with solemn expressions.
A black-and-white photograph hung on the box.
In the photograph, a middle-aged man stood atop the pass, gazing into the distance, a cigarette dangling crookedly from his mouth and a faint, roguish smile on his lips.
A shot from the side.
Perhaps it was also the only photograph he had left behind.
Sun Wen froze in place, his mind going blank for a moment. His gaze fixed on the photograph on the box, and his fists clenched unconsciously.
At that moment, he didn't even know what he was thinking. He simply let those Reserve Corps soldiers walk past him with heavy steps until they disappeared into the distance.
For a moment, countless memories flashed through Sun Wen's mind like photographs.
Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes without him noticing.
His body went somewhat limp, and he leaned against the vehicle, as though a piece of his world were missing.
"Captain? Captain?"
"Captain, what's wrong?"
One rescue team member after another noticed something wrong with Sun Wen and gathered around him, asking with concern.
Sun Wen gradually came back to his senses. He took a deep breath and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. "I'm fine. Probably just low blood sugar. Let's go."
"Why don't you sit this trip out and rest? I'll lead the team."
A middle-aged man frowned slightly at Sun Wen's condition and spoke.
Sun Wen shook his head and forced a smile. "I'm fine.