The journey had been long, and the sun had begun its descent, casting golden hues over the endless stretches of sand and scattered rock formations. The air, once thick with the day's heat, had cooled slightly, though the exhaustion of walking for hours without proper rest had begun to weigh on them. Nate walked a few paces behind Sera and User, his steps measured and steady.
User turned his head slightly, glancing back at Nate with a smirk. "What's wrong? Can't keep up?" His tone was laced with condescension, his amusement clear.
Nate met his gaze but didn't respond immediately. He merely smiled, unfazed by the attempted taunt. He wasn't the type to rise to petty provocations. Walking at a controlled pace wasn't a sign of weakness—it was a matter of energy conservation.
Sera, who had been listening to User's jabs for most of the journey, sighed in irritation. "Enough, User," she said, shaking her head. "This isn't a competition."