Number Five

Heeding Pandora's words, Xiao Feng seemed to abandon the thought of searching for Kelly. Yet, given all that had transpired, sleep eluded him. Resigned, he and Pandora settled together inside the Trident aircraft, closing the canopy as they began to converse.

Had Pandora been an ordinary woman, Xiao Feng might never have shared such close quarters with her. But she was a cyborg; thus, spending the night together in the cockpit was void of any impropriety.

After a while, Pandora noticed the silence—Xiao Feng had quietly fallen asleep, his brow gently furrowed in repose. Watching him, she sighed softly, reclining against the pilot's seat. After a moment's reflection, she programmed herself into a dormant state and slowly drifted into "sleep" as well.

The next morning, Rush and Tugou arrived early at the hangar, unaware of the previous night's events. Approaching the aircraft, they spotted Pandora emerging, preparing for a routine inspection.

Rush smiled and remarked, "Up early, huh?"

"Early? We came last night to bring Xiao Feng some food and then left," Pandora replied calmly.

"Food for Xiao Feng?"

"Yes, he's still asleep inside the plane."

"Sleeping in the plane? You two spent the night together?" Rush asked, surprised.

"I'm a cyborg—what could possibly happen? What a joke," Pandora answered with a slight smirk.

Remembering Pandora's mechanical nature, Rush ceased questioning and went off to find something for Xiao Feng to eat. The airport's restaurant provided some simple provisions.

Meanwhile, Pandora meticulously inspected the Trident once more, then prepared it for takeoff.

Returning, Rush entered the cockpit and found Xiao Feng still asleep. "When did he even go to bed?"

"Around two or three in the morning, I'd say."

"Why sleep here?"

"Love's troubles," Pandora answered nonchalantly, starting the engine. Slowly, the aircraft rolled out of the hangar.

"Love troubles? Who hurt Xiao Feng this time?"

Rush and Tugou exchanged puzzled glances.

"Kelly's sister—Kelly," Pandora explained.

"Kelly? How? What happened?"

Pandora's voice remained indifferent. "That spoiled heiress got involved with Jason's son. So…"

Upon hearing this, Rush and Tugou understood immediately. After all, all three were employees of Victoria Corporation, so no further questions were asked.

Pandora piloted the Trident into a vertical ascent, then surged southward with great speed.

Over an hour into the flight, Xiao Feng finally stirred from his slumber. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at Rush. "Where are we now?"

"Remember you're on a plane? We've crossed the Black Sea and are nearly over Africa."

"Got it. I'll send you the coordinates." Groggy, Xiao Feng shook his head and activated his communicator. He relayed a saved coordinate to Pandora, who memorized it before saying, "I've had Rush prepare some food for you. Eat a little."

"I'm not hungry. I'll rest a bit longer…" Xiao Feng leaned back, eyes closing again.

Rush urged, "Stop sleeping or you'll turn into a fool. Get up and eat. We still have to find your friend. Tell me, does your friend have any special abilities?"

Irritated, Xiao Feng replied, "I've never met him. How would I know? We'll find out once we get there."

"Well, you've got to eat something. What if you starve? How would I explain that?"

"No, no appetite…"

Their journey spanned nearly half the globe. As they flew over the Sahara Desert, the aircraft's fuel warning suddenly blared.

Pandora glanced at the fuel gauge and frowned. "Trouble. The magic crystal's energy is running low."

"No way! Didn't you check the plane before takeoff?" Tugou asked in disbelief.

"I did. But I overlooked the magic crystal's energy levels."

Sitting upright, Xiao Feng asked, "How far to our destination?"

"Over two thousand kilometers. We won't make it."

"Then we land and hunt a Class-C magical beast," Xiao Feng decided. Looking around the plane, he realized, "Damn… I didn't bring Black Angel."

Pandora smiled confidently. "Class-C beasts are no problem. Leave it to me."

She began descending, the Trident's thrusters stirring up a sandstorm as they landed smoothly atop a dune.

Xiao Feng activated his wrist communicator to scan for nearby Class-C beasts. One by one, Tugou, Rush, and Pandora disembarked, followed last by Xiao Feng.

Scanning the area, he muttered, "Trouble. No Class-C beasts within a wide radius."

"No way! How can that be?" Tugou exclaimed.

Pandora explained, "Mammals barely survive in this desert. Naturally, magical beasts are scarce too."

"So what do we do?" Tugou asked.

Xiao Feng frowned. "If mammals are rare here, then reptiles must be plentiful. I bet there are Class-B magical beasts around. If we can get a Class-B magic crystal, it'd be better than Class-C. But my communicator can't detect Class-B beasts."

"Then we'll just wait for a Class-B beast to find us."

Feeling the scorching sun's heat searing his skin, Xiao Feng sighed. "How long must we wait?"

"Class-B beasts need to eat too. Your human scent will surely attract them. You might even shed some blood—that scent will draw them right here."

Xiao Feng nodded in agreement. "Right, Rush, let some blood out."

"What? Why me? Why don't you bleed?"

"I've lost my healing powers. I'm scared of the pain."

"I'm not afraid."

"Stop talking nonsense—I'm bleeding to death here. How am I supposed to explain this?"

"All right, all right… I'll bleed." Rush extended his arm. Pandora's lips curled into a faint smile as her long knife suddenly sprang forth with a sharp snick.