As ti went on, the chief's voice gradually grew louder. Wilkins, though flustered, tried his best to wrap up the situation in a way that wouldn’t make things worse.
"Isn't the physical test important? If the frontline isn’t properly prepared, it puts the lives of the other team mbers at risk, and—"
"Why are you deciding that on your own? You should’ve reported it to first! And if you didn’t trust them, you could’ve just left Miller behind! You could have had him do the grunt work, you know! But instead, you drag Miller out and stir up this ss? Do you think I’m a scarecrow or sothing, huh?!"
The voices of the commotion had disappeared, leaving only the chief’s booming voice echoing. Wilkins could only lower his head, repeatedly muttering, “I’m sorry.” The chief, his face flushed red, looked around and, after confirming that Grayson wasn’t present, let out a harsh voice once again.
"So, what happened? Is it still not over? When did you start?"
After the barrage of questions, Wilkins answered obediently.
"It’s been about three hours."
"What...?!"
Actually, it had been 3 hours and 50 minutes, but everyone kept quiet, nervously watching the chief. As «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» expected, the chief exploded with anger, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"At most, it should have taken two hours, and you’re telling it’s been three hours? And what are all of you doing here? Get Miller here, now! You can deal with it later!"
The chief pointed his finger at Wilkins, growling. Wilkins had no choice but to turn and hurriedly gather his team.
“We might be on our way back, so let’s go up in the opposite direction. And let’s take dical supplies just in case...”
He quickly selected a few of the top perforrs and issued commands. Those who were ready grabbed the necessary items and rushed to prepare for the climb. The sun was setting soon, and if they didn’t hurry...
"Uh, uh?"
Soone let out a stunned exclamation. The people who had turned their heads out of curiosity stopped in their tracks. As they noticed the strange atmosphere, those who had caught on followed their gazes, and they too froze. At the end of their sight, the man they had been waiting for was walking toward them.
Grayson Miller.
His once-beautiful golden hair was covered in dirt and leaves, now completely dust-covered. His body was covered in scratches and torn wounds, his clothes were in tatters, and his face was swollen, as if he had been beaten. After a day, bruises would surely be forming all over him.
"Well, well, Captain."
As if nothing had happened, he waved one hand brightly. His face, showing a smile that revealed his white teeth, made everyone freeze in shock. Amidst the stunned gazes, Grayson casually walked up and stood in front of Wilkins.
"I’m back. So, is the test over now? I finished it without any issues, so I should be able to participate in the field now, right?"
Though he looked like a ss, Grayson stood tall and confident. Even in his battered state, he was claiming he was fine. He didn’t tattle on Dane for hitting him or demand to know who the instigator was or throw a tantrum.
The chief, who had secretly been worried about Grayson making a scene or threatening to withdraw donations or even suing the whole fire departnt, blinked dumbly, looking at him with confusion. From the mont Grayson showed up to apply for the job, it had been impossible to understand what he was thinking.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
It wasn’t just the chief who was confused. His question about whether he could now join the field? It sounded absurdly innocent. He was clearly a seasoned man, but how could he look so pure, like a child?
The word "pure" had died a thousand tis over, and yet it could never co close to describing that man, not even by a milliter.
"Uh, uh... yeah, right."
Wilkins nodded absent-mindedly, and behind him, Ezra, snapping back to reality, shouted.
"Dane?"
As if triggered by that word, voices rang out from all around, filled with surprise.
"Yeah, what happened to Dane?"
"He was definitely faster than you, why are you the first one back?"
"You bastard! What did you do to Dane? There’s no way you’d co back before him!"
As the chaos escalated, soone suddenly shouted in surprise.
"Dane!"
At first, the voice was drowned out by the murmurs, but another person who happened to hear it looked up, and soon, they shouted in astonishnt.
"Look! It’s Dane! Dane’s here!"
"Dane? Where, where is he?"
Those who finally realized what was going on started to look around frantically, then froze in place. From the direction Grayson had co, Dane was walking toward them. His exhausted feet dragging as he trudged along. Seeing this, his colleagues scread and rushed toward him.
"Dane!"
"Dane, you’re here!"
"What happened? We were worried! Are you hurt?"
"My god, what happened to you..."
Surrounded by everyone, Dane silently nodded, not saying a word. It looked like he didn’t want to talk anymore, but no one seed to want to stop asking. The chaos was soon brought under control by the chief.
"Everyone, quiet down! Back to your positions!"
At the chief’s loud command, the staff quickly stepped back, surprised. The path that opened before Dane, like the Red Sea parting, led directly to the chief. Showing an unmistakable expression of reluctance, Dane walked toward the chief. The chief briefly scanned Dane’s entire body and clicked his tongue.
"What’s this ss?"
The chief sighed, sounding incredulous. And it made sense—just like Grayson, Dane was a ss. His soft red-blond hair was all tangled, covered in leaves and small twigs, and his face was bruised, blood dried on it. His torn uniform hung loosely. The chief rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated, and said,
"You’ve ruined your handso face like this... Reflect on it."
Dane was the face of the fire station. He had graced the calendar every year, and the year he appeared on the cover, the calendars sold out instantly. People often ca to the fire station just to see Dane’s face. His image helped the fire station gather donations, but here he was, recklessly throwing his body around.
"Your body is not just yours. It belongs to all of us!"
The chief reprimanded him gravely. Then, in response to Wilkins’ remarks about being reckless, and the potential consequences of having scars on his face, he added that Dane should go to the ergency room. But the only thing that caught Dane’s ear was the last thing he said.
"For the next two days, you’ll be on paid leave. Rest well, understood?"
Only then did Dane smile faintly and nod.
"Sure, thanks."
"Wait, suddenly?"
"No, we all made a ss, but only Dane gets paid leave? Does this make sense?"
"This isn’t fair! Where’s the equality?"
Naturally, strong protests followed. But the chief stood firm.
"You all dragged Dane into this! Dane is an individualist who doesn’t care about others! He wouldn’t have gone and made this ss by himself unless it was sothing personal like sex, money, or cats! Am I wrong? After all this, what are you going to say? Everyone, reflect!"
Though there was nothing wrong with his words, it sohow felt like Dane had been scolded. Embarrassed, everyone fell silent, but Dane added insult to injury with his sarcastic remark.
"Right. As expected, the chief knows everything."
With his hand over his chest, smiling as if moved, the others stared at him in disbelief. As they sighed and muttered curses, Dane cast them a side glance, as if daring them to speak up. Of course, no one dared to.
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