The walk to the settlement's outer boundary didn't take long, and there was no fanfare waiting for them once they reached it. No crowd, no speeches, just a quiet acknowledgment settling over the small group gathered to see them off.
Yewon stood at the front of it, arms crossed, the same measured composure she'd carried since the moment she first appeared through the dust hours earlier. She didn't offer empty pleasantries, no rehearsed line about safe travels. Just a nod, simple and direct, carrying more weight in its restraint than any longer send-off would have.
Jin returned it the same way. Whatever understanding they'd reached tonight didn't need extra words to hold.
Daeho stood a step behind her, rolling one shoulder with a wince. "Not gonna lie," he said, "you all put up more of a fight than I expected. Figured I'd be the one doing the crushing tonight, not getting handed my own boots back with a bruise to match."
"We aim to exceed expectations," Jin said.
