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***
Daniel was still staring at the system interface, the faint glow reflecting in his eyes. The reward was incredible—far beyond anything he had expected. That was when he heard it,
"Dan!"
Evelyn's voice cracked with relief.
He barely had time to turn before she ran straight at him and threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight, trembling hug. Her whole body shook against him; everything she had held back until now—fear, terror, relief—finally broke free.
Daniel blinked, surprised for a heartbeat, then let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Well, well," he said softly, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I'd prefer a kiss instead of a hug. I did take a huge risk."
Evelyn didn't answer with words.
She just pulled back enough to see his face— eyes still searching him—
Then cupped his cheeks with both hands.
And kissed him.
It was desperate, fierce, the kind of kiss that only comes after thinking you might never see someone again.
Daniel's hand instinctively moved to her waist, pulling her closer as the entire chamber seemed to vanish around them.
For a moment, it was just the two of them.
No curses, no mummies, no danger—
Just Evelyn pouring everything she felt into him, and Daniel meeting it without hesitation.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless, Evelyn didn't let go. Her forehead rested against his chest.
"So Jonathan," O'Connell said, patting him on the shoulder with a smug grin, "looks like you've got yourself a pretty good brother-in-law."
Jonathan stared at Daniel and Evelyn — still wrapped around each other — and let out the most put-upon sigh in history.
"Oh, splendid," he muttered. "I knew this was coming, but really… would a little warning have killed you?"
Without even glancing his way, Evelyn said "Oh, hush, Jonathan."
"Utterly rude," Jonathan sniffed, already stepping aside to give them room.
***
The group rushed back into the Treasure Room — the familiar glow of gold lighting up the collapsing chamber.
Ardeth Bay and his Medjai had already gone ahead, leaving the four of them surrounded by mountains of treasure.
Jonathan didn't even hesitate.
He dove headfirst into a pile of gold coins like a man possessed. Gold flew everywhere.
"Finally!" he shouted. "Proper compensation for emotional trauma! And physical trauma! And mental trauma! Possibly spiritual trauma too!"
O'Connell laughed, shaking his head as he scooped up handfuls of jewels and shoved them into his bag. "Honestly? Hard to argue with him."
Evelyn dusted sand off her clothes, still slightly flushed from earlier. She turned to Daniel, eyebrow raised. "Aren't you going to take anything? A little piece of history? A priceless artifact? A gold brick?"
Daniel gave her a small, almost mischievous smile. Then he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
"No need," he said casually. "I already got my treasure."
Evelyn's face turned crimson in an instant.
"Oh—stop saying things like that…" she mumbled, lightly swatting his arm, though she didn't move away.
Jonathan froze mid-loot, a heavy gold bracelet dangling from his fingers.
"Oh, COME ON!" he shouted. "Really?! NOW?! Can't you two save the romance for when you two are alone?"
O'Connell made a face like he'd just tasted something sour. "Yeah, guys, dial it back a notch. I'm starting to feel like a third wheel."
Jonathan jabbed a finger at them. "This is emotional torture. Pure, unfiltered torture. I didn't sign up for public displays of affection!"
Daniel—very deliberately—tightened his hold on Evelyn just to annoy him. "Cry harder, future brother-in-law."
As they were heading out of the Treasury, Jonathan humming happily with his bag full of gold, Daniel stopped at the doorway and glanced back.
The others didn't notice.
Daniel smiled faintly.
His eyes were glowing red.
A soft ripple of crimson mist spread from his feet, slipping across the floor like a silent tide. It curled around every chest, every coin, every statue, every glittering relic in the room. It was his new ability and since it was gained from the system he has 100% control over it.
And then—
fwip—fwip—fwip
One by one, the treasures dissolved into red particles, sucked into nothingness.
No noise.
No dramatic flash.
No trace left behind.
By the time the mist faded and his eyes returned to normal, the Treasury Room was empty—completely bare.
Daniel turned back toward the group, hands in his pockets as if nothing had happened.
Like he said earlier…
He definitely wasn't leaving without the treasure.