Sting

As they continued their journey back, Krillin felt a sudden, sharp sting on his neck. He winced, instinctively brushing his hand over the spot. "Ugh, must've been a mosquito," he muttered, shaking it off. But a strange, tingling sensation lingered, spreading slowly from his neck down to his shoulder.

Android 18 noticed his slight discomfort and raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay, Krillin?"

"Yeah, just a... weird bite or something," Krillin replied with a shrug, dismissing the feeling. But as the moments passed, the sensation started to feel less like an insect bite and more like a subtle, invasive energy, similar to what had affected 18 and Bulma earlier.

Bulma caught the worried look on Krillin's face. "Are you sure it's nothing?" she asked, her scientist's intuition kicking in. "If there's residual energy from that anomaly, we should probably check it out."

Krillin gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really! Just need a hot shower when we get back, that's all." He tried to laugh it off, but the tingling feeling persisted, nagging at him as they flew onward.

Goku glanced back,"Hey, Krillin, you sure you're feeling okay?" he asked.

Krillin said that to Goku while gently smiling, "Yes, I'm okay".

As they landed at Capsule Corp, Bulma immediately launched into an explanation of the strange anomaly they had encountered. Her face was serious, recounting the intense effects it had on her and Android 18.

"And that square… it was like nothing we've ever encountered before," Bulma said, shaking her head. "The way it seeped into our senses, affecting us in such a personal way—whatever it was, it didn't just target physical strength. It went deeper, playing with emotions and instincts."

Vegeta's fists clenched, his usual calm exterior cracking as he processed what Bulma had gone through. "And you didn't think to call me?" he growled, his voice laced with a mix of worry and anger. "What if something worse had happened?"

Bulma placed a hand on his arm, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's alright, Vegeta. Gohan, piccolo, master Roshi and Krillin were there. And honestly, I didn't expect it to have that kind of effect. None of us did."

Vegeta huffed, his expression still tense, but he reluctantly nodded. "Just don't make a habit of not saying your problems to me, I'm your husband so you need to tell me about it first."

Meanwhile, Goku stood nearby, looking thoroughly bewildered. "So… this square thing was making you guys feel all funny?" he asked, scratching his head. "I mean, I've seen a lot of weird stuff, but this sounds… uh, different?"

Bulma sighed, a touch of exasperation breaking through her otherwise serious expression. "Yes, Goku, it was more than just 'weird.' It was like it tapped into something deeper, like it could sense and manipulate what made us… well, us. It wasn't just about power—it was almost as if it understood how to affect our very essence."

Goku tilted his head, trying to piece it together. "So, it wasn't like any energy we've felt before, right? It sounds a bit like it could mess with you from the inside out…"

"Exactly," Bulma nodded. "It was more invasive, more psychological. Whatever this thing was, it wasn't just powerful—it was calculated, precise."

Vegeta scowled, visibly disturbed. "If that thing had any combat power, I would have enjoyed a fight with it."

"Me too, I think that would be great opponent to have fight with. What do you think about it Gohan?" Goku smiled like an idiot while saying that and asking Gohan.

Gohan gave a small, uneasy smile. "I'm not so sure, Dad. If this thing can manipulate people on such a personal level, it could be a lot more dangerous than a straightforward fight." He looked at Bulma and Android 18, noticing how unsettled they still seemed. "It sounds like this could be more of a mental battle than anything else."

Goku chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm more used to fighting things I can punch."

Bulma sighed, casting Goku an exasperated look. "That's exactly the problem, Goku. This thing could be way worse than any enemy we've faced before. It's like it doesn't care about brute strength; it's after something else entirely."

As they were all talking the sting mark on krillin's neck slightly glowed no one noticed it, then krillin gently pressed on Android 18's bottom and pull her close to him.

Android 18 looked at him, surprised but not pulling away. "Krillin…?" she asked, her voice softer than usual, a mixture of curiosity and warmth in her eyes.

Without a word, Krillin leaned in, his touch lingering as he wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into his embrace, momentarily forgetting the others were around. His fingers traced soothing patterns along her back, the connection between them feeling deeper and more intense than ever before.