"Jianyu," his mother began, her voice laced with quiet suspicion, "don't you ever wonder about the way Wynn has been acting lately?"
Jianyu paused, glancing toward the small window where the fading light of dusk spilled into their home. He thought of Wynn — her sudden disappearances, the way her eyes seemed to hold secrets she never voiced.
"I've noticed it too," he admitted at last, his tone thoughtful. "She's been slipping away more often these days… leaving the village without telling anyone. It's as if she's searching for something, or perhaps… hiding something."
"It would be best if we simply ask her when she returns," Aunt Lianxi said at last, breaking the tense silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a steel edge beneath it, the kind that came from years of knowing when something was amiss.
She folded her arms, her gaze fixed on the doorway as though expecting Wynn to step through it at any moment. "Only then," she continued, "will we uncover what that child has really been doing out there."
On the other side, Wynn followed the narrow, winding trail that led toward the hidden cave. Sunlight streamed through the canopy above, scattering golden patterns across the forest floor as a warm breeze carried the scent of wild herbs and blooming flowers.
Her steps were firm, each one echoing the resolve that burned in her chest. This time, there would be no turning back. She had made up her mind — no matter the obstacles, she would attempt once more to step inside that mysterious place.
Birdsong accompanied her journey, and the distant rustle of small creatures in the underbrush seemed to watch her passing. The forest felt alive, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting to see whether Wynn would finally uncover the secrets the cave had long guarded.
After miles upon miles of travel, Wynn finally reached the outskirts of the hidden cave. But just as she was about to take another step forward, faint voices reached her ears — hushed whispers and hurried conversations drifting from somewhere ahead.
Her expression darkened. This isn't good, she thought, her heart sinking. It seems I'm not the only one who has found this place… more people have already discovered the cave's location.
The once quiet forest now felt different, the air thick with an unseen tension. Wynn's gaze swept the surroundings, her mind racing as she considered what to do next. The cave's secrets were no longer hers alone to uncover — and that meant danger was closer than ever.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The sudden voice behind her made Wynn's heart jolt. She froze for a moment, then slowly turned her head to see who had spoken.
Standing there was a large, broad-shouldered man, his face marked by a deep scar that ran from his temple to the edge of his jaw. Beside him stood another man, slightly leaner but no less intimidating, his skin marred with old cuts and fresh bruises — the kind one earns from countless battles.
Their sharp eyes studied her with a mixture of suspicion and challenge, and Wynn could tell instantly that these were not men to be taken lightly. Because she had been discovered, the voices that had earlier been whispering and murmuring near the cave abruptly fell silent. An uneasy stillness settled over the place, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
This is bad… really bad, was all Wynn could think, the words echoing in her mind like a warning drum.
Her grip tightened on the strap of her satchel, and she instinctively shifted her stance, ready to react. Every instinct told her that whatever was about to happen next would not end peacefully.
When the air grew thick with tension, heavy enough to make Wynn's skin prickle, it felt as though something dangerous was about to happen. Then, a voice cut through the silence, shattering the oppressive stillness.
"A young girl? What are you doing in a place this dangerous?"
From the shadows, a woman stepped forward. Her movements were steady and confident — the kind that spoke of skill and strength. She looked every bit a warrior, yet unlike the intimidating men Wynn had seen moments ago, there was no menace in her eyes. Instead, her presence carried a strange calm, as though she were a shield rather than a threat.
The sunlight caught the faint glint of the weapons strapped to her side, and Wynn felt her own guarded stance loosen ever so slightly. Whoever this woman was, she was different… and perhaps an unexpected ally in this perilous place.
"Ah… I'm Wynn," she began, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "And no, I'm not lost. I came here on purpose… because of what they call the Immortal Cave. I want to change my fate. I want to become immortal… and I want to bring back my parents, who have already passed away. That's why I won't let this opportunity slip away."
She spoke with her whole heart, the weight of her longing pouring into every word.
But before her sincerity could settle in the air, a harsh sound broke through — The scar-faced man burst into mocking laughter, his deep, rasping voice echoing against the trees. His companion soon joined in, their cruel amusement filling the space like an unwelcome storm.
"Become immortal? Bring your parents back to life? Nonsense — that's impossible," said the scar-faced man, his lips curling into a cruel smirk.
He let out another burst of laughter, the sound low and mocking, before glancing at his companion as if to share in the joke."Enough, both of you," the woman warrior said sharply, her voice cutting through their laughter like a blade.
The sudden command silenced the men at once. Their mocking grins faded, replaced by raised brows and a flicker of irritation, as though they weren't used to being ordered around — especially not by her.
"If it weren't for the fact that you're still useful to this group, we would have gotten rid of you long ago," the scar-faced man said, his voice cold and deliberate, each word dripping with disdain. His eyes narrowed, studying her as if daring her to respond.
The woman warrior met his glare without the slightest flinch. "Is that so?" she replied, her tone like tempered steel. "Then why don't you go ahead and remove me now?"
A heavy silence followed, sharp as the edge of a drawn blade. The scar-faced man's jaw tightened, while his companion shifted uneasily at his side. Wynn, standing a short distance away, could feel the tension thickening in the air, as though one wrong word could ignite a storm.
Wynn's gaze darted back and forth between the woman and the scar-faced man, studying their every movement and expression. In her mind, it became clear that they were far from in agreement, their tension palpable and unmasked. An idea sparked within her — perhaps this woman could be an ally, someone she could befriend in the midst of such hostility.