Snow crouched beside the slain beast, his breath steadying as the adrenaline faded. The forest was still. Even the usual night sounds—chirping insects, rustling leaves—seemed to hold their breath in reverence for the fallen predator.
His fingers brushed against the coarse fur, still warm beneath his touch. A spirit beast's body was a treasure trove—its flesh nourishing, its bones and hide valuable, and its core, if it had one, a rare source of power. But Snow had no time to harvest luxuries. He needed food and rest, nothing more.
Drawing his knife, he worked quickly, skinning the creature. He carved off thick slabs of meat, wrapping them in broad leaves to keep them fresh. The scent of blood was strong, and he knew it could attract more predators, but he had no choice.
Snow stood, adjusting his grip on the bundle of meat. He had lingered long enough.
The cave was too close to the kill site—too risky to return to. He needed to find another place to rest. Somewhere deeper, more concealed.
With one last glance at the beast's lifeless form, he moved on.
Snow pressed forward, weaving through the dense undergrowth. The towering trees above formed a thick canopy, filtering the sunlight into fragmented beams that barely illuminated the forest floor. The deeper he ventured, the more primal the land felt—untouched, wild, and dangerous.
He was moving farther away from human civilization, but that was the price of survival.
With each step, his muscles protested, his wounds reminding him of their presence. The hastily wrapped bandages had soaked through with fresh blood, and his limbs felt sluggish from exhaustion. But he couldn't stop. Not yet.
Find shelter. Then recover.
Snow tightened his grip on the bundle of meat and kept moving.
An hour passed before he found something promising.
A sheer rock face loomed ahead, its jagged edges partially hidden behind a curtain of vines. At first glance, it seemed impassable—but as he circled the area, he spotted a narrow crevice at its base.
Snow approached cautiously, parting the vines to peer inside. A small tunnel extended into darkness, just wide enough for him to squeeze through. The air within was cool, untouched by the outside breeze.
A hidden space. A natural refuge.
Perfect.
Snow exhaled and crawled inside. The passage was tight, but after a few feet, it opened into a larger cavern. The walls were smooth stone, damp with condensation. A few scattered rocks littered the floor, but otherwise, it was empty.
No signs of recent animal habitation. No footprints.
Safe.
Snow set his things down and allowed himself to breathe. His body sagged against the cavern wall, exhaustion finally claiming him.
But he still had work to do.tending to His Wounds
He unwrapped the bloodied bandages, inspecting his injuries. The gash on his ribs was deep but clean. The claw marks along his arms were mostly superficial. He had endured worse.
Snow retrieved a small pouch of herbs he had taken from the mine. He crushed a few leaves, mixing them with water from his flask before applying the paste to his wounds. The sting was sharp, but necessary.
Once done, he tore fresh strips of cloth from his tattered robes and rewrapped his injuries. The tight bindings steadied his breathing, dulling the pain slightly.
Finally, he allowed himself to rest a little..After some time Snow finally woke up and he was hungry.
Snow gathered dry twigs and leaves from the cavern entrance. Using flint and steel, he coaxed a small flame to life. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows along the stone walls.
He took out the spirit beast meat and skewered a few pieces, roasting them carefully. The rich, gamey scent filled the cavern, making his stomach tighten in anticipation.
When the meat was ready, he ate slowly, savoring each bite. The nourishment soothed his weary body, the warmth of the fire easing his fatigue.
As he ate, his mind drifted.
Wei Jian won't give up. The Wei Clan will keep hunting me.
He had bought himself time, but not safety.
I need to reach Mei and Shen. I need to grow stronger.
Snow clenched his fist.
Tonight, he would rest.
But tomorrow, his journey would continue.
Snow awoke to the dim glow of embers, the warmth of the dying fire barely reaching his aching limbs. His body protested as he shifted, but the exhaustion that had weighed him down since his escape felt lighter. His wounds were healing—slowly, but surely.
The forest outside was waking. Birds chirped from the treetops, and the scent of damp earth filled the crisp morning air.
He had survived another night.
But survival wasn't enough.
Snow pushed himself upright, hissing as the movement tugged at the bandages around his ribs. Dried blood stained the cloth, but the wound had stopped bleeding. It would hold.
His next step was clear—west first, then south. Avoid roads. Stay hidden. Mei and Shen had given him a chance, and he wouldn't waste it.
He gathered his belongings and stepped into the wilderness once more.
Snow moved carefully, his steps light, every sense on alert. The deeper he went, the denser the forest became. The towering trees blocked much of the sunlight, their twisted roots snaking across the uneven terrain.
Then, something caught his eye.
A footprint.
Small, precise, too deliberate to be a wild animal's. Snow crouched, brushing his fingers over the disturbed earth. It was fresh—no more than a few hours old.
Not the Wei Clan. Too few tracks. A lone traveler? A hunter?
His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.
A sudden noise broke the silence.
A muffled cry. A heavy crash through the underbrush.
Snow's instincts flared. Without hesitation, he followed the sound, weaving through the trees with practiced agility.
Then he saw it.
A clearing, littered with broken branches and churned-up earth. A woman slumped against a fallen tree, blood staining her tattered robes. Her right leg was twisted unnaturally, clearly broken. A short blade lay beside her, slick with crimson.
Towering over her was a massive boar-like creature, its tusks dripping with fresh blood. The beast pawed at the ground, muscles tensed, ready to charge.
The woman barely clutched her weapon. She wouldn't last another attack.
Snow didn't think—he moved.
The beast's eyes snapped to him as he rushed forward. Snow's sword flashed, aiming for its exposed flank. The blade struck, but the thick hide absorbed most of the impact, leaving only a shallow wound.
The creature roared in fury.
It lunged.
Snow twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the goring tusks. The force of the charge sent dirt flying as the beast skidded past him, momentarily off balance.
Now.
Snow pivoted sharply, using his momentum to drive his sword deep into the boar's side. The blade met resistance before sliding between its ribs, piercing vital organs.
A strangled screech tore through the air. The beast staggered, its legs buckling.
Then, with a final shudder, it collapsed.
Snow stood over the corpse, his breath coming in steady, controlled exhales. His grip on the sword tightened for a moment before he finally pulled it free, flicking the blood from the blade.
The fight had been short, but it had drained him.
Behind him, the woman groaned.
Snow turned, his gaze settling on the injured woman.
She was conscious, barely. Her breath came in ragged pants, pain evident in her tightly shut eyes. Blood trickled from a gash on her arm, and her leg was bent at an angle that made it clear she wouldn't be walking anytime soon.
She was in no condition to travel, much less defend herself.
Snow hesitated.
He had no reason to get involved.
Yet, as he looked at her battered form, something within him resisted the idea of leaving her behind.
He knew what it was like to be hunted. To be on the brink of death with no one to rely on.
With a quiet sigh, he crouched beside her.
"You're hurt," he said simply.
The woman forced her eyes open, her gaze hazy with pain. "You—killed it?"
Snow nodded.
A faint, bitter smile touched her lips before her body went limp, unconscious.
Snow exhaled.
He had planned to travel alone, to keep moving without attachments.
But fate had other plans