Surrounded by damp, slippery rocks, the pool seemed to open onto a labyrinth of passageways leading in every direction—a hidden subterranean world waiting to be explored. Beneath its surface, the tunnels grew narrower and darker, while a faint light shimmered ahead, guiding them toward an unknown exit. Following Sora's steady lead, they eventually emerged from the cave, blinking as sunlight poured over them once more.
Before them lay a verdant valley, veiled in mist and brimming with life. The lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see, like a forgotten underground kingdom brought to life. Sora darted ahead like a carefree swallow, her sharp eyes scanning the landscape for rare medicinal herbs. Within minutes, her basket was overflowing, bulging as though she had plucked an entire mountain of plants.
Meanwhile, Mo Wen and Little Hong, far less professional, fumbled their way around with boundless enthusiasm."Herbs! Herbs!" they yelled, as if shouting would help them find more. Their method was less about identifying plants and more about adventuring blindly. Their hands and calves were soon covered in scratches from jagged rocks, yet their spirits remained high. Spotting a tree heavy with crimson fruits, they abandoned all pretense of herb collecting and dove at the branches like starving wolves.
Time passed unnoticed in this secluded paradise. Maybe it was ten minutes, or maybe it was an hour—no one could tell. By the time Sora returned, laden with her harvest, she was greeted by an unexpected sight: two men sprawled out under the shade of a tree, their bellies visibly swollen, faces flushed with satisfaction as they basked lazily in the sunlight. They looked for all the world like two fat, overfed cats.
Sora shook her head with a resigned smile. In a chaotic world, moments of peace and comfort like this were rare treasures—but these two clearly had no sense of the precariousness of their situation.
"Did you eat the fruit from these trees?" she asked, her voice calm but her brow slightly furrowed with suspicion.
"No!" Little Hong blurted out, reflexively wiping at his lips, which were stained bright red from the fruit juice. He answered so quickly and confidently that it was almost convincing, were it not for the damning evidence all over his face.
"Really?" Sora raised an eyebrow, her voice skeptical.
"Really!" Little Hong insisted, his gaze darting left and right, refusing to meet hers.
"Then why are you lying there like this?" she continued, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.
"Uh… just soaking up some sun," Little Hong said, feigning nonchalance."The cave was so damp, you know?"
"Oh, I see," Sora said, nodding slowly."That's a relief. You see, some of these fruits are poisonous."
"Poisonous?!" Little Hong shot upright, his eyes widening to the size of dinner plates."What happens if you eat them?"
Mo Wen, still lounging comfortably, didn't even bother to open his eyes. He had been cautious when he first tasted the fruit, eating only a small piece and waiting to see if there were any ill effects before indulging further. Confident that it was harmless, he had eaten his fill and now enjoyed the sunshine without a care.
Sora lowered her voice, letting a note of mystery creep in."If you ate them… well, within half a day, you might start seeing things… hearing things… Nobody really knows what could happen next."
Little Hong's face turned ashen."Uh… is there a cure? What if someone… you know… accidentally ate some?"
Sora tilted her head, her tone deliberately casual."Didn't you say you didn't eat any?"
"Right! I didn't! But, uh… wouldn't it be smart to have an antidote on hand? You know, just in case…"
Sora pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh, then pretended to consider his suggestion seriously."Well, I 'do' have some antidote with me. But it wasn't easy to collect, and I need to bring this herb basket back to the village."
Little Hong puffed out his chest, eager to prove himself."No problem, Sister Sora! I'll carry it for you—all the way back to the village!"
Before she could protest, he had snatched up her herb-laden basket. The moment it left her shoulders, Little Hong nearly buckled under the weight. He staggered, his knees wobbling, and let out a strained grunt."Wow… this is… uh, heavier than it looks!"
Mo Wen cracked open one eye, shooting a side glance at Little Hong, then lazily pushed himself into a sitting position. His mind was swirling with doubt. Was Sora telling the truth? Or was this some kind of trick? Either way, he didn't want to risk looking guilty. Clearing his throat, he said hesitantly,"Uh… could I… you know… also have a little antidote? Just in case."
Sora turned to him with an innocent look that barely concealed her amusement."You ate some too?"
"Well… uh… not really… but it's good to be cautious, right?" Mo Wen mumbled, his cheeks reddening under her steady gaze.
Sora suppressed a grin and handed them a bundle of herbs, her expression solemn."If you're that worried, chew on these. They should help."
Little Hong grabbed a handful and stuffed them into his mouth without hesitation. The moment he started chewing, his face twisted in horror."Ugh! Why is it so bitter?!"
Mo Wen, seeing Little Hong's reaction, hesitated for a moment before forcing himself to follow suit. He stuffed the herbs into his mouth and grimaced as the overwhelming bitterness spread across his tongue.
Unseen by either of them, Sora's shoulders shook slightly with suppressed laughter. The"antidote" she had given them wasn't for poison at all—it was a mix of herbs used to treat overeating, combined with a few extra bitter ingredients for good measure. After all, she thought, a little lesson wouldn't hurt, especially when it came to lying.
And so, with Little Hong carrying the impossibly heavy basket and Mo Wen still trying to wash the bitter taste from his mouth, the two men trudged after Sora. She led them up a gentle slope toward the next stretch of their journey, her steps light and carefree.
The two men, on the other hand, huffed and puffed as they climbed. Their initial enthusiasm had dwindled, replaced by the exhausting reality of their task. Still, they couldn't help but admire the breathtaking scenery around them—the rugged cliffs, the rolling meadows, and the brilliant sunlit peaks in the distance.
But as they reached a flat expanse of ground, Mo Wen's gaze caught something unusual. Amidst the grassy slope, a patch of exposed yellow earth stood out starkly. The bare ground was riddled with dozens of holes, each as wide as a bowl. The sight sent a shiver down his spine.
"What's that?" he muttered, stepping cautiously closer.
The dark holes yawned at him like tiny gateways to the unknown, and he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that he was being watched.