The girl's eyes fluttered open, sharp and alert despite the remnants of fatigue in her face. In one fluid motion, her hand reached for the sword at her side, drawing it with practiced ease. The blade shimmered faintly in the dim cave light, its edge keen and deadly. Her stance, though weakened by her injuries, was still poised—ready for battle.
Mike raised both hands in a gesture of peace, his heart racing. He stepped back slowly, careful not to make any sudden moves. "Whoa, easy there!" he said, keeping his voice calm but firm. "I'm not here to fight. Just trying to help."
Her eyes narrowed at him, suspicion clear in her gaze. She spoke then, her tone demanding but in a language Mike had never heard before. "Qui êtes-vous?" The words were foreign, yet as they reached his ears, something clicked within him. He didn't recognize the language, but somehow, he understood it as clearly as his own.
"I..." Mike hesitated, still shocked by the sudden comprehension, but he quickly regained his composure. "I'm Mike. I'm not your enemy. You appeared here in my cave, and you were hurt badly. I healed you using a formation."
Her grip on the sword loosened, just slightly, though her body remained tense. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings—the stone slab where she had been resting, the faint glow of spiritual stones scattered nearby, their energy nearly spent, and the subtle remnants of the formation Mike had used to stabilize her condition.
"You healed me?" she asked, her voice still laced with doubt, but there was a hint of curiosity now.
Mike nodded. "You were in rough shape when you came through the teleportation array. I had to use the stones to help you recover. Without them, I'm not sure you'd have made it."
The girl studied him closely, her expression unreadable, weighing his words. Slowly, she sheathed her sword, though her posture remained guarded. Her eyes flicked back to him, still cautious but no longer hostile. After a brief silence, she spoke again, this time more softly. "I am…grateful. Thank you."
Mike let out a small sigh of relief. At least she wasn't going to attack him—yet. He could feel the tension between them start to ease, though it was clear she wasn't fully convinced of his good intentions.
"My name is Mike Volker," he said, deciding it was time to properly introduce himself. He offered a small, hesitant smile.
"I'm Lily Osberg," she said finally, her tone softening just slightly.
The girl's brow furrowed slightly at the name. "Volker?" she repeated, her voice carrying a note of confusion. "I have never heard of a family by that name." She paused, eyeing him carefully. "Which human kingdom are you from?"
Mike's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't anticipated that question. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plausible explanation, but the longer he hesitated, the more suspicious she looked. He could feel her eyes boring into him, waiting for an answer.
"I... I'm not from any of the kingdoms," he said finally, his voice steady but uncertain. Before he could think it through, the words tumbled out. "This is the Forbidden Chaos Realm. My family has lived here for generations. I'm the last one left."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw the shift in her expression. Her eyes widened in shock, the color draining from her face as she took a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword again. The tension that had briefly eased now returned tenfold, but this time it wasn't just suspicion—it was fear.
"F-Forbidden Chaos Realm?" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "No... that's impossible!" Her eyes darted around the cave, as if trying to find some sign that he was lying. "This place has a nine-star danger rating! No one survives here! How... how can you live here?"
Mike could see the panic in her eyes, the way her body tensed as though she were preparing to flee—even though there was nowhere to go. He raised his hands again, trying to calm her down. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. This is the Forbidden Chaos Realm. My family... we've been here for a long time. I don't know all the details, but I've lived here my whole life."
She shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. "No... no one survives here! The beasts... the storms... everything here is deadly! Even the strongest cultivators avoid this place! How can you—?"
Her breath hitched as she realized something, her eyes locking onto Mike with renewed intensity. "Are you... human?"
Mike froze for a moment, realizing the weight of her question. He could sense the fear behind her words—the idea that perhaps he wasn't what he appeared to be. That maybe, just maybe, he was something far worse.
"I am," he said firmly, trying to put as much sincerity into his voice as possible. "I'm human. I'm just... different. My family has survived here because of our unique cultivation techniques. That's all."
Lily's grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles white. She was clearly still terrified, the thought of being in the most dangerous place in the world weighing heavily on her. "I... I shouldn't be here," she muttered, more to herself than to Mike. "I wasn't trying to come here. I was fleeing an attack, and the teleportation array... it must have malfunctioned."
She looked at Mike again, her fear mingling with confusion. "How have you survived here?" she asked, her voice softer now, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. "The beasts... the storms... how can anyone survive in a place like this?"
Mike hesitated. He didn't want to reveal too much, not yet. But he also knew he needed to calm her down before she did something reckless. "I've learned how to deal with the dangers here," he said carefully. "It's not easy, but I manage. And as for you... you're safe now. The beasts won't find us here, and the storms won't reach this cave."
She still looked unconvinced, her eyes darting toward the entrance of the chamber as if expecting a horde of deadly creatures to burst through at any moment. But slowly, she lowered her sword again, though her hand remained on the hilt, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
"You really live here," she said again, more to herself than to him. There was a sense of awe and disbelief in her voice, as if she couldn't fathom the idea of someone surviving in such a deadly place.
Mike nodded, doing his best to appear calm and collected. "Yeah. It's not so bad once you get used to it." He offered a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood, but she didn't return it.
Instead, she looked at him with a mixture of fear, curiosity, and confusion. "I am... grateful for your help," she said finally, her voice steadying as she forced herself to calm down. "But I still don't understand... how you've managed to survive here. Or why you would help a stranger."
Mike could sense her lingering doubt, but at least she wasn't on the verge of attacking him again. He gave a small shrug. "You were injured. I couldn't just leave you like that."
She studied him for a long moment, then gave a small nod. "I suppose that makes sense."
....
Mike had just finished arranging the cave to make it more comfortable when he turned his attention back to Lily. He offered her some food and water, handing her a selection of fruits he had gathered and a generous portion of the barbecued panther meat he had prepared earlier.
Lily's eyes widened at the sight of the food. She accepted it gratefully, her fingers trembling slightly as she took the offerings. Her gaze, still cautious, softened with a mix of hunger and relief as she began to eat. The warmth of the food seemed to ease her tension, though a subtle wariness remained.
As she ate, Mike's attention was drawn to her attire. He noticed the damage—torn and stained from the recent battle—and felt a pang of sympathy. Realizing he had something that could help, he silently reached into his space ring and retrieved the dark panther fur and skin he had collected earlier.
With precise movements, Mike used his Abyssal Gauntlet's dark iron blades to neatly cut the panther's fur and skin into pieces of cloth. Each slice was sharp and clean, the black material gliding effortlessly beneath his blade. Once he had fashioned it into a makeshift garment, he approached her and offered the cloth.
Lily's eyes widened further as she took the fabric in her hands, running her fingers over the dark, smooth texture. Her expression shifted from gratitude to disbelief, her gaze snapping up to meet Mike's. "Is this... the skin of a dark panther?" she asked, her voice hushed and filled with awe.
Mike nodded calmly. "Yes, it is. I hunted it myself. The meat you're eating is from the same panther."
Her reaction was immediate. She froze, staring down at the panther meat on her plate, then back at the fur in her hands. Her eyes flickered with shock and disbelief. "A dark panther? You killed it?"
Mike raised an eyebrow, sensing her astonishment but not fully understanding why she was so shaken. "Yes. It was a tough fight, but I managed."
Lily looked back at him, still stunned. "You don't understand," she said, her voice lowering with the weight of her words. "The dark panther isn't just any beast. Cultivators under the Elder Conjurer realm don't dare to face it. Its rage skill pushes its strength close to that of a 9th Rank Earthly Beast. Even those with power approaching the Mystic Sovereign realm would struggle. For someone like you..." She paused, scrutinizing him. "To take it down?"
Mike's brow furrowed. He'd heard of cultivators with different levels of power, but he wasn't familiar with the titles. "Elder Conjurer? Mystic Sovereign? I'm not really familiar with those terms," he admitted, hoping for more clarity.
Lily blinked, her surprise deepening as she studied him. "You don't know? What realm do you even cultivate in?" Her question seemed genuine, though the disbelief lingered in her tone.
Mike hesitated. "My family lived in isolation... I haven't had any contact with the outside world. Could you explain?"
Lily sighed, though she nodded. "Alright. In human cultivation, we rank our strength in realms, just like how beasts are categorized. The first is Novice Adept, roughly the equivalent of a 1st Rank Earthly Beast. It's where most begin their journey. Then, there's the Ethereal Disciple, which compares to a 3rd Rank Earthly Beast, where a cultivator starts to truly form a connection with spiritual energy."
She paused, making sure he was following along before continuing. "As you grow stronger, you enter the Arcane Knight realm, which matches the power of a 5th Rank Earthly Beast. By the time you reach the Celestial Guardian realm, you're as strong as a 7th Rank Earthly Beast, like the dark panther you killed. It's a realm reserved for those with both physical and spiritual mastery. The strongest below the heavenly realms."
Mike listened intently, absorbing the information. He was starting to see why she had been so shocked when he mentioned the panther.
"But it doesn't stop there," Lily continued, her voice lowering as she explained further. "After Celestial Guardian, there's the Mystic Sovereign realm, comparable to an 8th Rank Earthly Beast—those cultivators command great power. Then there's the Elder Conjurer realm, which compares to a 1st Rank Heavenly Beast, and beyond that, you have the Runic Sage and Apex Saint realms, where power reaches unimaginable heights, equivalent to the strongest of heavenly beasts."
She took a breath, her eyes narrowing as she focused on Mike. "The dark panther isn't a beast to be trifled with. It's considered one of the more dangerous creatures in this part of the world. Many powerful cultivators avoid fighting it altogether unless absolutely necessary."
Mike leaned back, considering her words. So the panther had been even stronger than he had imagined. It made his victory over the beast all the more significant. But he didn't want to boast about it. Instead, he simply nodded, grateful for the information. "I see. Thanks for explaining that."
Lily relaxed slightly, though the amazement in her eyes hadn't faded. She regarded him with a mix of respect and curiosity. "For someone who claims to be isolated, you've managed to achieve incredible things."
Mike smiled faintly. "I've had to learn the hard way."
.....
As night fell, the cave's ambiance changed. The chaotic fire, which Mike had ignited earlier, cast flickering shadows that danced across the cave walls. The soft, eerie light created an almost comforting atmosphere, but Lily, despite her exhaustion, remained tense and alert. Her eyes darted around the cavern, reflecting a blend of fear and curiosity.
Mike noticed her unease and approached with a gentle demeanor, aiming to offer some comfort. "You seem tired," he said softly, his voice carrying a reassuring tone. "You should try to get some rest. This cave is safe. Let me show you."
He guided her to the stone slab where he had painstakingly arranged a makeshift bed. Using the panther skin, he had fashioned a makeshift pillow and blanket. The dark fur, though rough, was a stark contrast to the cold, hard stone, creating a surprisingly inviting spot.
"This should be comfortable enough," Mike said as he carefully adjusted the panther skin to cover the stone slab. "You can sleep here. I'll make sure nothing disturbs you."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise and appreciation as she took in the sight. The stark contrast between the soft, dark fur and the harsh, unyielding stone seemed almost surreal. Her fingers lightly traced the fur, her face softening with gratitude. "This is very kind of you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But where will you sleep?"
Mike hesitated for a moment, trying to mask his fatigue. "I'll be working on the teleportation formation. It was badly damaged when you arrived, and I need to fix it."
Lily's expression shifted from relief to concern, her eyes growing wider as she took in his words. "You know a lot about formations," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Is it really that damaged?"
Mike nodded, a frown creasing his brow. "Yes, it's in rough shape. I'll need to work through the night to get it back to a stable condition."
Seeing the weariness in Lily's eyes, Mike felt a pang of sympathy. Despite her injuries and fear, she had tried to maintain her composure. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but she forced herself to stay awake, her gaze lingering on the makeshift bed with a mixture of relief and wariness. "Thank you, Mike," she said quietly. "I'll try to rest now."
As she settled onto the stone slab, Mike could see her muscles slowly relaxing. Her breathing, though still uneven, began to steady, a sign that she was allowing herself to rest for the first time since her ordeal. He felt a flicker of compassion, knowing how frightening and unfamiliar this situation must be for her.
Once Lily was settled, Mike turned his attention to the chamber where the teleportation formation was located. The glow from the chaotic fire cast long, shifting shadows on the walls, creating an almost otherworldly scene. The damaged formation was a stark reminder of the challenges he faced. The intricate patterns were marred by fractures and disruptions, and Mike's frustration grew as he surveyed the extent of the damage.
He approached the formation with a determined expression, his mind racing with thoughts of the work ahead. The energy flow was unstable, and he could see where the formation had been disrupted. With a deep breath, he began his work, carefully realigning the runes and reinforcing the weakened areas. His fingers moved deftly over the complex array, adjusting and repairing with precise movements.
As the night deepened, Mike continued his work on the damaged teleportation formation, his fingers moving methodically over the intricate lines. Each fractured rune he repaired filled him with a renewed sense of focus, though the overwhelming scope of the damage weighed heavily on his mind. The chaotic fire cast a faint glow, creating long, flickering shadows across the walls of the chamber.
Behind him, Lily finally drifted off into an uneasy sleep, her breathing steady but her face still marked with signs of exhaustion and wariness. Mike glanced over his shoulder briefly, ensuring that she was resting peacefully. The cave was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire and the occasional scrape of stone as Mike adjusted parts of the formation.
His frustration mounted with each passing moment. The damage was extensive, far worse than he had anticipated, and the more he worked, the more challenging it became to find stable areas to rebuild. Sweat beaded on his brow as he poured his focus into the repairs, refusing to give in to the fatigue gnawing at his muscles.
For hours, Mike toiled, lost in his thoughts, his frustration mixing with determination. The formation was more than just a way out—it was his way of keeping control over the situation. He couldn't afford any mistakes, not now, not after everything.
"I'll have to work through the whole night…" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, echoing slightly in the dimly lit chamber. He tightened his grip on one of the tools he had conjured from his storage ring, his jaw set in a grim line.
With a heavy sigh, Mike continued his repairs, knowing there would be no rest for him tonight. The faint glow of the chaotic fire flickered on the stone walls, illuminating his tireless efforts as he worked to piece together the damaged teleportation formation. He pushed through his exhaustion, fully aware of the long night ahead, but resolute in his commitment to fixing what had been broken.
The cave felt alive with an unspoken tension, a silent witness to his determination. And as Mike continued, one thought lingered at the back of his mind: tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he needed to be ready.