The air in the Endless Forest had grown colder since the encounter with the bandits, but that chill paled in comparison to the atmosphere within Li Wei's team. They moved forward in a tense, uneasy silence, their eyes averted from Li Wei's but darting to him in quick, uncertain glances. It was as though they feared he might turn on them next, despite their shared struggles and purpose.
Li Wei could feel their discomfort, their confusion. And though his expression remained impassive, he noted each uneasy glance and each shift in their pace whenever they drew too close to him. His teammates didn't realize it, but their uncertainty grated on him, a reminder of a world he'd long since left behind—a world where kindness was often mistaken for weakness, and ruthlessness for strength.
