After waiting for nearly three hours, the rain finally stopped. It was a little past 4 a.m. when we got out of the car. Rachel Lan slung on her prepared backpack, packed with essentials.
Yuna Ji took the lead and flew across.
Then Rachel Lan and I each climbed onto Shadow's shoulders. With both of us on its back, it leaped across in one go.
Afterward, I strapped myself onto Shadow's back. Though I could barely stand its smell, I had no choice but to endure it for now.
"Shadow, be careful when we move," I said.
Yuna Ji spoke as she floated up, moving forward leisurely. Rachel Lan could only walk. I glanced over at her.
"It's fine, Ethan. Let's rest in a bit. Tomorrow will be better," she said.
Looking at Rachel Lan, I couldn't help but feel that a girl like her shouldn't have to go through this ordeal.
Shadow hopped along, and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. It was careful with its jumps, though every now and then, cold mud splashed up under me.
The scenery around us was desolate—no sign of green, just vast stretches of brown and yellow. Abandoned fields lay everywhere, and the river ran yellow, looking utterly lifeless.