The moon once again hung high above the treetops. I sat drenched in sweat, quietly gazing at the bright, white forest around me—so illuminated it felt like broad daylight. This had lasted an entire day, yet I’d found nothing. I was nearly at my limit. Rachel Lan sat silently beside me, gently wiping the sweat from my brow with a cloth.
She looked a little exhausted.
"Rachel, go get some sleep. It’s fine, I can hold on."
Rachel Lan shook her head. The deeply sorrowful look she wore yesterday had faded; she seemed in better spirits now, even managing a smile. I hadn’t asked her about Lan Yin’s actions, or what she intended to do.
Maybe because there was no need to ask—the answer was clear to me long ago. She would never compromise, especially in matters like these. Even if it meant death, she wouldn’t retreat a single step.
Old Stone once said Rachel Lan’s nature was like strong liquor. I’ve come to understand that well. But really, most of the time, this bottle of liquor could warm your stomach, letting you feel comfort even on the coldest nights.
"What kind of instinct do you think it is, Ethan?"
I shook my head. Today, I’d heard Heavenly Soul mention that an instinct was quietly taking root within Rachel Lan’s body. She smiled, and at a time like this, she desperately needed strength. But Rachel Lan’s powers as a Denizen of Hades had vanished. The wound on her hand, though scabbed, still hadn’t healed.
Noticing me staring at her hand, Rachel Lan quickly drew her left hand back.
"What’s so interesting about it, Ethan? Once we get back, you should put some medicine on it. Otherwise, it’ll leave a scar, and that’ll be ugly."
I laughed and nodded.
"Before, no matter what kind of injury you had, you’d recover quickly. Now it’s different—you’re just an ordinary person, so…"
I paused before continuing.
"Don’t do anything reckless, Rachel."
Rachel Lan quietly nodded at me, then nestled close at my side. I was still waiting for Heavenly Soul, who had already gone to search for the Soul Core.
At a time like this, waiting was torturous. Night had only just begun, and it was going to be a long one—each hour stretched on endlessly.
Rachel Lan fell asleep. I watched her profile quietly, a smile appearing on my face, fantasizing about being with her once all this was over. It was the most beautiful hope for the future. But for now, all I could do was stay by her side and guard her.
"No, it’s hopeless. The search is over."
Suddenly, a wisp of white vapor rose before me, accompanied by Heavenly Soul’s voice. The flame-like white vapor slowly formed a human face, and in Heavenly Soul’s golden eyes was a look of helplessness.
"Let’s end it for now."