Morning came slowly.
Cold air still filled the forest as the first light spread through the trees, and one by one, people began to wake up. Some stretched their tired bodies, while others quickly checked their families, afraid something might have changed overnight.
Soft voices rose around the camp, but there was no panic this time.
Only tired relief.
I opened my eyes and sat up.
For a moment, I stayed still, then I looked around.
Liu Muyan was already awake, carefully checking on those she treated the night before, while Liu Ruyan stood nearby, watching the surroundings with sharp eyes.
"You're awake," Liu Muyan said gently.
I nodded and stood up.
My body still felt a little heavy, but it was nothing serious.
"We leave soon," I said calmly.
Both of them looked at me.
"So soon?" Liu Ruyan asked with a slight frown.
"Yes," I replied. "We can't stay here."
Liu Muyan did not question me.
She nodded immediately. "Alright. We'll get ready."
They began packing without wasting time, helping Uncle Han and his family as well.
Not far away, Zhang Lei and the others were already awake, checking their surroundings and preparing to move.
Everything was going smoothly.
Then—
The blue screen appeared again.
[ New Mission Activated ]
I stared at it without expression.
Of course.
It would not let me rest.
[ Objective: Lead the Wu villagers to a safe zone ]
My eyes narrowed slightly.
Safe zone?
In my mind, I replied without hesitation.
I'm not doing it.
There was a short pause.
Then—
[ Warning: Host refusal detected ]
I let out a faint scoff.
I already saved them once.
That should be enough.
[ Mission is mandatory ]
[ Host cannot abandon objective ]
My expression darkened slightly.
So now I don't even get a choice?
I turned my head slightly, watching the villagers as they packed their things, completely unaware of what was happening.
In my mind, my voice turned colder.
And if I refuse?
The answer came immediately.
[ Penalty will be applied ]
My fingers tightened slightly.
The memory of that pain flashed through my mind.
The pressure.
The suffocation.
The way it forced me to stop.
I exhaled slowly.
"…You're really annoying."
The screen did not respond.
It simply stayed there.
Waiting.
For a moment, I said nothing.
Then finally—
"…Fine."
The screen flickered once.
[ Mission in progress ]
Then it disappeared.
Just like that.
I stood still for a second.
Then I lifted my head and looked at everyone again.
They were still preparing to leave.
Still thinking they would go their own way.
I let out a small breath.
"So troublesome…"
Then I turned.
"Muyan," I called.
She looked at me immediately. "Yes?"
I paused for a brief moment.
Then I spoke clearly.
"We're not leaving alone," I said. "We're taking everyone with us."
They both froze.
"…Everyone?" Liu Ruyan repeated.
I nodded.
"All of them."
Silence followed.
Uncle Han also looked over, clearly surprised.
"That's… a lot of people," he said slowly.
"I know," I replied.
My voice was calm.
"But we can't leave them behind."
Liu Muyan looked at me for a moment.
Then she nodded.
"If that's what you've decided, then we'll help."
Liu Ruyan sighed softly.
"You really don't like doing things the easy way," she muttered.
I did not respond.
Then I spoke again.
"Get ready," I said. "We move together."
….
I stepped forward without making it look like a big deal.
The movement alone was enough to draw attention, and little by little, the scattered voices around the camp began to quiet down as people turned to look at me. Some were still sitting, some were standing with their bundles, but all of them were watching.
I did not rush to speak.
I let the silence settle first.
Then I said calmly, "If you want to leave, you can follow me."
My tone was light, almost careless, as if I was not trying to convince anyone.
I paused for a moment, then tilted my head slightly and looked toward Wu Lian.
"But if you still want to follow your chosen leader," I added, my voice even and unbothered, "then go ahead. No one is stopping you."
There was no anger in my words.
I said it as it was.
Then I turned as if the matter was already finished, ready to walk away without waiting for their answer.
I had expected hesitation.
Maybe a few whispers.
But instead—
Someone spoke.
"We'll follow you."
The voice was not loud, but it carried.
Another followed quickly.
"She brought us back alive."
Then more voices rose, one after another, not rushed, but steady.
"At least she didn't run."
"She stayed and helped us."
"If not for her, we would still be there."
I stopped.
Not because I wanted to, but because the voices kept coming.
A man stepped forward, shaking his head as he spoke.
"I don't care what anyone says about her before," he said. "What I saw yesterday is enough for me."
Someone behind him let out a tired breath.
"I would rather follow someone who saves people than someone who talks."
A few people nodded quietly.
Even those who had mocked me before were no longer speaking.
Then one voice, louder than the rest, said without hesitation,
"If she moves, I'm going with her."
The decision spread through the crowd, not in noise, but in quiet agreement, as people picked up their things and shifted their steps slightly… toward me.
I turned back slowly.
My eyes moved across them as I clicked my tongue lightly under my breath.
"Troublesome…"
Behind me, Liu Ruyan let out a faint scoff.
"So this is what it looks like when people actually use their heads," she said.
Liu Muyan smiled softly, though there was relief in her eyes.
"They trust you now."
I did not respond.
Instead, my gaze shifted to Wu Lian.
She was still standing where she had been, her expression tight, her silence louder than anything she could have said.
She had been left behind without anyone saying it out loud.
I held her gaze for a brief second.
Then I looked away.
It did not matter.
None of this did.
What mattered was what came next.
I faced the crowd again.
"If you're coming with me," I said, my voice steady, "then don't slow me down."
"We move together," I continued. "No one runs off on their own, and no one acts without thinking."
A few people nodded immediately.
"If you panic, you make things worse," I added. "If you stay calm, you live longer."
There was no need to say more.
They understood.
I looked at them one last time.
Then I turned toward the forest.
"Let's go."
And this time they followed without a single word.