Night came heavier this time.
Not just dark.
Oppressive.
The forest pressed in from all sides.
Closer.
Tighter.
As if it knew.
No one suggested stopping.
But they did.
Naturally.
Because moving in this darkness—
Was worse.
A small clearing.
No fire.
No light.
Only shadows.
Everyone kept distance.
No one slept.
No one trusted.
Wei Liang sat against a tree.
Eyes half-closed.
Still.
Listening.
The air was tense.
Too tense.
Like something—
About to break.
And then—
It did.
A sudden movement.
Fast.
Sharp.
A blade flashed in the dark.
A gasp—
Cut short.
A body dropped.
Dead.
This time—
No ambush.
No outsiders.
It came—
From within.
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"…You—!"
The voice cracked.
Anger.
Fear.
One of the participants staggered back.
Blood on his blade.
The killer.
"I had to," he said.
Breathing fast.
Eyes wild.
"He was watching me!"
No one moved.
Because no one knew—
Who was next.
Shen Jinhai stepped forward.
"…Explain."
Cold.
Controlled.
The man shook his head.
"He was going to betray us—"
"Or you were," someone else said.
The tension snapped tighter.
Weapons shifted.
Eyes sharpened.
Wei Liang didn't move.
But his awareness—
Expanded.
Everyone—
Unstable.
Fear—
Dominating logic.
This is the moment.
Not for strength.
For decision.
The killer backed away.
"You don't understand," he said.
"They're watching us—"
"We know," Shen Jinhai interrupted.
A pause.
Then—
"…But that doesn't justify this."
Silence.
Then—
Movement.
Shen Jinhai attacked.
Fast.
No hesitation.
The killer tried to react—
Too slow.
The strike landed.
Clean.
The man fell.
Second body.
Dead.
Silence returned.
But this time—
Heavier.
No one spoke.
Because now—
It was real.
Not just fear.
Not just suspicion.
Death—
From inside.
Wei Liang remained still.
Watching.
Learning.
So this is how it collapses.
Not from outside pressure.
But from within.
Shen Jinhai turned.
His gaze swept the group.
"…Anyone else?"
No one answered.
Of course not.
Because now—
Everyone was thinking the same thing.
Hide.
Survive.
Don't be seen.
Wei Liang lowered his gaze slightly.
Good.
Because chaos—
Created space.
Space—
Created opportunity.
A faint movement.
Wei Liang's eyes flickered.
Not in front.
Behind.
Someone shifting.
Too quietly.
Too carefully.
Another one.
Not breaking.
Planning.
Wei Liang didn't react.
Didn't expose it.
Because—
This wasn't the time.
Shen Linyue's voice came softly.
"…It's begun."
Wei Liang didn't look at her.
"Yes."
She stepped closer.
"…You saw it too."
Not a question.
Wei Liang answered quietly.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're not going to act?"
Wei Liang's eyes remained calm.
"Not yet."
Silence.
Then—
Shen Linyue smiled faintly.
"…Good."
Because she understood.
Acting now—
Was losing.
Waiting—
Was control.
The forest remained silent.
But now—
It wasn't empty.
It was full.
Of tension.
Of fear.
Of intent.
Wei Liang closed his eyes slowly.
Not resting.
Preparing.
Because this—
Was only the beginning.
And next time—
The attack—
Wouldn't be so obvious.