Li Xuan stood still.
His gaze fixed on the cave entrance.
The air had changed.
Heavy.
Dense.
A faint burning scent drifted in—
Subtle.
But unmistakable.
…
Then—
Footsteps.
Faint at first.
But growing.
One.
Then more.
Echoing from outside the cave.
Approaching.
Closing in.
Li Xuan didn't move.
His breathing remained steady.
Calm.
Yet ready.
The sound grew louder.
Faster.
More numerous.
Then—
Silence.
Everything stopped.
The cave fell into a sudden stillness.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
For a brief moment—
The pressure eased.
His guard lowered—
Just a fraction.
Then—
A shadow appeared at the cave entrance.
Low.
Slow.
A wolf stepped forward.
Black flames flickered faintly along its body.
Its glowing eyes locked onto him.
Then—
Another.
And another.
One by one—
More wolves emerged.
Until the entrance was filled.
A pack.
Their eyes burned in the darkness.
Cold.
Hungry.
Unrelenting.
For the first time—
A flicker of tension appeared in Li Xuan's eyes.
Too many.
"…Another trouble."
His voice was low.
The cave grew quiet—
Except for the faint, unsettling sound of teeth clicking.
Then—
They moved.
Not one.
Not a few.
Many.
Shadows lunged from every direction—
Fast.
Ferocious.
Li Xuan reacted instantly.
He shifted aside—
Barely dodging the first strike.
Another came—
Then another—
Claws tore through the air from all directions.
He twisted his body—
Avoiding them by inches.
But—
There were too many.
Tear—
A claw ripped across his back.
Pain exploded.
Blood spilled instantly—
A long, deep gash stretching across his back.
His breath faltered.
Before he could recover—
Another wolf struck.
Slash—
Claws tore into his right arm.
His sleeve split apart.
Blood burst out—
Flowing down his arm in heavy streams.
His hand quickly turned red.
Li Xuan staggered back.
Pain surged through him.
Sharp.
Burning.
The wolves didn't stop.
They circled him—
Closing in tighter.
Their glowing eyes fixed on him.
Waiting.
For him to fall.
Pain tore through his body.
Blood dripped steadily onto the cold stone.
His breathing grew heavy.
Unstable.
Yet—
His eyes remained focused.
Calm.
He forced himself to observe.
The cave entrance—
Blocked.
No escape.
His gaze shifted.
Deeper into the cave.
Darkness stretched inward.
Fewer wolves.
A narrow path.
A chance.
(There.)
Without hesitation—
He moved.
His body burst forward—
Running toward the deeper part of the cave.
His steps were fast—
But unsteady.
He stumbled—
Barely regaining his balance.
Blood trailed behind him.
The wolves reacted instantly.
Growls erupted.
They surged forward.
Claws scraped against stone—
Closing in rapidly.
Li Xuan pushed forward.
Ignoring the pain.
A claw struck the ground just behind him—
Missing by inches.
Another brushed past his side.
Too close.
The narrow path swallowed him—
Darkness closing in.
But the wolves followed.
Relentless.
Li Xuan's steps faltered.
He stumbled—
Then stopped.
The path had ended.
In front of him—
A deep pit stretched downward.
Endless.
Dark.
A cold, silent air rose from within.
His breathing grew rough.
Blood dripped from his wounds—
Falling into the abyss.
Behind him—
The wolves emerged again.
One by one.
Their glowing eyes surrounded him.
Blocking every escape.
His body felt heavy.
Drained.
A faint, bitter smile appeared.
"…So this is the end."
Silence.
Then—
His eyes hardened.
"…No."
"Not yet."
A dark pink pill rested in his palm.
Faintly glowing.
An unfamiliar aura lingered around it.
Dangerous.
Unstable.
His fingers trembled slightly.
(No other choice.)
The wolves stepped closer.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Waiting.
(I have to take it.)
Just as he was about to act—
Crack—
A sharp sound echoed beneath his feet.
The ground trembled.
Small fragments broke loose—
Falling into the darkness below.
Li Xuan's eyes flickered.
His grip tightened around the pill.
But his body didn't move.
No strength left.
Then—
Crack—!
The ground split apart.
The edge collapsed.
Stone gave way.
His footing vanished.
For a brief moment—
Weightlessness.
Then—
He fell.
The wind rushed past him.
Cold.
Sharp.
The faint glow of the wolves' eyes above grew smaller—
More distant—
Until only darkness remained.
Silence swallowed everything.
At that moment—
His fate fell with him into the abyss.