The jungle stretched as far as the eye could see, lush and bathed in a dim, muted light. At every step, the rustling of foliage and the distant song of spirit birds wove an almost unreal melody. Yue Lang walked behind her master, Wen, whose stride was resolutely hurried. The path, uneven and littered with sharp stones, plunged deeper into the forest, but it didn't stop the young woman from marveling at the wonders around her.
For a moment, at the edge of her vision, she spotted a spirit creature — a colossal bear — sitting near a shimmering stream. The animal was playing a flute, a melodic, entrancing tune rising into the humid air.
"Master… you shouldn't walk so fast. Enjoy the scenery!"
Wen stopped dead in his tracks. A surge of rage flooded through him, his jaw clenching tightly. That voice… It reminded him of the priestess. A painful memory, a ghost he thought he had buried.
"Shut up, you little—!"
In a fit of anger, he grabbed Yue Lang by the collar and raised his fist, ready to strike.
The young woman closed her eyes, frozen in fear. Her breath caught in her throat, her body tense like a string on the verge of snapping.
But the blow never came.
Wen remained still, trembling, his fist halted a mere inch from her face. His gaze grew distant, clouded, drowning in an internal storm.
What have I become...?
A shiver ran down his spine. Slowly, his fingers loosened, releasing Yue Lang, and he lowered his head in shame.
"I'm sorry, Yue Lang…" he murmured, his voice heavy with regret.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and continued walking, disappearing into the tall ferns.
Two hours passed. Exhausted, Yue Lang stumbled and collapsed into a field of black flowers. Despite everything, Wen rushed forward and caught her just in time.
"Wh-Why… are you helping me…?" she whispered, panting. "I'm just a slave..."
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Wen observed her for a moment, expressionless, then wiped her cheeks with the back of his hand, his face cold once more.
"You wouldn't be of any use to me otherwise."
His words struck like a blade.
Yet Yue Lang didn't flinch.
"You pretend to be a villain… but you're not, are you? Why do you do this?"
Wen felt his heart tighten ever so slightly. Him, a good person? Absurd. His fist clenched involuntarily. He remembered Meilin, Wen, all the broken souls crushed under his hand.
"You dare say that to someone who uses you like a weapon? You're nothing but a tool to me!" he snapped.
But Yue Lang stood firm.
"You fed me, protected me, even praised me… You never once behaved inappropriately toward me. In just two weeks, I've received more kindness from you than I have my entire life."
Her voice was soft, tired, but filled with disarming sincerity.
"I've met heroes, Master. Often hypocrites, people cloaked in virtue who were worse than the monsters they fought." She took a deep breath. "But you… you're the most human master I've ever seen."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Wen looked away, then, without a word, pulled a piece of dried meat from his pouch and handed it to Yue Lang.
"Eat. And stop spouting nonsense… And use formal speech, I've told you for three weeks now."
A smile bloomed on the young woman's lips.
"I really sound like a baby, huh?" She bit into the meat eagerly, then teased: "Even though I'm the oldest here. I'm twenty-one — I could almost treat you like my little brother."
She leaned against Wen's knees, exhausted.
But the warrior tensed. A cold sweat trickled down his neck. Alya… The shadow of the priestess loomed in his mind — a memory he wished he could forget.
Haunted, he peered into the darkness surrounding them. In the distance, white eyes stared at them. Spirit beasts. Lost souls.
"Master... you..." Yue Lang hesitated, then moved a little closer. "You come from another world, don't you?"
Wen didn't answer immediately. He was staring into the horizon, as if the jungle itself might offer an answer.
"If you could return there… would you? Would you abandon me?"
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"I don't even know if I'll be alive tomorrow..."
Yue Lang's smile instantly faded, replaced by a deep sadness.
Then Wen finally turned his gaze toward her.
"Idiot... You're part of my family now."
Yue Lang's eyes widened slightly, then lowered, tears threatening to spill.
"In that case… I'll be your sword. And your big sister."
Her voice was soft but resonated with emotion.
"Now sleep, you little delinquent."
"But—!"
She didn't have time to protest. With a swift flick to her temple, Wen knocked her into unconsciousness.
He watched her for a moment, breathing peacefully in her sleep. Then he, too, felt his eyelids grow heavy.
Slowly, he drifted into darkness.