"You said."
Lu Ban's heart jolted. He guessed Trist was about to say something important, but he had no idea what it was.
The problem was, Trist was so badly wounded that it would be difficult for him to hold on until dawn, until the rescue ship arrived. In such a desperate situation, he might really die right in front of Lu Ban.
For the second time.
"I know."
Trist lowered his voice, making it audible only to him and Lu Ban.
"When I was at the hotel, I met another me."
"More precisely, I learned what I truly looked like."
"I'm only an illusion, a fragment of memory—nothing more than an actor on a stage."
His voice trembled slightly. Lu Ban could not tell whether it was the weakness caused by blood loss or the shudder of realizing these things.
"I'm a little cold."
Trist suddenly cut off his explanation and spoke.
Lu Ban knew it was an illusion caused by his blood loss. Trist's sensory system had already begun to malfunction. He would gradually lose his body heat, and his pale lips had already confirmed that fact.
Lu Ban searched through the trunk and could find only a blanket covered in dust. He draped it over Trist.
"Thank you. Thank you."
Trist was like an old man left without help. He muttered in a low voice, his voice growing fainter and fainter.
"Keep talking. I'm listening."
Lu Ban took Trist's hand. Although the palm was already a mangled mess of flesh, with two fingers exposing horrifying white bones, Lu Ban did not mind. He continued transferring his body heat to Trist through his palm.
"At the hotel, I learned everything—your adventures, our adventures. Heh, it's truly unbelievable. I even thought it was all a dream, a strange dream."