The closer they came, the colder it grew; the deeper they went, the more deathly still it became.
When Paimon, intent on winning the championship, arrived at the foot of the mountain, her joy lasted only a few seconds before panic replaced it.
She looked up at the towering peak, feeling as though the entire mountain were pressing down on her.
Paimon took a breath and lowered her gaze, looking toward the dark cave amid the jagged rocks.
The darkness ahead was like a merciless net, seemingly poised to bare its fangs and claws at anyone unfortunate enough to approach.
Though Paimon could not see what lay inside, she instinctively sensed a spine-chilling danger.
The unnatural silence let unease creep quietly into her mind. Her heart raced, and she seemed to hear whispers in her ears. She cried out in fear, turned around, and fled.
"Traveler!"
Lin Ze's heart tightened at Paimon's cry. He had barely taken a few steps after her when pain struck his chest, and he instinctively threw out his arms.
"Ah!"
Lin Ze caught the little one before she could fall to the ground, gently patting her back to soothe her. "I'm here. What's wrong?"
"Waaah! Over... over there..."
Paimon's startled cry made the others hurry over. They gathered around and looked in the direction she pointed, but found nothing unusual.
"It's too dark."
Paimon buried her little face in Lin Ze's chest.
"Oh..."
At the sight, Mantis's eyes all but overflowed with sympathy. She walked over to Lin Ze, slowly extended a hand, and tentatively asked, "May I?"
Understanding that Mantis wanted to help, Lin Ze nodded gently.
With his permission, Mantis closed her eyes, the tips of her antennae glowing faintly.
"I can feel your fear. Don't be afraid."
Her gentle words, accompanied by