Volume Two: The Youth of a Thousand Faces, Truth Amidst Falsehood Chapter Seventy: The Six Who Scattered

Everyone except for Yuetie Shangguan had vanished, just as described in the survivors’ accounts—no sign of anyone else, and it was clear the world itself had shifted. Was that white light the manifestation of Karen’s supernatural technique? The records made no mention of any white light, and even though they had encountered Karen on a concrete surface, they had still fallen victim to her abilities. This meant they must have fulfilled some condition, not requiring sand as a medium to be ensnared. But what was it?

However, this was not the time to dwell on such things.

Huo also walked over to Yuetie Shangguan and said, “It seems we’ve been caught after all. Be wary of Karen attacking from the shadows.”

Yuetie Shangguan nodded.

The two stood back to back, vigilant and ready for any sudden assault, but to their surprise, Karen did not appear. They waited, and no one came. Time slipped by unnoticed as the sun quietly sank in the west. They waited from day into night.

They did search around for others, or for Karen, but found nothing.

Judging by the position of the stars, Huo estimated it was around eight in the evening. The desert chill at night was nothing to take lightly. Huo thought it best to conserve their strength, so he said to Yuetie Shangguan, “Let’s rest for a while and eat something.”

“Alright,” Yuetie Shangguan replied.

They found a flat, open spot where they could guard against any ambush. Huo took out a small camping pot, poured in some compressed biscuits and water, and then used his fire ability to light a fire beneath the pot. Before long, a pot of porridge was ready.

“It’s not exactly tasty, but at least it’s hot. It’ll warm you up.” Huo handed the pot directly to Yuetie Shangguan, who found the porridge already cooled to a pleasantly warm temperature by Huo’s ice ability—no risk of burning her tongue.

Yuetie Shangguan accepted the pot and took a slow sip. The warmth traveled down her throat to her stomach, then spread throughout her body.

“Ah…” Yuetie Shangguan exhaled a gentle mist, a smile gracing her lips. “It’s delicious.” Then she handed the pot back to Huo and said, “You should have some too, Ye.”

“Okay,” Huo replied, taking a sip. He grimaced. “No salt, and the taste is just awful. I can’t believe I made something so unpalatable.”

Yuetie Shangguan laughed softly and said, “I think it’s wonderful. Your cooking has always been good, Ye.”

“Heh, I guess so. I only learned to cook because life forced me to.” Huo paused, then added, “You know, you seem to talk more than usual.”

Yuetie Shangguan nodded. “It’s a bit embarrassing when there are a lot of people. Now, with just one person face to face, it’s easier to speak.”

“So that’s how it is,” Huo said. So, it was her supernatural ability that kept her from needing much social interaction, and over time she’d forgotten how to talk to people. But wait! When he’d spoken to her as Night Rain Crow, she’d been quite chatty. So, she’s only shy face to face?

Supernatural practitioners rarely slept much, but going without sleep for more than twenty-four hours would still leave them exhausted and unfocused. So, the two agreed to take turns on watch: one would sleep while the other stood guard. With about eight hours of darkness, each could get roughly four hours of rest.

Huo took a thermal blanket from his storage box and gave it to Yuetie Shangguan, but she didn’t wrap herself up alone. Instead, she draped half of it over Huo and said, “Let’s share. It’s really cold out here.”

Huo didn’t refuse or feel embarrassed. After all, they were still in the midst of a battle with disaster, and maintaining their best condition was paramount.

As Yuetie Shangguan drifted off to sleep, Huo kindled a small fire with solid fuel, tightened the blanket around himself, and checked to make sure he hadn’t pulled too much over to his side, leaving Yuetie Shangguan exposed to the cold.

Gazing at Yuetie Shangguan’s breathtaking profile, their arms pressed tightly together, he could feel her warmth and the subtle fragrance unique to a young girl. When was the last time he’d been this close to a girl? It must have been two years ago—if he didn’t count Alice.

Seemingly fast asleep, Yuetie Shangguan’s head tilted and came to rest on Huo’s shoulder. Huo froze, and it would be a lie to say he felt nothing. After all, Yuetie Shangguan was, without question, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

“I wonder how the others are doing?” Huo thought.

Remy and Alice had been searching the ruined city for a long time, but their efforts had been fruitless. Alice, growing impatient, puffed out her cheeks and grumbled, “I’ve had enough! How long are we supposed to wander around without seeing a soul? They call themselves an ultimate form, one of the Twelve Calamities—what a joke. That unicorn idiot is just a coward. Actually, he’s got nothing left but a head; he’s got nowhere to hide it!” Alice’s words were as sharp as ever. After all, if you’re not family, you don’t enter the same household, and she had certainly picked up some of Huo’s attitude.

Remy offered gentle comfort. “Alice, calm down. Wandering aimlessly isn’t getting us anywhere. Why don’t we rest for a bit?”

“Fine, let’s eat,” Alice replied decisively.

After the flash, they too had found themselves alone, still in the city. They didn’t have Huo’s fire ability, but they did carry matches. Once they found a clear patch of ground, they started a fire and prepared a meal.

“Compressed biscuit porridge again. No salt, and the taste is just awful. My brother would never make something like this.” Alice took a sip and wrinkled her nose, echoing Huo’s complaint. Still, she kept drinking—she knew this wasn’t the time to be picky, but she couldn’t help voicing her displeasure.

When they finished eating, Remy said, “Let’s take turns on watch. You sleep first.”

Alice pulled a thermal blanket from her storage box, wrapped herself in it, and said, “Alright. Wake me when it’s time or if you get tired. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Elsewhere, Liuli Kazama was doing her best to keep from losing her temper. Why, of all people, had she ended up paired with Jiang Feng, the most hopeless coward? Even Remy, timid as he was, seemed more dependable than him!

Jiang Feng cowered in a corner, muttering to himself, “It’s over. It’s all over. The boss is gone, everyone’s gone. We’re doomed. There’s no way just two of us can take on the ultimate form. And with me, the weakest of all, I’ll just be a burden to her. Why did I even come? I’m supposed to be on support, not fighting at the front!”

A vein throbbed on Liuli Kazama’s forehead. Maybe he was trying not to spread his negativity to her by hiding away, but too bad—she could hear him just fine. Spatial ability users have very keen hearing, after all. He’s a guy—can’t he at least act like one?

For their own reasons, both were sinking into despair.