Jin Tu's body shook violently, his mouth moving as if to give a silent scream. His eyes bulged in disbelief as the formless power moved deeper into his soul, tearing away his memories, his thoughts, his life.
The Rank 4 Gu Master's eyes remained cold and merciless as he continued the soul-searching method. The more Jin Tu resisted, the more agonizing his demise became.
"N-no… please!" Jin Tu's voice came out as a faint whimper, as he clawed at his face with his hands, as if to pull the invisible force away. His entire body trembled, his spirit fraying more with every second.
Then his whole body jerked suddenly and went stiff and rigid. His pupils shrank as small as a pinprick. And then—nothing.
Jin Tu fell down as if the strings had been cut on a puppet, body stiff, face twisted in eternal horror. His soul had been completely destroyed. There wasn't even an echo of his existence.
The woman exhaled sharply, eyes locked on her husband. "Did you find anything?"
The man, unfazed by the gruesome death, simply nodded. "He never had our son. But someone else does." His gaze turned toward the snow-covered rocks.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand and activated a tracking method. A faint, ethereal blue light spread outward, revealing footsteps in the snow—ones too small to belong to Jin Tu.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly. "A young man took him and ran that way." He pointed past the rocks, his voice calm but resolute.
The woman tensed. "Is he a threat?"
The man closed his eyes briefly, sensing something beyond the physical world. Then, he shook his head. "No. His soul is ordinary. He is not a Gu Master."
At that moment, Ethan knew there was no point in hiding any longer. He had seen what they had done to Jin Tu. He wasn't foolish enough to think he could escape if they truly wanted to find him.
Gathering his courage, Ethan crept from behind his hiding spot and held the little boy tightly against him. The instant Ethan budged, both Liu Tribe warriors focused on him immediately as they locked his sight like hawks identifying prey.
Ethan made an effort to remain composed as he came closer. As soon as the woman laid eyes on the child in Ethan's arms, she gasped.
"Yan'er!" she shouted, leaping off her horseback.
The boy, who had been so quiet and frozen, began to regain himself. "M-mother...?" he said weakly while recognizing the woman with his eyes.
Ethan had hardly time to react when the woman rushed up and took her son away from him into a warm embrace.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. The cool, predator sharp essence that came from her had now shifted to warmth and quivering.
The man, still seated on his warhorse, observed Ethan carefully. "You were the one who saved him?"
Ethan swallowed, nodding. "Yeah. I couldn't just leave him behind."
For a moment, there was only silence. The man studied him, as if trying to see through his very being. Then—he nodded.
"You have done us a great kindness." His voice, though still deep and imposing, carried genuine gratitude.
A game notification flickered in Ethan's vision.
[Mission : Survive the Gu Master's Pursuit]-[Completed]
[Rewards available: Pending]
He didn't check the details yet. This was not the time.
The woman turned to Ethan, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Before Ethan could respond, she suddenly stepped forward and pulled him into a brief but firm embrace. It was warm—so warm that Ethan barely registered what was happening before she stepped back.
"You saved our son. That makes you a friend of the Liu Tribe." Her voice was strong, unwavering.
The man nodded in agreement. "We will not forget this."
Ethan exhaled slowly. He had survived. But something told him this was only the beginning.
Ethan exhaled slowly. He had survived. But something told him this was only the beginning.
Liu Tieshan gestured toward his warhorse. "Come. We must leave before scavengers arrive." His tone left no room for argument.
Ethan hesitated for only a moment before nodding. It wasn't like he had a better option.
Liu Lan, still cradling her son, looked at Ethan with concern. "Can you walk?"
"I'll manage," Ethan muttered, though his legs ached like hell. His stamina was almost depleted, but collapsing now would be embarrassing.
Liu Tieshan gave him a once-over, then casually tossed something his way. "Eat this."
Ethan caught it—a small, dark-red pill. It pulsed faintly with energy in his palm.
He hesitated. Could he trust them?
Liu Lan noticed and gave a soft chuckle. "It's just a recovery pill made with rank2 gu. We wouldn't waste poison on someone who saved our son."
Ethan gave a wry smile. Fair point. He popped the pill into his mouth. Instantly, a warm, soothing energy spread through his body, numbing his pain and replenishing some of his stamina.
His eyes widened. Damn… This is way better than resting.
Liu Tieshan mounted his horse, extending a hand to Ethan. "Get on."
Ethan glanced up. "You sure? I can walk."
Liu Tieshan gave him a flat look. "Your body says otherwise."
Ethan sighed and took his hand. The strength in the man's grip was unreal. With a single pull, Ethan found himself seated behind him.
Liu Lan adjusted Xiao Fan in her arms before mounting her own steed. She gave her husband a nod.
Without another word, the two kicked their horses into motion, Ethan holding on as they galloped across the frozen plains.
Sometime later…
The ride was fast and smooth. Ethan, though exhausted, forced himself to stay alert.
Liu Tieshan suddenly spoke. "That Gu Master… he was a nobody."
Ethan glanced at him. "You knew who he was?"
Liu Tieshan didn't turn his head. "I saw what was left of him." A pause. "A weakling who overstepped his bounds."
Ethan stayed quiet, suppressing a shudder. What kind of power does it take to erase someone so completely?
'I didn't even land a hit on him, but the system still gave me credit for completing the mission.'
Liu Lan, riding alongside them, gave him an amused glance. "You're an odd one, Ethan."
Ethan shrugged. "I was a little busy not dying."
Liu Tieshan gave a rare chuckle. "Fair enough."
For a while, they rode in silence. The cold wind brushed against Ethan's face, and for the first time since arriving in this world, he didn't feel like prey.
Then—
DING!
___________
Mission Complete: Survive the Gu Master's Pursuit
Pending Reward: Status (Unlocked) & Innate Talent: Soul, Luck, and Dream Path Affinity
Would you like to claim your reward?[YES] [NO]
__________
Ethan's breath caught. This… this was big.
But he had no time to process it. The Liu Tribe warriors had given him safety. But for how long?
Ethan exhaled. He had survived.
But the real game was only just beginning.