After a single blow, booming sounds echoed as trees fell in the forest.

  Ting walked back to the cabin unhurriedly. She paid no mind to the wind or any other noise. She was too far removed from anything that could pull her away from the emptiness of her thoughts.

  [Ting...]

  — I said enough! Leave me alone!

  With no further words, the interface remained inert until it eventually closed. It couldn't be seen, even if it was still there. Accompanying her, observing. And, mainly, waiting for her to calm down and stop pushing it away. It didn't want things to continue as they were. All this was necessary. She needed to believe. She wanted...

  Sighing, Ting tried to climb the stairs. Her legs froze and her heart was gripped by a hand that couldn't be touched or seen. Her palm moved up to her chest and pressed. It was irritating how much this affected her. It made her think maybe she should have stayed away.

  If I hadn't exposed myself, this wouldn't have happened... I should have stayed away. I should have...

  With clenched fists. Her legs gave out, making her collapse onto the steps.

  No... This won't help..

  She curled up, pulling her legs to her chest and entwining her fingers in her hair. She didn't want to go inside. She couldn't. Trapped in such a ridiculous situation, maybe, if she squeezed her eyes shut hard enough, she'd wake up.

  Who...?! Who is the bastard who thinks they have the right to interfere in my life like this?!

  Even though she was ignoring it, she wished the system would give her the answer. Or maybe not... In the end, she didn't know if she could handle the information.

  She stood up, resolute but with no confidence. She opened the door and froze at the sight. Forcing each step forward took her to the bed, carrying a chair. She sat down.

  I hope the reason is really good, otherwise, when I find you...

  Her teeth gnashed.

  I will not forgive you... Never.

  Trying to stay strong, she straightened up and kept her back erect. She didn't want to look beaten down when He Rui woke up. She would need support when she heard the news, someone who could hug her and give her confidence. However, Ting soon realized she couldn't be that person.

  It started with a drop, and soon it intensified. After the first, she couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

  Bending forward, she lost track of time. She didn't notice the change in the light squeezing under the door, bright at first, then softer, reaching less far. She shut herself off from the world, unable to sense movement. The slow fading of her scales and the trembling of her fingers.

  After her eyelids fluttered repeatedly, He Rui opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. There seemed to be no source of light around her, yet everything was so vivid. She sat up, hearing faint sobs.

  Who is she...? And where is this place?

  She wanted to ask after analyzing her surroundings, but she couldn't.

  Where am I...?

  Anger, anguish, fear or longing? Maybe passion? What she felt wasn't clear-cut. Among her doubts and fears, there were many other emotions. Hesitations. Still, the strongest was the one that confirmed the thought that hugging the girl in front of her was the right thing to do.

  What's going on..?

  With the stranger's head resting on her belly, she caressed her. Keeping her doubts inside, she comforted her. She accepted the hug. She didn't even refuse the grip of the nails that, on her back, made a strange, rough noise; although she noticed that those soft clothes, without any sign of stitching, weren't hers and surely expensive. It would be a problem if she ripped them. How would she pay for them? No, whose did they belong to? She should know that first, before getting even more anxious. But these questions dragged her back, where am I now?

  She turned her attention to the crimson hair, her fingers gliding through its silky strands.

  Red hair...

  She felt the trembling and the tears falling in abundance on her legs.

  I think there's only one person with hair like this... They said she was staying in a newly built room by Undric, together with that person, but something this detailed... I thought that place had been built in a hurry.

  He Rui's hand froze.

  I'm still inside the walls, right...?

  She resumed the caressing with faux resolve in her fingers.

  And what could have possibly happened to her to make her cry so much? Did they fight? But if so, what is she doing here... with me? I don't get it... What is happening?

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  After clearing her throat, He Rui forced herself to ask — Are you okay? — but the words came out as a muffled and unclear whisper, making her question if she'd actually spoken. She reconsidered. Should she repeat herself? But she felt the arms around her move before she could do that.

  Rising, Ting was caught by a brief whisper — How beautiful… — as she wiped her tears, sniffling.

  Facing He Rui, her words escaped her hands, powerless — Something happened… — she tried to begin, and failed. Her throat closed up. Beyond her own valid doubts, that girl seemed genuinely worried about why she was crying.

  He Rui looked around for a cloth, but there was nothing. She reached out and gently wiped away the remaining tears.

  — …Thank you.

  Ting took some time to catch her breath and calm down, casting a heavy silence over the room. The tension was palpable. The doubts.

  Sighing, she spoke again — What I'm about to tell you will sound absurd, and it truly is, but... it's not a lie. — The hesitation returned to haunt her — The problem Noah helped you solve wasn't just simple poisoning, as we thought.

  — You're not in danger anymore, don't worry, — she added quickly after noticing He Rui's trembling and her eyes widening — It's a different problem... Instead of poison, what was in your body was a small part of his essence. What the pill did wasn't get rid of it, but rather mix it with your own.

  Seeing how Ting struggled to form her sentences, He Rui hesitated to ask, but did so anyway, she needed to know what exactly this was, how big the problem was — I take it this shouldn't have happened, so is there a way to return this to him? I'll do everything I can to help.

  — …Call me Ting, that's my name. Yours is...? — she asked, though she already knew from the system. She would rather hear it from her.

  — Ah, of course, I'm He Rui — she said, again wiping away a lone tear.

  — The essence can't be returned, He Rui. After all, it isn't much different from each person's existence. So, when they're mixed, they connect the two people involved.

  — Connect them...? — He Rui's voice faltered, as did her train of thought — What does that mean?

  — Exactly what it sounds like. From now on, you're connected to Noah.

  — But...

  — I know it's hard to believe, I'm struggling with it even now. But don't you feel something different? I think your emotions can be shared, and since you don't know how to control that yet, you should be able to feel everything Noah is feeling right now.

  — No, I- — despite the whirlwind inside her, anger and concern were clear, as was the desire she felt when looking at Ting; possibly the least strange thing about all of it. He Rui couldn't deny — Yes..., I think I can... — opening her hands, she had to accept it — Is that why you brought me here? This connection, it shouldn't have happened, so I... Are you going to...

  — You'll be living here too from now on.

  — Sorry?

  — Those who are connected can't be apart for too long, because the constant fear that the other will get hurt won't allow it. They say it sometimes causes paranoia, and if something really does happen, the other could "break." I guess that refers to the mental state of the one left behind.

  — So I just need to stay close to him? I don't think that would be a problem, if you don't mind me being here. I can help around the house, if you want.

  — No, that wouldn't be enough. — Ting got up, inviting her outside for fresh air, while walking to the back door. Sitting on the stairs, she made room for He Rui to join her — Sure, you can go that way if you want. I'd never thought about it before, but honestly, I think it'd be unfair. You'd have to live in our shadows, following us everywhere, and... honestly, that's not much different from being dead.

  He Rui remained silent as she took in the surroundings. From the simple porch to the bathtub nestled in nature and the path leading to it, everything was beautiful. She couldn't think of any other option that Noah and Ting would accept.

  Straightening, she asked — Then what did you mean when you said I should live with you?

  Ting watched her for a moment. Sighing, she looked away — I wasn't saying that you should be a servant or maid, but an equal.

  — An equal...? How? Like companions?

  — Well, yes, but probably not in the way you're thinking. Otherwise, the result would be the same. — Ting's clenched hands dug her nails into the wood of the stairs. Ting turned to her, looking into her eyes — He and I were planning to get married, so, to be equals, He Rui, you would also need to...

  — What?! How could I-! — The banister broke when He Rui hit it with her back.

  She turned, disbelieving. She hadn't felt anything, not even the touch, let alone pain. Once she realized what she'd done, she immediately started trying to put the pieces of wood back together, even though she knew it was useless.

  — You don't need to do that. Even if you don't accept the option I'm offering, this will also be your home from now on. Noah can fix it later, don't worry.

  — No, but, marry you both, how could I do something like that? I don't want to interfere in your lives like that.

  — But you deserve to live too, He Rui. And this situation isn't your fault. It isn't any of our faults...

  [...]

  — Even so...

  — This is the only way I can think of to solve this. You'll never be forced to do anything, I promise. If you want to go out, eat, or do whatever, you can. When I say 'equals', I'm also referring to our freedom.

  Clenching her fist, she looked at Ting — You really don't mind...? You're okay saying such things, asking me to marry alongside you two? He is- — a weak laugh stopped her. Her eyes wandered away from that face fighting to stay neutral, lost at times — Sorry... I shouldn't have said that.

  — As I said, you also deserve to live properly, He Rui. To experience feelings and sensations you'd never get a chance to, if you stayed a servant all your life. Because, having to follow us around, it'd probably be hard for you to settle somewhere, to start your own family, I don't think you could. Also, staying at your current stage, the time you'd have to endure would be much longer than you imagine, and it would be even worse if you choose to keep cultivating. The higher you go, the more your life expectancy increases. So, I'll ask again, — patting the stair, Ting invited her to sit next to her — would you like to stay by our side? Would you like to be in our family and help us build one that won't abandon you? ...Huh?

  Coming out from behind a tree, Ting saw something small and dark, almost like a black stain. She stood up with a jump, grabbed her sword, and shielded He Rui. Her body was trembling and she was sweating cold.

  What is that...?!

  The creature inched forward slowly, but never attacked.

  Just because Noah isn't here, did this thing decide- to ask for affection...?

  The little one rolled on the ground, belly up. For a second, Ting even thought maybe it was laughing.

  Is it trying to look cute...?

  She swallowed hard.

  If so, it's working.

  Despite her growing fascination, she didn't sheathe her sword. She raised her arm and took slow steps back, pulling He Rui with her. Still, their feet kept being followed.

  So, what kind of hole did this beast crawl out of?!