Alive Again Wandering Through the Enchanted Mountain's Wilderness

My boyfriend's dream girl, Kaisha, was an artist with a passion for painting, and she longed to explore the Enchanted Mountain to collect mineral pigments. Eager to impress her, he insisted on bringing me along. Despite my attempts to convince him that it was a bad idea, he wouldn’t listen.

In the end, everyone who ventured into those mountains got lost in the dense wilderness. Sensing danger, I managed to pull him out, barely saving our lives. But once we were safe, he turned on me, blaming me for not saving his dream girl. In a fit of rage, he strangled me to death.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day we were set to enter the undeveloped area of the Enchanted Mountain. The mist had already crept from the mountains, casting an eerie atmosphere over everything.

My boyfriend, Will, was practically bouncing with excitement. “I heard there are mineral pigments in there worth more than gold! Let’s go in!” he exclaimed. “Millicent, why are you just standing there? Hurry up!” Will urged impatiently.

——

The memories of him strangling me to death lingered, and the suffocating sensation took over. I stumbled back and fell to the ground.

Kaisha came over, linked arms with Will, and asked, “Millicent, are you okay? You’re the top student in geology. We’re counting on you for what’s ahead.”

Kaisha, Will’s dream girl, had suggested this trip to find the mineral pigments. With us were her admirer, Knight, and Edward, a delinquent.

I was just about to respond when Will yanked me up. Trying to impress Kaisha, he said, “She’s tough. She’ll be fine.” Then, leaning close to me, he muttered, “What’s wrong with you? I was generous enough to bring you along, not to have you hold us back.”

His words made my blood boil. In my past life, once we entered the Enchanted Mountain, Kaisha had wanted to collect every colorful mushroom she saw and thought a red poisonous spider was cute. If not for me, they’d have died a hundred times over. Will, knowing I studied geology and thinking I’d be useful, begged me to come along. But now, I was suddenly seen as a burden.

I shook off his grip and said, “If I’m such a burden, then let’s split up. I’m not going.”

As soon as I refused, Kaisha stepped in to defend Will. “Will didn’t mean that! How could you be a burden? He’s just worried about you.”

My eyes turned cold. “Say whatever you want, but I’m not going into the Enchanted Mountain.”

Seeing my firm stance, Will’s temper flared. He looked ready to explode, but Kaisha quickly stopped him.

Putting on an understanding front, she said, “Millicent, didn’t we all agree to go into the mountains together to find the pigments? We’re already here. Why back out now?”

I replied, “I never agreed to anything, and I certainly didn’t agree to go in with you.”

Hearing that, Kaisha gave Will a look, urging him to handle the situation. Proud and arrogant as he was, Will turned into a docile follower around her. In my past life, I had assumed he treated her like a sister, but now I realized just how naive I’d been.

Reluctantly, Will muttered an apology, assuming that would smooth things over. Remembering the moment he strangled me, I was filled with a cold fury.

Edward glanced at me and sneered, “We are already here. Stop being difficult.”

Knight chimed in, “Yeah, we’ve come this far. What’s the point of making a fuss? Those mineral pigments are worth a fortune. With one less person, there’s more money for the rest of us.”

Though they all seemed to be here for Kaisha, they each had their own reasons for tagging along.

Watching them rush headlong toward danger, I decided to let them.

“Go ahead and split the pigments however you want. I’m not going in,” I said, turning to leave.

In response, Kaisha threw Knight and Will a look, and they blocked my path.

Putting on a pleading expression, Kaisha said, “Millicent, we’re counting on you since you’re the expert in geology. We didn’t bring anything because we trusted you. You can’t just leave us here. We’ll give you a bigger share.”

Edward, hearing the mention of a bigger share, immediately protested. “Why even negotiate with her? We’re already here. Whether she likes it or not, she’s coming with us today!”