Alive Again Wandering Through the Enchanted Mountain's Wilderness

Edward placed his hand firmly on my shoulder, his threat clear. I glanced at Will, hoping for some support, but he was indifferent, his mind solely focused on Kaisha.

A faint smile crossed Kaisha’s lips as she said, “We’re all from the same school, so let’s not disrupt the harmony.”

Edward’s grip tightened, sending pain through my shoulder. “If she just cooperates and comes along, there won’t be any trouble,” he said. “But if she doesn’t know what’s good for her, I can’t say what might happen.”

Edward was known at school as a delinquent; for money, there was nothing he wouldn’t do.

With no other choice, I was forced by Edward and the others to enter the undeveloped area of the Enchanted Mountain. After about twenty minutes of walking, he finally released me. Rubbing my sore shoulder, I took a moment to observe the changing surroundings.

Edward sneered. “Now that you’re in, you can’t leave even if you want to. Since we’re all here, let’s work together to find what we’re after. But if you try any tricks, don’t blame me for being rough.”

Feigning concern, Kaisha sighed and said, “I told him not to be so harsh, but you know how he is. There’s only so much I can do.”

I glared at her coldly. Did she think I didn’t realize that Edward was following her every command? Now she was pretending to be the peacemaker?

Seeing that I wasn’t responding, they stopped talking and sat down to rest. This place felt completely different from the outside world. Towering plants and thorny bushes surrounded us, and many of the plants were unfamiliar, with even the common ones appearing several times larger than usual.

Did they think that by forcing me here, they could avoid the fate of my past life? This time, I’d only make sure their end came faster.

“Wow—” Kaisha’s voice suddenly rang out. We thought she was in trouble, but instead, she was pointing toward a pile of dry grass about a hundred meters away. Hidden near the pile were a few brightly colored mushrooms.

In my previous life, I had sensed that this dry grass looked like a cobra’s nest, so I had strongly opposed her going near it. But she twisted my caution, claiming I wanted to keep the mushrooms for myself.

This time, I let go of any good intentions and remained silent.

Kaisha turned to me, trying to appear friendly. “Millicent, you know more about this kind of place than I do. Aren’t those mushrooms beautiful?”

I smiled slightly, saying nothing.

She added, “Let’s go pick those mushrooms.”

Was she trying to play the innocent, carefree girl? She might seem harmless, but I knew her real intention: she wanted me to go first and be the one to face any risks.

I replied flatly, “I’m not going.”

Kaisha stomped her foot and huffed, “You’re so boring!”

Acting as if I did not hear her, I turned away, already tired of looking at her.

On the other hand, Kaisha stood there, debating whether to go or stay.

Will, growing impatient, said, “Kaisha wants to pick mushrooms. Just go with her. Why are you acting so dull?”

I had no desire to volunteer for a dangerous task. With that, I said, “If you want to go, then you go.”

“Fine, I’ll go! Do you think I’m scared?” Will said, grabbing Kaisha’s hand. “Kaisha, I’ll go with you.”

Seeing them head off, Knight, not wanting to be left behind, hurried to follow.

Just like that, the three of them, completely oblivious to the danger, walked toward the dry grass pile. They hadn’t even touched the colorful mushrooms when Knight suddenly cried out, “Snake! There’s a snake! Help!”

Looking over, I saw a cobra coiled in the grass pile, its unblinking eyes fixed on Will, who was leading the way.