The night air was heavy, the forest unnaturally still after the earlier clash. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Li Xian walked a few steps behind Zhao Han — but unlike his usual self, he was quiet. No teasing, no careless remarks. His expression was distant, his thoughts clearly somewhere far away.
"…Something feels off," Li Xian muttered, his tone lower than usual.
Zhao Han glanced at him briefly.
Something was different.
But he said nothing.
"Stay focused," Zhao Han replied.
Then—
A sharp sound cut through the silence.
Too fast to react.
A shadow burst from the trees — not toward the group…
But straight toward Zhao Han.
"Zhao Han—!"
Without thinking, Li Xian moved.
Steel flashed.
He stepped in front of Zhao Han, blocking the strike just in time — the force sending a sharp pain through his arm as the blade grazed him.
The attacker didn't even glance at Li Xian.
Every movement… every strike…
Was aimed at Zhao Han.
Zhao Han's eyes narrowed instantly. "You—"
They clashed for only a few seconds, but something about it was wrong. The attacker was skilled… precise… and deliberate.
Li Xian tried to counter, but in that brief moment—
He saw it.
A mark.
A symbol.
Barely visible beneath the attacker's sleeve.
His breath caught.
His eyes widened.
No… that's—
For the first time, panic broke through his calm — raw and unmistakable.
The attacker noticed.
And in the next second—
They vanished into the darkness.
Gone.
Just like that.
Silence fell again, heavier than before.
Li Xian stood frozen, his grip loosening on his sword. His breathing was uneven, his thoughts spiraling.
That mark… it can't be…
His usual playful expression was gone completely now — replaced by something far more serious. Something troubled.
"Li Xian."
Zhao Han's voice cut through his thoughts.
Only then did Li Xian seem to return to himself. The sting in his arm became real, blood slowly seeping through his sleeve.
"…It's nothing," he said quietly. Not playful. Not light. Just distant.
Zhao Han stepped closer, his sharp gaze scanning the wound.
"You're injured."
"I said it's nothing," Li Xian repeated, but his voice lacked its usual ease.
Zhao Han paused.
Something wasn't right.
This wasn't the Li Xian he knew.
Then, quietly—
"…Thank you."
The words were low. Almost hesitant.
Li Xian blinked, slightly surprised, but his reaction was softer than usual. "...You're welcome."
No teasing.
No grin.
Just a small, tired response.
Zhao Han's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary.
After a brief silence, he stepped forward and took hold of Li Xian's arm, steadying him.
"…You'll slow everyone down if you collapse."
Li Xian let out a faint breath, almost like a quiet laugh, but even that felt distant. "Then I'll try not to."
Zhao Han didn't reply.
But he didn't let go either.
As they walked back through the dark forest, Li Xian's thoughts remained heavy, tangled around the image of that mark — a truth he wasn't ready to face.
And beside him, Zhao Han said nothing…
But for the first time—
He noticed everything...