CLICK… CLICK… CLICK…
The sound echoed off the cave walls. Footsteps—slow, deliberate—moving closer.
Maxwell froze. Every muscle in his body stiffened.
Whether he lived or died now depended entirely on the owner of those steps.
It reminded him of his powerless days in the forest. Back then, a single misstep could mean life or death.
But even in those days, Uncle Kim watched over him. Always. Quietly. Unseen.
It gave him a small sense of safety.
Here?
There was nothing.
No reassurance.
No protection.
Show yourself already! Maxwell thought, anxiety tightening around his chest.
The figure moved deliberately, every step measured, as if savoring the fear building in him.
Yes. It was intentional. She—or it—was doing this on purpose.
Finally, the suspense broke.
A figure emerged from the shadows. The cave's glowstones seemed to respond, faintly illuminating the long-awaited return of a master.
Nova.
She stopped a few steps from Maxwell, her silhouette carved in cold precision.
Long black hair fell like a waterfall down her back.
Eyes deep vermilion, unyielding.
Height? Exactly Maxwell's—5'9.
Maxwell's mind froze.
The word "stunning" barely captured the impression.
She radiated power and beauty simultaneously. Athletic yet proportioned perfectly, with curves that balanced strength and elegance.
And her aura? Cold. Unapproachable. Dangerous.
Maxwell didn't have time to admire her beauty. His life depended on keeping calm.
The woman stepped forward, bowing lightly.
"I must thank you, Mr…?"
"Maxwell," he replied, his voice tight, eyes locked on hers.
"If I may be bold," he continued cautiously, "how should I address… this ancient one?"
"Please," she said, her tone flat, almost bored. "Stop with the respectful act. It's… creeping me out. It was fun at first—don't overdo it."
She glanced around the cave before adding,
"By the way… the name is Nova, Mr. Maxwell."
"Please," Maxwell blurted, "just call me Maxwell. No 'Mr.' I'd rather not anger… whatever you are."
Nova gave him a single disapproving sideways glance, said nothing else, and turned away, leaving him trembling slightly in her presence.
What is this guy? she thought. Did he really not hear me? How did someone like him even get here?
She was certain Maxwell hadn't been sent deliberately—he was far too weak to matter.
Then her attention shifted. Something approached from the ravine outside—fast, heavy, deliberate.
Landing on the cliff edge, pacing.
"Did you anger anyone before coming here?" she asked without turning. "You seem to have brought a friend."
Maxwell thought quickly. No… I didn't anger anyone. I was just trying to cross the ravine.
The only threat? The white bull. For killing the Snow Hawk King.
"In any case," she said, finally facing him, "you still have a visitor waiting outside. Let's make a deal."
Maxwell nodded cautiously.
"What's the deal?" he asked.
"It's simple," she said, almost casually. "Use your Snow Hawk King to get both of us out of here."
"That's it?" Maxwell blinked.
"Yes," she replied bluntly. "Stop staring. There's nothing to gain from using you. And if I wanted you dead… your bones wouldn't remain."
Maxwell glanced at Snowy, inwardly scoffing.
Look at her, acting all high and mighty… when she clearly needs Snowy for this escape.
They shook hands.
Both grabbed onto Snowy, who struggled under their combined weight.
SWOOSH!
A gust of wind roared through the cave as Nova's power surged outward, supporting Snowy and helping the bird carry both of them to the edge of the ravine.
At the top, Maxwell caught sight of the white bull below—its blood-red eyes burning with rage, its massive body coiled like a spring ready to explode.
Yet Nova did not spare it a single glance.
She turned instead to Maxwell, a crazed smile spreading across her face, her vermilion eyes glinting with unmistakable bloodlust.
"Time for you to—"
In an instant—
The world froze around him.
Snowy's wings halted mid-flap. The wind fell silent. Even the air itself seemed to lose the will to move.
Maxwell's heart thundered in his chest as realization struck him like lightning.
He hadn't heard the second part of the deal.
Every word Nova had spoken replayed in his mind, yet something crucial was missing—something she had never finished saying. And now, with the world locked in place and his body refusing to respond, Maxwell understood.
This was never a simple escape.
His fists clenched uselessly at his sides as a cold fear settled deep in his chest. Whatever came next, it was something he had unknowingly agreed to… and there would be no backing out.