The mindscape looked different again. The land stretched far and wide, covered in mature crops. Golden corn stood tall, rice swayed gently, and rows of vegetables glistened with vitality. Tomatoes hung heavy and red on the vines. It was a scene of abundance, but Mary felt no joy at the moment.
"Cleo," she called urgently.
The little cat appeared almost instantly, trotting over. "Master, I'm here. You sounded anxious. Did something happen?"
Mary frowned. "Why can't I bring other people into the mindscape?"
Cleo's tail slowed. "Not yet, Master. the mindscape is still unstable. Once it levels up, outsiders can enter. Right now, if someone means harm, the mindscape can't protect you. If they're stronger than you, they could kill you and take this space for themselves."
Mary's eyes narrowed. "Kill… and take it? You mean the mindscape can eliminate intruders? And it can also be stolen? I thought it was bound to my soul, and my soul is merely connected to another dimension."
Cleo shook her head uncertainly. "I'm not sure about many things with this place. It might be possible in the future. My memories are incomplete, you know. When the mindscape upgrades, maybe I'll remember more."
Mary didn't dwell on it. Ryan was outside, waiting, probably worrying. "I'm going out now," she said quickly. "I'll come back later."
She vanished from the mindscape just as abruptly as she had entered.
Outside, Ryan stood frozen, heart pounding, the place where Mary had disappeared still empty.
When she suddenly reappeared, he pulled her into his arms without a word, holding her tightly as if afraid she would vanish again. "Wife..."
Mary patted his back gently. "I tried to take you in, but it didn't work. For now, only I can enter. When I find a way to upgrade the mindscape, I'll bring you in with me."
Ryan looked down at her seriously. "Next time, tell me before you go in. Just now… my heart almost stopped."
Mary leaned her head against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat. "I need to go back in once more," she said softly. "I'll heat the food and bring it out. Ten minutes at most. Wait for me here."
Ryan wanted to refuse, but before he could speak, Mary kissed his cheek lightly.
Caught off guard, he nodded.
The moment she disappeared again, a sense of emptiness settled over him, along with a faint chill. He exhaled slowly, resolving that when she came back, he would ask what was needed to strengthen this so-called mysterious mindscape.
Inside the mindscape, Mary moved quickly. She reheated the pies, then dealt with the rabbit she had brought in earlier. She cleaned it, chopped it, and divided it neatly. Half would be cooked spicy, the other half braised for Cleo.
"You'll have the treat soon," Mary said with a raised brow.
Cleo circled excitedly, tail swishing. For all her grand title, she behaved like a simple foodie.
After cooking, Mary harvested a batch of vegetables and planted another round. The crops responded instantly, the land accepting the seeds as if alive. Knowing Ryan would be anxious, she didn't linger. She lifted the pot and left the mindscape.
The rich aroma spread the moment she appeared, lighting up Ryan's eyes, and he couldn't help but sniff again. "Hmm.. that smells good..."
Mary then spread a clean cloth on the ground and set the food down. A pot of fragrant rabbit meat and twenty pies lay between them.
Ryan ate in silence at first, then faster, hunger catching up to him.
He finished more than half before finally stopping, wiping his mouth, and exhaling in awe. "This mysterious space of yours…" he said quietly, looking at the food, then at Mary. "It's truly heaven-defying. We can't waste it. If we store more prey inside, our family will never lack meat again."
Mary smiled faintly, but her gaze drifted back toward the forest. Abundance meant nothing if their people were still missing.
Mary nodded lightly. She understood the value of the mindscape better than anyone. "You can hunt more prey and put them inside. The spatial dimension has a preservation effect. Whatever state it's stored in will be the same when it's taken out. It won't rot or spoil."
Her expression soon darkened. "But right now, I'm more worried about Albert and William. This mountain is huge. If they're injured or trapped somewhere, it won't be easy to find them."
Ryan stood up and scanned the mountain range ahead with sharp eyes. After a moment, his gaze fixed on a distant slope. A thin wisp of smoke curled upward, barely visible against the trees. "Wife, look over there. On the opposite mountain. Someone's making a fire."
Mary followed his line of sight and narrowed her eyes. "I see it. That's not a natural fire." She waved her hand and stored the remaining food in her space. "Let's go. We'll check it out."
The distance looked short, but once they started moving, the terrain proved otherwise. Dense undergrowth, uneven ground, and winding paths slowed them down. By the time they reached the source of the smoke, nearly an hour had passed.
Ryan crouched and observed quietly. Ahead was a simple compound hidden among the trees. It was roughly built but clearly occupied. People were patrolling at intervals, rifles slung over their shoulders. The place was guarded, and not casually so.
Mary lowered her voice. "This doesn't look like a temporary camp. It's more like a private base. Do you think Albert and William are inside?"
Ryan's face was grave. "Whether they are or not, this place is suspicious. If there's smoke, guards, and patrols deep in the mountain, something illegal is happening here."
Mary didn't hesitate. She took several guns and a few bombs out of her mindscape and handed them to Ryan. He accepted them, his eyes briefly flickering with surprise. These weapons were far more refined than anything commonly seen outside.
They moved cautiously, using blind spots between patrol routes. Every step was measured, every breath controlled. Soon, two men appeared nearby, carrying pots and ingredients, clearly on cooking duty.
The man in black spat on the ground and muttered, "Did you hear? The boss went out to deliver goods this morning. Two idiots saw something they shouldn't have."
The man in blue laughed quietly. "Of course. I even saw it. One of them was beaten until he vomited blood. Tough bastard, though. Didn't beg even once."
Ryan exchanged a glance with Mary and subtly gestured toward the two men. She understood instantly.
Ryan stepped out from cover, gun raised and aimed steadily. "Don't move. Answer honestly, and you might live. Where are the two men you caught? What goods are you dealing with? How many people here? How many guns?"
The man in blue instinctively turned to run, but Mary moved like a shadow. She kicked him down hard, knocking the wind out of him before he could take two steps.
Both men froze, faces pale. The man in black swallowed and hurried to speak. "There are ten of us. Everyone has a gun. The goods… they're women. We trick women from outside and sell them."
The man in blue added weakly, trying to curry favor, "If they're already here, does that mean… we still get our share?"
Mary's eyes turned cold. Ryan ignored the comment entirely. "Where are the two men you caught?"
"In the dungeon," both answered at the same time.
Ryan pressed the gun closer to the black-shirted man's back. "Lead us there. Quietly. If anyone notices us, you die first."
The man nodded frantically and led the way. The blue-shirted man followed, trembling, with Mary guarding the rear. They made several turns, slipping through narrow paths, until they reached a concealed iron cover in the ground.
The man in black pointed downward. "They're under here. No guards, but there's a locked metal door inside."
Mary assessed the situation quickly. "I'll go down. You stay here and watch them."
Ryan immediately frowned, about to object, but Mary mouthed one word: "Mindscape."
He understood. If anything went wrong, she could escape. If he went instead and something happened, she would be in far greater danger alone. Reluctantly, he nodded.
Mary descended into the darkness, pulling a flashlight from her space. The air was damp and foul, and the steps echoed softly beneath her feet. At the bottom, a heavy metal door blocked the way.
She took out a pair of pliers and snapped the lock with brute force. The door creaked open. Inside, two figures lay motionless on the ground.
She checked their breathing first. Both were alive. Without wasting time, she took out the antibiotics from her space and administered them.
After a short while, Albert stirred and opened his eyes. When he saw Mary, he startled violently. "Sister-in-law? Were you caught, too? Are you hurt?"