"Um... can I ask you something?" said Hana, looking uncertain.
"What's the difference between the Murim world and the magic world? Aren't they both other worlds?"
Rahel looked at Hana, then glanced briefly at Erik before continuing.
"They are both other worlds, but they are fundamentally different. The world of magic is based on spiritual power and flexible laws of reality. There are many ways to turn back time, open portals, or summon entities to return home. Meanwhile, Murim"
"is a world centered on humans," Erik interrupted, continuing the explanation in a flat tone, but with confidence.
"No magic can reverse reality. The power there comes from the body, from discipline, from blood and sweat. They are not wizards, they are humans... but humans who have been tempered beyond the limits of ordinary humans."
Some students looked at each other, some swallowed hard, others shook their heads quickly as if refusing to believe it.
Rahel nodded slowly, agreeing.
"And if we really are in that world, don't expect a shortcut home. There are no spells, no magic doors. There is only one thing that guarantees our survival, becoming stronger than those who try to kill us."
Those words caused a tense silence. The sound of breathing was more audible in the cave. Some students swallowed hard, feeling something cold run down their spines.
At the same time, Raven, who was sitting a little apart, felt something. A soft whisper, like a voice coming from nowhere, pierced his ears.
"Close... they... kill..."
The voice echoed, faint at first, then growing louder, constricting his chest until he felt suffocated. Raven looked up, staring at the dark mouth of the cave, but there was nothing there.
Then the voice exploded inside his head, echoing incessantly.
Kill.
A pause.
Kill…
Again.
Kill. Kill.
Kill them.
Kill them all.
Kill THEM ALL !
Raven staggered, his hands clutching his forehead. The world spun, cold sweat running down his temples. His breath came in gasps, as if his brain was being forced to accept the crazy melody that kept repeating.
Ughh... what is this voice... damn it!
Without a word, Raven stood up. His movement made Hana, Karin, Kyle, and Lisa reflexively turn their heads. Hana looked at him with a worried expression.
"Raven... what's wrong?" she asked softly, not wanting to interrupt Rahel who was still speaking in front.
Raven paused for a moment, then turned his head. A slight smile appeared on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Ahh... I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back," she said lightly, as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, okay... all right," Hana replied softly, trying to smile, even though her eyes looked deeper.
There was something different in Raven's gaze just now. His eyes, which usually gave a sense of security, now looked as cold as a starless night, deep and threatening, as if they could swallow someone whole. The strange sensation made Hana's hair stand on end without her realizing it.
Raven walked away, his back still visible to Hana. Behind him, the atmosphere remained silent, but Hana's heartbeat grew louder, like an uncontrollable drum.
Kevin, who was standing not far from her, finally spoke up. "Hana..." he called softly, his tone calm but hiding something unpredictable.
"I don't know what really happened to Raven, but... if there's anything that scares you, you can tell me."
Hana glanced over, her lips trembling as if she wanted to answer, but she only looked down. "I... I'm fine."
Kevin watched Hana's face a few seconds longer than he should have, then smiled slightly.
"All right, then, don't push yourself too hard." The words sounded gentle, but there was a subtle nuance as if he wanted to give Hana his attention.
Hana sighed briefly, didn't answer, then walked away, leaving Kevin with his gaze still fixed on her back.
Near the mouth of the cave, William was sitting leaning against the rock wall with the female guide who had been with them on the trip. He stared outside, seeing only darkness and the faint silhouettes of trees surrounded by fog. Occasionally, he took a deep breath, as if trying to swallow the despair that continued to haunt him.
"Huh... I don't know why our fate is like this," William muttered softly, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the wind.
The female guide beside him had shoulder-length hair, wore thin glasses, and a tattered jacket. She glanced outside the cave as well.
"Um... if what those kids said is true, are we really trapped in another world... can we go home?" she asked softly.
William paused for a moment before turning his head, his faint smile more like irony.
"If this is indeed another world, then the only thing we can do is survive... and return together."
"Your words sound like a red flag, you know?" replied the female guide, smiling stiffly, clearly trying to ease the tension.
William sighed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"If that makes you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. But honestly... I just don't want us all to give up just because we're afraid."
The mentor glanced at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmm... when you say things like that with such a serious expression, you look like... what, a leader, maybe?"
William immediately chuckled, raising both hands. "Hahaha, don't be like that. I'm not a leader or anything, just... well, an ordinary human being who's also scared."
The mentor smiled, shaking his head slowly.
"Seriously? I think you're the calmest among us. Or... at least, you seem the most reliable right now."
William turned his head briefly, his eyes following the gaze toward the students who were resting in the corner of the cave.
"Reliable, huh?" he muttered, then smiled slightly.
"I don't think it's just me. If they can continue to help each other in the midst of this chaos... that's pretty great."
The mentor chuckled softly. "Still, you look like the most senior person here. So I consider you our mentor, right... Sir?"
"Oh, not really. And don't call me 'Sir'. It makes me feel like I'm getting older." William chuckled again, trying to lighten the mood.
"My name is William. I'm only twenty-six, so I'm far from old."
"Seriously, twenty-six? I thought you were over thirty." The mentor chuckled, clearly surprised.
William immediately put on a feigned offended expression. "Oh my god, do I look that old? You're terrible." He narrowed his eyes playfully, then added,
"So, how old are you?"
"Me?" The mentor smiled slightly. "Twenty-four."
"Wow, that means you're still really young. So fresh," replied William with a chuckle, trying to tease her.
The guide clicked her tongue softly and lightly hit William's arm. "You're such a flirt. We just met and you're already sweet-talking me."
"Hahaha, I'm just being honest," replied William, raising both hands as if defending himself.
She looked at him for a moment, a soft but warm smile on her lips.
"By the way, we've been talking but I haven't mentioned my name. I'm Adriana... but people usually call me Riana."
"Riana..." William repeated her name softly, as if engraving it in his memory. "Nice. It suits you."
Riana chuckled, raising her eyebrows. "Hah, sweet talk again in a situation like this? You're good."
"It's not sweet talk, I'm serious," William replied lightly.
"When we get out of here... maybe we can talk again, but not in a cave."
Riana just laughed softly, even though her eyes still held the same anxiety.
However, that brief warmth vanished instantly when Raven appeared from inside the cave. His steps were slow but firm, his shadow lengthening on the stone floor due to the light from the flashlight and cell phone inside. William spontaneously stood up.
"Hey, Raven! Where are you going?" William called out.
"I need to pee," Raven replied with a flat smile, his eyes briefly sweeping over them.
"Oh... then let me—" William didn't get to finish his sentence. Raven turned fully, staring directly at him. That gaze... was empty. Clear, but cold like darkness swallowing light. His thin smile only made the aura more chilling.
William felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His throat was dry, his breathing heavy, and for some reason his knees suddenly went weak, as if his body refused to stand in front of that gaze.
"...No need to bother, sir. I can go by myself," Raven said softly, almost like a whisper, but her voice pierced to the bone. He walked past them, his back disappearing into the forest mist outside the cave.
Riana watched Raven walk away with a frown. "William... is it okay for him to go alone like that?" she asked softly.
But when she turned, William's face was pale. Cold sweat beaded on his temples, his breathing slightly labored.
"Eh... William? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Riana's voice began to tremble.
William swallowed, his voice low but full of fear.
"What... is that boy...?"
A moment of silence enveloped them. Only the sound of the wind rustling, bringing a cold breeze into the cave. Riana unconsciously pulled her jacket closer, her skin prickling. Whether it was because of the damp air... or because Raven's shadow still lingered, as if stuck to the cave wall.