"I knew you'd try to tough it out. When you endure, I feel terrible."
Khang sniffled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His two hands held my legs tightly.
I rested my head on his shoulder, and for some reason, my mind suddenly recalled the image of lying on my father's back as a child.
He introduced the surroundings while carrying me.
We were in a natural cave system deep inside a mountain, like a giant honeycomb.
Each cave connected to countless other caves.
Without Banh Nep leading the way, we would certainly have gotten lost in this cave labyrinth until we collapsed from exhaustion.
A layer of glowing crystals clung to the rock walls; they were what illuminated the darkness in the cave.
Speaking of these crystals, I asked Khang:
"Have you checked what they're made of?"
Khang replied:
"I tried, but that monster won't let us touch anything here."
I asked:
"Why do you say that?"
Khang explained:
