After absorbing the Yin energy, Shinju stood up.
His whole body was covered in blood, droplets falling from his fingertips.
For a brief moment, he lifted his head, a tired smile curling on his lips.
> "Was that all you had…?"
He took a step forward.
His consciousness faded.
And his body quietly rolled down the heap of dead rats.
Koharu screamed and ran to him.
> "Shinju! Open your eyes!"
Swen followed a few steps behind, holding her breath as she knelt down.
She grabbed Koharu's trembling hands.
> "Calm down," Swen said softly.
"He's just unconscious. Remember? He has an immortal body."
Koharu lowered her head, unable to hold back her tears.
She looked at Shinju's face; he seemed merely asleep.
Swen clenched her teeth.
> "First, we need to get him somewhere safe. Damn essence was too strong—
we have to hide before more creatures come."
Koharu nodded, still unable to take her eyes off Shinju.
Together they dragged him between the rocks.
There, they found a shaded hollow and waited until dawn.
Koharu didn't move at all.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Shinju's face.
When the first light of morning hit, Shinju's fingers twitched.
He drew a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
Koharu was right in front of him.
> "You stayed by my side all night, princess?"
Koharu smiled, trying to act casual.
> "Of course. I wouldn't leave you to anyone else."
Then she held up some muddy, grayish rat meat.
> "I'm starving. Turn these into something edible, would you?
If it weren't for you, I'd have no idea how to eat them."
Shinju frowned, clearly annoyed.
> "Seriously… that's what you're thinking about right now?"
He paused for a moment, then yelled angrily:
> "Where's that crazy alchemist!?"
A voice came from behind the rocks.
Swen peeked out, half her face visible, cautious.
> "So… you're finally awake."
Shinju shot her a deadly glare.
> "You madwoman! You almost managed to kill an immortal!"
Swen gave a sheepish grin and shrugged.
> "Look on the bright side. Gathering that much Yin energy would've taken us months."
Then she smirked.
> "You're fine anyway… still breathing."
Shinju rolled his eyes.
> "Koharu, bring those meats."
Koharu carried over a handful of rat meat.
Shinju grumbled:
> "At this rate, we'll have to call you 'Princess Piggy.'"
Koharu frowned as she set the meat down.
> "No backing out now. You promised yesterday I could eat as much as I wanted."
Shinju sighed.
> "Fine, fine."
He raised his hands, sterilizing the meat and preparing a fire.
From behind the rocks, Swen popped out again, holding a few small bottles.
> "I can make them taste better."
Koharu clutched her stomach and pleaded.
> "Shinju, please forgive her just this once."
Shinju narrowed his eyes.
> "Alright, come over here. But I still haven't forgiven you."
Swen grinned and hurried over.
> "Don't worry, Shinju. Once you taste this, you'll have no choice but to forgive me."
She opened the bottles, seasoning the meat with alchemy.
The aroma filled the rocky hollow; the meat shimmered as it cooked.
The three of them sat together and ate the roasted meat.
It tasted far better than they expected.
Shinju chewed slowly, closing his eyes.
> "This… must be the food of the heavens."
He lifted his head and looked at Swen.
> "You're forgiven. This time."
Swen grinned triumphantly while Koharu burst into laughter.
That day, in the middle of chaos,
the three of them shared a rare moment of peace—
they ate, talked, and laughed together.