The cave was silent except for the sound of rain dripping from the edge of the cliff. Seo Jin leaned against the rough wall, trying to catch his breath. His arm throbbed with pain, yet the ache wasn't just his. It pulsed deeper, like something alive under his skin.
Li Ran the Villain sat across from him, eyes closed, his dark robes torn and stained with blood. The firelight flickered across his pale face, making him look almost fragile—if anyone could call the infamous villain fragile.
"Hey…" Seo Jin muttered, his voice low. "You're bleeding again."
Li Ran didn't open his eyes. "So are you."
Seo Jin frowned. "I'm fine."
The fox on his shoulder—small, fluffy, and far too smug for a supposed system guide—tilted its head. "You say that, but your pulse just spiked, Host. Also, the soul link is glowing again. So romantic~"
Seo Jin groaned. "Not the time."
The fox wagged its tail. "Just saying. Your soul energy is reacting. Maybe because you two are sitting too close?"
