Back at the cave.
The system light had faded, leaving behind a faint gold shimmer over the cave floor.
Seo Jin blinked awake first. His head throbbed, his chest ached, and a strange warmth lingered just beneath his skin—like something alive had curled up inside him.
He groaned. "What… happened?"
Then a voice answered — inside his head.
> You're awake.
Seo Jin froze. He looked around. "Li Ran?"
> Yes.
He sat up so fast he hit his head on a rock. "Ow—wait, why can I hear you in my head?!"
Across the cave, Li Ran sat against the wall, eyes closed, calm as ever. His lips didn't move, but Seo Jin still heard him clearly.
> Because of the link. We share mental channels now.
Seo Jin's jaw dropped. "You mean I can hear your thoughts?"
> Not all of them.
He glared. "What do you mean not all? Which ones, then?"
Li Ran finally opened his eyes and gave him that unreadable stare. "The ones directed toward you."
"Directed toward me—what does that even—"
