Ding!
Influence +3000
(Emotion provoked: Fear)
Water splashed violently as Jin Yu shot out of the pool. Droplets shimmered around him, glinting under the moonlight before falling away. He landed gracefully on a nearby rock, water streaming from his figure.
With a wave of his hand, a Grey Robe materialized and wrapped around his body. In a blink, he was dry and clothed.
A blade appeared in his hand as his spiritual sense surged outward like a tide. It swept the surroundings until it paused, behind a large rock.
Someone was there.
A figure, small… trembling.
A girl.
Jin Yu’s brows furrowed. He stepped forward slowly, sword at the ready, and stopped just a few meters away.
“Come out.”
Ding!
Influence +3500
Ding!
Influence +4000
(Emotion provoked: Fear)
Instead of obeying, the girl crouched lower behind the rock, as though she wished she could sink into the earth.
Though Jin Yu didn't sensed a threat from her, his tone remained cold, sharp as frost.
“Now.”
Ding!
Influence +5000
(Emotion provoked: Intense Fear)
A stifled sound broke the silence—
“Pfft…”
The girl burst into a soft sob, trying desperately to muffle her cries with her hands.
Jin Yu’s frown deepened. He advanced, though his steps were more cautious now. He hadn't forgotten he was being hunted.
As he drew closer—
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Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
(Emotion provoked: Terror)
The system dings rang in rapid succession, almost like warning chimes. He paused, instinctively slowing his pace, as if afraid the girl might collapse from sheer fright.
Finally, he rounded the rock.
Their eyes met.
She was curled up, shaking. Her gaze locked onto his as though she were staring into the face of death itself. Her tear-filled eyes brimmed with terror, and blood trickled from her lips,likely the result of his earlier attack.
Jin Yu’s brows slowly eased. Guilt prickled in his chest. The killing intent vanished completely, and he dismissed the sword in his hand with a quiet sigh.
“Why were you peeping?” he asked, rubbing his brow in frustration. “I could have killed you.”
He exhaled slowly, uncertain what to do next.
Then—
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
(Emotion provoked: Terror)
The girl broke down again, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Ple-please don’t kill me!” she choked out, voice trembling, face drenched in tears.
Jin Yu stood still for a moment, staring at the sobbing girl.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the blood from her lips. Her hands trembled as they gripped the edge of her robe tightly, like she was bracing for death.
He let out a long breath and knelt down slowly, making sure not to startle her further.
“…I’m not going to kill you,” he said, voice lower now, no longer cold.
The girl flinched.
Jin Yu frowned, then looked away for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck.
This was... awkward.
He wasn’t used to situations like this.
“I thought you were an assassin,” he muttered, almost like an excuse, even though it was the truth. “You scared me first.”
Ding!
Influence +2000
(Emotion provoked: Uncertainty)
The crying quieted a little. Her sobs turned to small hiccups. She peeked at him through messy strands of hair but didn’t say anything.
Jin Yu glanced at the blood on her lip. With a sigh, he retrieved a white cloth from his ring and offered it, holding it out steadily.
“I didn’t aim to kill you,” he said softly. “That shield of yours was weak. You’re lucky I noticed it.”
She stared at the cloth in silence, still hesitant.
“Just take it,” he added, a little impatient now. “You’re making me feel worse.”
She reached out timidly, fingers brushing his as she took the cloth. Her touch was ice-cold. She quickly looked away, dabbing her lip and wiping her cheeks.
A long silence followed.
She didn’t run. He didn’t press her.
Eventually, Jin Yu leaned back slightly and crossed his arms.
“What were you doing there anyway?”
Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She swallowed, trying again.
“…Bathing spot,” she whispered. “I come here sometimes. Didn’t know… someone else would be here.”
Jin Yu raised a brow. “You live nearby?”
She gave a small nod, still looking at the ground.
“…Sorry,” she mumbled.
He blinked, then gave a soft, tired sigh.
“You should be. I nearly gave you a heart attack.”
Ding!
Influence +2500
(Emotion provoked: Embarrassment)
She lowered her head even more, clearly ashamed now.
Jin Yu studied her a moment longer. Then, reluctantly but gently, he said,
“Just... don’t sneak up on strangers next time.”
Another nod.
He turned slightly, looking back at the cliffside and the moonlit falls.
“…You’re not hurt badly, are you?”
She shook her head.
“Good.”
Another pause. Then, Jin Yu stood.
“I’ll be going now.”
He took a few steps, then stopped and added,
“Don’t stay here too long. It’s not safe.”
With that, he walked off into the moonlit path, leaving behind a girl who, though still shaken now stared after him, unsure if she’d just been terrified, protected… or both.
---
"I thought you left me behind." a familiar voice chimed just as Jin Yu stepped through the inn’s doorway.
"I'd never leave my horse behind," Jin Yu replied without turning, his voice calm as ever.
Seer quickly caught up, throwing an arm over Jin Yu’s shoulder with casual ease. His eyes scanned Jin Yu’s face before breaking into a wide smile.
"I rented a room for both of us," he announced.
Jin Yu halted mid-step, slowly turning to face him. His expression was unreadable, stone-cold and silent.
Seer blinked in confusion, then chuckled under his breath. "What? Can’t we stay together?"
Jin Yu didn’t answer. He merely stared, lips pressed in a thin line.
Seer raised a hand to cover his mouth, laughter escaping like a low rumble. "Don’t worry, friend." he said, patting Jin Yu’s shoulder twice and flipping his pale hair behind his back. "I like fair maidens."
Then, as if remembering something amusing, his eyes lit up. "Oh—that reminds me. You have a visitor… a fair one at that."
He winked and gave Jin Yu a subtle nudge.
Just then–
"Young Master."
A soft, melodic voice called out behind them.
Jin Yu’s eyes narrowed the moment he turned. That tone. That face.
His brow furrowed.
This lady again?
