Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: The Promise

Clutching his bruised eye, Mode limped from the taxi toward the south gate of the Return Library. There were still a dozen minutes before the agreed meeting time. Around the square, several buses were parked, and clusters of students idled in conversation, passing the time.

“Are you alright?” A cool, clear voice suddenly sounded behind him, startling Mode so much he nearly stumbled.

“I’m fine, nothing’s wrong with me...” Mode hadn’t finished before Su Ziwen wrinkled her delicate nose, her brows knitting as she said, “There’s a smell on you.”

“What smell could I possibly have? Haha, maybe it’s the pancake I just ate.” Mode tried to brush it off, but underestimated Su Ziwen’s sharpness.

“No, it’s a woman’s scent.” Su Ziwen gazed calmly into Mode’s eyes, making cold sweat bead on his forehead.

This morning, Mu Qing’s iron fist woke Mode before the alarm. Groggy, he saw Mu Qing’s face dark and stormy, pointing at a heap of mixed men’s and women’s clothes, and Mode instantly sobered up. The final compromise was Mode, sporting two panda eyes, treating Mu Qing to breakfast out of his own pocket.

“Hey, why are you two here so early?” Wu Fan’s yawns rolled one after another as he shuffled over sleepily. “Last night...” He didn’t finish before Mode’s elbow sent him reeling back. “Oh, where’s Ji Keqing? Didn’t you two come together?” Mode quickly changed the subject. This time, Su Ziwen glanced at the grimacing, grinning fatty and didn’t probe further.

“Keqing’s checking out of the hotel, she asked me to come organize everyone first.” After giving Mode a sidelong glance, Su Ziwen ignored him and went forward to gather Class 20 for lineup.

“Ow... you don’t pull your punches, lucky I’ve got some meat on me.” Wu Fan rubbed his round belly, grumbling. “Hey, what’s with those panda eyes? Don’t tell me the great class leader Su suddenly backed out last night...” Having received Su Ziwen’s message that Mode wouldn’t be back, Wu Fan assumed Mode and Su Ziwen had spent the night together.

“Back out my ass, scram!” Mode snapped.

“Here, take these, at least cover up a little.” Wu Fan rummaged through his backpack and handed him a sunglasses case. “So, last night you two actually...”

“Thanks... Will you ever quit?!” Mode was touched for a moment, then wanted to give the grinning fatty a matching pair of panda sunglasses.

...

Once everyone had assembled, the student council president of the second year, Xiang Tianshu, pushed up his thick glasses and stepped before the crowd, getting straight to the point. “I won’t waste words, just emphasize a few things.”

“First, our destination, the Autumn Hunt Base, lies beyond the Safe Boundary. No teachers are accompanying us, so all students must follow their class leaders’ instructions, and all leaders must keep in constant contact with me.”

“Second, all necessary equipment and supplies are ready at the base. Upon arrival, collect them in class order. Everyone, male or female, must wear protective gear. Food and water will be managed by each class leader.”

“Third, this Autumn Hunt begins at the base, proceeds to ‘Mount Cangyan’ as directed, and after obtaining the ‘mark’, you may return. Arrival back at the base marks completion. Anyone who forfeits midway can use the issued signal flare for assistance.”

Xiang Tianshu paused, stopped reading from his notes, and swept his gaze across the students.

“There’s no ranking for this Autumn Hunt, so I hope you all avoid disputes and support each other along the way. In theory, the military and teachers have cleared the route many times, and all trials should be within your abilities. However, if you encounter danger, don’t hesitate to seek help.” Behind his lenses, his eyes sharpened, and his tone grew heavier.

“Bravado could harm not only yourself but others. I don’t want accidents, but if they do happen—survival is my only requirement for all of you.”

“That’s all I have to say. Everyone, follow orders.”

“Board the buses. Let’s go!”

...

The mist outside the window had thinned, and Mode watched as the scenery faded from bustling to desolate, knowing they were leaving the Safe Boundary.

“Mode, what do you think we’ll encounter beyond the Safe Boundary? Might we see monsters like the ‘Sky Behemoth’?” Ji Keqing pressed her face to the glass, excitement in her eyes as the world rushed past outside. With only two members of their group able to speak, she quietly chatted with Mode.

On the bus, Class 20 sat in prearranged groups of four. Everyone whispered, sharing their excitement about leaving the Safe Boundary.

Since the Autumn Hunt required carrying heavy gear and food, Su Ziwen had assigned two boys and two girls to each group. Due to Wu Fan’s special physique, she placed him in her own group.

Even if Wu Fan collapsed halfway, with Mode’s muscle in the group, carrying him back wouldn’t be a problem.

“Hopefully nothing at all.” Mode glanced at Ji Keqing’s eager face. “Go there safely, come back safely—I don’t want any trouble.”

“But we’re leaving the Safe Boundary! Aren’t you excited?” Ji Keqing sniffed at Mode’s cautiousness. It was her first time outside the Safe Boundary, and naturally, she was fascinated by the unknown beyond. Most students felt the same; though aware of the lurking dangers and disasters, their curiosity for the unknown prevailed.

...

“Don’t get too carried away. The next few days won’t be easy.”

“You’re such a buzzkill.” She turned away, ignoring Mode, and continued gazing out the window.

But Mode felt no stirrings in his heart. After all, he’d lost count of how many times he’d left the Safe Boundary.

He tucked the blanket around the pallid, curled-up Su Ziwen beside him, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes to rest.

He’d always hated trouble, yet now trouble clung to him.

“Three rules. First, don’t interfere with my campus life. Second, if I go out for something, you’re not allowed to follow. Third, dispersing Black Flame is charged by the session—five hundred each, paid upfront, no credit.” Early this morning, before departure, Mu Qing had wheedled and pleaded until Mode, pinching his nose, agreed to let her move in with him.

Before they parted, Mu Qing had spoken frankly, explaining why she wanted to stay by his side.

“I’m curious about the black cord on your wrist, and I’m interested in the original owner of these sunglasses. Staying with you isn’t just convenient for healing the Black Flame—maybe I’ll find more clues about them. Don’t you want to explore with me, dig into the secrets hidden beneath all this?” Mu Qing hooked her arm around Mode’s shoulder, coaxing him in a voice laced with temptation...

“What a troublesome woman.” Taking off his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes, Mode muttered quietly.

His voice was so low that Ji Keqing, absorbed in the scenery, and the near-dead Wu Fan didn’t hear it.

But beside him, Su Ziwen curled up in her blanket, her brows only furrowed deeper.