Morning came. The cold wind still howled, and although the snow had not yet begun, it felt as if it could fall at any moment. Rayhan glanced at the group and said:
"Let's keep moving."
They began climbing the mountain, covering almost a kilometer. Erot, walking behind David, stared at him with a greedy smile. Looking at David's clothes, it was clear he wanted to take them by force.
But he knew Rayhan would not allow it. Ignoring the thought, he pulled out his flask and drank greedily. William frowned at him.
"You shouldn't waste water like that."
Erot glared at him with irritation.
"Shut up, old man."
William said no more.
They reached a narrow trail, too tight for even two people to walk side by side. The path was slick—one wrong step and they could fall.
They lined up in single file: Rayhan first, William second, then Erot, with David at the rear.
David never liked being in front. He always preferred someone behind him—in case an attack came from the shadows.
The higher they climbed, the worse Erot felt. Finally, when they found a spot where they could rest for at least a minute, he collapsed onto his back, pulled out his flask, and drank desperately.
William struggled as well, every step uphill heavier than the last.
David too was exhausted, nearly at his limit, but sheer willpower drove him forward.
Rayhan, noticing their condition, finally said:
"I scouted ahead. There's a cave nearby. Let's rest there tonight. We're far from the caravan, so it'll be safe. Besides, a blizzard will hit soon."
William nodded.
"You're right. Better to rest than freeze to death."
They entered the cave, but did not light a fire—any spark could draw the attention of the Snow Mountain Demon.
Erot and William fell asleep as soon as they lay down. Rayhan turned to David.
"Rest. I'll keep watch."
David nodded and drifted into sleep. Two hours later, Rayhan shook him awake.
"Hey. Your turn."
David opened his eyes, nodded, and stepped outside. Looking toward the caravan, he activated his technique. At that moment, the Snow Mountain Demon emerged from the cliffside, surveying the land before devouring the corpses of the fallen.
The piercing cold made David shiver. He stepped back involuntarily, and loose stones tumbled down. The demon heard the sound and turned toward him. Heart racing, David managed to hide just in time. The beast did not notice and continued feeding on the dead.
David sighed in relief. Sitting near the cave entrance, he waited for sunrise.
When morning came, the others awoke. Erot still could not stand. David looked at him.
"Headache, weakness, shortness of breath? That's altitude sickness. The higher we climb, the worse you'll feel."
Erot scowled and barked:
"Shut up, bastard. What are you, a doctor? You'll be the first to die here anyway."
David turned his head and muttered:
"We'll see."
They resumed their climb. Erot's condition deteriorated rapidly. At last, he lost consciousness and slipped off the cliff.
The others turned and saw his body crash violently against the ground below. His limbs twisted, his skull shattered beyond recognition.
No one spoke. They simply kept walking, each with the same thought: one of us is already dead.
Then David broke the silence.
"Last night I saw the demon. It came out of the cliff."
The others were stunned.
Rayhan turned sharply.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
William added, his voice tense:
"I noticed something about the demon—it has no eyes. It hunts by sound. And if that's true, then its sense of smell must be terrifying as well. We need to get rid of anything that might attract it."
He pointed at David.
David's mind went blank.
Bastard. I knew it. I didn't care about Erot, but you… I knew you'd become a problem sooner or later.
Rayhan asked:
"Why should we get rid of him instead of you? He can still walk. You're the one struggling."
William smirked.
"I told you—the demon tracks scents. And his clothes are soaked in blood. He's a walking beacon."
Rayhan fell silent. Sweat trickled down David's back as he awaited his judgment.
Suddenly, Rayhan grabbed William and dragged him away.
"Wait here," he told David.
Moments later, he beat William nearly to death before returning.
David asked quietly:
"Why did you do that?"
Rayhan's eyes darkened.
"Better you don't know."
David pressed no further.
"It'll be dark soon. Let's rest in the cave."
Night fell. The cave was pitch-black, not a trace of light inside.
Rayhan couldn't see David, but suddenly heard his voice.
"You're not asleep, are you?"
David replied coldly:
"Sleep? So you can kill me in my rest?"
Rayhan gave a faint smile, lowering his gaze.
"Forgive me… I have to do this—for her. If not for her, I swear, I'd do everything to keep you alive."
David sneered.
"Your excuses disgust me. Rayhan, I'm a mid-level warrior. And yet I can't sense your aura at all. You're pure darkness."
"I thought I could kill you painlessly. But it seems that won't happen."
David smirked.
"Who's dying here, bastard?"
Suddenly, blood gushed from Rayhan's mouth.
Clutching his face, he gasped:
"What… is this?"
"It's the blood of the Forsaken. Pour it into a flask and drink it… the consequences are far from pleasant."
Rayhan's face twisted in rage.
"You bastard!"
He lunged at David and struck him hard. David flew more than twenty meters through the cave, crashing onto his back.
From within the cave, Rayhan's voice echoed, hoarse and agonized.
Emerging outside, Rayhan roared:
"Bastard! I'll tear you apart! I'll make your death so agonizing you'll regret ever being born!"
David lay on the ground, waiting.
He whispered:
"Why so quiet now, huh?"
The blood of the Forsaken clouded Rayhan's mind, stripping away his control, forcing him to speak his true thoughts.
By the time he realized it, it was too late.
A demon landed behind hi
m, seizing him with its massive hands before devouring him alive.
His screams echoed through the mountains—horrific, unending.
David ran, glancing back at Rayhan's torment.