I stood frozen, staring at the spot where the monster and the Senior had vanished, my heart heavy with anxiety and confusion.
“What on earth is going on? Where could the Senior have been taken?” I muttered to myself, anxiously scanning the surroundings for any clue. But all I found was desolation and silence.
Suddenly, my stomach let out a loud rumble.
“Ugh, hungry at a time like this? That’s just great,” I sighed, patting my belly helplessly.
With no other choice, I had to find something to eat first. I searched around the valley floor and finally spotted a tree heavy with fruit.
Excited, I ran over and was about to reach out and pick some when a voice suddenly shouted, “Don’t pick those! Those fruits are poisonous!”
Startled, I quickly pulled my hand back and looked around nervously. “Who’s there? Who’s speaking?”
From behind the tree hopped out a lively little fawn, its bright eyes sparkling as it said, “It’s me! Don’t just eat anything you find — those fruits are toxic.”
Relieved, I smiled at the adorable fawn. “Oh, it’s you. Can you tell me where I can find something safe to eat?”
The fawn shook its head and said, “Follow me.”
I followed the fawn as we made our way along a rough, uneven path tangled with weeds. Several times I nearly tripped. The trees around us grew thicker, and sunlight filtered down only in scattered patches through the leaves.
After a while, we arrived at the entrance of a cave. The fawn pointed inside and said, “There are some mushrooms in there, but you have to be careful — some are poisonous.”
Cautiously, I stepped into the cave. A damp, musty scent filled the air, and the ground was slick underfoot. I switched on the flashlight I had with me; its faint beam seemed fragile in the darkness.
Just a few steps in, I felt something soft beneath my foot. My heart skipped a beat. Shining the light down, I saw, to my shock, a hedgehog curled up and sleeping right there!
Its spines stood on end, each sharp and bristling.
“Ah!” I jumped back in fright and started running.
“Fawn, help!” I called out as I fled.
From the cave entrance, the fawn called back, “Don’t be afraid! Hedgehogs won’t attack unless provoked.”
Still shaken, I stopped and carefully made my way back to where I had disturbed it. The hedgehog, now awake, was slowly waddling away.
Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I resumed my search for mushrooms inside the cave.
After a careful look around, I finally spotted some mushrooms. Using a stick, I gently pushed aside the surrounding weeds and examined their shapes and colors closely.
Some mushrooms were brightly colored and looked quite beautiful, but I remembered the elders’ warning: the more vibrant the mushroom, the more likely it was to be poisonous.
After a thorough selection, I gathered some mushrooms that appeared to be safe.
Stepping out of the cave, I found a flat spot and prepared to start a fire to roast some mushrooms. I gathered some dry twigs and leaves from around me and tried to light them with my lighter.
But the twigs were too damp, and the lighter’s flame flickered and died every time—I just couldn’t get the fire going. Growing anxious, I kept trying, ending up with soot all over my face and my hair a tangled mess.
“Ah, you’re so clumsy!” Fawn walked over, digging a small pit in the ground with her hoof. She then placed some dry grass and leaves inside, motioning for me to set the twigs on top.
Following Fawn’s instructions, I arranged the twigs as she showed. She rubbed a stick gently with her hoof, and before long, a wisp of blue smoke appeared—the fire finally caught.
I placed the mushrooms over the flames, and soon they released a tempting aroma. There were no seasonings, but at that moment, I couldn’t care less.
Finally, I had some roasted mushrooms to eat. They didn’t taste great, but at least they filled my stomach.
“Thank you, Fawn. Do you know how I can find my senior?” I asked eagerly.
Tilting her head thoughtfully, Fawn said, “I heard there’s a mysterious wizard at the bottom of this valley. Maybe he can help you.”
“Where is this wizard?” I asked impatiently.
Fawn pointed toward a distant mountain peak. “At the top of that mountain. But the path up is very difficult.”
I thanked Fawn and set off toward the mountain. Along the way, thorny bushes scratched my clothes, tearing them in several places, and my arms and legs were marked with fresh cuts.
The mountain trail was steep and rugged, with some sections requiring me to use both hands and feet to climb.
After a while, I reached a small stream. The water was crystal clear but rushed swiftly. I wanted to cross, but there were no stepping stones to use.
Just as I hesitated, I spotted a fallen tree trunk nearby.
“Maybe I can use this as a bridge,” I thought, struggling to drag the trunk to the water’s edge.
Carefully, I stepped onto the log, inching forward. But the current rocked the trunk beneath me, making my heart pound in my chest.
Just as I was about to reach the other side, my foot slipped, and I plunged into the water.
“Help!” I struggled desperately in the icy stream, the cold stabbing through me like needles.
Fortunately, I grabbed a branch on the bank and pulled myself out with great effort.
Soaked to the bone and shivering uncontrollably, I didn’t dare rest. I pressed on toward the mountain.
Finally, I arrived at the foot of the peak, only to find no path leading upward.
“What should I do now?” I fretted. Suddenly, I noticed some jutting rocks nearby.
“Maybe I can climb up using those rocks,” I thought, starting to scramble.
The rock surfaces were incredibly smooth, and every move had to be careful—I was terrified of falling.
Not long after climbing, my hand slipped, and my body began to fall.
“This is it!” I closed my eyes in despair.
At that moment, I suddenly grabbed hold of a tree branch growing out of a crack in the rocks, steadying myself.
I took a deep breath and continued climbing upward.
After a grueling struggle, I finally reached halfway up the mountain.
By then, I was panting heavily, sweat soaking through my clothes.
Just as I was about to take a moment to rest, a low, guttural roar suddenly echoed nearby.
My heart skipped a beat. Following the sound, I saw a fierce lion approaching me.
Its jaws were wide open, revealing sharp teeth, and its eyes were filled with hostility.
My heart raced instantly, and my mind went blank.
“What should I do? What should I do?” I kept asking myself in panic.
Just as the lion was about to pounce, I suddenly spotted a narrow cave beside me.
Without hesitation, I darted inside.
The lion lingered at the cave’s entrance for a while, but seeing it couldn’t get in, it eventually left.
I stayed inside the cave for a moment, and only after confirming the lion had gone did I carefully step out.
I pressed on, climbing higher. The mountain path grew steeper, and my strength was nearly spent.
But the thought of my Senior still waiting for me to rescue him gave me the grit to keep going.
Finally, I reached the mountaintop and found the wizard’s dwelling.
I knocked on the door and said, “Mighty Wizard, please help me. I need to find my Senior.”
The door slowly creaked open, revealing a mysterious figure.
“If you want my help, it won’t be that easy. You must first pass my trial,” the wizard said.
I had no idea what trial awaited me, but for my Senior, I was fearless…
