RIN

Chapter 129

The winter chill was felt before dawn. After a snowfall, the rising sun slips through the forest trees, the white frost glowing brightly. The frost-covered trees darkened the river, sheets of ice layered on top.

"Jia, are you certain they're fish here?" A young boy, with spiky hair, squints his eyes doubtfully at the icy river.

A tall young girl dressed in a hemp robe streaked with dirt gently lays her fingers on the woven net by the water. "Of course, I'm certain! How else do you think I get to fish for us every year?"

The boy's face scrunched up in puzzlement and innocently asked, "But the river is frozen. Don't the fish freeze to death?"

"Aiya, shut up, will you? You're scaring away the fish! Go play with a stick or something if you're not going to help."

The boy scowled with a huff. "Hmph, I didn't want to do this woman work anyway."

"Yeah, yeah, you're a big strong man."

The boy smiled smugly. "Hah, damn right I am!"

The girl rolled her eyes. "You don't have to help, but you can't runoff. So, stand over there man boy and stay away from the water."

The spike-haired boy stuck out his tongue before stomping away a few feet away from his sister. He crouched down and picked up a few small pebbles from beneath the snow. His thin fingers dug for more beneath before a pile of them formed in his hands.

Silently, the boy began placing the pebbles down on a smooth, snow-white surface.

"Hehe." The boy snickered.

Gradually, the stones set out began to spell: [Jia smells like...]

Realizing he ran out of stones, the boy pursed his lips and turned to look for more. He stole a glance toward the tall girl near the edge of the river. Her expression was stern while she stared intently at the flowing river, the net clutched tightly in her hands.

Holding back a sneer, the boy steps away from the area in search of stones. Walking downstream, the boy quietly hums to himself while picking up stones along the side.

While walking, the boy suddenly froze. His eyes flashed at the sight of bright color in the snow.

It was red.

He scratched his head and stared at it longer. As if thinking of something, his eyes brightened.

He recalled a story a friend of his once said when he entered the woods one day. He was lucky enough to stumble upon a hunter's unwanted kill and was able to bring it home for his family.

Thinking of the juicy, thick meat, his mouth watered.

"Haha, all right! We're having meat tonight!"

Without hesitation, he followed the trail of red in the snow. Following it farther down the river, he noticed the trails of red blood growing thicker and thicker the farther he went. The scent of blood began to settle in the air.

The brightness in his eyes began to fade, his face forming into a set of black lines.

Pondering, he frowned and rubbed his head with some force. "Ah, no way. Did a wolf eat it?"

When he decided to head back, he suddenly perceived from the corner of his eyes, a bright, royal blue color. He froze. Hidden underneath a snow-covered tree, with long dark hair sprawled on the ground, a noticeable lump was draped in a blue cloak.

It looked like a body.

He couldn't help but be frightened by the unexpected sight. He clenched his hands into fists before he forced himself to relax.