Half-Blood | NCT DREAM

Chapter 22

"That one." Mark said, motioning to the mountain that Penthus said their friends were located.

They had cleaned up the camp, ready to begin their journey again. Mark was leading like usual, guiding his team down the winding path at the side of the mountains.

Jisung must have said something funny as Chenle threw his head back, his loud laugh coming out of his mouth.

Haerin exchanged looks with Haechan as the sound echoed through the range, before she spotted rocks falling from a distance.

She watched as Jisung quickly covered Chenle's mouth while Mark stuck his hand out, zapping the rocks so they turned to dust before landing below, ending the potential of the rocks landing on any people below.

"We need to be quiet." Mark whispered, barely audible for Haerin. He was staring at Chenle, who's eyes were wide open, feeling guilty.

"Let's just go." Haechan whispered back, giving Mark a light push.

Mark met Haerin's eyes for a split second before nodding his head, continuing forward.

As they carefully and quietly made their way to the mountain, Haerin analyzed the landmark.

"Wait." Haerin said softly as they arrived, carefully making sure her voice didn't echo.

The four boys stopped, turning to look at her.

"Is something wrong?" Mark asked her in a hushed voice.

"Penthus said they're in a cave, right?" Haerin said, motioning to the mountain. "But there's not a single opening."

Panic spread through all their faces as they stared at the mountain, coming to the same conclusion. The mountain was sculpted perfectly, not a single crack or opening in sight.

"Echo must have trapped them in." Haechan pointed out, placing a hand on the rock. "Can we cut through it or something?"

The next hour involved the five of them trying to cut an opening into the rocks, with no success. Mark couldn't even get a dent in, and he was the strongest out of the five of them.

The next hour involved the usage of their powers. Chenle started with his fire, but he almost turned the group into barbecue. Next was Jisung with his portals, but he only ended up running his face into the mountain side. While Haechan was using his powers to heal Jisung's swollen nose, Mark shot a bolt of lightning at the rocks, but it bounced off, almost hitting Haerin.

Luckily, the girl had fast enough reflexes, immediately countering Mark's bolt with her own.

"Careful, hyung." Chenle warned Mark, crossing his arms.

"It wasn't intentional." Mark muttered as he rubbed the back of his head, clearly frustrated.

Haerin stepped forward, placing her hand on the rock. There has to be a way.

"I wish this would just break." Haerin muttered, gritting her teeth. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before letting it out in a long sigh. She put her hand down, stepping back.

"I have no idea what to do." Haerin said as she turned around, just to come face to face with a surprised Mark."

"Yo wait, what?!" Mark exclaimed as he stared at where Haerin's hand once was. "Did you do that?"

Haerin whipped around with lightning speed, looking at where she had placed her hand earlier. Sure enough, there was a tiny crack in the mountain, far from being big enough to get through but still a mark that wasn't there before.