My boyfriend's dream girl, Kaisha, was an artist with a passion for painting, and she longed to explore the Enchanted Mountain to collect mineral pigments. Eager to impress her, he insisted on bringing me along. Despite my attempts to convince him that it was a bad idea, he wouldn’t listen.

In the end, everyone who ventured into those mountains got lost in the dense wilderness. Sensing danger, I managed to pull him out, barely saving our lives. But once we were safe, he turned on me, blaming me for not saving his dream girl. In a fit of rage, he strangled me to death.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day we were set to enter the undeveloped area of the Enchanted Mountain. The mist had already crept from the mountains, casting an eerie atmosphere over everything.

My boyfriend, Will, was practically bouncing with excitement. “I heard there are mineral pigments in there worth more than gold! Let’s go in!” he exclaimed. “Millicent, why are you just standing there? Hurry up!” Will urged impatiently.

——

The memories of him strangling me to death lingered, and the suffocating sensation took over. I stumbled back and fell to the ground.

Kaisha came over, linked arms with Will, and asked, “Millicent, are you okay? You’re the top student in geology. We’re counting on you for what’s ahead.”

Kaisha, Will’s dream girl, had suggested this trip to find the mineral pigments. With us were her admirer, Knight, and Edward, a delinquent.

I was just about to respond when Will yanked me up. Trying to impress Kaisha, he said, “She’s tough. She’ll be fine.” Then, leaning close to me, he muttered, “What’s wrong with you? I was generous enough to bring you along, not to have you hold us back.”

His words made my blood boil. In my past life, once we entered the Enchanted Mountain, Kaisha had wanted to collect every colorful mushroom she saw and thought a red poisonous spider was cute. If not for me, they’d have died a hundred times over. Will, knowing I studied geology and thinking I’d be useful, begged me to come along. But now, I was suddenly seen as a burden.

I shook off his grip and said, “If I’m such a burden, then let’s split up. I’m not going.”

As soon as I refused, Kaisha stepped in to defend Will. “Will didn’t mean that! How could you be a burden? He’s just worried about you.”

My eyes turned cold. “Say whatever you want, but I’m not going into the Enchanted Mountain.”

Seeing my firm stance, Will’s temper flared. He looked ready to explode, but Kaisha quickly stopped him.

Putting on an understanding front, she said, “Millicent, didn’t we all agree to go into the mountains together to find the pigments? We’re already here. Why back out now?”

I replied, “I never agreed to anything, and I certainly didn’t agree to go in with you.”

Hearing that, Kaisha gave Will a look, urging him to handle the situation. Proud and arrogant as he was, Will turned into a docile follower around her. In my past life, I had assumed he treated her like a sister, but now I realized just how naive I’d been.

Reluctantly, Will muttered an apology, assuming that would smooth things over. Remembering the moment he strangled me, I was filled with a cold fury.

Edward glanced at me and sneered, “We are already here. Stop being difficult.”

Knight chimed in, “Yeah, we’ve come this far. What’s the point of making a fuss? Those mineral pigments are worth a fortune. With one less person, there’s more money for the rest of us.”

Though they all seemed to be here for Kaisha, they each had their own reasons for tagging along.

Watching them rush headlong toward danger, I decided to let them.

“Go ahead and split the pigments however you want. I’m not going in,” I said, turning to leave.

In response, Kaisha threw Knight and Will a look, and they blocked my path.

Putting on a pleading expression, Kaisha said, “Millicent, we’re counting on you since you’re the expert in geology. We didn’t bring anything because we trusted you. You can’t just leave us here. We’ll give you a bigger share.”

Edward, hearing the mention of a bigger share, immediately protested. “Why even negotiate with her? We’re already here. Whether she likes it or not, she’s coming with us today!”

Edward placed his hand firmly on my shoulder, his threat clear. I glanced at Will, hoping for some support, but he was indifferent, his mind solely focused on Kaisha.

A faint smile crossed Kaisha’s lips as she said, “We’re all from the same school, so let’s not disrupt the harmony.”

Edward’s grip tightened, sending pain through my shoulder. “If she just cooperates and comes along, there won’t be any trouble,” he said. “But if she doesn’t know what’s good for her, I can’t say what might happen.”

Edward was known at school as a delinquent; for money, there was nothing he wouldn’t do.

With no other choice, I was forced by Edward and the others to enter the undeveloped area of the Enchanted Mountain. After about twenty minutes of walking, he finally released me. Rubbing my sore shoulder, I took a moment to observe the changing surroundings.

Edward sneered. “Now that you’re in, you can’t leave even if you want to. Since we’re all here, let’s work together to find what we’re after. But if you try any tricks, don’t blame me for being rough.”

Feigning concern, Kaisha sighed and said, “I told him not to be so harsh, but you know how he is. There’s only so much I can do.”

I glared at her coldly. Did she think I didn’t realize that Edward was following her every command? Now she was pretending to be the peacemaker?

Seeing that I wasn’t responding, they stopped talking and sat down to rest. This place felt completely different from the outside world. Towering plants and thorny bushes surrounded us, and many of the plants were unfamiliar, with even the common ones appearing several times larger than usual.

Did they think that by forcing me here, they could avoid the fate of my past life? This time, I’d only make sure their end came faster.

“Wow—” Kaisha’s voice suddenly rang out. We thought she was in trouble, but instead, she was pointing toward a pile of dry grass about a hundred meters away. Hidden near the pile were a few brightly colored mushrooms.

In my previous life, I had sensed that this dry grass looked like a cobra’s nest, so I had strongly opposed her going near it. But she twisted my caution, claiming I wanted to keep the mushrooms for myself.

This time, I let go of any good intentions and remained silent.

Kaisha turned to me, trying to appear friendly. “Millicent, you know more about this kind of place than I do. Aren’t those mushrooms beautiful?”

I smiled slightly, saying nothing.

She added, “Let’s go pick those mushrooms.”

Was she trying to play the innocent, carefree girl? She might seem harmless, but I knew her real intention: she wanted me to go first and be the one to face any risks.

I replied flatly, “I’m not going.”

Kaisha stomped her foot and huffed, “You’re so boring!”

Acting as if I did not hear her, I turned away, already tired of looking at her.

On the other hand, Kaisha stood there, debating whether to go or stay.

Will, growing impatient, said, “Kaisha wants to pick mushrooms. Just go with her. Why are you acting so dull?”

I had no desire to volunteer for a dangerous task. With that, I said, “If you want to go, then you go.”

“Fine, I’ll go! Do you think I’m scared?” Will said, grabbing Kaisha’s hand. “Kaisha, I’ll go with you.”

Seeing them head off, Knight, not wanting to be left behind, hurried to follow.

Just like that, the three of them, completely oblivious to the danger, walked toward the dry grass pile. They hadn’t even touched the colorful mushrooms when Knight suddenly cried out, “Snake! There’s a snake! Help!”

Looking over, I saw a cobra coiled in the grass pile, its unblinking eyes fixed on Will, who was leading the way.

Will immediately broke into a cold sweat, but his reaction was swift and ruthless. He moved behind Knight, pretending it was accidental, then shoved him toward the pile of dry grass. Taking advantage of the moment, he pulled Kaisha and ran. The startled cobra instantly struck, sinking its fangs into Knight’s wrist.

Edward, hearing the commotion, rushed over and quickly decapitated the snake with a knife he carried.

Meanwhile, Will had already dragged Kaisha far from danger. Only after the cobra was dead did they stop, still visibly shaken.

With his considerable strength, Edward grabbed Knight by the arm and pulled him swiftly back to us. Once they had all left the cobra’s territory, Will and Kaisha came over. By now, Knight’s face had turned pale, and his lips were beginning to show a tinge of purple as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Kaisha covered her mouth, repeatedly exclaiming, “What do we do? How are we going to save him?”

Will tried to calm her while hypocritically asking, “Millicent, are you okay over there?”

I gave him a look of disdain. Though I had been standing further away, I saw everything he did.

Edward cut him off, saying, “Let me try to help him.” He tore a piece of his shirt to tie Knight’s arm and began draining some blood. As the blood flowed, Knight’s complexion improved slightly, and he slowly regained consciousness, but his condition remained serious.

I warned, “Even with this first aid, the venom is still in his body. He needs medical help right away, or he won’t survive.”

Kaisha’s eyes darkened slightly, and she glanced at Will. Catching her look, Will said, “He seems fine, right? He should be okay.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being ignorant or deliberately callous.

I replied, “The snake that bit him is a cobra, and not just any cobra—it’s one from the Enchanted Mountain. Draining blood only buys him a little time. Without urgent treatment, he won’t make it.” I added, “This should be common knowledge.”

When Knight fully regained consciousness, he looked at Will, his eyes blazing with fury. He quickly realized the situation he was in. Here in this remote wilderness, his only hope was his companions. Yet, just moments ago, Will had chosen to save Kaisha, and naturally, she would support him. As for me, Will’s so-called girlfriend, they wouldn’t expect me to help. Edward only cared about finding valuable minerals in the Enchanted Mountain and had little concern for Knight’s well-being.

Knight clenched his teeth, his frustration clear, and said, “Let’s go back.”

I silently admired his patience and sense. Most people would have exploded after being used as a shield by their so-called friends. But no one responded to his request.

A flicker of irritation flashed in Kaisha’s eyes.

“We haven’t found what we came for yet,” she said, turning to Edward. “Right, Edward?”

Edward raised an eyebrow, showing full agreement.

Will crouched in front of Knight, smirking as he said, “It’s just bad luck that you got bitten by a snake right at the start.”

At that moment, Knight’s anger was barely contained, and it took all his self-control not to lash out at Will. But even more painful for him was Kaisha’s indifference. He had followed her into the mountains out of loyalty and affection, yet her cold response now made it clear she didn’t care.

Watching the group’s selfishness unfold, I couldn’t help but feel a dark sense of satisfaction.

“So, your plan is to leave him here to die?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Knight's eyes widened in panic. “If anything happens to me, I swear I’ll haunt every one of you!”

It was clear he realized he’d lost his place in Kaisha’s eyes; survival had taken precedence now.

Kaisha replied coldly, “We’ll call the police. Just wait here.”

I interjected, “Leaving him here with all that blood around? Who knows what might show up? By the time help arrives, there might not be anything left of him.”

Kaisha’s frustration was evident. “Then what do you suggest? Are we supposed to take him with us?”

I shrugged, unfazed. “I didn’t invite him.”

Her face flushed with anger as she turned to Edward, passing the responsibility to him with a glance.

With a sigh, Edward stepped forward, using his strength to hoist Knight and drag him a short distance away. He covered him with large leaves and said, “Wait here until help comes.”

Knight’s voice rose in protest. “You’re all insane! I’ll never forgive any of you—”

Ignoring his curses, we walked away, leaving them to echo in the stillness behind us.