Into the Abyss：A Journey Together

The mist was thick and suffocating, reducing visibility to nearly zero.

Ren Yao and Luo Yi stepped cautiously into The Lost Realm, the icy wind howling like ghostly wails, sending chills down their spines.

What the heck is this? A spooky dungeon-level in some third-rate horror game? Ren Yao thought, gripping Luo Yi's sleeve tightly. Though her inner monologue was rife with complaints, she maintained an air of nonchalance, like this was just another day at the office.

Luo Yi noticed the tug on his sleeve, glancing down at her. His lips curved into a faint smile.

This woman... scared out of her wits but still pretending she's fearless. Classic tsundere.

He reached out, taking her hand in his, a silent gesture of comfort.

The map from the elder's pouch wasn't much help. It looked more like a child's crayon doodle than any practical navigation tool.

As they pressed on, traps and snares sprang up left and right. If it weren't for Ren Yao's cheat-like system abilities, they'd have been toast ten times over.

"What the hell is this now?" Ren Yao muttered, glaring at a gaping pit that had suddenly appeared beneath her feet.

Reacting instinctively, she yanked Luo Yi back while simultaneously deploying a "universal rope" from her system inventory. The rope wrapped securely around a nearby tree, saving them both from plummeting to their doom.

"Nice reflexes," Luo Yi remarked, visibly impressed.

Ren Yao smirked. "If I weren't quick, we'd be human kebabs by now."

Their banter lightened the mood as they continued. But just as they let their guard down, the ground crumbled beneath Luo Yi's feet.

"Yao Yao!" he shouted as he plummeted.

"Luo Yi!" Ren Yao lunged to grab him, but the momentum dragged her down as well.

In that instant, a cold metal sensation wrapped around her wrist. A glowing chain materialized from nowhere, anchoring her mid-air.

"What the…" she murmured, staring at the shimmering chain as it gently pulled them back to safety.

Both shaken but alive, they rested briefly, sharing some rations Luo Yi had packed.

"You've got a knack for saving my life," Luo Yi said with a soft laugh.

Ren Yao shrugged, grinning. "We're in this together, aren't we?"

Just as they began to relax, an ominous chill swept through the air, and shadowy figures emerged from the mist.

"Assassins?" Luo Yi muttered, his body tensing.

The attackers struck without warning, blades gleaming in the dim light. Luo Yi fought valiantly, his movements as sharp as a predator's.

Ren Yao activated a system skill, blinding the enemies momentarily with a flash of white light.

"Now!" she shouted.

Luo Yi capitalized on the opening, his counterattack swift and deadly. Meanwhile, Ren Yao unleashed a "pepper spray from hell" on one assassin, reducing him to a sobbing, writhing mess.

"Nice try, buddy. Better luck next time," she taunted as the remaining assassins fled, spouting clichés like "We'll meet again!"

Dusting herself off, Ren Yao turned to Luo Yi. "You good?"

"Thanks to you," he replied, a rare smile breaking his usual stoicism.

With danger temporarily behind them, they resumed their journey. Finally, they reached a colossal stone door etched with ancient runes, its aura heavy with secrets.

"This door…" Ren Yao muttered. "It's not gonna open without a key, is it?"

Luo Yi grinned mischievously, pulling something from his coat.

"Don't worry. I've got this."

He held up… a brick.

A literal brick???