The Power of Coin

The power gifted by Coin was unexpected—gentle rather than forceful, calm instead of wild. It felt as though the energy was not merely fuelling him but binding itself to his very essence, strengthening his spirit. The agony that had clouded his thoughts lifted, and for the first time since the battle, a quiet clarity settled over him. Though weak, he could feel the faint hum of life returning to his limbs. His mind no longer reeled from exhaustion, and a deep, comforting heat spread within him, reinforcing his soul.

While the energy extracted from the bear was meagre, it had been the final push needed to activate his connection to the tattoo fully. He yearned to delve into its mysteries, to uncover the truth behind Coin and the forces that now coursed through him. But experience had taught him caution—he was in no condition to explore its depths just yet. With great effort, he pushed himself upright, his gaze sweeping his surroundings.

Dark clouds gathered ominously in the sky, rolling in with a suffocating weight. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and flashes of jagged lightning split the heavens. A storm was coming, fierce and unrelenting. Mu Yan knew he had to seek shelter—enduring this wrath beneath the open sky would mean certain doom. Along the way, he scavenged what he could—bundles of dried roots, edible berries, and a few medicinal herbs, enough to last him a few days. The winds howled, whipping through the dense forest, shaking the trees, and sending startled animals fleeing for cover. He had to hurry before the storm engulfed him.

After an arduous trek through the wild terrain, he finally spotted something—a break in the thick vines clinging to a sheer cliffside. A narrow gap, partially concealed from view, lay high above, hidden by layers of foliage. It was barely visible from below, but instinct told him it led somewhere—somewhere safer. Testing the vines, he found one thick and sturdy enough to bear his weight. He gritted his teeth, grabbed hold, and began to climb. The ascent was treacherous. His arms burned from strain, his footing slipped more than once, and at one point, he almost lost his grip entirely. But after a painstaking effort, he finally hauled himself up onto the ledge.

Before him, nestled within the rock face, was a cave—vast and unexpectedly deep. What had seemed like a mere hollow from below revealed itself to be a sprawling cavern. The entrance was narrow, but once inside, the space widened dramatically. Stalagmites jutted from the floor like ancient sentinels, while delicate formations of stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping with moisture. A faint luminescence emanated from patches of moss growing along the walls, casting an eerie but beautiful glow.

But what truly shocked Mu Yan was the thriving ecosystem within. A small underground stream wound its way through the cavern, its waters glistening and pure. Strange, bioluminescent fungi dotted the rocks, illuminating pockets of the cave with a soft, ethereal light. There were signs of life—tiny rodents scuttled between crevices, and farther in, he spotted a group of beetles with iridescent shells, their bodies shimmering like liquid gemstones. The air was damp but fresh, carrying a rich scent of earth and stone.

Here, hidden away from the raging storm outside, Mu Yan had found temporary sanctuary. The cave was more than just shelter—it was alive, full of mysteries waiting to be unravelled.