Yulia shot the guard a dirty glare and comforted Renee once more. "Don't worry, our sanatorium hires professional forest rangers to clear out Dragonmount regularly. There shouldn't be that big of an issue, so I'm sure we can find him.""I know, and he's not an average person either. He's going to be safe." Renee took a deep breath, her gorgeous face lacking emotion. "Mrs. Walker, you can head back for now, I'll go look for him.""No way!" Yulia refused immediately. "Dragonmount is a complicated area, there are just too many dangers out there, with dark pits and ponds, and occasional sightings of wild boars and wolves too! You have no experience in dealing with that, so let's just have a forest ranger look for him instead.""Didn't you say there shouldn't be that big of an issue, and that you're sure we can find him?""Ah…" Yulia seemed awkward. She wasn't exactly lying when she said finding him wouldn't be an issue, it's just that they would likely find him… dead."Don't worry, Mr
The large bear was enjoying its meal at the time. However, hearing some noise coming from behind it, it paused and turned to look at the woman.Its mouth and fur were drenched in blood, and it was holding onto a piece of bone, with a few smaller pieces of flesh still attached to it. "Ah!" Renee broke down right there and then.'That… That's Stefan's bone… Stefan's flesh… And it's right in front of me!'Roar!The bear howled at Renee, and the woman was unsure if it was excited, or trying to provoke her."I'm going to kill you! I'll shred you to pieces!" Renee shrieked as she attacked the bear's head with a spin kick.Despite her petite figure, she was a very agile and strong person, and immediately sent the black bear stumbling backwards.The bear had never met such a bold person and was frozen in place. The bone in its hands was no longer as appealing now.It just stared at Renee blankly, as if it was trying to ask: "What the hell is wrong with this woman?!""What are you lo
Renee looked towards the direction of the voice. Even though she just caught her breath, she leaped up and hugged the man tightly. "Stefan! But… weren't you torn to shreds?""Can't you wish me some good?" Although Stefan seemed disdainful, he allowed the woman to hug him.Renee shook her head, still in disbelief. "You… Were you the one who shot the bear?""What's wrong with that?" Stefan was indeed holding a hunting rifle, with wisps of white smoke still coming out of the muzzle. It was clear that he was, in fact, the one who opened fire. His aim had always been quite accurate. Even though he hadn't been training for a long time, he was still able to hit a bullseye with a blindfold on. All he needed was sound to dictate which direction he had to shoot in."You're amazing, and almost as amazing as me! If the bounty hunter organization knew about you, they'd definitely spend millions just to hire you!" Renee rejoiced excitedly, looking at the man with more admiration than before. S
"But…" Stefan's cold voice echoed through the silent woods, striking her heart. "I've changed my mind."What do you mean?" Renee looked back at the man, her lonely gaze glinting with anticipation."I've decided to stay," Stefan replied."Really?" The woman beamed, her eyes sparkling with joy. "You've finally decided not to run away? You've finally realized that you can't, haven't you?""Not exactly." Stefan's expression was plastered with natural confidence. "I can leave as long as I want to, none of you will be able to find me.""Pfft!" Renee burst into laughter. 'Just look at him! Even with his current state, he's still the stubborn man I know.'"Yeah yeah, you're the strongest guy out there. You even chose the most dangerous path in these woods because you wanted a difficult challenge, I'm sure. If you're so great, let's make a bet then. If you can find your way out of Dragonmount, I'll send you back to Seraphina. You'll be free."Stefan raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued
The man's expression stiffened. His gorgeous eyes still remained unfocused as he replied, "I wish.""You…" Renee felt rather helpless after noticing his pitiful appearance. She waved her hand slowly in front of his face. "Can you really not see?""I have no reason nor interest in pretending to be a blind man," Stefan responded coldly, his elegant face plastered with visible pain."I'm so sorry, you're just way too smart. I couldn't help but doubt you. I… I'm such an idiot!" Renee gave herself a couple of light slaps out of guilt.Stefan was quite a prideful man. He was already feeling quite depressed because of his disability, and yet he was being doubted for it regardless… 'This was no different than trampling all over his insecurities. I'm such a disgusting person!'Stefan maintained an expressionless face, still facing forward as he spoke dismissively, "So are we continuing the bet?"Renee bit on her lip, feeling rather uneasy. "Only if you want to.""Then please step aside
Renee turned to the man, clearly confused. "Weren't you risking your life just to leave? Why the sudden change of heart?""I just wanted to show you that none of you could stop me if I tried to leave. So, if I do stay, it would be of my own volition," Stefan replied arrogantly."But… why?" Renee still couldn't understand. However, she now believed that Stefan was telling the truth, he did in fact have the ability to escape this place. 'But wasn't he missing Seraphina? Why is he so willing to stay now? This makes no sense!'"You mentioned that I risked my life to leave, but you risked your life to save me as well. That shows that we aren't just hospital buddies as you said…" Stefan paused, then continued. "I want to know what kind of past relationship we had to have warranted your desperate efforts."He wasn't sure if he had lost parts of memories, but he could tell that this 'Renee Everheart' had played an important role in his life. Otherwise, her existence alone wouldn't have b
"Oh come on, Margaret, spill everything out at once! You're giving me a heart attack here!" Renee felt her chest tightening as she nervously turned to the old woman once more."My father may have been a great doctor, but he has rather odd ways. The recipes he concurred up on his own aren't accepted within us traditional doctors. That's why I was hesitant in using his methods…" Margaret furrowed her eyebrows, visibly perturbed."What is it? What do you mean odd? Tell me.""All my father's recipes require a special ingredient…" Margaret then whispered into Renee's ear, revealing the ingredient to her.Renee remained silent for a short while, then responded, "It's okay. If you need any, then go ahead. I can provide you with it.""But it'd be harmful to you. Is that heartless man really worth it?""He became this way because of me. I'm even willing to sacrifice my life for him, let alone this special ingredient.""Alright, I understand. You don't want to owe him anything." As the
"You've been rather quiet lately, like you've become a proper lady," Stefan teased lightly. Although he had not spent much time with the woman, her incessant chattering had long made an impression on him. However, for the past few days, she had been unusually quiet. Most times, they merely sat together in silence, not saying a word to each other. Her voice was starting to sound quite weak as well, as if she were a willow in the breeze.'This is odd. Almost too odd!'"That's because I am a proper lady," Renee replied, her voice exceedingly soft."Mmm, a proper lady who knows how to fight a bear. Now I'm really curious as to what you look like." Stefan smirked, his expression plastered with a hint of affection that he himself didn't realize just yet.For some reason, despite having no memories of her, the days he spent with her became rather natural, as if they had known each other for a long time. Such comfort and ease made him feel happier than when he was with Seraphina.If he ha