The sunset dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and soft lavender. A sigh escaped my lips. "Senior, it's night time, and my spiritual energy is dwindling. Can't we rest in the forest?" My Spirit Energy display flickered: SE:- 20/280.
Yun Sha nodded, her own brow slightly furrowed. "Yeah, mine is also low. We should find a place to camp."
We descended onto a small clearing, the soft forest floor cushioning our landing. "Haaa haaaa," I exhaled dramatically, stretching my stiff limbs. "I was too exhausted."
"Hey," Yun Sha said, her head tilted slightly. "I sense a waterfall nearby."
My ears perked up. "What? Really? That's great! I want to jump in the water."
"Nope," she retorted, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'll go first. You wait here, and don't even think about peeking, or I'll beat you to a pulp."
"Hey! Do you think I'm a perv?" I scoffed, though a nervous flutter tickled my stomach. "Hmph."
"Okay, but don't peek. I'm going." With a swish of her robes, she disappeared into the darkening woods.
"Ding."
I mentally called out, "Hey System, why is this second sword puzzle so hard?"
"Ding." A flat, emotionless tone echoed in my mind. "Host, we can't do anything for that."
"Huf, you blasted system," I muttered under my breath.
"System, give me a Thunder Shock."
A jolt of mild electricity coursed through me. "Hey! Sorry, I won't say it again!"
Suddenly, a terrified scream pierced the quiet of the forest. "Aaaaaaa! Help!"
"What was that sound? Is Senior okay?" My heart pounded in my chest. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards the sound of rushing water.
I burst through the trees and my breath hitched. Yun Sha was running towards me, stark naked, her face a mask of pure terror.
"Ahh! Senior, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to see you like this!" My eyes darted away, my face burning with embarrassment.
But instead of anger, Yun Sha threw herself into my arms, her grip tight. "Junior Zhen, please! Can you kill that leech?" Her voice trembled.
"What? A leech? Where?" I stammered, my mind reeling.
"Yeah, there! In the water!" She pointed a shaking finger towards the dark pool beneath the cascading water.
My eyes finally focused on the murky depths. There it was, a grotesque, wriggling creature clinging to the rocks. With a surge of adrenaline, I drew my sword and plunged it into the water, impaling the leech.
"Ding."
"You killed '1 rank low level leech'. xp granted: 30 points."
"Senior, I killed the leech. It's gone," I said, trying to gently pry her arms from around me.
But she didn't seem to hear me, her embrace remaining firm. "I killed it, Senior," I repeated, a little louder. "And... you know... you're naked now."
Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by a wave of mortification. Her face flushed crimson, and she abruptly pushed me away, stumbling backwards into the water. She quickly submerged herself, only her head and shoulders visible.
"Hey, Senior! Why did you push me?" I sputtered, soaked and confused.
"Th-that's... you saw me, right?" she stammered, her gaze fixed on the water.
"Huh?"
"You saw me... naked, right?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Ah, that's... yes. I'm sorry, Senior," I mumbled, my own face heating up again.
Without another word, she turned and fled, her hands covering her face as she disappeared into the trees.
"Huh? What happened to Senior?" I wondered aloud, shaking my head.
The next morning, we continued our journey. The air between us felt thick with unspoken words. Senior Yun Sha, usually so vibrant and talkative, was now quiet and reserved, her eyes avoiding mine. The memory of the waterfall hung heavy in the air, a silent testament to a moment of unexpected vulnerability and my accidental intrusion.