The cave stayed quiet.
Too quiet.
Xu Tian didn't move, his back against the wall, the children held close.
Then he felt it again.
That presence.
Closer this time.
Xu Tian looked toward the entrance.
Dark.
Still.
"…Still there," he murmured.
The air felt heavier.
He slowly stood up.
"…If you're coming in," he said, "then come."
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a low sound echoed from outside.
Heavy steps.
A shadow moved at the entrance.
Then it stepped inside.
The creature was large, its body covered in thick fur. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
It didn't rush.
It just watched him.
Xu Tian didn't move.
This one was different.
Stronger.
"…Of course," he said quietly.
The creature stepped forward.
Then suddenly, it lunged.
Fast.
Xu Tian's eyes sharpened.
Everything slowed.
He stepped aside.
The claws missed.
His arm moved.
A single strike.
A heavy impact echoed in the cave.
The creature stopped.
Then it was thrown back.
It hit the wall and didn't move again.
Silence returned.
Xu Tian stood still.
"…That worked."
He looked at his hand.
No effort.
No pain.
Just done.
He could still feel that strange sense inside him.
Stronger now.
More stable.
The girl opened her eyes again.
Watching him.
Xu Tian looked down.
"…You saw that?"
No response.
He let out a small breath.
"…Guess we're both strange."
He sat back down.
The cave felt quieter now.
Safer.
For now.