With the help of the horse, Bai Xing's progress was much faster. He still wanted to check the dwarves' cottage since the horse also didn't know where the mist came from. Maybe he could ask the dwarves about it.

It took him almost another hour to finally see the end destination indicator in the directory. Once he was close enough, he could see a cottage right in front.

It was as big as his cabin, but the cottage has 2 floors of that size. The front door was only as tall as his chest. Peeking inside, there didn't seem to be anyone there.

The dwarves were probably still out mining.

The distance from here to his cabin was approximately 2 hours. The dwarves would probably be back before sundown because of the mist, but could he make it back before sundown?

He consulted to the horse.

"The mist doesn't cover the whole forest. If I run with my full power, I can get us out of the danger zone in half an hour." The horse confidently declared.

Bai Xing considered it for a moment and nodded. He rubbed the horse's head, "Then, I'll be counting on you."

So they waited there for the dwarves to come back. Bai Xing didn't forget to feed the horse. It was very happy with the treats.

"Because of the corpses, there are many edible plants that turned poisonous. They will either kill you instantly or give you infectious disease." The horse complained as it chewed its apple.

"…"

Once again, Bai Xing was grateful for the app.

Nearing dusk, Bai Xing saw seven blue dots coming towards the cottage. No doubt, the dwarves were back.

When the dwarves saw someone with a shotgun standing in front of their house, they immediately pointed their shovels and pickaxes at Bai Xing.

"Who are you!?"

Bai Xing hurriedly raised both of his hands and uncovered his hood, "I-I-I only want to ask something a-and I'll leave."

One of the dwarves, seemingly older than the rest stepped forward. He signaled the others to lower their tools.

"Apologies for our reaction. Lately, the forest is not safe, so we need to be careful. What is it that you want to ask?"

"I'm here to ask about the mist. Do you perhaps know its source?"

The dwarves looked at each other and relaxed their stance. One of them spoke up, "It's probably somewhere around that goddess statue."

"Goddess statue?"

"Yes, if you go east from here, you will find a clearing with a goddess statue in the center. That's where the mist is the thickest." Another answered.

"Young lad, what do you plan to do if you find it? Are you going to destroy it?" the oldest asked.

"If it is something sinister, then I have no choice but to." Bai Xing didn't elaborate.

"Are you someone from the church perhaps?" the shortest one asked.

Bai Xing shook his head and signaled the horse to come, "Thank you for the information."

"It's already very late. I suggest you go home for today. Even if you want to destroy it, it's best to not do it at night." The oldest warned him.

"Yes, I'm planning to check it tomorrow." Bai Xing hopped onto the horse.

"Then, you can stop by here tomorrow and one of us will show you the way."

"Is that really alright?" Bai Xing hesitantly confirmed.

"We are very inconvenienced by the mist. If you can destroy it, it will also benefit us."

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you very much, Mr. Dwarf." Bai Xing slightly bowed before leaving.

The horse galloped speedily, "Hold on, human. Don't let the wind blow you away!"

Bai Xing hurriedly braced down to the horse's neck and the horse dashed forward with its full power. Peeking through his hood, he could see the mist slowly forming around them once dusk arrived.

As the horse declared, they managed to leave the danger zone before the mist thickens. Bai Xing pitifully dropped to the ground from his sore butt and waist. Looking back, he could see the wall of mists separating them from the deeper part of the forest.

The forest at night creeped him out for many reasons. He didn't rest long before resuming his way back to his cabin.

They arrived not 20 minutes later. The horse said it was going to stay there, so Bai Xing dumped a pile of fruits next to its resting spot before going inside.

He slumped to the couch tiredly, massaging his still sore waist. He was too lazy to cook, so he just ate an apple and banana for dinner. After cleaning himself, he went to bed. He needed to wake up early tomorrow.

It was in the middle of the night when Bai Xing was awakened by a dull noise. He groggily got up and checked where the noise came from. Looking out his front window, he saw someone lying in front of his door.

He hurriedly opened the door and turned on his phone's flashlight. The unconscious man was heavily injured.

He took the man's arm to his shoulder and pulled him up. The man was bigger than him and was very heavy, with broad chest and shoulders. Even his arm was almost as thick as his head. Bai Xing barely managed to bring him to the couch.

He quickly messaged M, asking for a medical kit. M promptly replied.

[M: Are you injured? What do you need?]

[No, someone else is. I don't know, maybe disinfectants and gauzes. He's bleeding too much]

[M: Calm down. First, send me a picture. I'll guide you through it]

Bai Xing quickly sent him the picture of the man's injury and typed in the details. Right after, M added a medical kit menu in the app and instructed Bai Xing on what to do.

It was the first time for Bai Xing to deal with such a heavy injury and that much amount of blood. His hands couldn't help but tremble throughout the procedure. His face was drenched with cold sweat from fear and nervousness.

What if he did something wrong and made the injury worst? What if the man died because of him? The man seemed to be in a lot of pain. Did he do something wrong? The wounds were clean, right? What if it got infected because of him?

"When you are lost or in doubt, I want you to focus on me instead."

Grey's voice appeared in his head, blocking his previous thoughts.

"Focus your eyes on me."

"Focus your senses on me."

"Just focus on me and follow my lead."

Bai Xing felt his rapid heartbeat slowly calming down. His emotion gradually stabilized as he imagined Grey sitting next to him, giving him directions in place of M. His hands that were sewing a gaping wound became steady as he recalled the reassuring warmth of Grey's hands guiding him.

"Focus on me, White."

Bai Xing took a deep breath and got a hold of himself. If he overthinks himself right now, it would be more likely for him to make a mistake. He should clear his head for now and worry about anything else later.

In that manner, Bai Xing focused on treating the man. Time passed unknowingly and he finished dressing the last wound on the man's leg. After tightening the gauze, he double-checked the rest of the man's body.

Once he was certain that everything was treated, Bai Xing slumped to the floor in relief. His energy and mentality were both drained. His hands were still in a tremor from how tense they were earlier. He couldn't imagine how the doctors at the hospitals could stand those hours of surgery. Respect to them.

[M: Good job, Bai Xing. You should wash yourself, change your clothes, and rest]

"Good boy. You are a fast learner."

Bai Xing faintly blushed, embarrassed of his own thoughts. He didn't think he would depend on his memory with Grey to go through that. He really did make an impact in his mind in more than one way.

He quickly shook Grey away from his head and thanked M for his help.

After done cleaning himself and changing to a new sleepwear, he placed a bowl of fruits and a glass of water at the table for the man before going to sleep.

In the morning, the sunlight hitting Bai Xing's face woke him up. He intentionally left the curtain open so that he would wake up when morning arrived. He couldn't really use his phone alarm with the stranger outside.

"?"

Why does his body feel heavy?

Suddenly, something slick and warm glided up his navel. His eyes instantly shot open and uncovered his blanket in panic, thinking there was an animal on him.

But the scene greeted him stunned him in shock. More than the scenario in his head.

His shirt was lifted up to his chest. On top of him was the man he helped yesterday, shirtless, with only the gauzes covering his tan body.

The man looked up at Bai Xing as he retracted his tongue.

"#%!@^&!!??"